Podcasts about My Soul

Hey there, Believers! This week I'm joined by Kitty, who was with me on our 6th anniversary Live episode! The wisdom and experiences that she brought to the conversation made me want to hear more, and I know you won't want to miss this one!**I know there's audio issues going on, I've been troubleshooting and can't find the source... bear with me and listen for content over imperfections. Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

In Episode 496 of the Reformed Brotherhood, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb open with a rich discussion on the theology of congregational singing — including the Trinity Psalter Hymnal, the Getty's Sing!, and why psalm-singing belongs at the heart of Christian worship. The main event, however, is the first installment of their study of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30). Tony and Jesse argue that this parable is widely misread as a lesson in personal productivity or spiritual gift deployment, when in fact its center of gravity is entirely eschatological and theological: the wicked servant's failure is not financial incompetence — it is a catastrophic misunderstanding of who the master is, and therefore, who he himself is as a servant of that master. Key Takeaways The parable is eschatological, not motivational. Situated in Matthew 25 as the second of three eschatological parables in the Olivet Discourse, the Parable of the Talents answers the disciples' question about the sign of Christ's coming — not a general lesson about using your abilities for God. "Talents" refers to an enormous monetary sum, not personal giftedness. A single talent represented roughly 20 years of a laborer's wages. Even the least-endowed servant received an immense, unearned gift — which makes the wicked servant's inaction all the more indefensible. The wicked servant's problem is theological, not financial. He doesn't bury the talent out of ignorance or fear alone — he actively mischaracterizes the master as exploitative and unjust. His failure is a failure of theology: he does not know who his master is. The commendation "Well done, good and faithful servant" is the basic reward of every believer, not a tiered prize for the most productive. The five-talent and two-talent servants receive identical commendations, suggesting the measure is proportional faithfulness, not absolute output. Faithful stewardship is active, not passive. Both faithful servants are marked by immediacy and energetic engagement. The parable does not explain how they doubled their talents because the mechanics are not the point — their disposition of active, risk-taking faithfulness is. The parable resists works-righteousness readings. Whether one is Augustine or an anonymous deathbed convert, every justified believer enters into the same joy of the master. The parable is not a theology of graduated heavenly rewards but a distinction between those who understand their master and those who do not. The talents represent the stewardship of the Gospel and the Kingdom itself. The master entrusting his servants with his property is a picture of Christ entrusting the church with the message of salvation — ownership remains with the master, the servants are stewards, not proprietors. Key Concepts The Wicked Servant's Problem Is Who He Thinks the Master Is The most common misreading of this parable locates the wicked servant's failure in laziness or timidity — he was simply too afraid to act. But Tony Arsenal argues compellingly that the servant's own words expose something far more serious. He says, "I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow." This is not a confession of fear; it is an accusation. The servant has constructed a theology of his master as an exploitative, unjust overseer who doesn't deserve a return. What he catastrophically misses is that the very possession of 20 years' worth of wages — an unearned, unimaginable gift — is the master sowing into him. His refusal to act is, at its root, a refusal to acknowledge the master's generosity and authority. This is the parable's most penetrating theological edge. "Well Done" Is for Every Believer, Not Just the Most Productive One of the episode's most pastorally significant observations is Tony's argument that the commendation "Well done, good and faithful servant — enter into the joy of your master" is not reserved for spiritual high-achievers. Because the five-talent and two-talent servants receive word-for-word identical commendations despite wildly different absolute returns, the logical entailment is that the one-talent servant, had he been faithful, would have received the same words. This means the commendation is not calibrated to productivity — it is the basic inheritance of every believer who enters glory. The soul-winner and the deathbed convert, Augustine and the unknown faithful, all hear the same welcome. The parable is therefore not teaching a graduated hierarchy of heavenly reward, but a binary distinction: those who know their master and act accordingly, and those who do not. The Parable Cannot Be Detached from Its Eschatological Context Jesse Schwamb is careful to anchor the parable in its literary and theological context: this is the second of three eschatological parables in Matthew 25, all part of the Olivet Discourse, all delivered in direct response to the disciples' question about the sign of Christ's return and the end of the age. Detaching the Parable of the Talents from that frame — and reading it instead as a general productivity principle or a theology of spiritual gifts — drains it of what Jesse calls its "gravity." The master going away and returning after a long time is a direct image of the ascended Christ and his parousia. The servants' task during the interval is not self-improvement or career stewardship — it is watchful, active discipleship in the time between the first and second comings. Everything in the parable, including the staggering sums of money, is calibrated to that eschatological frame. Memorable Quotes The real difference is that the former servants understood that their master had trusted them with a task and expected something of them, and the unfaithful, wicked, lazy servant had a total misunderstanding of who the master was — and therefore what his role as the master's servant was. That's the point of this parable. — Tony Arsenal Well done, good and faithful servant — that's not a special commendation that only the most amazing Christian servants get. That's the basic commendation that every Christian who enters into glory will receive. Whether you have been the most productive soul-winner in the world... you're going to receive the same commendation as the person who dies, and on their deathbed the last thing that they think is, 'I trust Jesus.' — Tony Arsenal God's measure of faithfulness is proportional, not absolute. The two-talent servant is not judged by the five-talent standard. He is judged by what he received. — Jesse Schwamb Full Transcript [00:00:08] Tony Arsenal: that's not a special commendation that only the most amazing Christian servants get, right? That's the basic commendation that every Christian who enters into glory will receive. Whether you have been the most productive soul-winner in the world, whether you are the most, you know, the most sanctified Christian who's ever lived, whether you are, the most amazing person and millions of people have come to faith because of your ministry, you're going to receive the same commendation as the person who dies, and on their deathbed the last thing that they think is, I trust Jesus." Right. And they've produced no converts, no ministry, and maybe no one even knows that they were justified, because in their final moments before the lights went out, they trusted in Jesus, right? They hear the same well done, good and faithful servant when they enter into glory. Welcome to episode 496 of the Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse.  And I'm Tony, and this is the podcast with ears to hear. Hey, brother.  [00:01:19] Jesse Schwamb: Hey, brother.  [00:01:21] Parable Teaser [00:01:21] Jesse Schwamb: You know, the parables just keep coming for us, like we've said. And on this episode, to, just to tee it up, to whet everybody's appetites, we've got three servants, one absent master, an uncomfortable amount of money. What could go wrong? Yeah. As it turns out, quite a bit, especially if you're the kind of person who responds to divine generosity by finding the nearest shovel. So we're gonna get to all of that in this, what I call, this now sandwich of eschatological parables or teachings of Jesus in Matthew 25. So hopefully you're curious, hopefully you're stoked. But you can go put your thumb right in the scriptures there, because you're gonna meet us there very, very, very, very shortly. But first we got business. It's always the business we must do, the part of the podcast where we affirm with something or deny against something. And as always, I'm really curious what you have, and now I understand you have a list, or you're keeping a list. So- I do ... never again will there be something like that falls to the cutting room floor, brothers and sisters. Tony is always gonna have for us whatever was- ... what came to his brilliant mind as an affirmation or denial at any point, day or night.  [00:02:29] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. Do you, Jesse, do you ever have... I know the answer to this question is going to be yes- Yeah. That's good ... but I'm gonna ask it- All right ... mostly for rhetorical effect here. This is good podcasting.  [00:02:38] Psalm 67B Praise [00:02:38] Tony Arsenal: Do you have, do you have those situations where, like, the, the so- a song hits you, and it's just, like, the right combination of words, but also the right combination of, like, musicality?  [00:02:49] Jesse Schwamb: For sure.  [00:02:50] Tony Arsenal: Where it just, like, it just, it just feels- For sure like, right and good in every part of your being. So- All the time, yep ... I, I'm affirming, um, th- this is like the most Presbyterian thing ever. I'm affirming the, the arrangement in the Trinity, uh, psalter hymnal for Psalm 67B. Now, I'm not gonna try to sing it for you, but I wanna read the words, because obviously it's, it's a paraphrase of a psalm. So, like, that's the first thing. Like, people, like, calm down. Like, it's okay to sing paraphrases. It's okay to sing. No one is actually singing the Hebrew psalms. Right. Amen. So, like, just calm down a little bit. Amen. Uh, there is a place for us to dedicate specific focus to psalms and songs that are from the psalms, but that can be something like Better Is One Day. Like, that's a song from a psalm. Anyway, that's a whole different, that's a whole different thing. Yes, I'm affirming psalm singing. Uh, yes, I'm denying overly rigid understandings of what that is. But here's the words for Psalm 67, Setting B. That's important It's, "O God, show mercy to us and bless us with your grace and cause to shine upon us the brightness of your face, so that the whole world over may truly know your way and so that your salvation all nations see displayed. O God, let peoples praise you. Let all the peoples praise. Let nations come rejoicing and songs of gladness rise, raise." Then, um, stanza two, "For you will judge the peoples with perfect equity. To nations of the whole Earth a governor you'll be. O God, let the peoples praise you. Let all the peoples praise. The Earth has brought its bounty throughout its harvest days.  [00:04:24] Why Sing Psalms [00:04:24] Tony Arsenal: Since God our God will bless us, yes, God will blessing send, that all the Earth may fear Him to its remotest end." Now, there are lots of really great, uh, theologically sound, edifying hymns and worship choruses, but there's just something about the Psalms, right? It's inspired- Um- ... it's perfect. Again, like I said, nobody is singing the actual Hebrew Psalms, or even, I shouldn't say nobody, most people are not singing, like, the Psalms from the ESV, right? These are almost all paraphrases. They're, they're translations. But there's just something about the Psalms that I have grown so much to appreciate since joining a Presbyterian church. That's not to say other traditions don't sing Psalms in their own right, and again, like, we would sing Better Is One Day and other songs that were based on Psalms. Um, even, like, real direct translations or real direct versions of Psalms, like Better Is One Day or Create In Me A Clean Heart, there's all sorts of them. But there's just something about singing the Psalms, and this particular musical setting, it's triumphant, but not in the, like, fanfare kind of triumphant. Do you know what I mean, Jesse? Like- Mm-hmm ... it's, it's a triumphant melody, and it has, like, really interesting rises and falls and... So I, I'm gonna probably try to put this at the end of the episode. So listen. Hopefully I'll get the whole thing. Let me just, let me just do this. Hold on a second. It's just gorgeous. It's just beautiful. So I, I, I don't know what it was this morning. Uh, it's, I wasn't, like, promo- particularly emotional. It didn't, like, make me cry. Yeah. But all of that's fine. Like, I've been brought to tears in worship before, and that's, that's all good and well. There was just something about it that resonated, and I was like, "This is just good." Like, this is just good music. It's good singing. Something about hearing, uh, the whole congregation singing together. Like, it was just beautiful. It was just a beautiful moment. So if you are not in a psalm-singing church, first of all, why aren't you in a psalm-singing church? Uh, no worship leader on Earth, no, no person who is worth... Uh, when I say worship leader, I mean the person who's responsible for leading musical worship. No one who's leading worshipful music, worshipful? Worship music, if you approach them and say, "I would like to sing more songs that are based on the Psalms," if they say, "We don't wanna sing Psalms here," then you just go somewhere else. Like, someone who tells you, like, "We don't wanna s- we don't wanna sing God's Word," that doesn't make any sense to me.  [00:06:56] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:06:56] Tony Arsenal: Um, now again, like, there's a way to do it. Sometimes musically they're challenging, especially if you're singing out of something like the hymnal. But again, there are plenty of really good modern style songs and hymn style songs that are either based on the Psalms or are paraphrases, very similar to what you get in the, in the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Or most, most people who are leading in musical worship are competent enough to just sort of take the sheet music and figure out how to do it on guitar or figure out how to play it on piano. Um, they're not that difficult. So you will be edified if you do this. Your church will be edified. There's probably a lot of people out there responsible for musical worship that actually would really like to do this, and they're kind of probably, like, just waiting for that nudge, so you may even be benefiting them. But yeah, this, this psalm is beautiful. It's just a gorgeous arrangement, and it's, it's perfect, inspired words. Really was a, just a, a balm to my soul this morning.  [00:07:51] Jesse Schwamb: I love it. And o- of course, a lot of that is still happening, which is such a glorious gift to the church. The couple of times that I've had the privilege of writing music for my own church has been right from the scriptures, and for me recently that was, like, Ephesians 1 and Psalm 16. And that's mainly because, like, as a lyricist, I'm not that creative, and I'd rather go direct to the source. And all those end up being a paraphrase, like you said, anyway. Es- especially if you wanna get turn of phrase or if you wanna have a little bit of rhyming, which is always a beautiful thing. I love the Psalter, and my, my hot take on that is I sometimes find that I like, I don't wanna call them, like, the alternate, but, like, the other secondary arrangements-  Yeah and  lyrics better. I don't know why. I don't think that's purposeful, of course. It's probably just my taste. But I always find them to be, like, super fire. I, I don't know why. The, the B and C versions always kinda grab me, especially if... And here's another thing that I appreciate about the Psalter, as you know, is sometimes those B or C versions will be written in an alternate key or a minor key. Yeah. And that's even more awesome, because there's not a lot of, let's say, like, cla- I don't wanna say classic. Classic slash contemporary, uh, Christian music or wors- quote-unquote worship music that's written in minor keys. But it's good to lament, as we've talked about before. So- Yeah ... you're gonna get that full breath and scope in the Psalter there. [00:09:06] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:09:07] Beyond Music Styles [00:09:07] Tony Arsenal: A- and, you know, maybe let me put in one more little plug here. Um- I am not one of those people that is gonna say that there's like a particular style of music that's more godly than another. I've heard people try to make arguments that there's like certain kinds of rhythms or certain kinds of like beats that are- Right either, either more godly or somehow demonic or less godly. Um, I think there might be an argument to be made that some styles of worship are not suited well for congregational singing, so they may not be appropriate for like a, a congregational worship service. Like, you're probably not gonna go in and do a lot of hip hop and have the congregation be able to like stick with you. Right. That doesn't mean that you can't worship God through that or that it somehow is less like intrinsically beautiful. But, um, there are a lot of Let me just put it this way. In modern contemporary Western Christianity, uh, there's a lot of songs that are basically just the same thing musically. You know, you'll find, um, if you go to, like, YouTube, and, and maybe, like, be careful, 'cause sometimes some of these are, they're funny but they're a little bit crass. But if you look up, like, a video about how, like, every song is Pachel Bell's Canon. Right. Right? Every song follows the same basic arrangement of chords, and this gets even more pronounced when you're talking about modern worship music or contemporary mu- worship music, because it's designed to be able to be very simple and very easily played. Um, a lot of times worship directors are not super classically trained. Um, you think of, like, the youth pastor with the guitar around the campfire. Like, those kinds of songs have to be easy, 'cause they're not, like, classically trained guitar players. They probably picked up a chord book and figured out how to play a couple easy songs like Jesus, Lover of My Soul and things like that. That's how I learned how to play guitar. That's the extent of my skills, so I'm not, I'm not banging on that person. Um, but there are a lot, there's a lot more to music. Um, there's a lot more to singing, and there's a lot more to choral music than, you know, GCDC kind of like worship courses. Uh, and singing something like the Psalter, or even just singing out of a good hymnal- Right will actually expand your musical horizons. And there's something to be said about the creativity of our God being reflected in the creativity of His people that I do think we miss out on when we are locked into really simplistic worship styles. Um, again, like, I interpret Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to mean, like, sing in the vernacular of the people. Um, and I, you know, that's a different episode. We can talk about that sometime. But th- that, that requires the songs to be singable, and I think sometimes, uh, sometimes some of the song- some of the Psalters, some of the songs in the Psalter hymnals, and sometimes hymnals in general, are very difficult to sing. And so I think a congregation, the people leading in music need to be thoughtful of that. But I think you would do well to, like, open your horizons a little bit to something a little bit more challenging and a little bit off the beaten path. Like, this melody, I don't know the chords behind it. It may not be anything crazy, but that, like, musicality and that, that sort of, like, melody is not a typical... And this might be why it resonated with me. It's not a typical kind of melody you're gonna find in contemporary music. Um, it's, it's very different. It's older. It's more classically styled. The, it's, it's meant to sort of bring you up to these crescendos in ways that modern music is not necessarily. So enough about that. I don't know a lot about music theory, so I might be totally wrong and, and- ... people might be rolling their eyes. But I, I do think that there's something to it. Like, a lot of the older hymns- utilize chord progressions and melodies and harmonies and things like that that we're just not used to. You're not gonna get that listening to, you know, even something like, like the more musical kind, uh, more technically proficient music like something like Bethel or Hillsong, which is at times musically very good. Uh, I don't know that I would recommend listening to it, but the music is actually, like, technically very good in some instances. Uh, even there you're not gonna find a lot of this stuff. So instead of going there for, like, really nice sounding musical worship, just go to something like the Trinity Psalter app. You know, for $10 on a- on your iPhone you can sing with it. Um, yeah, enough about that. I, I, I could talk about how great the Psalms are and how great psalm singing is for an entire episode. We should do that episode- We should ... when we're done with the parables, 'cause I know we've done a lot of episodes on, like, uh, on, on, like, the regulative principle and- Right I, I think we're still both in the same spot that, like- Right ... exclusive psalmody is probably not where we would land. Right. But I think I'm coming to the conviction that the psalms should have a much greater portion of our worship diet, uh- Hmm ... than they do in most churches. Um, and I really only came to that conviction when I was in a church where psalm singing was the norm. Uh, I know that we try to have at least one s- one canonical psalm for every single worship service. Usually there's multiple, but, um, even in a, a, a setting where we normally wouldn't be so focused on that, we still try to have at least one, and it's been a, a really huge edifying thing to my soul.  [00:14:06] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. I absolutely love that. You'll find no complaint from me on that. I think that that's a good reminder for all of us.  [00:14:13] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:14:14] Book Sing Recommendation [00:14:14] Tony Arsenal: Jesse, what do you have?  [00:14:15] Jesse Schwamb: Well, it's, we're not gonna stop this conversation, just so you know. Because we don't sync up on these things ever, but it just so happens that I'm affirming with a book that it's a really simple primer on congregational singing-  There you go that has  long been on my list and overdue to read, and I am coming in hot with a recommendation for this, and that is the book entitled Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church by Keith and Kristyn Getty. And really, it covers so many of the things that you already talked about. I, I think at the foremost, it's a reminder that God cares whether in what we sing, but he does not mind how well we sing. Yes. But it is, like, the, this... What's true is that our voices might not be of a professional standard, but they are of a confessional standard. Yeah. And so it is incumbent upon every Christian to sing. And if you need just, like, a little bit of inspiration, so to speak, or a reminder of why that's important, I highly commend this book to you. In fact, in the back they have what's called, like, these bonus tracks. It's like four or five separate chapters that they've written just to particular people in the church, pastors, laypeople, musicians, even the people that help produce the sound. I found that bit to be so lovely and pastoral. It, it's gentle, the tone is encouraging, but it is also strong, and I appreciate that. So a lot of it is some of the themes that we've just talked about, but my conviction grows all the time of just how important congregational singing is, and how everything you just said, the music, the liturgy that we bring forward- has to be of a deliberate kind to strengthen that exercise, to make it easy, so to speak. And that does come into practical things like if you look at the psalter, and I, I don't... I have it on my phone, but I don't know where my phone is, so I was gonna look at the one you were referencing. My guess is it's, it's in probably a key with a couple of sharps in it, because those are the ones that are easiest to sing. So even little things like that matter. What you hear on the radio often is, or radio? People still listen to the radio? What you hear, like, in, like, contemporary music, like, often is not necessarily for congregational singing just in its key, and, and that's okay. And so even in my own church, we transpose things to make it reasonable and approachable. But what I think was, like, the critical question put forward in this book that I absolutely loved as a great reminder was: how did the congregation sing? It's very interesting that they kind of bring forward this thesis that that's how you should be judging your music. How did the congregation sing? And I think if we started asking that, it might slightly tweak or maybe change altogether, to your point, the methods and the practices that we use when we undergo worship by way or through music. So this is really great. It's easily readable, and it's for everybody, and it, there's a chapter on family worship as well, how to bring singing into your home and music into your home all the time as an act of worship so that when you get to the Lord's Day, your kids are like, "Yeah, this is our jam." Uh, especially maybe even recognizing some of the pieces of music and be excited about that. So there was a lot that made me think about here. It's fantastic. And to your point, Tony, I would say the Gettys, especially in, like, "Christ Alone," some of the other things, this is probably the closest to what you're talking about, where they've taken and imported kind of the classical hymn structures-  [00:17:26] Tony Arsenal: Yeah [00:17:27] Jesse Schwamb: but modernized a little bit just the language while without sacrificing any of the theological richness or the musicality that draws your ear to those beautiful rising and falling melodies, the swelling of the vocal there, without, like, distracting from anything that's going on there. It's not emotionalism- Yeah but it certainly is filled with the emotion of what it means to be a Christian and to sing in response as an act of praise to God.  [00:17:50] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:17:52] Family Worship Singing [00:17:52] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, I mean, I can't underscore enough the importance of congregational singing. We, we've, we've actually talked about, about it in context of, like, how important it is for the men of the congregation to sing, which is something I, I really appreciate about my congregation, is, is the m- the men just go all out. Like, people are, like- Love it ... nobody is, nobody is ashamed of the fact that they squawk on a note that they're not used to or anything like that. And where this really pays out, um, at least in our congregation, but I'd, I'd be willing to bet if you go to any congregation where the, where the men particularly are passionate and active in musical worship, right? Um, I think where this plays out is you see the children very quickly picking up those songs and learning them and singing them. And the, the favorite part of my day, this is gon- any parent of toddlers is gonna be like, "What are you talking about?" Bedtime is one of my favorite times of day, not just because it means that, like, in a little while I'm gonna get a little peace and quiet. Like, that's part of it, too, but there are two songs that we sing almost every single night, and Augie leads them, which is really great. He always wants to start, and he always wants to sing, and it's the Doxology and the Gloria Patri. And these are songs that he has just picked up from being in the congregation, and, you know, I, I don't remember consciously teaching him any of these songs. And now, now Adeline, who is, uh, my two-year-old daughter, almost two, she's starting to pick those songs up, and she's starting to sing them, and she recognizes them, and she responds very differently to those songs than she does to other songs. Um, it's funny because I don't, I don't know where she got this. Neither my wife nor I are particularly, uh, charismatic, emotive people. Like, we don't raise our hands when we're singing, but she, she does. She, she, when we start singing- My girl ... the Gloria Patri or the Doxology, her hand is in the air, and she's looking at the sky, and she's waving her hands around. Yeah. And, um, she recognizes that those songs have a different place than a Miss Rachel song. She doesn't put her hands in the air and wave and look up at the ceiling when Miss Rachel comes on or when Baby Shark comes on. She knows those songs. She can sing those songs. Um, but she doesn't- Respond to those in the same way. And that is a direct result of the fact that congregational singing is an important thing in the life of our church and in the life of our family. And I think a book like Sing, I haven't read it, but I've heard very good things about it, and the, the Gettys are rock solid, like- Right ... theologically. Yes. Musically. They're, they're well within our Reformed tradition, at least broadly speaking. Um, and, and they have a, they have one of the strongest sort of theologies of praise music that you're gonna find. Mm-hmm. It's not quite like a liturgiology or something like that, but it's, it's, it's a theology of praise worship, praise and worship music. Right. Um, and that's not something that's super common, right? There's a lot of theology of liturgy. There's a lot of practical theology on liturgy. Um, the Gettys have developed a really unique kind of place in things in that they've really developed this idea that congregational singing has a specific theological import, and they've developed it in a way that's approachable. So yeah, I haven't read it and I sh- I probably should, but it, it sounds like a really great book. And, um, I c- just can't underscore it enough. And- Maybe this is my little plug. Like, uh, family worship is really tough, and it's not something I've mastered. Like, we don't, we, we don't have a regular rhythm. But what we do have is we have a consistent, uh, we consistently pray at night before bed, and we consistently sing one or both of those songs. And that by itself, like, the kids are learning and they are, they're absorbing that by osmosis. Um, they're picking up the phrasing, right? Augie can tell you who the three persons of the Trinity are, and that's partially 'cause we do catechism questions, but it's also partially, and I would actually argue probably more, because of the Trinitarian structure of those two songs. Right. He's picked up the language of the Father, the Spirit, and the Son from the Gloria Patri and from the doxology in ways that probably I wouldn't have been able to teach him otherwise. So yeah. Anyway, I, I just co-opted your affirmation. But, um, but yeah. I'm here for it. Congregational worship, family worship, singing, uh, to our Lord is commanded, and it's commanded for our good- Right and for his, his benefit and his blessing. Um, and so any book that is, is solid and will help you do that, I, I'm wholeheartedly behind.  [00:22:17] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. This is... All that is fire. This is fire.  [00:22:19] Reclaim Congregational Song [00:22:19] Jesse Schwamb: God designed our psyche for singing, and we're probably, uh, I would say contractually obligated since Reformed is in the name of the title of the podcast- to remind ourselves and everybody else that one of the things the Reformation did was reclaim the singing of God's word by his own people. Yes. Taking it out of that performatory space back into literally the voice boxes of the people who are sitting in worship together. So sometimes we might have to do that again. You know, there is a little bit, I think, of... There, there is in some places, not everywhere, this kind of tilting of that time of worship through music to be vouchsafed or relegated to those who are, uh, let's say, like, the most, like, talented in doing that, and somehow we participate merely by observing or by- Yeah just, uh, you know, being an audience spectator of that, and that's totally backwards. So I get it. The thing is- We're all singers. We may not all be very good singers, but we're all created to be singers nonetheless. This is what the Bible tells us. So we need to lean into that. We need to invest in that. Yeah. And so I, I like, of course, what you're doing with, uh, your kids because you're not only teaching them to sing, and this makes me so happy, but you're teaching them to love singing to the Lord. Yeah. And so that is, I think, what a lot of our congregations miss, is sometimes we do it, and I'm among them often, but grudgingly. And so to get to a place where we come excited that our reasonable response, our reasonable preparation on the Lord's day is to sing together, to hear that gospel message in melody in the ear of our... You know, the voice of our neighbor in our own ear is a wild thing. It's just, like, un- unheard of. And it's like, uh, we gotta stop, right? It's one of those things also that, like- ... we've, we've talked about how it's just kind of otherworldly. Not, not only in the sense that it gives us this really kind of foundational sense of God's, you know, kind of transcendence, of what it means to participate in the worship of someone who is transcendent because it is all these voices together, but also this is something that rarely happens in any other way, especially in the Western culture anymore. This coming together to express and to participate in something where we're all reading literally from the same sheet music is just an entirely different experience, increasingly relegated to this kind of experience. So we, we must protect it, not only because God says that we ought to, but also because, again, it is, it is our reasonable response. Yeah. And it is something, like you've just said, that brings Him glory and is certainly for our good. So, uh, this is the Singcast, so everybody- ... everybody get to it. You can make your own music. God has commanded us to sing. So the sooner we just understand, like, hey, it's, it's... You know. Uh, but... And the last thing I'll say is this is one of those things that's, like, practice too. A- and I get it. Like, you may say, like, "Listen, I can only hit two notes, and that's all I'm gonna hit no matter what the music is." Well, then belt the two notes, and also know that, like, the more you practice that kind of thing, honestly, the better that you'll get and the more comfortable that you'll become. The voice is an instrument like any other instrument that takes, like, a little bit of practice and a little bit of work. But even that can cause, I think, great benefits and build a little bit of confidence. But just the example of singing and doing it from a heart that is keen to worship God and that is filled with passion to respond to Him with gratitude and, you know, adoration is really the key thing. And so I, I'd rather have a entire group full of worshipers that are singing off-key but, like, with just resounding passion than to have this performance of just a handful of voices because they feel like they're the most capable to do it. Yeah. I think we'd, we'd rather have everybody else, and to hear the congregation mixed as one of those instruments. So sing. Yeah.  [00:26:05] Everyone Can Sing [00:26:05] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and y- you and I have made the point in the past, too, like- I, I don't think, uh, maybe I'm wrong. Uh, we are a top 50 healthcare podcast, so maybe some doctor- I'm sure you're correct ... is gonna... Right. Like, I don't think being tone deaf is actually a physical condition. Like- Mm. I, I mean, I, I mean, obviously, like, some people have hearing problems, and that means they have trouble singing. I hear what you're saying. But, like, the people who are like, "Well, I j- I just can't sing. I'm just not capable of that," uh, like, I think the, the physical conditions that would make you incapable of singing are not usually what people are talking about. Like- Right. Yeah ... you know, some people have, like, vocal fold disorders or they have hearing problems, and I guess maybe, like, if perfect pitch is a thing, which it, it is. Like, perfect pitch is a... I don't know what causes it, but some people are born with perfect pitch. I suppose in theory that means some people must be born with, like, the opposite of perfect pitch. But I think most people who say, like, "Well, I just, I'm just tone deaf. I can't carry a tone," that, that's probably not true. Like, it just means you need practice. Um, and some people's voices, like physically, their bodies are more, more designed by God to produce a pleasant sound than other people. But I, I think actually just about anybody with a little bit of practice, and mostly I think this is probably just the confidence to actually sing and a little bit of practice to learn how your body works, like how your voice works, um, could probably get to a point where singing is not only very relatively comfortable and easy, but it's something that is pleasant and is not overly challenging. This is actually something that I think we've lost in the church. We should... This, I mean, this is about to come the episode, but, um- ... something we've lost in the church when we have sort of changed from a true genuine congregational singing model, which was the norm- And I've heard people make arguments about the importance of hymnals, and I, I agree with those arguments, although I know some people have moved them into almost like a realm of, like, divine mandate- Right that you have to use hymnals because it trains people to teach. But we have lost something with both the sort of commercialization of worship music and the pro- like making it a professional thing, and we've lost congregational singing. The, the people in the church throughout history have learned to sing. Many of them have learned to read, learned the scriptures, learned theology, not in the seminary and not in the monastery, but in the pew as they sing God's word and as they sing- Right ... the great theological hymns of, of the church. There's so much you can learn through that process that I just think we've lost. And I think going back to something like a hymnal or the Trinity Psalter Hymnal or whatever, whatever standard music your church is gonna use, and I mean standard music. Like, whether this is a collection of worship choruses that has been curated for the church or it's a published hymnal or something like that, going back to something like that teaches the church how to sing. And I don't remember who wrote it, but the trellis and the vine, like the worship that we sing, I know Mike Horton makes this point. The worship that we sing is the tre- is the trellis that the vine of our wor- of our- Yes ... faith grows on, right? That's true. Like, what the, what the church lex credendi, lex orandi. Like, the church, what the church prays, the church believes. What the church sings, the church believes. So all of that to say, like, the, the importance of congregational singing can't be under-emphasized, and it's... I, I mean, I don't know that I would I don't know that most theologists say technically s- like, congregational singing is an element of worship, but praising the Lord through song certainly is. Yes. It's, it's evidence. Um, and, and so I think that's definitely something that the church has lost in general. Um, and I know there are churches... I- it's funny, when Ashley and I were between churches, uh, very briefly after, um, our previous church closed down, um, we went to a local sort of, like, high, high, uh, production, seeker-sensitive church, very Steven Furtick-esque, and we only lasted, like, 10 minutes in this, in this service. We went in and the production value was great, and the music sounded great, but we couldn't hear ourselves, we couldn't sing- Right ... and it was very performative, and we just left. We were only there for a few minutes, and we left. And I think that's something we've lost as we've sort of migrated worship to almost, like, a professional class. So yeah, bring it back to the pews. Bring it back to your- Bring it back ... bring it back to your house, bring it back to your kid's bedroom when you're tucking them in. Everywhere. Bring it back to the car on the way to work, in the bus. Right. Like, just let's everywhere we go, let's sing and worship the Lord. [00:30:30] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's right.  [00:30:31] Train Your Voice [00:30:31] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, so as a final thing, let me compound your hot take and say that I agree with you, that I... And I think professionals would as well, and I'm gonna stand on a resource that I'm gonna recommend to everybody here in a second, that in fact the Getty say, "If you can speak, you can sing." And there are a f- a few conditions that would prevent you from doing that, of course. And even there, they wanna explore opportunities for you, for instance, signing, for instance, to ensure that you can participate in worship. Uh, the hot take is I do think that because the instrument that God has given us in the vocal cords is exactly that, that it can be trained, and that actually most people can sing. And if you're serious about that, if you think, "You know what? I'd like to be able to do that. How can I explore that?" Here's a book for you. It's called Set Your Voice Free by Roger Love. The full title is How to Get the Singing or Speaking Voice You Want. Roger Love is, like, this amazing behind-the-scenes vocal coach. He has coached, like, a ton of really talented recording artists, and this is his very contention in the book, is that everybody can sing. It's really about how much or little work you wanna put into it. And in fact, this book comes with, like, these exercises that you can listen to and then record yourself. And then he, from a distance basically, can give you some pointers based on allowing you to kinda evaluate what you hear in your own recording back. So if you really are the kind of person that's like, "Listen, I, I dare you. I cannot sing," I would challenge you, I would double dog dare you to get this book, Set Your Voice Free, and if you're really serious about wanting to try and see if it can make a difference, I, I think it can. And I've, I myself have enjoyed this book, gone back to it many times, use it in my own work and practice because I found it to be helpful. So there you go. Sing, sing, and sing again.  [00:32:06] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:32:07] Singing Apps and Practice [00:32:07] Tony Arsenal: And if you're not a reader, first of all, why are you listening to the podcast? But second of all, if for some reason you're not a reader I'm, I'm joking. I'm sure there are people that are listening to the podcast who are not readers. That was, like, a super smug thing to say. How dare you. I'm sorry about that. How dare you. Um, if for some reason you don't wanna read that book or you're not a reader, um, y- you can do something as simple as looking up Yousician on your Yousician, Y-O-U- Yeah ... S-I, like the word musician, but U instead of, like, Y-O-U instead of, uh, musician. Um, there are plenty of apps out there. I just, I mention Yousician just because I've used that on, like, a free trial basis with some guitar teaching, and it's a reputable source. They also have a vocal module. So, like, if you wanna learn to sing, there are plenty of resources out there who can help you train your voice. A- and it- Again, I'm not a doctor, I'm not a vocal coach, I'm not a professional singer. I'm not even that great of a singer, and I, I probably could be a better singer if I wanted to devote the time to it. Um, it doesn't take much to, to be able- Right ... to become a competent singer. Um, I think most of us, you pick up one s- just like I learned guitar, you pick one or two songs that you really like and you wanna learn, and you learn to sing those songs, and then those skills will develop over time. So enough about that, Jesse. We've got, speaking of talents- ... we've got some talents to talk about. There it is. Boom, bazinga. Baza-bazom. I'm  [00:33:27] Jesse Schwamb: back. There it is. Yeah, so- I was excited  [00:33:31] Tony Arsenal: about that one ...  [00:33:32] Jesse Schwamb: that, that was really good. And, and we should just h- honor everyone. That's it.  [00:33:37] Tony Arsenal: That's it. Tip your waiters and waitresses, folks. It  [00:33:39] Jesse Schwamb: was so good. We're here all week.  [00:33:41] Parable Context Setup [00:33:41] Jesse Schwamb: So we're in Matthew 25, uh, verses 14 through 28, and this is at least gonna be a two-parter for us. This goes by the name you might be familiar of, which is The Parable of the Talents. But before we get to it, just a quick reminder that we've been speaking about this parable, not like in a special way, but hopefully in the more contextual sense. So this is the second of three eschatological parables in Matthew 25. So the first was The 10 Virgins, which we went through. We're in The Talents, and then we're coming up to everybody's favorite, The Sheep and the Goats. All three are part of this Olivet Discourse, which is, of course, Jesus' final teaching block before his Passion. And I think it h- behooves us so that we do not get distracted from, like, the center of gravity of this thing, that this is delivered in response to the disciples' question about the sign of his coming and the age to come. Because I've heard so many, like, little talks, maybe homilies is more the right word, on this particular parable that lack gravity. So little gravity that basically NASA could train their astronauts in it. So we wanna stay away from that and I think get into, like, the, the proper context. So Tony, do you have it in front of you by any chance? And would  [00:34:50] Tony Arsenal: you- I do. I do, yeah. Yeah. Read it for us? I'll read it here.  [00:34:52] Reading the Parable [00:34:52] Tony Arsenal: So this is, uh, starting in, uh, Matthew 25 verse 14, and I'm gonna read down through, uh, the end of verse 30 here. So it, it reads here, "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them, entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time, the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents. Here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little. I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, "Master, you delivered to me two talents. Here I have made two talents more." His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little. I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." He also who had received one talent came forward, saying, "Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed. So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours." But his master answered him, "You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him who gave it, who give it to him who has 10 talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. For, uh, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness in that place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  [00:36:56] Watchfulness and Stewardship [00:36:56] Jesse Schwamb: So it starts with that amazing connective, which we really spoke about in the last episode, in verse four- 14, starting with four. So it's tying, like we said, this parable directly to verse 13, which we know is in the, the parable of the ten virgins. But it's this idea of watchfulness. "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." So th- I think this is the point we really drove last time, that we really felt highly convicted about, that this parable is not like a detached economic lesson, but it's really like an expedition, exposition, not expedition- ... of what watchful discipleship actually looks like during the interval of the master's absence. Like, that's the whole setup here. So it's starting with this idea of like the master goes away, but here we have these slaves or these servants who are entrusted. And to me, again, that's like such a linchpin in this whole thing, 'cause it's, it's carrying the sense that of course, like, he's handing over stewardship. It's a deposit held on another's behal- I love this parable because it has some banking language in it. It's, it's a deposit held on another's behalf, and that's like the key covenant concept of the entire thing. Ownership remains with the master. The servants are stewards. They're not proprietors. And that language, I think, really anticipates, like, the entire New Testament theology of stewardship, which is developed by Paul. So like when Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." So like all of that, that's like just one verse for me. Like, that's an incredible setup.  [00:38:27] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:38:28] Common Misreadings [00:38:28] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and you know, I think it bears saying, too, um, I wanna be careful how I say this because I don't wanna impugn, uh, poor motives or anything like that on, on the, the people that I'm about to speak to. And I say this a little bit tongue in cheek, but also I say this as someone who used to be deeply involved in youth ministry. There's kind of like a, a youth ministry, um- international version of the Bible, I guess, if you wanna put it that way, where, like, there are certain, certain passages and parables that s- for some reason seem really prone to misapplication- Sure in, in some context. And I would say, like, youth ministry is the one I have in mind. Like, um, one of them is, like, in Matthew 18 where it's like, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them." Like, that's a, that's a statement about God's, God's presence in the judgment of the church and excommunicating an un- like, a, an unrepentant, uh, person who identifies with Christ. And, and ironically here, maybe not ironically, but, like, casting them into the outer darkness of excommunication, which is representative of casting them out into the actual inner darkness of damnation. Right. Like, th- there's a, there's a misapplication of that, that like, well, you know, like, if only a couple people came to youth group tonight, like, it's still worth meeting because where two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst of them. Um, this, this parable has a very similar kind of misapplication that is maybe a, a little bit less of a misapplication. Like, I think there is something to say in this parable about the fact that God entrusts us with abilities, talents, treasure, t- our time. Like, He's entrusted us with resources, and He does expect us to use those resources, uh, in a way that is honoring to Him and beneficial for the, for the gospel and for the kingdom. Um, that's true in a broad sense, but I don't think actually that this is what that... But, like, that's not what this passage- Mm ... is teaching. Right. I think I, I kinda joked last time, but, like, I've heard more than one sermon that draws the parallel between the word talent here and our talents in terms of, like, our spiritual gifts or our ability to play guitar or, like, to bounce a basketball and, like, thr- like, throw a free throw. Like, that's not the kinda talent we're talking about here. So I wanna, I wanna sorta, like, point that out just to sort of exclude that from the conversation. Yes, God gifts His people, and He expects His people to use those gifts for His glory and for their own benefit. Um, but that's not what this parable is talking about. This is a parable about the fact that God has entrusted the kingdom of heaven on Earth to His people.  [00:41:08] Jesse Schwamb: That's right.  [00:41:08] Tony Arsenal: And He expects His people to make use of that in a way that expands the kingdom and also in a way that does not... And this is, this is, I actually think, the main point of the parable. In a way that properly understands the nature of the king. The, the punchline or the main point of the parable here, it, just to sort of, like, I don't know, give away the ending or, like, unbury the lead, I don't know, whatever that is. The point of this parable- It's not that, like, it's a really good thing to double what God has resourced you with. The point of the parable, the reason that, just like the, um, just like it wasn't the virgins falling asleep in the last parable that was the problem because everybody fell asleep, in this instance, uh, the amount of money or the amount of return on investment that the servants produce is not the point of the parable. That's not the real difference between them. The real difference is that the former servants understood that their master had trusted them with a task and expected something of them, and the, the unfaithful, wicked, lazy servant had a total misunderstanding of who the master was- Right ... and therefore what his role as the master's servant was. That's the point of this parable, and I think, this is the last thing I'll say before I, I, I take a breath here. There's a lot of people that would look at this parable and might read some sort of works righteousness or, um, and this is more understandable and I think has a place within the Reformed tradition, although I don't necessarily hold this view. But would look at this as sort of like a theology which would, would argue that we receive some sort of enhanced rewards in heaven based on our faithfulness. There's plenty of good, faithful Reformed Bible teachers that would hold that position. I actually think whether or not that's true, this is still also not what this passage is getting at. [00:43:00] Jesse Schwamb: I, I totally agree with you there.  [00:43:02] Talents as Huge Wealth [00:43:02] Jesse Schwamb: I, I think one of the reasons that we know that is because we can look at some of these details and let the details speak to us about the magnitude in their representation, why they're given. So of course, whenever the scripture gives us detail, especially in a context like a parable, it can be helpful of cour- of course not to overanalyze them, but to respect their place in the context of the story, and that's why verse 15 I think is so important. So to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability, then he went away. Now, this, this varies slightly, but there's a lot of, I think, very common historicity here that points us to understanding, like, the talents as a unit of monetary weight, and there is some discrepancy about its exact weight. But what we can say for sure is this: that we're talking about, as I teased at the beginning, a huge sum of money. So in other words, like, this is a gift from God himself. It's a divine gift. Yeah. It's something that's not earned. It's something that's given and something that's entrusted. So in the first-century Roman world, a talent was roughly equivalent to, like, 6,000 denarii, depending on who you talk to, which would mean that a single talent represented approximately, like, 20 years on average of a laborer's wages. So the sums then here we're talking about are staggering even at the lowest one. So the five-talent servant is receiving essentially approximately equivalent of a century's wages, and the one-talent servant is receiving 20 years' worth. There's no such thing as a small gift in Christ's economy, I think is the point here, and even the least endowment is immense beyond our reckoning. Yeah. So the distribution also is deliberately unequal. It's five, one, two, and the text doesn't offer any apology for this inequality. The master distributes to each according to his ability, which as I say that, I realize that could probably be its own episode, that we could talk about what that even means. Yeah. But he is matching and entrusting to capacity, and that's not arbitrary. Of course, that's wise and personal, and even the Greek here for this idea of capacity or power suggests the master knows his servants intimately and calibrates the stewardship accordingly. But nonetheless, it proves the point you're making here, which is not just about, like, well, do you have some kind of innate ability that's above average that God has endowed you with here? That's not even what we're talking about. Again, the whole point of this is to answer the question eschatologically about what the end means and when the time is coming and what good discipleship looks like. And so in that way, we understand then these talents to be these divinely appointed and massively generous gifts of God, essentially, like you said, the stewarding of the gospel in the story of salvation itself unto his people, and then to make something of that, so to speak, by the power of the Holy Spirit that earns a return for the kingdom, that is all empowered by God, that is under the volition of the person, uh, the Christian who says, "As a disciple, it is my responsibility to steward these gifts." That is really what we're after. So we do kind of get in this place where when you take this and say, "Well, what are you doing with," let's say- your home, if you have a nice home, are you being hospitable enough? If you have, let's say, a good singing voice by talent, are you using that to make sure that you're on the, quote-unquote, "praise and worship team," is not, like, entirely wrong, but it's not right either- Yeah to use this passage- Yeah ... for that purpose. There's a bigger theme here. There is, there's a much stronger and widescale framework that God is drawing us to and examine, and it's about the stewardship of the church itself.  [00:46:30] Tony Arsenal: Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah.  [00:46:31] The Foolish Servant Exposed [00:46:31] Tony Arsenal: That's really key, and this is what struck me as, as you were speaking about that, is like we see in so many of the kinda like, uh, like the chump in the parable. Like, there's- Yeah ... a lot of these parables have like a chump- Right ... where like you're looking at and you're like, nothing about what you've decided to do makes any sense. We're talking about people who've been given, in the first case, 100 years worth of, worth of wages. Right. Right? Any one of these people, and again, we're talking about a timeframe where, like, you could just take that money and run and, like, nobody's gonna find you. There's no digital trail on any of this, right? If I stole, if I stole 100 years worth of labor from my manager or from my, my employer, they would find me, right? That's not the situation we're talking about. So even the chump who decided, "I'm not gonna do anything with this," he could've just take- taken off with the money and had 20 years worth of labor. Right. Just 20 years worth of wages. Right. This is a, this is a sum of money that makes all f- all three of these servants unimaginably wealthy instantly, right? The point of this is, in part, that the final servant has no idea the amazing blessing and responsibility that he's been given. And again, I come back to this. It's not because he is dumb or because he is, um, somehow less competent in a strict sense, right? It, it's so funny to me, like, we also gloss over the fact that, like, the guy who has five talents, he's got 100 years worth of money, 100 years worth of wages. Right. And he just goes and gets 100 more. Like- Right he just goes and trades and- Right ... comes up with 100 years worth of wages that he brings back. Like, that's, in itself is, like, phenomenally, amazingly outrageous. We ran into this too with the, um, the parable of the unmerciful servant, right? We've, we've got one guy who's got this unimaginable debt, like, like, thousands of years worth of, uh, worth of wages that he could never make up, and he thinks he's gonna somehow come up with it if you just give him enough time. It's kind of like the opposite here. This guy's got this unimaginable amount of instant wealth, and he just buries it in the ground. First of all, how much... We're also talking about an era where money was a physical, entirely physical.  [00:48:53] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:48:53] Tony Arsenal: There were no, there were no digital banks. Like- No zeros and ones most of our money exists as ones and zeros in a computer program right now. Right. Like, in reality, like- Right ... my money doesn't exist. We don't have, like, a physical gold standard anymore in America. Jesse could probably s- I'm probably making dumb things up right now. No, that's that's- Like, it used- Right on to be that, like, every dollar that the United States government printed had, like, a piece of gold sitting at Fort Knox- Yes ... uh, like backing it up, but we just don't have that anymore. Most of the money that exists in our system is entirely imaginary. It's an entirely, like, made-up digital currency way before, like, Bitcoin was a thing. That's not the case in this timeframe. This dude who buried 20 years worth of money in the ground, that's a significant amount of labor in and of itself- Right ... to even be able to do that. So we're not talking about, like... And I think this is the thing we miss when we, when we read the word talents, and one, when we obscure it and we, like, we misappropriate the word talent to mean, like, abilities, 'cause it, that's a convenient, like, illustration tool. We're talking about a huge sum of probably gold or silver that this dude just buries in the ground, and then, like, digs it up when the master comes back.  [00:50:01] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:50:01] Tony Arsenal: And I think, like- When we don't realize how much money this is, we miss the force of the master's like, "You stupid, dumb, wicked, slothful servant." Like, if you had even taken this money to the bank and done the least imaginable- Yes ... effort. Exactly. Like, if you had done anything at all, like how mu- how difficult, granted more difficult back in this age than it is now, but like if you had even done something as simple requiring as little labor as possible and just brought this to the bank and let them collect interest on it, we'd still be talking about a huge return. [00:50:35] Jesse Schwamb: That's right.  [00:50:36] Tony Arsenal: And he doesn't even do that, and that's, that's the point. There's the people who do, and they gloss over this. The parable totally glosses over the amazing effort and work that it must have taken to take 100 years worth of la- of wages and turn it into 200 years worth of wages. Right. Or to take 40 years worth of wages and turn it into 80 years worth of wages. That's an amazing, probably almost miraculous return on, on investment. Whatever they did is amazing, and the parable's like, "Yeah, they did that." They just took it to the traders and they brought back five more talents. Like, it's nothing. And then this idiot, and I say idiot in like the most like, like exegetically sound, idios, like, like foolish idiot person. [00:51:20] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:51:20] Tony Arsenal: This idiot just buries it in the ground and doesn't even bother to bring it to the bank where he's gonna get some return on it. This is the picture of the fool who does not make use of the means of salvation. This is the picture of the fool who refuses to receive Christ as savior, who refuses to make use of the benefit and blessing of salvation that is available to all who will trust in Christ and turn to him. This is the same picture as the idiot virgins who didn't buy enough oil and just fell asleep when they knew that the bridegroom was coming, right? Right. It's not that they fell asleep, it's that they didn't do the most obvious, simple,

Hey there, Believers! This week, I'm joined by author Nicholas Daigle, to discuss the research behind his book, Genesis 6 and the Ozarks!! Nick put boots on the ground for this, uncovering what may be proof of giants that once inhabited the American Midwest! You don't want to miss this one!Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

A Catholic exorcist sprinkles holy water on an inmate's tattoo and the man starts screaming that it burns. Over a decade as an exorcist has shown Father John exactly how evil gets carried into a home — a doll, a statue, a souvenir — and goes to work on the people you love before you ever feel it in the room. Catholic exorcist and longtime prison chaplain Father John breaks down generational curses, cursed objects sold in ordinary shops, the demon that admitted hatred alone can generate a curse, and the fairy statue that concealed a decapitated priest sealed in plastic. He explains how to tell mental illness from a spiritual attack, why heavy pornography use can leave a demon attached, and what the Church never taught its own priests. Raw field notes from a man who does this work every week — not theory. CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Tattoo That Burned When Blessed 01:10 Cartels Pay Satanists to Curse the Drugs 06:14 Santa Muerte: The Saint Inmates Pray To 07:42 Is It Mental Illness or Is It Evil? 11:28 Generational Curses: Binding the Family Line 14:47 The Psychologist Nobody Could Help 18:35 "If You Hate Enough, You Can Make a Curse" 20:16 The Price of a Curse: Evil Doesn't Work Free 22:53 764, Sextortion & the Cult Hunting Kids Online 24:10 Heavy Metal to Satanism: One Man's Slide 26:37 The Boy, the Red Eyes & Five Years of Terror 34:32 Can a Baby Be Possessed? 35:26 The Samurai Doll That Brought an Apparition 37:10 How to Destroy a Cursed Object 39:13 The Fairy Statue With a Priest Sealed Inside 45:36 Fr. Amorth and the Object That Burned His Hands 46:20 Crystals, Wands & the Shop on Your Corner 48:24 Tarot Cards and the Suicide Case 52:50 The Demon That Tricked St. Faustina 58:15 Three Voices in Your Head: Choose Carefully 1:02:04 Why Your Priest Has No Idea What to Do 1:09:39 Confession Is a Minor Exorcism 1:10:24 Pornography and the Sexual Demon 1:11:34 Bless Your Phone With Holy Water 1:15:34 Even Judas Walked With Jesus 1:18:14 Epstein, Power & People Who Serve Evil 1:21:29 "Eyes Wide Shut Is Not Cinema" 1:29:16 The Baby's Night Terrors That Stopped 1:33:00 Evil Is Always Probing for a Way In 1:36:49 Can You Confess Straight to God? Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no additional cost to you. I only link to books, products, and resources I genuinely recommend or that were mentioned in the episode. Your support helps keep this channel running. Thank you.  GUEST & EPISODE RESOURCES - Father John's ministry & resources → [GUEST LINK — CONFIRM URL BEFORE PUBLISH] - An Exorcist Tells His Story — Fr. Gabriele Amorth → https://amzn.to/4ehmvNd - An Exorcist: More Stories — Fr. Gabriele Amorth → https://amzn.to/4o2Skwp - The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul → https://amzn.to/49vh4Yu - Catechism of the Catholic Church (Second Edition) → https://amzn.to/4fl1sdM - The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Ascension Edition — United States Conference of Catholic Bishops → https://amzn.to/49yRYry  Sacramentals referenced in this episode: Holy Water, The Rosary - Browse the full DDG Reading Library: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thedadsdoomsdayguide  SUPPORT THE SHOW If the show's ever made you think differently, you can support it here: https://buymeacoffee.com/sohara24x It helps me book guests and keep episodes coming. Thank you.  GOT A STORY? (VEIL ENCOUNTERS) From ghosts to the truly bizarre - if you have seen it, we want to hear it. Share a written account or a 60-120s voice note here (consent + anonymity options): https://forms.gle/3fTnj7TeFnRcHFnE9  FIRST RESPONDERS — TELL US YOUR STORY (STAY ANONYMOUS) Have a strange or interesting encounter (it does not have to be paranormal)? We want to hear it: https://forms.gle/nvM7bsTb96gsBB6L6 ABOUT DDG The Dad's Doomsday Guide explores exorcism and demonology, hauntings and ghosts, NDEs and consciousness, and the search for meaning. Honest, curious, evidence-seeking. CONNECT Email: podcast@dadsdoomsdayguide.com Phone: 213-465-3252 Website: https://www.dadsdoomsdayguide.com/ DISCLAIMER All opinions are our own. Content is for educational and entertainment purposes only and not financial, medical, or legal advice.

Mt6:9-15 The Father of My Soul

Hey there, Believers! I hope you check out the 6th anniversary episode on YouTube! This week, Karen joins me to dig into her experiences throughout her life, including her time participating in CE-5 events. Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Evolving Humans, we move from theory to practice. If intuition is real—and you've probably had enough experiences to suspect that it is—how do you actually access it on purpose?We explore the primary channels for your intuition: your body, your emotions, your inner vision/imagination, and your quiet inner voice. You'll learn how each of these channels speaks, what to look for, and how to begin building a day-to-day relationship with your own intuitive language.This conversation is less about mystical portals and more about tuning into signals that are already present in you—often just beneath the noise of everyday life.In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why intuition doesn't always show up as a clear “voice” and how it actually communicates The four main intuitive channels:Body Awareness / Somatic Sensation – understanding “gut feelings,” expansion vs. contraction, and physical nudges Emotional Resonance – reading the deeper emotional tone of “rightness,” “wrongness,” flow, and resistanceImagery & Symbolism – working with inner pictures, symbols, and dreams as intuitive guidance Quiet Knowing / Inner Voice – recognizing the calm, clear whisper beneath mental chatterHow to tell the difference between a genuine intuitive nudge and mental overthinking Key principles that apply to all intuitive channels: trusting first impressions, not over-analyzing in the moment, and practicing self-compassion as you learn. The episode is jam-packed with exercises and Self-reflection questions:1. The Two-Choice Body TestUse your body to sense into simple decisions:2. The Emotional CompassBefore a decision or activity, ask:3. Symbolic InquiryFor visual/imagery intuition:4. The Intuitive DialogueFor inner voice and clear knowing:5. Daily Intuition LogKeep a running record of intuitive moments—gut feelings, images, emotional tones, inner whispers. Note what happened, what you sensed, and whether you followed it. Over time, this becomes your personal “field guide” to your own intuition.6. Intuitive Art or Movement7. Oracle/Tarot as a Mirror (Optional)Use cards not to predict the future, but to spark your own intuitive insight. Self-Reflection Questions can be used as prompts to deepen your understanding of how your intuition works.Suggested Use of This EpisodeListen once just to absorb the concepts and stories. Then, replay and pause to actually do one or two exercises in real time. Over the next week, pick one intuitive channel(body, emotion, imagery, or inner voice) as your “experiment,” and track what you notice.Connect & Continue the JourneyIf this episode helped you recognize your own intuitive language, you might want to:Journal about moments when you did or didn't follow your intuition and what unfolded Share your favorite intuitive channel or an intuitive experience with your community or on social media Revisit earlier episodes in this series for deeper context on what intuition is and how it relates to instinct and insightAs always, this is a practice, not a performance. Your intuition doesn't need to be perfect; it just needs your attention.MANY Thanks to Pixabay's Piotr Witowski and his new age music-162655 for the music bed for this episode.Support the showThank you for listening to Evolving Humans! For consultations or classes, please visit my website: www.JuliaMarie.usEvolving Humans with Julia Marie is now on YouTube, and will offer more than the podcast episodes there, so give us a "SUBSCRIBE"!https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingHumans731You can find my book, Signals from My Soul: A Spiritual Memoir of Awakening here: https://tinyurl.com/Book-Signals-from-My-Soul

Dave's been throwing parties. Three in four days. Confirmation sponsor for a friend's son, family and friends over the next night, and then — because the universe has a sense of humor — some local gentleman decided to remodel Dave's brick mailbox. With his truck. At speed. Bricks were found over a hundred feet away. The guy left his license plate behind, which Dave is now holding like a man who accidentally picked up evidence and doesn't know what to do with it. The driver's fine. Well — he's in jail. But he's alive. Dave wants him to know that God's mercy is always ready and present, even for the man who turned a brand-new brick mailbox into gravel.Meanwhile, Adam got a new plum tree. Planted a maple. He's getting oaks for the pig pen so they'll drop acorns someday. One of his chickens died in a water barrel trap that nobody designed on purpose — the lid flipped, the chicken couldn't get out. Farm life. And then the real news: baby Mary is doing better. Haylee got to hold her. Adam held her for over three hours — only his second time since she was born in February. Three months of NICU, and the man finally got to just sit with his daughter. Praise God. Keep those prayers coming.Also — Adam's turning 40 on June 2nd. And Lady Pamela is due with their next baby on June 4th. They floated the idea of recording an episode in the delivery room. Pamela has not been consulted.This week we're sipping 13th Colony Distilleries Southern Rye Whiskey, French Oak Finish, Small Batch — 47.5% ABV. Platinum award-winning. Silky texture with hints of rye, apricot, and brown sugar. The rye's there but it doesn't overpower — still has a lot of bourbon elements to it. About forty bucks. That's a great buy.Then the conversation turns to something Adam's son Jude sparked. Jude — Adam's second oldest — just finished reading the entire Bible, Genesis through Revelation, straight through. Now he's reading the Council of Trent Catechism. He's a kid. Nobody told him to do this. He just had good books lying around the house and picked them up. That's the whole point.The virtue of study — studiositas — isn't what school taught us it was. It's not cramming. It's not memorizing facts to dump after the test. Aquinas calls it a habit of the mind ordered towards truth. Classical education at its best doesn't fill your head — it forms the way you think. The more you read rightly, the more you can arrive at correct conclusions through a sound process, not just recall. Study leads to contemplation. Contemplation is rest in truth. And it's not about finishing the book. If you're reading to check the box, you've already lost the plot. Sit with it. Let yourself be carried. The intellectual life doesn't compete with the family — it serves the family.From there, Adam and Dave go back and forth on the books that actually formed them. Adam leads with Joseph Pieper's In Tune with the World — a short, devastating argument for why festivity dies when we strip the divine out of celebration. Dave counters with The Soul of the Apostolate — the book that reordered his understanding of what has to come first before any ministry means anything. Adam brings John Senior's The Restoration of Christian Culture — hard opinions, harder truths, and a quote worth sitting with: the virtue of study requires a canon, a body of great works proven across time. Without tradition to guide what's worth studying, you're just chasing novelty.Dave goes deep on Fr. Timothy Gallagher's The Discernment of Spirits — a practical walkthrough of St. Ignatius's rules that shed light on the stages of the spiritual life and how the enemy shifts tactics as you grow. Adam responds with Raymond Arroyo's biography of Mother Angelica — a story of suffering, faithfulness, and a woman who said yes without knowing where it would lead. Dave makes a case for the Psalms — Psalm 51, the De Profundis in Latin, and the realization that there's a psalm for every moment of a man's life, and he'd been skimming past them for years.Adam goes deep cut: Fr. Paul Murray's Aquinas at Prayer — a book that reoriented his understanding of St. Thomas from pure intellect to contemplative soul. Dave brings Divine Mercy in My Soul by St. Faustina — hundreds of pages of our Lord's words on mercy that are sometimes scandalously generous. Adam throws in Simon Sinek's Start with Why as the non-Catholic book that changed how he thought about business, marriage, and fatherhood. Both men land on fiction that haunts them — Adam with Sigrid Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter, Dave with Candice Millard's Hero of the Empire on young Churchill. They touch on Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Gone with the Wind, the bishop chapters of Les Misérables, Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death, and close with John Senior's Thousand Good Books — the canon itself, the list that connects it all.They end where they always end: with Plato. They're halfway through the Republic in their great books group. David sits on the dumb couch. He knows he sits on the dumb couch. He's fine with it.Raise your glass.TOPICS COVEREDDave's brick mailbox obliterated by a truck — bricks found 100 feet away, driver in jail, license plate left behindThree parties in four days at Porter Prairie: confirmation, family gathering, and involuntary demolitionDave building a grain cradle for his scythe for the upcoming grain harvestAdam's new plum tree, maple tree, and oak trees planned for the pig penThe chicken that died in a water barrel trap nobody designed on purposeBaby Mary update — doing better, Adam held her for three hours, Haylee held her tooAdam turning 40 on June 2nd and Lady Pamela due June 4thBourbon of the week: 13th Colony Distilleries Southern Rye Whiskey, French Oak Finish, 47.5% ABVJude Minihan reading the entire Bible and now the Council of Trent Catechism — and nobody told him toWhy having good books lying around the house matters more than assigned readingThe virtue of studiositas — Aquinas on study as a habit of the mind ordered towards truthStudy isn't cramming — it's forming the way we think, not filling our headsWhy finishing the book isn't the point — sit with it, let yourself be carriedThe intellectual life doesn't compete with family — it serves the familyJoseph Pieper's In Tune with the World — why festivity dies without the divineThe Soul of the Apostolate — what has to come first before any ministry mattersJohn Senior's The Restoration of Christian Culture — hard opinions and the necessity of a canonFr. Timothy Gallagher's The Discernment of Spirits — St. Ignatius's rules made practicalRaymond Arroyo's biography of Mother Angelica — suffering, faithfulness, and saying yesThe Psalms as treasure — Psalm 51, the De Profundis in Latin, and why Dave had been skimming past themFr. Paul Murray's Aquinas at Prayer — reorienting Aquinas from intellect to contemplativeSt. Faustina's Divine Mercy in My Soul — mercy so generous it's almost scandalousSimon Sinek's Start with Why — a non-Catholic book that changed everythingSigrid Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter — fiction that haunts you because it doesn't read like fictionCandice Millard's Hero of the Empire — young Churchill before the cigar and the brandyPatrick Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team — why hard conversations are acts of charityGone with the Wind — Rhett Butler as a man whose virtues take a lifetime to findThe bishop chapters of Les Misérables — Hugo's best character, written by a man who wasn't even a fan of the ChurchNeil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death — prophetic in 1985, terrifying nowJohn Senior's Thousand Good Books — the canon that connects all the great worksThe Count of Monte Cristo as a commentary on Dante's InfernoPlato's dialogues — the Republic, Euthyphro, the Symposium, and why you need a great books groupAdam sits on the dumb couch at great books night and he's fine with itREFERENCED IN THIS EPISODEBooks & Writings:In Tune with the World: A Theory on Festivity by Joseph PieperLeisure, the Basis of Culture by Joseph Pieper (mentioned)The Intellectual Life by A.G. SertillangesThe Soul of the Apostolate (Dave's pick)The Restoration of Christian Culture by John SeniorThe Death of Christian Culture by John Senior (mentioned)The Discernment of Spirits by Fr. Timothy Gallagher (based on St. Ignatius's rules)Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network by Raymond ArroyoAquinas at Prayer by Fr. Paul Murray, O.P.Divine Mercy in My Soul by St. Maria FaustinaStart with Why by Simon SinekKristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid UndsetAnna Karenina by Leo TolstoyThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick LencioniGone with the Wind by Margaret MitchellHero of the Empire: The Boer War, a...

Welcome to the solo installment of LTS Out of Office; I'm your host, Marcos Lopez, and you're joining me for a very specific, very hot take outside of the office where the recording light is ON, the mic gain is dialed to that sweet spot where you… can hear… MY SOUL, and I'm stepping away from the daily hustle to settle a score with the produce aisle. In our last deep dive, I paid my respects to the Serrano pepper—and hear me out, I stand by that; the Serrano IS a niche masterpiece for those seeking a specific, high-altitude peak of intensity—but after giving it time to simmer and reading your comments, I realized I might have been a bit of a "pepper snob." People reached out saying they want something more than the zero-heat of a bell pepper but aren't looking to climb the "Serrano Peak" every single Tuesday night while just trying to eat a taco in peace, and you know what? That is a VALID take. People want the broad catch-all, the universal diplomat that sits right in the middle of the spice spectrum without requiring a legal waiver, so if you're looking for that perfect "sweet spot" of heat, utility, and historical legacy for the person who wants more than a bell pepper but less than a mountain-top emergency, this episode is for you!Serrano Hot Take here ---- https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kFxWE0ZHxVuBmeeaUhr3C?si=NXy1apywSJeb_jyYN_9nag#Jalapeno #FoodScience #LTSOutofOfficeFollow & SupportApple Podcasts - ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-tech-and-sundry/id1527317641⁠Spotify - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0LufzYND0SqKOGyogIyutL?si=hmb3VXH2T-yZchJ8_-LF_Q⁠YouTube - Just search @LTSnco in any search bar on YouTube to find us.IG - ⁠https://bit.ly/IG-LTS⁠LTS on X - ⁠https://bit.ly/LTSTweets⁠Buy Me Coffee - ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LTS2020⁠

Mini: Let's review the story of Little Maid and Captain Naaman with the songs: "Clip Clop", "Thank You For the World So Sweet", and "There is Sunshine in My Soul" with our memory verse Matt.5:44 "Love your enemies..., do good to those who hate you."Recorded and produced by: Ashley B. LarsonDon't forget to check out the coloring pages that go along with each lesson! https://startingwithjesus.com/spb-cp/If you have enjoyed this program and would like to know more, go to our website: www.startingwithjesus.comThe Bible and nature story material used in today's devotional podcast has been used with permission from My Bible First. If you would like your own copy, please visit their website-or call 1-877-242-5317.If you would like to purchase your own Memory Verse CD or Songbook, go to Ouachita Hills Store (https://www.ouachitahillsacademy.org/store?page=1&store_category_id=0&sort_by=title&is_ascending=1&search=).Songs from: Little Voices Praise Him, SDA Hymnal, Sabbath Songs For Tiny Tots, New Sabbath Songs For Tiny Tots, Memory Verse Verse Songs for Cradle Roll, Children's Songs For Jesus, and Scripture Songs and Little LessonsAll Bible verses are from the NKJV.Singers for this Quarter: Tory, Caleb, and Enoch Hall, Hudson Reeves, Michael and Amy NelsonEditing assist: Dillon Austin and Josh LarsonMusic Recording and Editing: Rachel Nelson and Kristy HallColoring Pages: Rachel Lamming, Lily Canada, and Evie RodriguezTheme Music: Lindsey Mills- www.lindseymillsmusic.com God: who gives talents for us to use for Him 

Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal Hymn “Jerusalem, O City Fair and High” LW 306 Readings:  Ezekiel 36:25-27, 1 Peter 4:7-11, St. John 15:26-16:4 Hymn of the Day: “Had God Not Come, May Israel Say” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #36) Sermon Offertory: “Create in Me…”         p.18 General Prayer………                    p.19-20 Hymn: “O Jesus, Blessed Lord, My Praise” LW 245 Exhortation                                    p.21 Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship) Communion Hymns: “Jesus, Your Boundless Love So True” LW #280 “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” LW 131 “Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray” LW #302 Closing Hymn “O Day Full of Grace” LW 163 –Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Exaudi-Cover-5-17-2026-Online.pdf Picture:  Illustrated German Bible of 1483 (I:98 Exodus 32:35), The Anger of God

Intro Song - D.K. Harrell, "Praise These Blues", Talkin' Heavy, Album of the Year, Cont Blues Album First Set - Buddy Guy, "Blues Chase The Blues Away", Ain't Done With The Blues Ronnie Baker Brooks, "Blues In My DNA", Blues In My DNA, BB KIng Ent of the Year Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, "Can't Catch A Break", Closer To The Bone, Song of the Year with Chris Kid Anderson, and Blues Rock Artist Second Set - Sean McDonald, "My Soul", Have Mercy!, Best Emerging Artist Album Thornetta Davis, "I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin' (To Satisfy Me)", Honest Woman, Soul Blues Female Artist Johnny Rawls, "Make Them Dance", Make Them Dance, Soul Blues Album Curtis Salgado, "My Girlfriend", Legacy Rewind Live in '25, Soul Blues Male Artist Third Set - Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia, "Help Yourself", Help Yourself, Blues Rock Album Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues, "Real Good Friends", The Blues Is My Biography, Inst. - Harp Doug MacLeod, "One Rib Short", Between Somewhere and Goodbye, Acoustic Blues Album Fourth Set - John Primer, "Gravel Road", Crawlin' Kingsnake, Trad Blues Male Artist Danielle Nicole, "Cry No More", Cry No More, Cont. Blues Female Artist Christine "Kingfish" Ingram, "Something In The Dirt (Live)", Live In London, Cont. Blues Male Artist

Send us your feedback — we're listeningMidday Prayer — When I Feel Tired and Need Rest for My Soul and Strength to Continue Matthew 11:28 Live from London, England — where faith meets the world in daily prayer and global hope Cape Town • São Paulo • Toronto • Manila REST • RESTORATION • RENEWAL midday prayer when I feel tired • prayer for rest and strength today • Christian prayer for burnout and exhaustion • prayer when I feel worn out and need peace • prayer to come to Jesus and find rest Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This is your midday prayer for rest, for renewal, and for strength that comes from Jesus. If you feel drained, stretched, or quietly worn down, this moment is for you. Jesus is not asking you to push harder—He is inviting you to come closer. Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to You as I am. You see the tiredness I carry. You know where my strength feels low. And through Jesus, You call me to rest. So I pause here. I step away from the pressure. I step away from the need to keep going in my own strength. I come to Jesus. Jesus, I come to You now.I bring the tiredness in my body. I bring the weight in my mind. I bring the quiet exhaustion I have been carrying. I place it before You. I do not need to carry it any further. I release the pressure to keep pushing. I release the expectation to always feel strong. I release the burden that has been draining me. I release it to You. And now, I receive. I receive rest for my soul. I receive peace that settles deep within me. I receive strength that is not forced, but given. Jesus, restore what feels depleted. Renew what feels worn. Strengthen me gently for what is ahead. Help me to move forward without strain. Help me to continue without pressure. Help me to walk in step with You.I receive Your rest. And now I continue, not from emptiness, but from the strength You are placing within me. Jesus is with you now. You are not alone in this moment. Across the world, those who are weary are coming to Him. From Cape Town to São Paulo, from Toronto to Manila, Jesus is bringing rest and restoring strength. Jesús, vengo a Ti y recibo Tu descanso hoy. Jesus Cristo, venho a Ti e recebo o Teu descanso. Jesus, lumalapit ako sa Iyo at tinatanggap ko ang Iyong kapahingahan. Father, I trust You. Through Jesus, I receive rest. In Jesus' name. Amen. midday prayer, daily prayer, Matthew 11:28, rest prayer, strength prayer, burnout prayer, Christian prayer, come to Jesus, renewal prayer midday prayer when I feel tired, prayer for rest and strength today, Christian prayer for burnout and exhaustion, prayer when I feel worn out and need peace, Bible verse come to me all who are weary, how to find rest in JesusSupport the showDaily Prayer with Reverend Ben Cooper now reaches 185 countries and 3,012 cities worldwide through the Global Blend Radio network.This is a listener-funded global ministry. If these daily prayers strengthen your faith or help you through difficult seasons, would you consider becoming a monthly prayer partner for just £3 per month?Your support enables us to continue recording, hosting, and broadcasting daily biblical encouragement across the nations — keeping this ministry free and accessible to everyone who needs it.You can support today at GlobalBlendRadio.comTogether, we can keep prayer moving across the world.To submit a prayer request or connect with our global prayer community, visit DailyPrayer.ukBuy me a Coffee 

Send us Fan MailEpisode Focus: Understanding Instinct and Intuition Theme: Survival instincts, intuitive awareness, and personal growthEpisode OverviewIn this thought-provoking episode of Evolving Humans, host Julia Marie takes you on a journey to explore two essential forces that shape our behavior: instinct and intuition. Julia invites you to reflect on the moments in life when these two powerful inner guides emerge, helping you navigate your experiences and decisions.Julia begins by defining instinct as the biological, hardwired response that prioritizes survival, often manifesting in automatic reactions. Through vivid examples, she illustrates how instinct operates in our daily lives, keeping us safe from immediate threats. On the other hand, intuition is presented as a subtle, nuanced form of knowing that arises from our subconscious, shaped by personal experiences and insights.Listeners will gain clarity on the differences and connections between these two forces, learning to discern when each is at play in their lives. Julia provides practical exercises to help you cultivate awareness of your body's signals, encouraging you to pause and reflect before reacting to situations.Throughout the episode, Julia emphasizes the importance of recognizing both instinct and intuition as valuable aspects of your inner guidance system. By understanding how they work together, you can make more informed choices that align with your deeper well-being.Join Julia in this enlightening episode as she empowers you to embrace both instinct and intuition, fostering a harmonious relationship with these guiding forces in your life.Key Themes & Highlights✨ Defining Instinct and IntuitionUnderstanding instinct as a survival mechanismExploring intuition as a subtle form of knowing✨ Distinguishing Between the TwoRecognizing the different triggers and responsesIdentifying the intensity and urgency of signals✨ Practical ExercisesBody scan for awareness to differentiate between instinctual alarms and intuitive whispersCreating space between reaction and action to enhance decision-making✨ Self-Reflection QuestionsReflecting on past experiences with instinct and intuitionExploring how understanding these forces can impact your choicesBy the end of this episode, you'll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of your inner guidance system, allowing instinct and intuition to work together in your favor. Remember, you are evolving your entire inner guidance system—embrace the journey!Many thanks to Pixabay's Relaxing Time for Relaxing Music Pt 1-141198 for the music bed for this episode.Support the showThank you for listening to Evolving Humans! For consultations or classes, please visit my website: www.JuliaMarie.usEvolving Humans with Julia Marie iSupport the showThank you for listening to Evolving Humans! For consultations or classes, please visit my website: www.JuliaMarie.usEvolving Humans with Julia Marie is now on YouTube, and will offer more than the podcast episodes there, so give us a "SUBSCRIBE"!https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingHumans731You can find my book, Signals from My Soul: A Spiritual Memoir of Awakening here: https://tinyurl.com/Book-Signals-from-My-Soul

This weekend our worship service emphasizes one of the blessings of Christ's resurrection, the privilege and power of prayer. Our hymn, "Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat" is a hymn by John Newton about prayer.  Jesus invites us: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)  In our lives in this fallen world we are going to face trials. Our sin, Satan, and thing outside of us and inside of us threaten us, often cause us to despair. David writes: "There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long." (Psalm 38:4-7) For this reason we come to Jesus knowing what He has done for us! Newton writes: O wondrous Love, to bleed and die, To bear the cross and shame, That guilty sinners such as I Might plead Thy gracious Name! Thanks be to Jesus for all He has done for us through His life and death! 

Ps34:2; 1Co1:18-31 Yeshua the Boast of My Soul

Hymns: O Come, My Soul, Bless Thou the Lord My Faith Has Found a Resting Place I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art Outline: I. True Piety II. What Paul Prays For III. The Magnitude of the Love of God in Christ

Hey there, Believers! Get ready for a cautionary tale from the person who lived to tell it... Sasha shares her intense journey through the occult, supernatural experiences, and her path to faith in Jesus Christ. This informative conversation explores her childhood, ritual magic, UFOs, and her spiritual transformation.Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

At our Interactive Midweek Service, Pastor Femi Paul brought us a corrective and stirring word titled Praise the Lord O' My Soul! Building on Sunday's message Count Your Blessings, he opened with Psalm 103:2 and expanding through Isaiah 55:2, we were reminded that counting our blessings is not merely a gratitude exercise, it is spiritual wisdom. From Numbers 11:1a, Pastor emphasised that complaining isn't just a bad habit; it displeases the Lord and stalls our progress. We learned that counting our blessings is actually a spiritual guard that protects our Counting our blessings guards the heart against grumbling and complaining, and keeps us qualified for what God is about to do next. We also saw how complaint can distort perspective, while thanksgiving preserves spiritual posture and keeps our heart open to God's next move. The core of the message was a deep dive into Philippians 4:8, where we were challenged to discipline our thoughts toward what is good, worthy of praise, and full of God's goodness. We were challenged to fill our minds with things to praise rather than things to curse, and to fasten our thoughts on the glorious works of God. As the congregation lifted the song Praise, the atmosphere reinforced the message that praise is not only a response to blessing but a posture that sustains joy, protects perspective, and aligns us with divine harmony. The charge was simple and profound: keep counting your blessings, keep praising God, and stay qualified for what He is about to do next. Confession: Lord, I choose praise over complaint and gratitude over grumbling. Guard my heart, align my thoughts, and keep me positioned for all You are about to do next.

Order of Service: - Prelude - Prayer: O Lord, our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter, we are assembled in Your presence to hear Your holy Word. We pray You to open our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that through the preaching of Your Word we may be taught to repent of our sins, to believe on Jesus in life and in death, and to grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Christ's sake. Amen. - Hymn 456 - My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker: Duet v. 1 (setting by J.H. Schein, 1618); C: vv. 3, 4 - Isaiah 40:9-11: O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. - The Lord's Prayer (p. 85) - Hymn 370 - The King of Love, My Shepherd is - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. Shawn Stafford (Preacher), Allison Rygh (Singer), Rev. Prof. Dennis Marzolf (Pianist), Natalie Henning (Singer)

Hey there, Believers! This week, Dr. Atwell joins me again to discuss the growing darkness in the spiritual battle that presents itself through mental health, how to identify it, and overcome! It's all outlined in her new upcoming book, Humanity Under Siege! Join us as we dive deep into what's really going on.Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

Send us Fan MailEpisode Focus: Cultivating Your Inner Guidance System™(IGS) Theme: Intuition, subconscious processing, and conscious decision-makingEpisode OverviewIn this enlightening episode of Evolving Humans, host Julia Marie continues her exploration of intuition, diving deeper into how this inner guidance system, or IGS, operates beneath the surface of our conscious awareness. Julia invites you to reflect on the moments when you just "know" something, even if you can't explain why, and encourages you to actively cultivate these intuitive insights in your daily life.She begins by reiterating the foundational concepts of intuition as an inner knowing that arises from the subconscious mind, which processes a vast amount of information beyond our conscious understanding. She describes how our bodies register intuitive signals through sensations and feelings, emphasizing the importance of tuning into these subtle messages.Listeners will learn practical techniques to enhance their intuitive abilities, including cultivating stillness, practicing mindful body awareness, and asking clear questions to guide their decision-making process. Julia also discusses the significance of embracing uncertainty and limiting over-analysis, empowering you to trust your intuition as a valuable tool in navigating life's choices.By the end of this episode, you'll have actionable insights on how to foster a deeper relationship with your intuition, allowing it to play a more prominent role in your life. Julia's heartfelt guidance will inspire you to listen to that quiet voice within and honor the wisdom it offers.Key Themes & Highlights✨ Understanding Your Inner Guidance SystemExploring the subconscious mind's role in intuitive processingRecognizing how intuition manifests in your body✨ Practical Techniques for Cultivating IntuitionCreating stillness to hear your inner voicePracticing mindful body awareness to interpret intuitive signals✨ Decision-Making StrategiesAsking clear questions to receive intuitive insightsTesting your intuition in low-stakes situations✨ Building a Trusting Relationship with IntuitionJournaling your intuitive experiences for deeper understandingEmbracing uncertainty as a pathway to intuitive clarityJoin Julia Marie in this transformative episode as she empowers you to embrace your intuition and integrate its guidance into your everyday decisions. Remember, your inner wisdom is always available; it's time to listen and trust in that guidance.Many thanks to Pixabay's Relaxing Time for Relaxing Music Pt 1-141198 for the music bed for this episode.Support the showThank you for listening to Evolving Humans! For consultations or classes, please visit my website: www.JuliaMarie.usEvolving Humans with Julia Marie is now on YouTube, and will offer more than the podcast episodes there, so give us a "SUBSCRIBE"!https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingHumans731You can find my book, Signals from My Soul: A Spiritual Memoir of Awakening here: https://tinyurl.com/Book-Signals-from-My-Soul

Hey there, Believers! This week, I'm joined by Ron Meyer and Mark Reeder, founder and associate producer (respectively) of Centre Communications. Ronald C. Meyer, an acclaimed filmmaker, author, and researcher, has produced top-streaming documentaries on Bigfoot, UFOs, and the paranormal. A pioneer in paleontology, he has species named after him. A 5th-degree black belt in Aikido, he also leads flow workshops and speaks at major conferences worldwide.Mark Reeder lives in Boulder, Colorado, where he has worked as a writer and associate producer for the video production company Centre Communications. His educational programs – Hispanic Achievement in America andWomen's Achievement in America – have appeared on PBS national television. He is also an author of science fiction and fantasy novels for adults and YA. He's kicked around the universe long enough to have more than a few bumps and bruises. Roughed up and battered like his hat, he's still looking for the exit.Check out their most recent projects here:The Bigfoot Alien Connection Revealed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRHSUIYOt7shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ3zRoCw6MoHave an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

What role does music play in helping us feel closer to God and find peace in our everyday lives?In this week's episode of Latter-Day Lights, we sit down with pianist, musical arranger, and father, Michael Boyd, whose lifelong love for music has become a powerful way to invite the Spirit into his heart, and strengthen his faith. From his early experiences in learning piano, to developing a deep appreciation for hymns during his mission, Michael shares how music has shaped not only his talents, but his testimony. His stories—including unforgettable moments like meeting Gladys Knight, and witnessing the impact of sacred music on others—highlight how God can use our gifts in unexpected and meaningful ways.Michael also opens up about creating his hymn arrangement album, “Be Still, My Soul,” blending musical creativity with spiritual inspiration to bring listeners a deeper sense of peace and connection. He shares how he thoughtfully weaves together multiple melodies—sometimes combining hymns, as seen in his mashup of “Kingsfold” and “I Need Thee Every Hour”—to deepen the emotional and spiritual impact of each piece. Through personal experiences, family life, and solemn moments at the piano, he reflects on how intentional, uplifting music can transform the atmosphere in our homes and hearts—reminding us that some of the most powerful expressions of faith are felt, not just spoken.*** Please SHARE Michael's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/tSRNdHcQots-----To LISTEN to Michael's first album, “Be Still, My Soul,” visit: https://open.spotify.com/album/0HhZ9Emk4oCHJ0xhjQumNz?si=7XOec_jKRV-3Neo0wDyn1QTo LISTEN to Michael's track, “Kingsfold and I Need Thee Every Hour,” visit: https://open.spotify.com/track/7afUlL6qjBDbc9cYzaxiUY?si=4c3d23d7ceec4048To READ Michael's free sheet music, visit: https://specialmusicalnumbers.com/To FOLLOW Michael on Spotify, visit: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3NLcup1JpD4nmP3HvSIVA6To FOLLOW Michael on Apple Music, visit: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/w-michael-boyd/1843900046To FOLLOW Michael on Amazon Music, visit: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0FV3D7PQP/w-michael-boydTo FOLLOW Michael on Deezer, visit: https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/349661021To FOLLOW Michael on YouTube Music, visit: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kPwJ_Y8FkCbbkvYNV3gWgI3uAO3DljuwsTo LISTEN to “His Hands” by Kenneth Cope, visit: https://open.spotify.com/track/4sumBgc7QuvrVHA4bdZXsq?si=60e30cea674d43b9-----To READ Scott's new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/-----Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylightsIf you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know at https://www.latterdaylights.com

In this episode, David Wollen continues his conversation with Robert Morgan, exploring the story behind It Is Well with My Soul and the deeper biblical hope that makes such faith possible.

Send us Fan MailThis is the first episode in a series on INTUITION. Enjoy.Episode Focus: Understanding Intuition: Your Inner Guide Theme: Self-discovery, intuitive awareness, and personal empowermentEpisode OverviewIn this captivating episode of Evolving Humans, host Julia Marie invites you to embark on a transformative journey into the realm of intuition—a powerful, often overlooked aspect of our human experience. Julia aims to demystify intuition, helping you recognize it as a natural ability that can guide your decisions and enhance your life.Julia begins by exploring what intuition really is, providing a clear definition that emphasizes its role as a form of knowing that arises without conscious reasoning. She debunks common myths that prevent many from trusting their intuitive insights, illustrating how intuition operates as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious minds. Through engaging anecdotes and relatable examples, Julia shows how your intuition has likely been working in the background of your life all along, waiting for you to acknowledge its presence.Listeners will gain insights into the holistic nature of intuition, learning how it processes vast amounts of information and recognizes patterns based on past experiences. Julia also addresses the subtlety of intuitive communication, offering practical exercises to help you tune into your own intuitive signals. By the end of this episode, you'll feel empowered to trust your inner guidance and recognize the profound intelligence that resides within you.Key Themes & Highlights✨ Defining IntuitionUnderstanding intuition as a natural form of knowingRecognizing its role in decision-making✨ Debunking MythsCommon misconceptions that block intuitive trustHow to differentiate intuition from fear and wishful thinking✨ Intuitive CommunicationIdentifying how intuition manifests in your body and mindPracticing awareness of intuitive nudges✨ Practical ExercisesSelf-reflection prompts to explore your intuitive historyDaily exercises to strengthen your intuitive connectionJoin Julia in this enlightening episode as she encourages you to embrace your intuition as a vital aspect of your being. Remember, the whispers of your intuition have been guiding you all along; it's time to listen and trust in that inner wisdom.Many thanks to Pixabay's Relaxing Time for Relaxing Music Pt 1-141198 for the music bed for this episode.Support the showThank you for listening to Evolving Humans! For consultations or classes, please visit my website: www.JuliaMarie.usEvolving Humans with Julia Marie is now on YouTube, and will offer more than the podcast episodes there, so give us a "SUBSCRIBE"!https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingHumans731You can find my book, Signals from My Soul: A Spiritual Memoir of Awakening here: https://tinyurl.com/Book-Signals-from-My-Soul

Taj Sarit is a modern Renaissance man whose journey has been defined by seeking wisdom through experience and transforming hardship into humanity. Guided by the belief that true healing begins within, his work reflects themes of self-discovery, peace, and forgiveness. His debut book, Behold, My Soul, shares timeless lessons on healing and transformation that resonate across cultures and generations. www.tajsimrit.com

Episode Topic: I am My Soul (https://go.nd.edu/902b73)Is personal identity a matter of degree or a literal soul? Join Oxford's Dr. Richard Swinburne for “I am My Soul,” a deep dive into Thomas Aquinas and modern philosophy. Challenge your views on consciousness and the self—listen in or watch now to discover why your soul is the essence of who you are.Featured Speakers:Dr. Richard Granville Swinburne, University of OxfordRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/8f9d5e. This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Faith and Philosophy. (https://go.nd.edu/a9a045)Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career.Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu.Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

Blessed Holy Week, Believers! This week I'm joined by the one and only "Texas" Pete! We don't pull any punches this time, and go straight into the truth about what's going on with this war (probably gettin' some hate mail on that one), Scripture, personal spiritual warfare, and you know we wind up talking about all things fringy along the way!Jesus loves you, and so do I. God BlessHave an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

03.29.26 10am Service Anthem- Awake, My Soul arr. Craig Courtney (b. 1948) by First Community Church

Beatty Carmichael is a Bible teacher and deliverance minister who specializes in exposing the hidden spiritual roots behind conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, addiction, and chronic pain. After 25 years in business, God opened his eyes to a disruptive truth: many struggles labeled as mental illness or chronic conditions aren't medical at all—they're spiritual torments masquerading as disease. By guiding believers to close the spiritual doorways that allow tormenting spirits in by leading them through the pattern in James 5:16, he's witnessed over 1,000 people set free from struggles that therapy, personal prayer, and medicine couldn't resolve. This biblically grounded approach to prayer has delivered a nearly 90% success rate, even in long-term or treatment-resistant issues. He lays out this simple, step-by-step path to freedom in his book, The Prayer of Freedom, available at www.ThePrayerOfFreedom.com . Today, he'll reveal why so many believers stay trapped—and how lasting healing comes when demonic oppression is cast out and God's freedom is restored.Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

Send us Fan MailSend a textEpisode Focus: Exploring the Parallels Between Jesus and the Buddha Theme: Spiritual awakening, the heart and mind connection, and the essence of compassionEpisode OverviewIn this enlightening episode of Evolving Humans, host Julia Marie invites listeners to delve into the intriguing question: Are Jesus the Christ and the Buddha conveying the same universal truths despite their diverse backgrounds and teachings? This episode offers a comparative exploration of two of history's most profound spiritual figures, highlighting their unique messages while uncovering the common threads that connect them.Julia begins by examining the contrasting lives of Jesus and the Buddha—one born into poverty and the other into wealth, yet both embarking on a journey of profound spiritual discovery. She reflects on Siddhartha's quest for understanding suffering and the path to enlightenment, juxtaposing it with Jesus' teachings of love, compassion, and the Kingdom of God. Throughout the discussion, Julia emphasizes the essence of Christ consciousness and Buddha nature, illustrating how both concepts point towards a deeper understanding of our human experience.Listeners will be encouraged to consider how these two philosophies converge and diverge, particularly in their approaches to compassion, ego, and the nature of reality. Julia provides a reflective exercise to help individuals identify their own tendencies toward heart-centered or mind-centered practices, fostering a greater awareness of their spiritual journey.Key Themes & Highlights✨ Contrasting Lives, Common MessagesExploring the unique backgrounds of Jesus and the BuddhaIdentifying shared themes of compassion and awakening✨ Heart vs. Mind: Different Paths to AwakeningUnderstanding Christ consciousness as a heart-centered approachExploring Buddha nature as a pathway to mental clarity and transcendence✨ Reflection ExerciseGuided self-reflection to identify personal tendencies toward heart or mindEncouragement to cultivate balance between emotional warmth and mental clarity✨ Weekly ExperimentPractical suggestions for integrating heart and mind practices into daily lifeEncouraging listeners to explore both approaches for a more holistic awakeningMany thanks to Pixabay's Relaxing Time for Relaxing Music Pt 1-141198 for the music bed for this episode.Support the showSupport the showThank you for listening to Evolving Humans! For consultations or classes, please visit my website: www.JuliaMarie.usEvolving Humans with Julia Marie is now on YouTube, and will offer more than the podcast episodes there, so give us a "SUBSCRIBE"!https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingHumans731You can find my book, Signals from My Soul: A Spiritual Memoir of Awakening here: https://tinyurl.com/Book-Signals-from-My-Soul

Hey there, Believers! This week, I welcome Trevor back to unravel the mystery of the Shroud... he explains how both history and science may confirm its legitimacy, and what that would mean! Join us as we dig deep into the Shroud of Turin!Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

Intro Song – 14 - The James Hunter Six, "Ain't That A Trip (feat. Van Morrison)", Off The Fence First Set - 13 - Crystal Shawanda, "Stop Funkin Me Around", Sing Pretty Blues 12 - Sean McDonald, "My Soul", Have Mercy! 11 - Charles Tiner, Jr, "Don't Be A Fool Too Long", Good Soul Second Set - 10 - Billy Thompson, "This World", This World 9 - Joe Bonamassa, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, "The Thrill Is Gone", B.B. King's Blues Summit 100 8 - Kim Wilson, "Lowdown Woman", Slow Burn Third Set - 7 - Altered Five Blues Band, "Can't Shake It", Hammer and Chisel 6 - Buddy Guy, "Blues On Top", AIn't Done With The Blues 5 - Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, "You Can't Strike Gold From a Silver Mine", Slideways Fourth Set - 4 - Duke Robillard, "When I Get Lucky", Blast Off! 3 - Omar Coleman & Igor Prado, "Cut You Loose (Let You Go), Old New Funky & Blue 2 - Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, "Close Down The Blues Bar", Bad At Being Good 1 - Tinsley Ellis, "Hoodoo Woman ", Labor Of Love

Mt28:18-20 The Disciple of My Soul

Send a textEpisode Focus: Understanding Christ Consciousness Through Psychology Theme: Inner transformation, ego dynamics, and spiritual maturationEpisode OverviewIn this insightful episode of Evolving Humans, host Julia Marie invites you to explore the concept of Christ consciousness through the lens of psychology. This episode seeks to bridge the gap between spirituality and psychological awareness, asking how the mind of Christ can manifest within our human psyche.Julia begins by defining Christ consciousness as a mode of awareness characterized by compassion, spaciousness, and the ability to hold paradox. She contrasts this with the typical ego-driven mindset, which often focuses on self-preservation and control. By examining the layers of the self—Persona, Ego, and True Self—Julia illustrates how a deeper understanding of Christ consciousness can lead to a more integrated and loving existence.Throughout the episode, Julia draws parallels between the life of Jesus and the psychological journey of maturation, emphasizing how his experiences reflect the process of moving from ego to a deeper, more authentic self. She also addresses common distortions of Christ consciousness, such as spiritual inflation and bypassing, and offers a self-reflection exercise to help listeners connect with their own experiences of this transformative state.Key Themes & Highlights✨ The Nature of Christ ConsciousnessUnderstanding Christ consciousness as a distinct mode of awarenessRecognizing the shift from a defensive ego to a deeper, more loving self✨ Psychological Layers of SelfExploring the Persona, Ego, and True Self in relation to Christ consciousnessUnderstanding how these layers influence our thoughts and behaviors✨ Life of Christ as a Map of ConsciousnessExamining the phases of Jesus' life through a psychological lensUnderstanding themes of incarnation, death, and resurrection in personal growth✨ Self-Reflection ExerciseGuided practice to shift from ego-driven responses to a deeper awarenessEncouraging listeners to explore their own experiences of Christ consciousnessJoin Julia in this thought-provoking episode as she encourages you to embrace the Christ-like qualities within yourself and navigate the complexities of your inner world with compassion and awareness. Remember, your journey towards Christ consciousness is not just a spiritual aspiration; it is a deeply human experience.Many thanks to Pixabay's Relaxing Time for Relaxing Music Pt 1-141198 for the music bed for this episode.Support the showThank you for listening to Evolving Humans! Support the showThank you for listening to Evolving Humans! For consultations or classes, please visit my website: www.JuliaMarie.usEvolving Humans with Julia Marie is now on YouTube, and will offer more than the podcast episodes there, so give us a "SUBSCRIBE"!https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingHumans731You can find my book, Signals from My Soul: A Spiritual Memoir of Awakening here: https://tinyurl.com/Book-Signals-from-My-Soul

Great episode this week, Believers! I'm bringing back Sienna and Dave to have him share his testimony about his time in jail and his deliverance! Then, after some tech issues that hit outta nowhere, Sienna shares what she has learned about praying/speaking in tongues! I pray this episode reaches who is supposed to receive it. God Bless!Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

This week I'm reintroducing my three most controversial episodes, and they all "revolve" around the same topic... flat Earth! Love it or hate it, you just can't help but have an opinion. This is a collection of three conversations across three seasons with two different guests that stand on the claim that we are on a fixed flat-ish surface. Listen to all three and see where you land on the issue! One thing we can all agree on, it makes for a lively discussion.Keep me and my family in your prayers, please, if you pray in the name of Jesus! God BlessHave an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

This episode is near and dear to my heart, this week's guest is my brother from another mother, Doug! We have been closer than family for over 20 years now, and he agreed to hop on the show with me for the first time ever! We talk about our spiritual walk with the Lord and his recent strongman competition! This isn't a typical episode, it's a glimpse "behind the curtain" with my best friend.Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

Send a textIn this week's episode, we dive into the concept of the 'Dark Night of the Soul.' Discover how this painful yet sacred phase can lead to profound spiritual transformation. If you're feeling lost or questioning your path, this episode is for you!The Dark Night of the Soul: A Sacred Phase of Spiritual TransformationHost: Julia Marie Episode Focus: Understanding the Dark Night of the Soul Theme: Spiritual evolution, inner desolation, and awakeningEpisode OverviewIn this profound episode of Evolving Humans, host Julia Marie invites you to explore the concept of the Dark Night of the Soul—a challenging yet sacred stage in the evolution of consciousness. This episode seeks to illuminate how what feels like spiritual failure or abandonment can actually be a deep reconfiguration of awareness.Julia delves into the origins of the term, tracing it back to the 16th-century mystic Saint John of the Cross, and discusses how this experience is characterized by profound inner desolation and a loss of meaning. She emphasizes that you are not alone in this journey, and that such experiences are common among spiritual seekers.Through engaging insights and reflections, Julia draws parallels between the Dark Night of the Soul and the life of Jesus, illustrating how both experiences can lead to a deeper, more authentic relationship with life and the divine. She also offers practical tools and self-reflection prompts to help navigate this challenging phase, encouraging listeners to embrace their struggles as part of a greater transformation.Key Themes & Highlights✨ Understanding the Dark Night of the SoulDefining the Dark Night as a period of inner desolation and loss of former meaningRecognizing the signs and symptoms that indicate you may be in this phase✨ Parallels with the Life of JesusExploring moments of anguish and surrender in Jesus' journeyUnderstanding how these experiences relate to our own spiritual paths✨ Navigating the Dark NightPractical tools for self-care and grounding during this challenging timeReflection prompts to explore your personal experience of the Dark Night✨ Common MisconceptionsDistinguishing between the Dark Night of the Soul and clinical depressionRecognizing the transformative potential of this experienceJoin Julia in this enlightening episode as she encourages you to view your dark moments as opportunities for growth and transformation. Remember, you carry the light within you, and your journey through the darkness is a vital part of your spiritual evolution.Many thanks to Pixabay's Relaxing Time for Relaxing Music Pt 1-141198 for the music bed for this episode.Support the showThank you for listening to Evolving Humans! For consultations or classes, please visit my website: www.JuliaMarie.usEvolving Humans with Julia Marie is now on YouTube, and will offer more than the podcast episodes there, so give us a "SUBSCRIBE"!https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingHumans731You can find my book, Signals from My Soul: A Spiritual Memoir of Awakening here: https://tinyurl.com/Book-Signals-from-My-Soul

    Allison K. Garcia is a Licensed Professional Counselor, but she has wanted to be a writer ever since she could hold a pencil. She is a member of Shenandoah Valley Writers, Virginia Writers Club, the Author Transformation Alliance, and is Social Media Coordinator for the Rocktown Writers Guild. Allison has been featured in local newspapers, radio stations, universities, and podcasts, and her works about marginalized Christians have won several awards Allison's stories have been featured in six anthologies, and she has seven published novels: Vivir el Dream, Finding Amor, Finding Seguridad, Finding Paz, The Dry Depths of My Soul, These New Pieces of Me, and Tired of Waiting for Tomorrow. Connect with Allison Http://www.instagram.com/allisonkgarciaauthor  Http://www.facebook.com/allisonkgarciaauthor  My books on Amazon: Http://bit.ly/allisonkgarciaauthor    Newsletter signup with free story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ewqy3to88y

Hey there, Believers! Blessed Ash Wednesday!Life has a way of not really caring about our plans, which led me to going into the archives to bring back one of my favorite conversations, this time, with Vicki Joy Anderson!Don't skip this one, even if you've heard it before, for an added bonus, I included a little lesson that I'm preparing for church!Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

In Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, hosted by Sayan, author Sarah Marshall explores why belonging isn't something you “earn” by fitting in—it's something you practice by showing up and accepting the invitation to be seen. This episode is for anyone feeling stuck between identities, places, or communities—especially if you're craving connection without losing yourself. Sarah shares how community can help reshape self-worth, why “home” can be internal, and what it took for her to stop leading with a single label and start engaging as a whole person. About the Guest: Sarah Marshall is a San Francisco Bay Area–based writer and author of the newly published novel Playa Dust in My Soul. A longtime world traveler with experience spanning the military, high-tech, and spiritual practice, she writes about belonging, chosen family, and transformation. Episode Chapter: 00:02:50 — Why belonging lives in the “in-between” spaces 00:04:34 — Sarah's earliest memories of feeling outside community 00:06:23 — “Carry your home”: belonging as an inner home 00:08:22 — The hidden patterns beneath disconnection and distance 00:11:06 — The playa as a crucible: intensity, invitation, and choice 00:13:12 — “Dust in my soul”: the metaphor that sticks with you 00:16:52 — Deserving love: the long work of accepting belonging Key Takeaways: Treat belonging as an active practice: invitation and acceptance both matter. Try “embracing the moment” instead of waiting for the perfect place or people. Notice where you're protecting yourself by not accepting connection. Experiment with showing up as a whole person, not your loudest label. Build self-worth slowly: belonging strengthens when you believe you deserve it. How to Connect With the Guest: https://www.playadustinmysoul.com/    Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6000+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.

Ever wonder how a simple hymn can carry the weight of centuries, heal broken hearts, and inspire unshakable faith? Robert J. Morgan shares from his book, "The Origin of Hymns: It Is Well with My Soul." Check out Susie's new podcast God Impressions on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here

In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 299), I invite you to listen as two of the greatest devotional passages in all of Scripture come together—the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 and the 23rd Psalm. What happens when Jesus' prayer becomes more than words we recite and David's psalm becomes more than comfort we quote? In my own darkest season, these Scriptures became medicine to my soul, steady handholds when I felt trapped in a well I could not climb out of. I discovered that the Lord's Prayer is not dead liturgy, but a living gift from God, meant to be prayed, lived, and trusted. As we reflect on these passages, you'll hear how God restores the soul, reshapes the mind, and brings peace into places of fear, weariness, and struggle. This message is an invitation to let Scripture wash over you, to pray what Jesus taught, and to trust the Shepherd who is with you—now and forever. – Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:25) - The Lord's Prayer in the 23rd Psalm(00:02:27) - Our Prayer for Matthew 6(00:02:58) - Psalm 23(00:04:49) - How to Write a Book About Depression(00:13:07) - The Lord's Prayer: A Help for People in Depression(00:21:14) - The 23rd Psalm and the Lord's Prayer(00:28:15) - The Lord's Prayer and The Ten Commandments(00:33:56) - Psalm 23: Medicine to My Soul(00:35:53) - Amino: The 23rd Psalm

This week, I sat down with New Dimension Disciples founders Robert and Amber. We discuss their deliverance ministry where they specialize in helping people break free from witchcraft! Join us as we shatter these altars!Contact New Dimension Disciples:newdimensiondisciples@gmail.comHave an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

EVEN MORE about this episode!What happens when a hardcore skeptic dies—and comes back changed forever? In this unforgettable episode of the Ask Julie Ryan Show, Julie Ryan sits down with Dr. Lotte Valentin, whose dramatic near-death experience shattered her lifelong disbelief in anything spiritual. After hemorrhaging following childbirth, Lotte—an atheist programmer from Sweden—found herself floating above her body in an emergency room, immersed in unconditional love, surrounded by angels, and shown a luminous grid revealing that everything is connected.With no spiritual framework to explain what happened, Lotte was terrified to share her experience, fearing she'd be dismissed or institutionalized. But the spirit world didn't stop at revelation—it gave her a mission. She was told to go to medical school, write books, and bring healing messages to others. At age 54, she followed that guidance exactly, completing her prerequisites from scratch and entering medical school, ultimately merging Western medicine with medical intuition, ancestral healing, and mediumship.This powerful conversation explores near-death experiences, divine timing, and why science and spirituality aren't opposites—but reflections of the same truth. Filled with validation, courage, and hope, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who's ever wondered whether there's more to life than what we can see.Guest Biography:Dr. Lotte Valentin is an N.M.D., author, evidential psychic and medical medium, ancestral healer, and internationally recognized keynote speaker known for bridging science and soul. Often described as an oracle, she moves effortlessly through the realms of mystic, prophet, and seer. Her award-winning book Med School After Menopause: The Journey of My Soul earned 1st place in Spiritual Leadership from the Living Now Book Awards for its powerful message of transformation, healing, and spirituality. Following two near-death out-of-body experiences that awakened her clairvoyant, clairaudient, and clairsentient abilities, Dr. Lotte was guided to pursue medicine—completing her prerequisites and entering medical school at age 54—while also serving as an evidential medium and teacher. She has created Ancestral Healing Journeys in collaboration with Hemi-Sync, teaches with leading spiritual organizations worldwide, and frequently speaks on near-death experiences and medical intuition. Dr. Lotte is also the host of Dr. Lotte: Science with Soul, a top-5% globally ranked podcast dedicated to empowering people to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually while uniting modern science with ancient wisdom.Episode Chapters:(0:01:30) - Dr. Lotte's Background and First NDE Setup(0:02:15) - The 7.4 Earthquake During Labor(0:04:30) - Postpartum Hemorrhaging Begins(0:08:06) - Multiple ER Visits and Medical Dismissal(0:10:30) - Critical Hemorrhage and Blood Pressure Drop(0:12:22) - First Near Death Experience - Leaving the Body(0:17:26) - Sister-in-Law's Spirit Visit in Hospital(0:19:33) - Introduction to Life After Life Book(0:20:06) - Nordic Spirituality and Childhood Experiences(0:21:58) - Second Near Death Experience(0:23:00) - The Mid-Station and Celestial Music(0:24:20) - Encountering Angels and Source Light(0:26:59) - The Grid Vision and Interconnectedness(0:30:00) - Hearing the Spirit World for 12 Years(0:31:01) - The Call to Medical School(0:34:04) - Starting Prerequisites at 54(0:34:44) - Science and Spirituality as Mirrors(0:36:00) - Quantum Entanglement Explanation(0:39:16) - Aura Photography Technology(0:41:49) - Medical Intuitive Work in Practice(0:42:25) - Lung Cancer Diagnosis Story(0:45:09) - Types of Sessions Offered(0:48:32) - Divine Timing vs Procrastination(0:52:00) - Meditation as Essential Practice(0:52:48) - Why We Incarnate➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Español YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Português YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Deutsch YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Français YouTube✏️Ask Julie a Question!

*Parental Advisory: Not intended for younger or sensitive audiences*This week, I'm joined by Jennifer, who gets into some strange happenings in west Texas. While working, she uncovered a drug and human trafficking operation, all while dealing with personal tragedy and demonic activity in her home. Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYMeet all your survival and EDC needs here!www.squatchsurvivalgear.comUse Promo Code BUMP26 to save 15% sitewide! Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

This week, Bryce joins me to talk about his eyewitness encounter with a giant hairy creature that he dubbed the "Pond Creek Monster." Was it Sasquatch? Dogman? Weight in with your opinion... It doesn't stop there, this episode has it ALL, you don't want to miss this!!Have an experience that you'd like to share?Holler at me: thebumppodcast@gmail.comFeel led to donate to The BUMP Podcast?Check out www.buymeacoffee.com/thebumppodcastPick up my books!Army of God- https://a.co/d/0S3HttWTerror by Night- https://a.co/d/2tIy8yYTake care of your EDC needs at www.SquatchSurvivalGear.com andUse promo code- BUMP26 for 15% off sitewide!Outro Song:"Oh, My Soul" Written and Performed by Ray Messer Jr.

Send us a textThere are some songs that stay with us—not because they were tied to a moment, but because they put words to a posture of faith we keep coming back to. Even If by MercyMe is one of those songs for me. At its core, it gives voice to a tension we all know well: trusting that God is able… while also learning to remain faithful when He doesn't act in the way we hope He will.Key Points“Even If” by MercyMe gives voice to a deeply biblical kind of faith—a faith that remains even when God doesn't intervene the way we hope He will.The song is rooted in Daniel 3, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego declare that God can save them…but even if He doesn't, they will not bow.The modern testimony behind the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” echoes the same posture—sorrow acknowledged, trust unshaken.This phrase even if names something many believers live daily: trusting God when the outcome is uncertain, painful, or opposite of what we prayed for.The enemy still whispers the same lie King Nebuchadnezzar did: “What god could save you now?” Recognizing that lie and responding with truth shapes our spiritual resilience.Scriptures ReferencedDaniel 1–3 – Context of the exile, rise of Daniel and his friends, and the furnace accountDaniel 3:16–18 – “The God we serve is able…but even if…”Daniel 2:49 – Their roles in BabylonDaniel 1:17–20 – God-given wisdom and favorSupporting historical reference from the story behind “It Is Well with My Soul”BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)Consult a summary or introduction before diving into a book you're less familiar with (e.g., study Bible intros, Blue Letter Bible, BibleProject).Read in context – Start in Daniel 1 and read through Daniel 3 to see the full arc of faithfulness.Consider historical context – Culture, timeline, exile setting, and long-term leadership roles.Follow cross-references – Explore the broader biblical theme of steadfast trust.Ask reflection questions – “Where is my even if? Where am I tempted to bow to cultural pressure?”Additional ResourcesDownload the free Episode GuideLyrics - New Release TodayBlue Letter Bible ESV Introduction to the Book of DanielBible Project Introduction to the Book of Daniel - BibleProject.comBible Interaction Roadmap Bible Study - videos and assignments that will equip you with habits you can use over and over in your own Bible Study - Learn MoreLearn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate LinkThis Week's ChallengeRead Daniel 3 in context -- meaning start in chapter 1 and read all the way through chapter 3. Consider the historical context of this story. Perhaps even research the historical details further. Ask yourself how you would respond in this situation. Decide today that you will reChange your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.