Podcasts about messianic jews

Messianic Jews and Gentiles whom God leads to support the Messianic Jewish community recognize that the Hebrew Roots movement threatens the integrity and outlook of Messianic Judaism. This podcast aims to start an open conversation about how we can solve this problem, for our sake and theirs.To donate in support of defending the Messianic Jewish community against Hebrew Roots replacement theology, you can go to www.twomessianicjews.com/donate00:00 - Introduction4:09 - What is Hebrew Roots?14:33 - Distinguishing Hebrew Roots from Gentiles genuinely led to our community19:10 - Contradictions and Conflicts between Hebrew Roots and Messianic Judaism33:30 - Results of Survey on Hebrew Roots in Messianic Congregations37:18 - "Approximately how often do you notice Hebrew Roots people in your Messianic congregations?"37:50 - "How do you feel about Hebrew Roots?"38:50 - "How does the presence of Hebrew Roots in Messianic congregations affect whether you invite Jewish people to a service or event?"45:02 - "Have you heard Jewish believers of Jewish non-believers comment on the presence of Hebrew Roots in Messianic congregations? If so, what did they say?"47:05 - "What effect does the presence of Hebrew Roots have on your Messianic congregations and the Messianic community in general?"51:50 - "How has the presence of Hebrew Roots in Messianic congregations affected your personal commitment to the Messianic Jewish community?"1:00:29 - How did a supersessionist movement for Gentiles take over an anti-supersessionist community for Jews?1:00:45 - Factor #1 - Hebrew Roots use Messianic Jewish labels and spaces for themselves1:06:43 - Factor #2 - We use Hebrew Roots "Dog Whistles"1:06:53 - Factor #3 - We operate our services in ways compatible with Hebrew Roots1:08:13 - How can we repair the damage?1:08:25 - What is the Messianic Jewish mission and purpose?1:17:10 - How do we protect our mission against the Hebrew Roots threat?1:17:17 - Solution #1 - Implement Guardrails to protect our organizations and spaces1:22:39 - Solution #2 - clear about our view of the Church, Gentiles, and Torah1:23:40 - Solution #3 - Avoid using Hebrew Roots "Dog Whistles"1:27:14 - Solution #4 - Do not invite Hebrew Roots to our spaces1:27:21 - Solution #5 - We need to publicly denounce Hebrew Roots theology1:28:08 - Solution #6 - Make our spaces incompatible with Hebrew Roots / Affirm Gentile identity in our congregations1:35:11 - Solution #7 - Politely ask Hebrew Roots people to leave our congregations and ministry spaces1:35:20 - Resources to help communicate change1:36:09 - 8 Reasons Why Gentiles Matter in God's Kingdom1:38:35 - An Urgent Call to Hebrew Roots Christians1:40:00 - 13 Principles of Ethical Distinction in Messianic Jewish Congregations1:45:59 - Spectrum of Hebrew Roots chart (explained in 'What is Hebrew Roots?' section)1:46:20 - Other helpful resources, listed belowHelpful ResourcesDr. David Rudolph, “One New Man” Article (link)Messianic Jewish Perspectives (check back soon!)- “Are We Fulfilling the Messianic Jewish Vision? Looking to Our Past to Guide Our Future”- “2026 Academic Gathering Statement”Survey Results of “Hebrew Roots in Messianic Judaism” (link) 13 Principles of Ethical Distinction in Messianic Congregations (link) 8 Reasons Why Gentiles Matter (link) Ruben Gomez, “The Hebrew Roots Movement: A Critical Analysis of its Origins, Teachings & Biblical Interpretations” Gateway Center for Israel Articles- One Law (link)- Replacement Theology (link) - Why Christians Get Weird About Jewish Tradition (link)Joel Willitts, "Jewish Fish (ΙΧΘΥΣ) in Post-Supersessionist Water: Messianic Judaism within a Post-Supersessionistic Paradigm" (link) Joseph Culbertson, “Rediscovering My Gentile Roots,” (link) “The Messianic Jew: An Organ of the Jewish Messianic Movement” (link) Check out our video on the opening article! (link)

Segment 1 • Jonathan asks: “What should I find out before dating a Messianic Jew who believes in Jesus but still practices Jewish traditions?” • Ryan wrestles with a difficult church decision: When does weak preaching become a reason to leave? • Anonymous asks how a wife can biblically submit when her husband's financial decisions are leading the family deeper into debt. Segment 2 • Todd continues to address the question from the previous segment regarding biblical submission when a husband's spending habits seem reckless? Segment 3 • Tom asks a heartbreaking question: Does chronic illness make me a sluggard in God's eyes? Segment 4 • Joe wonders if a Christian can truly be saved while feeling little or no joy because of a medical condition and medication side effects. • Anonymous asks whether Bible quizzing helps children treasure Scripture or risks turning God's Word into a competition. • Steve discovers his church is pre-tribulational, pre-millennial, and dispensational—and wonders what that really means. • Anonymous asks a sensitive church question: How should congregations care for worshipers with disruptive Tourette's syndrome without excluding them? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Israel has always been the apple of God's eye, and that has never changed. Yet, often in today's Church, Israel is not seen as a player in God's plan. Some teach that Israel has not been important since the inception of the Church. This of course is not true. In this episode,  I talk with a Messianic Jew who enlightens us on what God thinks about Israel. Thom Berkowitz is my guest, and  our conversation is enlightening. Challenging the Culture with Truth with Larry Kutzler and Esteemed Guests Listen to the Latest Episode of Challenging the Culture with Truth Podcast! Check out the Latest CitySites Urban Media Podcast Network Episode! Check out Larry's books! Visit the CitySites Urban Media YouTube Channel Check out It Is That Simple, The Simple Ideas of Profound Truths Check out Monday Morning Mindset with Dr. Nathan Unruh Check out Lenny's Corner with Dr. Lennard Stoeklen

The Jewish people are looking for their Messiah to come, a Messiah who would be like Moses. Unfortunately, many rabbis believe that by believing in Jesus as the Messiah, Messianic Jews are actually rejecting Moses. We'll look at that on Foundations today. Your support sends the gospel to every corner of Australia through broadcast, online and print media: https://www.vision.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor David M. Berman is a Messianic Jew, raised in a rabbinical synagogue and fully immersed in Jewish life and culture. He was miraculously saved in 1983. He sensed a strong call to reach Gentiles (non Jews) with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and has done so for over 35 years. A pastor, Church planter, pastoral trainer, and much media interviews. He reaches Jews online and answers questions.

Today's HeadlinesInternet connectivity flickers in IranIs there really “persecution” of Christians in Israel? A Messianic Jew's perspectiveBible translators gain consultant-style support through book packages

Stephanie Caracelo is a fourth generation Messianic Jew and has formerly served on the Executive Boards of the MJAA and YMJA. She is the former Ministries Director for the YMJA, leading youth conferences around the country. She serves as the B'nei MitzvahDirector and has a passion for teaching the foundations of the Jewish faith and inspiring the minds of the B'nei Mitzvah candidates. She also works on the daytime conference committee of the Messiah Conference.She serves as a Shammash alongside her husband of 24 years at Congregation Beth Hallel in Roswell, GA. She has two amazing children who inspire her each day to be a Godly parent. She earned her Doctor of Education degreein Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and works as an elementary school teacher. She loves cooking, reading, and spending time with her family playing board games and enjoying the outdoors.

The southern Georgia wildfires, forced marriages in Pakistan, the National Day of Prayer, and social isolation of Messianic Jews, Plus, Cal Thomas on the deeper fiscal trouble ahead, “Brother Snail” wins a race in Taiwan, and the Thursday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donateAdditional support comes from Ambassadors Impact Network, evaluating every deal through two rigorous screens: a spiritual impact assessment examining leadership, values, and gospel intentionality, plus financial diligence conducted by members with private equity backgrounds. Only about 7% of companies reviewed reach members for investment consideration. This dual-screen process is designed for busy professionals who want vetted, faith-forward opportunities. Learn more at ambassadorsimpact.comFrom Homeschool Diploma. At Homeschool Diploma we believe graduation is more than a milestone; it's a celebration of a life shared together and a moment to give thanks to God for his leading and providence. We exist to elevate graduation for home and private schools with personalized, premium-quality diplomas, regalia, invites and more. www.homeschooldiploma.comAnd from Pensacola Christian College. Academic excellence, biblical worldview, affordable cost. go.pcci.edu/world

Rabbi Jason Sobel, Messianic Jewish rabbi, spiritual advisor to The Chosen, and founder of Fusion Global, tells the full story of the supernatural encounter that transformed him from an Orthodox Jewish kid into one of the most respected teachers connecting the Old and New Testaments today.In this episode of The Resilient Show, host Chad Robichaux and Rabbi Sobel go deep on what it means to be a Messianic Jew, why most Jews have rejected Jesus as the Messiah, what the Bible actually says about Israel being God's chosen people, the truth behind the Talmud (and what it's NOT), the "Christ is King" controversy between Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson, and the real spiritual war behind antisemitism throughout history.Rabbi Sobel also shares behind-the-scenes stories from working with Dallas Jenkins and Jonathan Roumie on The Chosen, why Jesus had to die on a tree (the Eden reversal), how the Jewish context of Scripture unlocks the Bible in "high definition," and the gospel message of salvation that changed his life.RABBI JASON SOBEL'S LATEST BOOK:- Transformed by the Messiah (forward by Dallas Jenkins) — https://www.fusionglobal.org/shop/transformed-by-the-messiah/FOLLOW RABBI JASON SOBEL & FUSION GLOBAL:- Website: https://www.fusionglobal.org- Rock Road Rabbi Tours to Israel: https://www.rockroadrabbi.com- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/rabbijasonsobelCHAD ROBICHAUX'S NEW BOOK — "RIPTIDE" (pre-order for May 12):- https://www.tyndale.com/p/riptide/9781496488756——Stay up-to-date with all things Resilient by subscribing to our Resilient Times Newsletter: https://resilienttimes.substack.comRESILIENT:Follow Us On Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/theresilientshowFollow Us On Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/resilientshowFollow Us On Twitter:⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/resilientshowFollow Us On TikTok:⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@resilientshowLIVE RESILIENT STORE:https://shop.theresilientshow.comFollow Chad: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/chadrobo_officialhttps://x.com/ChadRoboSPONSORS:GoldCo https://chadlikesgold.comSmith & Wesson: ⁠⁠https://www.smith-wesson.com⁠⁠Vortex Optics: ⁠https://vortexoptics.com⁠Gatorz Eyewear: ⁠⁠https://www.gatorz.com⁠⁠Allied Wealth: ⁠https://alliedwealth.com⁠BioPro+: ⁠⁠https://www.bioproteintech.com/CHAD30⁠⁠BioXCellerator: ⁠https://www.bioxcellerator.com⁠SLNT: https://slnt.com------The Resilient Show is a proud supporter of military and first responder communities in partnership with ⁠Mighty Oaks Foundation⁠.

Today's HeadlinesNo respite for Lebanon after Iran ceasefireEurope's classrooms reflect surge in antisemitismAmid chaos, Haiti faces a humanitarian and spiritual crisis

In this introductory lesson on the book of Hebrews, Bible teacher Dave Bigler provides a foundational overview of the text, emphasizing its central theme: the absolute superiority of Jesus Christ (Solos Christus). The study outlines how Hebrews serves as a "Rosetta Stone" for the Old Testament, bridging the Old and New Testaments. Dave highlights that the book of Hebrews is more of an exhortation or sermon than a traditional letter, designed to encourage Jewish Christians facing intense persecution to remain steadfast in their faith rather than reverting to old religious systems.The study also addresses the enduring mysteries of the book, such as its unknown authorship and specific audience. While historical traditions suggest figures like Paul, Barnabas, or Apollos, the Dave notes that the author purposefully remains anonymous to keep the focus entirely on Christ. The historical context, likely written before the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, provides a backdrop of social and political turmoil in Rome. Ultimately, the teaching concludes with a call to inductive Bible study, urging believers to observe and interpret the text to find personal application in a world filled with competing priorities.View full teaching notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X97hBArommgV3-E6Hxmn0whB55a_0WBMsRUuAEBIKwQ/edit?usp=sharingOutline: 00:00 - Introduction to Iron Sheep Ministries (ISM) and Dave BiglerISM's goal is to help Christian's grow in their knowledge and relationship with the Lord. Personal Background: Dave Bigler's transition from 20 years as a professional photographer to ministry at ISM and now teaching at a Classical Christian school. (The Bow Tie: A symbol of professionalism and taking the role of a Bible teacher seriously, inspired by Colossians 3.23).10:51 — Point 1: The Theme of HebrewsTheme: Solus Christus (Christ alone).The book emphasizes the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3).12:31 — Point 2: What is Hebrews?It functions more like a sermon or exhortation than a traditional Gospel or epistle. The "Book of Better Things": Uses the Greek word kreitton (superior/excellent) 18 times to show Christ's superiority:Ch. 1-2: Superior to prophets and angels.Ch. 3-4: Superior to Moses and Joshua.Ch. 4-6: Superior to Aaron the high priest.Ch. 7-10: Brings a superior priesthood, covenant, and sacrifice.The Rosetta Stone of the Bible: Unlocks the Old Testament with 35 direct quotations and 34 allusions; it provides essential details on the sacrificial system and Melchizedek.22:54 — Point 3: Who is the Audience?Jewish believers (Messianic Jews) intimately familiar with the Torah and Levitical priesthood.24:23 — Point 4: Where was the Audience?Likely a home church or group of churches in or around Rome.26:27 — Point 5: Who is the Author?Anonymous. Historically debated since the 2nd century.Potential Candidates: Paul, Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla (among others)The "Hidden Servant": The anonymity may be intentional to keep the focus entirely on Jesus.38:41 — Point 6: When was it Written?Date: Likely 64–69 AD, as it refers to Temple sacrifices as ongoing, meaning it was written before the Temple's destruction in 70 AD.40:29 — Point 7: Where do we put Hebrews?Serves as a "bridge" between the Pauline epistles (grace/church) and the General epistles (ethics/trials).44:23 — Point 8: What is the Purpose?Encouragement: To help Christians endure persecution (like that under Nero in 64 AD) and resist the temptation to return to "safer" Jewish roots by proving Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Law.50:02 — Point 9: ApplicationUsing the Inductive Bible Study Method (Observation, Interpretation, Application) to study the text verse by verse.Support Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donateListen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheepContact Dave & the ISM team: info@ironsheep.orgJoin the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD

This powerful exploration of Romans 11:1-10 confronts one of the most critical questions in biblical theology: Has God abandoned His chosen people Israel? The resounding answer echoes through Scripture with the strongest possible negative—absolutely not. We discover that God's faithfulness to Israel isn't merely a historical curiosity but the very foundation of our confidence in His promises to us. The message challenges modern theological trends like replacement theology by examining God's unbreakable covenant with Israel, reminding us that if God can remain faithful to a people who rejected the Messiah, wandered in disobedience, and were scattered for two millennia, then His promises to us are equally unshakeable. The dramatic fulfillment of prophecy in 1948 when Israel became a nation in a single day serves as a stunning reminder that we live in prophetic times. Through the examples of Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal and the promise of a faithful remnant, we see that God always preserves those who are truly His, even when circumstances seem hopeless. This isn't just about geopolitics or ancient history—it's about understanding that the same God who cannot lie, cannot break His word, and cannot abandon His covenant with Israel is the God who promises never to leave or forsake us.Sermon Notes – Romans 11:1–10  I. Big Idea  God has not rejected Israel; His unbreakable covenant with them displays His faithfulness to all His people. Israel's history, blindness, and future restoration are a living proof that God keeps His word and works by grace, not works.---II. Text: Romans 11:1–10  • v1–2 – Question: “Has God rejected His people?” Answer: “By no means.”   – Paul himself: an Israelite, tribe of Benjamin, proof God still saves Jews.  • v2–5 – Elijah & the remnant (1 Kings 18–19)   – Elijah: “I alone am left.”   – God: “I have kept for myself 7,000 who have not bowed to Baal.”   – Application: There is always a remnant; God preserves a faithful people.  • v5–6 – Remnant chosen by grace   – If by grace, not by works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.  • v7–10 – Israel's hardening   – “The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened.”   – Spirit of stupor; eyes that don't see, ears that don't hear.   – David's imprecation: their table (privilege, blessings) becomes a snare.---III. God's Unbreakable Promises to Israel  • God cannot lie or break covenant (Titus 1:2; Joshua 23:14; 1 Kings 8:56).  • Davidic covenant (Psalm 89):   – Even when David's offspring disobey, God will not revoke His steadfast love or violate His covenant.  • New Covenant promised to Israel (Jeremiah 31:31–34):   – Law written on hearts, sins forgiven, intimate knowledge of God.   – What we experience in Christ now is what will one day be poured out on Israel as a nation.  • Jeremiah 31:35–36 – As long as sun, moon, stars remain, Israel remains a nation before God.---IV. Israel in History & Prophecy  • Uniqueness of Israel: other ancient peoples (Hittites, Amorites, etc.) vanished; Israel remains despite dispersion and persecution.  • 70 AD: dispersion; 2,000 years without a homeland; ongoing suffering (e.g., Holocaust).  • 1948: Israel reborn as a nation “in a day” (Isaiah 66:8) – a key marker in end-times prophecy and a visible sign that God keeps His word.  • Future: Zechariah 12:10 – God will pour out a spirit of grace; Israel will look on “Him whom they pierced,” mourn, and turn to Christ. Their future obedience will bring worldwide blessing.---V. The Remnant Principle  • Always a remnant in Israel (Elijah's day; Messianic Jews today).  • Always a remnant in the church—faithful believers holding to Scripture despite cultural Baal worship (sexual immorality, gender confusion, idolatry).---VI. Grace, Not Works  • Salvation of Jew and Gentile alike is by grace alone.  • Israel's current hardening opened the door for Gentile salvation; their future turning will mean even greater worldwide revival (later in Romans 11).---Practical Applications  1. Trust God's Promises    – If God keeps His word to stubborn, often disobedient Israel, He will keep His word to you: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  2. Reject Replacement Theology in Your Heart    – Don't assume God is “done” with anyone—Israel or individuals. No one is beyond His reach.  3. Stand Firm in a Baal Culture    – Refuse sexual immorality, gender confusion, and cultural idols. Be part of the remnant that doesn't bow.  4. Pray for Israel and the Nations    – Pray for Jewish people to see Jesus as Messiah and for peace and justice in the Middle East.  5. Persevere When You Feel Alone    – When you think “I alone am left,” remember God has many others. Stay faithful; God loves “fourth-quarter” moments.---Discussion Questions  1. How does Romans 11:1–2 challenge the idea that God might be “done” with certain people or groups?  2. When have you felt like Elijah—alone in your faith? How did God show you there was a remnant?  3. In what ways do you see “Baal worship” (idolatry, sexual confusion, self-worship) resurfacing in our culture?  4. How does God's faithfulness to Israel strengthen your confidence in His promises to you personally?  5. What does it practically look like for you to live as part of the faithful remnant in your workplace, school, or family this week?

A Place Where God Will Live Ephesians 2:11-22 by William Klock In today's Old Testament lesson we hear King Solomon praying at the dedication of the temple.  The temple was finally completed and Solomon gathered the elders of Israel at the tabernacle, where they offered sacrifices too many to number.  Then with the priests leading them with the ark of the covenant, they processed up the mountain to the temple.  When they'd placed it in the holy of holies, the presence of the Lord, the shekinah, the cloud of his glory descended to fill the temple as it once had the tabernacle.  And Solomon prayed.  He prayed for the new temple and he prayed for his people.  He prayed that they would be faithful.  And then, our lesson today, he prayed for the foreigners, for the gentiles who might come to the Lord's temple having heard of his great name, his mighty hand, and his outstretched arm—that coming to the temple, they would know his glory.  Solomon's kingdom was, however imperfectly, a fulfilment of the Lord's promise to Abraham to make Israel a light to the nations.  And the nations came to Israel and to Solomon, because they saw and because they heard of the Lord's reputation.  Not only had he blessed his people, but in him they saw a god unlike their own.  And so they came, and they saw for themselves the goodness of the Lord, the God of Israel.  And Solomon knew, too, that they would come to the temple that he'd built.  So he prayed that when these foreigners came and prayed, that the Lord would answer them, that he would make himself known to them, so that “all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel.”  Again, this wasn't some one-off prayer that Solomon came up with.  Solomon's prayer is rooted in the promises of God and in the story of his people.  Solomon knew that the world is not as it should be; Solomon knew the Lord's promises to set it to rights; and Solomon knew that God had given an integral role to his people to bring the fulfilment of those promises.  And Solomon great desire was for his people to be faithful to that calling, to that vocation—faithful to be a temple people. Now, this imagery and idea of the temple wasn't new with Israel; it goes all the way back to the beginning of the story.  The garden was God's first temple.  And the man and woman he created—he created them—us—to bear his image.  That means to be his representatives in the temple, to serve him, and steward his goodness to the rest of creation.  We rejected that vocation and the story ever since has been about God restoring his temple and his people.  Two weeks ago, when we looked at Ephesians 2:1-10, we saw how Jesus—the one in whom God and humanity have come together—represents God's work to restore his temple, but we also saw there that, as Paul stresses so much, what is true of Jesus is also true of those who are in him.  One day his people will be raised to be like him—heaven and earth people—but in the meantime, God has filled his church—filled us—with his Spirit as a foretaste and a down payment of that hope.  Brothers and Sisters, that means that we, purified by the blood of Jesus and filled with God's Spirit, we're now the temple—not a temple of bricks and mortar, but a temple of people filled with God's presence. Just as Solomon prayed that the nations would know the glorious reputation of the God of Israel through his people and come to meet him at his temple, our prayer, our desire, our commitment ought to be that the world will know God's glorious reputation through us and come to meet him here.  What God promised to Adam and Eve, to Abraham, to Moses, to the people through the Prophets is now reality in us.  The promise isn't completely fulfilled.  One day the knowledge of the glory of God will fill the earth.  On that day the new creation that began when Jesus rose from the dead will come to full fruit.  Creation and us with it will be made fully new.  God will wipe every last remaining bit of evil from the world and sin and death will be no more.  But, Brothers and Sisters, here's the really important thing here: The church—you and I and everyone else who is in Jesus the Messiah—we are God's vehicle to get the world to that point.  The church is God's means of making his glory known until it fills the earth.  And that ought to get us reflecting on how faithful we are to our mission.  When the world looks at the Church, when it looks at Christians, does what we say and do and live declare the glory of God: his great name, his mighty hand, and his outstretched arm?  (To put it as Solomon did.)  Does what we say and do and live give the world a desire to come to the church to meet God?  Do we at least make the world constructively curious?  If not, we need to reflect on our priorities and on what we're doing. And this is true of everyone who is in Jesus the Messiah, but Paul, writing to the Ephesians who were mostly gentile believers, wants to stress to them just how significant it is that through Jesus and the Spirit they have been made a part of this temple people.  Brothers and Sisters, this is something that we don't spend enough time talking about and reflecting on.  For Paul, the unification of Jews and gentiles in the Messiah was at the heart of the gospel.  It was the proof that God was fulfilling his promises.  This church, made up of Jews and gentiles, men and women, rich and poor, slave and free, all together, unified, one body was a testimony to the glory of God.  In fact, for Paul, it was the testimony of the gospel's power. And I don't think it's even on the radar for many of us today, because we've become so used to and even so complacent about divisions within the church.  Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, Mennonites, Romans, and Eastern Orthodox—and those are just some older divisions amongst us before we got really split-happy in the last century or two.  And it's not just theology and polity.  I suspect Paul might have at least a little sympathy for those sorts of divisions, especially over serious, gospel-compromising theological matters.  But Paul would be furious to see how we divide over things like language and ethnicity.  The English are here and the Germans are at that Lutheran church and the Swedes at that other Lutheran church and the Italians and Spanish and Filipinos are at the Roman church and the Greeks at the Greek Orthodox, the Russians at the Russian Orthodox, the Ukrainians at the Ukrainian Orthodox, the Syrians at the Syrian Orthodox.  The Dutch are in their Reformed church and the Scots are in their Reformed church.  And there's a church just for Chinese-speakers and another for Afrikaans and so on and on.  And you've got Messianic Jews forming their own synagogues.  And Paul would be shouting at us and asking, “Haven't you read a single thing I've written to you?  Your divisions are undermining the very gospel you claim to preach!” Paul did not want this to happen in the Ephesian churches, but even more than that, he wanted the people in those churches, especially he wanted them to appreciate just what God had done for them in Jesus and the Spirit, because if we understand what God has done to make us one, we'll hopefully be far less likely to let it be undone.  So, Paul writes in Ephesians 2:11-12 and reminds them of what they used to be: “Therefore, remember this: In human terms—that is, in your ‘flesh'—you are ‘gentiles'.  You are the people whom the so-called circumcision refer to as the so-called uncircumcision—circumcision, of course, being something done by human hands to human flesh.  Well, once upon a time you were separated from the Messiah.  You were alienated from the community of Israel.  You were foreigners to the covenants of promise.  There you were in the world, with no hope and no God.” You were gentiles.  Of course, Gentiles didn't think of themselves that way.  They were just regular people; it was the Jews who were weird.  But the fact that Paul can say this to them, “You were gentiles” means that they've now been brought into the family of Israel.  And just in case they might have forgotten the significance of that, he describes them as having been outsiders with this string of descriptors that work up to a crescendo of alienation. First, they were separated from the Messiah—from the rightful King.  The Messiah was some weird thing the Jews were into.  What would Greeks or Romans—who were oh, so superior—want to have to do with him?  And even if they did, the Messiah wasn't part of their story.  Then second, Paul says that they were alienated from the community—the commonwealth as the King James puts it—of Israel.  They were foreigners.  Israel was not their nation and Israel's God was not their God.  Even if they did see something attractive in Israel and went to the temple in Jerusalem—think of Solomon's prayer for the foreign visitors who would come—there was a wall between the court of the gentiles and the court of the women.  In Paul's day there was an inscription on that wall warning that foreigners passed it on pain of death.  Gentiles could look from a distance, but they were cut off from the living God.  And third, they were foreigners to the covenants of promise.  Most of them had never heard of Abraham or Moses, but if they had, that simply wasn't their story and it certainly wasn't their family.  They didn't belong there.  Whatever promises the God of Israel had made, those promises were not for the gentiles.  And Paul then sums it all up and says: You were in the world without God and without hope. I think Paul intends a bit of irony there.  When he says they were without God he uses a word that essentially means they were atheists.  And “atheist” is exactly what the gentiles called Jews and the first Christians.  Because Jews and Christians worshipped only one God and one God might as well have been no god to them with their vast pantheons.  And Jews and Christians refused to take part in the pagan worship and festivals that ran all through gentile life and society.  And so Paul flips it around.  “No, it was you gentiles, separated from the Messiah, alienated from Israel, foreigners to the covenant promises—it was you who were the atheists.  You were the ones without God.  And because of that you had no hope.  And if being called atheists didn't make an impact, I have to think this would have.  Because it's not that the Greeks and Romans didn't understand the idea of hope; it's that they had no reason, no grounds to live with hope.  No one in their world believed in progress the way people do today.  That idea is rooted in our biblical heritage.  They thought things just went round and round in cycles—forever stuck.  And while their philosophers might talk about life after death, it was all very vague and not hopeful at all.  Hesiod imprisoned hope in the bottom of Pandora's box, lost forever.  Aristotle and others wrote about hope as fickle and treacherous—a foolish thing to trust in.  Things could go wrong just as easily as they could go right.  Hope just wasn't a big deal for the Greeks.  But in stark contrast, hope was at the centre of the whole Jewish and early Christian worldview.  As I said last time, no one in the pagan world would have ever dreamed that the gods loved them or even really cared about them, so why would anyone in the pagan world have reason to hope?  So Paul sums it all up: Without God and without hope, the gentiles were alone and lost in the world.  Paul reminds them just how bleak things were for them before they were captured by the gospel.  I think it's a good thing for us to reflect on this ourselves and if we did, I think we would have a greater appreciation for what God has done for us and for what he has made his church. So after painting this bleak and pitiful picture of where these people were before Jesus, Paul cuts through the hopelessness and despair.  Like he did with that great, “But God!” in verse 3, now in verse 13 he practically shouts out, “But now!” “But now, in Messiah Jesus, you who used to be far away have been brough near by the Messiah's blood.  He is our peace, you see.  He has made the two to be one.  He has pulled down the barrier, the dividing wall, that turns us into enemies of each other.  He has done this in his flesh, by abolishing the law with its commands and instructions.” Paul wrote about the Messiah's blood back in Chapter 1.  Jesus' blood is the means through which God has accomplished redemption and forgiveness.  This was the great, once-and-for-all-time sacrifice that the Old Testament sacrificial system was pointing to all along.  In the Old Testament, sacrificial blood was like a disinfectant.  It cleansed the tabernacle and later the temple; and it cleansed the people of Israel so that the holy God could come to his people and dwell with them.  Pagan sacrifices were all about killing valuable animals to placate the gods.  In Israel, the sacrifices were all about the blood—a symbol of God-given life—and that blood was shed to wash away the stain of sin and death so that God could come and dwell and fellowship with his people.  Brothers and Sisters, the blood of Jesus, shed at the cross, has fully accomplished once and for all and for everyone what the Old Testament sacrifices did partially and temporarily.  And in doing that, God has abolished the law. You see, the law was the thing that set Israel apart from the rest of the world and Paul saw that wall in the court of the gentiles as symbolic of it.  The law, like that wall, kept the gentiles out of God's people, out of his covenant, and out of his promises.  The law marked out the gentiles as idolaters and as unclean—unworthy of God's presence.  But Jesus' blood has washed us clean—Jew and gentile alike—making both the law and the wall that kept the gentiles out irrelevant.  In Jesus, God had brought these Greek believers into the family—fully and no longer aliens and foreigners.  And why?  Paul goes on in the second half of verse 15: “The point of doing all this was to create, in him, one new humanity out of the two, so making peace.  God was reconciling  both of us to himself in a single body, through the cross, by killing the enmity in him.” Do you remember the first thing the risen Jesus said to his disciples when he entered that locked-up house where they were hiding after he'd been crucified?  It was “Peace”.  Shalom.  Peace is what the world looks like set to rights.  And so it makes perfect sense that “Peace” would be the first thing Jesus would say to his disciples after rising from death and inaugurating God's new creation.  He'd just begun the work of setting the world to rights.  And for Paul, this new humanity—Jews and gentiles, once divided by the law, but now brought together—this new humanity, the church, is the first sign of God's peace breaking out into the world.  The church is the sign of the new age.  As I've said before, we are God's working model of his new creation.  Jesus has killed the enmity that was once between us and he has reconciled both to God and, through that, to each other.  Jesus' blood as washed us clean and Paul stresses regularly to his fellow Jews, this means there's no longer any reason to consider gentile believers in Jesus to be unclean.  We gentiles, with hearts renewed by the Holy Spirit, have turned away from our idols to serve the living God and by the blood of Jesus he has washed us clean.  And if there's any doubt, Paul would point to the fact that the same Spirit has come to fill the gentile believers who first filled the Jewish believers.  So he goes on in verse 17: “So the [he Messiah] came and proclaimed peace, to you who were far off and to those who were near.  Through him we both have access to the Father in one Spirit.”  Again, it's all the fulfilment of God's promises.  In Isaiah 57 God had promised that he would heal the broken and humble in spirit and give peace: peace for those far off and peace for those who are near.  He's now done that in Jesus and the unity of the church—these people who were once separated, these people who once hated each other—their unity in the Messiah as one people is the proof, the testimony, the witness of God's faithfulness and the power of the gospel. And Paul, again, wants to drive this home.  Look at verses 19 to 22: “So then [—this is the result—] you are no longer foreigners and aliens.  No, you are fellow citizens with God's holy people.  You are members of God's household.  You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Messiah Jesus himself as the cornerstone.  In him the whole building is fitted together, and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.  You, too, are being built up together, in him, into a place where God will live by the Spirit.” The point of all this is that through Jesus and the Spirit, the living God has welcomed us into this amazing story.  We've been adopted into a family that was not ours.  We were poor, dirty refugees without hope, but God has washed us clean in the blood of Jesus, he has made us welcome members of his family, and most importantly, he has come to dwell with us.  He has filled us—aliens, foreigners, strangers, gentiles—with his Spirit—the presence that he had promised to his own people and in doing that he has made us holy.  And just just because.  God has a purpose for us.  He always has. And this is where Paul stops hinting at things with temple language and imagery and comes out and says it: God has done this in order to establish a new temple.  For centuries the Jews had been waiting for God's presence to return to the temple, not that unlike the way so many Jews today go to the Western Wall and pray for a new temple and God's return.  Brother and Sisters, Paul's stressing that God has, in fact, returned, that he has built a new temple, and that he now dwells with his people.  But not in a stone building on the mountain above Jerusalem.  He has built is new temple and returned to live with his people through Jesus and the Spirit. And, again, that means that we—the church—are God's ongoing means of fulfilling his promises to set creation to rights.  God's presence with us is the sign that one day his presence will fill all of creation.  We are the temple, the working model of new creation.  As we proclaim the gospel, we proclaim the glories of God to the world.  As we live the gospel, we put on display the glories of God to the world.  And our unity in Jesus and the Spirit—something we've often forgotten—is one of the most important ways we ought to be living out the gospel.  Just as there was one temple in Israel, there is only one church.  By our divisions and schism and arguments, by our elevating language and race and nation over the gospel, we've often obscured this reality, but Brothers and Sisters, there is but one church and the unity of that one church across our natural divisions of language and race—and class, and status, and every other way the world divides and separates us—that unity is meant to be a witness.  A witness to the power of the gospel.  A witness to the power of Jesus and the cleansing power of his blood.  A witness to the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer.  And most of all, witness to the faithfulness of God, who has been true to his promises.  And through that, our unity becomes a witness to a bleak and hopeless world of God's coming new creation—not just of the world set to rights, but of humanity set to rights within it: one people, renewed and purified, in fellowship forever with the living God. Let's pray: Gracious Father, you have purified us by the blood of your Son and filled us with your Spirit to make us your temple.  Pour out your grace that we might be faithful stewards of the gifts you have given us.  Teach us to guard the unity of your church, so that the nations will see in us a witness to your mighty hand, your outstretched arm, and your great name.  And when they draw near, hear their prayers, we ask, that they might know your great name as we have, through your Son and through your Spirit.  Amen.

282. Family Sabbath: Pause and Delight with Eryn Lynum   Mark 2:27 NIV “Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”   *Transcription Below*   Eryn Lynum is a certified Master Naturalist, Bible teacher, national speaker, and author. Eryn lives in Northern Colorado with her husband, Grayson, and their four children, whom they homeschool—mainly in the great outdoors. Eryn has has been featured on FamilyLife Today, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Christian Parenting, MOPS International, Bible Gateway, Her View From Home, and For Every Mom. Every opportunity she gets, she is out exploring God's creation with her family and sharing the adventures. To learn more about Eryn, visit ErynLynum.com.   Eryn's Books Eryn's Free Resources Mentioned Nat Theo Podcast   Topics and Questions We Cover: What can this look like to daily align our activities with our deepest values? What do people actually do on this day of rest and what do you recommend for families? Are there any other practical benefits we're missing out on if we neglect rest?   Thank You to Our Sponsor: Leman Property Management Company   Related Savvy Sauce Episodes: 81 Rest with Doctor, Author, and Speaker, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith 99 Sabbath Rest with Sandy Feit 175 Practicing Sabbath with Shireen Eldridge   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook, Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:11 - 1:34) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Leman Property Management Company has the apartment you will be able to call home, with over 1,700 apartment units available in Central Illinois. Visit them today at lemanproperties.com or connect with them on Facebook.   Eryn Lynum is my wonderful guest for today, and she's the author of this beautiful book, The Nature of Rest. We're going to discuss all things related to rest, ways that we can prepare for it, how we can enjoy and delight in it, what good gifts God has for us with rest, and then how to reflect well on the rhythms in our life, and so much more.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Eryn.   Eryn Lynum: (1:34 - 4:03) Thank you. Thanks so much for having me.   Laura Dugger: Well, I'd love for you to start us off by sharing your personal journey and tell why you are so uniquely qualified to teach and write about rest, as stress can literally kill you.   Eryn Lynum: Yeah, that's correct. So, when I was 14 years old, I was diagnosed with a potentially fatal autoimmune disorder. And kind of the context of that season, I was preparing to go overseas for the first time on a missions trip. So, I was going to be in Africa for two months. And so, before you go do something like that, you have to go to the doctor and get a checkup and vaccine recommendations, all the things. And so, my parents took me in.   Again, I was 14 at the time, and we had no reason to believe that there was anything wrong. There were no red flags. Besides, I had been a little tired, a little dizzy once in a while, but really, we just thought, okay, well, I'm growing up, my body's changing. But when the nurse took my blood pressure that day, it was 56 over 48, which is deathly low.   And so, immediately, that's a red flag. And I undergo more testing and hospital visits and seeing specialists. And they diagnosed me with something called Addison's disease. And Addison's disease, it's where your adrenal glands no longer function. So, maybe you've heard of adrenal fatigue, where someone is so taxed out that their adrenal glands can't keep up because they're meant to produce cortisol, which is our stress hormone. Well, Addison's disease is the worst-case scenario where you can't come back from it, barring a miracle. Like, my adrenal glands don't work, and they haven't for over 20 years now.   And so, you know, this system that God has given us meant to cope with stress, and it's that fight-or-flight response. At that young age, I no longer had that. And so, stress became quite literally deadly to me. And at that point, my parents, they began coaching me in biblical stress management, so identifying stressors in my life.   You know, when your shoulders start creeping up, and you can feel that tension in your neck, and knowing that those are signs that, okay, you need to step back, you need to calm yourself. Like the Psalms talk about, “I have calmed and quieted my soul,” and to bring everything to the Lord and cast all your anxieties upon Him. And this is really where I can see, in my life, I developed a very consistent prayer pattern in my life where just all day long, like conversing with the Lord.   And so, that's been a big part of this. But yeah, that's really what began leading me into this deeply restful lifestyle was out of necessity. But really what I've seen since then is God designed all of us to live and thrive through rest. Like this is His original design.   Laura Dugger: (4:04 - 4:27) I love that so much. And you articulate this so well in your book. But before I ever encountered you, I had never heard of the term master naturalist before. So, if you want to share anything about that, it would be great. And as a master naturalist, where do you see these rhythms of rest in nature?   Eryn Lynum: (4:28 - 6:54) So, a master naturalist, it's really a fancy term for nature teacher. And I pursued this because my degree and my passion are in biblical theology. And I've always been passionate about rightly handling God's word of truth from 2 Timothy 2:15.   And I began to see as my own family, my husband and I, we have three boys and a daughter, and now they're 14 down to seven. But when they were younger and we started spending more time outdoors, I started to see, okay, God has given us so many visuals and materials in nature with which we can teach about Him. Coming from Romans 1:20, that His invisible attributes, those things we can't see about God, are clearly perceived through what He has made. And I saw that also Jesus in the gospels, He used nature all the time to teach.   And God throughout scripture, like it's not just Genesis 1, nature narratives are strong throughout scripture. And so, I thought if God and Jesus use this methodology to teach, then certainly we can. And so, that's why I went through this training and taught, teach with this method is because, you know, the more we understand these materials, the more we see of God and the more we can communicate about Him.   And so, I was working as a master naturalist in our city and teaching my own programs. And I started to incorporate it more and more into my book and then later on in my podcast. And at the same time, God was leading my family into celebrating Sabbath. We had come into this season where we were just exhausted, like running businesses and raising and homeschooling kids, like all of us, no matter our circumstances, face this very real human existence of fatigue. And so, we came to a place where rest was no longer optional. It was critical and vital.   And so, I'm living in these two realms of learning about nature while I'm learning about scripture. And then God is bringing us into deep rest. So, I started to ask the question, where do we see rest in scripture? And I found that it is everywhere. The roots of rest run deep and wide throughout scripture. And also asking, where do we see rest in creation in nature? And it's also everywhere there that God designed all these cycles and these rhythms and all of his plants and creatures, even the ones that we think of as so frenetic and busy that God designed them to thrive through rest.   Laura Dugger: (6:55 - 7:04) And will you give a specific example then of something in nature as it's so apparent that it's designed for rest?   Eryn Lynum: (7:04 - 8:28) Definitely. Let's focus on one of those ones that we often think of as really busy, the hummingbird. I opened the book with the analogy of a hummingbird because when you think about a hummingbird, what do you picture in your mind?   Laura Dugger: (7:17 - 7:19) Busy, constant movement in and out.   Eryn Lynum: (7:20 - 8:28) Yeah, exactly. Like they have to visit between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers every day to get all the nectar that they need. And so, they are always like here and there in the next place. And they look like this little thing just zipping through the air and you can't even see their wings beating because they can be up to 70 times a second. It's this blur of motion. And we think about that little hummingbird, and we can sometimes feel like that little hummingbird just zipping from one thing to the next, thinking there's no time to stop.   But the hummingbird does stop. It has a very strategic method of rest called torpor. And torpor is kind of like a mini hibernation where the little bird is going to go into this deep state of rest. It lowers its body temperature by around 50 degrees and becomes completely unresponsive. And this is a regular thing that the hummingbird does, and it enables it to continue its God-given, good, busy, fruitful work. So, it's this picture of, you know, busyness is not bad. God created us for fruitful work, but it's all meant to be sustained through deep, rhythmic, intentional rest.   Laura Dugger: (8:28 - 9:06) I mean, immediately that makes me think of the weeks, even that I'm most productive, I've probably prioritized my sleep the best of it. And if I get great sleep, even if it's extra hours, that doesn't take away from the rest of the day. That probably makes my time even multiplied.   Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. And I love, you point out so many times how God just clearly designed his creation to enjoy this gift of rest. So, you mentioned some of the nature parts. What about some of the foundational scriptural truths on this topic?   Eryn Lynum: (9:07 - 11:52) Yeah, well, of course, where's the first place that we get the idea of rest in the scripture? Yeah, exactly. So, God completes his work of creation and then he rests and he didn't need to rest. Isaiah 40:28 tells us that he, the creator of the world does not grow weary or tired.   I believe that one reason, and I talk about a couple of them in the book, but I believe that one main reason God rested was to stop and delight. That word Sabbath, it comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, which can mean to both stop and delight. Like think about God finishing his creative work, bringing, bringing everything from nothing. Ex nihilo is that theological term, everything from nothing. Creating not only the animals and the plants, but the textures and the math and the shapes and the like everything he needed to make these things. And I imagine he just wanted to stop and enjoy it. I can even picture him going through creation and listening to the birds and taking in the colors and the shapes of the clouds.   What a beautiful reminder to us, because I know for myself, I'm so prone to just run from one thing to the next, like check it off the list. What's next? But here God is modeling for us. Stop delight, praise him for what he just allowed us to accomplish, to create, to do before rushing on to the next thing.   And so, we get that first mentioned there at creation, but then think about when Sabbath was actually established, there's a framework, there's a structure it's Exodus 16. And the context here is the Israelites. They're doing what they do. They're wandering and grumbling. They're hangry and God shows mercy to them in the form of quail and manna, but he has very specific instructions for them. He says for six days, you shall gather it, but not on the seventh day. Don't go out. It is a solemn day, a Holy Sabbath to the Lord.   That's the first mention of Sabbath, that word in scripture, but consider the Israelites. They had no context for what God was calling them to do. Surely they could think back to the creation story. Okay. God worked and then rested, but they had very little idea of what he was asking them to do. This was an act of faith. God was saying, stop gathering, trust me.   And this is so hard for us because like we are so prone to gather, gather, gather, do produce work more out of this scarcity mindset. But this picture is showing God is a God of abundance and his math works. When we trust him to be the provider, not ourselves. And we take that risk on rest. He provides abundantly through it.   Laura Dugger: (11:53 - 12:05) Absolutely. And within this gift then of rest, how can rest actually reorder and re-energize our lives?   Eryn Lynum: (12:05 - 14:03) I love this question because throughout the book, we talk a lot about reordering and creating margins. So, we can rest and reprioritizing. You know, it's so interesting when we look at the creation narrative, where we get that first mention of rest, because it's backwards to what we normally think.   Think about this. God created for six days and then he rested. Adam, the first human was created on that sixth day. So, Adam's first full day was a day of arrest, dedicated to rest. And in this, we see that God worked and then rested. But we, humanity, we were always meant to begin from rest.   And you see that even in the Hebrew tradition of a day, their day begins at evening. Their day doesn't start with, let's get up and get to work. Their day starts with, let me go to rest to get ready for the work. So, first we have to reorder our concept of rest, not see it as a reward. Oh, I'm going to work, work, work, get all the things done so that maybe I can rest this weekend or on vacation, or when the kids are out of the house or in retirement, that's backwards to the biblical framework. We are meant to begin from rest.   So, starting there. And as we do that, my family has found after sabbathing for three and a half years now, everything else kind of falls into place. And that happens when you operate by God's design. You know, rest allows us to tend to the most important things. Those deep values, whether like that should be of course, faith and family. So, getting clear on your values is really important. Like what is most important to your family faith? Maybe it's community generosity. Maybe it's physical health, mental health, all these things do better. And we have more time to tend to them when we first make room and space for rest.   Laura Dugger: (14:04 - 16:28) And now a brief message from our sponsor.    With over 1,700 apartment units available throughout Pekin, Peoria, Peoria Heights, Morton and Washington. And with every price range covered, you will have plenty of options when you rent through Leman Property Management Company.   They have townhomes, duplexes, studios, and garden style options located in many areas throughout Pekin. And make sure you check out their newest offering, the McKinley located in Pekin is a new construction addition to their platinum collection featuring nine foot ceilings, large spacious layouts, beautiful finishes, such as courts, countertops, and garages. You won't want to miss this outstanding new property in Peoria, a historic downtown location and apartments adjacent to OSF Medical Center provide excellent choices.   Check out their brand new luxury property in Peoria Heights, overlooking the boutique shops and fine dining on prospect. And in Morton, they offer a variety of apartment homes with garages, a hot downtown location, and now a brand new high-end complex near Idlewood Park. If you want to become part of their team, contact them about open office positions.   They're also hiring in their maintenance department. So, we invite you to find out why so many people have chosen to make a career with them. Check them out on Facebook today or email their friendly staff at leasing@lemanprops.com. You can also stop by their website at lemanproperties.com, check them out and find your place to call home today.   It never ceases to amaze me how God's economy and his math are just different. Sometimes upside down from ours, but I feel like when you're speaking, it reminds me of Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” So, if we actually obey, I think there are so many blessings that we can enjoy from this gift of rest. So, you're talking about our values. Then what can this look like to daily align our activities with our deepest values?   Eryn Lynum: (16:30 - 18:30) Yes, this is an ongoing practice because the enemy is always trying to distract us from what is most important. And that word there is key distract. And so, first we have to learn to identify those distractions, the things that are pulling us away from what is most important, but you know, getting to those core values and on my website, I have, my husband and I developed a family values guide that helps you step by step to really figure out what are our deepest values.   So, that's erinlynum.com/values. But really what it is, is this practice of getting clear on God's best for, for us and for our families and for those around us and, and making sure that we are aligning and realigning because it's going to get out of alignment, those values with God's agenda. You know, a lot of days I just start my day with a restful pause.   I call them in the book, Selah pauses. And I am quite literally, I am sitting before the Lord, my eyes closed and my hands just up in this posture of surrender and receiving. And I will say, Lord, I am surrendering my own agenda, my own expectations for this day. And I want to receive your power, your presence, your peace. And then throughout the day, just taking those checks.   Like I practice these daily Selah pauses and moments of rest because think about Selah in the Psalms. It can mean to pause, to contemplate, to redirect. And we need to do that often because as a day goes on, I think we lose energy and focus. You know, at the beginning of the day, we might feel really like focused. And this is what I'm getting done today. And that can waver like that can wane out as the day goes on. And so, constantly just checking back in.   Okay, Lord, what is it you have for me to do today? And how do I tend to those most important things? But you have to take that restful pause to be able to do that.   Laura Dugger: (18:31 - 18:46) That's good reminder. Okay. So, to check back in with the Lord and then can you give another example of one family and what their value is and how they live that out in their daily life. And maybe even what requires us to say no to.   Eryn Lynum: (18:47 - 20:15) Ooh, that's a fantastic question. Hmm. Can it be for my own family or do you want me to give them love it from your own family?   Okay. I was asked this question recently. Someone asked me, how do you make time to be outside as a family? One of our core family values is to be out exploring in God's creation. And this has been harder in different seasons. And we have two middle schoolers now, you know, we are, we have a lot going on.   And so, it can very quickly happen where at the end of the day, we're like, wow, we really didn't spend much time outdoors today, but how we prioritize this is you do have to say no to other things. So, we're a homeschooling family. And just as an example, it can be very tempting to feel like, am I doing enough? Am I teaching them enough? We need to check off all these boxes and get the lessons done. And it's constantly surrendering that and realizing, you know, I know that our value of being outdoors is important to God. I know that he is meeting my children there. He is meeting me there. He is giving us rest and rejuvenation there.   So, trusting with that, again, going back to the Israelites, stop gathering, stop checking off all the boxes, stop trying to provide and meet your own expectations. And instead stay super focused on what God has called you to and ruthlessly get rid of the rest, anything that's keeping you from that.   Laura Dugger: (20:16 - 20:36) I love that personal example. Thank you for sharing. And how can we also in our own families or in our own life, how can we distinguish which activities are vital for the abundant life in Christ that he offers so that we don't settle for less?   Eryn Lynum: (20:38 - 22:46) I love that you bring up that, that term, the abundant life. In John 10:10, that Christ came, that we might have life and life abundantly overflowing to the fullest, like brimming over is what that word means. And that scripture also says the enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy.   And I believe that one of the enemy's biggest schemes and methods for that is to send us into hurry and hustle mode. And he does that through distraction and discontent. And so, so much of this is pressing back against distraction and discontent and getting back to how God created us to thrive.   And again, I believe that that is through this, this gift of rest. You know, you talk about, you asked about settling for less. The enemy is going to put a million things in our life that would cause us to want to settle for less.   Let me give you an example of him trying to distract us. There was a recent weekend where we were coming up on the weekend, and I had several friends reach out and ask about me doing these things like these different opportunities coming our way. Like, do you want to do this? Do you want to do this? And each of them were for on Saturday and that's usually when our family Sabbaths. And so, I had this tension because these were good things.   It's hard to say no to a good thing, but I kept feeling again and again, the Lord saying, no, rest with your family, rest with your family. And it was so sweet because come Saturday morning, I was out on our back deck sipping coffee with my husband for hours, having incredible conversations, reading great books. The kids are playing in the yard.   Several times I caught myself thinking, I almost said no to this by saying yes to other things. And again, they were good things. This life is full of good things, but God's rest is one of the best things for our families. So, it's learning to be okay with saying no to those good things. So, you can say yes to that better thing.   Laura Dugger: (22:48 - 23:17) Examples are so helpful. And that requires a level of discernment and going to the Lord to ask him, but I'm wondering if you even have a system in place for how you discern that, or is it a gut piece that you follow or any practical ways that each of us can discern what's the right kind of busy that's good. And what's the wrong kind of busy and the things that we want to say no to.   Eryn Lynum: (23:18 - 25:05) Yeah. Going back to, again, busy is not bad. God created us for fruitful work, but I think, you know, when we are following Christ and God's spirit is within us, he's going to give us that sense of this is the right kind of busy.   This is the wrong kind of busy. And practically, you know, if it has any notion of distraction, like if you're doing this thing to just distract you or to procrastinate on better things, if it has a note of busyness, you know, some people will be like, well, some people, the enemy makes us want to think that sitting on our phones can be restful because you're not technically doing much of anything, but that distraction is stealing God's true gift of rest for us.   And so, you know, our family, as we practice Sabbath throughout the week, I know that come Saturday, we have a full day of rest. And sometimes it's tempting to add a little work into there, to let it seep out of those edges of the work week and kind of into our Sabbath. And as you practice this more and more and begin just ruthlessly protecting that time, whether it's a full day, whether you start with a half day, God is going to make you more sensitive to those things. Because sometimes I'll like work it out in my mind, like, oh, this isn't work. And really like it's definitely, it's definitely trying to serve my work during the work week.   And God is saying, no, like step away from that and allow me to refresh and rejuvenate your spirit so that when you go back to the work, you do so much more powerfully energized, restful, and ready to do that work to the very best of your ability with God's power.   Laura Dugger: (25:07 - 25:36) That reminds me of a previous guest I'll link to. He did two episodes, but Jeff Henderson just said he's a pastor too. And he said, sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.   I would agree on that, which you've kind of been sharing a little glimpses of your family's experience with Sabbath, but let's just zero in on Sabbath and I'll just try and go through a series of questions. But first what's the importance of Sabbath?   Eryn Lynum: (25:37 - 26:55) Well, first God commands it. Like if God commanded it, then surely it's important, but that can also sometimes cause us to get a little legalistic about it. What is it? What isn't it? Well, it is meant to be a gift, meant to be a blessing. It's meant to empower us and what God created us for and calls us to.   And so, keeping that just center, this is meant to be a gift, but we see it all throughout scripture, the importance of rest and rest in God's design. It's celebration. Like it's not idleness. It's not doing nothing. Although sometimes like that's the most beneficial way that we can rest. Like you talked about a nap.   I love a good nap on Sabbath, but also it can be energizing activities, inspiring activities. I also love a good long walk on Sabbath. Sometimes I love cooking with fresh ingredients and working on a meal during Sabbath because I don't get much opportunity to do that during the week. Sometimes I love going out and working in the garden because that's life giving and I don't have time to do that throughout the week. And so, getting back to this concept, this idea of Sabbath and rest are celebratory. Like when we do it well as a family, it feels like a mini vacation every week.   Laura Dugger: (26:56 - 27:15) Ooh, I love that. My husband said that before about date night and I connect with that, that it's a little mini reprieve, a mini vacation each week. But then that leads me to the question because I bet so many people share their Sabbath activities with you. What do families actually do on this day of rest?   Eryn Lynum: (27:16 - 31:46) Yeah, that's a great question. And first I'll say that it should look different from family to family. We are all in unique seasons. We have different stories, different scenarios. Again, if you can't start with the full day, now I strongly believe strive and work toward that full day. That's God's design.   And we've seen the most blessing from that. But if you have to start smaller with a half day with four hours, start there. So, it's going to look different. If you have newborns, like a newborn child, it's going to look different and that's okay. No going into it, that it's going to be messy. Hebrews says strive toward rest, work toward rest. It's so counter-cultural. We have to work toward it. So, just going in, knowing these things is very helpful.   It's also going to grow, adapt, and change throughout the seasons. Our family has seen that. But a typical Sabbath for our family right now is we follow the traditional Friday evening to Saturday evening for the most part. Some people ask me, why not Sunday? Isn't Sunday the Sabbath? Well, for us, Sunday is set aside for church community and fellowship and corporate worship. And that's so life-giving to our souls. But by the time I get home from church and I'm making lunch for the family, like I'm not rested physically. So, we needed a separate day set aside for rest.   And so, Friday afternoon, we start preparing where we're going to band together and just pick up the house, get it ready, wash all the dishes and just start preparing our hearts, our minds, our bodies, our home for rest. And then we start Friday evening with communion as a family, just breaking bread and celebrating what Christ did on our behalf. And again, that, that idea of celebrate, and this marks it as special. Okay. We're heading into Sabbath. Some families will like light a white candle for Sabbath, just really marking it. And then we have, we toast to the week. So, we'll pour sparkling juice and just toast and say, “Hey, what did we see God do this week?” Like going back to that idea of stop and delight, we are setting a hard stop to the week. We are delighting. What did we see God do? What did he help us overcome? What can we thank Him for from this past week? And then we'll do an easy dinner. Think tacos, take and bake pizza spaghetti.   We use paperware, which is a bit controversial since I work as a master naturalist, but it has been an easy button for Sabbath that I'm not worried about like dishes piling up on the counter. And then we'll, we'll wrap it up with a sweet treat like ice cream and then our kids go to bed, or they'll listen to audio books. Audio books have been massive for our Sabbath because they're screen-free because we do put away all screens and work like devices on Sabbath, but they can listen to good books.   And my husband and I, we read, like people ask me, when do you find time to read? You don't find time to read. You have to make time to read. And for us, that's on the Sabbath mostly. And then Saturday we sleep in, we get up pretty early during the week and the kids just know like you don't wake mom and dad on the Sabbath. Like that's their day to sleep in.   Again, if you have a newborn or young children, that's gonna look different and that's okay. But for us, that's the season that we're in and our kids, they'll make themselves first breakfast and then eventually we'll get up and we'll join them for a second breakfast or some Sabbath. I don't want to cook at all. And so, it's just take and forage. And you know, I usually have a grocery delivery the day before or go to the grocery store and make sure we just have a ton of good stuff in the house. So, no one's, you know, everyone has what they need.   Then the rest of the day, it is just a day of delight. Reading books, playing games, being out in creation, visiting with neighbors, having great conversations together. Sabbath is this space where you get to do all those things during the week that you're like, oh, I wish I had time for that and you just don't get to them. Like recently my daughter during the week, she really wanted me, she's seven. She wanted me to sit down and watercolor paint with her, which I love doing, but it was a really busy week. And I just didn't have the space.   And so, I told her like, “Hey, I would love to do that. Can we do that on Sabbath?” And she was so happy with that answer. And come that Sabbath a few days later, she remembered, she came up to me. She's like, mom, it's time to paint. And she got all the supplies, and we went and sat outside at our picnic table and painted for the afternoon.   You know, Sabbath does so much for me as a mom to remove that guilt of the things I don't feel like I have time for because I know, and my kids know, Sabbath is coming and that's our day to be together and do those things.   Laura Dugger: (31:47 - 31:57) Hmm. Okay. That makes me curious. Then to how much of a vote does everyone in the family get for what Sabbath will look like?   Eryn Lynum: (31:57 - 34:02) Oh, that is a great question. No one's ever phrased it to me like that before. I love that. What we found that's been important to keep in mind is that we all individually find different things, restful and inspiring. I'll give you an example. One Sabbath, my husband, especially in the spring, he loves to work in the yard on Sabbath because he spends most of his week. He runs a construction company on the computer or on the phone. And so, in the spring, he wants to be out in the yard and trimming his fruit trees and just working with God's creation. And so, one Sabbath he comes and he has like the clippers in his hand and he's like, “Hey, let's go work on the yard.”   And I was like, that's great. You do that. I'm going to go read my book in the hammock. And I fell asleep for two hours while he worked on the yard. And so, a lot of this is being okay that yes, a lot of it's going to be together. Like I talked about, we did, we do communion together and we do meals together. And a lot of times we'll be out on a hike together. That's a favorite Sabbath activity. But a lot of times we're also doing separate activities.   The kids are enjoying their books or their audio books or their painting or their, uh, visiting the neighbor kids. And my husband and I are reading books on the back deck. And so, it's okay that there's going to be some together time and some separate time, you know, just being flexible with it. Like our first year of Sabbath, we went, we had to go like hardcore. We had to learn to stay. I think about in the book, I talk about the word abide meno in the Greek and it can mean to stay, to dwell, to remain.   So, we've spent our first year of Sabbath, not getting in the car. We stayed home and learned to just be home together. And after that year, we started to miss our time. We live in Colorado, missing our time hiking in the mountains. And so, we changed it. We said, okay, well, toward the end of Sabbath Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, let's go hike or let's go have a picnic in the wilderness. And just being open to that, that God's going to change you as a family and change you individually. And just growing up in a Sabbath practice together.   Laura Dugger: (34:03 - 34:20) I like the freedom that you're communicating there. And then when you mentioned the neighborhood kids, it makes me curious. Do you encourage community for some of those who recharge with other people? Would you recommend Sabbath thing with others or just keeping it your family?   Eryn Lynum: (34:21 - 36:16) Absolutely. We love inviting others into Sabbath. And it actually started with, we started our Sabbath practice. It was so sweet because God convinced us to do this. And then our first Sabbath was on January 1st. That happened to be the first Saturday that we did it. So, it was like this fresh start. And right around that time, we had moved to a new neighborhood. And our neighbors near us are Messianic Jews.   And they follow Shabbat, the traditional Shabbat. And they invited us into that. It was the sweetest evening, and they have children, young children, like we do. So, like there's chaos and there's mess. And then there's sweet times of singing together and scripture reading. And they follow it much more the traditional method than our family has.   But it was so sweet to be invited into that and to get a picture for how to invite others into this rest. And so, absolutely, we encourage, especially our kids having friends over. And we do usually ask parents, hey, can you drop them off? And then we can bring them back maybe like later that day toward the end of our Sabbath. Or if you want to come pick them up. Because again, we like to just stay home if we can.   But our kids are to the point now too where they can ride their bikes over to friends' houses. And we're fine with that. They might not be home on Sabbath once in a while. It's not a regular thing. But they're getting fed. And we know that the people they're with are people who share our values, people that we do life together.   We love having bonfires in the backyard on Sabbath. Now one thing I have to be careful of is I don't want to invite people over and feel like I need to host or clean up first. And so, for one, we don't have full families over a whole lot on Sabbath because I just don't want any sort of self-induced, self-imposed pressure.   But sometimes it's so much fun to just be like, hey, let's go meet at a park and have a picnic dinner. Or let's have a family over and do a bonfire. Just making sure that you're keeping it really, really simple if you are going to incorporate community.   Laura Dugger: (36:17 - 37:54) Guess what? We are no longer an audio-only podcast. We now have video included as well. If you want to view the conversation each week, make sure you watch our videos. We're on YouTube, and you can access videos or find answers to any of your other questions about the podcast when you visit thesavvysauce.com.   Some of these things, like you said, “They do require forethought where you have the groceries coming or certain things in place. And I think you even refer to it as a sacred striving.” So, it's important for us to learn more about that. And here's a quick story.   I just remember we've moved states quite a few times in marriage. But when I was a young mom, there was a mom in the next season of life, and she had more kids than we did. And we went to church together, and she was just like, “Oh, we learned about Sabbath. That's not a thing for moms with multiples.” And I always wrestled with that, and I love her. She's a wonderful person. Maybe she's even changed her stance on that, so it's not to speak ill of her. But I do think that we can struggle with that because that's not an actual truth. I do think that's a message from the enemy.   So, I guess this is a two-part question. How do we protect ourselves from buying into a storyline that is not true that may hold us back from Sabbath? And then also, what is kind of the both and? It's both restful, and it requires a lot of work up front to make this a reality.   Eryn Lynum: (37:55 - 41:19) It does, and knowing that, that it is going to take work, but God's going to bless it. Think about Isaiah 55:10-11, that says, “Just like the rain and the snow go forth and produce life and bring forth life from the land, so my work goes out and does not return void or empty. It produces that which I sent it out for.”.   That is true for Sabbath and rest because, again, we find it all throughout scripture. So, know that it's going to take hard work, but God will not allow it to return void. He will bless our efforts as we step into His design that He created us for.   I talk about in the book a few ways that you have to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually. So, mentally, for me, I have to just totally remove anything mentally that's going to distract me from rest. So, I own a business, and so a lot of my work is on the computer and on the phone. I will answer, so this is like Friday, I'll answer any lingering emails, those ones that are going to be on my mind if I don't get to them. And then I put an away message on my email. So, if anyone emails me on our Sabbath, it sends an automatic reply that says, hey, thanks for your message. My family's resting. It has a little blurb in there about Sabbath. I'll get back to you in the new week.   That gives me permission to not even look at my email. In fact, people expect that I'm not looking at my email if I'm keeping my word. And so, this has just freed me up mentally to step away, and then I literally put my laptop in my closet.   With my phone, I set it to a Sabbath mode, and you can create these different focus modes if you have a smartphone, so that I can only receive messages from my mom in case of emergency. And our people, our friends, they all know this now. Like, oh, I'm not going to hear back from Erin because it's Saturday for the most part.   And so, these little things that you might just need to mentally prepare yourself. And then physically, that goes back to preparing our home. So, this is not a deep clean that we do prior to Sabbath. It's just tending to the things that are going to distract me if we don't get to them beforehand. So, again, washing all the dishes and having the kitchen clean, vacuuming. Like, that's like just a hack to make the house feel clean is I feel like it's clean if it's vacuumed.   So, just these little things, and then physically also doing that grocery order. And I have a free Sabbath guide on my website, erinlynum.com/family-sabbath. And it walks you through creating your Sabbath grocery list so that every week you have what you need in the house. These little things that truly make it, Sabbath easier and more successful.   And then preparing spiritually, going into this, like a lot of times I'll know, okay, I'm going to study this on Sabbath. For our first year, I just had like this stack of books on Sabbath that I would work through on our Sabbath. Right now, I am parked in Genesis 1 and have been for weeks. And so, just preparing spiritually, you know, this is a time of communion with our creator, with our heavenly father. And so, just having an idea of, you know, this is how I want to spend time delighting in God on the Sabbath.   That might be a long walk. That might be time in the word or time of worship but making sure that that is a keystone part of your Sabbath practice.   Laura Dugger: (41:20 - 41:45) And, you know, it really is possible. I just think so many of us celebrate holidays and we do the same thing where we plan, prepare, prioritize ahead of time so that we can delight in that day. And what a gift to get to do that weekly. So, with all of these amazing benefits, why do we still resist God's design for rest?   Eryn Lynum: (41:46 - 43:00) Because we live in a fallen world, broken by sin, and the enemy wants to do everything he can to keep us from this. This is God's design and our faith, and our souls and our families flourish in this design. And so, the enemy is going to do whatever he can to keep us from it.   He's going to insert fear. He's going to insert distraction. He's going to insert doubt. You know, when we started this practice coming up to it, I was thinking, there's no way, like how are we going to get everything done in one last day a week, all these doubts. And yet what we found so quickly is that as we took this step of faith, we quickly became so much more productive and effective and creative during the work week, because we were starting from rest and following God's design.   We resist this because it is counter-cultural. Everything in society is set up against us doing this and succeeding in this. So, again, going and knowing that our war is not against flesh and blood. It is against the powers of the spheres, like things unseen. The enemy is against us, but God is on our side. And as we step into his design, he's going to make much of it.   Laura Dugger: (43:01 - 43:12) Okay. So, if we are convinced and we want to give this a try, what is a practical first step to just obeying this and receiving this gift of rest?   Eryn Lynum: (43:13 - 45:23) Yeah, super practical here. Two first steps. The first is to set a day and time. Now you're not committing to this forever. And again, if you, if a big hesitancy here is I can't do a full day. Okay. Work and pray toward that but start smaller. If it's four hours on a Wednesday, guard that time. Ruthlessly guard it. Don't let anything be written on the schedule besides that.   So, set a day in time and then write two lists. This is going back to the idea of stop and delight, right? Your stop list. These are things that send you into hurry and hustle mode, things that are related to normal work, things that feel heavy. Some of them are so important.   Again, our work is important, but this is going to be things like devices, media, regular work, answering emails, phone calls. It might be driving in traffic. It might be spending money. Write down those things that feel heavy. That's your stop list. The things you're not going to entertain on that day or that time.   And then write your delight list. This might be hard at first because what I've found with myself, with many of us is that we forget what we delight in but causes that childlike sense of play and wonder. This is learning to be human again, coming back to those things.   So, it might be playing music or listening to music, working with fresh ingredients, reading a good book, writing by hand, watercolor painting, going for a walk. What we find is that a lot of people who spend time during the week in front of a computer want to be outdoors on the Sabbath, but people who run a landscaping company might want to be inside with a great book. So, just writing down those things that are, again, those things that you think during the week, oh, I really wish I could get to that.   Only we don't. Those are your delight list. So, now you have a day and a time. You know what you're not going to do, what you're setting aside, even physically, that should probably most definitely be your phone. Stick it in a drawer. I have my Sabbath drawer where I put my phone, and then you know what you're going to do and spend that day on.   Laura Dugger: (45:24 - 45:47) That's so good. And for those who have been listening for a while, they could even put their phone in their RO box, and I could link to that episode as well with Joey Odom. That's incredible about where our phone could be in its right place.   But Eryn, are there any other practical benefits that we might be missing out on that you've seen as a result of this Sabbath rest?   Eryn Lynum: (45:48 - 49:44) One of my favorite benefits is how it unlocks our creativity. Whether you work in a career or position that you consider creative or not, God designed all of us to be creative, to produce. And so, what I have found is that my work, my work is very in that creative sphere, writing books, creating podcast lessons for children.   It's very creative work. And I've found that Sabbath is this day where God gives my mind rest. It's so incredible thinking about how he wired our brains to thrive through rest, and science points to that that a restful mind is better at problem-solving, connecting ideas, remembering details.   And so, as my mind is allowed to rest on Sabbath, and I'm out on a walk in nature, or I'm reading a good book, or I'm writing by hand, when it comes time to sit down at the computer Monday morning, I am ready. I am flowing with ideas. They are there.   And I'll give you an example. This one isn't from Sabbath. It's from one of my daily rest rhythms that I call Selah Pause, and that's a walk in the morning. And this might be a little controversial, but this is not an easy stroll. I have my rucking pack on, and I'm trekking up a hill, which is not physically restful, of course, but it's mentally restful for me. I love it.   And so, it was in January, so it's frigid out, and everything's covered in snow, and I'm in all my snow gear, and I'm trudging up this hill. And at the time, I was dealing with a problem in my podcast where it was a good problem. We had spent the month teaching about God's designs in the human body. So, we had taught kids about God's designs in cells and DNA and the heart and the brain, but I didn't want to just let this series end. I wanted to wrap it up in some powerful way, and I didn't know how. So, I could have stayed home that morning and hashed this out and been at the computer, and how should I end this thing?   Instead, I went on this walk, and God just dropped this idea in my mind. And it was this idea. He said, ask the kids how they are wonderfully made. And that was the top. The theme was wonderfully made. And so, I put it out there to my email list. When I got back from that walk, I said, hey, I would love to hear how you kids believe you are wonderfully made by the creator. And I opened up this little voice mailbox on our website, and I didn't know if anyone would respond. And then I'm like, what if they don't? And then I don't know what to do because I said I'm going to do this thing.   I tell you, message after message came in from children from ages. I think it was three or four up to 14 from all over the world. And I was weeping as I edited that episode. I had planned to add something at the beginning and the end to build out this episode. I didn't do that because it was, I believe it's 22 minutes straight of children saying, this is my name.   I'm five years old. I live in England and I'm wonderfully made because God made me to read well or God made me fast. Or one little boy shared, he said, I know I'm wonderfully made because my mama lost a baby before me. And I'm here and I'm wonderfully made. And I'm weeping.   And this idea that God gave me, I would have missed it if I hadn't taken that pause to be out in his creation walking that day. And so, that's a very roundabout way to get back to your question of what are the other benefits? We hear from God when we make time for rest. And if we keep just rushing and hurrying, I'm concerned that we are walking by so many opportunities to hear from his spirit and to let him unlock that potential within us.   Laura Dugger: (49:45 - 50:22) Oh, I love that. And I'm even reminded of one other thing that you write in your book that today, one way we can practically experience his original design of rest is by stepping outside. And you're full of tips and ideas like that, but I so appreciate those stories.   So, you've equipped us with this foundation of rest and ways that we can prepare for it, how we can enjoy and delight in it. And so now, Eryn, how can we reflect well on our rhythms of work and rest?   Eryn Lynum: (50:25 - 53:19) So, much of this is reflection. So, much of this is stopping to consider where God is at work in our lives, where we need to recalibrate, where we need to realign, where we need to step back into his pace because we're trying to run ahead of him. And one way that we can see it, you know, like you might ask the question, am I at rest? Even me sometimes on Sabbath, I'm like, am I doing this right? Like, is this actually restful? Is this what I'm supposed to be doing?   I think we can answer that question by the fruit in our lives, the fruit inside of us that God is producing and the fruit that we are producing. So, one thing I kind of sum up the book on is this question of, are you growing in truth and love? Because the enemy, when he gets us away from God's rest and into hustle, into distraction and hurry, we are not fully experiencing God.   And so, our levels of experiencing his love and offering it to others is going to suffer. Our experience of hearing his truth and living that truth out in our lives is going to suffer. And so, the opposite is true that as we live at rest, this whole concept of abide, that is living at rest, not just these rest practices, but living at rest in God's restful presence, we are going to be producing more love and more truth.   So, that's like a key visual. And then I love on that idea of abide. We spent a whole week on abide in the book and, you know, John chapter 15 being the abide passage. And what we see there is there's these 11 mentions of that word abide. And they all refer to us abiding in Christ, Christ abiding in us, God's word abiding in us. So, all this connectivity between Christ and God and us and his word.   But then it's, I think it's verse 16. There's a different mention of meno, abide. And it says that he wants us to go out and produce fruit that abides. So, this is different. It relates to our fruit and that word abide. Yes, it can mean dwell, remain, stay, but it can also mean continue and endure.   God created us to produce fruit and fruit that endures. Doesn't rot, doesn't fade, but continues into eternity. So, we can look at, okay, am I personally in my spirit? Am I growing in truth and love? Because God's spirit actually has the space to minister to me when I rest. And is that rest directly affecting the fruit of my life?   These are key things that we can look at and ask to see. Are we truly living from God's rest?   Laura Dugger: (53:19 - 53:53) I love questions so much. And that's so good to reflect then on the fruit that's being produced. And a mentor many years ago said, you never reap what you sow in the same season. So, that's a great place to even begin just reflecting. What did we do in the past season and what fruit are we reaping now? And where do we want to go then from here?   And one place we could go from here after this chat is to follow you. And you've mentioned your podcast. Do you want to elaborate on all the places that you're available?   Eryn Lynum: (53:54 - 55:03) Yes, thank you. So, the new book, The Nature of Rest is available wherever you get your books, along with my second book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation. And that's all about taking our kids or grandkids, the next generation outside and reconnecting the dots between creation and creator. Really returning nature study and time outdoors to its proper place as theology and the study of God.   So, those are available anywhere, including Amazon or my website, which is my name, erynlynum.com. And then my podcast is Nat Theo, short for Natural Theology. It's nature lessons rooted in the Bible. It's a podcast for kids and families where we dive deep into science and all the design and intelligence we see in creatures and plants. And we tie it all back to biblical truth so that our kids are learning science and theology at the same time.   And that's available on any podcast platform, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, right on my website, erinlynum.com, as well as YouTube. We actually provide visuals so you can watch what you're learning about as well.   Laura Dugger: (55:04 - 55:22) So, incredible. We will add links to that in the show notes for today's episode. And Eryn, you may already be familiar. We're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, what is your savvy sauce?   Eryn Lynum: (55:24 - 56:34) I love this question. And this is one that actually I was like, oh, I'm not asked this much. I'm going to have to really think deeply on this one.   It's get outside every day. That seems so simple, even though it's not really simple in practicality. But one thing I've learned through rest and through time outdoors is that 10 minutes matters. Like if you think I don't have time for this, but you have a 10 minute slot, go for a walk and see how God just communes with your spirit. Even in the dead of winter, if you live somewhere cold, like if it's safe to do so. For me, I had to buy like the best pair of snow pants I could find because I used to really dislike the winter. And I would just become like really down in those winter months.   And so, God just convinced me, don't go outside every single day if it's for 10 minutes. And then pretty often he just extends that. Like I think I'm going out for 10 minutes. And sure enough, I'm like playing with my kids outside. It's much longer.   But yeah, as best as you can, just prioritize that. If you have to do it first thing in the morning to make sure it happens, go for a walk and watch the sunrise. And God is going to minister to your soul through his creation.   Laura Dugger: (56:35 - 56:54) Amen. Amen. That is so good.   And this conversation has been so rich. Eryn, it is just very clear you have filled up on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you have just poured out goodness and love and truth for all of us, all over all of us today. So, thank you for all that you shared. And thank you for being my guest.   Eryn Lynum: (56:55 - 57:03) Thank you. Thank you so much for that encouragement. That means a whole lot to me. So, thank you. And for the opportunity for a great conversation.   Laura Dugger: (57:03 - 1:03:10) I really enjoyed it.    One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

* You can get the sermon note sheet at: https://family-bible-church.org/2025Messages/25Dec28.pdf * We have seen that Jesus came to establish a "New and Living" Way into the Presence of God. Through the sacrificial death of the Messiah, we can - by faith - come openly and with confidence into YHWH's presence knowing that this is the fulfillment of His Redemptive Plan. * The author of the book of Hebrews then chastened and exhorted the Messianic Jews to not be deceived into thinking that they needed to turn back to the Law. If they did so, they would be trampling the sacrifice of the Messiah and placing their confidence in their ability to "work" for their salvation. * He quoted the prophet Habakkuk, declaring: "The just shall live by faith." * He now transitions into a discussion of what faith is and what it looks like. He, again, reveals that this Redemptive Plan of God spans from Creation through his current day. * Lord willing, we will be spending the next four weeks considering this marvelous chapter. Today, we begin by considering the Foundation and Focus of Faith. * This message was presented by Bob Corbin on December 28, 2025 at Family Bible Church in Martinez, Georgia.

Patrick brings Catholic teachings to the forefront as he fields callers wrestling with everything from ethical questions about secular divorce for financial reasons to nuanced debates on the filioque and church unity. He grounds every conversation in real-world examples and personal stories, weaving practical wisdom into complex theological topics, touching on marriage across denominations, health care dilemmas, and questions about support for Israel. The honesty, humor, and directness keep listeners on their toes, while deep reverence for truth and faith sits at the center of the hour. Patrick continues his conversation with Todd who is asking if it’s okay to get a civil divorce, but stay married in the Catholic Church, to save money? (00:43) Lying is tempting to get out of a bad situation, but it’s still the wrong thing to do. Patrick shares a story about doing what is right, even when it’s going to be inconvenient (12:08) Stuart - What is your opinion on the pushback against Pope Leo's statement on the Nicene Creed, where the filioque was removed? What is the significance of this? (19:44) John - What is your view of how to deal with Messianic Jews and the idea that we need to support Israel because that is where Jesus is coming. (31:23) Adam - We have a son who is engaged to a Lutheran. They are getting married in a Lutheran Church. Do we need to have a Catholic priest there? Is this possible? (37:24) Thomas - I am finally ready to go to Charity mobile. Can you give a good analogy to describe the two natures of Christ for kids attending a Bible Study? (40:42) Ray – If I was Pope, I’d like to see the Byzantine Rite celebrated in Catholic Schools once per month. (47:54) Originally aired on 12/04/25

What happens when a brand‑new believer faces mockery at home, financial strain, and a nation at war—and chooses to study harder, love deeper, and answer with reasons instead of rage? Raviv Dror shares his newfound faith and path through doubt, dialogue, and devotion, exploring how apologetics turned shaky mornings into a steady, lived faith.In Part 2, Raviv explains how apologetics helped him both strengthen his new faith and share it with others. He ends with thoughts on the Israeli war, the Christian response, and how to pray for the nation.Helpful Links:Raviv's book Three in One: Being Israeli, Jewish & Believer IN CHRISTRaviv's book The Third WayRaviv's Faithful Tales Children's books, seriesApologetics resources recommended by Raviv:Dr. Frank Turek, CrossExamined.org Prof John Lennox https://www.johnlennox.org/Dr. William Lane Craig reasonablefaith.org Dennis Prager, https://www.prageru.com/Prayercast IsraelOther resources:Zionism: A Concise History, Alex RyvchinLet us know what you thought of the show!Follow One80 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.Never miss a One80. Join our email list. Follow us on Instagram.Share One80, here's how!OneWay Ministries

We have on Rabbi Eric Lakatos of Tikvat Yisrael Cleveland, Ohio to discuss his new Messianic Jewish siddur, Siddur Nishmat Kol Chai, and Messianic Jewish liturgy. We discuss why liturgy matters, the importance of Hebrew, and questions that Messianic communities face when considering liturgy in their services. Enjoy!A link to Rabbi Eric's websiteA link to Rabbi Eric's podcastA link to Tikvat Yisrael Cleveland______________________   You can also watch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠    Follow us on Social Media:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

Patrick brings Catholic teachings to the forefront as he fields callers wrestling with everything from ethical questions about secular divorce for financial reasons to nuanced debates on the filioque and church unity. He grounds every conversation in real-world examples and personal stories, weaving practical wisdom into complex theological topics, touching on marriage across denominations, health care dilemmas, and questions about support for Israel. The honesty, humor, and directness keep listeners on their toes, while deep reverence for truth and faith sits at the center of the hour. Patrick continues his conversation with Todd who is asking if it’s okay to get a civil divorce, but stay married in the Catholic Church, to save money? (00:43) Lying is tempting to get out of a bad situation, but it’s still the wrong thing to do. Patrick shares a story about doing what is right, even when it’s going to be inconvenient (12:08) Stuart - What is your opinion on the pushback against Pope Leo's statement on the Nicene Creed, where the filioque was removed? What is the significance of this? (19:44) John - What is your view of how to deal with Messianic Jews and the idea that we need to support Israel because that is where Jesus is coming. (31:23) Adam - We have a son who is engaged to a Lutheran. They are getting married in a Lutheran Church. Do we need to have a Catholic priest there? Is this possible? (37:24) Thomas - I am finally ready to go to Charity mobile. Can you give a good analogy to describe the two natures of Christ for kids attending a Bible Study? (40:42) Ray – If I was Pope, I’d like to see the Byzantine Rite celebrated in Catholic Schools once per month. (47:54)

What happens when a life built on certainty starts to crack? Hear the One80 of Raviv Dror, who grew up in a hardline communist kibbutz where the collective came first, religion, even true Judaism, was scorned, and affection felt scarce. His story carries us from growing up on a faithless kibbutz to a cross-continent love that opens a door he isn't ready to walk through—until everything else falls apart.In part 1, hear how God broke Raviv free from communist ideology and slowly, faith starts to move in.Helpful Links:Raviv's book Three in One: Being Israeli, Jewish & Believer IN CHRISTRaviv's book The Third WayRaviv's Faithful Tales Children's books, seriesApologetics resources recommended by Raviv:Dr. Frank Turek, CrossExamined.org Prof John Lennox https://www.johnlennox.org/Dr. William Lane Craig reasonablefaith.org Dennis Prager, https://www.prageru.com/Prayercast IsraelOther resources:Zionism: A Concise History, Alex RyvchinLet us know what you thought of the show!Follow One80 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.Never miss a One80. Join our email list. Follow us on Instagram.Share One80, here's how!OneWay Ministries

There are 8 billion people in the world. About 350,000 of them are Messianic Jews, Jewish people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah that was prophesied about in the Old Testament. On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad are joined by Jewish believer Rachel Kushner, founder of Links to Messiah https://linkstomessiah.com , a ministry that helps parents teach their children about Jewish traditions with a subscription that sends 4 kits a year to your home. Rachel talks about her grandfather‘s journey from Nazi occupied Austria, and his escape to America and now he became a believer in Yeshua, which led him to become an evangelist and pastor who ministered to the Jews and the gentiles about Jesus. Rachael talks about being a rare 3rd generation Jewish believer and why the Jewish culture and traditions matter today and how we as Gentiles can deepen our faith with the Jewish Messiah. Tune in to Rachel's podcast more about Jewish testimonies and traditions https://podcasts.apple.com/.../links-to.../id1718396867 (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

What happens when a viral political debate meets centuries of biblical prophecy—and your kids are the ones asking the hard questions? In this pivotal episode, Catherine confronts a question that’s as theologically complex as it is culturally relevant: Is the modern nation of Israel the same Israel God promised to Abraham, or has the church replaced her in God’s plan? This topic has taken center stage in cultural and theological debates, fueled by viral exchanges between commentators like Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz, as well as in the classroom, on college campuses, and around family dinner tables. Catherine welcomes back Jewish historical scholar Clifton Payne Junior for a deep dive into Israel’s biblical, historical, and genealogical identity. Key moments include: The viral exchange between Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz that exposed how unprepared many believers—and national leaders—are to answer “Is the Israel of Genesis 12 the same as modern Israel?” Dinesh D'Souza’s fascinating breakdown of how the Jewish people have genetically, culturally, and historically preserved their identity despite centuries of exile and persecution. Powerful prophecies in Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Amos—read in synagogues on the very day Israel was reborn in 1948—that reveal God’s hand at work through history. The “dry bones” prophecy, dissected in real-time as evidence of God reviving both the physical and spiritual life of the Jewish nation, with numbers of Messianic Jews in Israel growing 100-fold since 1948. A behind-the-scenes look at why so many Christians (and their kids) misunderstand Israel’s role in God’s redemptive plan, and how replacement theology distorts our perspective and engagement with both history and scripture. The core of “replacement theology” and why it matters. Whether the modern state of Israel (established in 1948 and led by Benjamin Netanyahu) is truly the continuation of the nation God promised to Abraham. The mystery of partial spiritual blindness over the Jewish people, the rise of Messianic Jews, and scriptural explanations many Christians and Jews have missed. The danger of misunderstanding Israel’s significance, and how well-meaning Christians and secular thinkers alike have sometimes distorted or neglected the biblical narrative. Special attention is given to Ezekiel 37’s “valley of dry bones” prophecy, the fulfillment of Isaiah 66’s “nation born in a single day,” and the astonishing coincidence that the scheduled synagogue reading on the Sabbath Israel was reborn included Amos 9’s promise of restoration—a detail highlighted from Jonathan Cahn’s Book of Mysteries. Through scholarly insight, biblical exposition, and practical application, this episode equips parents to have intelligent, faithful conversations with their children about Israel, prophecy, and what it means to “bless” this nation. It concludes with a call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and a reminder that God’s faithfulness to Israel is a testament to His faithfulness to all His people. Meet the Guest: Guest bio: Clifton Payne Junior is a gifted Bible teacher and Jewish historical scholar with advanced studies in Jewish history from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Author of “What the Bible Really Says About Tithing and Giving: It’s Different Than You Think,” he brings clarity and depth to some of the most misunderstood questions facing the Church today. References: One for Israel: “Israel’s Dry Bones Prophecy about Israel Coming Back to Life” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Lisa Loden, Christian Israeli public theologian and poet, joins Daniel for a candid conversation about the October 7th and the ensuing genocide in Gaza. They discuss Lisa's story as a Messianic Jew and Lisa shares about her thoughts on what's happened in Gaza and how a theology of suffering and hope can help us move forward.Lisa Loden is a theologian, lecturer, author, teacher, peacemaker, and a poet. In 2014, together with Salim Munayer, she co-authored, Through My Enemies Eyes: Envisioning Reconciliation in Israel and Palestine. Lisa is also a member of several international ecumenical theological dialogues. For more, visit https://www.lisaloden.com/home/aboutPurchase your own copy of “Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza”https://wipfandstock.com/9798385254859/being-christian-after-the-desolation-of-gaza. Use the coupon "DESOLATION40" to get 40% off.Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.#israel #palestine #gaza #christianity #bible #faith #zionism

Hosts Pastor Vincent Fernandez and Pastor Robert Baltodano Question Timestamps: Anonymous, email (2:49) - What steps should I take to become more grounded and allow others to see that I'm still a believer? Paul, NJ (7:24) - In the Bible, God spoke to people in the past, but how does that apply to us today? Enoch, NY (11:52) - How does someone go about hiding God's word in their heart? Maria, FL (17:48) - Is it Biblical to become a Messianic Jew? Dwayne, SC (23:10) - Do we have to have our marriage recognized by the government or other people, in order for God to recognize it? Marco, FL (33:58) - Is it a command to have children according to Genesis 9:1? Jacob, KY (43:43) - Is it Biblically okay to join the military, since the Bible says not to swear or take oaths? Janet, NJ (47:53) - My husband and I got divorced three years into our marriage, but didn't separate. Are we living in sin now since we aren't married? Julie, NY (52:27) - Does God see going to the doctor as not trusting in him? Ask Your Question: 888-712-7434 Answers@bbtlive.org

Guests: David & Denise Blakeslee | Bob Moffitt interviews David and Denise Blakeslee who have sold their home to provide resources in saving the Hebrew people. Denise Blakeslee says, "I want you to be part of this", referring to how David was involved in taking the gospel to the scattered tribes of Israel. Denise says, "My heart leaped. I felt the Holy Spirit tell me, 'Listen, tune in, I want you to be part of this.'" David says, "Something was stirring early in our marriage about going directly into the heart of Israel. We have several friends that we call 'boots on the ground', that have been born and raised in Israel that are walking worthy of their calling, and they are very effective and strategic in the way they love-on-the-people in the community. We partner with them... in the work that we've been call to together." Denise shares several stories of what God is doing through partnering with people in Israel https://blessingbroker.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let's step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let's get the good and the gold from today's guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.Aaron Shust's fascination with music—with unique sounds, melodies, progressions, and techniques—has always been a salient part of who he is. From an early age, Aaron has felt most at home in front of a piano. Just as innate to Aaron is his love of God's Word—of wrestling with the Scriptures, with the hard and beautiful things they say, and the way they foretell and fulfill a picture of a suffering servant, King Jesus.You'll hear these twin loves in Shust's music, from his debut success with “My Savior My God,” winning the 2007 New Artist, Songwriter and Song of the Year. Later, as he grappled with a surprise Down Syndrome diagnosis for one son and waged a war with chronic illness for two, he continued to declare “My Hope is in You,” a song which spent 14 weeks at #1, and “Ever Be,” which debuted at #3 on the NCA chart. Over the past several years, Aaron has delved deeply into friendship with Messianic Jews, both in Nashville and Israel, as well as into the Hebrew Scriptures and Jewish tradition that they yield. Shust, a native of Pittsburgh, makes his home in Nashville with his wife Sarah and their sons Daniel, Nick, and Michael, as well as a growing menagerie of pets.

Check out all the great resources below that CEO Aaron Abramson mentioned in the interview. The Jews for Jesus Classroom Aaron's Book Mission Design Jews for Jesus' Website In this enlightening episode of the Radio Coffee House, host Clint Armitage sits down with Aaron Abramson, the CEO of Jews for Jesus, to delve into the unique mission of this organization and its impact on the Jewish community. Aaron shares the inspiring history of Jews for Jesus, founded by Moishe Rosen in the early 1970s, and how it seeks to connect Jewish people with their Messiah through various outreach efforts, including community coffee shops and digital resources. Listeners will gain insight into the challenges faced by Messianic Jews, including historical rejection and modern-day anti-Semitism, as well as the growing openness among Jewish communities to discuss faith and the Gospel. Aaron discusses the significance of understanding Jewish customs and holidays, highlighting how these traditions connect deeply with the teachings of Jesus and enrich the Christian faith. Throughout the conversation, Clint and Aaron emphasize the importance of building relationships and showing genuine love and support for Jewish individuals, especially in light of current global tensions. They explore the transformative power of faith and the hope that can emerge from understanding and dialogue between communities. Join Clint and Aaron for this thought-provoking discussion that not only sheds light on the mission of Jews for Jesus but also encourages listeners to engage with their Jewish neighbors in meaningful ways. This episode is a call to action for Christians to share the love of Jesus and foster understanding across cultural and religious divides.

Today we had another “ask the Rabbi” session!  Rabbi Jim explained why Messianic Jews still celebrate Yom Kippor and other Jewish holidays.  Rabbi Jim is our Rabbi at Congregation Shema Yisrael in Rochester, New York. 

Rabbi Michael Shorb is a third generation Messianic Jew.  Even though he was raised in a believing home, his own personal faith and commitment to the L-rd didn't come until much later.  While in the service, he became friends with a believer and while visiting his friend's farm, he heard the friend's mother, a devout believer, praying for him and calling out his name before the Lord. God began to place people in Shorb's life who would pray for him, minister to him, and eventually he surrendered to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Lord called him to reach Russian speaking Jews.  He went to Kyiv and he traveled to Ukraine four times a year, where he became a member of the world's largest Messianic congregation in Kyiv.  While in Ukraine, Rabbi Michael went into prisons and to rehab centers.  He experienced the casting out of demons and those who were instantly healed from drug addiction.  But the Lord showed him that his true calling was to be in his own home, near Baltimore, Maryland.Rabbi Michael had visited Israel and had pondered making Aliyah, but he clearly heard the Lord tell him to go home to his people in Maryland, where there are approximately 250,000 Russian-speaking Jews.  The Lord impressed on him that if all the believing Jews left, who would teach his people?Rabbi Michael's Congregation, Beit Chesed (House of Mercy), is located in Baltimore County in Reisterstown, Maryland. 

Rita Springer sits down with pastor and friend Scott Volk, a Messianic Jew, to unpack what it really means to walk in the fear of the Lord. From Abraham and Moses to revival history and today's church, they explore how awe, reverence, and surrender shape authentic faith. Scott shares 5 practical ways to grow in the fear of the Lord and why it leads to joy, freedom, and hope.If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review!Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringerIf you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b...

Who are we?  How do you “identify” yourself?  Are you a son or daughter of the MOST HIGH GOD?  A son or daughter of YHWH?  Or Part of the Bride of Messiah?  Or Part of His end times remnant? Or part of Israel?  Or living stones in the temple of YHWH?  Or all 5? Or none of these?  Perhaps you identify as a Gentile Believer?  Or a Noahide?  Or one of the righteous of the nations?  Or a Christian?  Or a Jew?  Or a Messianic Jew? Or an apostate? Or an unbeliever?  Who are you?  And Who do you want to be?  We all have a choice to make.  We must understand what the choices are so that we understand what we are choosing and what the consequences and responsibilities for that choice will be. What does scripture really say? When we believe in Jesus (Y'shua Messiah) were we reborn into the Kingdom and Family of YHWH our Creator OR into a New Religion? Let's see what scripture says, even and especially the scriptures written by Paul the Apostle.  This message will be a huge help to those trying to witness to friends and family regarding the entire Word of YHWH!

Some Christians seem to be obsessed with modern-day Israel, while others act like it doesn't matter at all. But what does the Bible actually say about God's chosen people? In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally wraps up our Elephants in the Room series by challenging us to think biblically about Israel.Today's topic is the relationship between Jews and Christians, the Old and New Testaments, and Israel's role in our faith. Some churches focus heavily on Christianity's Jewish roots and modern Israel, while others ignore them. Let's avoid two errors:Replacement theology – the belief that the Church has replaced Israel. Romans 11 makes it clear: God has not rejected Israel.Dual covenant theology – the idea that Jews are saved by the old covenant while Gentiles are saved by Jesus. Romans 3 and 30 affirm there is one way to salvation—faith in Christ, for everyone.The Messy MiddleBiblical balance comes from holding two tensions at once. Think of a see-saw: each truth needs equal weight. We don't dilute truth; we clarify it by holding multiple truths together.We must affirm both:Christians should bless Israel for their history and legacy and embrace Messianic Jews as spiritual family.Christians are not bound to follow Old Testament law, Jewish traditions, or to support modern Israeli politics.Blessing IsraelIsrael gave us the covenants, the law, the promises, and ultimately Christ (Romans 9:4-5, John 4:22). Messianic Jews are part of our spiritual family (Ephesians 2:14).No Obligation to Jewish Law or TraditionsThe law was a guardian until Christ came (Galatians 3:24). We now live by faith. The law convicts sinners—it's not a manual for saints (1 Timothy 1:8-9).Jewish customs are not required. Colossians 2 says these were shadows; Christ is the reality. God meets us where we are. Communion is about heart, not method.Political Support for IsraelYou don't have to support modern-day Israel's politics to be a faithful Christian. Understand the terms:Dispensationalism is a theological view that separates Israel and the Church in God's plan.Zionism is political, advocating for a Jewish homeland.Christian Zionism blends both, often linking Israel to end-times prophecy.Be cautious concerning blind support. Romans 9 and Galatians 6 remind us: not all who are descended from Israel are true Israel. Our allegiance is to God's kingdom above all nations.How Can We Bless Israel?Reject false saviors—Judaism without Jesus cannot save (Acts 4:12).Recognize priority—the gospel came to the Jew first (Romans 1:16).Remember God's promise—Israel's hard hearts are temporary (Romans 11:25-26).Preach Jesus—He is Messiah to Jew and Gentile alike (Acts 2:38).Israel's legacy is part of our faith story—but salvation is in Christ alone. Bless Israel, love the Jewish people, but follow Jesus into the messy middle: gratitude without obligation, love without blind loyalty, truth without compromise. When it comes to Israel, are you willing to follow Jesus into the messy middle?

Gloria is a Messianic Jew living in Texas, but her story begins in Nigeria where she was born and raised. At the age of 12, a neighbor faithfully stopped by her home after school each day for 3 years, getting her to memorize the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John). Through that simple act of love, she came to faith in the Messiah — a decision that has shaped her life ever since.Today, Gloria is a wife, a mom of three, and a CPA who runs her own accounting firm in Texas. She loves using both her faith and her professional gifts to encourage and serve others, and she's passionate about sharing the hope of the Messiah with everyone she meets. She's been on multiple mission trips to the middle east, and especially carries a burden for the persecuted church in “unreached places” like North Korea and much of the Islamic world.

Matt Slick Live (Live Broadcast of 08/22/2025) is a production of the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM). Matt answers questions on topics such as: The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues! You can also email questions to Matt using: info@carm.org, Put "Radio Show Question" in the Subject line! Answers will be discussed in a future show. Topics Include: Matt Discusses Work on a New Concept Article Refuting Atheism/Interactions with Atheists/ Email Question: Did Satan Know He would be Defeated by Jesus?/What Does The Bible Say About Castes?/Can a Christian Go to a Bar if They Don't Get Drunk?/ Why do Atheists use "Don't Judge" against Christians?/What About Christians that do This?/Is there Scriptural Support for our Knowledge of People Living, who are Going to Hell?/ How Do We Deal with Variant Number Readings in Scripture?/Is Divorce Due to Physical Abuse Scriptural?/ Can a "Gay Christian" Go to Heaven?/Can a Person Have "More" of The Holy Spirit than another Person?/ Did Jesus Die Because of Adam's Sin?/What is The Nature of Original Sin?/ What is The 3rd Heaven?/What About The King James Translation?/ Is There a Difference Between "The Elect" and God's "Chosen People?"/ Why Aren't There Female Roman Catholic Evangelists?/ Does a Christian Have Two Natures?/Can a Person be Saved During The Tribulation?/Who are the Nations of Rev. 2?/Messianic Jews?/ August 22, 2025

(14:26) Bible Study: Matthew 22:1-14 What is hell like? Judges 11:29-39a Father talks about this reading and the difference between covenants and contracts. (27:26) Letters: Who is in charge of making relics for the Catholic Church? What does it mean that first shall be last and the last shall be first? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (26:59) Break 1 (32:37) Word of the Day Chief Priest (40:23) Phones: Theresa - What would it take for Messianic Jews to come under the pope? John – Who was the queen of the south?

Matt Slick Live (Live Broadcast of 08/21/2025) is a production of the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM). Matt answers questions on topics such as: The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues! You can also email questions to Matt using: info@carm.org, Put "Radio Show Question" in the Subject line! Answers will be discussed in a future show. Topics Include: Matt Discusses Work on a New Concept Article Refuting Atheism/Interactions with Atheists/ Email Question: Did Satan Know He would be Defeated by Jesus?/What Does The Bible Say About Castes?/Can a Christian Go to a Bar if They Don't Get Drunk?/ Why do Atheists use "Don't Judge" against Christians?/What About Christians that do This?/Is there Scriptural Support for our Knowledge of People Living, who are Going to Hell?/ How Do We Deal with Variant Number Readings in Scripture?/Is Divorce Due to Physical Abuse Scriptural?/ Can a "Gay Christian" Go to Heaven?/Can a Person Have "More" of The Holy Spirit than another Person?/ Did Jesus Die Because of Adam's Sin?/What is The Nature of Original Sin?/ What is The 3rd Heaven?/What About The King James Translation?/ Is There a Difference Between "The Elect" and God's "Chosen People?"/ Why Aren't There Female Roman Catholic Evangelists?/ Does a Christian Have Two Natures?/Can a Person be Saved During The Tribulation?/Who are the Nations of Rev. 2?/Messianic Jews?/ August 21, 2025

What happens when a Dutch pastor encounters the living heartbeat of Jerusalem? Sebastiaan van Wessem shares his journey from a seminary-trained, Western lens to a Bible interpreted through first-century Jewish eyes.  From his first trip to Israel to the relaunch of KNGDM Alliance - with Jerusalem at its center - Sebastiaan has been on a mission to unite Jew and Gentile under Messiah. But this vision unfolds in the shadow of rising antisemitism across Europe. From street protests to political battles over Israel's right to defend itself, Sebastiaan exposes the spiritual forces at work and the cost of standing with God's chosen people. In this episode, you'll hear how the One New Man isn't theory - it's a prophetic calling that challenges the Church to live as a united testimony before the Lord's return. Key Takeaways First-century eyes change everything - reading Scripture as Jesus' listeners did transforms theology and practice. Jerusalem must be the center - God's plan for His Kingdom flows from Zion. Antisemitism is alive and escalating - from soccer riots to parliamentary moves against Israel. One New Man is more than unity - it's Jew and Gentile, distinct yet one in Messiah. Prophecy is unfolding - growing global hostility toward Israel affirms the Bible's truth. The Church must demonstrate, not just teach - unity has to be lived, not only preached. Partnership with Messianic Jews is vital - relationship precedes mission. The Great Commission and Israel are linked - God's timing involves Jew and Gentile together proclaiming the Kingdom. Chapter Markers 00:00 – Meet Sebastiaan: from the Netherlands to KNGDM Alliance 02:06 – First trip to Israel changes everything 04:59 – Relationships in Jerusalem: building trust before mission 06:44 – Leading a church through theological transformation 12:34 – The Netherlands' complex history with the Jewish people 17:35 – Post–Oct. 7 antisemitism and protests in Europe 21:46 – Soccer riot exposes deep societal hatred 24:43 – Political battles over Israel's defense 27:35 – The prophetic reality of nations turning against Israel 29:01 – One New Man: God's vision for unity in diversity 34:35 – Historical revivals and Jew - Gentile revelation 35:43 – Our role in “speeding up” the Lord's return 36:54 – KNGDM Alliance: global teaching, prayer, and connection 38:03 – Shalom Yerushalayim: praying for the peace of Jerusalem Stand with Israel. Live the One New Man. See prophecy unfold. Learn more: thejewishroad.com Watch teachings & conferences: KNGDM Alliance YouTube

Episode Title: Hebrews: A Letter to the Drifting (Part 7 of the Melchizedek Series)   Host: Rod Thomas   Date: Tuesday, August 5th, 2025   Episode Summary: In this episode, Rod Thomas continues the Melchizedek series with Part 7, titled "Hebrews: A Letter to the Drifting." Rod delves into the Book of Hebrews, exploring its profound messages and themes. He emphasizes the significance of Yahoshua (Jesus) as the ultimate High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, surpassing the Levitical priesthood and the old covenant worship system.   Key Points Discussed:   Introduction and Updates: Rod greets the audience and provides updates on the ministry's upcoming missions trip to Kenya, focusing on helping widows and orphans and spreading the Gospel 1. He expresses gratitude for the audience's support and prayers 1. Dramatic Opening Monologue: Rod sets the stage with a dramatic monologue titled "The Throne and the Veil," highlighting the significance of the Book of Hebrews 2. Main Teaching: Rod introduces the main teaching, focusing on the Book of Hebrews and its message to the drifting believers 3. He discusses the historical and spiritual context of the Book of Hebrews, emphasizing its relevance to modern-day believers 4. Rod explores the themes of Yahoshua's exaltation, the Melchizedekian priesthood, and the renewed covenant 5. Key Themes and Messages: The superiority of Yahoshua over angels, Moses, and the Levitical priesthood 6. The concept of Yahoshua as the eternal High Priest and mediator of a better covenant 7. The importance of understanding the Book of Hebrews in its historical and cultural context 8. Conclusion: Rod concludes the episode with a preview of the next installment in the series, encouraging listeners to continue their study of the Book of Hebrews 9. He expresses his hope that the teachings will inspire and bless the audience 10.   Call to Action:   Listeners are encouraged to support the ministry's missions trip to Kenya through prayers and financial contributions. Donations can be made through the Qumran Family Foundation's website 1.   Contact Information:   For more information and to support the ministry, visit [http://qumranfamilyfoundation.org](http://qumranfamilyfoundation.org).

Is Israel Starving Palestinians? A Firsthand Report from the Border There's a growing claim in the global media that Israel is blocking food and aid from reaching Palestinians in Gaza. But what's actually happening on the ground? In this episode, we're joined by Yair Pinto, an Israeli believer, IDF reservist, and voice on TBN Israel. Yair recently returned from a UN distribution facility near the Gaza border, where millions of meals are sitting untouched—spoiling in the heat. From what he's seen firsthand, the problem isn't the supply. It's the systems of control and obstruction. Together, we take a closer look at how Hamas and the UN are shaping the flow of humanitarian aid, the double standards Israel continues to face, and what we can do to cut through the confusion from afar. If you've been trying to sort out what's real and what's rhetoric, this is an episode worth your time. Key Takeaways: October 7 wasn't just a terror attack - it launched a war across multiple fronts, including the battlefield of global opinion. Yair's unique voice - as an IDF soldier, a Messianic Jew, and a media communicator - brings clarity few can offer. The truth about humanitarian aid: Israel sends it. Hamas steals it. The UN looks the other way. The war is spiritual: Satan hates a faithful God - and Israel is His proof. The media war is being lost - but truth still has a remnant. Israel's fight is defensive, not imperial: It's survival against genocidal hatred. Many Palestinians remain under the grip of Hamas ideology, not because of race or religion, but radical indoctrination. Even amidst sirens and rockets, God is still doing miracles in Israel. Prayer matters - especially for the children, the hostages, and even for Israel's enemies. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Introduction: Who is Yair Pinto? 01:03 – October 7: The day the world changed 04:33 – Called to the front lines as a reservist 06:45 – Why this war is being fought on two fronts 08:38 – The truth behind “Israel is starving Gaza” 10:41 – Hamas, humanitarian aid, and the UN's role in failure 13:45 – The GHF model: How Israel is feeding civilians while Hamas sabotages 16:25 – Rewarding terrorism: The West's dangerous game 17:48 – Why Israel limits press in Gaza - and who's really doing the reporting 20:21 – Why Gaza is suffering - and how Hamas exploits it 21:58 – The spiritual war against God's promises 23:40 – Biblical-level miracles in modern Israel 26:44 – The church's silence - and the poison of replacement theology 28:21 – What do Israelis really think about Palestinians? 30:15 – Why peace can't happen with the current leadership 34:16 – The forgotten hostages - and global hypocrisy 36:00 – What happens next: difficult decisions and long-term peace 38:20 – Praying for Israel's enemies: A radical hope 40:45 – Closing encouragement and call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem If this conversation moved you, don't stop here. Visit thejewishroad.com to learn, connect, and engage with what God is doing through Jewish and Gentile believers alike. And for more on what's happening right now in Israel - straight from the front lines - go to tbnisrael.com. Watch, pray, and support truth in a world clouded by lies.  

Send us a textINTRODUCTION:In this episode of the Sex, Drugs and Jesus podcast, host De'Vannon Seráphino addresses spiritual warnings directed towards Jewish communities, distinguishing between Messianic Jews and other sects. De'Vannon discusses the differences between Christ-centered faith and other religious beliefs, emphasizing the subtle but pervasive influence of the antichrist spirit. He provides insights on the importance of genuine spiritual connections, warns against being deceived by false idols, and underscores the necessity of maintaining a true and heartfelt relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The discussion also extends to personal spiritual practices, the pitfalls of ritualistic religion without sincere devotion, and the personal journey of understanding one's ancestral roots and personal identity.Playlists: https://music.apple.com/profile/DeVannonSeraphinoWebsite: https://www.SexDrugsAndJesus.comINCLUDED IN THIS EPISODE (But not limited to):·      A Warning To The Jews.·      An Explanation Of Anti-Christ.·      What/Who Is A Jew?·      There's Only One Jesus Christ.·      A Definition Of A Devil.·      How Near God Really Is.·      Pray. Fast. Bible.·      Demonic Power Can Be Palpable. ·      Tithing Is OPTIONAL. CONNECT WITH DE'VANNON SERÁPHINO:TikTok: https://shorturl.at/nqyJ4YouTube: https://bit.ly/3daTqCMLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devannonEmail: SDJPodcastNewYork@Gmail.comREFERENCES: https://jewishroots.net/library/miscellaneous/denominations-of-judaism-2.html#Past Thanks for listening!!! Please follow us on YouTube + TikTok @SexDrugsAndJesusPodcast

On October 7, 2023, the city of Sderot became one of the first places Hamas unleashed its brutal assault. But right there - in a city riddled with bullet holes, bomb shelters on every corner, and stories of terrorized children - there's something unexpected: life.  In this gripping and emotional episode, we sit down with Pastor Michael, leader of City of Life Ministries, just steps from the rubble where terrorists stormed and slaughtered innocent police officers on that Shabbat morning. He takes us into the chaos of those early hours, the miracle that spared his apartment building, and what it's like to raise a family under rocket fire - with just 15 seconds to run for cover.  But this isn't just a story of survival. It's a story of spiritual resistance. Of staying. Of blessing. Of building a community that not only endures, but proclaims hope in Yeshua despite pressure, persecution, and war. This episode reveals what the global headlines miss: how God is still writing His story in the land of Israel - even when the world wants to erase it. Key Takeaways: The October 7 Attack in Sderot: Pastor Michael recounts how Hamas deliberately targeted the local police station - killing friends and neighbors - while miraculously sparing nearby residents. Raising Families Under Fire: For over two decades, families in Sderot have lived under constant rocket threat. Bomb shelters aren't just safety - they're part of daily life. A Ministry of Life in a City of Death: City of Life Ministries feeds the hungry, counsels the traumatized, shelters the displaced, and proclaims the eternal hope found in Yeshua - right in the heart of a war zone. Opposition from Within: While Hamas wages war outside, ultra-Orthodox communities protest against Messianic Jews inside. Pastor Michael shares the spiritual and legal battles they've faced and how they keep loving their enemies. The Bigger Picture: What if this war is stirring both Jews and Christians toward a deeper prophetic return - to the land, to the Scriptures, and to one another? Pastor Michael unpacks a theopolitical vision of what God might be doing in our time. Chapter Markers: [00:00] – Standing on Ground Zero: The site of the police station massacre [04:00] – 15 Seconds to Live: Life under rocket fire in Sderot [06:30] – October 7th: The timeline of terror and miracle [10:00] – Displacement and Fear: What it meant to flee their home for 9 months [14:00] – Teaching Children Not to Fear, but to Bless [16:00] – Why “City of Life”? Naming a congregation in a war zone [17:00] – Serving the City: From food to therapy to field trips [19:00] – Why Proclaiming Yeshua Still Draws Fire in Israel [24:00] – Theopolitical Lens: What God might be doing in this war [27:00] – A Desert That Will Bloom: Fulfillment of prophecy in the Negev [31:00] – The Coming Aliyah and a Messianic Movement Rising Support City of Life Ministries City of Life is doing the real work - providing food, diapers, trauma counseling, and the hope of Yeshua to those surrounded by war. Learn more or support their work at: clm-israel.org Join The Jewish Road Community If you want to stand with Israel, rediscover the Jewish roots of your faith, and walk the narrow road with us - join The Few. We're not the majority, but we're faithful. Learn more and support the work at: thejewishroad.com

Are you ready to hear from Mrs. Jamaica International?In this inspiring episode of Heels, Handbags & Hustle, I'm joined by my friend and powerhouse woman of faith, Dr. Kanema Clark, for a heartfelt conversation on overcoming negative self-talk and embracing your God-given purpose...even in the middle of life's messiest moments.Dr. Kanema shares her remarkable journey as a Messianic Jew, doctor, entrepreneur, and mother of eight (including three heavenly babies), and how faith has shaped her story through deep loss, global impact, and personal transformation.In this episode, we go really deep into what it truly means to walk boldly in your calling—when you don't feel qualified, when the journey feels hard, and when doubt tries to take the lead. Whether you're a faith-filled woman building a business, leading a family, or simply trying to love your life even in the hard parts, this conversation will breathe life into your spirit and courage into your steps.✨ You'll hear about:How to silence negative self-talk and step into purposeWhy giving yourself grace in the hard seasons mattersBuilding resilience through faith, family, and lossThe connection between health, healing, and callingHomeschooling, entrepreneurship, and raising world-changersGlobal impact through medical missions and advocacyDr. Clark's role as Mrs. Jamaica International 2025 and her passion for championing faith, family, and freedomThis episode is full of truth, tenderness, and transformation—and I can't wait for you to hear it.

In this powerful episode, host Tracy Daugherty welcomes Andrew Ginsberg, the new President and CEO of Operation Mobilization (OM), for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation. As a father of three daughters, a Messianic Jew, and a seasoned leader in both biotech and ministry, Andrew shares his journey of faith, his passion for empowering women, and his vision for reaching the most marginalized communities around the world.Together, Tracy and Andrew explore the biblical call to justice, the importance of uplifting women and children in vulnerable contexts, and how OM and the Freedom Challenge are partnering to bring hope and transformation to the least reached. From personal stories to scriptural insights, this episode is a timely reminder of the power of compassion, prayer, and action.Whether you're a long-time supporter or new to the movement, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to step into your calling with courage and purpose.---Watch the interview: https://youtu.be/P5vJYtNpFG8Read the blog: www.thefreedomchallenge.com/blogposts/2025/6/9/call-to-justice---Want to learn more? The Freedom Challenge US: thefreedomchallenge.comOperation Mobilization USA: omusa.orgInstagram: @freedomchallengeusa / Facebook: @thefcusaSupport the show

FOLLOW RICHARD Website: https://www.strangeplanet.ca YouTube: @strangeplanetradio  Instagram: @richardsyrettstrangeplanet   SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!! HIMS - Making Healthy and Happy Easy to Achieve Sexual Health, Hair Loss, Mental Health, Weight Management START YOUR FREE ONLINE VISIT TODAY - HIMS dot com slash STRANGE https://www.HIMS.com/strange   ⁠⁠RingBoost⁠⁠ The largest provider of custom phone numbers since 2003 ⁠⁠https://www.ringboost.com⁠⁠ If you're ready to sound like the business people want to call, head over to ⁠⁠https://www.ringboost.com⁠⁠ and use promo code STRANGE for an exclusive discount.   QUINCE BEDDING Cool, Relaxed Bedding. Woven from 100% European flax linen Visit www.quince.com/RSSP to get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.    BECOME A PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER!!! https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm Three monthly subscriptions to choose from.  Commercial Free Listening, Bonus  Episodes and a Subscription to my monthly newsletter, InnerSanctum.  Visit https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm Use the discount code "Planet" to receive one month off the first subscription.  We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By using our website and services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices   EP.  #1209 Reincarnation, Alien Deceptions, and the Cosmic Slingshot Dive into a mind-bending exploration with UFO researcher Ella LeBain, as she unveils reincarnation as a suppressed truth of the Hebrew Scriptures and early Christianity. In this episode, Ella, author of Who's Who in the Cosmic Zoo? and The Cosmic Slingshot, exposes how Rome, under Empress Theodora's influence, allegedly erased reincarnation from the Bible to control spiritual narratives. She connects alien abductions, soul harvesting, and End Times prophecy, suggesting the Antichrist may be a reincarnated historical figure walking among us. From her Near-Death Experience with an inter-dimensional Yeshua to the Jewish concept of kafakela, Ella challenges conventional eschatology and reveals reincarnation's role in Israel's prophetic destiny. This episode is a spiritual war manual for truth seekers—prepare to question everything you thought you knew about the Bible, the afterlife, and humanity's cosmic purpose. GUEST: Ella LeBain is a Messianic Jew, UFO researcher, and survivor of alien encounters, renowned for her six-volume Who's Who in the Cosmic Zoo? series. Her latest work, The Cosmic Slingshot, bridges reincarnation, Biblical prophecy, and extraterrestrial manipulation. With a Near-Death Experience in 2010 revealing inter-dimensional insights, Ella's research unveils suppressed truths about the Hebrew Scriptures, early Christianity, and the cosmic forces shaping human destiny.   WEBSITE: https://whoswhointhecosmiczoo.com   BOOKS: The Cosmic Slingshot: Connecting Dots to Reincarnation in the Bible, Alien Abductions and End Times Prophecies Who's Who in the Cosmic Zoo? (Book 1) Who's Who in the Cosmic Zoo? (Book 2) Who's Who in the Cosmic Zoo? (Book 3) Who's Who in the Cosmic Zoo? (Book 4) Who's Who in the Cosmic Zoo? (Book 5) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm/

Ricardo Navas was a devout Messianic Jew. He joins Michael Regilio to talk about what he used to believe and how he found his way out.  More at dogmadebate.com

Apostates who deny they are Phantom Nation 28MAY2025 - PODCAST

Elder Andrae Parker, the esteemed pastor of Faith Temple of Hope—a Messianic Jewish temple situated in Charlotte, North Carolina—provides profound insights into the significance of the new covenant as articulated in the book of Jeremiah. He elucidates how this covenant is not merely a continuation of the old, but a transformative relationship that is written on the hearts of believers. The discussion delves into the implications for modern-day faith practices, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's identity in relation to both Jewish traditions and Christian beliefs. Throughout the episode, we explore how the observance of the Sabbath and other biblical feasts serves as a means of fostering spiritual renewal and community cohesion. Join us as we engage in this enlightening conversation that bridges the ancient with the contemporary in the pursuit of faith and unity.Elder Andrae Parker's interview on The Whole Church Podcast offers an in-depth exploration of Messianic Judaism, a faith tradition that intertwines Jewish customs with the belief in Yeshua as the Messiah. With Joshua Noel as the interlocutor, the episode unfolds a rich narrative of Elder Parker's faith journey, tracing his roots from a Pentecostal background to the establishment of his community at Faith Temple of Hope in Charlotte, NC. Elder Parker discusses the significance of the new covenant as foretold in the scriptures, particularly drawing from the book of Jeremiah, which speaks of a time when God's teachings would be inscribed upon the hearts of His people. This transformation emphasizes the continuity of God's promises from ancient times to the present, inviting listeners to contemplate their relationship with the divine. The conversation delves into the theological nuances of Messianic Judaism, addressing common misconceptions that arise when Jewish identity is conflated with a rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Elder Parker articulates a vision for unity within the Church, advocating for an understanding that transcends denominational barriers. His insights underscore the importance of community and the shared pursuit of holiness, as well as the necessity of engaging with scripture to foster a deepened faith. By emphasizing the observance of sacred times, particularly the Sabbath, Elder Parker invites believers to explore how these practices can enrich their spiritual lives and enhance communal bonds. As the episode progresses, practical advice is offered for fostering unity within the Christian community. Elder Parker encourages listeners to dedicate time to observe the Sabbath, framing it as a spiritual discipline that cultivates a deeper reliance on God and encourages community engagement. This call to action resonates with the episode's overarching theme of unity amidst diversity, challenging believers to actively seek connections with those from different faith backgrounds. The episode concludes with a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of faith and the importance of nurturing a collective identity rooted in shared beliefs and practices.Takeaways: Elder Andrae Parker emphasizes the significance of the new covenant as a transformative relationship with God, where His teachings are inscribed upon the hearts of believers rather than merely written on tablets. In the practice of Messianic Judaism, observance of the Sabbath and Jewish festivals is seen not only as a tradition but as a vital connection to the spiritual heritage and teachings of the Scriptures. The podcast discusses the misconceptions faced by Messianic Jews, particularly the misunderstanding that they do not believe in the Messiah, emphasizing the belief in Yeshua as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. Elder Parker articulates the importance of unity among diverse Christian denominations, advocating for a return to the Scriptures as the foundation of faith to foster communal harmony and...

Natalie interviews Rabbi BenTzion Kravitz who made aliyah in December 2024 from Los Angeles to Jerusalem. Rabbi Kravitz is the founder of Jews for Judaism, which aims to teach Jews how to think critically and embrace their Jewish heritage, so that they can repel the advances of Christian missionaries. There are many missionary groups right here in Israel, looking to confuse and entice Jews who are removed from Judaism. According to R'Kravitz, 20,000 Israelis have become Messianic Jews, aka Jews who follow Jesus. To learn how to combat this, visit jewsforjudaism.org and contact me with questions. Returning Home 25MAY2025 - PODCAST

The American Messianic Jewish congregational movement as we know it today blossomed in the 1960s and ‘70s. These young congregations borrowed theological ideas from Judaism and from Christianity, but comparatively little work has been done to synthesize a truly original, authentic, relevant, and beautiful Messianic Jewish theology. Our guest today, Dr. Richard Harvey, is the only person in the world with a Ph.D. in Messianic Jewish theology, and in this conversation he discusses how far Messianic Jews have come and how far they have yet to go as they attempt to articulate their most deeply cherished beliefs in a rigorous and systematic way.

The Soviet Union suppressed Judaism and Jewish identity for decades. Atheism was enforced by the state. But our guest today, Pinchas Shir, knew there was more to life than the material world. In the era of perestroika, he fled to the United States, and today, he's a Messianic Jewish rabbi. Join us as Rabbi Shir unpacks his academic work on Jewish literature, meals and food in antiquity, and the impact of texts like 1 Enoch, Letter of Aristeas, and Wisdom of Solomon on our understanding of the New Testament. Whether you're new to Second Temple studies or a seasoned scholar, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on the historical and spiritual context of early Judaism and Christianity. – Takeaways – The Suppressed Jewish Identity in the Soviet Union: Rabbi Shir shares firsthand accounts of how Jewish identity was hidden and discouraged under Soviet rule. Many Jews in Russia grew up without religious education or knowledge of their heritage due to the state's suppression of religion. A Spiritual Journey of Discovery: Growing up in an atheistic society, Rabbi Shir felt an inner pull towards spirituality. His first encounter with the Bible came from American missionaries, leading him on a long journey of faith that intertwined with his Jewish identity. The Unique Culture of Russian Jewish Communities Today: Whether in Israel, America, or Europe, Russian Jews tend to maintain a strong sense of community. Many still speak Russian, preserve distinct cultural habits, and have a unique approach to Judaism and Messianic faith. Interpreting the Bible in Its Historical Context: The importance of understanding Scripture through its original Jewish and historical setting cannot be overstated. Engaging with Second Temple literature helps modern readers grasp the cultural and theological ideas that shaped early Jewish and Christian beliefs. Rabbi Shir highlights how 1 Enoch, Letter of Aristeas, and other Jewish texts offer helpful context for understanding New Testament thought. – Chapters – (0:00) Episode Introduction (1:24) Growing up Jewish in the Communist Soviet Union (4:20) Encountering the Evangelical gospel (12:42) Journey to recover Jewish identity (15:40) Becoming a Bible teacher (17:14) Challenges of being a Rabbi (20:17) Russian Messianic Jewish Community (27:02) Doctoral Dissertation on Ancient Foods (31:57) Academic exploration of Second Temple literature (35:09) Diversity of thought in intertestamental Jewish writings (42:38) Influential streams of Judaism (45:34) Best books of Second Temple literature (51:21) Unheard voices of Hebrew kings and prophets – Resources – Pinchas Shir Online: https://pshir.com Unheard Voices of Hebrew Kings and Prophets, by Pinchas Shir https://www.amazon.com/Unheard-Voices-Hebrew-Prophets-Literature/dp/B0CKXK5DFH