Podcasts about My God

In 2018, Huldah's husband was martyred for his Christian witness. Family and friends urged Huldah to leave the village, to retreat to a safer location. She refused, and seven years later she is still living and serving the Lord in the same village. "My God is great, and He will take care of me," she says. Listen as Huldah shares how God has cared for her since her husband's death, often using members of Christ's body to serve and support her in times of need. She'll also talk about the process of forgiveness. Huldah still sees the people who killed her husband, yet she doesn't hold a grudge in her heart but instead has forgiven them. Hear what Huldah's ministry looks like today in the village, and how she lives out Matthew 25:40's call to serve the Lord by caring for the least of these. Huldah will also encourage widows and those who feel like, because of age or a loss they've experienced, they can no longer be used by the Lord—sharing the very truths with which the Lord has encouraged her. To read more of Huldah's story, get your free copy of Hearts of Fire 2. You'll be inspired by Huldah's story, along with those of other women who stood boldly for Christ in the face of  Christian persecution. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians in nations like India, China and Iran throughout the year, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

Brad and David close out the week Golf talk with Brad and David ------------------ Mark 15:22-41 (ESV) And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. __________________ 5 Core Values of SWAT 1. God's Word 2. Prayer 3. Evangelism 4. Discipleship 5. Community ------------------ https://swatradio.com/ SWAT - Spiritual Warriors Advancing Truth Call us Toll-Free at: +1-844-777-7928 Email Us a Question: ask@swatradio.com FIND A SWAT MEETING Brown Family YMCA 170 Landrum Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Wed. 6:30-7:30 am IHOP 3250 Hodges Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32224 Wed. Night 7-8 pm Salem Centre 7235 Bonneval Rd Jacksonville, FL Wed. 12:00-1:00 pm Jumping Jax House of Food 10131 San Jose Blvd #12 Jacksonville, FL Thursday 6:30-7:30 am The Village Inn 900 Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine, FL Friday 9:00-10:30 am Woodmen Valley Chapel - Woodmen Heights Campus 8292 Woodman Valley View Colorado Springs CO 80908 Thursdays 8-9:15 pm

The world will tell you to get all you can and store it for a rainy day. Every day people push you to work harder and harder. The ways of the world will lead you to believe that you have to look out for yourself and no one else. With each spent effort you begin to feel the pride of the world and start to lose sight of the blessings of God. Before you know it, you have overlooked God's hand in your life and have stolen His glory and placed it upon yourself as you claim to be in control of all that is in your life. As you take control of your life you quickly lose sight of the importance of others. Please join us in this broadcast of Woman at the Well Ministries as Kim discusses the demise of the rich man in Luke 12 as he puffs up himself and neglects the important things of life. Do you want to connect with Kim and Erika? Visit us on our website, on Facebook, or on Instagram.  Mentioned in this Episode Luke 12:15–21 – Parable of the rich fool www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A15-21&version=KJV Proverbs 16:18 – "Pride goeth before destruction..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16%3A18&version=KJV Exodus 20:17 – "Thou shalt not covet..." (10th Commandment) www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20%3A17&version=KJV Revelation 20:15 – "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A15&version=KJV Joshua 24:15 – "Choose you this day whom ye will serve..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+24%3A15&version=KJV John 14:6 – "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A6&version=KJV John 3:3, 7 – "Ye must be born again..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A3%2C7&version=KJV Romans 6:14 – "Sin shall not have dominion over you..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A14&version=KJV 1 Peter 5:6 – "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A6&version=KJV Job 1:1, 20–22 – Job's integrity in prosperity and suffering www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+1%3A1%2C20-22&version=KJV 1 Peter 1:8 – "Joy unspeakable and full of glory" www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A8&version=KJV 2 Corinthians 5:1 – "A house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5%3A1&version=KJV Romans 8:28 – "All things work together for good..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A28&version=KJV Proverbs 22:6 – "Train up a child in the way he should go..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+22%3A6&version=KJV Luke 15:11–32 – Parable of the prodigal son www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A11-32&version=KJV Hebrews 11:6 – "Without faith it is impossible to please him..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+11%3A6&version=KJV Psalm 37:25 – "I have been young, and now am old..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+37%3A25&version=KJV Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through Christ..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A13&version=KJV Philippians 4:19 – "My God shall supply all your need..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A19&version=KJV 1 Corinthians 10:13 – "God is faithful... will not suffer you to be tempted..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+10%3A13&version=KJV 1 Corinthians 1:9 – "God is faithful..." www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1%3A9&version=KJV Did you enjoy this podcast? Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can listen to us on all major podcasting platforms like Apple Podcasts,  Spotify,  Google Podcasts,  YouTube, and Podbean. Check out Kim's latest Bible Bit book on Amazon! Do you want to bring Kim Miller to your church, upcoming retreat, or conference? Contact us! This podcast is brought to you by Woman at the Well Ministries and is supported by our faithful listeners. To support this podcast, please visit our support page. 

Share a commentA thank-you note written in chains shouldn't feel this joyful, but Paul's letter to the Philippians turns generosity into worship, partnership, and a promise with real weight. We walk through Philippians 4:14–20 to show how a small church that “gave until it hurt” became equal partners in the work of the gospel—and even in its reward. When others forgot Paul, Philippi remembered. Their loyalty paid past debts, covered present needs, and overflowed into future ministry, not just for Paul but for everyone tied to their account.We unpack what koinonia really means: not potlucks or polite fellowship, but deep, sacrificial investment. Paul borrows banking language to say their giving “increases to your account,” the compounding interest of eternal reward. Then he shifts to temple language—“a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice”—to frame generosity as worship God sees and values. That blend of market and altar imagery grounds a famous promise often pulled out of context: “My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Not a blank check, but a pledge to givers who meet real needs with real sacrifice. “According to his riches” means provision measured by the Giver's wealth, not by our limits.Along the way, we revisit Philippi's origin story—Lydia's hospitality, a freed slave girl, a jailer's family—and trace how gratitude matured into ongoing support. We also face the sobering reality of missed opportunities from other churches and ask what investments we might be overlooking today. The episode crescendos with Paul's doxology, moving from “my God” to “our God,” inviting us into shared praise and shared mission. If you're hungry for a faith that turns dollars into doxology and partnership into purpose, this conversation will sharpen your vision for giving that lasts.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs courage to give, and leave a review to help others find it. Then tell us: where are you investing your time and treasure this week?The first of Stephen's two volumes set through the Book of Revelation is now available. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ3XCJMYSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Share a commentA thank-you note written in chains shouldn't feel this joyful, but Paul's letter to the Philippians turns generosity into worship, partnership, and a promise with real weight. We walk through Philippians 4:14–20 to show how a small church that “gave until it hurt” became equal partners in the work of the gospel—and even in its reward. When others forgot Paul, Philippi remembered. Their loyalty paid past debts, covered present needs, and overflowed into future ministry, not just for Paul but for everyone tied to their account.We unpack what koinonia really means: not potlucks or polite fellowship, but deep, sacrificial investment. Paul borrows banking language to say their giving “increases to your account,” the compounding interest of eternal reward. Then he shifts to temple language—“a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice”—to frame generosity as worship God sees and values. That blend of market and altar imagery grounds a famous promise often pulled out of context: “My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Not a blank check, but a pledge to givers who meet real needs with real sacrifice. “According to his riches” means provision measured by the Giver's wealth, not by our limits.Along the way, we revisit Philippi's origin story—Lydia's hospitality, a freed slave girl, a jailer's family—and trace how gratitude matured into ongoing support. We also face the sobering reality of missed opportunities from other churches and ask what investments we might be overlooking today. The episode crescendos with Paul's doxology, moving from “my God” to “our God,” inviting us into shared praise and shared mission. If you're hungry for a faith that turns dollars into doxology and partnership into purpose, this conversation will sharpen your vision for giving that lasts.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs courage to give, and leave a review to help others find it. Then tell us: where are you investing your time and treasure this week?The first of Stephen's two volumes set through the Book of Revelation is now available. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ3XCJMYSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Doug and Brad A great day at SWAT meetings Epstein files Confessing your sins to AI AI in the Christian's life Dallas Jenkins quote ------------------ Mark 15:22-41 (ESV) And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. __________________ 5 Core Values of SWAT 1. God's Word 2. Prayer 3. Evangelism 4. Discipleship 5. Community ------------------ https://swatradio.com/ SWAT - Spiritual Warriors Advancing Truth Call us Toll-Free at: +1-844-777-7928 Email Us a Question: ask@swatradio.com FIND A SWAT MEETING Brown Family YMCA 170 Landrum Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Wed. 6:30-7:30 am IHOP 3250 Hodges Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32224 Wed. Night 7-8 pm Salem Centre 7235 Bonneval Rd Jacksonville, FL Wed. 12:00-1:00 pm Jumping Jax House of Food 10131 San Jose Blvd #12 Jacksonville, FL Thursday 6:30-7:30 am The Village Inn 900 Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine, FL Friday 9:00-10:30 am Woodmen Valley Chapel - Woodmen Heights Campus 8292 Woodman Valley View Colorado Springs CO 80908 Thursdays 8-9:15 pm

Doug and Brad on a Tuesday Blue Bomber is gone Discipling kids with special needs Baptism for 2 of Doug's daughters The culture is a changing Boys vs. Girls ------------------ Mark 15:22-41 (ESV) And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. __________________ 5 Core Values of SWAT 1. God's Word 2. Prayer 3. Evangelism 4. Discipleship 5. Community ------------------ https://swatradio.com/ SWAT - Spiritual Warriors Advancing Truth Call us Toll-Free at: +1-844-777-7928 Email Us a Question: ask@swatradio.com FIND A SWAT MEETING Brown Family YMCA 170 Landrum Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Wed. 6:30-7:30 am IHOP 3250 Hodges Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32224 Wed. Night 7-8 pm Salem Centre 7235 Bonneval Rd Jacksonville, FL Wed. 12:00-1:00 pm Jumping Jax House of Food 10131 San Jose Blvd #12 Jacksonville, FL Thursday 6:30-7:30 am The Village Inn 900 Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine, FL Friday 9:00-10:30 am Woodmen Valley Chapel - Woodmen Heights Campus 8292 Woodman Valley View Colorado Springs CO 80908 Thursdays 8-9:15 pm

Doug and Craig today Almost finished with Mark Epstein Files Character does count ------------------ Mark 15:22-41 (ESV) And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. __________________ 5 Core Values of SWAT 1. God's Word 2. Prayer 3. Evangelism 4. Discipleship 5. Community ------------------ https://swatradio.com/ SWAT - Spiritual Warriors Advancing Truth Call us Toll-Free at: +1-844-777-7928 Email Us a Question: ask@swatradio.com FIND A SWAT MEETING Brown Family YMCA 170 Landrum Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Wed. 6:30-7:30 am IHOP 3250 Hodges Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32224 Wed. Night 7-8 pm Salem Centre 7235 Bonneval Rd Jacksonville, FL Wed. 12:00-1:00 pm Jumping Jax House of Food 10131 San Jose Blvd #12 Jacksonville, FL Thursday 6:30-7:30 am The Village Inn 900 Ponce De Leon Blvd St. Augustine, FL Friday 9:00-10:30 am Woodmen Valley Chapel - Woodmen Heights Campus 8292 Woodman Valley View Colorado Springs CO 80908 Thursdays 8-9:15 pm

This message by Jason Holdridge takes us deep into the wilderness season of David's life, exploring what it means to find ourselves with a 'target on our back.'Drawing from 1 Samuel 18-22 and the raw, honest Psalms David wrote while being hunted, we encounter a profound truth: we don't grow in success, we grow in suffering.Jason uses vivid imagery - a harp versus a spear - to illustrate toxic relationships where one person shows up with worship while another arrives with weapons.We're challenged to recognize when we're in relationships where someone is showing up with pride, jealousy, and control while we keep bringing peace and praise.The message doesn't shy away from the hard questions: How many chances do we give? When is enough actually enough? Through David's story of fleeing Saul for twelve years, we learn that God actually gives us permission to create healthy boundaries, practice 'benevolent detachment,' and sometimes make good our escape.Most importantly, we discover the gift of imprecatory prayers - those gut-level honest cries to God where we pour out our raw emotions, our confusion, our anger, and our pain.David teaches us to start with lament ('My God, why have you forsaken me?') but end with faith ('But I trust in your unfailing love'). This framework keeps us from suppressing our pain and turning into the very person we're trying to escape.It's a message about staying spiritually and emotionally healthy in the wilderness seasons, maintaining our hearts of worship even when others wield spears, and trusting that God can handle our honest questions.Website: https://impact.church Facebook: https://facebook.com/ImpactChurchHome Instagram: https://instagram.com/ImpactChurchHome YouTube: https://youtube.com/@impactchurchhome TikTok: https://tiktokcom/@impactchurchhome

I thought I understood love before I became a father.I'd loved deeply; my wife, my friends, my siblings, my parents. I'd read about it, prayed about it, written about it. Love was something I knew well, or so I believed. But there are levels to understanding something as complex as love. And my understanding before had missing elements.The love I have for my wife began the way most romantic love does: with choice. I noticed her; the way she laughed, the sharpness of her mind, how she moved through the world with this quiet confidence that I found magnetic. She had qualities I admired, values that aligned with mine, a way of seeing things that made me want to build a life alongside her. I chose her. And in choosing her, I was also choosing myself. Choosing the kind of life I wanted, the kind of person I wanted to become.There's nothing cynical about that. I think that's how most of us love. We meet someone, and something in them calls to something in us. They fit. They make sense. They have to, in some way, earn our affection. Not through performance exactly, but by being the kind of person who draws love out of us. That's natural. It's healthy, even.Over time, of course, that love deepens. It becomes less about the qualities that first attracted you and more about the person themselves, flaws and all. The conditions soften. The love becomes unconditional, or at least it moves in that direction. You forgive things you wouldn't have tolerated at the beginning. You stay through hard seasons. You learn that real love isn't just attraction; it's commitment to someone even when they're not at their best.I thought that was the highest expression of love I'd ever experience. Two people who chose to reveal their most vulnerable parts to each other and do life with each other, no matter what.Then, my daughter was born.The first time I held her, this two-kilogram, wrinkled creature with eyes that couldn't quite focus yet and limbs that wriggled aimlessly, I felt something crack open in my heart. It wasn't gentle. It was overwhelming, almost violent in its intensity. Here was this tiny person who couldn't do anything for me. She couldn't charm me. She couldn't impress me. She couldn't even look at me and smile.In those first weeks, she cried. My God, did she cry! The kind of crying where she's absolutely inconsolable as if she's in heart-wrenching pain, that makes you question everything about your competence as a parent. She kept us up through nights that felt endless, where I'd pace the passageway with her on my shoulder, her small body rigid with whatever discomfort she couldn't articulate, and I'd feel this bone-deep exhaustion settling into me.If you're a parent, you know this peculiar chemistry, where exhaustion and frustration somehow transform into fiercer devotion. Where the very thing that's breaking you is also remaking you. Where you discover reserves of patience you didn't know existed, even as you're running on empty.If I'd applied the same criteria to her that I'd applied to my wife, if I'd evaluated her based on the qualities she brought to my life, I wouldn't have loved her. She gave us nothing but need. She disrupted everything. She made our lives objectively harder. Especially my wife's life; she took all the time and attention and energy and affection of the woman I love the most in the whole world.And yet.She drew love out of me with a fierceness that kept growing.Not because of who she was, she wasn't anyone yet, really. But simply because she was. Because she was mine. Because when I looked at her sleeping in my arms, her tiny fist curled around my finger, something in me recognised something in her. This wasn't love I'd chosen. This wasn't love I'd earned or that she'd earned from me. This was love that just... existed. Fully formed. Unconditional from the very first breath.That's when I realised: I'd been thinking about love all wrong. Or at least my picture was incomplete.Suddenly, all the theology I'd preached for years about grace didn't feel theoretical anymore.I'd always known, intellectually, about unconditional love. I'm a Christian. I've preached about grace, about how God loves us not because of what we do but because of who He is. I could quote the verses, explain the theology. I understood the concept.But understanding and experiencing are two different things.Before my daughter, I had no framework for practicing that kind of love. Every love I'd experienced before had an element of reciprocity built into it. My friends chose to be my friends. My wife chose me. Even my relationship with God, as one-sided as His love is, involved my response, my faith, my actions.But my daughter? She didn't choose me. She couldn't respond. She couldn't reciprocate. And yet I would have, and still would, do anything for her. I'd sacrifice sleep, money, comfort, my own needs. I'd put myself between her and any harm without thinking twice. Not because she earned it, but because loving her is woven into the fabric of who I am now.Parenting didn't teach me a new concept. It thrust me into a new position. For the first time in my life, I was in God's shoes, or the closest a human can get. I was the one loving first. The one loving despite. The one loving toward a vision of who this person could become, even though right now she's just beginning to exist in the world.But this revelation didn't settle things. It unsettled them.If this was what love really was, this unconditional, unearned, fierce devotion, then are all the other loves lesser or incomplete or practice runs?Here's what I think: parental love isn't just unconditional. It's transformational.When I hold my daughter, I don't just accept her as she is, though I do, completely. I also see who she could be. I have this vision of her: full of potential, full of possibility. I see the woman she might become: confident, kind, capable of deep thought and deep love. And every decision I make now, every way I interact with her, is aimed at helping her become that person.If you're a parent you've probably felt this, looking at your child and experiencing time collapse. Seeing simultaneously who they are and who they're becoming. Feeling the sacred weight of being the bridge between those two realities. Feeling like you're holding potential itself in your arms.But it's also terrifying. What if I get this wrong?This transformational quality of love is about having hopes for your child, sure, but it's also about being an active participant in their becoming. Every interaction is formative. When I soothe her cries, I'm teaching her the world is safe. When I delight in her babbling, I'm teaching her that her voice matters. When I maintain consistency even when I'm exhausted, I'm building her capacity to trust.And it's not just my individual interactions with her. She's watching everything. The way my wife and I speak to each other. How we handle disagreement. Whether we show contempt or compassion when we're frustrated. Whether we stonewall or stay engaged when things get hard. Every pattern she observes is writing code in her developing mind about what love looks like.If we model anxious attachment, she'll learn that love is uncertain. If we can't handle conflict well, she'll learn that disagreement means disconnection. If we show each other contempt, she'll learn that love includes cruelty.The weight of this hit me one night when my wife and I were having a tense conversation, and I saw my daughter watching us intently. She couldn't understand our words, but it really seemed like she could feel the energy. And that made it real to me that we're not just living our marriage. We're teaching her what marriage is.So in these ways, love is a creative force. Not creating from nothing, as God does, but partnering with Him in the sacred work of shaping a life. And the stakes couldn't be higher.With my wife, I can hope for who she might become, but my influence on that is limited. She's an adult making her own choices. But my daughter's completely impressionable. Frighteningly so. My wife and I are her world right now. Individual moments might not matter much. But the cumulative pattern of how we love her will shape who she becomes.I think about it like erosion. Each individual abrasion is subtle, almost imperceptible. But over time, it shapes the landscape. Except we're not just wearing away at something. We're also building. Every loving interaction deposits something: security, worth, capability. It's erosion and accretion happening simultaneously. We're both carving channels and laying down sediment that will become the bedrock of who she becomes.So transformational love operates on two levels simultaneously. First, it accepts completely: ‘You are enough, right now, exactly as you are.' Then it calls forward: ‘And I see who you could be, and I'm here to help you get there.'This isn't conditional love masquerading as unconditional. The acceptance is real and complete. But real love doesn't leave us where we are. It sees our potential and labours toward it. Unconditional doesn't mean static. It means ‘I love you at every stage of your becoming.'That's what real love does. It accepts first. Then it transforms.I couldn't help but wonder: if love shapes us this profoundly, if every interaction is writing code in my daughter's developing mind, then how was I shaped? What loves formed me? What code was written into my own understanding?Looking back, I can see a pattern. Each form of love I've experienced hasn't been random. They've been sequential, building on each other. Each one teaching me something I needed to know for the next.When you're a child, you receive love before you can do anything to deserve it. Your parents love you simply because you exist. You learn that you are inherently valuable, not because of what you accomplish or how you perform, but because you are theirs. That's your first lesson: you are worthy simply by being.That's what I was giving my daughter now. She was receiving what I had received. The circle was completing itself.Then you grow up alongside siblings. Sibling love is strange. You don't choose your siblings. They're just there. Sometimes they annoy you. Sometimes they're nothing like you. But you love them anyway. You learn to coexist with people you didn't select, to practice patience and loyalty even when resonance isn't automatic. That's the second lesson: love can endure even when it's not chosen.Then comes friendship, the first time you really get to choose. You meet someone and think, “Yes, this person. I want to walk through life alongside them.” There's freedom in that. You're choosing based on shared values, shared interests, shared routines. That's the third lesson: love flourishes in choice.But then romantic love enters, and the stakes change entirely. You're choosing someone you're going to let into the most private, most vulnerable parts of your life. You're handing someone the power to truly hurt you, trusting they won't use that power against you. It's love with skin in the game. You're saying, “Here's my whole self: the good, the bad, the broken. And I'm trusting you with it.” That's the fourth lesson: real love involves risk.And then you become a parent. And suddenly, you're on the other side of the equation entirely. You're no longer just receiving love or choosing to give it. You're creating it from nothing. You're loving someone who didn't earn it, who can't reciprocate it, who doesn't even understand it yet. You're pouring yourself out into this small person who gives you nothing back except need.And you do it gladly. Sacrificially. With a kind of devotion that surprises even you.To love someone who hasn't done anything to deserve it. To see who they could be and love them fiercely even though they're nowhere near that yet.And this wasn't just my journey. This is THE journey. The universal pattern. Every human being, ideally, goes through this same curriculum. We all learn love in stages, each one preparing us for the next, each one revealing something new about the nature of love itself.And if that's true, if there's this built-in progression from receiving to giving, from being loved to loving like God loves, then maybe the whole structure of human relationships is designed to teach us something.I used to hear the phrase “God is love” and think of it as a theological definition. But now I think it's more than that. I think it's not just describing God but revealing the key to a map.Our whole journey with human relationships is the map. Showing us all the different waypoints of love and how they're all connected and how they interact. And ‘God is love' is telling us that all that is about teaching us who God is.It is all about teaching us to understand Him better. The different stages of life, the different forms of love we experience, they're all part of that curriculum.Childhood teaches us we are loved without needing to earn it. Siblings teach us to love those we didn't choose. Friendship teaches us to choose love freely. Romance teaches us to love vulnerably. Parenting teaches us to love sacrificially, creatively, without expectation of return.This whole progression is God revealing Himself to us, piece by piece, through the very structure of human relationship. Life itself is His way of teaching us to recognise Him.Once I understood this, something about my own life suddenly made sense.I've been exhausted for years. Not just physically tired, but soul-tired. I wake up with this constant anxiety that I need to perform, to achieve, to prove I'm enough. Even after accomplishments, even after success, the feeling never goes away. It just resets. The bar moves higher. The treadmill speeds up.I'm a grown man, a husband, a father and I'm still trying to earn something from someone who isn't even keeping score anymore.I've spent so much energy trying to earn something, but I could never quite name what I was trying to earn. Love? Respect? The right to exist without apology?And then it clicked: what if I'm exhausted because I never fully learned the first lesson? What if I've been trying to earn what was already mine?I can trace it back. The subtle ways love got tied to achievement in my childhood. The praise for good grades that felt like love. The disappointment over failures that felt like withdrawal. Not malicious, not intentional, but still there. Still teaching me that I had to earn my place.And now I'm terrified of doing the same thing to my daughter.Because this exhaustion isn't just personal. It's generational. It's systemic. Every parent who didn't fully receive that first lesson, that they're loved simply for existing, struggles to give it to their children. We love them for their achievements, their behavior, how they reflect on us. We pass on the performance. We pass on the exhaustion.When you don't know you're loved just for being, you spend your whole life trying to earn what's already yours. And then, without meaning to, you teach your children the same desperate dance.This is why what I'm learning with my daughter matters so much. It's not just about us. It's about breaking a cycle. Every time I love her in her neediness, every time I delight in her simply because she exists, I'm writing different code. I'm teaching her the first lesson properly. I'm giving her what every human being needs: the knowledge that she is loved without needing to perform.We're not just learning about love. We're deciding what kind of love gets passed forward.Yesterday, my daughter cried uncontrollably when her mother was out. Probably feeling anxious about the separation. A few months ago, I would have felt only exhaustion and anxiety. But as I comforted her, I found myself thinking about this architecture of love I'd been discovering.Here she was, giving me nothing but need in this moment. And here I was, loving her fiercely anyway. And maybe, just maybe, she was learning what has taken me my whole life to understand: that she is loved before she does anything to deserve it.She doesn't know it yet, but through these moments, she's receiving her first lesson in the curriculum. The same one I received. The same one humans have been receiving since the beginning.And one day, if we do this right, if my wife and I can model healthy love, if we can show her that conflict doesn't mean disconnection, that vulnerability is strength, that love accepts and transforms, she'll pass it on. Not the anxiety. Not the performance. But the truth that love isn't just an emotion or a choice or a commitment. It's all of those things, yes, but it's also a kind of participation in something larger. A way of being that reflects the heart of God Himself.Each form of love I've experienced, childhood, siblings, friendship, romance, parenting, has been like a window into a different room of the same vast house. Each one showing me a new angle, a new colour of the spectrum. And together, they're giving me a fuller picture of what love actually is.Life itself seems to be one long education in love. Each stage, each relationship, each chapter revealing a new piece of the same design.And maybe that's the point. Maybe God keeps finding new ways to show love to us. Through parents, through siblings, through friends, through spouses, through children. Until one day, we finally recognise it for what it's always been.Not just something we feel or something we do.But Someone we're learning to know.Thanks for reading Just Reflections! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justreflections.bhekani.com

Safety Amid Chaos (1)  (audio) David Eells – 11/16/25  Note: I realize we are in a good time of restoration of the government, and moneys the D.S. stole from the people, and the destruction of human trafficking, and sacrificing the children. Thank our God for these things! What I am going to speak of is a darker time to come that will bring revival… David   Man-child and Chaos Birthed Julie Trommeter - 02/26/2011 (David's notes in red) In my dream, I was pregnant. I have never been pregnant in real life, but in the dream, I could just feel the life inside of me. (The life of Christ growing in the woman of Revelation 12 by the Word and Spirit) There was a group of people around me, and I could sense that they were not happy about me being pregnant and didn't want the baby to arrive. (These may be a church family or other Christians who resent your relationship with God because they have little discernment.) I left the area where these people were and I seemed to be wandering around a city. (She came out from among them and searched for the beloved as in Song of Soloman.) Massive chaos broke out. (As we are entering a time of great confusion.) There were people running and screaming and I could hear sirens going off all around. (There are multiple “sirens” of warnings going off all around us: in the nations, the economy, the heavens, the earth.) Just as the chaos broke out, I went into labor. (At or near the time of tribulation, it will likely begin with a breakdown of law and order around us. It is at that time that the man-child of a mature ministry of Jesus Christ will begin to come forth, as from “a woman in travail”.) I tried to get the attention of a fire truck that was about half a block down the road, but with all that was going on, no one seemed to notice me. (There was no relief among men from the firey judgments but God was providing an answer if men would receive Him.) A baby boy was born, feet first. (Ready to walk the walk.) He was tiny at first, but each time I looked down at him, he had grown. In a matter of seconds, he would grow in what a baby should normally grow in weeks and months. (The mature manifestation of Jesus Christ in the Man-child corporate body of reformers. (Rev 12:1)  And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; 2  and she was with child; and she crieth out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered. 3  And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems. 4  And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. 5  And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. 6  And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.) End of dream. I was meditating on what was signified in the dream by the baby being born feet first, and I think this is what the Lord is showing me: In Daniel, the feet of the statue represented the last beast kingdom of this age. I think the feet being born first symbolize that this is a generation of mature saints to oppose this beast.These are those described in Psalm 110. Psa.110:3 Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning (morning of the third day) Thou hast the dew of thy youth. In my bible, there is a note that says “power” could be translated as an army, and that “in holy array” could be translated as the beauty of holiness. WOW, how awesome! The generation of saints who are the feet of His body, who crush Satan, are about to be born! Psa.110:1 A Psalm of David. Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 1Co.15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. Heb.10:12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Heb.10:13 henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet. Rom.16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. In Revelation, Jesus' feet are described like this: Rev.1:15 and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters. They've been refined by the fiery trials of tribulation. Second dream I was on what looked like I-70, which runs east and west through the mountains in Colorado. (Its beautiful like the temporary reprieve we will see with GESARA. This speaks of those walking in the “straight and narrow” highway-road of the scriptures that is along the “river of life” who will be able to direct others to the true path.) The highway runs along the Colorado River, and there are steep mountain walls on either side. The shoulder of the highway was wider than in real life. There were lots of people walking on the shoulder. (Many people walk on the edge in the “wide” part of the shoulder, not on the highway of holiness. This is not where the road of Truth and obedience is, which bears fruit.) I was trying to warn them about the judgment coming, but I was just mocked. (In other words, they didn't understand that there is safety on the highway of holiness. They are blind and deaf to the signs around us that judgment is already beginning.) Suddenly, the river started to rise, and rain began to pour down. (“Suddenly” the judments of the word of God increase from God above and are evident in the rapid increase of earthly events, such as sudden judgments.) The mountains rumbled and debris was flying. Panic and chaos broke out as there was nowhere to hide. (Governments at every level are shaking. Deficits, downsizing, cutbacks on government services, demonstrations, resistance to authority, and strife are coming and have already begun. As people realize their life savings, real estate, jobs, security, retirement, etc., are crumbling away, panic, disorder, and chaos result, just as we are seeing in the news everywhere. Many counting on GESARA will ultimately meet the book of revelation that they did not believe in.) Cars began to get carried away by the rising flood. (People, families getting carried away in fear.) I heard someone yell, “She was right!” A large boulder fell in front of me. (It is the Rock of the unchanging Word  coming down from above.) I began climbing up the boulder as the rain drenched me. (Climbing up the boulder is symbolic of taking refuge in Jesus Christ by believing His Word and doing what He says.) Once on top of the boulder, I knew the flood waters could not reach me, and I yelled, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death!” (The flood waters are sin and judgment, but Christ has made you free and has delivered and saved you. PRAISE the LORD.)   Saved from Flood, Electrical Loss & Chaos G. C. - 01/17/2011 (David's notes in red) There was a great flood coming, sweeping the land. It did not come from the sky but came roaring through the terrain like a ferocious river from a source beyond my vision. It seemed there were two waves -- the second was greater than the first. When the second came, it destroyed everything, and water covered the land. (This could have both physical and spiritual meanings: A flood of destruction has and will come. The destructive leftist, anarchist, satanist, communist, Islamicist, and government beast attacks on our country. Vax, weather warfare, economic warfare, chemtrail poisoning of food, water and people. We are enduring a covert civil war against humanity. And coming overt civil war with man-made earthquakes, floods to steal more lands for the minerals, etc.) As I saw the wall of water rushing toward me, I turned around and saw two Eiffel Towers in the distance. I ran to the one on the right; it seemed bigger and stronger. I climbed up it and was saved from the water below. (There were two towers in one chapter -- Judges 9. One was weaker, symbolizing the modern tower of Babel, and fell to the beast, symbolized by antichrist Abimelech and his factious followers in verses 46-49. These are the goats on the left. The sheep tower on the right was “stronger”. It was named Thebez, which means “whiteness”, symbolizing Zion and holiness. It withstood the beast, and he died attempting to assault it in verses 50-55. I suppose the wider view that could be applicable in this dream is that the tower of religious cultic Babel, was not a safe place, while the tower of the flock, Zion, was, as in Micah 4.) After this scene, somehow I found myself back at my house, which is set high on a hill, safe from the water. (The house of God on the hill of Zion is the spiritual refuge worldwide. Psalms chapters 15, 24, and 125 all reveal the righteousness, faith and safety of those who make up spiritual, New Testament Zion. Isaiah 60 speaks of the restoration and blessing of Zion and its people. No violence or unrighteousness in her in verses 18 and 21. In Zephaniah 3:11-14, God will separate all the wicked from spiritual Zion only. In 2 Kings 19:30-37, Zion was the only safe place from the beast outside, not necessarily meaning a war, but certainly chaos and lawlessness.) Many people started coming into my house; they were stranded travelers, and although I had no electricity or heat, I had a lot of food and a warm fire to offer them. (Stranded travelers could well happen when electricity is down, and gasoline pumps don't work. Or they have shut down the gas and diesel pipelines coming from the southern refineries by earthquakes or sabotage, which has happened before. In the physical, not having electricity and electric heat could well happen again. A quake could destroy dams where there are hydroelectric and nuclear power plants over faults where the rivers are needed for coolant or to drive generators. Many rivers are created by faults. Interestingly, many have been getting prepared for wood heat, chickens for eggs and poultry, gardens for fruit and vegetables, and miracles to multiply them. These criminals love to destroy this independence to make slaves of the people. Loss of electricity would cause chaos in society, with homes, government, law enforcement, hospitals, businesses, etc., all now out of action. Everyone would be out of work -- a recipe for lawlessness and a time for needed safety.) I walked out of the house, down to the bottom of the hill, and there I ran into a small band of militia; they were on patrol and would not allow me to pass. They seemed self-appointed. (Chaos and anarchy could very well be caused by the powers that be, causing militia's to spring into action. In this case evil militias could be out to plunder and FEMA has done the same thing.) I did not trust them and knew they were on the lookout for valuables they could snatch. I walked back up the hill to my house, and I knew that we were kind of stuck here in the house, but we had plenty, so it wasn't too much of a concern. (This sequence of events could lead to the Civil War we have seen in dreams and revelations. The strong tower and hill represents Zion and its refuge. One brother saw that outside of this area, the military was rounding people up to destroy them for the satanist overlords. The bottom of the hill represents being outside the refuge of Zion. “Stuck in the house” means it is a refuge from the chaos and the wicked and possible war.)   01/19/2011 I was inside a building that had both a bank and a restaurant. The bank was on the left and the restaurant was on the right; they were divided by a wall. (The bank represents provision, and finances. “My God shall supply your every need according to His riches in glory.” The restaurant represents the spiritual food of the Word, which also supplies your every need. UBM has been seen as a spiritual restaurant as in the Restaurant at the Top of the Hill revelation.) I was sitting in the back of the restaurant. I saw a girl in her mid-20s walk up to the counter and order some food. She was wearing a white outfit and a white tie. I asked her what she was doing wearing that, and she said it was her work outfit; she was a waitress at another restaurant. She had colored strands in her hair and her hair was long. I asked her again about her tie, and she said it was for work. (I feel this girl is the bride. She was dressed in white, and she was a waitress who serves others. Her hair had multi-colored strands like a rainbow, like Joseph's coat of many colors.) (The different colors in her hair represent the color bands or different attributes of light, which is Jesus. Her hair is long because she is in submission as in 1 Corinthians 11) to the bands of light. She is the bride coming to our spiritual restaurant to feed and going forth to serve in other spiritual restaurants. But what about the restaurants that don't feed truth or have the light?) After this, we went to my truck and watched the place; then all of a sudden, the bank's power (God's provision) went out and that caused the restaurant's power to go out as well. The bank's sign was totally black and every light inside the building went out. The restaurant's power went out but there were a few lights on inside, maybe from emergency lights. But it was really dark inside, too. We waited and watched, but the power never came back on. (God's anointing and power will depart from the apostate teachings. The spiritual restaurant will have emergency power.) The main power source came from the bank; it powered both units. Once the bank went black, the restaurant soon followed. The restaurant seemed to be still operating but only at half-power. ( G. C.'s local UBM fellowship, as a spiritual restaurant serving spiritual food, will have emergency lights. I am glad we will have our own power source when the worldly grid of man at its source goes down. :o)   Gold and Silver Woes? Gold Burning Gideon Smith - 11/13/2010 (David's notes in red) In this dream, my wife and I were walking outside on a bright and sunny day. Then I looked in the air and saw a very large, grey U.S. military transport aircraft. I then noticed that its flying maneuvers were very strange. It appeared to be zipping around, doing front and back flips and other odd movements that should be impossible for a plane that size to perform. (Planes are like ministries; their purpose is to help us overcome the world and reach heavenly places in Christ.) Then my eyes seemed to be able to zoom in on the plane, and I noticed it was not the kind of plane I thought it was from far away. It actually did not look like any plane I've ever seen before. (On close inspection, it is not a normal economy; nothing we have ever seen before.) Then, as my eyes zoomed out, it appeared to be the same large U.S. military transport plane. (Very large ministries on close inspection show severe scriptural flaws.) Then, as it was going in its circular motion, (They go in circles instead of up.) it began to move faster and faster, and then it began to descend very fast toward the ground and it crashed, and when it hit the ground, there was a gigantic explosion. I mean, it was huge and a very large plume of fire rose to the sky and there was great fear. When I saw the explosion, I thought to myself, Wow, this happened sooner than I expected. (Think back at how many huge ministries have crashed like the Sanhedrin.) Then I began to run from this large flame that began to erupt from the explosion. As I ran, I saw a vision of an image of this woman's head, which looked like it was made of gold and her face and head were burning with flames. (The harlot was burned with the fire of the end time beast like the one of Jesus' day.) Then, as I saw the vision, I understood it to be the Statue of Liberty. (God gave liberty and value to the U.S. when we were considered a Christian country. But every religious lie is taking away that liberty and the beast here is taking her down.) Also, America's economy will ultimately fall very destructively even though NESARA will give it a shot in the arm. Even gold will be useless. In the last depression, there was a four-day bank holiday, during which they made a law so they could grab the gold. It became useless to individuals or corporations. The book of Revelation is coming with its times of trouble and chaos. It will not be a thousand years of peace and prosperity because sin is here that must be judged.) After seeing this, I began to pray in the spirit, at which point I came out of that vision. Then I opened my eyes and found myself sitting inside a movie theater, praying loud in the spirit and everyone was looking at me like I was crazy, as if nothing happened. (Movie theaters, like many ministries, are for play-acting or fakery. It cannot be trusted and neither can the prosperity thieves who run it.) They did not see what I saw; they were getting ready to watch a movie. Then I woke up. We've been told many times by the Alliance that we're watching a movie with masked actors and clones.   Abide in the Word, Safe from the Destroyer Jenny from MN - 07/31/2009 (David's notes in red) There was an apartment building with a lot of different rooms or apartments. (This represents the Church, which, according to Ephesians 2:19-22, is many houses built together into one Temple for God. Each individual house represents a person.) My mother and I each had an apartment next door to each other. A man walked down the hall and was knocking at the doors and telling the people he was a locksmith so they would open their door. When people opened their door he would kill them. (In the Passover in Exodus 12, when the blood was on the doorposts, God warned the people not to open their door or go out, or the destroyer would be able to kill them. The blood represents their faith in the sacrifice of the Lamb who was slain, which was between them and the destroying angel. The destroyer represents Satan's administration of the curse, which the Lamb bore upon Himself, if we would abide in Him through faith. (1 Cor.5:7) ... For our Passover also hath been sacrificed, [even] Christ.) My mother opened her door to this man, and he then killed her. She wasn't really dead, but I read it in the newspaper, and so that's how I knew. Because I knew this man was a deceiver and not really a locksmith, I didn't open the door. When I thought he was gone, I went out into the hall, but then I saw him, and he killed me. (I do remember that my mom and I were able to come back to life.) (Because through the knowledge of God, they came out from among them.) He was waiting for people to open their doors so he could kill them. They would open up because they trusted him. I somehow knew that his weapons were words, sounds, and actions. That is how he killed people. (2Ti 3:6) For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women (religious sects) laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  I remembered the scripture how the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, so it made sense to me who this man was. (If we do not abide in the house, like in the Passover, Who is Jesus, the Word of God, we are under the legal authority of the curse. Satan comes with his “words, sounds and actions” of our thoughts or those around us to talk us out of the Word of Jesus. If we walk by our external senses, instead of by faith in the true Word, Satan has a legal right to destroy us, as Jesus said. (Rev.22:18) I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. It was God Who had the destroyer on a leash and said He would not permit the destroyer to come into the faithful's houses. The destroyer really isn't a locksmith because he cannot open our doors; we have to let him in. As with Jenny and her mom, who represent the church, we are able to come back to life if we return to abiding in the Word. Jesus likened Himself to one who was grieved because He was like a hen seeking to gather His chicks under His wings, but they would not come. Psalm 91:1,4 says if we abide in the secret place of the Most High, we will be under the shadow and wings of the Almighty. The promises of the Word in the midst of our trials are our refuge. (Heb.10:23) let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised. According to the promises of the Word, you were saved, healed, and delivered from all of the curse, including your enemies. Hold fast to this and speak it before men.)   Restaurant at the Top of the Hill Anonymous (David's notes in red) I had a dream really early in the morning on Father's Day. The Father doesn't forget His spiritual fathers. I dreamed that there were 3 beautiful pieces of land high up on a hill. The views were breathtaking. The properties were huge. The land was lush and green. There was a debate going on in the community about who was the rightful owner of the property at the very top of the hill. It was the best, most beautiful, and largest of all 3 properties. After much fighting among the community, the courts ruled that David was the rightful owner of that highly coveted property. He was not in the fight for the property, but when the courts gave the ruling, he did not seem surprised. (An amazing proof of this came in the natural long after this revelation. I was given the property on the very top of the tallest hill in the whole area. And Eve who wasn't thinking of all of this prophesied that this was God's house and property. The land represents our physical life and our ministry, which God is preparing on his hill of spiritual Zion to serve others. (Heb.6:7) For the land which hath drunk the rain (Holy Spirit and Word) that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs (fruit) meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: (8) but if it beareth thorns and thistles (bad fruit), it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned. (Mal.3:11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before the time in the field, saith Jehovah of hosts. (12) And all nations shall call you happy; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith Jehovah of hosts. (1 Cor.3:9) For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry (Greek: tilled land), God's building. Everybody thought you were going to build a large, beautiful home for you and your family up there. But to everybody's shock, you built a restaurant. People were scoffing at you, thinking you were stupid for not building a beautiful home for yourself. A restaurant represents a place to spiritually feed many of God's people. Sadly, the multitudes here have not discerned that many leaders are fleecing the sheep to build their own house rather than feeding the sheep to build God's house. (Eze.34:2) Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep? (3) Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep. (Hag.1:4) Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your ceiled houses, while this house lieth waste? ... (8) Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith Jehovah. (9) Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith Jehovah of hosts. Because of my house that lieth waste, while ye run every man to his own house. (10) Therefore for your sake the heavens withhold the dew, and the earth withholdeth its fruit. When my family and I heard that you built a restaurant, we hurried up the hill to see your restaurant and enjoy a nice meal there. We were all excited. We sat down at a table with a view and waited for the waiter to come. When the waiter came to our table, we realized that you were our waiter. We asked you why you didn't hire a waiter so you wouldn't have to be the waiter, and you simply said you wanted to do it yourself. All the better, we thought. We wanted to see you, but thought that we most likely wouldn't be able to because you would be too busy. We were so happy to be able to talk to you. It is very nice to be able to have personal fellowship with God's beloved people. I have always hated the elitist attitude of the Nicolaitan ministers. Jesus said, “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant” and “all ye are brethren”. We placed our order with you and were waiting for our meal. We began to notice there were a lot of people coming to your restaurant, but they weren't staying. They were leaving upset. When we asked you why they were leaving, you told us that they were upset because you were their waiter. They thought you should have hired a waiter and were offended that you didn't. My family and I thought, “What's the big deal? It's even better that you are our waiter. Why be so offended?” You brought us our meal. It was delicious. The view was gorgeous, and we had a wonderful time talking with you. We loved your restaurant and knew we would be back many times. The whole time we were there, however, many people came and left offended. (the factious) We knew they were missing out, but we couldn't convince them to stay. Then I woke up. Some don't like the waiter, and some don't like the meal. As it was with Jesus, the true ministers and their teaching cannot be popular with those who claim to be God's people while they love the world. (Joh.15:18) If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before [it hated] you. (19) If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (20) Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. (21) But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. You certainly are feeding me and my family right now, and we all want to be at the top of the 3 properties, right alongside the man-child and the bride. We are eating the bread of life and drinking the fountain of living waters. Thank you for serving us and feeding us. Blessings on you in Jesus' name. We will run out of time to bring in the harvest when no more will listen and then the day of the Lord's wrath will come.   Chaos and Woe Messianic Pastor Caleb Kinley (David's notes in red) Shabbat Shalom! May YHWH (The true name of the Lord before men added the vowels so the flesh could speak it as Jehovah and Yahweh.) truly bless you this Shabbat and may He wrap His arms of love around you and embrace each of you into His glory. I have included a dream I had several times about a week or so ago. I'm not a prophet, and this is only a dream, but usually, at least parts (if not all) of some of my dreams do come true. For example, two weeks before Sept. 11th I did dream of the exact events, verified by my mother and my wife. About three days before the December 26, 2004, tsunami that hit Indonesia, I dreamed the tsunami would happen, and it came true, verified by my mother, my wife, and my congregational members as I shared the tsunami dream with my congregation. Again, I am not a prophet and I pray this does not alter anyone's opinion of me... :-) I'm too afraid to not share this dream and can only hope and pray this one does not transpire... anyway... (But it will as the Day of the Lord's wrath. These were terrifying to me, to say the least. The dream began with a loud voice saying, “Thus saith Elohim, the wicked have witnessed ‘chaos' and still they refuse to repent. ‘Chaos times Chaos, times Chaos!' They ignore My call and refuse to gather under My wings. ‘Chaos times Chaos, times Chaos!' They are busy bodies with idle hands, putty for evil, and they send a rancid stench to My nostrils. O miserable wretches, they have become. They worship the sun and everything that is under the sun, but Me. They worship man, but not Me. They worship lust, but not Me. They worship envy and covetousness, but not Me. They worship power, money and fame, but not Me. They worship science and nature, but not Me. They bow down to pleasure for a season, and I will cut them off from among My people. Therefore, ‘Chaos times Chaos, times Chaos!' will be their just reward.” “Watch and see O servant, watch and see the meaning of ‘Chaos times Chaos, times Chaos!' O servant, take and eat of this parchment, and your tears will be for visions and your tongue shall prophesy forth My words. Few will hear you speak of My words, and fewer will come forth and share the mantle of My blessings. Many will not believe and will continue in their sin, and make great hate of you and the rest of My servants. The infidels will despise My people and bear false witness to try and remove the virtue from My bride. But the light of your menorah will not burn out. Thus saith Elohim YHWH”. (There was more that I just cannot remember right yet.) I was then lifted up above the high mountains by a breeze of wind, and the wind was like an invisible floor, so that I was able to stand in the sky and see the earth through the wind, like it had a glass floor. There were great movements of water in the oceans/seas (hurricanes?) bearing Greek names that caused more flooding and wreaked more devastation. Then came a pause, and I'm not sure if the days of the pause represent days, months or years. But once the quiet pause was completed, there were four or five great lights that came from the ground that turned the mountains into dust and rubble. (Nuclear war) The flesh of people from miles away dissolved and all that was left from those who perished were their skeletons, clean down to the bones. They had no eyes and their eye sockets were clean as if someone had used bleach to clean out a white plate. Many who survived were maimed, amputees, and as they wept, bright green tears mixed with blood melted away the parts of their face made wet by their tears with a fizzing sound like Alka-Seltzer. They had no eyelids as their eyelids dissolved because of their tears, and their eyes swelled up until they looked bug-eyed. It was then that the skeletons of the dead came alive and hunted the living and killed whoever they caught (i.e. pandemic-disease?) (result of nuclear energy). And then the earth opened up in many places, swallowing up many of those who survived the bright lights, and the oceans and seas grew large, sending waves and storms, too many to count. The dead of many floated on the water and included women, children, babies, animals, men, and cities once hidden from water were now covered in water. And the rivers and the oceans and the seas cried because they were polluted by rotten flesh and blood. I could hear the cries of thousands of people, and the cries made my ears have sharp pains so that I had to put my fingers in my ears. And many of the living blasphemed YHWH and searched for His people to place blame on us. They said, “Let us find the bride and eat their flesh, for it will taste sweet like honey”. (But God will rescue His people at this day of the Lord's wrath.) Then I saw great famine, such as has never been. Rich nations were now begging for bread and were happy to pay much money for rotten bread covered with worms. And many began drinking unclean water from rivers and oceans, and seas that were still full of dead human flesh. And some would drain the blood of their children and roast their child over an open fire, and then feast upon their children, drinking their blood while eating their flesh, and being merry. And disease stood tall, and caused many more to perish.

“The Deliverance of God's Servant” Daniel 6              November 16, 2025 Pastor John Choi  Sermon Application [file]   ----more---- Daniel 6:19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.   Through the deliverance of His Servant, God offers the good news of deliverance to all people.         I. The Same Theme in New Circumstances   II. Daniel's Excellence and the Conspiracy Against Him  III. Daniel's Disciplines: The Ordinary Means of Grace  IV. The Miracle in the Lion's Den: A Glimpse of True Peace   V. The Greater Daniel: Jesus Christ Our Deliverer  VI. Our Call as God's Children

God's unchanging character is seen when He says He is our Provider — Jehovah Jireh. Drawing from Psalm 23, the life of Abraham, and real stories of God's faithfulness, this sermon invites us to rediscover the God who “sees to it” in every season of life.We are reminded that God provides in four ways:1️⃣ By His hand — through miracles and the supernatural2️⃣ By the hand of others — through the generosity and obedience of His people3️⃣ By the work of our own hands — the strength, ideas, and opportunities He gives4️⃣ Even by the hands of our enemies — turning what was meant for harm into blessingWhether you're walking through a valley, waiting on a promise, or wrestling with unmet longings, this message calls you to trust the Good Shepherd who leads, protects, restores, and provides.

In this episode of Just Another Tin Foil Hat with Zelia Edgar, we uncover one of the most extraordinary UFO cases in Midwestern history. On a quiet night in Elmwood, Wisconsin, police officer George Wheeler was on routine patrol when something incredible interrupted the calm. Spotting an orange glow near the Tuttle Hill quarry, Wheeler assumed it was a fire — until he got closer. What he saw would shake him to his core. As he reached higher ground, his voice crackled over the radio with a chilling message: “My God, it's one of those UFOs again.” This episode dives deep into the 1976 Elmwood UFO incident — a case that baffled law enforcement, captivated local residents, and left behind strange physical evidence that remains unexplained to this day. From Wheeler's first sighting to the aftermath that turned Elmwood into a UFO hotspot, Zelia explores how one man's encounter helped shape Wisconsin's lasting fascination with the unknown.

"Like no one has ever been, like, aroused by close up magic, right? You're just like, ah, wow. That was my card. My God, where did that ball go? Who knows? Can I just pay for my, like, mozzarella sticks" - Nic This week, Myopia Movies continue Creepy Kid Movie Month with The Ring — the iconic, blue-green, early-2000s mood piece that taught us two essential truths: never trust a VHS tape without a label, and if a horse looks at you funny on a ferry… just walk away. We dive into Gore Verbinski's eerie remake, the very specific shade of Pacific Northwest Depression Filter™, Naomi Watts' crusade against cursed media, and the seven-day slow decline of a family held together mostly by caffeine and denial. Along the way, the panel examines horse suicides, VHS nostalgia, Pacific Northwest lighthouses, creepy kids named Aiden, and the logistics of a ghost girl committing long-distance murder through a Zenith television. Support Myopia Movies in a New Way! We've launched an Amazon Wish List filled with movies we want to riff—but here's the twist: the titles are anonymous. You won't know which Myopia host picked them! Buy one, and we'll: Record an episode on the movie and you tell us anything you want to plug! We will record a special Myopia Riff of the movie just for you and mail you a copy with the optional riff audio. Sign the case It's a mystery grab bag of bad movies, nostalgia, and chaos—our favorite combo. Check out the list and help us pick our next cinematic adventure! How will The Ring hold up? Host: Nic Panel: Keiko, Alex, Matthew Directed by Gore Verbinski Starring: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, Brian Cox, Jane Alexander, Lindsay Frost, Amber Tamblyn

Daily Evening Prayer (11/13/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 69-70; Ecclesiasticus 40; 1 Timothy 1; Metrical Psalm 22:1-51 My God, my God, why leav'st thou me when I with anguish faint? O why so far from me removed, and from my loud complaint? 2 All day, but all the day unheard, to thee do I complain; With cries implore relief all night, but cry all night in vain. 3 Yet thou art still the righteous judge of innocence oppressed; And therefore Israel's praises are of right to thee addressed. 4,5 On thee our ancestors relied, and thy deliv'rance found; With pious confidence they prayed, and with success were crowned.To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Daily Evening Prayer (11/13/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 69-70; Ecclesiasticus 40; 1 Timothy 1; Metrical Psalm 22:1-51 My God, my God, why leav'st thou me when I with anguish faint? O why so far from me removed, and from my loud complaint? 2 All day, but all the day unheard, to thee do I complain; With cries implore relief all night, but cry all night in vain. 3 Yet thou art still the righteous judge of innocence oppressed; And therefore Israel's praises are of right to thee addressed. 4,5 On thee our ancestors relied, and thy deliv'rance found; With pious confidence they prayed, and with success were crowned.To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

"Like no one has ever been, like, aroused by close up magic, right? You're just like, ah, wow. That was my card. My God, where did that ball go? Who knows? Can I just pay for my, like, mozzarella sticks" - Nic This week, Myopia Movies continue Creepy Kid Movie Month with The Ring — the iconic, blue-green, early-2000s mood piece that taught us two essential truths: never trust a VHS tape without a label, and if a horse looks at you funny on a ferry… just walk away. We dive into Gore Verbinski's eerie remake, the very specific shade of Pacific Northwest Depression Filter™, Naomi Watts' crusade against cursed media, and the seven-day slow decline of a family held together mostly by caffeine and denial. Along the way, the panel examines horse suicides, VHS nostalgia, Pacific Northwest lighthouses, creepy kids named Aiden, and the logistics of a ghost girl committing long-distance murder through a Zenith television. Support Myopia Movies in a New Way! We've launched an Amazon Wish List filled with movies we want to riff—but here's the twist: the titles are anonymous. You won't know which Myopia host picked them! Buy one, and we'll: Record an episode on the movie and you tell us anything you want to plug! We will record a special Myopia Riff of the movie just for you and mail you a copy with the optional riff audio. Sign the case It's a mystery grab bag of bad movies, nostalgia, and chaos—our favorite combo. Check out the list and help us pick our next cinematic adventure! How will The Ring hold up? Host: Nic Panel: Keiko, Alex, Matthew Directed by Gore Verbinski Starring: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, Brian Cox, Jane Alexander, Lindsay Frost, Amber Tamblyn

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Johnny Lynum.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Johnny Lynum.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Johnny Lynum.

In this episode, KP interviews Noah Harrison, a worship leader and songwriter from Bethel Music. They discuss Noah's journey from a musical upbringing to leading worship, his experiences at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, and the challenges of moving to New York to launch Bethel New York. The conversation delves into the importance of spontaneous and prophetic worship, the songwriting process, and the impact of songs like 'Elohim' and 'Oh Lord, My God.' Noah shares insights on personal growth, identity, and the role of worship in building community. Connect with Noah: Instagram: @noahpaulharrison Music: https://open.spotify.com/track/15VivzmIja8IDxDE7zxRwC?si=87611caab15441af +++++ Worshipology with Kurtis Parks is a part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network. WL Mag exists to equip Spirit-led worship leaders with practical tools, theological insight, and encouragement for the local church. This episode was brought to you by PraiseCharts. If you are a Worship leader or musician, when it comes to leading in church or playing worship music, you need reliable, high-quality music resources. Check out PraiseCharts.com today and see how it can transform your worship ministry! ++++++++++ To learn more about Kurtis and his book Worshipology: www.worshipologybook.com or www.kurtisparks.com 

Rawrr! Prayer is good, right? But what happens when someone makes it against the law to pray?!?! Find out in this great episode!Prayer is talking to GodDaniel would continuously talk to God through prayer. Even when he was threatened to be thrown into the lion's den, Daniel would continue to pray to God.Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.– Colossians 4:2Daniel 2, Daniel 6Daniel and the Lion's DenDaniel was a very good, faithful man, who always obeyed God. He would pray to God consistently, three times a day. Daniel had a very close relationship to God due to how often he would talk to God through prayer and because of his unshakable faith. God also gave Daniel an incredible gift—Daniel was able to interpret dreams. This gift led Daniel to successfully interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. The king then gave Daniel a high up position in the kingdom and gave him many gifts. Because Daniel was so smart, other wise men in the kingdom were very jealous. Their jealousy led them to convince King Darius to make a new law—that the people were only allowed to pray to the king. If people chose not to obey this law, they would be thrown in the lion's den. These jealous men knew that Daniel would never obey this law since he would pray to God several times a day.Daniel continued to pray in his room, even when he had heard about this new law. After the jealous men saw him do this, they told King Darius. This made King very upset because he cared for Daniel and tried to get him out of trouble, but knew there was no way around it. Before throwing him in the den, King Darius told Daniel “Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this.” The next morning, King Darius went to check on Daniel and heard Daniel say “My God sent his angel to shut the lion's mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have wronged you, Your majesty.” Daniel had not been harmed! They both knew that Daniel was protected because he had completely trusted God and had faith in Him. Daniel had a great amount of love for the Lord. Daniel also had a deep and personal connection to God because he would intentionally talk to God all the time through prayer. Regardless of the situation he was facing, he would make time to pray. Sometimes, we can get so caught up in our daily routine, that we neglect to prioritize our quiet time with God. But the truth is, God wants to hear from us—He wants us to talk to Him because of His love for each and every one of us.I can talk to God. Questions to think about:1. Why did Daniel continue to pray, even when he knew his life would be threatened?2. Why did Daniel have such a close relationship with God?3. How can I remember to talk to God on a daily basis?

Good morning, beloved!Today on the FIRE FOR TODAY audio devotional, the topic is: "THAT'S NOT MY GOD!"This powerful episode reveals the true nature of God under the New Covenant—as seen in Jesus Christ. Many have built their understanding of God on experiences, pain, or partial truths, but if what we believe about God doesn't look like Jesus, then that's not our God!Through Scripture, you'll discover that:

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:10 NLT) Pride and self-sufficiency are two big obstacles to spiritual growth. A good way to overcome them is to cry out to God when you need help. The Bible tells the story of Simon Peter, who had the extraordinary experience of walking on water with Jesus. When the impossibility of the situation began to dawn on him, however, his faith faltered. He cried out, “Save me, Lord!” (Matthew 14:30 NLT). How easily Jesus could have said, “Where is your faith, Peter? You made your bed; now lie on it. Try swimming.” But the Bible says, “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him” (Matthew 14:31 NLT). Immediately. I like that. When you begin to sink and cry out, “Lord, save me!” He will immediately reach out. But you must cry out for His help. And that’s hard for some people to do. As a kid, I spent a lot of time at the beach. When I was out bodysurfing one day, a big set of waves started coming in. So, I did what I was supposed to do: I swam toward the waves and went under them. When I looked up, there was another set. I swam under those, too. One set after another came. In time, I drifted so far out that the people on the beach looked like little ants to me. Suddenly, I felt exhausted—with no strength left and nothing to hold onto. In that moment, I knew I was in trouble. I realized I had two choices. I could cry, “Help!” and the lifeguard would come running with his life preserver. When we got to shore, my friends would laugh, and I would never live it down. Or I could drown with dignity. I cried out! A lot of us don’t want to admit our need. We don’t want to cry out to God. We want to maintain our dignity. To get the proper perspective on what to do in times of need, we need to look to God’s Word. Jonah cried out to God after he was swallowed by a giant fish (see Jonah 2:1–9). Hannah cried out to God for a son. First Samuel 1:10 says she “was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord” (NLT). King David was under tremendous stress when he wrote, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?” (Psalm 22:1 NLT). Jesus quoted the words of Psalm 22 when He cried out to God from the cross (see Matthew 27:46). If Jesus wasn’t too proud to cry out to God, neither should we be. There are only so many things we can do to help ourselves. Crying out to God frees us from our own limitations. It opens a whole world of possibilities. God can bring ultimate good from any situation. All we have to do is cry out to Him for help. Every day of my life, I need the best God has to offer. And you do, too. Reflection question: What do you need to cry out to God about in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

0:00 - Just when you thought the Broncos had won their ugliest game yet...they continue to find new inventive ways to get uglier. Your Broncos are 8-2 and that's all that matters...but MY GOD that game was horrible yesterday.14:19 - We're trying to enjoy another Broncos win that takes them to 8-2 on the season! And yet, there was so much wrong with that game. AGAIN, Payton's playcalling was peculiar, to put it mildly.34:53 - Sean Payton quibbled with EVAN EVAN EVAN in a press conference again! This time, Evan's not allowed to use the word "but." Oh wait, his name's Luca?

Morning lessons: Psalms 22; 2 Kings 21; Acts 12:1-24.  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, and are so far from my cry, and from the words of my complaint?

Faith-filled boldness produces supernatural results! In this continuation of his powerful teaching, Pastor Corey Erman reveals how walking in spiritual authority over your finances requires revelation, obedience, and fearless giving. Learn how bold faith activates divine provision and positions you for increase in every area of life. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19To support this ministry and help us reach the nations with revival visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RiverWPB.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or text GIVE and any amount to (855) 968-3708.

In this powerful episode of Banking on Fraudology, Hailey Windham sits down with Kathy Stokes, Director of Fraud Prevention Programs at AARP, a nationally recognized leader in consumer protection and elder fraud prevention. The conversation dives deep into Stokes's foundational statement: "We need to talk about victims in order to talk about the fraud as a crime". They explore why language is the single most critical tool in the fight against financial crime and how the words we choose can either help or harm. Key Takeaways:- Calling it a Crime: Stokes explains that financial fraud must be viewed as a crime, not as a mistake by the person who experienced it, which helps shift the blame from the victim to the transnational criminal enterprises that are often responsible. - The Problem with Avoiding "Victim": While a person who experienced the crime should be allowed to lead the conversation one-on-one, in the third person, the term "victim" should be used to help people understand the severity of the crime. - The Power of Empathy: They discuss the psychological impact of being deceived, and why approaching a person with context and empathy (rather than immediately saying "you've been scammed") is crucial to prevent them from shutting down. - Changing the Language: Stokes shares two terms she wishes the industry would eliminate: "fraudster," because it sounds "kind of cute" and gets the perpetrator "off the hook," and "victim assisted," which inaccurately implies the victim aided the crime rather than being coerced or manipulated. - A Call to Action for Fraud Teams: Kathy Stokes stresses that the first reaction to someone who has experienced fraud should be: "My God, I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's not your fault. Come on, let's talk about it. Let's report it". - Hope for the Future: Hear about AARP's groundbreaking work, including the Words Matter campaign and their effort to change the narrative surrounding fraud through advocacy, education, and partnerships. This is a must-listen for investigators, executives, and anyone working in the financial crimes space who is serious about strengthening prevention efforts and supporting those impacted by fraud.______________________________Connect with Hailey on LinkedInConnect with Kathy on LinkedInLinks:AARP Words Matter Campaign: aarp.org/wordsmatterFraud Wars on YoutubeAARP Fraud Watch Network

TOPIC The Revelation of “I AM” PREACHER Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Okronipa SCRIPTURES Exodus 3:13–14 Philippians 4:19 Psalm 23:1 Numbers 23:19 Acts 1:8 Malachi 3:6 John 8:58 KEY POINTS 1. The Meaning of “I AM” “I AM” reveals God's eternal, self-existent nature — He has no beginning and no end. God is unchanging, constant in His nature, and dependable in all situations. The name “I AM” expresses God's limitless sufficiency — He is everything His people will ever need. When God said, “I AM THAT I AM,” He declared Himself as the ever-present One who is always enough. 2. The Revelation of “I AM” The revelation of “I AM” is a revelation of identity and relationship. It reminds believers that God is not distant or abstract — He is personally involved in the lives of His children. “I AM” means: Whatever you need, I will be that to you. This revelation calls believers to walk in faith, confidence, and intimacy with God. 3. What “I AM” Represents God's Divine Provision “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) God provides for every need — physical, spiritual, emotional, and material. Philippians 4:19: “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God's Divine Power God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). His power enables believers to live victoriously and witness boldly (Acts 1:8). The name “I AM” carries authority and power over every circumstance. God's Divine Purpose Everything God does flows from His divine purpose. His identity as “I AM” aligns His people with destiny and direction. Understanding “I AM” helps believers to trust God's process and timing. 4. The Impact of the Revelation The revelation of “I AM” stirs true worship and strengthens the believer's faith. It brings peace and confidence, knowing that God is sufficient in every situation. It deepens intimacy with God, reminding us that He is present, powerful, and personal. There is no reason for fear or discouragement when “I AM” is with you. CONCLUSION The revelation of “I AM” is a call to know God beyond religion — to know Him as the All-Sufficient One. He is your provider, your power, and your purpose. Whatever life demands, God declares: “I AM that I AM.” Therefore, live in confidence, rest in His sufficiency, and walk in unshakable faith — for the Great I AM is always enough!   

Angel Studios https://Angel.com/HermanJoin the Angel Guild today and know you are not just watching, you're helping make bold, faith driven stories like Disciples in the Moonlight possible. That's Angel.com/HermanBizable https://GoBizable.comUntie your business exposure from your personal exposure with BiZABLE.  Schedule your FREE consultation at GoBizAble.com today. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comRegister now for the free Review/Preview Webinar November 20th 3:30pm Pacific, schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio Review, and subscribe to Zach's Daily Market Recap at (SLOW) Know Your Risk Podcast dot com. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.SNAP Culture Predicted By Mice // When the Deep State Gets THIS Nervous We Need to Thank God. // If Satan Gave a Sermon (Dedicated to JoshM's beautiful song.)Episode links:Dr. Oz: “Buckle up for this one. Based on our initial set of audits, more than $1B of federal taxpayer dollars were being spent on funding Medicaid for illegal immigrants. And my team is getting it back.”In 1968, Dr. John Calhoun built the perfect utopia with unlimited shelter, food, entertainment, and zero predators.By day 315, it was a living hell. Welcome to Universe 25 social experiment and its chilling similarities to modern Western society: Nurse in Arizona (TikTok: ken26045) makes a social media video breaking down because she just got the text saying her SNAP Food Stamps were being paused due to the shutdown. This same woman was just bragging about buying NFL tickets. People use EBT to subsidize their lifestylesNOW: The power at ICE Portland and surrounding buildings has been CUT, and the cause has NOT been made public. Luckily, ICE has backup generators, so if this was intentional, the act failed miserably.Jimmy Clapper gets REALLY agitated and nervous  I Never Said That (RedWords)Jen Hamilton reads the Red Words pretends Jesus was a liberalWhat Does God's Word Say?“... go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' - Matthew 28:19“‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Mark 12:30-31 “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” - Matthew 5:44“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'” - Matthew 25:35-40 NIV“So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.” - Matthew 22:21“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - Matthew 27:46Jesus Reinstates Peter - John 21:15-1915 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

We want to hear from you! Submit your Thanksgiving Prayer or a short note of thanks! Your submissions could be featured on Your Daily Prayer as we lead up to Thanksgiving Day. Thank you again for your continued support—we can’t wait to hear from you! https://tinyurl.com/322k4xau There are times in our walk with God when His presence feels near — when prayer flows easily, Scripture feels alive, and worship fills our hearts with joy. But, as our daily prayer and devotional remind us, then come the harder seasons — the dry, weary days when God seems silent, and our hearts ache with loneliness. In today’s reflection, Sophia Bricker reminds us that even when God feels far away, His presence has never left us. Scripture gives voice to this struggle through the psalmists, Job, Jeremiah, and even Jesus Himself, who cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46). These moments of spiritual dryness are not signs of abandonment — they are invitations to deeper faith. When we face sorrow, sin, or suffering, we may feel distant from God, but faith reminds us that He remains close — “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). The Lord has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age. His love does not depend on our emotions; it is steadfast, eternal, and unchanging. When God feels far, hold fast to what is true: He is near, and He will never leave you. Bible Reading:“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20, NIV Takeaway Truths: Feeling distant from God doesn’t mean He has left us — His presence is constant. Spiritual dryness is often an invitation to grow deeper in faith. God’s promises are greater than our emotions; His love never changes.

Matthew 116   1 Peter 2:23-24 ESV   23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.       Romans 12:17-21 ESV   17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.       Matthew 27:46 ESV   46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"       Psalm 22:1a ESV   My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?       Matthew 20:17-19 ESV   17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."       Matthew 16:21-23 ESV   21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." 23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."       Matthew 17:22-23 ESV   22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed.       Matthew 20:20-21 ESV   20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom."       1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV   14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.      

Daniel in the Lion's Den (Sermon Series on Daniel) - Sunday, 2nd November 2025.[Episode 6 - Daniel Chapter 6 (KJV)]1 Daniel is appointed president.Daniel 6:1-3  It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.2. Envy and Jealousy motivate a devious plot.Daniel 6:4-5  Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.3. Knowing the danger Daniel continues to walk with God openly.Daniel 6:10  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.4. Daniel's enemies spring their trap.Daniel 6:11-14  Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.5 Daniel is cast into the lions den.Daniel 6:16-18  Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.6. God sends an angel to protect Daniel.Daniel 6:20-22  And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.7. Daniel's enemies are executed.Daniel 6:24  And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.8. God is glorified throughout the empire again.Dan 6:25-28  Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the

The Shield of Faith Series: Suited Up - The Armor of God (Week 5 of 7) Scripture: Ephesians 6:16 Summary When Paul describes the armor of God, he says "above all, taking the shield of faith." That phrase alone tells us how critical this piece of armor is—it's our primary defense in spiritual warfare. In Roman warfare, soldiers carried large rectangular shields (scutum)—about 4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide, made of wood covered with leather. This shield protected the soldier's entire body and could interlock with other shields to form a defensive wall. Most critically, when soaked in water, it could extinguish flaming arrows that enemies would shoot to create panic and break battle lines. That's the picture Paul gives us. The enemy shoots fiery darts—attacks designed to ignite fear, doubt, and destruction. But the shield of faith, when properly used, extinguishes every single one. Key Points: 1. Faith Is Active Trust in God's Character and Promises Faith is not positive thinking, "believing hard enough," or blind optimism. Biblical faith is active trust in God's character and promises based on what He has revealed in His Word. Hebrews 11:1 defines it: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith has substance and evidence—it's not vague spirituality but confident trust in a God who has proven Himself faithful. The key distinction: Positive thinking says: "Everything will work out fine" (based on nothing) Biblical faith says: "God works all things together for good for those who love Him" (based on Romans 8:28) Faith is only as strong as its object. You can have great faith in a weak foundation and still fall. Or you can have small faith in a strong foundation and stand firm. It's not the size of your faith that matters—it's the size of your God. Jesus said even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Why? Because even tiny faith in an infinite God is powerful. What does faith trust? God's Character - Who He is: faithful, good, sovereign, loving, just, wise, powerful God's Promises - What He has said in Scripture God's Word - The foundation for knowing both His character and promises When attacks come, you don't lift the shield by "believing harder." You lift it by actively trusting what you know to be true about God. 2. The Enemy's Fiery Darts Are Designed to Destroy Your Faith In ancient warfare, fiery darts were devastating weapons. Archers would wrap arrow tips in cloth, soak them in pitch or oil, light them on fire, and shoot them at enemy forces. These arrows weren't just designed to injure—they were designed to ignite, spread panic, and create chaos. That's exactly how Satan's attacks work. He shoots multiple fiery darts designed to ignite fear, doubt, and spiritual destruction. What are these fiery darts? Specific examples: Doubt - "Did God really say that? Can you trust His promises? Where is He now?" Temptation - "You can't resist this. You've failed before. Just give in." Accusation - "You're not really saved. Look at your sin. God couldn't accept you." Discouragement - "Nothing's working. God doesn't hear your prayers. Give up." Fear - "You're going to lose everything. This situation is hopeless." Comparison - "Everyone else has it better. God must not care about you." Bitterness - "You have every right to be angry. They don't deserve forgiveness." Notice the pattern: Every fiery dart is designed to make you question God's character or doubt His promises. Satan's goal isn't just to make you sin—it's to destroy your faith. If he can get you to stop trusting God, everything else crumbles. Here's what makes these darts "fiery"—they don't just hit you; they ignite ongoing damage. One moment of doubt can spiral into days of spiritual paralysis. One temptation can become a consuming pattern. One accusation can create crushing guilt that destroys your effectiveness. But the good news: The shield of faith doesn't just deflect these darts—it extinguishes them. How faith extinguishes specific darts: When doubt comes: "I will trust in the Lord with all my heart" (Proverbs 3:5-6) When temptation attacks: "God is faithful and will provide a way of escape" (1 Corinthians 10:13) When accusation hits: "There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1) When discouragement weighs you down: "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31) You extinguish the fiery dart by lifting the shield—actively trusting a specific truth about God. 3. You Must Actively Lift the Shield to Extinguish the Darts Many Christians have the shield but don't lift it. Paul says "taking the shield of faith"—that's active. You must pick it up, position it, and use it. Faith isn't passive. It's not "Well, I believe God exists, so I'm covered." It's active trust that responds to specific attacks with specific truths about God. What actively lifting the shield looks like: Step 1: RECOGNIZE THE ATTACK You can't defend against an attack you don't see coming. When thoughts of doubt, temptation, accusation, or fear hit—recognize them as spiritual attacks, not just random thoughts. James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil and he will flee." You can't resist what you don't recognize. Step 2: RESPOND WITH TRUTH This is where you lift the shield. Immediately respond with specific biblical truth about God. Don't argue with the dart or trust your feelings. Lift the shield—speak God's truth. Jesus modeled this in Matthew 4: "It is written..." Three attacks, three responses from Scripture. Step 3: REPEAT AS NECESSARY The enemy doesn't shoot just once. He keeps firing. So you keep lifting the shield. Every time an attack comes, respond with faith—active trust in God's character and promises. Sometimes you'll lift the shield multiple times in one day. That's not weak faith—that's what warfare looks like. Practical example: You're struggling with financial fear. The enemy shoots: "You're going to lose everything. God isn't going to provide." Lift the shield: "My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19). I choose to trust His faithfulness over my fear. The dart comes again: "But look at your bank account." Lift the shield again: "God has never failed me. He fed Israel in the wilderness. He will provide for me. I trust His character, not my circumstances." As you repeatedly lift the shield of faith, the fiery dart is extinguished. The fear loses its power. Not because you "believed harder," but because you actively trusted specific truths about God. The Bottom Line: The shield of faith is your primary defense because it protects against the enemy's primary attack—destroying your trust in God. Faith is active trust in God's character and promises. The enemy shoots fiery darts designed to ignite doubt and fear. You must lift the shield actively by recognizing attacks, responding with truth, and repeating as necessary. Above all, take the shield of faith—it will extinguish every fiery dart the enemy shoots at you. Next in Series: Week 6 - "The Helmet of Salvation" (Ephesians 6:17a) How salvation protects your mind and thoughts.

On Halloween night, in 1992, an unusual television special aired on the BBC. Nobody expected what happened next. “The technicians were looking up at the big screen in the lobby, saying to each other, ‘My God, what's going on in Studio One?'”  This episode was first released in 2022. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts. Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal, ad-free listening of all of our shows, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery. Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46)A cry of despair, painted in Love and prophecy.Psalm 22 whispers through time,reminding us to hold fast to the Light.To the Truth- He has done it.Say it.Feel it.Know it.He has always been here, in every trial,in every triumph.You are already helped.Already healed.Already whole.Talk to Her.Talk to Him.Their Love never leaves.Pray.Rest.Smile.And don't forget to… play.I love you.nik_________________________--Our new book, 'Wake Up to Love' is HERE! Get your copy. Share a copy. Be the Love you wake up to.--Support GoOD Mornings on Patreon -https://www.patreon.com/goodmorningsQUOTES90 year old meditation by @rachel.pohlPsalm 22Psalm 31

Immanuel Baptist Church Choir sings "That's My God" during a worship service at Immanuel Baptist Church, Florence, Ky. Please visit us at 7183 Pleasant Valley Road Florence KY 41042, or call us at (859) 586-6829. Church links: Website: https://www.ibcflorence.com Daily Devotions: https://www.ibcflorence.com/devotions Free App: http://www.ibcflorence.com/ibc-app Our entire list of recent sermons: https://www.ibcflorence.com/recent-sermons Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ibcflorence Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibcflorenceky Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibcflorence/ Podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/user-658781358 Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/ibcflorence/live We would love to know how to pray for you! Romans 10:9 #ibcflorence #florenceky #kjvBible #church #Godisgood #northernkentucky #baptistchurch #savedbygrace #video

 Iris and Sam have a sexy ‘deflowering' party for two, on Halloween. by MoonlitOpal. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. “Yep.” I placed the box on the table beside the couch, then stood before Sam and slowly took off my dress. I was trembling with excitement, and as his hungry stare moved over me, I felt my nipples harden beneath my bra. “You're beautiful, Iris,” he whispered. I grinned and went to Sam, leaning forward so I could give him a deep kiss. Then I climbed onto the couch, kneeling beside him. Without speaking, I began trying to unfasten his pants, but my hands were shaking so much, I struggled with the simple task.I was grateful when Sam took over. Once he had his pants and underwear down around his thighs, I stared at his erection, which pulsed in time with his heartbeat. Looking up at Sam again, I saw that his gaze was pleading, full of the same need overtaking me, and I wanted more than anything to make him feel good. Extending my hand, I wrapped my fingers around his cock, and it twitched in my grasp. As I began gently stroking, Sam let his head fall back, a low groan emerging from deep in his throat. I delighted in the silkiness of his flesh. Sliding the pad of my thumb over his cock head, I felt a drop of moisture. My mouth watered when I thought about tasting it. Eagerly I leaned forward, brushing my lips against his tip. Now Sam was trembling, too, and his obvious excitement made me brave enough to swirl my tongue all around the lovely mushroom head. The slight saltiness of his skin combined with a trace of sweetness from his pre-cum. “Iris,” he moaned while brushing my hair back from my face. Grasping his erection, I planted kisses along the entire length of him. I inhaled his scent, which only heightened my arousal. I was soaking wet between my thighs. Finally I wrapped my lips around Sam's throbbing cock. The sound of his heavy breathing competed with the volume of the television, and the flickering light from the screen fell on my face as I did my best to pleasure him. I wasn't able to take much at first. As soon as his cock reached the back of my tongue, I had to suppress my gag reflex. He was careful not to thrust his hips, instead letting me set the pace. While saliva trickled from my mouth to coat his cock, I stroked him, then lowered my lips until I reached my hand. “Ah, fuck!” he cried. “Iris, that feels so good!” I'd never heard Sam swear before, and I took it as a compliment. He seemed lost to his lust, and to the feel of my licking and sucking and stroking. I tried again to take him deeper, exhaling as another inch of his cock disappeared between my lips. It was then that I felt Sam caress my back, his fingertips running along my spine. While I fondled his balls and used my tongue to give plenty of attention to the underside of his cock, he reached between my thighs. I moaned when he began rubbing me through my panties. At first, his touch was a little too low, but I wasn't about to lift my head from his cock and give him directions. Then his fingers homed in on my clit, and I moaned even louder, letting him know he'd reached just the right spot. “I love how wet you are,” he told me in a guttural voice. I was glad he found it exciting, because my body seemed intent on producing a copious amount of lubrication for my first time. As Sam continued massaging my clit, I shivered from the sheer pleasure of it, and I realized I wanted him to come in my mouth. I wanted to feel him orgasm while my lips were wrapped around his cock. “Iris, I'm close,” he suddenly warned me. I heard his gasp when I continued sucking, hollowing my cheeks in the process. “Iris, oh God!” I moaned, letting him know I didn't want him to hold back. He let out a loud cry, and his whole body tensed as the first rope of semen landed on my tongue. Quickly I swallowed, tasting the hot saltiness of it. More soon followed, and despite my best efforts, it was impossible for me to get it all down. Some escaped my lips, but I didn't raise my head until Sam was completely spent. Finally I sat up and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. He stared at me, seemingly transfixed. “Was that okay?” I asked. “That was fucking fantastic!” he panted, still catching his breath. “My God, if you're a virgin, how did you learn to do that?” “By reading how-to articles and watching porn,” I confessed with a grin. Sam laughed, then pulled me close so he could give me a gentle kiss. “Thank you for that,” he whispered against my lips. “I enjoyed doing it,” I whispered back. “It made me excited, knowing I was exciting you so much.” His eyes were full of affection as he regarded me. “No pressure, but if you still want tonight to be our first time, it won't take me long to get hard again,” he revealed. “Now that's good to know,” I said, then tilted my head back while Sam's lips traveled over my neck. “What should we do in the meantime?” “I think we should see if I can make you come while my face is buried between your thighs,” he replied, his breath warm against my skin. I released a whimper, unable to hide my eagerness as I nodded. Sam stood and began to undress. Sitting on the couch before him, I was far too impatient to go slow. Instead, I hurriedly reached behind me to unhook my bra before casting it aside. The cool air greeted my erect nipples, making them even harder, and Sam fixed his stare on my breasts. I couldn't resist cupping them in my hands and pushing them together for his benefit. “Iris, you're killing me,” he groaned. I watched as he pulled down his boxer briefs and stepped out of them. Now that he was completely nude, I allowed myself several long moments to take in the gorgeous sight. Like me, Sam would be considered average by many people, yet I found him so sexy, I'd already creamed my panties. That thought reminded me I still had on my wet underwear. Snapping out of my lust-filled daze, I yanked off my panties, then spread my legs wide. Sam wasn't joking when he told me it wouldn't take him long to get hard again. He was already semi-erect, and as I planted my feet on the edge of the couch, keeping my knees bent, his gaze settled between my thighs. For a long moment, Sam studied me, as if he wanted to commit the sight of my naked body to memory. Then he began stroking his cock, his chest rapidly rising and falling with each shallow breath. When Sam moved toward the table to my right, I thought he was reaching for the box of condoms, but he only turned on the lamp. I tried not to flinch in the sudden light, for it had been far easier to be uninhibited in the shadows. “I want to get a good look at you,” he said in a husky voice, then knelt before the couch and leaned forward so he was at eye level with my most intimate place. I fought the urge to close my legs and hide myself. “I can't wait to taste you,” Sam whispered, drawing a fingertip between my wet, swollen inner folds. His mere touch brought a cry from my lips. As he lowered his mouth to my thigh and licked my skin, I knew he could was gathering traces of my juices on his tongue. His kisses were gentle while he traveled upward. By the time his mouth was just above my clit, I was writhing on the couch, desperate for him. Sam's eyes met mine. “Let me know what feels good, and what you want me to keep doing,” he murmured, and I readily nodded. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. Of course I'd imagined how this would feel, but imagining was worlds apart from actually experiencing. I was convinced I'd enjoy it, yet I wondered if it would be all that much different from the sensation I derived from touching myself. But oh God, it was different! As Sam sucked at my smooth outer lips, drawing them into his mouth, I couldn't hold back my mewls of pleasure. He gently spread me open with his fingers, and I stared down at him, my eyes widening when his tongue slid from my entrance to my clit. “Yes!” I cried. My hips began their rhythmic rocking, as if I were already fucking. I heightened my bliss by fondling my nipples, rolling those peaks between my fingers. Sam gazed up at me, and the blatant lust in his eyes made a shudder course through my body. The sound and feel of his eager lapping at my folds, and the warmth of his mouth mingling with my heat, was almost enough to make me orgasm right then and there. But he was far from finished with me. His lips gently circled my clit, almost teasingly, before he began lashing the swollen nub of flesh with his tongue. My plaintive cries filled the room. “Sam, oh God, keep doing that, please!” I begged. He happily complied, working his tongue against my clit at a relentless pace. I buried my fingers in his hair, resisting the urge to press his mouth even harder against me. Yet he seemed to sense what I needed, for he grabbed my hips, holding me firmly to him. My face was hot, and my breasts heaved as I breathed hard and fast. “I'm gonna come!” I wailed. “I'm so close!” Sam moaned at my words, showing my clit no mercy. The stimulation was almost more than I could bear, but my thighs began shaking, signaling that my body was about to surrender to a powerful orgasm. The first spasm caused me to arch my back and raise my hips. “Sam… oh, fuck!” I managed to shriek before falling silent and allowing the blissful contractions to seize me. I felt awash in ecstasy, never wanting it to end. Then it suddenly became too much. Still shaking, I squirmed in Sam's grasp. “I can't, oh it's too sensitive!” I managed to moan. He lifted his head, smiling as he gazed at my swollen clit. His expression made it clear that he was quite pleased with my helpless state. When he sat next to me on the couch, I noticed he was fully erect once more. I was breathing hard, yet I readily accepted his kiss. “Do you want to wait a little while?” he asked, smoothing my hair back from my flushed face. I quickly shook my head. While my clit was temporarily overstimulated, the rest of my body was another matter. Deep in my core, I throbbed with the need to take Sam deep inside me. This time he did reach for the condoms. I watched eagerly as he took one from the box. Though he was a virgin, he knew how to put it on correctly, and he winked at me while rolling the condom down the length of his erection. I grinned, making no attempt to hide my excitement. When Sam was ready, I started to lie back on the couch, but he grabbed my hand, and I looked at him expectantly. “Why don't you straddle me?” he suggested. “Then you can control the pace while taking me inside. The last thing I want to do is hurt you.” He was breathing faster, anticipation and lust clear on his face, yet he was putting my needs first. Stroking his cheek, I nodded before moving to plant a knee on either side of him. As I hovered above his cock, I took a deep, steadying breath. “I'm a little nervous,” I revealed with a shy smile. “I understand,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “Just take it slow, okay? No rush.” “Okay.” I placed my hands on the back of the couch, bracing myself while balancing on my knees. Sam took hold of his sheathed cock, and I waited for him to guide the tip directly to my opening so I could sink down upon it. Instead, he gently slid it between my inner lips, coating it with my juices. I was so wet, we didn't need lube. When Sam's cock grazed my clit, I released a needy whimper and knew no amount of discomfort would stop me from taking every inch of him inside. When he positioned his cock right at my entrance, I began lowering my body. “Ooh!” I released a soft cry as the head stretched me. Trying to hide my wince, I swallowed hard, then took another deep breath and kept going. My body was ready, more than ready, but I still had to move slowly. Sam gazed up at me, his expression rapt. I heard his groan of pleasure when I managed to accept the tip of his cock. There was a little pain, yes, but more of a sensation of pressure, of tremendous stretching. I knew Sam's cock was beautifully, perfectly average, but at that moment, it felt massive as it penetrated me. Then Sam was all the way inside, and I couldn't hold back a relieved smile while I settled down upon him. He smiled, too, then leaned forward to kiss me. I moaned into his mouth; I wondered if he could feel me trembling. At first I was afraid to move, afraid it would hurt. Sam appeared to read my mind, for he repeated, “No rush.” Then he reached between my thighs and gently rubbed my swollen clit. By that point, it wasn't as tender, and I took pleasure in the stimulation. “Oh, that feels so good,” I groaned. “You feel so good.” And he did. Though I hadn't yet begun to move, I derived a deep satisfaction from being so completely filled. As Sam's breath came faster and his mouth found mine once more, I realized he was shaking, too. Was it hard for him to remain still while he patiently waited for me to get used to his cock inside me? Finally I worked up the nerve to begin moving, my hips taking on a slow, rhythmic pace. I kept him almost all the way inside, not brave enough to try sliding up and down his length, but as Sam's features contorted with ecstasy, I knew he loved the way I gently rode him. With his fingers massaging my clit, he lowered his mouth to my left breast and took my nipple between his lips. “Oh God, yes!” I cried. It was as if my body had become a singular pulsing current of bliss, and my hips began moving faster. Sam let out a loud groan, which was muffled by my breast. A thin layer of sweat covered my skin, and I grew even more excited by the feel of his mouth sucking my nipple. When Sam lifted his head, he gave me a pleading stare. “Iris, oh… oh fuck, I'm not going to last!” His words were edged with something like panic. Seeing as how it was his first time, too, I certainly didn't expect him to hold out long. “That's okay,” I assured him with an affectionate smile. “Don't hold back, Sam.” While rolling my hips, I basked in the raw pleasure of the act. I could feel my own orgasm building, and soon Sam and I were both quaking, on the verge of release. His groans and my cries were loud enough to make me glad Nora was out for the evening. I felt Sam tense just before he came. His eyes locked with mine, and I gasped when he bucked his hips, driving his cock deeper inside me. He gave a helpless shout as he climaxed, his jaw slackening. Yet even in the grip of his orgasm, he continued rubbing my clit, determined to make me come. “Yes!” I wailed, surrendering to him then: to his fingers, his cock, and his stare full of bliss. A low scream escaped my lips as I reached my orgasm, my body wracked by delicious spasms. My muscles clenched around Sam's cock again and again, and he released a low groan. His breaths were shallow, and his face was flushed. Finally my contractions subsided, and as much as I wanted to nestle up against Sam and bask in our post-orgasmic satisfaction, I knew I couldn't. After giving him a quick kiss, I sat up, and he held the condom in place so it wouldn't slip while I eased myself off of him. Sam looked down at his slowly softening cock, and then he looked at me and grinned. “My God, that was incredible!” he said. “It sure was,” I replied, my grin mirroring his. Then I wondered if I was bleeding; I was only a little sore after our first time, but I figured I'd better check just in case. “Be right back,” I told him, then hurried to the bathroom to relieve myself. Wiping between my thighs, I discovered I hadn't bled at all. Next it was Sam's turn to clean up, and while he was in the bathroom, I put on my bra and panties. Grabbing a blanket from the back of the couch, I sat down and wrapped it around me, and I realized I couldn't stop smiling. Whatever the future might hold for me and Sam, I knew I would never regret him being my first. He returned to the living room, giving me a sweet grin. I watched as he pulled on his underwear and pants but didn't bother with his shirt. Then he settled on the couch next to me, and I draped the blanket around him as well. Sam wove his fingers through my hair, giving me a deep kiss with plenty of tongue. Though I'd just come twice, my body immediately responded to him. He held me close, and I sighed with contentment, resting my head on his shoulder. I noticed another film had begun on the television, this one featuring what appeared to be a werewolf rampaging through the night. “Thank you, Iris,” Sam whispered, interlacing his fingers with mine. “For everything.” “Thank you for making my first time so wonderful,” I whispered back. Sam turned to look at me, his gaze tender. “Sex with you was absolutely amazing,” he said, “but I'd like this to be more than just sex. I enjoyed every minute of tonight with you.” I beamed at his words, then planted another kiss on his mouth. “I want that, too,” I told him. “Oh, and just so you know?” he said with a grin, and I looked at him expectantly. “Halloween is now officially my favorite holiday.” To be continued.. by MoonlitOpal for Literotica

“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” (Luke 18:1 NLT) We’ve talked about the how and when of prayer, but what about the why? Why should we pray? The short answer is that Jesus told us to. In Luke 18:1, He shows His followers that “they should always pray and never give up” (NLT). Is there any better reason than that? Doctors recommend certain things for our health. We may not always understand why they’re beneficial—only that they are. The same thing goes for Jesus’ instruction to pray. We may not know why or how, but good things happen when we pray. It’s important to note, too, that Jesus wasn’t a do-as-I-say-and-not-as-I-do type of guy. Though He was God in human form, He maintained a very active prayer life. Before He fed thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fish, “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people” (John 6:11 NLT). Matthew 19:13 says, “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them” (NLT). Before He raised Lazarus from the dead, “Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me’” (John 11:41–42 NLT). When His arrest was at hand, Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane. “He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine’” (Luke 22:41–42 NLT). On the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NLT); “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT); and “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” (Luke 23:46 NLT). Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (NLT). He was refreshed and reenergized by the time He spent in fellowship and conversation with God. If Jesus felt the need to pray, we should, too. We could point out that praying is not a difficult task. Jesus said, “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:30 NLT). We could point out that Jesus gave us the instructions we need to establish and maintain an active, vital prayer life when He taught His disciples to pray in Luke 11:1–13. We could point out that He modeled prayer for us throughout the Gospels. But all we need to know is that Jesus instructed us to pray. “Jesus replied, ‘All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me’” (John 14:23–24 NLT). That’s all the reason we need to pray. Reflection question: When do you feel the need to pray? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adventure of Dirk: Hal's Woman with “Dick-Sucking-Lips” Dirk has a stimulating encounter with a friend's wife. By Original Aramis. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Dirk was halfway through another of his wandering road trips, this time to see an old biker buddy of his who had moved two states away when he was transferred by his company. Dirk had known Hal Jenkins since high school; he was one of the few people that Dirk got along with, and they had been friends ever since. When Hal got into motorcycles Dirk had approached him about joining the MC, but Hal said he just wasn't into it so he didn't. That didn't matter to Dirk as Hal was a true biker in every sense of the word, and the two of them had gone through some pretty interesting times and some pretty interesting women before Hal was transferred. When Hal called Dirk about six months ago to invite him to his wedding, you could have knocked Dirk over with a feather. Hal was the last person besides himself that Dirk would have ever thought would get married, but Hal told Dirk that his fiancé, Renee, was ‘the woman of my dreams in every possible way' and that he wanted to marry her 'before she wises up!' Dirk was unable to make the wedding since it was scheduled for the following week – Hal never was one for planning things out which is one reason Dirk never thought he would ever get married – but they had planned instead on Dirk riding out to see him and staying for a few days.  The earliest Hal's schedule at work would let that happen was six months away, but the time had finally passed and now Dirk was sitting in Hal's man cave (his garage) with their bikes parked in the driveway, cooling off after a long day's ride. It was the afternoon of the last day of Dirk's two-day visit, and they had made the best of it. They were sitting in a couple of foldable camp chairs enjoying a couple of cold bottles of beer with Dirk still wearing his colors, talking about anything and everything, just enjoying life and each other's company. “So whattaya think about my ol' lady, Dirk?” Hal asked, grinning at him over his beer bottle. “She's really something, ain't she?” “Yes, she most certainly is!” Dirk replied, nodding as he spoke. When he had met Renee upon his arrival, to say he was stunned would have been the understatement of the year. The best way to describe Renee was to say that she was what everyone thought about when they thought of the term 'biker chick.' Renee was about five feet five inches tall and around 115 pounds, Dirk would have guessed, with just enough meat on her bones to make her look really good. Dirk also would have guessed that at least eight pounds of that would have been breast meat, because Renee had a simply magnificent pair of tits. Full and round with just the right amount of sag to make them wobble inside the white halter top she was wearing when he first saw her, they were truly a sight to behold. The halter top was showing about a mile of cleavage, something which Dirk appreciated very much, and was a perfect match for the low-slung faded jeans she was wearing. The jeans were skintight until they reached her knees and then flared out just enough to give her a retro '60s hippie kind of look. Her waist was tapered and her stomach was flat, and while not as firm as a young girl's it was still firm enough to be very enticing. The faux diamond that hung from her navel only added to the look. And to top it all off, Renee had the blackest hair Dirk had ever seen, wavy and long, going down past her shoulders nearly to the middle of her back. Her hair was very thick as well, so Dirk imagined that she had either some Italian or Middle Eastern blood in her veins. The only thing missing from Renee having a complete 'biker chick' look was a tattoo or two, and when she turned to walk away from him Dirk saw not only a rounded, firm ass that swayed enticingly as she walked but a butterfly 'tramp stamp' peeking out from above the waistband her jeans as well. But the thing that drew Dirk's attention the most, even more than her spectacular bustline (Dirk had always been a 'boob man') was Renee's face, specifically her lips. Renee had big, dark brown eyes, high cheekbones, and a perfect nose that sat above the fullest, softest, most beautiful and absolutely perfect pair of lips he had ever seen. He had no idea how Hal had been lucky enough to land a woman who looked the way Renee looked, but he was glad for his old friend all the same. “Yeah, I'm damned lucky to have her, and you better believe I know it!” Hal said, taking a pull from his beer. Dirk was just about to fire up a cigar when Hal surprised him so much with his next statement that he nearly burned his face off. “And how about those lips, huh? Ain't those the best pair of dick sucking lips you've ever seen on a broad?” Hal said, grinning at Dirk. “Jesus, Hal!” Dirk said, shaking his hand to put out the match he was using to light the cigar. “What?” Hal said, looking at him. “That's your wife you're talking about, you know!” he said, putting the cigar back into the pocket of his vest while he was trying to make light of what he thought could turn out to be a bad situation. Hal quickly proved that he had nothing to worry about. “Hell, I know that! But she don't mind, trust me,” Hal said, grinning at Dirk. “I brag about her and those big DSLs to my friends all the time whether she's here or not!” “And she really doesn't mind?” Dirk asked, genuinely surprised. “Hell, no, she doesn't mind!” Hal said, laughing. “She loves to hear me brag about her! I think it kind of turns her on, you know?” he said, lowering his voice in a conspiratorial way. “All I know is that every time she hears me bragging about her DSLs to my friends, we have some of the best sex ever!” “Well, some women are like that, that's for sure,” he said, having run into a woman or two like that in his life as well. “And besides, she really does!” Hal said, raising his beer bottle to his lips to take another drink. “She really does, what?” Dirk asked, doing the same. “She really does suck a mean dick!” Dirk sprayed beer out of his mouth when Hal said this. “Dammit, Hal!” he said, sitting up and wiping the beer from the front of his shirt and vest. “Well, she does!” Hal insisted, not understanding what all the fuss was about. “I tell ya, that woman can suck a golf ball through a garden hose!” “I'm sure she does – well, maybe not quite that good, but still – warn me before you say something like that, willya?” Dirk said, sitting back in his chair again. “You don't believe me,” Hal said, looking at Dirk. “Huh?” Dirk said. “About how good Renee is at sucking dick. You don't believe me!” “Of course I do! You've never lied to me before, have you?” “No, I haven't.” “Okay, so why wouldn't I believe you now?” “Then what's with that 'maybe not quite that good' part, then?” Hal asked. “I didn't mean anything by it, Hal, really,” Dirk said, concerned that he'd hurt his friend's feelings. “I'm sorry, I'm sure she's just as good at sucking dick as you say she is.” “Okay, well, then let me prove it to you,” Hal said, a smile creeping across his face. “Prove it to me? How?” Dirk asked. “By letting Renee suck your dick,” he said, grinning at Dirk. “Are you serious?” Dirk asked, staring at his old friend. “I mean, really? You're serious? You want Renee, your own wife, to suck my dick?” he asked, not believing what he had heard. “Serious as a heart attack, my brother!” Hal replied, sitting back in his chair and grinning at Dirk. He lifted his beer bottle to his lips and took a drink before continuing. “And trust me, when she's done with you, you'll be thanking me for letting her do it! That woman can suck the chrome off a trailer hitch, I tell ya!” “This is incredible,” Dirk said, sitting back in his chair, still holding his beer in one hand. “I can't believe you'd have Renee do that!” “Well, you'd better believe it, my friend, because it's about to happen!” Hal said, getting up and going over to the short staircase leading to the door that opened into the house. He climbed up the three steps and opened the door, then called out to his wife. “Hey, Renee, darlin', would you come in here for a minute, please?” he said, then walked back over and sat down in the camp chair to await her arrival. It was less than a minute later when Renee appeared in the doorway, giving them both a big smile. She was wearing the same jeans as before, but this time she was wearing a red and white striped tube top instead of the halter. Yes, baby? she said, her hands on the sides of the doorframe. 'My God, but that woman is hot! Dirk thought to himself, taking a drink from his beer. I been braggin on you and those DSLs of yours again to Dirk here, tellin him all about how good you are at giving blowjobs and all, and I m not sure he believes me, Hal said, motioning towards Dirk with his beer. Renee looked at Dirk and her smile got bigger. So you want me to suck his dick to prove it to him, baby? she said, looking Dirk straight in the eyes. Is that it? Yep, that s it, darlin ! Hal said, smiling. I can do that! Renee said, her smile bigger than ever. She walked down the three steps into the garage, her big tits swaying in the tube top, never taking her eyes off of Dirk. She walked over to him and stopped in front of him, standing between his feet as he sat in the chair. She looked down at him for just a moment, still smiling, before she spoke again. How about it, Dirk? Would you like for me to suck your dick? she asked, her voice low and sultry. I m really good at sucking dick, and I d just love to prove it to you by sucking yours! What about Hal? You know, your husband? Dirk said, looking up into those dark brown eyes that were now sparkling and filled with desire. You d do that with him sitting right there? he asked. Sure! Renee replied, her smile getting a bit bigger. I suck dick in front of him all the time, don t I, baby? she said, her eyes traveling down to Dirk s crotch and lingering there for a moment before going back to his eyes. You sure do! Hal said, grinning proudly. Every time we throw a party, she finds a guy that turns her on and she just has to suck his dick, and I always get to watch! he explained. And then, when the party is over, we go into the bedroom and I tell Hal all about it, how it turned me on, how good the guy s cum tasted, and then we have the best sex you can imagine! she said, her smile never faltering. But she never fucks anyone else, though, Hal said. That s reserved just for me, right, darlin ? Hal said. Renee nodded as she replied. That s right, baby, nobody fucks me but you! she said. So how about it, Dirk? You want me to show you how good I am at sucking cock by sucking yours? Sure, why the fuck not! Dirk said, tossing his hands up in the air and letting them drop to the arm rests of the chair, still holding on to his beer with one hand. He was trapped and he knew it, so why not sit back and enjoy it? 'Besides, there s no way she s as good as Amy, Dirk thought to himself, thinking of the girl he d met at a club party a few weeks ago. She had really gone at him, and the memories were still fresh. Good! Renee said, moving in closer. She reached down and spread his legs further apart, then knelt down between them right in front of his crotch. Hal, honey, you might want to turn the fan on and close the garage door, she said, settling in front of Dirk. We don t want to give the neighbors a free show, and with the door closed it s gonna get hot in here pretty quick! Good point, baby! Hal said, getting up and going over to the button on the wall next to the door to the house and pressing it. The garage door slid closed behind them, and then Hal flipped a switch next to the garage door button and a fan mounted up in a corner of the ceiling came on. Then Hal walked over to a canoe that was lying on the floor next to the wall, picking up a floatation cushion and then handing it to his wife. Here, darlin , use this! Hal said, handing her the cushion. Thank you, baby! Renee said, taking the cushion from him and putting it on the ground in front of her to kneel on. As soon as she was settled, she reached up and began unfastening Dirk s jeans, smiling as she worked at getting them open. I bet you have a big dick! You have a big dick, don t you, Dirk? she asked, looking up at him and smiling while getting the jeans open and pulling down the fly. See for yourself! he said, making Renee grin. She reached inside his jeans for his cock and was pleasantly surprised to find that he wasn t wearing anything under his jeans. She looked up at him and grinned as she wrapped her fingers around his soft cock. No underwear! she said, pulling his cock out of his jeans and then spreading the fly of the jeans as wide as possible. I like that! But right now, I m gonna wrap my lips around your cock and suck it until it s hard, she said, looking up at him and smiling. I just love feeling a man s cock get hard in my mouth! Before Dirk could reply she dipped her head down and put her lips on the head of his cock, sucking his entire soft cock into her mouth. She looked up at him as sucked hard, her cheeks hollowing in, running her tongue over and around the sensitive tip. This made Dirk jump just a little as he was really sensitive at the tip of his dick, and Hal chuckled at his reaction. Told you she was good! he said, grinning at Dirk. But you ain t seen nothin yet! Renee pulled her head back and let his hardening cock slip out of her mouth, holding the head in her mouth for a moment before sucking it all in her mouth again. She did this several times, pleased to find that Dirk was getting harder, longer, and thicker in her mouth very quickly. She slid her mouth up to the head of his cock, holding it there for a moment before she released it from her mouth with a soft 'pop. She smiled up at him as she spoke, gripping his cock tightly in one hand while opening his jeans further with the other. Let s get these big balls out, shall we? she said, smiling up at him as she pulled his balls out of his jeans. Oooh, nice! I just love playing with a man s balls! she said, massaging them in her hand while still pumping his cock. He was rock-hard by now, the precum beginning to flow with a drop of the clear fluid appearing at the tip of his cock. Oh, look! she said, grinning up at him as she noticed the drop of precum. Is that for me? Yummy! she said, sticking her wide, long tongue out and licking up the drop of slick fluid, making sure she licked as much of the head of his cock as she could in doing so. She had the widest, longest, and thickest tongue Dirk had ever seen, and she was good with it very good. As he watched, she put her lips right on the tip of his cock and sucked, pulling more of the fluid out of him. Hmm! she moaned, smiling up at him. She sat back a little and swallowed, then ran her wet tongue over her lips and smiled, looking directly at him. Eye contact was obviously a big thing with her, and she was very good at it among other things, as he was about to find out. I m gonna give you a tongue bath, and then I m gonna suck the cum right out of you! she said, grinning from ear to ear. She looked like an excited little girl with her hand gripping a nice, big lollypop, and Dirk had a feeling that was exactly how she was going to treat him like a treat ready to be swallowed. She stuck that wide, thick tongue out again and slowly licked him from the base of his balls all the way up to the head of his cock, never taking her eyes from his. Want me to time you, baby? Hal asked, taking a pull from his beer. Sure! Renee replied, grinning up at Dirk as she pumped his cock in her hand. Let s see if I can break my record on how fast I can make him cum! So what s your record? Dirk asked. Five minutes! she said, giving him a sly smile before licking his cock again. But I have a feeling you might take a little bit longer than that, she said, licking him again. What makes you say that, baby? Hal asked. Call it a hunch, Renee replied, never taking her eyes from Dirk, but I just have a feeling that ol Dirk here is gonna be a tough nut to crack or to make cum, that is! Guess there s only one way to find out, huh? Dirk said, smiling at her. She smiled back as she replied. I guess so! she said, giving him one last, wet, lingering lick from his balls to the head of his dick. You ready, baby? Hal asked, holding up his wrist with his watch on it, thumb on the button. Oh, yeah! Renee replied, grinning up at Dirk. Go! Hal said, starting the stopwatch. Renee lowered her mouth down to his cock and took the head into her mouth, clamping her lips around the shaft just behind the flared ridge. Then she applied suction, lots of it, and then slid her mouth down onto his hard shaft, taking his entire length into her mouth in one long, fluid motion. She pulled her head back up the length of his shaft slowly, running her thick tongue over and around his cock as she did, massaging and squeezing his balls with one hand, maintaining the suction she was applying. When she got to the head of his cock she paused, keeping it trapped in her mouth, running her tongue over and around the sensitive head before sliding her mouth back down his cock once more, literally sucking it into her mouth and down her throat. She pushed her face down until her nose bumped against his abdomen, and she moaned as she made the trip back up his cock once more, her cheeks hollowing in from the suction she was applying. Um! she moaned, looking up at Dirk and smiling around his cock in her mouth. When she got to the head of his cock she held it in her mouth again, sucking on it while running her thick tongue along the underside. The suction she was applying was incredible, and Dirk could feel the precum being sucked from him. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she let about half of the head of his cock out of her mouth, her big, soft lips wrapped around it as she sucked on him. Then she moaned again as she slid her mouth back down his cock once more, making loud slurping noises as she sucked his throbbing shaft into her wet, sucking mouth. His cock was coated with her saliva by now, and he could feel it running down his balls as she worked on him. 'Holy shit, she s good! She s even better than Amy! Dirk thought to himself as he watched Renee gobbling his cock over and over again. She was applying constant suction on his cock, pausing every now and then to draw a breath either through her nose or through her mouth when she opened her lips up just enough to breathe before clamping them around his cock again. She was obviously a fan of sloppy blowjobs, as by now his cock and balls and the front of his jeans were drenched with her saliva, and the garage was filled with the slurping sounds she was making as she sucked his cock. While she was working on his cock with her mouth, she was busy working on his balls with her hand. She massaged and squeezed them as she sucked on his cock, pulling and tugging on them as well. Dirk gritted his teeth as she tugged on them particularly hard as she sucked on his cock very hard, dragging her mouth back up its length. Dirk knew that if she kept this up he d be cumming in her mouth in no time, and he was determined to resist as long as he could. Renee looked up at him as she paused to suck on the head of his cock yet again, the loud slurping sounds filling the garage. She winked at him before looking over at her husband, tapping her finger against the back of her other wrist, her mouth still clamped onto the head of Dirk s cock. Hal looked down at his watch and smiled. Four minutes, baby! Hal said. You better hurry up and make him cum if you wanna beat your record! Renee dove down onto Dirk s cock, slurping loudly as she took his entire length into her mouth and down her throat. She was intent on making him cum, and to Dirk s amazement she actually increased the suction she was applying to his cock! Her cheeks were hollowed in so far that Dirk was surprised her whole head didn t cave in as she sucked on him. She slid her mouth up and down his throbbing cock over and over again, pulling and tugging on his balls, moaning as she worked on him, her eyes rolling back into her head. She was obviously enjoying this as much as Dirk was. But Dirk was intent on holding out, and he was using every trick in the book to resist blasting his cum into her mouth. He thought of Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and every other ugly woman he could think of to delay the inevitable. He thought of the time he went down on the bike he had before the Heritage he was riding now, remembering the crushed hulk that used to be his pride and joy. But no matter how hard he tried, he knew that he was going to be cumming into Renee s mouth very soon. And Renee knew it as well. She redoubled her efforts, sliding her mouth up and down his throbbing shaft faster, grabbing the base of his cock with one hand and pumping it while she sucked on him, the other hand pulling and tugging on his balls at the same time. Dirk was quickly losing the fight, and when he realized all was lost he simply gave in and let it happen. And boy, did it happen! As soon as he dropped his guard his balls shifted and his cock exploded as his orgasm hit. He groaned loudly through clenched teeth as his orgasm hit, his back arching in the chair as his cock blasted stream after stream of hot, thick cum into Renee s wet, sucking mouth. She cried out in glee around his cock in her mouth, never stopping what she was doing, intent on sucking and pumping every last drop of his cum out of him. That s it, baby, you got him! Hal cried, grinning as he watched his wife sucking the cum from his friend s cock. He was rock-hard himself and intended on fucking the ever-lovin shit out of Renee as soon as he got her in the house after Dirk was gone. He pressed the button on his watch to stop it but didn t look at it yet as he was busy watching his wife drink down all of Dirk s cum. Four, five, six times Dirk felt his cock pumping his cum into Renee s wet mouth, and she drank it all down without missing a drop. She clung to his cock with her mouth like a vacuum cleaner, keeping the pressure up until she felt the throbbing and pumping of his cock in her mouth start to slow. She slowed the motions of her mouth on his cock and eased her grip on his balls, massaging them gently as she slowly slid her mouth up and down Dirk s cock, sucking the last bit of cum from him as his orgasm finally slowed and then stopped. When it was over Dirk was left breathless, gasping for air as Renee slid her mouth slowly up the length of his cock to the head, keeping it there for a moment before releasing it from her mouth. She grinned at him, her eyes sparkling, as she ran her tongue over her lips. You taste good, Dirk! she said, proud of herself. What was my time, baby? she said, looking over at Hal. He looked down at his watch and grinned, shaking his head a bit as he replied. Six minutes, twenty-two seconds, baby, he said, He beat you! Damn! she replied, looking up at Dirk and smiling. And I thought for sure I had you! You almost did, he replied, returning her smile. You can thank Nancy Pelosi for not beating me! Oh, my Gawd! Renee said, grimacing at the mention of Pelosi s name. That ugly bitch could make a doorknob vomit! No wonder you held out so long! You came close, though, I can tell you that! Dirk said, tucking his now-soft cock back into his jeans, the front of which were wet with her saliva. I want a rematch! she said, looking up at him and then over at her husband. The next time he comes to visit, I want a rematch! Okay, baby? she said, looking over at Hal. Sure thing, baby! Hal replied. As long as Dirk is up for it, that is. How about it, Dirk? You wanna give Renee another go at your cock and see if she can beat her record? he asked, grinning from ear to ear. The way she sucks dick? Are you kidding me? he said, returning Hal s grin. I d have to be out of my fuckin mind to say no! Good! Renee said, grinning as she stood up in front of him. And the next time I get my lips around your cock, I m gonna make you cum so hard and so fast you won t know what hit you! Until next time, then! she said, bending over and giving Dirk a quick peck on the lips before turning and walking away. Dirk and Hal both watched her ass wiggling as she walked away. She pressed the garage door button and turned off the fan on her way out, and as the garage door slid open Hal got up and got them both a fresh beer. He handed one to Dirk and then sat down, and together they twisted off the tops of the beer bottles. Hal held his out to Dirk and spoke. Here s to the best little cocksucker in the entire world, he said, grinning at Dirk, and to next time! I ll drink to that! Dirk said, clinking his bottle against Hal s. They both took a long pull from their bottles, and then Dirk spoke again. You re gonna fuck the ever-loving shit out of her after I m gone, aren t you? he asked, and Hal nodded and chuckled as he replied. Yup! he said, nodding. You re a lucky man, Hal, Dirk said, taking another drink from his bottle. Don t I fuckin know it! Hal replied, grinning at Dirk. Ten minutes later the beers were gone, and Dirk figured it was time for him to head back to the hotel. Hal had offered to let him stay at his house, but Dirk had politely refused. As much as he loved Hal he also loved his privacy; that, plus he wanted a place to take a woman should he get lucky and meet up with one on the trip. When you comin back, my friend? Hal asked, looking up at him from his seat in the camp chair. You tell me, Dirk said. I can make it back here any time you want, all you have to do is tell me when. How about next month? Hal said. Or is that too soon for a road trip that long? The way your wife sucks dick? Hell, I d be here next week if you wanted me to! Dirk said, grinning down at Hal. Hal laughed at this, and Dirk laughed along with him. Hal stood up and threw his arms around Dirk, hugging him. Dirk hugged him back; he really cared for Hal and wasn t afraid to show it. Most bikers weren t, and they were no different. Thank you, my old friend! Hal said, his hands on Dirk s upper arms as he spoke. Don t mention it, my friend, Dirk said, patting the back of one of Hal s hands as he spoke. Now let me get out of here so you can go inside and fuck your wife! They hugged again, and then Dirk walked over to his bike and got on, swinging a leg over it and picking it up from the kickstand. He moved the kickstand up and out of the way, then turned on the ignition and listened to the fuel injection whine. He thumbed the starter and the big Harley engine roared to life, the pipes thundering. He backed the bike out of the driveway and then waved to Hal who waved back, then he put the bike in gear and rode off down the street. Hal turned and walked towards the door to the house, pushing the button for the garage door as he walked inside. He was grinning from ear to ear. Dirk was also grinning as he rode away, already looking forward to his next trip out to see Hal and Renee, even though he was pretty sure he was going to lose next time. But that wasn t such a bad thing after all, was it?  By Original Aramis for Literotica.

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 18 Even if you know who you crawl into bed with, be surprised. In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.   You will never see tomorrow's sunrise or yesterday's night. Caught In the Middle My clothing melted away as I slowly made my way to the bed. On the far side, Mercy reclined with some degree of expectation and happiness on her face. Her hands were cuffed over her head and her thighs showed some degree of vaginal stimulation by Rio. Last night Rio had taken it slow and gentle with her. Tonight, I imagined that Rio was going to tear a chunk off, so to speak. On the closer side of the bed rested Brandi (on the outside), Opal, Paige and Barbie Lynn. Barbie Lynn was pretending to be disinterested, throwing a yawn into the act; Paige's eyes were riveted on me; Opal acted as if she was smitten with me as well; and Brandi knew something was going on but wasn't sure what it was. Poor Paige was about to be ambushed. "Hey, my petit Принцесса," I simmered at Paige as I crawled up the bed toward her. It was clear she wanted to be center stage tonight, but she kept dragging along her body issues she'd felt thrust upon her years ago. A woman doesn't have to be busting out of a D-cup, have an hourglass shape, or the face of a Victoria's Secret model to pull a man's eye in for a feast. I got to Paige's ankles and the confidence of her smile shown through. She pulled her legs up and prepared to slip off her panties. "No you don't," I cautioned her as I grabbed her ankles and pulled her down toward me. "What did you call her?" Brandi chimed in. "I'm pretty sure that means 'Princess' in Russian," I replied in a husky voice, my eyes still soaking up Paige's beauty. "I once saw a Swedish art house film translated over to Russian in a Bangkok theater." "That's freaky-weird," Mercy remarked, running her fingers along her collar. "You can recall a word from a film in a language you don't even understand." "It had to do with a woman," Barbie Lynn grinned at Mercy before turning to me. "He's like that, and I love him for it." Paige looked from Mercy to Barbie Lynn to me, and that was her mistake. "Hey!" Paige squawked as Barbie Lynn and Opal grabbed her wrists and forearms, maneuvering them over her head. She struggled with Barbie Lynn and Opal but they were far more athletic than she was. I settled in between her legs and began kissing the insides of her upper thighs. "No," Paige began moaning as Barbie Lynn and Opal began sucking on her breasts through her sheer bra. Rio came striding into the room still stark naked but now carrying a large bowl of Neapolitan ice cream covered in chocolate syrup and a cherry. She rounded the bed and stutter-stepped. "Crap," she muttered. "Take this," Rio put the bowl on Mercy's quivering stomach, "I've got to get something for my Spank-o-matic." Spank-o-matic was her pet name for Barbie Lynn. Opal moved her lips up Paige's chest to her throat. Barbie Lynn, on the other side, jumped past Opal by going straight from the nipple to the ear. Since Opal was on her side, Brandi was able to straddle her and lean over to Paige's chest. She rolled up Paige's bra, temporarily pinching those pale pink nipples. "Iiieee!" Paige jolted. "Watch, her protests were buried by Opal's lips clamping down on Paige's and their tongues starting to play tag. Brandi continued her attack on Paige by popping her mouth over the breast closest to Barbie Lynn and swirling the nipple with her tongue, Opal had been doing a good job showing Brandi how to share pleasure. "Good God!" Brandi exalted. "This one tastes like cherries." Paige stifled a sob as Brandi went down for a second taste. I imagine Paige wanted me to discover this inventive little twist. I began rubbing her panties with my nose and kissing her panty covered cunt. I rolled my lips back and forth over her cunt. "Why are you doing this to me?" Paige whimpered once she broke her lips free from Opal's embrace. "Honey, do you think none of us noticed how much you make Zane smile?" Barbie Lynn drawled. "It isn't like he'd tell us what turned him on about you, Paige, so Barbie and I decided to find out for ourselves," Opal added. "Zane?" Paige begged for understanding. "I had no part of this, but once I saw Opal and Barbie Lynn closing in for the kill, I decided to play along because, quite frankly, you are so tasty," I confessed. "Brandi, please, I can't think straight with you nipping at my breasts like that," Paige pleaded. "Umm," Brandi mumbled before releasing her suction on Paige's breast. "Tell me what flavor the other one is. Is it cherry too?" Never more than an inch away, Brandi fell back to Paige's pale but painfully aroused nipple. "No," Paige wailed. "I want Zane to find out, ah, strawberry," she finally gasped out. "Let me sample it first, Brandi," I requested. Brandi shot me a peek down past her naked breast and gave me a wink. Barbie Lynn took advantage of Paige's distress, kissing her deeply and passionately. "Honey," Barbie panted to Paige, "is there anywhere else you want to be?" "I, no," Paige managed to get out. Opal tilted Paige's head toward her and took in a full kiss. "You are so eminently fuckable," Opal purred. Before Paige could respond, Barbie Lynn drew Paige back in. Within seconds, Paige was working in a three-way tug-of-passion with Opal and Barbie Lynn tongues. Brandi was letting her tongue wander from Paige's right nipple down to her belly and below until we kissed. Before and after that we worked down her panties until I finally cast them aside. I did a push up, Brandi wiggled underneath me, pressing her delicious tush against my raging rod, and I switched positions to where Brandi had been. Her left nipple really did taste like strawberries. I figured she'd used strawberry jam in a light enough glaze that its sugary redness was perfectly camouflaged by the pale pink of her areolas, freaking clever girl. Paige tilted her head away from her playmates long enough to see if I was the participant in question and if I enjoyed the experience. "Umm, damn clever," I murmured. "I've never thought of doing that before." Her eyes positively flared triumphantly at the news. "Well," Paige gasped, "you have only a, mediocre, intellect," she finished purring because Opal and Barbie Lynn's fingers and lips were driving her to distraction. "I still don't understand." Paige struggled for a breath between amorous attentions. "You pretty, pretty girl," Opal soothed seductively. "You are the most beautiful creature here tonight. Tomorrow morning the contest goes on, but tonight you are the Grand Prize winner, mainly, you've won us," she indicated herself, Barbie Lynn and Brandi. For other girls, they had often been called beautiful, pretty, and had reason to believe they were the hottest woman in the room. That had never been Paige; she had pride and pride to spare but that had always been based on her smarts. Her smarts were how she had ensnared me and while she knew I saw her as a beautiful creature, she largely believed I was alone in that assessment, until now. The borderline panic that had been residing inside Paige evaporated as all that energy turned into boiling sexual expression. It wasn't until Brandi was sucking deeply on her cunt that Paige realized I'd withdrawn to the foot of the bed. "Zane?" she panted as she raised her head once more and looked for me. "Paige, trust me; you are doing fantastic without me. Besides, we have most of the night. Once they have had all they can take from you, you are all mine," I grinned wickedly. She lowered her head back slowly and let Barbie Lynn and Opal hold her down and dominate her affections. "Mercy, wouldn't it be nice if some hottie wanted you as much as those bitches want Paige?" Rio teased her playmate. Mercy's immediate reaction was drowned out by her shudder as Rio dolloped a spoon full of ice cream onto her breast just above the nipple. The 'near miss' was torture enough for the girl. "Yes, one does," shivered Mercy. "Have you been letting someone else sample your goodies which are rightfully mine?" Rio quizzed her as she lapped up the ice cream as it melted toward Mercy's neck. "No," Mercy squeaked. "The only hottie in my life is you." "Wait; did I give you permission to speak?" Rio changed the direction of her attack. "Yes," Mercy gulped, "I mean, you asked me a question." Rio shimmied up until she was resting her crotch on Mercy's hips. She then took Mercy's nipples between her thumbs and forefingers, twisting them and pulling them up painfully. "That definitely sounded like you were being a smart-ass," Rio declared authoritatively. "Were you being a smart-ass, my cum-bunny?" "Eeep!" Mercy squealed from the pain. "Which answer do you want to hear?" Rio's eyes grew wide. She rolled her body forward until they were breast to breast and chin to chin. "Oh, yes, you are being a clever little wench. No matter what I say, you are going to say the opposite because you want me to take ownership of your lush, big-titties body, don't you?" Rio teased. "Yes?" Mercy hesitantly guessed. "Sorry, but you can't piss me off tonight, you annoying cunt," Rio taunted. Of course, 'annoy' was Rio and Mercy's key word for loving one another. "I've already got something horrible planned for this evening and you aren't going to distract me." Mercy noticeably perked up at that announcement. "I promise this is going to tear you up inside and out too," Rio gloated. Rio dismounted Mercy and scampered to her personal toy drawer. She gathered up several preselected goods and strode confidently back to Mercy's side. "Zane, I could use a hand," she called out as her goods spilled out of her hands. Mercy looked on attentively but didn't risk Rio's wrath by speaking. "Sure, what do you need?" I inquired as I crawled over carefully so as not to disturb the ladies on my side of the bed. Rio lubed up a slender steel vibrator. "Here, hold this (a vibrator) in place," Rio directed me to press the device's point against Mercy's clit with the trigger on her belly. I did it and was curious to figure out what Rio had planned. Rio presented her 'normal' strap-on, grinned at me, then started rubbing it on Mercy. I had to smile at her imagination but I had a feeling Mercy hadn't totally clued in yet to what the plan was. Rio began pouring lubricant over the artificial cock, the other vibrator, and then over a small series of anal beads, anal beads? When did I get anal beads? "AK!" Mercy gasped as the first bead was pushed in. "What was that?" "Shut up, Ass-angel," Rio smirked, "only a few more to go, so suck it up and be my bitch." As this new form of sexual expression was going on before me, a thought occurred. "Rio, you borrowed my credit card and car, didn't you?" I whispered. Rio's response was a maniacal grin. Mercy on the other hand, "Zane, I'm sorry," then Rio slapped Mercy's thigh, "Ow! She said she had your, Ouch!, permission." "I'm cool with it, Mercy, but Rio's license was suspended so next time you need to do the driving," I consoled the girl. Rio was too happy with herself to become overly upset with our little conversation. As if she was trying to prove how crazy/inventive she could be, Rio began putting the strap-on on, Mercy. Even as she fitted it snugly in place the realization was coming over Mercy. She desperately wanted to ask Rio something but was too torn up by Rio's glee to ruin the moment. Rio stroked Mercy's artificial cock a few times to make sure it was totally lubricated. "Okay," Rio cooed to Mercy as she mounted her stomach, "I'm going to make this easy on you because you are annoyingly child-like. When I rub your breasts," Rio let her hands settle and caress Mercy's tits, "it means I want you to pump me slow and easy." "When I pull your delicious nipples like this," Rio yanked and Mercy bucked up and grunted in pain, "I want you to hammer me as hard as you can. Does any part of my instructions confuse your little mind?" Mercy shook her head, indicating her understanding, but a definite sense of joy was coming over her countenance. She knew how good being penetrated felt and Rio trusted her to return the favor. Only when Rio's hip rotations rubbed the dildo into Rio's cunt did Mercy protest. "Rio, that's your, your cunt?" Mercy pleaded softly. Remaining incredibly unpredictable, Rio leaned down to Mercy's face and kissed her with tenderness. "Mercy-babe, I haven't been a virgin for some time. Stupid shit-long ago-let's not talk about it right now," Rio whispered. "Rio, I lo, I've never found anyone more annoying than you," Mercy breathed back. "I never thought I would." "That's your problem," Rio laughed quietly. "It is my job to do all the thinking while you look all hot, sweaty, and sexy. Am I going to have to hammer your tight asshole to make my point clear?" "Please?" Mercy perked up. Rio responded with some serious tongue-on-tongue play accompanied by intense mammary stimulation before speaking. "Maybe," Rio teased, "but someone has to get my rocks off before I contemplate anything else, so get to it." Rio began a series of rotations and presses to work the strap-on further into her cunt. After a few motions, Mercy fell into a sympathetic rhythm and was rocking up when Rio stopped, making Rio's ride one continuous penetration. Rio kept an intense eye-lock with Mercy as she took the plastic cock. She playfully tugged at her own lower lip as her breathing picked up a pace. "I think you've been fucking dozens of other sluts behind my back," Rio expressed deeply. "So have you been jumping some poor girl in the showers? Do you press them up against the wall and tear up those untouched cunts, or do you bend them over facing the wall and bugger those virgin assholes? " "No, no, I haven't," Mercy whimpered. "But you've wanted to," Rio teased her through increasingly hearty pants. "No, Mercy gulped. "So, you've never wanted to bend me over a sofa out there and make me squeal with pleasure?" Rio persisted in a mysterious tone. Mercy squeezed her eyes shut and turned away. "So if I ordered you to surprise me some night, jump me, bend me over and stir me up inside like only a wanton fuck-bunny could, you wouldn't do what I commanded, my Whore?" Rio taunted. "No," Mercy replied desperately as she looked upon Rio's face once more, "I would do that for you." "Do you know why?" Rio whispered. Mercy had no thoughts she could articulate. "You'll do it because you are Mine, I own you and you will do whatever is necessary to make me happy. You are going to tell me every dark little secret you hide in the horniest, sexiest part of your mind; every fantasy you have, every thought that makes you wet, and I'm going to make you live them out. You won't try to hide any from me because you know that if you lie, when I figure them out eventually, and I will figure them all out, I'm simply going to fulfill them with some other hottie I pick up instead of you. Is that what you want?" "No," Mercy whispered. "So every kinky, freaked-out, sexy over-the-top thing you want to do, you are going to tell me about, even though you know I'm going to force you to do it?" Rio scolded. "Yes," Mercy continued quietly. "If you don't tell me or you refuse to do what I say, I'm going to start selling you to motorcycle gangs and frat parties and find someone I can trust instead. All you can do is obey because I have total control over you, and if you don't you know how crazy I can be; clear enough for you, Butt-Slut?" Rio closed the trap. "I'll do whatever you want," Mercy responded; liberated by Rio from any guilt she might have. Now she could still be the Good Girl, only now she was one forced to do bad things against her will. Rio would soak up all the 'badness' in their relationship, be the one she could blame, and Mercy found that overwhelmingly, annoying. It was enough to make Mercy want to annoy Rio for years and years to come. "Good girl," Rio stroked her cheek. "Enough talking; shut the fuck up and start pounding this cunt until I squirt and scream." Mercy was a moment too slow so Rio began working over her nipples energetically and painfully. It got the desired effect; Mercy propelled her hips up so forcefully Rio rose over an inch off the dildo. "Wow, better than a whole year of horse-riding lessons," Rio giggled. "Oh, before I forget, I have one more treat for my personal prostitute." She reached down to the top of the vibrator and cut it on to the medium setting, shooting a jolt straight to Mercy's clit. "Oh, God!" Mercy gasped. "You are so annoying I had to think of something special just for you, Butter-cunt. I bet those vibrations feel great against that juicy clit of yours," Rio teased, and Mercy nodded vigorously in response. I had to consider that it wasn't two weeks ago that fundamentalist Mercy had been weeping on top of me, crying that her life was over because I had gently masturbated her once. Now she was working out 1,001 Nights of Pleasure with one of the greatest perverts I knew, who says you never see miracles anymore? As turned my attention back to Paige's prize, I noted a small black wooden paddle Rio must have tossed Barbie Lynn's way right behind her rump. Feeling inspired, I rolled back to Mercy and Rio, reached around to retrieve the lube, and began slinking up on Barbie from behind. Barbie Lynn was totally drawn into the play around Paige so ignored me. Opal and Barbie Lynn were orchestrating sensitive excitement from the top of Paige's pale haired head to the flat plain that flowed from her ribs down past her hips. Barbie Lynn had told me she was familiar with other female students before she met me. I would have bet that Opal had experimented a time or two. That the two of them could make such compassionate love to Paige was a surprising marvel to me. Paige's normally translucent flesh was blushed red with blood at every point her top two lovers had tantalized with all their kisses and licks. I was sure that if Paige could have found her voice, she would have been singing out to the Heavens with joy. The cause of her physical incapacity was Brandi, who was experimenting on her own style of cunt-licking. I studied Brandi for a minute before I knew what her technique was. She'd flit her tongue back and forth like a tiny motorboat for several seconds then switch to a slow probing action for twice as long before returning to the rapid-fire motion. The result was that Paige would amp up but before she could spike, Brandi would let her cool down before driving her to even greater heights closer to climax once more. I guess I can be a bit of a bastard. The girls were going along so wonderfully yet I still felt I had to indulge in my swelling need. I settled on my knees behind Barbie Lynn and brushed the paddle across that so-perfect ass. She taunted me with that ass, pushing back toward me, increasing its vulnerability, but kept her primary attention on Paige. I repeat: Barbie Lynn is beyond awesome. I reached back and paddled her once. Barbie Lynn took a deep breath but didn't relent. The second spank was harder and the third harder still. It was the fourth one that did the trick. "Oh, God, Yes," Barbie Lynn exclaimed. The great thing was that her body rocked forward and her ginormous breasts brushed over Paige's face. Paige was excited, not lost in orgasm. It took her maybe three milliseconds to latch onto one of Barbie Lynn's tits and engulf an areola in her mouth. Chewing on that nipple came a few seconds later. Barbie Lynn began moaning up a storm and stroking Paige's hair, Opal grinned and fell ravenously on Paige's left nipple, and Brandi went over to full-on clitoral assault mode. Paige gamely held on for almost a minute before she let Barbie Lynn go and proclaimed her immense pleasure. "Oh, all of you, oh, God, I, I can't take, Oh Fuck, Zane!" she ended up screaming. Huh? I had done nearly nothing this session and still there was my undeserved name on a woman's lips. If the girls had resented me I would have totally understood. Instead, Barbie Lynn looked over her shoulder, rubbed a hand along the paddle resting on her ass and smiled. Opal laughed musically. Brandi was beset by Paige's orgasm though. Paige's stocking clad thighs were wrapped tightly around Brandi's head as she thrashed and undulated over the sheets. Brandi kept lapping like a champ because Paige was a copious ejaculator, as I could attest. "Damn, Zane, you can pick 'em," Opal congratulated me. "What? This plan wasn't mine," I confessed. "No, I mean your luck in picking out bed partners is better than mine," Opal explained. "Oh, you were missing a few nights ago. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. Who did you home in on?" I asked. "Cappadocia," Opal told me. Uh-oh. "I don't think Cappy is ready for a bi-sexual encounter. Besides, she's far too aggressive for you right now," I informed her. "Yeah, we figured that out. We both tried being on top all the time and things sort of fell apart," Opal related to me. "We both did agree you are one hell of a primer for virgins." "Thanks, that's very kind of you," I jibbed. "Oh, wow," Brandi gasped out, finally released by Paige. "That was wild." Brandi backed away from Paige's cunt on all fours before rolling over and resting the back of her head on Paige's thigh. "She's yummy," Brandi giggled. "We should get her over for shower time." Paige was now splayed out, limp, and looking up at the ceiling. "I, I, Paige rasped. "Yes, Sugah?" Barbie Lynn purred down at Paige. "I, I have to do this again," Paige worked out. She followed that up by wrapping a hand into the hair at the back of Barbie Lynn's head and pulling her in for a kiss. "Woot!" Opal shouted. "We got another one. Zane, who is next on the menu?" "How about Vivian?" Brandi suggested. "Okay, ladies, there is no menu. We are not stalking girls down for bi-sexual trysts, and if we were interested in anyone, we should ask Paige for her opinion first," I countered. Paige rapidly disentangled from Barbie Lynn and propped herself up excitedly on her elbows. "Cordelia," she declared defiantly. "Cordelia Dresden, I've always had this secret thing for her, which also involves a little bondage and having her tell me I'm smarter than she is as I torture her with an ostrich feather," Paige finished with a wicked smile. "Thought this out much?" Opal snickered. "Just because Zane was the first person to see me as the devastatingly beautiful woman I am doesn't mean I haven't made contingency plans for when the inevitable happened," Paige was smarmy right back. "Paige, you were sure Zane would take you to his bed?" Barbie Lynn said. "As I recall, those were some shaky few minutes you two had." "Inevitable?" Paige scoffed. "I never doubted for a moment. In fact, I already have him trained." Even Brandi looked askance at that declaration but Paige beamed victoriously. "Zane," Paige grinned sweetly. "Bouncy, bouncy." I sighed, reached over Barbie Lynn, hooked one arm under Paige's arm and around her back while the other was reaching between her legs. I hefted her up and pulled her over on top until she comfortably straddled me. Paige glowed like the Sun. "Holy crap," Opal giggled. "Bouncy, bouncy," Brandi perked up and spoke to me. I wasn't sure what I'd do or say but it turned out I didn't matter. "No, you don't," Paige scolded Brandi. "Get your own command phrase; this phrase is mine." "What happens now?" Brandi prodded. I had the feeling that actual intercourse fascinated her. Paige turned her head away from the woman and looked down on me. She crashed upon my frame in slow motion until she was resting her chin on the top of my sternum and we had to strain to keep eye contact. "Please, Zane, take your mighty cock and put it in my tight, wet cunt. Make me tingle from the tip of my toes up to the ends of my white hairs on the crown of my head," Paige playfully pleaded. "Be gentle because my new-found friends have left me tender and hyper-sensitive all-over." Mighty cock, it isn't like my buddy attracts amorous attention from sequoias or something. My cock is a highly valued member of the team, but come on now, it is a freaking piece of meat. I can certainly get the job done without, Paige looks up and licks her lips while she pants like a famished huntress. Suddenly the last three years of my maturity lose their blood supply as it rushes elsewhere. Oh, well. I'll recall what I was bitching about later. "Okay," I grinned. "Maneuver up and I'll work it in." "I'll help!" Brandi excitedly volunteered. Before I could politely decline, Brand landed on my left leg and was pushing Paige's ass up. Paige was far more amused with the situation than I was and reconciled Brandi's movements with her desires to rise up from straddling to kneeling with one leg up. Brandi took the opportunity to stroke my cock, raised it to the vertical, and dragged it over Paige's cunt. She rested my cock a little far back, or so I thought. Paige thought so too. "Not the ass!" she squeaked. "Not the Butt!" "You want it in your, Brandi hesitated. "Her cunt," Barbie Lynn filled her in. "Yes, it looks so delicate," Brandi wondered. "Well, yes," Paige snipped, "but Zane has taken my virginity. My anus is even smaller than my cunt, and it isn't like Zane isn't already going to pass Cleopatra's Needle through something the size of a dime as it stands." "Did you just call Zane a needle-cock?" snickered Opal. "No," I groaned. "Cleopatra's Needle is an obelisk, like Washington's Monument, except only one-twentieth the size." "Yep," Rio panted from her side of the bed, "she definitely called him 'needle-cock'." "I don't care what you gals call it," Barbie Lynn chuckled. "He can stick me with that cock anytime." "Tell me you love me, Zane," Paige sighed. "I can't. You are absolutely wonderful to me but I can't lie to you even though I think it would make you happy to hear those words," I frowned sadly. "Why can't it be you and me?" she asked but her fatigued smile betrayed no anger. "Eh, the tired old romantic tale: boy loves girl but girl can't, or won't, show affection for him," I related. "How about this story instead," Paige's smile grew. "A post-Apocalyptic tale where you, me, and a select group of other genetically superior women retreat to a remote coastal island, fend off the end of the world, and set about repopulating the Earth over, and over, and over again." "Wait; if I agree does this mean you are going to plot out a way to bring about the end of civilization as we know it?" I questioned. What I didn't question was the reality that Paige would never have children of her own womb, but hell, this was her fantasy; right? "I know where your mind is, Zane Braxton," Paige said softly with tears brimming in her eyes but that smile still on her lips, "and that makes you a wonderful, wonderful man." "Now, please, bouncy, bouncy," that mischievous glint returned to her countenance. In some stories this would be the trigger for me to ram my thunderous love pylon deep into her womb. Or, I could hug her tight and let us express our emotions in some open, healing manner. In my reality, I was still somewhat of a tool to Paige, an object that brought her happiness and fulfillment. I was almost a human person of worth to her too. Paige had arrangements, not friendships, and controlled those relationships with mental domination. I know it would have surprised her and brought forth a torrent of denial if I showed she trusted me, as exhibited by her actions of the past few minutes. Rarely did one love their power drill or hammer and you certainly didn't get all teary-eyed when you read their mind correctly. Brandi steadied and reinforced my cock with a hand as Paige worked her way down. I held Paige by the hips to keep her from trying to move too fast. She was busy concentrating, undoubtedly committing the sensations to memory, I kind of like really smart women. "What does it feel like?" Brandi questioned Paige timidly. "If, you have never been, penetrated, you couldn't understand," Paige panted. "Don't worry about it," Opal cooed to her friend. "We are sophomores so we have nearly three years with Zane here at school. That is plenty of time to talk him into doing the deed." "That shouldn't be hard," Brandi giggled. "I've seen Zane scoping me out. He wants me." "Ha," laughed Barbie Lynn. "If it was that easy, there wouldn't be a virgin in this room. Zane could have woken up that part of me ten times over if his wanting my body was all it took." "Pop your cherry!" Rio shouted, close to climax. "Call it what it is, you dumb bimbo, oh, fuck!" She twisted Mercy's nipples with a violence that caused me pain by just looking. That cued Mercy to pound up into Rio unmercifully. Rio released Mercy's breasts and put her hands to torturing her own nipples. Her orgasm came in seconds. With sheer force of will, Rio fought off her physical spasms until she was body to body with Mercy, Rio's hands cupping Mercy's face and her lips planting fast kisses on Mercy's lips, nose, and eyes. "You are mine, mine, mine," Rio exulted with animalistic fury magically melded with heartwarming compassion. It was coaxed along by the vibrator to her clit, sending Mercy off to her own orgasm. "God mother-fucking damn, Rio," Mercy screamed, "Own, own me; make me yours." "I'm tattooing, your ass, this weekend," Rio whispered and groaned. On my side of the sexual diorama, Paige was still screwing herself down my cock, though Brandi had less to do but more to think about. "I can't decide when I want Zane to do the deed for me," Brandi wondered. "No," I breathed heavily, eyes still on Paige and her radiance, "Brandi, you and I will figure things out when the time is right." "Or you tie him down and ride him like Paige," Opal giggled. "Bouncy, bouncy," Paige panted through her chuckle, "It is not just a catchy jingle. It is the recipe for romantic success." "You talk too much, Princess," I emphasized with a thrust deep into her womb, "I think it is time to start your interrogation." She sizzled and I had a dark desire to feel her body heat burn me so we quickly figured out how we could get along. "Roll over, Pound cake," Rio ordered as she worked the strap-on off Mercy. "I've got all sorts of issues to work out and your priceless backside is my destination of choice. Buck up, Buttercup, stick out that ass and get ready for some furious pent-up teenage aggression." I was stunning that the friction Mercy generated as she spun over in the sheets didn't set the bed on fire. She wasn't on all fours but her ass was raised at a four-five degree angle and quivering in her desire. Rio affixed her tool of choice before allowing her gaze to bask in Mercy's splendor. It took her several seconds before she draped her body over Mercy's back. "I'm going to become so bored with this view," Rio teased, "in about fifty or sixty years." Mercy flexed and undulated her back, ass and thighs against Rio's body. Together the two lovers moaned sensually. "I lied to you," Rio panted into Mercy's ear. "I'm not going to get tired of your body in fifty or sixty years. I'm going to fuck you to death before you hit thirty." Mercy gave some sort of guttural reply which she accentuated by driving her posterior against Rio's artificial cock. It slid up between Mercy's cheeks as opposed to going into her anus but Mercy was certainly energetic enough to keep thrusting. Sometimes I wasn't sure which one was leading the other down the road to impassioned insanity. Afterglow The whispering in my ear had woken me up. I shifted my head toward the noise and saw Paige's elfin head cloaked by her fine white hair. In her slumber, Paige had brought one hand up to her chin and took slow nibbles out of the tip of her thumb. Her body was curled up in a near-fetal ball with her other arm vanishing beneath the sheets. Paige's lips parted and she moaned. "Oh, right there, Brandi, yum, yeah, right there." She rotated the shoulder of her downturned arm and her hips rocked gently beneath the covers, certainly driving those attached fingers against her cunt. She went back to nibbling her thumb and slowly quieted down. Paige was in the middle of the bed so I had to raise my head to peek past her sublime form to see Rio and Mercy who were both facing away, Rio was closer to me with her arms wrapped around and cradling Mercy. Fingers stroked my stomach bringing my head to the other side. Barbie Lynn was snuggled up against me and both her hands rested on my stomach, though only one was rubbing against my abs. The only problem was that Barbie Lynn regularly slept on her side with one hand on me and the other resting under the pillow, plus both hands on my stomach were lefties. I shifted slightly, looked over and tracked the moving hand back to the arm that led to a slumbering Vivian. I swear to God I did nothing to deserve this. I had to think about this for a few seconds. Finally I decided on a little clarity. "Vivian," I whispered as I tapped her hand. From experience I knew she woke slowly so I was patient. "Umm," she smiled dreamily at me. A three-count later her eyes focused enough to match my gaze. "You are in my bed and while I don't mind, I want to make sure you are doubly okay with this," I requested softly. "Opal and Brandi woke me up when they left," Vivian informed me, "and I felt, alone and left out. Are you okay with me being here? Are you going to be able to control yourself?" A few things made sense now. Vivian and her boyfriend had fallen into the habit of cuddling on one of their beds. Before long they were falling asleep comfortably in each other's arms. He woke up, high school boy's hormones racing, and she took a few moments too long to realize what was going on. I gave her bonus points for not hating the guy for taking her virginity and stealing away the bedtime comfort of lying with another person she yearned for. "Vivian, you have my permission to crash on my bed anytime," I smiled warmly. "Barbie Lynn will keep me in check. If you ever want to join me and no one else is around, I keep some restraints, left dresser, second drawer." "I don't want to tie you down, Zane," she whispered. "Restraints are not only about holding someone down but empowering the other partner. You get to feel comfortable close to me, I don't mind you being close to me one bit, and I don't have to worry about doing something I'll regret," I related. "You learned all of this in rural Thailand?" Vivian mused. "They are an ancient and scholarly people," I countered. "Are we okay?" "We are okay," she responded. "Great," muttered Barbie Lynn, "let's go to sleep because if I wake up, Vivian, I'm going to make you hold my head in your lap while Zane pleasures me from behind." Vivian grinned, rested her head, and closed her eyes. I laid back down and let my vision darken behind sleepy lids. I really felt like hammering Barbie's delicious ass but I knew she was tired and needed her sleep. Besides, she had only said that because she wanted Vivian to go to sleep. "Honey," Barbie Lynn whispered words sweeter than fresh cane sugar, "you had best give me all the long, hard strokes I can stand in the morning or I'm going to leave my own set of teeth and claw marks all over that wonderful body of yours." Normally I should accept the warning and fall asleep immediately but since it is a well proven fact that I have no sense where sex and sensuality are concerned, I was awake for quite a while. When I did wake up, it was brought about by Barbie Lynn rolling away from me. "Vivian," Barbie whispered kindly. Once Vivian was appropriately responsive, "Vivian, I'm about to wake Zane up and make him take that damn fine cock and use those powerful strokes I love to fill up my ass with cum until I scream." "You might want to go back to your sofa until he lifts me to climax," she advised. "On second thought, make that two screams, I'm feeling extra horny this morning." Isn't it wonderful that I get no say in where my cock is going or when I'm going there? I mean, it's not like I'm an adult or we are currently residing in my room. Wait, I am!! I'm sick and tired of this shit and I'm putting my foot down! Barbie Lynn rubs her scrumptious ass cheeks against my thigh and moans like my bitch in heat. I Man-Up; I'll set her straight as soon as I finish fucking her, damn it! Okay, I'll set her straight when I finish fucking her twice, but that's all she's getting from me. Barbie Lynn languidly gets onto her elbows and knees, favoring the sore one. She scoops the tube of lube from under the pillow and pushes it back to me as Vivian shakes her head, scoots off the bed, and makes her way to the exit. I pour some lube onto my palm then rub my hands together to warm it up because I don't want to cruelly use something cold on her vulnerable flesh. "Zane, I need this so bad," Barbie Lynn purrs. "Hammer me, hammer me twice and make me scream." "Oh," I growl, "I intend to." I'm going to nail her good then give her a piece of my mind. "Baby, I know you are taking Iona home this weekend so can you sneak away during lunch and sex me up one more time?" she pleads with a voice rich with need. "Of course I will, Babe," I reply. And then I'll give her a piece of my mind, damn it! "What's wrong, Zane?" Rio asked as she watched me strip my bed. She wasn't offering to help. "Man," I sighed, "sometimes I think I'm nothing more than a tool for sexual release on this campus." "That's surprisingly accurate," she chuckled. "I'm stunned you realized it so quickly." "Realized what?" Iona grinned as she glided into the room, unusually chipper. "Zane realized he's a sex toy, a pleasure slave to our whims," Rio pontificated. Mercy sighed slightly and came over to help me with the bed, as did Iona, and she hadn't even made the mess. "The willingness to give of yourself does not indicate a surrender of your will," Iona countered. "Zane gives and gives freely, without expectation of return." "He is your mirror image if you think about it," Iona continued. "With Zane it is pleasure and with you it is pain." Now you never know which way Rio will go with something like this; Iona was like a kid sister to her but I wasn't totally sure Rio hadn't experimented with patricide, matricide and infanticide along with cannibalism. "Damn, Iona," Rio came up and wrap her arms around Iona's waist from behind, "that's real cool." "Ah, you are welcome?" Iona smiled but with uncertainty. "How about I give you Mercy for a night? You know, a snuggle buddy for you to sleep with. We could dress her in an appropriate nightgown and she could be like a big warm teddy bear for you to cuddle with." "I would rather have Zane dressed up as a cuddly teddy bear," Iona glanced to me. "Oh, hell, no!" I declared. "I have my pride, ya know." "Get over it, Zane," Rio laughed. "You are the only guy I know whose home page is linked to both gay and lesbian porn sites." I am? How the fuck did that happen? "Would you do that for me, please?" Iona pleaded playfully. I had to avoid answering no matter what. "Iona, I've decided to designate you as my heir," I surprised her. "We'll do that Monday." "I already knew that," Iona stated evenly. "It was posted on your website yesterday." "What!" I squawked. "Am I bugged? Am I carrying a wire? How do people figure out these things?" "Cordelia," all the women in the room said simultaneously. Yep, I'm going to have to fix her little red wagon. I wonder if she has my home wired for surveillance as well. "Iona, what would you do with all that money? Zane's got a boatload of money; right?" Mercy broke in. "I don't know," Iona began; "Maybe make a trust for Christian World Charities or something like that." "Bitch," Rio recoiled, "do you know what Zane's family does? He's a freaking gazillionaire." "Rio," Iona swiveled so that she was facing Rio, "there is no such number and Zane's family mines copper, cobalt, chromium and manganese, primarily." "Dummy, that's the parent company," Rio scoffed, heady with her one-time mental superiority over Iona. "They build spaceships." "That's silly," Iona countered. "No one builds spaceships anymore. Do you mean rockets?" "Yeah," Rio groaned with impatience, "they build rockets that put satellites in orbit, spacecraft components, space-age ceramics, non-integrated circuit computers, and crap like that." Iona looked to me for some clarity. "I don't know," I shrugged. "I had a collage of the solar system in my room when I was five; I went to the NASA facility in Florida once a year; I've been to that space facility in Russia once; and I've seen a rocket launched from this site in South America. I figured all kids did stuff like that." Then something occurred to me. "Rio, how do you know all this about me?" I inquired. "Eh," Rio grunted. "In that first week I considered kidnapping you so I wanted to figure out what you were worth so I would know how much to ask for." "How much is he worth?" Mercy asked. "Enough so that his people wouldn't call in the FBI, they would call in some former Spetznaz and simply kill me instead of paying the ransom," Rio chuckled. "Yeah," I laughed too, "I recall Dad saying that he'd 'met up' with some South African Commandos when he was not much older than I am now. He sent them Christmas presents every year until he died." "Zane, I'm not sure I want that much money," Iona worried. "Well, you've met Aunt Jill and we both know she couldn't handle it," I countered. "What, what, what about Rio, Oh, My God, what am I saying? That would be nuts," Iona fretted. Rio gasped. "Hey!" Rio shouted. "What's wrong with me?" "You are totally insane with an annoying lack of impulse control," Mercy stated clinically. Rio's mouth dropped open and she gawked at her 'toy'. "Pound cake!" she barked at Mercy. Mercy perked up and looked ready to throw herself on the bed and at Rio's mercy. "No," I intervened. "We have to get to breakfast and I can hear Vivian pacing like mad just beyond the screens. She deserves better from us. Now let's get going." Everyone was remarkably behaved until we got into the elevator and the door shut. "Are you sure you are the right person for this job?" Vivian asked Mercy as the doors shut. "What?" Mercy gulped. "What do you mean?" "Yeah, what the fuck do you mean by that, ya Cunt?" Rio interjected both her words and her body into the conversation. "Mercy and I are doing just fine." "You shower together, sleep together, stick all kinds of things in one another; I'm neither blind nor stupid," Vivian growled out. "I'm sorry," Mercy mumbled. "Oh, I don't blame you. They got to you before this 'guardian' thing happened. It is simply unfortunate that you ended up as Rio's minder and now we will have to deal with it," Vivian responded without heat or condemnation (toward Mercy). "Are you going to turn her in?" I had to ask. "Forcing Mercy to face the condemnation and ridicule of those who have no clue to her situation would not be the Christian thing to do," Vivian sincerely related. "I will not let Mercy fall into depravity. She and I will work together to save her soul." Rio didn't trust her and looked ready to pounce. On the other hand, I was truly impressed and believed her. "What is your plan?" Iona joined in. "Vivian, you wouldn't bring this up if you didn't have a plan." "I am creating a list of Christian works, not the Bible, Rio, that the two of them could read together for half an hour before bedtime," Vivian enlightened us. In the short-term it sounded naive but if you took into account the almost three years Mercy and Rio could be here together it was rather clever. "Blow it out your ass!" Rio growled back. "No, Rio, you will do it," I demanded. I had never demanded anything of her before. I'd asked, begged and suggested but I had never told her 'do this or else'. I was now. Rio and I locked gazes. She felt betrayed and pissed. "Fuck you," Rio snapped at me. "You don't tell me what to do." "You'll do what I tell you to do now," I insisted. "Or what?" she sneered. I could feel Iona cringing beside me. Mercy was afraid and looked trapped. Vivian was taking the exchange with interest. "Or nothing. I am not going to hold anything over your head but I'm also going to fight to keep you from fucking up your life," I kept at it. "It is what friends do." There was a pause. "Glenda, you suck," Rio declared quietly. That quavering in Rio's resolve was Mercy's cue. "I'll do the readings," Mercy said. "Rio, if you want to wait in the bedroom for me, well I'm fine with that, if that is what you want to do." "Gurr," Rio mumbled. "Fine, I'll do it, but if I hear even one chorus of Kumbaya, I'm skewering someone with a pool stick." "Thank you, Vivian got out. "Not a word," Rio warned. "Not another damn word, from any of you." Mercy shot me a look and I could see she finally got it. You let Rio run amok for 90% of the time so that you could coax Rio toward stability the other 10% without her rebelling. I didn't want to make Rio sane; I was sure she was happy being fucking nuts. I only wanted her to be a 'fucking nuts' that didn't make her destroy her life and drive away the people that really cared for her. What can I say? I'm selfish. Rio fills a void in my life and I didn't want to see her fall away into the darkness the way my Mom did. Aliens, Vampires and Werewolves, maybe not. To make the right decision requires a combination of confidence, knowledge, and luck. A little nonsequitur: I once asked my close associates why they believed in God. Rio said: "Well, I can't very well be a convincing Satanist if I don't give lip service to the Other Guy." Iona put it this way: "The Universe makes sense. It is our roadmap for Ascension and a fuller understanding of God's Love." Christina reasoned: "I've seen Evil so there must be Good." Heaven s take was: "Because I prayed for death but Christina came; and I prayed for you (Zane) to go but you stayed." Hope expounded: "Because I live in a country that allows me to own a K11 assault rifle for home defense." No one wants to ask Hope if she has the official rifle of the R O K Army with her at school, or if she actually has the grenades that go with it. What good would it do; it isn't like we would try to take it away from her. Most of us like living too much. Chastity observed: "Firefighters, organ donors, Christian converts in Iran, with so many people giving for no material gain, that indicates to me a higher purpose for mankind, a struggle between right and wrong." Faith rebutted: "Belief in Christ cannot be given a definition. If you define it, it ceases being faith." Barbie Lynn: sweetly gave me a peppermint and smiled. She had to look no farther than the fate that had brought us together and the joy we shared; she didn't need words. Paige resolved: "Only something with infinite precision and power could bring about the Big Bang. The day they can give a name to that force, I will gladly surrender my faith." Cordelia said: "Let me think about my reply. Why do you believe in God?" (Like I'd ever tell her.) Cappadocia lamented: "What an empty and lonely thing life must be, if these few years are all we have?" Opal s mind was made up: "I always have and never heard an argument that would make me think differently." Brandi chided: "It was how I was raised. But the first time you kissed my stomach, I had my own personal religious experience (giggle)." And Now, Back to the Story! Breakfast unfolded pretty much like it had a week ago, with the added bonus of poisonous glares between clumps of students, bandages, bruises, and the sense of unease that comes from unresolved conflict. After all, neither Christina nor Rhaine had won. This was acceptable to most of the sane crowd as the alternative would have been to make the school unbearable to the other half of the student body so that they left. Instead, we got to bask in the chilly civility that Christian politeness dictated. At least I wasn't (too) worried about a pack of girls ambushing me. As was becoming her habit, Gabrielle Black had devoured her food in less than four minutes and paced the perimeter of the Dining Room floor, her eyes dodging about with no discernible pattern. I kept an eye on her because she worried me in a way that went far beyond hormones. "Zane?" Iona repeated. I had barely registered her first request for a moment of my time. "Yes, Hon?" I smiled down at her. She looked happy for the eye contact but worried about what she had to say. "Zane, there are two other candidates for Freshman Class President, Mhain Reynard and Millicent Pierce," Iona informed me. "Millicent?" grumbled Rio. "Zane saved her ass and now she's kicking sand in his face? The bitch." "Millicent is free to do what she wants. She may have wanted to be nominated before all this chaos came about. I'm not going to begrudge her having political ambitions," I told them. "Zane, I don't think you understand what this means," Iona worried. "Sure I do; Millicent and I are going to split the Pro-Christina vote. There will be a run-off. If it is Millicent and I, Mhain's votes will go to her and I lose. If it is Mhain and Millicent, my votes will go to Millicent and she wins. If it is Mhain and I, it will be a toss-up. Essentially, Millicent can definitely defeat Mhain but I can't." "This sounds like a job for the NSA," Rio glared off to where Millicent was sitting. I don't think Rio knew what Mhain looked like. NSA referred to Rio's title as my in-house assassin, Ninja Stripper Angel. "Don't worry," I patted Rio on the shoulder, "I got this, Bro." When I got up, Rio followed me nonetheless. Chancellor Bazz was absent for the second day in a row so the highest authority seemed to be Doctor Scarlett, the Vice Chancellor. Gabrielle noted my movement but didn't deviate from her path. Mrs. Cunningham was closest but seeing neither authority figure appeared nervous, she too went about her rounds. Mind you, girls are moving around the Dining Hall all the time but I'm special, being a troublemaking, devious male. I rounded a table and walked over to Millicent, who was warned of my approach by an associate. She twisted in her chair and waited for the flavor of my greeting. "Hey, Millicent, I want to congratulate you on your nomination and I hope you get the votes to be on the ballot," I said as I extended my hand. She shook it and smiled. "Thank you, Zane. Good luck to you too," she replied. "How about we have a debate a few nights before the election? Interested?" I pondered. "That would be great," Millicent agreed. "We can request the Assembly Hall but we'll need to figure out who should be moderator." "We'll figure it out," I nodded. "I'm going to say 'hi' to Mhain as well." "I will come along," Millicent informed me as she stood up and stepped to my side. "Hi, Rio." "Eat shit and die, you ungrateful whore," Rio snarled back at Millicent, who backed off. "Zane should have left you for Bazz to fuck over." Millicent's crowd was shocked, then outraged. "Cool it, Rio." I stroked her arm. "You and I do what we do for our own ends and not for the accolades of others." I turned to her, "Right?" Rio took a deep breath. "You are such a dumb blonde," she smirked at me. "I get my thirty pieces of silver up front." "Thanks, Babe," I grinned at Rio. I looked back to Millicent. "I'm still going to see Mhain if you want to tag along with me and Rio." "I'm feeling fearless with a positive outlook on life so I'll risk it," Millicent smiled. Yeah, beating Millicent in this election was going to be fun, right up there with waking up on the

A powerful message from Pastor Bill on aggressive faith—the posture of spiritual confidence that refuses passivity, protects families, and builds for the next generation. From the grand opening of our new kids building to a church-wide call to stand, this service is a rally to declare God's Word, act in obedience, and resist without retreat.You'll learn: • Why we're building “beginning-of-life care” for kids and families • What aggressive faith looks like (declare → act → resist) • How to guard your home, marriage, and mind with the shield of faith • Why thankfulness, confession, and obedience change the atmosphere • How to pray for healing and business breakthroughs with expectationChapters below. Share this with someone who needs courage today.Chapters / Timestamps • 00:00 Opening feature: Kids building grand opening (vision for families) • 00:26 “A generation at stake”—legacy beyond our lifetime • 00:57 Beginning-of-life care vs. end-of-life culture • 01:18 Make church irresistible for kids • 02:05 Building dedication prayer and blessing • 03:11 “I don't want just my generation—I want the next” • 03:44 Church-wide confession (identity declarations) • 05:04 “Don't eat your seed”—seed vs. bread teaching • 05:24 Message intro: Aggressive Faith • 06:10 Grit metaphor → why faith must be aggressive • 07:31 When the enemy targets your family—bring the force • 08:20 The war is won—now populate heaven • 09:12 “My heart is buried here”—being all-in • 10:38 Faith atmosphere: word, order, peace, acceptance • 12:01 Definition: Aggressive faith (posture against passivity) • 12:31 Put God in remembrance—pray the Word • 13:36 Facts change; God's truth doesn't • 16:01 Framework (1) Declare the Word • 17:52 Confession → obedience → atmosphere • 19:04 “My God is a God of more than enough” • 19:37 Framework (2) Follow up with action • 23:22 Peter walks on water—obey amid the storm • 25:01 Framework (3) Resist without retreat • 26:03 Stand up—call to lead and advance • 28:31 Corporate blessing and armor of God charge • 31:03 Prayer for healing & business deals (breakthrough) • 33:30 Personal altar moment—meet with God • 34:15 Declarations over marriages, kids, and church • 35:27 Fields are white—your next step is great news • 35:52 Outro / digital invitation (how to share & plug in)

On the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” — the opening line of Psalm 22. It wasn't a cry of defeat, but the sound of divine solidarity. In that moment, Jesus stepped into our pain, our silence, and our questions — showing us that lament isn't the opposite of faith; it's faith in the dark. In this episode, Pastor Ants Cuthers explores how Psalm 22 moves from anguish to praise, from lament to victory — and what that means for us today. Because the God who entered our suffering also overcame it. Lament is not our final prayer; it's the prayer in the meantime. And the story that begins with “My God, why have You forsaken Me” ends with “He has done it.” Because Jesus has never lost a battle — and He never will.

From Skeptic to Salvation (Originally recorded Sunday 21st. June, 2009 at 6:30 pm) Right mouse click to save the PDF of this testimony Right mouse click to save this Podcast as a MP3 Heavenly Father, Almighty God, please hear my prayer. Please give me now the strength, ability, and most of all, the humility, through your Holy Spirit, to say what I want to read out to this congregation, as you would want me to read and say it Lord. Please allow me to keep control of myself, and my emotions, whilst doing so. I stand humbly before you Lord God, and before your beloved Son, Christ Jesus. Amen. For 59 years of my life, I lived with faith " only in myself ".I was at best a Sceptic, at worst an Atheist. I would go right out of my way to test and very strongly argue against anyone I met, who professed to have a faith, in any sort of God. I needed nothing, but my own free will. All my faith was "only" in myself. In 2002 / 2003 my world fell apart. I was left alone to myself. All my lifelong responsibilities disappeared. I became for 2 years a solitary hermit, living in my house, completely alone. It was during this time, alone, that I started to question, :- What my life was about. What was I here for. What was the reason for my being, if there even was one. I wanted, and so needed contact with other people. I needed to talk, to be listened to, and to listen to others. We are not meant to be solitary beings we are social creatures. We so need fellowship with others, like we need food. After over 2 years of self imposed solitary confinement, I was becoming worried about losing my ability to communicate with others. It was back just before Christmas 2005, I received through my door the usual annual programme of all the Churches in my area, listing all their events, over the Christmas period. I decided to systematically visit all of them. Not to seek faith. I'm a Sceptic, an Atheist. I just want to have communication with others. I visited most of the local Churches over the coming months, and always found people to speak and listen to, but none of the Churches somehow felt right for me, until I visited " Verwood Road Evangelical Chapel ", just up the road from where I live, in Three Legged Cross. Here I felt good, " well better ". I liked the way they did things. It was not a liberal church. It was more leaning towards, a Brethren sort of fellowship, but not too hard line. There was no pomp or high ceremony, no fancy clothes or precious things to see or worship. These were ordinary people, just like me. Over the next 10 months I visited V.R.C. " on and off " at first, maybe once or twice a month and found that I liked it more and more, so I went more and more. By October 2006, I found that I was wanting to go not only every Sunday but twice on Sundays. It was at this time that I seriously decided to the best of my ability, to very fully investigate just what this Christianity was really all about. How could so many intelligent, thinking people, believe in it? For the next 6 months, I lived in the single minded state of total study of the Christian faith. I devoted all of my time to the study of the Bible and many, many books, both for and against the Christian faith. I prayed and prayed so very hard to God to give me a definite sign - a proof that God was out there and not something made-up in my own mind. I was in heartfelt tears, many, many times, asking for some proof, a miracle even, a certain sign, anything, but no sign or proof came. I was God's for the taking, but both He, and my heart, wasn't ready. In late March 2007, something happened to turn me completely off Christianity. I went from very serious " single minded seeking " with all my heart and soul, TO - " This Christianity is certainly not for me ". It is not " at all " important what " event " occurred to cause this absolute turn around. It is only important to understand that it was very strongly driven by "My Own Self Pride ". God knew that it had to be, for Him to use it, to turn this 60 year old Atheist into a Christian. It was during my very powerful, and emotional efforts, to try and take a wrong, and turn it into a right, No matter what the cost, that my eyes were turned back into myself. To see, or to start to see, that all I hated and despised in others, was also, very present in myself. I was no better, than all those that I felt the very strong need to " bring to rights " in my life. It was at this moment in time, of now seeing, just what " I Am ", that my life changed forever. I was born on Easter Friday, Good Friday, the 4th. April. In 2007, Three days after my 60th. Birthday, at exactly 12:32 p.m. lunch-time on Easter Saturday, the 7th. April, I at last discovered, that I was nothing, undeserving of my life, A Sinner that so needed the forgiveness of God. This opened my heart to God, and at that very moment, He Came In. It was at this time, that I understood, for the very first time, the Amazing events of Easter, and that Jesus died for me, that I may have life, and live life, to the full. The next day, Easter Sunday, 2007, I took my first communion with my God. I would now like to say, that I am not a writer, I agree with " Winnie The Pooh Bear ", when he said.:- "Yes' I know all my letters, but my spelling is wobbly. It's good spelling, but it wobbles, and my letters get into the wrong places!" I'm not a poet either. I'm a practical man, an engineer. In the early hours of Easter Monday morning, 2007, at 1:30 a.m. whilst I was sat in my back porch thinking " in a daze " about what had happened to me on Easter Saturday, I picked up a pen and without thinking, wrote out the following poem. It is un-referenced, original and un-edited. It is just as it came down to me, 37 hours after finding my faith. This poem is called :- The Fellowship - ( Revealed ) I don't know where I'm going, I don't know where I've been, I don't know what's in store for me, But God has hold, to let me see. For he will surely show my way, My guide, to lead, to change each day. To give me life, I've never seen, To serve, to try, to make life clean, To hold me close, to let me go, To understand, To love me so. My God is One, with saviour Christ, He gave for me, The Total Price. My heart is found, the Ghost within, Salvation sealed, Forgiven Sin. My past remains, but all washed clean, My future comes, like it's never been. I cannot say the words I feel, Of things that are, to me so real. My sad, sad past, is gone, my futures clean, For with my eyes, new life I've seen. This gift of love, that has been given, Shall remain with me, right through to Heaven. The Fellowship - ( Revealed ) There is nothing good that can come out of me, from my own self, Self. Any good that may come from me, comes through me, from God. So please just Praise the Lord. ( Thank you.) Right mouse click to save the PDF of this testimony Right mouse click to save this Podcast as a MP3

“The people who were standing nearby said, ‘See how much he loved him!’” (John 11:36 NLT) Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were siblings and friends of Jesus. When Lazarus got deathly ill, Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus: “Lord, your dear friend is very sick” (John 11:3 NLT). Theirs is a story of hope, although that’s not immediately apparent in the biblical narrative. In our last devotion, we saw that the first takeaway from the story is that life involves pain, sorrow, and death. The second takeaway is spelled out by Lazarus’ mourners in verse 36: “See how much he loved him!” (NLT). The Lord loves us. God describes His love in Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” (NLT). Whatever God does or allows to happen in our lives is motivated by His everlasting love for us. Mary and Martha knew that Jesus loved them—and that He loved Lazarus. That’s why they sent for Him. They reacted perfectly when crisis hit. They took their troubles to Jesus. Look at the basis for their appeal. They didn’t say, “Lord, You owe us. We fed You. You and Your friends crashed at our house.” They didn’t base their appeal on their love for Him; they based it on His love for them: “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” Our love is fickle; it fluctuates. The Lord’s love for us never changes. John 11:5–­6 reveals Jesus’ response to Mary and Martha’s message. “So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days” (NLT). When Jesus finally arrived, things were bleak. Lazarus was no longer sick; he was dead—and had been for four days. His body was decomposing. Not only did Jesus not heal His friend, but He also missed the funeral. If that seems like a less-than-loving response, it’s because we can’t grasp the depth of the Lord’s love. Jesus wanted Mary and Martha to see the bigger picture. He wanted them to understand that because they trusted in Him, death was no longer their enemy. He wanted them to embrace the hope of resurrection. Neither Martha nor Mary could see the big picture at first, so they focused on the smaller picture—on what seemed like Jesus’ callous disregard. Both sisters confronted Jesus with the words, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died” (verses 21, 32 NLT). Again, they took their problems to Jesus. And that’s what you need to do when suffering and trials come your way. Some people say, “Don’t ever ask God why.” I say ask God “why” as much as you want. Just don’t always expect an answer. Be honest with Him when you pray. Say, “God, I’m not happy right now. I don’t understand this. I’m hurting. This doesn’t make sense. Why did You let this happen?” Jesus Himself said from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT). In the end, though, we live on promises, not explanations. Along with asking “why,” we should ask “what”—as in, what am I supposed to do? The answer is, turn to the Lord with your pain and grief because He loves you. Reflection question: When do you need to be reminded of God’s love for you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colossians 3:1–3 (NIV)Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.The Bible Knowledge Commentary says that “hidden” implies both concealment and safety, invisibility and security.Paul, who wrote the book of Colossians, understood this deeply. Even while he was concealed in prison, he knew he was safe and secure with Christ.In this episode, we'll look at what it means for our lives to be hidden in Him—through the story of Corrie Ten Boom, the example of Jesus, and the secret place described in the Psalms. I'll close with the song “In Him I Will Trust,” inspired by Psalm 91:He who dwells in the secret place of the Most HighShall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;My God, in Him I will trust.”If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time gift, thank you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sherriyoungward.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To find out about upcoming gatherings and new projects, please join my email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.sherriyoungward.com

In today's episode, we're declaring war on the biggest propaganda machine on the planet: the mainstream media. This isn't just about bias—it's a calculated assault designed to mock believers, normalize sin, and rebrand biblical truth as hate.There's a war being waged for your soul, and the battlefield is your screen. Every headline, every segment, every viral clip isn't just news—it's a sermon from the gospel of godless humanism, designed to ridicule believers, normalize sin, and silence the Church.The mainstream media isn't biased; it's a propaganda machine for the enemy. It ignores Christian persecution, magnifies our mistakes, and systematically rebrands biblical conviction as dangerous extremism. The world calls it journalism. God calls it deception. The world calls it progress. The Bible calls it rebellion.In a culture saturated with lies, will you keep consuming the poison? Or will you join the fight to reclaim the truth?Buckle up. This episode exposes the enemy's playbook and calls the army of God to fight back."Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness." – Isaiah 5:20Episode Highlights:07:24 - When was the last time you saw a mainstream story that portrayed Christianity in a positive, intelligent or balanced way? It almost never happens. But let a so-called Christian leader fall from grace and it's plastered everywhere. They love to highlight hypocrisy, not holiness, scandal, not salvation. Because their goal is not to inform but to indoctrinate.12:21 - According to Barna research, the average American teen now spends 2,700 hours per year consuming media, compared to 150 hours in church. My God, that's an 18:1 ratio. If discipleship is about what shapes your mind, who do you think is winning that battle?39:36 - The greatest weapon the media has is our fear of being disliked. They know that most Christians crave comfort and reputation more than conviction. So they bully us with labels—bigot, extremist, intolerant—hoping that we're going to shut up and sit down. But silence ain't love. Silence is surrender.Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite 

Jase, Al, and Zach recall the cringeworthy nickname Phil used for Miss Kay; she never minded, and it actually revealed how deeply he admired her godly spirit as a wife and mother. Zach praises Al and Lisa's willingness to share their testimony without shying away from hard, intimate details most people avoid, and the guys explore the power of testimony and confession. Zach notes that even though demonic forces know God's plan, they cannot comprehend it because they do not speak the language of hope or love. In this episode: John 18, verse 1; John 18, verse 11; Acts 4, verses 25–29; Psalm 2, verses 1–6; Psalm 22; Matthew 26, verses 39–42; Revelation 12, verse 11; Isaiah 2, verses 2–4; Revelation 22, verses 2-5; 1 Corinthians 2, verses 6–14; James 3, verses 13–18; Acts 2, verse 23 “Unashamed” Episode 1185 is sponsored by: https://andrewandtodd.com or call 888-888-1172 — These guys are the real deal. Get trusted mortgage guidance and expertise from someone who shares your values!https://meetfabric.com/unashamed — Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. https://duckstamp.com/unashamed — Get your all-new digital duck stamp today. It's easier than ever! Kimchi One from Brightcore – Improve your health, improve your life. Get 25% Off with code: UNASHAMED at https://mybrightcore.com/unashamed or dial (888) 404-9677 for up to 50% OFF and Free Shipping – ONLY when you call! http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Chapters: 00:00-12:53 The Power of Confession 12:54-18:12 Satan The Tempter & Accuser 18:13-28:16 Evil Can't Comprehend God's Plans 28:17-34:18 Why Liars Struggle with Truth 34:19-42:30 Why & How Does God Punish? 43:31-49:01 David's Exile Foreshadows Jesus' Coming 49:02-56:57 My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies and reveals years of lawfare attacks on conservatives; Dem Rep. Hirono says the quiet part out loud; and Charlie Kirk's assassin's text messages with trans lover revealed. Watch VINCE Live on Rumble - Mon-Fri 10AM ET ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://rumble.com/vince News Picks: FBI ‘Arctic Frost' probe targeted nearly 100 GOP groups — including Charlie Kirk's TPUSA: docs https://nypost.com/2025/09/16/us-news/fbi-arctic-frost-probe-targeted-nearly-100-gop-groups-including-charlie-kirks-tpusa-docs/ Prosecutors Reveal Chilling Text Messages Between Alleged Kirk Assassin And His Trans Loverhttps://dailycaller.com/2025/09/16/alleged-charlie-kirk-assassin-charged-utah-court/ ‘My God!': Cory Booker Blows Top When Kash Patel Says His Rant ‘Does Not Bring This Country Together' https://dailycaller.com/2025/09/16/cory-booker-kash-patel-rant-judiciary-committee/ Sponsors: American Financing - AmericanFinancing.net/VINCE Patriot Mobile - PatriotMobile.com/VINCE Boncharge - Boncharge.com use code VINCE Fast Growing Trees - FastGrowingTrees.com use code VINCE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices