Mental practice of focus on a particular object, thought or activity to improve one's mind
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Is the world a good place? Is truth relative? Can beauty be defined? On this episode of ID the Future from the archive, host David Klinghoffer speaks with Dr. Ann Gauger, Director of Science Communication and a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, about her article “The Transcendental Treasury of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness” at Science & Culture Today. These abstract concepts don't derive from the material world, yet we feel impoverished without them; they're foundations of a life worth living. Materialistic evolutionary explanations for truth, beauty, and goodness are out there, but they fall flat upon closer inspection. Some of them even reduce these qualities to mere illusion. Gauger holds that truth, beauty, and goodness are hallmarks of a designed world. Meditating on them can promote a spirit of gratitude, an important part of a healthy, happy life. Source
A talk by Thanissaro Bhikkhu entitled "Reading & Meditating"
If you don't memorize Scripture, you won't be able to stand against the devil. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar each share how storing God's Word in their hearts transformed their faith and equipped them for spiritual battle. E.Z. didn't grow up with the Bible, and when he discovered it, he became captivated by its sweetness and power to guide his life. Oscar initially found the Bible confusing, but through memorization, he came to see it as the single, reliable source of wisdom. While God's law is written on our hearts and gives a general sense of right and wrong, conviction and clarity come when His Word is hidden within, ready to guide and correct in the moment.Memorizing Scripture allows truth to come to mind during temptation and conviction, shaping responses through godly wisdom rather than emotion. Without it, believers risk relying on the world instead of God's guidance. Sanctification is lifelong as the Spirit reveals sin, and as we grow, we become continual repenters, allowing Scripture to illuminate dark corners of the heart. The Word is living and active, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, providing strength and fruitfulness. Mark reflects that those who meditate on Scripture day and night are like trees planted by streams of water, deeply rooted and bearing fruit in every season.The Word equips believers as vessels of honor, ready for every good work. It is the sword of the Spirit—powerful only when known and applied. Believers are called to treasure scripture like hidden gold, rejoicing in its truth and prioritizing it above all else. Jesus upheld the authority of Scripture as the ultimate standard of truth that will judge the nations. Memorization fills minds with good things, yet it has become a lost discipline in the modern church. How valuable it would be to have Scripture ready to encourage a friend, for from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The more we store God's Word, the more we live by it.The early church eagerly gathered to hear Scripture read aloud, but today many settle for spiritual fast food instead of feasting on truth. Ray warns that the church often treats the Bible like a fragile artifact rather than a living guide meant to be used and marked. Jesus modeled memorization when He resisted Satan's temptations with truth. Memorizing Scripture takes time, but just minutes a day can transform your walk. Meditation means letting verses soak into the soul. Memorizing Scripture is coming face-to-face with God—shaping the heart and strengthening faith. The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
Listen to today's podcast... Our minds can not operate on ‘full throttle' all day long. Focus meditation helps to clear the mind of racing, cluttered thoughts by focusing our energies on a particular image or thought. Gradually distracting thoughts will decrease during meditation. This strategy helps to restore mental balance by providing a break in our hectic day. By allowing our mind to slow down it is better able to focus when we return to the task at hand. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Stress Awareness Day: All that is needed is a quiet environment, a comfortable position, a mental image or positive thought in which to focus on, and an attitude that will permit relaxation to happen. Meditating or focusing on music or a relaxing video can give the mind a needed break from stressful events such as conflict, problem-solving, and high energy output. Guided imagery is a visualization technique, that goes one step further than mediation, by actually engaging the senses within the body to deliver a variety of messages. It can be used to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce muscle tension, and increase energy. Your body responds to these positive images in the same way it would, if the image was ‘real'. There is no way we can not get rid of all of our stress, nor do we want to. What we want to do is to reduce our negative reactions to stress so that we don't become sick, worn down, and worn out. Start by adding one relaxation technique to your daily checklist of things to do. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr
Memorizing Scripture equips believers to stand firm against temptation and walk in God's truth. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar each demonstrate how storing God's Word in their hearts transformed their faith and helped them rely on divine wisdom instead of the world. As Scripture takes root, it brings conviction, clarity, and strength in moments of struggle, guiding believers to live according to God's will. The Word is living and active, a lamp to our feet that reveals sin and directs our steps. Through meditation, hearts are renewed and shaped toward godliness, producing lasting fruit. The more believers fill their minds with Scripture, the more it naturally flows in conversation, encouragement, and prayer. Though often neglected today, memorization fills the mind with truth, equips believers to encourage others, and builds a firm foundation of faith. Treasuring the Bible as a priceless gift keeps us close to God, guards us from sin, and draws us deeper into His presence.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
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On the first day of each month, we release Grace & Knowledge, a more in-depth article from Paul that allows him to expand on biblical truths beyond his weekly Wednesday's Word.Our prayer is that this resource helps you “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).In this month's Grace & Knowledge, Paul reminds us that while fear is a natural part of life in a broken world, our hearts must be ruled not by fear of our circumstances but by a greater, hope-filled fear of God—trusting his power, presence, and grace in every moment.
Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 22 Belle, Paige, Hope, & Madness In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels. To understand why Hope was currently so meek (for her) and attentive, you had to understand that her Father was a stern warrior-patriarch of a very proud and mostly traditional Korean family. At home, she was the dutiful eldest daughter in a family with no sons; here at FFU, she was aloof and deadly, except around Christina and company, where she got to be a relatively normal American girl in her early twenties. Hope's only experience with men was with her Father, who was rumored to have killed any male who looked at her sexually, or expected her to kill the ones he missed. At FFU there were no guys at all for her to form relationships with, until I arrived. It wasn't a Daddy-issue thing, Hope didn't charge off into the great unknown; she became a good student and learned, patiently and confidently. I would have time later to marvel at my brilliance; at the moment, Hope planting small kisses across my abs and chest as my shirt came up was beyond pulse searing. She didn't know stimulation so much as she understood how a body worked. She also was coolly efficient in easing my shirt over my head and off my arms. She used a strong, steadying maneuver to take each shoe and sock off before she removed my pants and underwear together. When she finished, she was left kneeling in front of me, my cock bobbing an inch or two from her lips. She stared at it. I cupped a hand over each ear and guided her lips to my blood-engorged head. I had no intention of ramming it down her throat; her parting of the lips was enough. It was on her own initiative that she licked off the pre-cum starting to appear along the slit. Her lips took in the top of the head and I stopped the pressure on her head. Hope quickly took over, leaning forward, taking in the whole head, retiring before bobbing back and letting her lips pass over the head to the start of the shaft. I let her figure out by using her mouth and wrapping my cock up with one hand what felt good to me. She was growing in confidence by leap and bounds but I was still in charge. I touched each shoulder and she looked up (pretty damn sexy with her cheeks dimpling in as she sucked my cock). "Stand up and take off your clothes," I instructed. I held her hand as she stood. Hope's removal of her clothing was no striptease, although it did have a certain military grace to it, physically perfect and fearless. Four times I had to stop myself from stepping up and ravish her as her body's muscles rippled under her smooth, ochre skin and her breasts swung loose, perfectly round and excited. "On the bed," I instructed. Hope turned presenting her taut athletic ass to me, each cheek rolling in tandem with each stride. She moved to pull back the covers but I stopped her with a word. "No," I corrected her. "I want you above the covers." Hope smoothly altered her motion so that she crawled on all fours onto the bed. She looked over her shoulder at me, deliciously presented, before rolling onto her back. I approached her on my hands and knees from the foot of my sleeping platform and languidly stalked up her body until I stopped and kissed her at the joining of the thigh to the torso. Hope remained attentive and quiet, watching me plant kisses on each side of her pubic triangle without touching it. As I worked my way up to her diaphragm, Hope raised her left leg, bent at the knee, foot resting next to her other knee. I gave a quick smile; Hope was relaxed and enjoying the moment, which is pretty special for a first-timer. I let my lips nibble along the bottom rib until I took a nip out of her waist and made her giggle. Hope shifted away as she brought the back of her hand up to stifle her snickers. I let her go. I wanted to give her a wide range of sensations to sample. Had I done this with any of the other women I'd taken to bed? No, but no two women are alike. The only person Hope compared herself to was Hope and I gave her that level of respect. I laid a path of licks and lip suction up her sternum to her far (left) breast. I circled the areola with my tongue, making sure to rub the nipple with my upper or lower lip as I made my circuit. Hope made this cute little coughing noise but otherwise remained still. Her nipple twirled around my tongue before I engulfed it with my mouth and started a strong steady suction that I accentuated by pulling my head up with her nipple extended by the upward maneuver. This earned me a twitching in her hips. Her raised leg began to flop back and forth to the side while the right leg pressed against me and opened up her crotch for exploration. I took the offer and ran my right hand along her inner thigh above the knee to her plump, moist cunt lips. On the first trip I pushed a finger in up to the first knuckle. I drew some of her juices down along her other inner thigh until I made a circle under her knee. She shivered slightly as I did so. I zigzagged on the return trip, this time running a finger from the perineum, dipping in to her cunt and making a quick twirl right beneath the clit. Two desperate breaths escaped past Hope's clenched teeth. Hope's orgasm was close, closer than she realized. I moved my lips from her breast to her ear once more. I also subjected her cunt to the energies of another finger. I made slow, shallow strokes directed at parting the labia around her now rather impressive clitoris, twisting it and squeezing it between my fingers. (Strong fingers are something you work on in Marksmanship btw.) When Hope's arms snaked up and wrapped me tightly to her, I knew she was on the home stretch. "I am going to take you now," I whispered in her ear. The thrill and confusion of my intentions tore her apart inside. She wanted to learn and obey but she also wanted to maintain her virginity, and the two ideas collided like twin locomotives. Remember, sex is in the mind and Hope's thoughts were on fire. I bit down on her earlobe at the same time I grappled with her right tit and gave several quick sharp spanks to her quim. "Zane!" she started out with a hiss but boiled into a thunderous shout. Her thighs clamped onto my fingers and she drove (no, she didn't claw, she impaled) her fingers into me like nails. The temporary deafness in my right ear was its own reward. I kissed her, running my tongue along the top and back of her teeth while her body shook and shivered. When the last of the tremors subsided I released her and pushed up with my arms, keeping my elbows half bent. "Zane, I'm sorry. I've hurt you," Hope sounded worried that her fingernails had blood on them. The pain was nothing compared to the humiliation I'd go through in the showers tomorrow. Rio took perverse glee crowing over every new sexual scar I accumulated. "Hush now; on your knees facing me," I commanded. This time Hope gave a barely noticeable blink before complying. She sat there attentively, her ass resting on her heels and her palms on her thighs looking smoking hot with damp thighs and perky nipples. I shifted up the bed, keeping to my side until I was properly positioned. I then reached for the back of Hope's head and confidently directed her toward my cock once more. Hope picked up right where she'd left off; slurping my head like a lollipop. Hope didn't get overly ambitious. She sucked me in, rolled my head around her mouth using her tongue with the occasional sojourn an inch or two down my shaft. Being at loose ends since Hope was drooling all over my rod so well, I reached out and began fondling her closest breast. This time I was rough, milking her breast, gripping the base of the breast and pulling down until I pulled the nipple. No response from Hope wasn't a bad thing; if she didn't like it she'd let me know. A few more pleasurable minutes with Hope and I sat up and put my other hand on the small of her back (I have really good abdominal muscles). I brushed my hand knife-like and pinkie first down between her ass cheeks. I brushed her anus but only briefly because my target was her cunt once more. She was hot, wet, and welcoming. I worked two fingers in and pumped her as hard as I dared. When I had her rocking her hips in response to my thrusts, I jumped my fingers down and vibrantly worked over her clit. Hope choked and little shimmies emanated from her hips. Again, I switched things up on her; I moved my hand up and rotated my forefinger against her anus until it gave way. Hope made a slight gagging noise but recovered masterfully and upped the tempo of her blowjob. "Come this way," I directed her by pulling her right buttocks to me. Hope wiggled from the waist slightly so she could look down the length of my body into my eyes. I repeated my hand motion, her eyes flashed with pleasure and she quickly straddled my body. Now her cunt was nearly at mouth level (Hope's pretty tall) while her blowjob continued non-stop in our '69'. I gripped a buttock in each hand, pulled them apart and then lifted my head to her honey box. With my first lick, Hope's resolve began to fracture. I would grove my tongue, move her hips over me and then lick from her clit to the bottom of her cunt. I massaged her several times before resting my head and alternating my fingers in. When my tongue lapped at her creases once more, I trailed a finger up to her anus, no reaction. I tickled her backside for half a minute, then substituted my tongue. I probed delicately and Hope stuttered in response. I went back to twirling her clit while pushing my index finger through her sphincter. Her oral attentions finally broke down. She let my cock plop out of her mouth and rested her forehead on my hip while the overwhelming sensations crashed over her senses. I felt the tightness of her anal cavity around my finger and her cunt throbbing against my tongue. I pushed deeper with my finger and her juices started flowing as Hope became more and more aroused. Valiantly, she stepped up her game, kissing and sucking one of my balls into her mouth. I moaned, which made her very happy. Hope's clit played along my lips as I took it in and sucked on it. She was rubbing my cock shaft as she tantalized my balls when she felt it start to pulse in her hand. My cockhead was engulfed by her lips and she remorselessly gobbling up the top third of my cock with the addition of a little twisting motion with her head and throat. "I'm cumming," I growled. "Take it all but don't swallow until I tell you to." Hope drove me on faster and harder and I reciprocated on her two holes. When I took on her clit once more, it wasn't in the form of a monster wave crashing on the beach but like a building tsunami pulling the energy before pummeling in one overwhelming surge. I poked a second finger into her anus to drive her over the top. Hope's back arched violently and a thin stream of fluid squirted into my mouth. She humped my face and squeezed my fingers in her asshole in a corkscrew fashion. "Zane!" she belted out musically. "Oh, God, that's great, umm, oh, yes, don't stop." My member slapped against my stomach and my balls were starting to boil and I couldn't hold back for long. Several more flexes and grunts came from Hope before she settled down enough for me to get her to do what I wanted. "Hope, I'm cumming," I ground out once more and just in time. Hope barely got my shaft upright and her lips over my head before I began ejaculating into her mouth. She breathed sharply through her nose but didn't choke or spew. Time after time she took my seed until I mustered the strength to let her know I was done. Hope dismounted me and resumed her kneeling position supported by unsteady thighs. I was a little slower in following her though her eyes sparkled when I looked into their brown depths. "Show me," I told her. Hope opened her mouth and I saw my semen brimmed inside. I kissed her lower lip along its entire length then did the same to her upper. I didn't take any of my jizz this time, that would came another time. For now, "Swallow," I spoke, and she did in a mighty gulp. I pulled her into me and led us down onto the comforter, Hope resting in my embrace. I soaked up the gentle passion of the moment with Hope in my arms. When she started kissing me on the neck I realized that was her way of asking for more. I twisted my body and pulled Hope past me so she could extend herself onto her hands and knees with me at her side. She lowered herself, letting her long, luxurious black hair cascade over her far shoulder. My hands roamed over the back of her neck and shoulders while I kissed her mid and lower back. I shifted from her side, ending up behind her. I gave a slight nudge to her calf to get Hope to open her legs wide and let me position my hips behind her. I gave my rod a few strokes to get it ready but really the visual tableau of the tightly sculpted muscles of her shoulders, back, hips, and buttocks made the physical stimulation superfluous for me. Keeping my eyes on Hope, I leaned way back and rummaged under the rolled-up blanket at the foot of the bed. The heating pad I'd asked Barbie Lynn to place there made finding the vial of viscous scented oil that was being warmed up easy. I was pleasantly assured of my feel for Hope to notice she hadn't looked back to see what I was up to. That took a great deal of confidence and trust. The serenity with which Hope greeted the thin stream of liquid as it steamed while flowing from her tailbone into her cleft was intensely arousing to my sight. I set down the container and began rubbing the oil in. First I started around the anus but I soon moved over each cheek, massaging them as well. When I coasted down to her inner thighs Hope figured out what was really going on and I could swear I heard a phantom cough of amusement. She knew I'd tricked her in a playful way. A few seconds later she pieced together the why, distracting her was secondary to easing the fatigue creeping through her thighs, lower back and ass brought on by several tense orgasms. There would be no muting of our joining. For ten minutes she relaxed and soaked up the hot oil working into her flesh. I restarted my efforts by kissing each hip, signaling her that I was anxious for her flesh. I placed one hand on the small of her back and lined up my cock at the top of her ass crack. I gently rocked forward, pushing my cock onto her back. Swaying back, I let my cock slip off her ass, letting it swing free before thrusting forward once more. This time I directed it languidly along the base of her cunt, letting my cockhead part her lips and plow her furrows until I touched then passed the clit on my way through her pubic hair and beyond. I repeated this orchestra of lust, adding in a movement where my bulbous head pressured her sphincter to the point of violation before sliding elsewhere. "Jesus, Zane," Hope sung out, "make up your mind. You are driving me crazy." Hope wasn't being exhorted to climax by any loss of control; it was the tension brought about by not knowing what direction the lesson was going to take. For someone else it would be as if you were reading LA Confidential one night only to discover that the last quarter of the book was missing and not accessible until the next morning. "There will be no intercourse for us tonight, Hope," I informed her. I began pumping along her cunt, mimicking the fucking motion. Time and again I let my cock head cut along her labia, brush her clitoris until it was stimulated by the low ridges along the shaft. It didn't take long for Hope to start pushing back against me to maximize my 'depth'. Hope clenched the sheets as we both increased the violence of our impacts. Her breath was coming in labored huffs and sweat began beading up all over her skin. Considering how fit Hope was, I was impressed with the intensity with which she embraced our sympathetic coupling. "No, not yet; keep going," was her self-encouraging mantra. "Don't let go, don't let go. Push him, push him harder." I scooped up the long tail of Hope's hair and guided her body up off her hands so that her back slid up and down my chest. Our hands did a little dance of their own. She ended up with her left reaching across and holding on to my right at her breast. My right still held the majority of her long locks, and I used those to give a silken caress to my coaxing of her right breast to sensual overload. My left hand landed on her stomach and used that perch to push her harder into me with each thrust. Her left hand wandered back to my ass. Hope's nails dug in deep (am I being marked/branded?) and she matched her pull with my push between her legs. When she finally succumbed to her climax, vaginal juices washed over my cock and down both our thighs. I was perfectly poised to support my lovers body as she surrendered to her orgasmic impulses and erotic energies coursed chaotically through her system. Her murmurs signaled she was regaining control and she made it definite by placing a series of kisses along my right arm. I coaxed us down on the bed facing one another. "I still don't know if I want to have sex tonight," Hope smiled sleepily. "It is your choice to make," I answered. "We both know you have the confidence now to make that decision when you are ready." "Are you looking out for me, Zane?" Hope teased me wearily. "Of course. I look out for all my ladies, even those who can take care of themselves just fine," I noted. She nodded and I realized that she'd tentatively opened the door into her inner circle of friends. "To answer an earlier question, I take no pleasure in ordering you around as some kind of power trip. I communicated with you in a manner that maximized your focus on our caresses." She nodded and gave me an affectionate peck on the forehead, reaffirming her dominant status. "You will come with me and shower," she ordered me. I retrieved two robes and my shower kit and a naked Hope lead me to the Solarium shower. We did not bathe ourselves; we lathered, rubbed, and rinsed the other, and I could tell Hope relished the experience. "Tell me something: how come you and Heaven have never snuck off in the woods and knocked boots?" she mused. "You are not asking because you think we did and didn't talk about it so you must be wondering what it would be like if we did, so yes, I would fuck you if you asked me to while doing a little shooter-spotter bonding out in the forest," I related to Hope; on the Marksmanship team, I was the spotter to her shooter. Her eyes flashed like lightning on a pitch black night. A powerful, lethal rifle in hand and a lover penetrating her was Hope's aphrodisiac, her perfect storm. "You should get ready for that. I definitely think it will make us a more simpatico team," Hope smiled and rubbed her breasts against my chest. "Are you going to make me obey you?" "I'm going to stick a ponytail up your ass and make you call me Master," I confided. "Oh, so how do you want your bullets; orally, anally or at high-velocity?" she remarked as her grin became more feral. "I've got nothing but love for you, Baby," I joked. We finished toweling off and headed for the bedroom area. We immediately noticed that while the sofa-beds were still open, they were unoccupied. Had we been that loud? I'm being rhetorical, I am the soul of discretion but I bring out the vocalist in every woman I meet. Inside the screens I could make out the forms of multiple girls having already settled in under the covers. Rio and Mercy were intertwined at their usual place on the far side of the bed. Barbie Lynn was curled up, facing away from us, in the middle of the platform, and Vivian was on her back, eyes closed, stretching out on the near side. I motioned Hope to follow me to the spot between Barbie Lynn and Vivian at the foot of the bed. She looked down at her carefully placed clothes then back to me. Her gaze went to the clock on one of the wardrobes, back to me, then she followed. We lay in each other's arms for a few minutes as our hair dried and bodies wound down. "Umm, that was definitely more than I envisioned, Zane," Hope sighed happily while staring up at the clouds in the night sky. "I need to be going but I look forward to seeing you in the morning." "No, you are staying the night," I stated. Hope pushed herself up into a kneeling position, hands on her thighs and her ass resting on her heels. "You are getting off on ordering me around, aren't you?" Hope smirked. To maintain the illusion, I didn't answer. I did get on my knees, wrapped my arms around her waist, and pulled us both into a kneeling, upright posture. Our mutual attraction brought our fresh bodies into contact. Hope exhaled and let her hands come to rest on my buttocks and the side of her head rest against my collarbone while my hands cupped each of her ass cheeks. Hope then did something I hadn't even imagined; she purred like a sated cat and snuggled firmly into my embrace. "Thank you, Zane," she whispered. "You're welcome, my Little Thunder" I responded. I knew I could have said something like 'you are worth it' or 'you did all the real work,' but I went with what felt right and those were the words she wanted to hear. Never just another Monday Morning. Death is inevitable; no one can force it upon you or save you from it. "Zane," a woman whispered in my ear. It is a testament to my out-of-control sex life that I didn't immediately know the identity of the woman in my bed even though drugs and/or alcohol were not involved. "Yes, Hope?" I turned and whispered back. "We are surrounded," her eyes glimmered. Indeed, we had been surrounded in the few hours we'd been asleep. Barbie Lynn had crowded in on Hope's section of the bed. As Hope rolled onto her side and snuggled into me, Barbie Lynn wiggled in behind her and pressed her magnificent boobs into Hope's back. She had even put her upper arm to rest on Hope's and had situated her right lower thigh and calf between Hope's legs. On the other side of the equation, Vivian was on her side, left leg laid over my thighs and left hand on my chest, on top of Hope's hand. Both our new female companions were sound asleep and snoring softly. "What do you want me to do about it?" I inquired quietly. "I don't know," Hope seemed conflicted. "Barbie Lynn is having a good dream." "And?" I wondered. "Her nipples are digging into my back and she's humping my ass," Hope grinned. At least she wasn't offended. "What would you do?" "Turn over slowly, push her on her back, spread her legs and then slip two fingers into her cunt and pump her," I tried not to snicker. "Work in small circles, then start suckling on a nipple; she likes a bit of teeth." "I've never been sexually involved with a woman," Hope said. It wasn't a statement but a declaration of an issue she was contemplating. "You would like to see Barbie Lynn and me, pleasuring one another, would you not?" Hope mused. "Absolutely," I nodded slightly, enough not to wake our companions. "I'll bring it up to her over breakfast," she informed me thoughtfully. "I need to look into her clear blue eyes when I talk this idea out with her." "She'll like that," I murmured, "and that is what she deserves too." Though asleep (we hoped), Barbie Lynn nuzzled into Hope's ear and let her hand drop down onto Hope's closest breast. "She's not making waiting easy," Hope looked worried concerning her desire to postpone the encounter. "The best things in life are never easy," I pointed out before we both drifted back off. Good News, Rejection I woke up with the feeling that something was wrong but I couldn't place it. The alarm wasn't going off, the phone wasn't ringing, and there were no sirens screaming. Vivian, on my left side, had worked her way between my arm and my body and was draped over half of my form. The awkwardness only increased when I realized she'd slid a hand between her legs. That wasn't so bad except it also meant the back of her hand was also rubbing along my cock. Her other hand had come to rest against my neck on the far side and her face was blowing softly on my neck's near side. Remember the arm she'd separated from my side? The devilish hand at the end of that arm had somehow wedged itself under her underwear and was holding one of Vivian's ass cheeks. Vivian began the slow, steady process of awakening, bringing about a strange paralysis in me. As her mind wandered its way toward alertness, both of her hands fidgeted slightly. My pulse jumped and my rod raced to iron hardness against her wrist as she stirred. "Your hand is on my ass," she murmured. "I'm sorry," I gulped. "I wish I could say I was sorrier but I'm not. My only excuse is that I was asleep when it happened." "I know, Zane, I put your hand on my ass," Vivian said, her breath tickling my jugular. "It was already close and, I was curious." I blinked up at the ceiling, having moments ago misread the evidence and believed I'd violated this woman's trust in me. "I am going to spank you," I seethed. "I am going to strip down your panties and spank your ass for putting me through what you just put me through." "Does it buy me any goodwill if I tell you that Chastity brought some things over for Hope last night?" Vivian wondered. "They're over on the dresser. That's why I cut the alarm off, so you two could get some more sleep." "The alarm is off," Hope whispered. "What time is it?" She didn't sound so happy. "I didn't hear you wake up," Vivian apologized. "Long-range shooting involves controlled breathing," Hope answered. "What time is it?" Vivian rolled over, leaned off the bed, and retrieved her phone. "5:27," Vivian hissed back to us. "Oh," moaned a sleepy Barbie Lynn. "I guess Zane and I will have to do it in the shower again, not that I mind," she finished with a sexy grin. "No marathon session if you go downstairs," Vivian cautioned. "Zane and I have already showered," Hope said, "So we can avoid the ritual at this time." "How was it?" Barbie Lynn propped herself on an elbow and gazed upon Hope's face. "I will never look at Zane touching or kissing another woman in the same way," Hope imparted to her. "I'll talk about the details when I've digested the lessons I learned last night." "Yes, lessons," Hope confirmed as she rolled back the covers and sat up. "It is his chosen method for our sex play, that of female student and male instructor." "That's just fascinating;" grumbled Rio, "but some of us do need showers. If Zane doesn't put in an appearance, hey, what are you doing, Monkey?" Rio's attention turned to Mercy. Mercy had rolled on top of Rio, elevated on all fours, and was now sucking on and nibbling Rio's left nipple. "Did I tell you to do that?" Rio quizzed Mercy. Mercy shook her head in the negative but kept hold of the tit in her mouth. "Don't you worry, you annoying cunt," Rio grinned evilly, "I've got something planned for your insubordination this time. Now scoot." This time Mercy did wiggle off Rio. "Why don't you play teacher/student with me?" Barbie Lynn teased me. "You eat ice cream with a spoon and steak with a knife, Barbie Lynn, but hell, if you want to play Merry Monk and Naughty Nun with me, I'm game," I grinned. Barbie Lynn's grin equaled mine and added a salacious tongue running along the lips. She is my best sexual partner ever. "Before you run off can I ask Zane for one favor first?" Vivian asked the ladies. I was hoping she'd be considerate enough to ask me too. "Atta girl," Rio perked up. "Ride his face. Get his patented tongue-tickle wakeup call." "That's not what I have in mind," Vivian responded. "Sure," Barbie Lynn answered Vivian's request. "What; are we stockholders in Zane now?" Hope inquired. "I withhold my vote until I know what Zane has to do and how he feels about it." "Thanks, Hope," I looked over at her. "You are my spotter. If you are distracted, your performance suffers and so does mine," she smiled. "It is enlightened self-interest." Yeah, right. "I understand, Hope," Vivian nodded. "I knew if I asked Zane, he would consult with you ladies so I elected to take on any of your rejections myself. Zane, would you let me cuddle up against you for a few more minutes? That's all I want." "Sure," I agreed. This wasn't going to be so hard. Unfortunately, fate is cruel and I'm an idiot if there was ever any doubt. Vivian maneuvered so that her back was to me and she was pressed into my body. Hellish complication number one: when Vivian had leaned off the bed, I had removed my hand from her underwear, causing it to have ridden half-way down her ass. Hellish complication number two: I sleep naked; my cock was hard and wedged between said ass cheeks, and I mean wedged in deep. Hellish complication number three: "Zane, could you wrap your arm around me, please?" Vivian murmured. I had a feeling she had closed her eyes, feigning sleep, so I draped an arm over and rested it on her stomach, nice and safe. Vivian took my hand and pulled it to a point underneath her right tit and slightly into her cleavage beneath her shirt. Okay, I'm thinking, I'm still safe. I can do this for a few minutes and not crack. I had a really good time with Hope last night and I'm not running at a 100% over-stupid like I normally am. Vivian started to stretch, her back arching away from me while her shoulders and hips pushed in. I had to admit that her hair smelled great. I knew what to do next, but then I realized that what I had to do was think like someone who didn't know what to do. (Confused? Join the club) "What do I call you?" I whispered into her ear. "Vannie," she responded quietly. 'Vannie' must be the nickname her boyfriend uses. "Time to wake up, Vannie," I breathed. Vivian kept arching her back, with some gradual hip rotation added to the mix. My cock was rubbing down between each buttock; my hand was being pushed over the top of her shirt-covered breast. I had a reprieve when the bell's edge of my phallus caught on the waistband of her panties. Vivian swiveled her hips a few more times and then rotated her shoulders so that the palm of my hand wove circles over her breast. Her enticed nipple came out to play by twisting with my movements. I still had some hope, though, that she'd stop soon. When she ran her hand from her stomach to her crotch I prayed that a little self-stimulation was all she was seeking. With her left hand, which I hadn't tracked, she worked her panties half way down her thighs before resuming her gymnastic routine. Then her fiendish hand migrated over her thigh and cheek until it wrapped around my cock and gave it a squeeze. I had to do something quickly. "Vannie," I whispered with more urgency, "you really need to wake up." Vivian faked a yawn then wiggled violently against my hips. This allowed her to force my cock through her ass crack and between her thighs. Vivian was showing a surprisingly inherent talent as a champion lap-dancer. I had done the whole pseudo-sex thing last night with Hope so why was I being subjected to this again? "Vannie, I wish you didn't have to go." That caused a hiccup in her performance. Her hip movements became almost romantic in their tenderness and a low contented growled emanated from her chest. I racked my personality assessment of Vivian to figure out what to do next. Sexual conduct is best when you know what your partner is looking for and meeting that expectation. I took my hand from her breast, sauntered it up her sternum to her neck and jaw. I tilted her head toward me. Her eyes were still closed as if asleep so she made no reaction as I leaned in for a chaste kiss, no tongue. She kissed back in an equally tender fashion. "You need to wake up, Vannie," I said one last time. She nodded, gave me another kiss, and then let her head settle back on the pillow. "Thank you, Zane," Vivian told me as she looked up and over her shoulder at me. "Fuck it all, Bro!" Rio yelled. "Your cock is in her ass. Fuck her! Fuck her! This is your chance to nail the stuck up bitch." "She's not a stuck up bitch and my cock is not in her ass," I countered. "Trust me," Barbie Lynn provided her input, "if that meat was up her ass, the look on her face would be totally different." What happened to normal days of waking up where we greet each other, ask about our plans for the day, and wonder what we are having for breakfast? Seriously, who has discussions about what a girl's face would look like with my cock up their ass first thing in the morning? "On that wonderful note, I'm going to, I suddenly realized I was boned by reality. I had nowhere to go. I didn't need to shower and I didn't have to be anywhere for an hour and a half. Speaking of boners, why wasn't Vivian letting go of my cock, which she held tightly against her cunt lips? Well, if you can't be happy, "Vivian, could you stay with me a little longer?" I requested gently. "That's it," Rio chuckled. "Lure her in with that patented Braxton seduction then tap that ass good." There was rustling from Rio's side of the bed. "Mercy, you stay put." "I'm going down and talking to the other girls," Barbie Lynn announced. "Zane, I'll explain things to our shower buddies." With that, she scooted away from the covers and crawled off the foot of the bed. "I'm going to put some clothes on," Hope spoke up. "It is something of a marvel that so many of you seem comfortable in your nakedness but I'm not there yet." She too made her way off the bed and to the clothes Chastity had left for her friend. "Sure, Zane, I'll stay a little longer if you like," Vivian was finally allowed to respond. I nestled into her and she molded tightly to me. As I was busy inhaling the scent of her hair my hand returned to her stomach. This time it was a little lower, like brushing the top of her pubic hair lower. Vivian did me two better. Her right hand reached back and stroked my hair as I rested my lips on her neck, innocently of course. Her left hand was up to far worse; she reached down and began to pet my cockhead that was conveniently poking between her legs at cunt level. At that point, I'm trying to figure out why in the hell Vivian is torturing me. A loud slap of a hand on ass echoed to me from Rio's side of the bed. Mercy squeaked. Then it occurred to me; two could play at Vivian's game. The hand on the stomach wandered up her body, underneath her sleeping jersey and began fondling her left breast, including the occasional pull on the nipple. Another spanking resounded from the Rio/Mercy duo as I freed my left hand from beneath me and wrapped up Vivian's hair. I tilted her head toward me and began kissing her lips. Her mouth opened at my approach and we were soon wrestling back and forth with our lips and tongues. A third slap of Rio's paddle on Mercy's ass rang out. I began pumping against Vivian's ass. As my cockhead withdraw deep into her muscular thighs her hand followed. I stopped when her fingers touched her clit. I'm still somewhat unclear on how Christian school girls stand on masturbation but it obviously didn't matter that Vivian was doing it right now, she had her shirt bunched up above her breasts, her panties around her knees, and my cock massaging her cunt. Two more smacks echoed from Mercy's paddling which concluded with a squeal of pleasure. Sometimes those two, I guess the next step is for them to be the first FFU openly lesbian couple or a Bonnie and Clyde crime spree, based on which way the neuron misfires in Rio's noggin. As for which way Vivian's brain was going off the rails, I wasn't totally certain. "Yes," she broke our kiss. "Yes, yes, yes," she panted. We were now rocking with some real synergy. She titled her face away from me and placed her chin on her chest as her breathing became rapid and shallow. Farther down, my cock and her fingers became impossibly slick with a mixture of my pre-cum and her vaginal fluids. I picked up the tinglings from her cunny first but they rapidly spread to her stomach and thighs. "Yes, oh, yes, oh, Holy God, ugh, ugh, ugh, Yes!" Vivian cried out. More liquid sloshed against my cock, not too much but enough to make me shoot, all over her hand and thighs. "Oh, oh, oh, it's been so long," she wheezed through tortured lungs. We rapidly put the brakes on our action and settled into a comfortable embrace. A minute later she gave me one last playful ass wag and sat up. My cock was thankfully going into a dormant state. Vivian had swung her feet off the bed, then turned and kissed me (chastely once more). "Thank you, Zane," she smiled as she began lapping my semen off her hand. "I can't wait to try this out with my boyfriend." Plus side: Vivian was getting the courage to get back with the long-time boyfriend who had 'accidentally' taken her virginity. I'd like to make Vivian's quality of life better. She also liked the taste of my seed. Down side: I'm back to being a practice dummy for the ambitious girls around me. Also, she liked the taste of my seed. "I appreciate you letting me loosen up and work out some of my issues with you," Vivian completed. Why can't a woman be satisfied with being a total jerk to me so I can stay angry with them for more than five seconds? I know there are chicks out there that get out of bed, sneer down at their former lover, and belittle them before laughing like the Wicked Witch and sauntering out the door. I blame my misconceptions on Lifetime TV, my Aunt watches it, honest. I flopped down on the bed and stared at the last bit of dark skies before the first rays of sunlight drove them away. Hope stepped into my field of view, grinning, with her ponytail dangling down and tickling my nose. "Zane, I really care for you and I am saying this with the utmost sincerity," Hope began. "You should have let Christina throw you out that first day," she smiled. "I have trained in the martial arts since I was five yet I've never seen anyone take a beating like you have in my entire life. The Energizer Bunny has nothing on your staying power, Zane. From Barbie Lynn at the beginning of the semester to Vivian right now, you just get it coming and going. I'm in awe with your inability to learn from your mistakes. I mean that in the kindest way." "Have I done anything right?" I sighed. Hope grabbed my nose, pinched it painfully, and yanked my head over for eye-to-eye contact. "You do a lot right, Zane, no pity party for you. I can name a dozen women who would charge into a burning building to save you, me included," she pointed out. "Zane, I want to protect you, and my Father taught me to ignore the cries of my own family if we were ever attacked because that would reveal my position," Hope informed me. Man, that is just plain fucked up in so many ways I don't even want to get into. What kind of father does that to his little girl? "I've never had a pet; I sleep with an automatic pistol under my pillow and a combat shotgun beneath my bed. I couldn't imagine anyone would consider himself a man unless he was versed in at least three forms of combat. I don't think I need to go into my instructions should a man touch me inappropriately, much less touch me when I was naked," she smiled warmly. "Wait," I mused after a moment's retrospection, "you want to protect me? Can't I be the one protecting you?" "Okay," she replied thoughtfully, "after Karate Club today, you and I can spar and if you can take me two out of three submissions, I will allow you to protect me." Wait, I am going to risk getting my ass kicked for what? It isn't like she's going to sleep with me if I win, and I can definitely get some action with Cappadocia if I refuse. "I'd like to but I have plans," I shrugged. "I am sure Cappadocia will understand. Besides, I might finish you off quickly and the two of you can get at it when I leave," Hope countered. "What makes you think, ?" I get out. "Zane, you live in a glass house, literally. You and her are no great secret," Hope interrupted. "Fine, let's see who gets schooled this time," I agreed. "So, how many years of Karate have you had?" "None," she smiled sweetly. "If it matters, I am advanced in the teachings of Taekkyeon, Hapkido, and Geom Do." "I have no clue as to what those styles are," I admitted. "A striking techniques style, a mixed martial arts style, and Korean Sword fighting," Hope informed me without a hint that she was offended by my ignorance. I knew that was a vast simplification of what those schools taught but from my limited experience, we could sit back and discuss them for twenty years and not cover every nuance. What I did know was, this school had more than its fair share of females unusually skilled in the arts of killing their fellow sentient life forms. Wait, was this the Hell Mouth and I am surrounded by an army of Buffy's, Faith's and Willow's? Did that make me Zander? Maybe I was Oz. He got to be a werewolf after all. "Where do you go," Hope asked with intense curiosity, "between that blink of your eye and the next?" "I'm imagining what you look like without your bra and panties on," I lied. I said that because I wanted to see her reaction, not because I had a hope in hell of her believing that. She did nothing. "I try to put my current circumstances in a context, no matter how crazy, that allows me to figure out what I should do next." "I should have known that you would embrace a cosmic embryonic spirit when making crucial decisions," Hope noted. Translation: I'm nuts. "I am glad you pierce through my many layers of obfuscations to see the real me," I retorted. "I am glad you see the real me too," she smiled. I got dressed, pulled out some homework, was jumped by my cohort of hotties, stripped down so they could examine my new collection of war wounds before finally letting me regain my clothing and dignity, while the ladies whispered conspiratorially about me. With the help of Vivian and Iona, I actually made it to the Dining Hall for breakfast by seven. Hope, Barbie Lynn, and Vivian broke free and headed for the senior tables first but soon it was just Iona, Rio and me. Paige stopped by only long enough to check on our status; I kissed her on the inside of each wrist and she ran her fingers through my hair and straightened my collar. I had Rio check me for electronic devices because Paige likes me but she is in the Time Lord Mafia, as is Iona. I have a little feud going on with their leader. On the way out the door, Raven caught up with me for a status update on our project. She'd written a beautiful opening paragraph and I told her that we would have the books from George Mason on Wednesday or Thursday. We asked how our weekends went; she went to the Soccer match up in Maryland and I had avoided sex the entire time. Raven seemed pleased by the news and I'm not even in a relationship with her. Okay, I may be the only one who believes I'm not in a relationship with her but I'm happy ignoring the rest of the world at this moment. Once I passed the Dining Room threshold I was brutally reminded that I still had Handmaiden's Duty. She was a nice, voluptuous junior named Georgia who was quite tall and quite well stacked. My task; to name all the descendants of Noah listed in the Book of Genesis. Every time I got one wrong I had to kiss her. I'd complain about the blatant sexual harassment but a) I like kissing girls and b) I could do without the ridicule of the entire school, check that; anymore ridicule from the entire school than what I was already getting. My some miracle I made it through enough names for Christina and company to surround us (Vivian, my guardian, was right there too). Georgia suspended her punishment gracefully as Heaven pulled me aside. "We have a date for Tuesday night," she beamed like a thousand suns. "Cool. Should we bring anything?" I inquired. "No. She's doing barbeque pork chops and chicken breasts, plus some other Southern stuff that I have no clue about what it is," Heaven informed me. "What is a hush puppy?" "Deep-fried corn meal batter, I think," I tossed out there. "When do we go over?" "5:30, and she'll have beer for me and Doctor Pepper or Sun Drop for you," she giggled. She was of legal drinking age and I wasn't, and Danica, our date, was a Lancaster City patrolwoman. "I'll meet you at the car, Babe," I grinned down at her while squeezing her in my arms. "But we have to be going," I noted. Arriving late to Assembly was unforgivable. "Zane, I've decided to tell my Father about you," Hope dropped her bomb right as we headed off again. I stumbled. "Zane?" Vivian and Georgia asked simultaneously. "Do you know how I say we should all live every moment as if it were our last? Well, never have I felt that to be truer than right now," I grinned fatalistically. "Thanks Hope." Around Memselbub, or whatever his God-damn name was, I lost track of Noah's grandsons and began kissing Georgia a lot. About Using-Half-The-Damn-Letters-In-The-Alphabet's name, I caught a furtive hand movement by Rio and Mercy give a little jolt but I didn't have time to delve into that right then because I caught sight of Cordelia coming to Assembly from another angle. I had a stroke of inspiration, or maybe I just had a stroke, because I dropped my bag and charged the svelte, sexy brunette Top Gun of the Time Lord Mafia, aka the Science Club, and it was about time I applied a fresh coat of paint (whoop ass) to her little red wagon. I pushed through the crowd of girls and got within six feet of Cordelia before I registered on her radar. Cordelia is a quick thinker and meticulous planner so it took her only one foot of space to figure out that this was the 'he's got no plan' that she'd been told about. I chose the blindly opportunistic blitz attack because even I didn't know what I was doing, so how could she figure it out? Cordelia squealed, dropped her book bag, and ran for it. Now, I'm not really the moron that I often appear to be and this attack was not me blindly flailing at the world. Safety laid in either a building she could shut the doors upon entry or the Assembly Hall. Her problem was that both options sucked. She'd have to push through a press of girls to get inside the Assembly Hall; I was bigger and stronger and would definitely catch her if she tried that. Running to another building, then, was her only real chance. That was a problem of physics, crowd dynamics, and physiology, all of which she was good at. Sure, I was the faster runner, but Cordelia would break free of the crowd first, giving her a head start. The question was; would it be enough? Cordelia made for Simmons Hall, which was a good plan except for one annoying aspect of school life, politeness. Two girls were hurrying out of the building but stopped to hold the door for her, and me. Had Cordelia made it to the stairwell at the end of the hall she could have held the door against me long enough for us to risk being late for Assembly. It was good, quick thinking. The politeness cost her one lonely second and that was all it took. I grappled her in the hallway and rolled us onto the ground. Cordelia was giggling and screeching and trying to wiggle free but I would have my revenge. I finally got her on her stomach and her arms pinned behind her back when Vivian caught up, looking incredibly peeved. "Okay, Zane, you got me, you got me. I give up," panted Cordelia. "That's nice," I responded. I hooked her closest leg, flung off her shoe and yanked off her sock. "Damn, Zane, are you going to make me walk around barefooted?" Cordelia snickered. "Nope," I answered as I went after her other foot. Cordelia struggled but not overly much. It was all fun and games until I tied one sock around her ankle then secured the same side hand to the ankle behind her back. She fought harder to keep the other wrist/ankle set free but I got those to. I'd hog-tied her, sort of. "Oh, come on," Cordelia moaned, starting to get pissed. "Zane, stop this," Vivian warned. "Vivian, do you want to see pictures of us, you and I, on the internet? Because that is exactly what this is about," I explained. "Cordelia feels like she can fuck with my life without repercussions. I'm not even asking her to stop, only to give me a warning before she does anything that is going to make my life rough." "Things like Barbie Lynn and me in the shower, Cordy," I grumbled. "But it was so hot to watch, Zane," Cordelia countered. "All it takes is two phone calls; one to me and one to her," I pointed out. "Vivian, can I have a red marker?" Vivian thought about it for a second, then handed it over. I went around to Cordelia's face and began writing on it. Cordelia was fuming and only got angrier when, by touch alone, she figured out what my message was. "Fine," Cordelia growled, "lesson learned. Let me up." "Nope. They will find you when Assembly is over," I informed her. Now she thrashed about for real. "Don't do this, Zane," Vivian cautioned me. "I'll explain later, I promise," I responded to my guardian. "Cordelia, we are going now. Do you need anything?" "I could use a sip of water," she smirked. I went over to the water fountain, drank some in, filled up my cheeks then knelt down beside her and let her suck the water out of my mouth. "Umm, Zane spit, my favorite flavor," Cordelia joked. Vivian and I made for the door. "Oh, come on, Zane," Cordelia called out. "This isn't funny anymore. Let me go." "They will let you go around 9:05 when the first students show up, Cordelia," I shouted over my shoulder. "I hope you give this little exhibition some thought." As we sprinted across the campus grounds, we spotted Iona standing guard over my book bag. "Thanks, Iona," I grinned. "It was something I had to do." "Oh, it gets worse," Iona sighed morosely. "Zane, it wasn't my idea." She handed a cloth bracelet made of an intertwined white and green thread to Vivian. "I'll get you a blue thread as it seems you've earned it." Any explanation was cut off by the bell for Assembly. We raced into the seats various compatriots had saved for us with bonus confusion of having Georgia sitting next to me. Chancellor Bazz was back in charge but I didn't have too much time to notice; Georgia had returned to her Bible quiz and I was screwing up big time. Much secretive kissing ensued. Once we exited the Assembly, the mass of us disseminated to our various first classes. Iona had to go a different way than me but Rio stuck close. I noticed she and Mercy both had more elaborate bracelets. "So, what's up with this," I tapped it. "He-he," Rio gloated. "It is an indicator of what you've done to us, or we to you." "Whose idea was this?" I groaned. "Three guesses, Brainiac," she laughed. "What does mine indicate?" Vivian worried. "Kissing and groped," Rio snickered. "I'll make sure you get your blue strand asap. That means you've been naked with him." Vivian gave me a concerned look. "Still feeling sorry about leaving Cordelia tied up?" I joked. "Our Lord Christ teaches us to forgive those who have trespassed against us," Vivian quoted. "Wait, you guys tied up Cordelia? Where? And can I go get me some?" Rio exulted. "She's free by now," I let down my buddy. "He did write 'Paige is smarter' on her face with a red marker," Vivian added. "Bro, she is going to kill you," Rio giggled. "Nah, Cordelia is angry but she doesn't buy into revenge," I stated. "She will look for other schemes to control me and I'll find other ways to keep her in line." "What has Cordelia done to control you?" Vivian asked. "Vivian," I sighed, "why do you think Cordelia would create a free porn site with my sexual antics as the main attraction? She can see me perform whenever she wants, but why share it?" "That is convoluted as fuck," Rio griped. Vivian was thinking that over. "So she gets at you by putting at risk the women you are with," she thought out loud. "You two are playing a game of chicken. She threatens to expose those who have sex with you, and you dare her to do just that. It seems to me you two are putting other girls at risk in your simple little game." "It is not a game, Vivian, it is not little, and it definitely isn't simple," I explained. "It is not me versus Cordelia any more than it is Rhaine versus Christina, or the Progressives resisting Chancellor Bazz. Everyone wants something and most are willing to aggressively pursue those goals. I mean, you found a use for me in less than four days." "I, I, Vivian stuttered because I'd laid bare this morning's activities. She was saved by the entrance to my classroom. She dropped me off, then returned to her normal schedule. My ass had barely touched my seat when I got a text. Apparently, I had an important phone message. It turned out to be from the Vice Chancellor's office. "Hello," Ms. Reveal, who, like the Vice Chancellor, was new to the school, answered, "Doctor Scarlett's office." "Hi, this is Zane Braxton. Did you assign me a meeting with the Vice Chancellor?" "Yes, Mr. Braxton, and you have one minute to get here," the young lady informed me. "When did Doctor Scarlett tell you to call me?" I asked, right as Ms. Goodswell walked into the room. I was almost out of time. "I don't see how that was relevant," Ms. Reveal sounded cross. "Well, sorry then, but the nine o'clock hour isn't good for me. English rocks so call me back when there is another opening in the good Doctor's schedule," I said smugly. "Wait, you can't, Reveal got out before I hung up. I enjoyed the class while noticing that no one rang me back. I was suspicious that Scarlett was yanking my chain and no calls pretty much confirmed that. At the end of class Virginia Goodswell pulled me and Raven, my project partner, aside. After all, last time she'd seen us together, we'd had, difficulties. "Are you two making positive progress?" She smiled to us. "Yes, we are," Raven chimed in. "I've created our opening statement and Zane is getting four books from George Mason for us to use as source material." Virginia looked at me askance. "Raven, this might be a good time to inform you that we are getting those books under a third party's name because Rio picked his pocket and checked them out using his student ID and password," I told my partner. "Zane, if you are exhibiting this much larceny for a freshman English project, what are you going to do for Finals?" Virginia teased me. It was clearly too late to chastise me. "As I recall, the Library of Congress's security is provided by the lowest bidder," I retorted. "God give me strength," Raven and Virginia said with perfect symmetry. I may not be respected but I am treated with tolerance and compassion, which is more than I should expect. Vivian escorted me to the second class of the day, Biblical Archeology, which I shared with Rio. At the door Vivian tapped my arm. "At Homecoming I'd like you
In this next part of the series, "A Secret of How to Receive and Keep Your Divine Healing," Dr. Edith Davis recaps the fundamentals of divine health and then reveals a deeper understanding of why believers still face sickness and lack. She emphasizes that while eternal life is secured by faith in Christ's finished work—which includes healing and wealth—walking in these realities requires maintaining an intimate relationship with God and obeying His word. Dr. Davis stresses the importance of going beyond mere gifts and works, reminding listeners that God identifies His people by their fruit (love, joy, peace, etc.), which flows out of the root of intimacy. She warns that even born-again believers are vulnerable when they sin because sin opens a gateway for Satan to steal, kill, and destroy. Key areas to guard: -- Guarding your heart with peace -- Walking in forgiveness, avoiding offense, slander, and gossip -- Meditating on and confessing the Word of God The powerful revelation shared is the difference between vertical forgiveness and horizontal consequences: -- Vertical Forgiveness: The blood of Jesus has forever reconciled our spirit to God; it is sealed and pristine. We are going to heaven. -- Horizontal Consequences: Disobedience and sin give Satan legal access to our soul (leading to depression, suicidal thoughts) and our body (leading to sickness, disease, and death). She uses the vivid example of robbing a bank to illustrate that even saved believers face real-world, horizontal consequences for sin, which act as an invitation for the enemy to attack, as seen in the story of Job. Scriptures for Further Study -- Life and death is in the power of the tongue: Proverbs 18:21 -- My people perish for lack of knowledge: Hosea 4:6 -- Guarding your heart: Proverbs 4:23 -- Depart from me, I never knew you: Matthew 7:23 -- The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:19-23 -- The moon reflects the sun's light: Genesis 1:16 (for context on lights/illumination) -- Wages of sin is death: Romans 6:23 -- Born with a sin nature, must be born again: John 3:3-7 -- Everyone lives forever, the choice is where: Daniel 12:2 -- Being transformed by the renewing of our mind: Romans 12:2 -- Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy: John 10:10 -- What Job feared came upon him: Job 3:25 This is episode 378. +++++++ Check out my new website: https://www.enterthegloryzone.org/ MY AUDIO BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE You can Divorce Proof Your Marriage by understanding the Secret Keys of Love. You will come to understand that your Marriage has an enemy. You will come to understand that you are dating your future spouse representative. You will come to understand that your Marriage has the gift of Supernatural Sex. For more information about purchasing this audio book, click here: https://personalbuy.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product8702.html
Unlock God Mode is a 30-day framework designed to help you embody Neville Goddard's law of assumption and truly nevilize your life. Inside, you'll find transmissions and practical exercises that guide you into living from the end, reshaping your self-concept, and manifesting deliberately, consistently, and powerfully.
Join Pastor Hanscom and the Calvary family in an exciting episode of Mediating on Psalms exploring the profound teachings of the Psalms! This episode dives deep into Psalm 19, hailed by C.S. Lewis as "the greatest poem in the Bible." Pastor Hanscom reflects on the awe-inspiring ways in which God reveals Himself through nature—showing His creative power, presence, and provision—and guides us toward discovering the beauty and depth of our relationship with Him. This episode promises to inspire and encourage your spiritual journey.
In this episode of Live: Calvary Church, join Pastor Hanscom and the Calvary family as they dive deep into Psalms 15, reflecting on integrity, holiness, and the importance of staying true to God's standards in our daily lives. From personal anecdotes about choosing ethics over convenience to biblical examples of righteousness, this inspiring study highlights how honesty, faithfulness, and spiritual preparation can strengthen our connection to God and create a welcoming environment for others to encounter Him. Prepare to be encouraged as we explore practical wisdom, self-reflection, and the empowering grace found in Jesus. Check out this transformative message and connect further via ottawachurch.ca!
Hey Sis! Feeling like you can't control your thoughts? Do you find yourself spiraling and unable to stop? It's time to find freedom in your mind by choosing your thoughts. Changing the way you think changes everything. Join me for this episode to find out how. Resources and Services Waitlist for the heart healing program Grieving The Living Ecourse (Use the coupon code PODCAST20 at checkout for a 20% discount) My YouVersion Bible Plans Goodbye Heartbreak Hello Purpose, 365-Day Devotional (Use coupon code PODCAST10 at checkout for a 10% discount) Heartbreak Coaching Sessions Get featured on the podcast. Ask a question or let me know what you want me to cover. My TeePublic Merch (Tee shirts, mugs, toes, pillow, and so much more) Get a FREE Hello Fresh box on me Free prayer: A Prayer To Move On After A Broken Heart Facebook group: The Healing Heartbreak Community Instagram: @goodbyeheartbreakhellopurpose Let me know what topics you want me to discuss or questions you want me to answer on the podcast. Send me a message here! ***Check out these episodes that are related to this one Ep. 093 Chasing Happiness But Can't Hold On To It? 7 Ways To Find Lasting Joy Instead Ep. 119 5 Steps To Rest For Healing In The 2nd Half of This Year Ep. 166 6 Thoughts or Questions That Will Drive You Crazy After a Breakup Sis, are you enjoying the content from the show and want to support? Here's 2 easy things you can do: 1. Make sure you are subscribed to the podcast wherever you listen and 2. Leave a 5-star written review on Apple Podcast (grab your friend's phone for a second if you're not an Apple user lol). Know that I really appreciate you!
The most important conversations you have are often with yourself -- in your own head. If they're good conversations, they lead to positive attitudes and positive speech. But if they are negative meditations, they bear bad fruit. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more.Scripture Used in Today's MessagePsalm 19:14To find Tom on Instagram, Facebook, TiKTok, and elsewhere, go to linktr.ee/tomthepreacher
In this episode, we look at the critical topic of contentment and how to experience it.Other episodes referenced:Episode 7: Meditating on the Scriptures, Part 1Resources I mentioned for word studies:Blue Letter BibleBible HubStrong's numbers for Greek words referenced:"Content" (G842)"Strengthens" (G1743)"I have learned the secret" (G3453)Scriptures referenced:Philippians 4:10-20Philippians 1:12-142 Corinthians 12:7-10Psalm 119:18Ephesians 1:17-18Hebrews 11:6Matthew 7:7-8Jeremiah 17:7-8Psalm 1:1-3Philippians 2:14-16Matthew 5:14-16John 7:37-39Romans 8:9John 15:4-5Psalm 16:11James 1:5-6James 4:71 Timothy 6:6-101 Timothy 6:17-19Hebrews 13:5Proverbs 15:15-16Psalm 116:7Matthew 11:28-30Feel free to email the podcast at ijustwanttotalkabout@gmail.com, and we will respond as soon as we are able!I WANT TO BE DISCIPLEDI am on staff with another ministry called Mentoring Men for the Master (M3). M3 is a discipleship ministry; so, if you are interested in being discipled and having someone come alongside you to invest in you and your walk with Jesus, or if you would like to do this in someone else's life, feel free to email us at info@mentoringmen.net. You can also check out M3's website by clicking "I want to be discipled". Also note that despite the ministry's name, M3 disciples both men and women; so, the offer is open to all!I WANT TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTERIf you would like to sign up to receive newsletter updates, simply click "I want to sign up for the newsletter" and fill out the form. Also, feel free to check out our most recent newsletter.I WANT TO SUPPORT THE PODCASTIf you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking "I want to support the podcast". I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!...
Meditating to get somewhere isn't meditation. It's using a self improvement technique as a way to fix yourself. But what if you aren't broken in the first place? Tune in to Being Here with Ariel and Shya Kane and discover the perfection of being you.
Have you ever wondered how much of an impact just 1% of your day could have on your life? Turns out, it's only 14 minutes - and according to my guest, that tiny slice of time can completely transform your mindset, your habits, and your happiness. This week, I'm joined by Cooper Chapman, professional surfer, speaker, and founder of The Good Human Factory. After more than a decade on the waves, Cooper's true passion has become helping people strengthen their mental health through simple, intentional practices that build resilience and connection. His journey started close to home; inspired by his dad's experience with depression and the heartbreaking loss of people close to his family. Since then, Cooper's mission has been clear: to create a world where people don't just avoid struggling with mental health, but actually learn how to thrive - from classrooms to corporate boardrooms. As someone who's always loved exploring well-being (and who also has a surf-obsessed family!), chatting with Cooper was such a pleasure. His energy is calm, grounded, and real - and his 1% philosophy is something we can all bring into our lives, no matter how busy we are. Key Episode Takeaways: Being intentional with just 1% of your day (14 minutes) can change your life. Practising gratitude as a community creates a ripple effect of positivity and connection. The power of habit stacking - small shifts compound over time into huge transformation. Cooper's mission is to flip the script on mental health - from crisis management to everyday well-being, in schools, workplaces, and beyond. About the Guest: A professional surfer for more than 10 years, Cooper grew up in Narrabeen in New South Wales, Australia. Cooper's interest in mental health was prompted by his father's bout with depression and the suicide of two family friends. Meditating on a regular basis and practicing mindfulness helps Cooper manage his anxiety and perform at a high level, whether he's competing in a contest or giving a speech.With a low-key, caring manner that connects with all audiences, Cooper Chapman has trained thousands of Australian students, teachers, athletes, and corporates to increase their mental strength and resilience. Show Resources: Follow Cooper on Instagram - HERE Check out the Good Human Factory Website - HERE Learn More About the 1% Good Club - HERE Check out Cooper's book, The 1% Good Club - HERE Follow Emma, the Podcast Host on Instagram - HERE Check out Emma's Free Resources - HERE Download Emma's FREE Gratitude Journal - HERE If you LOVED this episode, share it on your Instagram stories and tag us @emmalagerlow and @cooperchapman Because sometimes, the biggest change starts with just 1%. Yours in Being a Good Human, Emma. X.
Meditating on the Bible is the primary road God provides for our pursuit of holiness, spiritual growth, and assurance of faith. Today, Joel Beeke looks at four spiritual disciplines that help us cultivate our assurance. Request Assurance of Faith, Joel Beeke's video teaching series, with your donation of any amount. We'll send you the DVD and give you lifetime digital access to the series and study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4339/offer Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global Meet Today's Teacher: Joel Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor at Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
Writer Michael Harding joins Brendan to discuss death, mental health and the natural world – all themes in his latest novel ‘Midwinter'.
Meditation is often sighted as a great way to relax, reduce stress and help us focus, but it can be difficult for lots of people to do in the traditional sense. However, meditation can be achieved without ever sitting down cross legged and focusing on your breathing. “The whole idea with mindfulness is training your brain, you can do this just as well by being intentionally mindful throughout the day. I don't think there's a right or wrong way, and it's important to do practices that resonate with you.” says Joy Rains, a mindfulness practitioner and author for the Guardian. What is mindfulness? How do I achieve mindfulness? What other activities are good for meditation? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What does my urine colour say about my health? Is looking older a bad thing? What is a Saturn return in astrology? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. First broadcast: 7/3/2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Getting God’s word deep into our spirits allows us to remain planted when the storms of life come our way. It keeps us from being easily influenced by evil. We should be meditating on God’s word both day and night, so that we may draw closer to Him.
Getting God’s word deep into our spirits allows us to remain planted when the storms of life come our way. It keeps us from being easily influenced by evil. We should be meditating on God’s word both day and night, so that we may draw closer to Him.
It's one thing to resolve to break a bad habit. But what works a lot better is to resolve to develop a good habit. In this message from Matthew 4, Pastor Lutzer gives us five observations from Jesus' temptation to help us in warfare. Meditating on Scripture is the key to overcoming bad habits. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29
It's one thing to resolve to break a bad habit. But what works a lot better is to resolve to develop a good habit. In this message from Matthew 4, Pastor Lutzer gives us five observations from Jesus' temptation to help us in warfare. Meditating on Scripture is the key to overcoming bad habits. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/ Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/ SUBSCRIBE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/
Based on Tea Gerbeza's experience with scoliosis, How I Bend Into More (Anstruther Books, 2025) re-articulates selfhood in the face of ableism and trauma. Meditating on pain, consent, and disability, this long poem builds a body both visually and linguistically, creating a multimodal space that forges Gerbeza's grammar of embodiment as an act of reclamation. Paper-quilled shapes represent the poet's body on the page; these shapes weave between lines of verse and with them the reclaimed disabled body is made. How I Bend Into More is a distinctive poetic debut that challenges ableist perceptions of normalcy, and centres "the double architecture / of ( metamorphosis (." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Based on Tea Gerbeza's experience with scoliosis, How I Bend Into More (Anstruther Books, 2025) re-articulates selfhood in the face of ableism and trauma. Meditating on pain, consent, and disability, this long poem builds a body both visually and linguistically, creating a multimodal space that forges Gerbeza's grammar of embodiment as an act of reclamation. Paper-quilled shapes represent the poet's body on the page; these shapes weave between lines of verse and with them the reclaimed disabled body is made. How I Bend Into More is a distinctive poetic debut that challenges ableist perceptions of normalcy, and centres "the double architecture / of ( metamorphosis (." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/poetry
Meditating has lots of benefits. But meditating with an ADHD brain can be challenging. Slowing down… stopping… to be present in the moment can feel impossible with our racing brains. In this episode Patty shares some tips to create “Mindful Minutes” or “eminems” to make it easier to add a bit of this helpful practice to your life.PLUS: Hear this week's pick for Book of the Week!Create an ADHD-Friendly Personal Owner's Manual (POM) eBook is now available in the ADHD-Friendly shop for only $19.99: https://www.adhdfriendly.com/adhd-friendly-shop/Join ADHD-Friendly now and jump into the Summer Semester of our ADHDU Hybrid Course — all about Managing Time and Tasks!As a member, you'll get full access to this course and all ADHD-Friendly live events, planning tools, and on-demand resources.Click the link below to get started today!https://adhdfriendly.mn.coThank you for checking out this episode of the ADHD Friendly podcast with Patty Blinderman!!New episodes are posted every Wednesday! Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@adhdfriendlyPlease subscribe to my YouTube channel, ADHD Friendly Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts. For more information on the ADHD-Friendly services offered by Patty, please visit her website: ADHDFriendly.com
Cuz sometimes I really DON'T!Registration is OPEN!Sign up for updates on the retreat home and news letters right here!
Ever wonder why your biggest breakthroughs happen right after you stop trying to fix everything? Most entrepreneurs spend their entire lives running from discomfort, but what if that discomfort is actually carrying the exact instructions you need to level up? This episode reveals why your pain isn't a problem to solve but a teacher to sit with. You'll discover how to distinguish between the hamster wheel of survival thinking and the spacious awareness that creates real change, why your body's intelligence knows things your overthinking mind will never grasp, and the counterintuitive reason that embracing your wounds leads to unshakeable inner strength. Stop medicating your feelings with busyness and start listening to what they're actually trying to tell you - hit play now.New episodes out every Monday and Thursday at 10 AM Eastern Time The Most Powerful Consciousness Letter On The Internet - https://www.justinegliskis.com/Consultation - https://justinegliskis.gumroad.com/l/EgliskisEmail egliskis@pm.me to get in contact with JustinDiscover a podcast designed for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, offering insights on stress management, health and wellness, and overcoming imposter syndrome, while emphasizing work-life balance, energy alignment, and inner peace; explore topics like burnout recovery, business automation, scaling a business, business growth strategies, client management, mental resilience, overcoming anxiety, and achieving clearer thinking for sustainable success, using the blade of awareness, solving emotional dysfunction and unveiling the trickster within. Experience transformative solitude for entrepreneurs who seek to overcome loneliness while embracing spiritual isolation as a pathway to energy alignment and emotional clarity; learn to thrive alone and awaken in solitude through purposeful mental reset practices that cultivate an abundance mindset and build emotional resilience rooted in inner peace and deep self-inquiry, enabling mindful business growth through productivity that flows from peace rather than pressure, offering essential burnout recovery and healing alone strategies with specialized alignment coaching focused on deep listening skills that unlock success in silence and develop a resilient entrepreneur mindset capable of sustainable achievement.
Are You Meditating And Working To Stay Grounded And Balanced? - CharVision Podcast LIVE episode of CharVision! Watch right here on Facebook starting at 9PM EST/ 6PM PST. The show is also available on the Char Margolis Instagram page or YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@charcom?si=W4mK70t1_8LJox_a #podcast #live Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CharMargoliswww.char.net Char Margolis Twitter- @psychicmedmchar instagram.com/CharMargolis For more information on Char visit www.Char.net www.fb.com/IntuitiveMediumCharMargolis @psychicMedmCharBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/charvision--3561393/support.
CLICK HERE TO LEAVE COMMENTS, ?? or prayer requests send a textWhat direction have your thoughts been going this day? And where have your thoughts taken you? What good has come out of what you've been thinking about? Welcome to yesterday ended healing the traumas of life. Are your thoughts healthy or do you have stinking thinking? What are you doing to control what you think about? I'm your host Dennis Dobbin and I'm here to help you control the train of your thoughts. Give a listen.
Puran and Susanna Bair are the Co-Founders of iamHeart.org, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people experience emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being through the transformative practice of Heart Rhythm Meditation (HRM). In this conversation, we explore the power of synchronizing your breath with your heartbeat—and how this simple yet profound practice can open the door to deep healing, clarity, emotional processing, and energetic alignment.We dive deeper into what heart meditation really is and how simple it can be to practice. From synchronizing your heartbeat with your breath to exploring patterns that activate the heart, Puran and Susanna guide listeners through practical ways to connect with their heart's energy. They explain how this practice can empower healing, whether it's releasing generational trauma, processing forgiveness, or cultivating peace. They highlight case studies, including its transformative effects for cancer patients.With backgrounds rooted in both mysticism and science, Puran and Susanna share how HRM can help regulate stress, magnetize your energy field, amplify intuition, and guide you toward your life's true purpose. We discuss the four energetic dimensions of the heart, how to process grief, build spiritual courage, and why your heart may just be the most intelligent—and underutilized—organ you have.In this episode:❤️ How synchronizing your heartbeat and breath can transform emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being❤️ Practical ways to start heart rhythm meditation and activate your heart's energy❤️ Healing generational trauma, processing forgiveness, and cultivating inner peace❤️ Meditating with partners and understanding different heart types and wounds❤️ Real-world impacts of HRM, including finding purpose, strengthening intuition, and even community transformationIf you're looking for a grounded spiritual tool that empowers your healing, HRM might just be the missing link. This conversation will leave you breathing deeper, feeling more connected, and seeing your heart in a whole new way.⏱️ Timestamps:⏱️00:00:00 Intro00:06:28 Is heart meditation easy?00:09:25 Susanna's story00:16:21 Healing generational trauma00:19:48 Puran's story00:22:35 The 3 important things about the heart00:25:42 Finding purpose with a heart meditation00:35:56 Mind meditations vs heart meditations00:39:14 The origin of heart meditations00:42:44 Controlling the heart in certain situations00:51:19 Iamheart.org students00:55:07 How to start with heart mediations01:08:16 Meditations for couples01:11:02 How much to meditate + meditation effects01:18:38 Final thoughts and outroMentions + Links:• Website: https://www.iamheart.org• Instagram: @iheartmeditation• Books: Living from the Heart, Energize Your Heart in 4 Dimensions, Follow Your Heart• Breath & Heart App: https://www.iamheart.org/app• University of the Heart: https://www.iamheart.org/iamu_____________Please remember to rate, review, and follow the show – and share with a friend!Find Amy's affiliates and discount codes: https://amyedwards.info/affiliatepageAll links: https://amyedwards.info/Instagram: @realamyedwards https://www.instagram.com/realamyedwards/Fight For Her: http://fightforher.net/TikTok: @themagicbabe https://www.tiktok.com/@themagicbabe?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/theamyedwardsshowPodcast: https://qrfy.com/p/Nmlw_uwNziFree Course: The Ageless Mindset https://best-you-life.teachable.com/p/the-ageless-mindset-the-ultimate-guide-to-look-younger-feel-happierFull Course: The Youthfulness Hack https://best-you-life.teachable.com/p/the-youthfulness-hackWork with Amy: Book a Call https://amyedwards.as.me/15mincall ____________________Amy's hair by https://www.thecollectiveatx.com
In Visions of the Divine (Sophia Institute Press), Catholic evangelist, author, and a top Wall Street executive STEPHEN F. AUTH, reunites the art of the Eucharist with the Eucharistic liturgy itself. Much splendid art adorns and magnificently beautifies Churches throughout the globe, a phenomenathat came under great stress during the Reformation, and especially under JOHN CALVIN. "Calvin, especially, was very much opposed to [Church art]," explains AUTH, in this interview with JOHN AIDAN BYRNE. To order Visions of theDivine: https://www.sojolk8trk.com/99LK8N/29X...Other Books by STEVE AUTH: Pilgrimage to the Museum: https://www.sojolk8trk.com/99LK8N/PHW...Missionary of Wall Street: https://www.sojolk8trk.com/99LK8N/51G...Indeed, much of this early Church art was separated from the context of the Mass for which it was created many centuries ago and is relegated now to museums sprinkled around the world. Along with his co-authors Evelyn Auth andMsgr. Roger Landry, Steve leads the reader on a worldwide pilgrimage to some of the most spectacular and moving artistic masterpieces created over the millennia to help clergy and laity alike penetrate more deeply into the Eucharistic mystery. Journeying to museums and churches in nearly twenty cities across the United States and Europe, the authors will guide you through the liturgy of the Mass in ways you may never have experienced. Whether you attend church out of obligation, for the sense of community you find there, or for the Eucharistic presence itself, Visions of the Divine will help you make these experiences richer, more vibrant, and more fulfilling. And if you've never attended a Roman Catholic Mass and are curious about what happens there, Visions will give you an experience guaranteed to leave you thirsting for more. Narrated in the author's simple, emotive style, Visions of the Divine presents you with dozens of colorful images of thought-provoking art that will immerse you in each element of the Mass at a deeper and more profound level, including: How the simple act of making the Sign of the Cross, which the average Catholic does eight times during the liturgy, can make you cry Quieting your mind to listen more actively to the Word of God and to imagine yourself in the moment as the Word is proclaimed and the author guides you through some of the Scriptures' most iconic messages Imagining the Apostles' Creed as it was carved and painted into one of Europe's most colorful Catholic churches. Meditating on a lasting image of eternity while the collection basket is passed — a practice that will forever change how you think about this relatively prosaic element of the liturgy Reliving the sacrifice and triumph of Christ on Calvary during the Eucharistic prayers through some of the greatest artistic masterpieces ever created. Following the path of biblical figures, such as Mary Magdalene, the prodigal son, and St. Paul himself, to freely receive Christ's healing mercy, forgiveness, peace, and love at Mass Experiencing the sacrament of Holy Communion for what it truly is — communion with God Himself. How to re-enter the world following the Mass with visual images in your head that will make you a more effective evangelist From Rembrandt, El Greco, and Van Gogh to Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Raphael; from Velaquez, Picasso, and Dali to lesser-known greats, such as Pontormo, Masaccio and Drolling, the array of breathtaking art in Visions of the Divine will enlighten your path to communion with God. You will witness our Father's love for you and be encouraged to let yourself be loved by Him within the Eucharistic mystery.
Find Your Sanctuary: 10-Minute Guided Meditation for Mindfulness & Inner PeaceStep into your sanctuary of calm with this 10-minute guided meditation from Calming Anxiety. Host Martin Hewlett leads you to embrace the present moment, fostering mindfulness, stress relief, and inner peace through soothing breathwork and affirmations. Perfect for anxiety relief, mental clarity, or daily self-care, this episode helps you return to a place of tranquility anytime. Whether you're new to meditation or seeking a peaceful reset, this session nurtures emotional balance and well-being. Subscribe now for more guided meditations and anxiety relief content!Key Takeaways:Cultivate mindfulness by anchoring in the present moment.Release stress and anxiety with guided breathwork and affirmations.Ideal for morning rituals, bedtime calm, or mid-day relaxation.Support the Show:Ad-Free Listening: Enjoy Calming Anxiety without ads at https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/calming-anxiety--4110266/supportBuy Me a Coffee: Support hosting costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/calminganxietyRate & Review: Leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help us reach more listeners!Resources & Courses:Book Hypnotherapy: Schedule a one-on-one session with Martin at https://calendar.app.google/rXHMt8sRYft5iWma8Pain & Anxiety Course: Manage negative thoughts and pain with The Physio Crew's course at https://offers.thephysiocrew.co.uk/home-painBreathing Challenge: Try our relaxing breathing challenge at https://www.martinhewlett.co.uk/breathing-challenge/Gift a Subscription: Share Calming Anxiety with loved ones at https://www.martinhewlett.co.uk/shop/calming-anxiety-gift-subscription/Get the App:iOS: Download Calming Anxiety at https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/calming-anxiety/id1576159331Android: Get it on Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=digital.waterfront.calming.anxiety&hl=en-GBConnect With Us:Email: Share feedback or requests at calminganxiety@martinhewlett.co.ukYouTube: Watch all episodes at https://www.youtube.com/c/calminganxiety?sub_confirmation=1Social Media Support: For younger listeners struggling with social media stress, visit https://www.icanhelp.net/Backing Music: Chris Collins#GuidedMeditation #Mindfulness #InnerPeace #StressRelief #AnxietyRelief #SelfCare #MentalWellness #Breathwork #CalmingAnxiety #PresentMoment============Affiliate links to the gear I use the items that give me a more tranquil life.Rode Podmic - https://amzn.to/3LN1JEdZoom Livetrak L8 - https://amzn.to/36UCIbySony ZV 1 - https://amzn.to/3JvDUPTGoPro Hero 8 Black - https://amzn.to/372rzFlDJI Mini 2 - https://amzn.to/3NQfMdY=============================Items I use for a more relaxed way of life :)Organic Pure Hemp CBD Capsules - https://amzn.to/3
Welcome to a Brain Wrinkling Wednesday with Fr. Tom Koys. Today Father Koys intends to examine the origins of work while examining the impact of AI. Father considers all the work that exist and contemplates whether Jesus purposely left this work to be done. Given that He could have resolved everything that was needed at creation if he chose to do so. Father considers AI and the impact it will have around the world, specifically the jobs that have and can be lost as a result. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish
What are the next steps in creating clarity and can a meditation practice help? In today's inspiring episode, I talk with visionary entrepreneur and home staging expert Samantha Senia, founder and CEO of Elite Home Staging and Elite Maison.Samantha shares her transformative journey from launching a successful fashion business to building one of LA's leading luxury home staging companies. We dive deep into how meditation and intuitive practices have been foundational to Samantha's growth as a business owner, leader, and mentor—both in her company and at home, where she runs a family business alongside her daughter Nicole Senia. And their collaboration together doesn't end there - they also co-host their own podcast, The Power of We.Samantha reflects on overcoming fear and turning challenges, like the pandemic, into opportunities for growth and innovation. From guiding her team through the chaos of real estate with spirituality and mindfulness, to mentoring women in a male-dominated industry, Samantha generously offers lessons learned about healing, empowerment, and redefining success for yourself on your own terms.If you've ever felt called to take step further towards pursuing your passion or if you're curious how intentional design and energy can shape not just homes but also lives, this conversation is for you. Be sure to stay tuned to the end for Samantha's actionable advice on working with fear during pivotal decision-making moments. In this episode, you'll learn: How meditation can clarify decision-making and support your growth as a creative business ownerThe power of integrating a spirituality practice into your entrepreneurial journeyNavigating big and small crossroads—and choosing aligned paths over scarcity-driven decisionsLinks:Activate Your Passion with Podcasting Visit: https://www.boss-goddess.co IG:@boss_goddess.co IG:@bossgoddessbarsi Pinterest: @bossgoddessbarsi More from Samantha Senia:Visit: https://ehsca.com/ and https://elitemaison.com/IG: @elitehomestaging & @samseniaLinkedIn: Samantha SeniaMore episodes on this topic:Ep.135 - The Meditation Conversation You Need w/ Norma Rubio | Emmy-Winning Producer, Writer and Meditation TeacherEp.111 - Transforming Your Beliefs To Bring In Money | Guided MeditationEp.166 - Intention Setting MeditationThank you so much for listening! If you loved this episode, please consider becoming a follower on Apple Podcasts by clicking the plus + sign or become a subscriber on...
Today's podcast is a reflection on what goes beyond the words I share here. So much of what I say is about action. Getting the sleep and doing so consistently. Eating well. Hydrating well. Showing up to get the workouts in. Reflecting daily in a journal. Meditating consistently. These are all viral behaviors for me, and they offer a glimpse into the key way of being that comes from what I share, a foundation for living well during good times and bad. Thanks for listening. As always, Much Love ❤️ and please take care.
Most people dabble in meditation. I took a different path. For the last 22 years, I've meditated every single day—more than 10,000 times, without missing once.In this episode, I share the surprising lessons that came from that level of consistency. You'll hear why what people call a “monkey mind” is really just stress leaving the body, how to recognize your heart's voice with more clarity, and why you're never actually behind in life—you're always on divine time. I also open up about how meditation reshaped my relationship to other people's opinions, revealed the truth about soulmates, and helped me make faster, better decisions by choosing what expands me instead of what looks good on paper.These aren't hacks or clichés—they're hard-earned insights from sitting down, day after day, for more than two decades. If you've ever wondered what meditation can really do for you, this episode will give you an inside look.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like:How to Get Meditation to Work for You5 Meditation Misconceptions that are making it HARDERWant to be more in alignment with your purpose? Sign up for the 30-Day Inner Work Kickstart — it's totally free at https://www.lightwatkins.com/innerwork Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!
08/20/2025, Shosan Victoria Austin, dharma talk at City Center. Shosan Victoria Austin teaches that when we train our posture and breathing in a manner that helps us sit at night, aided by traditional images and teachings, we can hold the dreamy parts of experience in stillness and understanding.
This week, the guys welcome metal producer and drummer Aaron Kitcher for a wide-ranging conversation on music, spiritual encounters, and the mysteries of the universe. From synchronicities and awakening experiences to remote viewing and orb sightings, Aaron shares his perspectives on consciousness and insights gained from his time at The Monroe Institute.
This talk was given by Gil Fronsdal on 2025.08.05 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* A machine generated transcript of this talk is available. It has not been edited by a human, so errors will exist. Download Transcript: https://www.audiodharma.org/transcripts/23955/download ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This talk was given by Gil Fronsdal on 2025.08.05 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* A machine generated transcript of this talk is available. It has not been edited by a human, so errors will exist. Download Transcript: https://www.audiodharma.org/transcripts/23955/download ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
A lot of us have questions about our meditation practice, but we may not have anybody to ask. Am I doing it right? Which kind of meditation should I be doing? How do I choose? Today, our Teacher of the Month Dawn Mauricio breaks down some of those questions with some actionable suggestions you can take into your next meditation session. Join Dan's online community here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris
Think you're failing at meditation because your mind wanders? You're not. Rosie talks about the real goal of meditation — presence, not perfection — and why noticing is the whole point. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices