Podcasts about Num

Shein, acte 2… Après l'ouverture de la toute première boutique physique pérenne sur le sol français, dans les murs du BHV à Paris, où des centaines de personnes se sont précipitées hier matin, voici venu le temps de la riposte politique contre le géant chinois de la fast-fashion… Avec une autre mise en scène orchestrée cette fois-ci par le gouvernement français : des douaniers de l'aéroport de Roissy chargés d'ouvrir tous les colis en provenance de Chine arrivés ces dernières 24 heures… Une opération face caméras, qui fait suite à l'annonce par le Premier ministre de l'engagement d'une procédure de suspension de la plateforme Shein après le scandale des poupées à caractère pédo-pornographique… Nous allons en débattre ce soir avec nos invités :- Lucile SCHMID Co-fondatrice et présidente du think tank La Fabrique écologique- Dominique SEUX Editorialiste économique aux Echos et à France Inter- Benjamin BÜRBAUMER Économiste, auteur du livre Chine/Etats-Unis, le capitalisme contre la mondialisation (Editions La Decouverte, 2024)- Pierre-François LE LOUËT Co-président de l'Union Française des Industries Mode-Habillement (UFIMH), président de l'agence de conseil NellyRodi- Clara CHAPPAZ Ancienne ministre déléguée chargée de l'Intelligence artificielle et du Numérique

Dans cet épisode d'Industrial Growth, Richard Lamure, président de TopSolid, partage sa vision d'une industrie française innovante, souveraine et fière.On parle de numérisation des usines, de data, de souveraineté numérique, d'IA, mais aussi de la fierté industrielle et du rôle clé de l'éducation dans la réindustrialisation du pays.

Paul Delair et Caroline Dublanche abordent un sujet du harcèlement scolaire. À l'occasion de la journée de lutte contre ce fléau le 6 novembre, ils analysent les statistiques récentes, discutent des stéréotypes de genre et évoquent l'impact du cyberharcèlement. Pourquoi les victimes osent-elles davantage s'exprimer aujourd'hui ? Comment les nouvelles mesures légales changent-elles la donne ? 3018 - Numéro national "Non au harcèlement" Association Marion la main tendue : marionlamaintendue.com Association E-enfance : e-enfance.org Chaque soir, en direct, Caroline Dublanche accueille les auditeurs pour 2h30 d'échanges et de confidences. Pour participer, contactez l'émission au 09 69 39 10 11 (prix d'un appel local) ou sur parlonsnous@rtl.frHébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Num tempo em que os tablets invadem as salas de aula, Eduardo Sá defende que o futuro da escola e da aprendizagem está de volta aos livros. Porque ler e escrever é também aprender com o corpo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Inteligência Artificial desafia a forma como pensamos e aprendemos. Num mundo que, em breve, promete ser dominado por algoritmos, será que ainda sabemos questionar? Pode a máquina substituir o discernimento humano?

Comunicar é expor-se. É escutar. É estar. Nesta conversa intensa e delicada, a atriz e encenadora Cristina Carvalhal partilha o que aprendeu em décadas de palco sobre a arte de comunicar com o corpo inteiro — e sobre o que o teatro pode ensinar à vida. “Comunicar é dar-se aos outros”, diz, com a serenidade de quem sabe que a voz é mais do que som: é presença. Mas esta conversa vai muito além do teatro. Fala de empatia, de atenção e da forma como o corpo, a respiração e o silêncio moldam tudo o que dizemos — e o que deixamos por dizer. O silêncio como espelho Vivemos num tempo em que o silêncio assusta. Mas Cristina Carvalhal lembra que há silêncios que oprimem e silêncios que curam; silêncios que afastam e outros que aproximam. Saber distingui-los é um ato de escuta profunda — e talvez uma das competências mais urgentes do nosso tempo. O teatro ensina isso todos os dias. O ator aprende a estar em cena sem falar, a ouvir o ar da sala, o rumor do público, o som dos próprios passos. É essa escuta periférica, como Cristina lhe chama, que transforma o gesto em linguagem e o instante em presença. O corpo que fala antes das palavras Muito antes da frase, o corpo já disse tudo. A postura, o olhar, a respiração, o movimento das mãos — cada detalhe é comunicação. O corpo revela disponibilidade ou resistência, confiança ou medo. Por isso, comunicar bem começa sempre por escutar o corpo: saber o que ele anuncia antes da voz. Cristina lembra que, no palco, a voz é uma extensão da respiração. Quem não respira, não comunica. Quem fala sem escutar o ar que o rodeia, perde o compasso do outro. E no mundo da pressa, essa consciência tornou-se rara. A coragem de dizer “não sei” Há momentos em que a melhor resposta é o silêncio. Ou um simples “não sei”. Para Cristina Carvalhal, essa honestidade é libertadora — em cena e na vida. A vulnerabilidade é uma forma de verdade, e comunicar bem é aceitar o que somos, naquele instante, sem disfarces. O nervosismo, diz ela, é só o corpo a lembrar-nos que o momento é importante. Transformar o medo em presença é o primeiro passo para falar com autenticidade. O erro como matéria-prima “Em processo criativo não há erro”, diz Cristina. No teatro, o erro é o ensaio da descoberta. Na vida, devia ser igual. O erro é um desvio que nos mostra novos caminhos, se houver espaço para a confiança e a escuta. Uma boa comunicação — em palco, em equipa ou em família — nasce desse espaço de segurança onde o erro não humilha, mas ensina. Cuidar do jardim comu No final da conversa, surge uma metáfora luminosa: “cuidar do jardim”. Cuidar do jardim interior — o lugar da atenção, da empatia, da escuta. E cuidar do jardim comum — o espaço público, a convivência, a cidadania. Num tempo em que o ruído domina e a agressividade parece regra, esta imagem é um apelo à responsabilidade coletiva: a comunicação é também um ato político. A forma como falamos uns com os outros define o mundo em que vivemos. A lição do teatro para todos nós Esta entrevista não é apenas sobre teatro — é sobre a vida. Sobre a forma como podemos ser mais conscientes nas conversas, mais atentos aos sinais, mais humanos na forma como lideramos, ensinamos ou simplesmente convivemos. Cristina Carvalhal mostra-nos que comunicar é cuidar: do corpo, da voz, do outro e do tempo. E lembra-nos que a empatia não é um talento, é uma prática diária. Lições essenciais de comunicação deste episódio Escute com o corpo, não apenas com os ouvidos. Aceite o nervosismo: é sinal de verdade, não de fraqueza. Dê espaço ao erro — ele faz parte do diálogo. Use o silêncio como aliado: é nele que o outro se reconhece. Cure o seu jardim — o pessoal e o coletivo.

Angola celebra 50 anos de independência e a sua história pode ouvir-se no Semba, através do ritmo que denunciou o colonialismo, uniu o país e continua a pulsar nas novas gerações. Para o antropólogo André Castro Soares, o Semba é “um testemunho histórico e político”, uma expressão da dor, da festa e da esperança de um povo que, mesmo entre guerras e desafios, nunca deixou de dançar pela liberdade.  Angola assinala na próxima semana 50 anos de independência, a 11 de Novembro, meio século de caminhos cruzados entre a esperança, a reconstrução e os desafios de um país que continua a reinventar-se. Desde 1975, a música tem sido uma das mais fiéis testemunhas da história angolana: um espaço onde se escutam as memórias da luta, as vozes da resistência e as novas sonoridades que dão forma à identidade contemporânea. O antropólogo português André Castro Soares, autor da tese “Semba enquanto património material, políticas e imagens e sonoridades da cultura em Angola”, tem dedicado a sua investigação a compreender esse percurso. Para ele, “o Semba não é apenas uma expressão artística, mas um testemunho histórico e político capaz de revelar as múltiplas camadas da vida angolana desde 1975 até hoje”. Ao olhar para os 50 anos de independência, André Castro Soares defende que a história de Angola pode ser lida através das suas canções. “É o Semba que vai, de alguma forma, denunciar a presença colonial e o jugo colonial, sobretudo a partir dos anos 60 e 61. 61 é um ano horríbilis do governo do Estado Novo de Salazar”, recorda. Foi nesse momento que começou a guerra colonial, e “esse movimento vai ser acompanhado pelos músicos, pelos que começam, de forma encapotada, a lançar as suas mensagens, aquilo que chamo na minha tese de recados, para que a população se juntasse à luta pela independência fora do jugo colonial português”. Entre esses músicos, destaca-se Liceu Vieira Dias, figura central na génese do nacionalismo musical. “O grande autor, o grande pensador e poeta dessas sonoridades foi, sem dúvida, Liceu Vieira Dias, que com a música Feiticeira, isso está bem descrito num filme de Jorge António, vai, de forma encapotada, anunciar a forma como o poder colonial podia ser combatido”, explica o antropólogo. “Essa música Muxima, coração, vai marcar sonoramente esse período”, acrescenta, sublinhando que outras canções, como Umbi Umbi, exprimem esse mesmo sentimento de resistência e de dor. “O Muxima é o mais emblemático”, afirma Castro Soares. “É um lamento. O Semba tem várias formas, há o Semba de carnaval, festivo, mas também há o Semba de lamento. E essas músicas de lamento são universais, acompanham as formas de vivência dos povos negros subjugados à escravatura e à violência. Quando falo de lamento, falo, por exemplo, da Soul music nos Estados Unidos, do Semba em Angola e do Samba no Brasil.” Essa dimensão espiritual e emocional faz do Semba, segundo o investigador, “um género que surge do sofrimento das pessoas negras e que é, por isso, fundamental para marcar a paisagem sonora da independência”. Com o fim do domínio colonial, o Semba tornou-se património simbólico e material da nova nação. “A angolanidade não é um conceito consensual”, reconhece Castro Soares, “mas através da música podemos pensar num aglutinador do que seria o mais próximo deste conceito, um espaço de consensualidade cultural, onde as pessoas daquele território se revissem de alguma forma”. Num país de enorme diversidade étnica e linguística, o Semba, explica, “é talvez o género musical que melhor se aproxima desse trabalho de consenso, dessa procura de unidade nacional”. “Luanda tem um poder magnético muito grande”, acrescenta o antropólogo. “Concentra grande parte de todas as populações do vastíssimo território das 18 províncias. Penso que o Semba poderá ser uma boa banda sonora da angolanidade, ou o mais próximo daquilo que é a angolanidade, apesar de algumas pessoas não gostarem de o pôr aí. Mas o Semba retrata, relata e ilustra de forma sonora a vivência dos angolanos.” Essa vivência é inseparável das chamadas festas de quintal, que, segundo o investigador, “são uma célula cultural onde se ouve todo o tipo de música, mas onde o Semba tem um papel fundamental de união e de construção de diálogo”. Essa dimensão comunitária da música estende-se, para Castro Soares, à vida familiar e quotidiana. “A sentada familiar é uma marca de angolanidade até mais importante que a própria música”, defende. “É o lugar onde se transmite conhecimento, aquilo que chamo transmissão de conhecimento aural — não apenas oral, porque envolve a escuta e o corpo todo. É uma incorporação de saberes ancestrais que vai muito para além da construção da nova nação.” Mas o percurso musical de Angola também foi marcado por silêncios e medos. “O espaço musical foi muito afectado por um acontecimento: a purga dentro do MPLA em 1977”, lembra André Castro Soares. “Esse episódio, que teve contornos de massacre, implicou uma imposição de medo geral em relação à contestação ao poder instituído, e esse medo vai acompanhar até aos dias de hoje.” Mesmo assim, a música nunca deixou de ser um território de resistência. “Os músicos conseguiram ler muito bem os limites impostos pela política. Hoje continuam a falar através de recados, como o Paulo Flores, que usa a canção para denunciar as injustiças do poder político.” Com o passar das décadas, novos estilos emergiram e redefiniram o espaço sonoro angolano. “Depois do Semba, vieram o Kuduro e a Kizomba, que tiveram grandes impactos na diáspora africana e angolana no exterior”, observa o antropólogo. “A Kizomba, que eu costumo chamar um abraço que os angolanos dão a todas as pessoas, até às pessoas racistas, é uma música que consegue juntar pessoas muito diferentes, dentro e fora do país. É um excelente antídoto contra o racismo. Essa é, para mim, a principal lição que os angolanos deram à contemporaneidade: é possível juntarmo-nos e abraçarmo-nos independentemente das nossas diferenças.” Sobre as novas gerações, André Castro Soares vê nelas um diálogo vivo com o passado. “Há todo um diálogo feito pelas novas gerações, ainda que algumas sem memória directa desse passado, mas transmitido pelos pais e pelos antepassados e também por via da educação.” O antropólogo insiste que “Angola não é um Estado falhado, é um Estado com dificuldades e idiossincrasias, que ainda não teve grande alternância política, nem uma democratização plena, mas o caminho está a ser construído e deve ser marcado pelos próprios angolanos. É uma população muito jovem e capaz de fazer releituras e visões para o seu futuro.” Quando se escuta a Angola de hoje, os sons são múltiplos, mas há sinais de regresso às origens. “Tem havido uma procura da essência do que é angolano”, afirma. “As pessoas perderam a utopia dos anos 80, tornaram-se mais realistas, e há uma vontade de voltar aos instrumentos acústicos e tradicionais, como a Dikanza, um instrumento de fricção feito a partir da natureza.” Essa recuperação, diz, “é uma forma de resgatar património, um passado que foi negado pela guerra civil e por um sistema educativo débil, mas que as pessoas estão a reconstruir de forma informal, fora da tutela do Estado.” Entre os artistas actuais, André Castro Soares destaca “Yúri da Cunha, que tem uma proposta musical muito interessante no sentido de procurar as raízes e a festa de quintal”, bem como “Paulo Flores, que continua a apresentar trabalhos com grande profundidade”, e ainda “Eduardo Paim, vindo da Kizomba, que tem feito remisturas com outros estilos como o Zouk”. Também as novas fusões mostram vitalidade: “Dentro do Afrobeat, há várias misturas entre o Kuduro e o Amapiano da África do Sul, o continente influencia-se mutuamente e vai marcando os gostos de uma juventude que tem outras preocupações do que a juventude que fez a independência.” Cinquenta anos depois da proclamação da independência, a música continua a ser, como conclui André Castro Soares, “um marcador cultural fundamental” e “o espaço onde os angolanos se escutam, se reencontram e se reinventam”. Entre o lamento e a festa, o Semba permanece a batida da liberdade, o som de um povo que aprendeu, mesmo em tempos de silêncio, a falar através da música.

Num mundo de incertezas e vídeos de IA perfeitos (exigindo foco na origem), o sucesso depende de um novo modelo de liderança descentralizado e comunitário onde o CFO atua como estrategista principal para garantir a resiliência e a inovação.

Num país marcado por desigualdades sociais, transformar o programa em lei é garantir a continuidade do acesso de crianças, adolescentes e da comunidade escolar a livros e materiais didáticos

Numérique: Mon espace santé

Num clima de tensão e expectativa global, Donald Trump e Xi Jinping reúnem-se pela primeira vez desde o regresso do norte-americano à Casa Branca. O encontro, realizado na Coreia-do-Sul, promete redefinir o equilíbrio de forças entre as duas maiores potências do globo. A Europa vê-se num papel difícil, dividida entre a necessidade de manter relações económicas com a China e a obrigação de alinhar com o seu aliado histórico, os Estados Unidos. O que esperar dos tempos que se avizinham no panorama geopolítico global? Esta emissão do Expresso da Meia Noite contou com a participação de António Martins da Cruz, (ex-ministro dos negócios estrangeiros) Raquel Vaz Pinto, (comentadora SIC) António Caeiro (ex-correspondente da Lusa em Pequim) e António Costa e Silva (ex-ministro da Economia). O programa foi emitido na SIC Notícias a 31 de outubro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Os cemitérios da Prefeitura de São Paulo esperam receber 300 mil visitantes no Dia de Finados deste ano e passaram por diversas reformas nos últimos meses. A informação é de João Manuel da Costa Neto, diretor-presidente da SP Regula, agência reguladora de serviços públicos municipais. Em entrevista à Rádio Eldorado, ele foi questionado sobre as reclamações da população após a concessão de 22 cemitérios para quatro empresas há pouco mais de dois anos. Segundo Costa Neto, a SP Regula já aplicou 426 multas no período, mas ele não soube precisar quantas foram efetivamente pagas. Num balanço de maio deste ano, o índice estava em 7%. As reclamações podem ser feitas pelo Portal 156 da Prefeitura.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emmanuel MACRON a lancé un appel à la « résistance » contre les réseaux sociaux et leurs algorithmes… Et si c'était ça, la plus grande menace pour nos démocraties ? C'est en tout cas la conviction d'Emmanuel MACRON, qui appelait hier à ne plus laisser les plateformes numériques et leurs algorithmes déstabiliser nos sociétés… Un risque “d'ingérence sous stéroïde” pointé du doigt à 6 mois des élections municipales et à 1 an et demi seulement de la prochaine présidentielle… Nous allons en débattre avec nos invités :▶︎ Asma MHALLA Politologue, enseignante à Sciences Po, autrice de Cyberpunk - Le nouveau système totalitaire aux éditions du Seuil (19.09.25)▶︎ Clara CHAPPAZ Ancienne ministre déléguée chargée de l'Intelligence artificielle et du Numérique▶︎ David COLON Chercheur au centre d'histoire de Sciences Po, membre du conseil d'experts du Forum économique mondial sur l'intégrité de l'information, auteur du livre La guerre de l'information. Les Etats à la conquête de nos esprits aux éditions Tallandier (collection Texto, 2023, réédité en janvier 2025)▶︎⁠ Mathieu SLAMA Consultant et analyste, auteur du livre Adieu la liberté aux Presses de la Cité (2022)▶︎⁠ Imane BOUNOUH Communicante politique, collaboratrice parlementaire de la députée Les Écologistes Léa Balage, créatrice de contenu (Substack « Le scroll, c'est politique »)

Na estreia da nova temporada, Maria Seruya conversa com Ana Salazar: a mulher que simboliza a revolução na moda em Portugal. Foi das primeiras designers a afirmar a moda como expressão criativa e cultural, muito para lá do simples ato de vestir. Num tempo em que o setor era dominado por visões muito tradicionais, Ana destacou-se pela ousadia e pelo olhar cosmopolita, abrindo caminho para novas gerações de criadores. Nesta conversa a designer partilha o seu percurso desde a infância solitária, marcada por uma forte ligação familiar à estética e à alta-costura, até aos dias de hoje como referência criativa e empreendedora.

Em uma semana, o Brasil estará no foco das atenções do mundo, com o início da Cúpula do Clima em Belém, no Pará (COP30). Num contexto internacional desfavorável, a presidência brasileira do evento trabalha para que esta seja a COP da implementação: que a conferência enderece soluções para os países tirarem do papel as promessas feitas até aqui, para o enfrentamento do aquecimento do planeta.  Lúcia Müzell, da RFI em Paris Em entrevista exclusiva à RFI, em Paris, o presidente designado da COP30, embaixador André Corrêa do Lago, ressaltou que a revolução das energias renováveis desde a assinatura do Acordo de Paris, há 10 anos, traz razões para otimismo. “Antes do acordo, havia uma perspectiva de que a temperatura chegaria a no mínimo 4ºC até 2100, e agora já há um certo consenso científico que ela deve estar a caminho de 2,7ºC, se nós não fizermos ainda mais esforços", ressaltou. "Por mais que a gente não esteja no nível que nós deveríamos estar, muitos avanços aconteceram e nós podemos ser otimistas." A COP30 vai ocorrer em duas etapas: primeiro, nos 6 e 7, chefes de Estado e de Governo se reunião para a Cúpula dos Líderes na capital paraense, a convite do presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. O francês Emmanuel Macron e o presidente do Conselho Europeu, António Costa, estão entre os que confirmaram presença, mas é esperado que Belém não receberá números expressivos de lideranças, ao contrário do que ocorreu na reunião em Dubai, há dois anos.  Na sequência, de 10 a 21 de novembro, acontece a conferência propriamente dita, reunindo diplomatas, cientistas, especialistas, setor privado e sociedade civil, para duas semanas de negociações sobre os principais temas relacionados à mudança do clima. "Nós vamos ter anúncios muito importantes de aumento de recursos para adaptação", antecipa Corrêa do Lago.  A preocupação de que os Estados Unidos não apenas não participem da COP, como atuem para bloquear qualquer acordo em Belém, paira sobre o evento. O país, maior emissor histórico de gases de efeito estufa, não tem participado das negociações prévias à conferência, mas poderia enviar uma delegação para as negociações oficiais. “A questão da participação americana ainda é uma incógnita”, reconheceu o diplomata.   Confira os principais trechos da conversa: Quantos líderes exatamente vão participar da cúpula? Quais serão os chefes de Estado e de governo esperados e, depois dela, quantos países vão participar da Conferência do Clima de Belém? O número de autoridades que vão vir para cúpula ainda está indefinido, porque qualquer programação que inclua chefes de Estado hoje em dia é muito complexa: questões de deslocamento, segurança etc. Eu acredito que vai ser uma cúpula com alguns dos chefes de Estado mais relevantes, porque a liderança do presidente Lula hoje é particularmente notável no mundo e a questão do clima é um tema que alguns acreditam que diminuiu de intensidade do ponto de vista das trocas internacionais, mas quando a gente está falando de fortalecimento do multilateralismo, a questão do clima é absolutamente central. Então, eu acredito que nós vamos ter a esmagadora maioria dos países na COP. Dez anos depois da assinatura do Acordo de Paris, não podemos dizer que algum país tenha cumprido plenamente as suas metas climáticas. Nenhum grande emissor está, de fato, no caminho de limitar o aquecimento global a 1,5ºC, conforme o acordo prevê, entre eles o próprio Brasil. O que precisa acontecer em Belém para que essa conferência não seja lembrada como apenas mais uma rodada de promessas? Eu acho que tem certos países que estão no bom caminho, sim. Um deles é o nosso. A nossa NDC [Contribuição Nacionalmente Determinada, na sigla em inglês] para 2030 deve ser cumprida. Nós realmente temos sido exemplares, inclusive porque, como todos sabem, um dos grandes problemas das nossas emissões é o desmatamento. Eu acho que nós vamos continuar a ter números positivos no combate ao desmatamento. Outros países também progrediram de maneira significativa, aumentando os seus investimentos em renováveis. Tem uma quantidade de países que a gente não imagina que evoluiu de maneira incrível. Você pega o Uruguai, por exemplo: em oito anos, passou a ter tanta eólica que agora está com 99% da sua eletricidade renovável. O Quênia também está praticamente com 99%. Para nós, brasileiros, é natural, porque o Brasil tem renováveis há muito tempo, mais ou menos a 90%. Essa tendência tem se expandido de maneira impressionante. Vários países desenvolvidos estão reduzindo de maneira significativa as suas emissões. Ou seja, tem muitos resultados, e um dos que são muito claros é o quanto nós já conseguimos mudar o caminho que estava traçado antes do Acordo de Paris. Havia uma perspectiva de que a temperatura chegaria a no mínimo 4ºC até 2100, e agora já há um certo consenso científico que ela deve estar a caminho de 2,7ºC, se nós não fizermos ainda mais esforços. Ou seja, o Acordo de Paris funcionou para baixar, mas ainda não o suficiente. A expectativa é que nós poderemos progredir ainda mais, porque a economia que mais está crescendo e tem mais impacto sobre o clima, a chinesa, está clarissimamente voltada para o combate à mudança do clima. Então, eu acho que é isso que a gente gostaria muito que saísse de Belém: que o mundo reconhecesse que, por mais que a gente não esteja no nível que nós deveríamos estar, muitos avanços aconteceram e nós podemos ser otimistas. O Brasil pode continuar sendo um exemplo na área de clima depois de o Ibama autorizar os testes para a prospecção de petróleo na foz do rio Amazonas, apenas duas semanas antes da COP30?  Nós temos instituições, e o momento em que essa autorização pôde ser concedida foi agora. É o Ibama a instituição que decidiu. Eu acho que isso mostra que o Brasil, como todos os países, tem interesses e circunstâncias diferentes. Em um país que se tornou um produtor importante de petróleo, como o Brasil, é preciso pensar no petróleo no conjunto da equação do nosso esforço para diminuir a dependência das energias fósseis. Isso parece um pouco estranho, mas o Brasil já demonstrou coisas extraordinariamente positivas, como nas energias renováveis. Nós somos, ao mesmo tempo, campeões das energias renováveis e um importante produtor de petróleo. É preciso que a sociedade brasileira decida quais são as direções que o país deverá tomar e esse é um debate muito importante no Brasil. Decisões sobre a adaptação dos países às mudanças climáticas, que durante muito tempo foi um tema tabu nas COPs, estão entre as apostas da Conferência de Belém. Quais são as medidas concretas que o senhor espera sobre a adaptação? Isso não abre o caminho perigoso de os países acabarem contornando o grande causador do problema, que são os combustíveis fósseis? Quando eu comecei a trabalhar na área de clima, mais ou menos no ano 2000, havia, sim, essa ideia. “Meu Deus do céu, se a gente já for cuidar de adaptação, a gente não vai fazer o esforço de mitigação” [redução de emissões]. E a verdade é que nós todos estávamos errados, porque nós não sabíamos que a mudança do clima chegaria tão rápido. Você vê hoje, no Brasil, uma percepção muito clara do impacto da adaptação. Quando você pega o que aconteceu em Porto Alegre, é uma coisa que poderia ter sido diminuída se as obras de adaptação tivessem sido feitas – e isso é um alerta para todas as cidades brasileiras, de certa forma. Mas quando os rios secam na Amazônia, não é uma questão de adaptação. Isso só a mitigação resolve. Então, nós temos que avançar com os dois juntos. Leia tambémDivisão de europeus sobre metas climáticas simboliza riscos à COP30 em Belém Mitigação tem uma outra dimensão que sempre a tornou mais atraente na negociação que é a seguinte: onde quer que você reduza as emissões, vai ter um impacto no mundo todo. E a adaptação é vista como um problema local, um problema de prefeitura ou de estados dentro de um país, o que também é uma percepção errada, porque a adaptação é algo que tem hoje muito claramente um impacto grande, inclusive na atração de investimento para um país. Um país que tem condições para receber fábricas, infraestrutura, vai fazer uma diferença gigantesca nos investimentos. Eu acho que a gente tem que entender que são dois problemas diferentes, mas que são dois problemas que não podem ser dissociados. Na COP de Belém, nós vamos ter anúncios muito importantes de aumento de recursos, porque um dos problemas é que, como adaptação não tem um efeito global, muitos países doadores preferem dar dinheiro para mitigação porque, de certa forma, indiretamente, eles serão beneficiados, enquanto a adaptação é uma coisa que vai atingir pessoas que eles nem conhecem. Eu acredito que, inclusive, os bancos multilaterais de desenvolvimento vão colocar a adaptação como uma prioridade absoluta. Diante de um contexto internacional delicado, a presidência brasileira da conferência também dá ênfase à implementação das metas, ou seja, viabilizar que essas promessas feitas nas COPs sejam cumpridas. Vai ter como impulsionar a implementação sem resolver o grande embate sobre o financiamento, que sempre bloqueia as COPs? O senhor reconheceu recentemente que não vai ser possível garantir já em Belém o US$ 1,3 trilhão por ano de financiamento que se estimam necessários.   Não, ninguém vai aparecer um cheque com esses recursos. Mas o que há é uma consciência muito grande de que a mudança do clima está atingindo todos os setores da economia e os países em desenvolvimento não podem continuar a ter as responsabilidades, que ainda têm de assegurar educação, saúde, infraestrutura para as suas populações e, além do mais, incorporar a dimensão de mudanças do clima. Desde o início dessas negociações, os países desenvolvidos, que já emitiram muito para o seu desenvolvimento, teriam que contribuir. Eles têm contribuído menos do que se espera, mas eles têm contribuído. Dos US$ 100 bilhões que eram supostos aparecer entre 2020 e 2025, só a partir de 2023 é que ultrapassaram os US$ 100 bi que deveriam ter vindo. Agora, houve um acordo na COP de 2024 em Baku, de subir para US$ 300 bilhões a partir de 2035. Muitos países em desenvolvimento ficaram muito frustrados, porque ainda é muito pouco. É esse número que você disse sobre o qual nós estamos trabalhando, US$ 1,3 trilhão. Esse valor parece estratosférico. Na verdade, é um valor possível. Eu devo publicar dia 3 de novembro mais um relatório que deve sair antes da COP, assinado por mim e o presidente da COP29, sobre como traçar o caminho para conseguir US$ 1,3 trilhão. Especialistas em negociações climáticas temem que os Estados Unidos não apenas não participem da COP30, como atuem fortemente para bloquear qualquer acordo relevante na conferência. Essa é uma preocupação sua? Hoje há várias preocupações. Nas negociações oficiais, tudo tem que ser aprovado por consenso. Na verdade, qualquer país pode bloquear uma COP, e já aconteceu em várias negociações de um país se opor ao que os mais de 190 outros estavam de acordo. A questão da participação americana ainda é uma incógnita, porque, em princípio, os Estados Unidos, ao se retirarem do Acordo de Paris formalmente há 11 meses, apenas estão esperando a formalidade do trâmite. Eles têm que esperar um ano para sair formalmente, o que só vai acontecer em janeiro. Em princípio, os Estados Unidos não têm participado das negociações porque eles querem sair delas. Vamos ver como é que a coisa evolui, porque nós sabemos muito bem que há um contexto internacional um pouco especial. Os Estados Unidos têm participado muito ativamente de outras reuniões em organismos e convenções das quais eles não disseram que sairiam, que foi o que aconteceu com a Organização Marítima Internacional e na negociação de plásticos, em que os Estados Unidos foram muito atuantes. Mas eles estavam atuantes num contexto em que eles são membros plenos e pretendem continuar a ser membros plenos, que não é o caso do Acordo de Paris. Então, vamos ver como é que vai ser: se os Estados Unidos vão mandar uma delegação, e como vai ser a atuação americana em Belém. Leia tambémAmazônia: a equação delicada entre preservação e combate à pobreza

After salvation, the choice of who you marry will likely be the next most significant decision in your life. Marriage is a nuclear reactor – where new immortal souls are being brought into existence, and therefore it is good and right to guard its formation carefully.This law concerning vows applies in a number of different directions, but since marriage includes covenant vows, it certainly applies there.The Text: “…If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand…” (Num. 30:1-5).King's Cross Church is a member congregation of the CREC in Moscow, ID. Visit our website at https://kingscrossmoscow.com.Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/kingscrossmoscow.

Num tempo em que tudo acontece demasiado depressa, convidamos a parar e refletir sobre o verdadeiro valor do tempo.

L'Alsace a fait sensation au Gault & Millau Grand Est. Cette nouvelle déclinaison dédiée aux grandes régions du célèbre guide touristique s'est tenue lundi à Strasbourg. Sur les douze trophées au total, neuf ont été décernés à des talents Alsaciens. Parmi eux, Julien Binz, chef du restaurant éponyme à Ammerschwihr, a reçu la plus haute distinction avec le Gault & Millau d'Or Grand Est 2025. Théodore Peter, du nouveau restaurant Acolytes à Sélestat a lui été distingué pour l'Accueil. Et Pascal Hainigue, de l'Auberge de l'Ill à Illhaeusern, a été consacré pâtissier de l'année dans la région. Vous pouvez d'ailleurs retrouver ses créations dans notre reportage vidéo, publié sur nos différents réseaux sociaux et notre site internet. Une nouvelle zone thématique et une attraction revisitée… Europa Park continue de se réinventer. Le directeur du parc, Roland Mack, a expliqué à la presse allemande que l'Euro-Mir, attraction phare aujourd'hui du quartier russe, sera démontée et entièrement reconstruite, avec un tracé retravaillé et un concept revisité d'ici 2028. Cette dernière fera ensuite partie d'une zone thématique dédiée à l'espace. Le quartier russe sera quant à lui réduit. En attendant, une autre zone thématique sera prochainement inaugurée à Europa Park, avec l'arrivée de Monaco l'année prochaine.Deuxième déplacement ministériel en Alsace cette semaine. Anne Le Hénanff, Ministre déléguée chargée de l'Intelligence artificielle et du Numérique se rend aujourd'hui à Strasbourg. Elle assistera notamment à l'événement Numérique En Commun(s), rendez-vous annuel incontournable des professionnels du secteur.Des mesures de prévention et de sécurité prises à quelques jours de Halloween. Pour diminuer les risques d'accidents et de troubles à l'ordre public, les préfets du Bas-Rhin et du Haut-Rhin ont pris quelques dispositions. Dès ce soir 20h et jusqu'à dimanche 08h, l'achat, la vente, la détention, le transport et l'utilisation d'artifices de divertissement sont interdits. Il en est de même pour les carburants en récipient transportable. Dans la nuit de vendredi à samedi, des drones équipés de caméra seront aussi utilisés dans certains secteurs de Strasbourg, Schiltigheim et Bischheim. La Vallée de la Bruche donne de la voix à ses habitants. Un nouveau projet est proposé cette année par l'Office de tourisme. Ce dernier, intitulé “Histoires de Bruche” consiste à recueillir la parole de certains passionnés en son et en image pour valoriser la mémoire locale et la transmission. Les précisions de Simone, de l'Office de tourisme. Au total, 45 témoignages ont déjà été enregistrés. Il est possible d'écouter ces derniers sur YouTube ou à l'aide de QR codes, installés aux quatre coins du territoire. Une carte interactive est à retrouver sur le site valleedelabruche.fr. Retrouvez cet entretien complet sur azur-fm.com. Les lauréats de la 3e édition du prix Colmar Agglo entreprend sont connus. La cérémonie de remise des prix s'est tenue lundi. Bassa Mawen de MBS Industry, ainsi que Céline et Hugues PEYREBERE de Teisuto, ont remportés la catégorie « Ambition environnementale et territoriale », avec leurs projets respectifs d'escalade et autres activités verticales accessibles au plus grand nombre, et de maisons de thé familiale. Stéphane JORDAN, de Colmar Livrelo, un service de livraison urbaine en vélos cargos électriques, a lui été sacré “Coup de cœur du public”. Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

A operação policial contra o Comando Vermelho, que deixou pelo menos 64 mortos no Rio de Janeiro, reabriu um debate político sobre a resistência dos governadores à Proposta de Emenda à Constituição (PEC) da Segurança Pública, em tramitação no Congresso. A proposta enviada pelo governo amplia a competência da Polícia Federal e fortalece o papel da União no planejamento da política de segurança pública. Num primeiro momento, o governador Cláudio Castro disse ontem que não contou com a ajuda do governo federal na operação por ter pedido blindados em outras ocasiões sem ser atendido. Depois, baixou o tom das críticas, já que para a cessão ocorrer é necessária a decretação de Garantia da Lei e da Ordem (GLO) para garantir a participação das Forças Armadas nas operações. Em entrevista à Rádio Eldorado, Samira Bueno, diretora-executiva do Fórum Brasileiro de Segurança Pública, disse que o embate político mostra que a campanha eleitoral de 2026 já começou e defendeu uma articulação entre as esferas de Poder para a realização de ações coordenadas contra o crime organizado. “Não é um problema que vai se resolver com blindados. São organizações transnacionais e a gente precisa da Polícia Federal nesse jogo com ações de inteligência e coordenação para ter impacto financeiro nas atividades dessas facções”, afirmou.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bruno Guglielminetti s'entretient avec Nicolas Lellouche, journaliste de Numérama, à propos du tout nouveau Galaxy XR, le casque de réalité mixte signé Samsung et Google. Positionné comme un rival direct du Vision Pro d'Apple, il se distingue par un prix presque deux fois inférieur et une offre riche en contenus intégrés : Netflix, YouTube Premium, HBO et bien d'autres. Selon Nicolas Lellouche, ce pari sur le divertissement plutôt que sur la technologie pure pourrait séduire un public plus large, même si le marché reste réservé aux "early adopters". Entre stratégie Android ouverte et menace pour Meta, ce lancement pourrait redessiner la bataille des casques immersifs.

A Académica deslocou-se à Medideira e trouxe um empate amargo, numa partida em que colocámos o Kompensan no topo da Amora.Num jogo com mais que uma reviravolta no marcador, a Académica voltou a perder pontos na recta final, impedindo assim o cavar do fosso entre o quarto classificado e o quinto. Neste episódio, procurámos perceber o que nos impediu de sair com os três pontos, numa parte final da partida que nos correu francamente mal, num jogo em que estivemos a vencer por duas vezes mas em que nos sobrou mais o amargo da azia e menos o doce da amora. Olhámos as exibições positivas e menos positivas, avaliando o acerto, ou falta dele, dos Passos de António Barbosa. Deixámos o nosso olhar sobre a próxima jornada, onde no Cidade de Coimbra receberemos a equipa das Caldas da Rainha, uma espécie de besta negra da Académica no nosso reduto, que lidera a nossa Série. No final, fizemos o ponto de situação do nosso Zandinga, com um estranho optimismo, das equipas de formação da Académica e falámos sobre a nossa Secção de basquetebol. O episódio de hoje contou com a presença do Filipe Fernandes, do Guilherme Imperial e a moderação, e participação, do Ricardo Goucha.

Lundi 27 octobre, François Sorel a reçu Nicolas Lellouche, journaliste à Numérama, Bruno Guglielminetti, journaliste et animateur de «Mon Carnet de l'actualité numérique», Sarah Mathew, vice-présidente expérience de livraison chez Amazon, Chris Delvizis, chef de produit lunettes connectées de livraison chez Amazon, Aaron Parness, directeur des sciences appliquées en robotique et IA chez Amazon, et Igor Pedan, responsable induction robotique chez Amazon Robotics, dans l'émission Tech & Co, la quotidienne sur BFM Business. Retrouvez l'émission du lundi au jeudi et réécoutez la en podcast.

Lundi 27 octobre, François Sorel a reçu Nicolas Lellouche, journaliste à Numérama et Bruno Guglielminetti, journaliste et animateur de «Mon Carnet de l'actualité numérique», dans l'émission Tech & Co, la quotidienne, sur BFM Business. Retrouvez l'émission du lundi au jeudi et réécoutez la en podcast.

Num bate-papo entre André Ventura e Primeiro-ministro, Luís Montenegro reage às declarações do presidente do Chega sobre a necessidade de "um, dois ou três Salazares" para haver "menos corrupção".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Num tempo em que tudo acontece demasiado depressa, convidamos a parar e refletir sobre o verdadeiro valor do tempo. Da pastorícia, passando pela inovação tecnológica até à gastronomia sustentável.

Pour cette nouvelle émission de Déclic, quand la conscience s'éveille, je reçois Yessica Reulier qui vient nous parler de Numérologie…

A pecuária extensiva é o principal vetor da devastação da Amazônia: entre 80% e 90% das áreas desmatadas são convertidas em pasto para o gado, segundo diferentes estudos de instituições de referência, como Mapbiomas. Nos holofotes do mundo por sediar a Conferência da ONU sobre Mudanças Climáticas (COP30), o país ainda engatinha em implementar a rastreabilidade da cadeia bovina, etapa fundamental para evitar que mais árvores sejam derrubadas para a produção de carne.   Lúcia Müzell, enviada especial da RFI a Belém, Novo Repartimento e Assentamento Tuerê (Pará) Sede da maior reunião do mundo sobre a crise climática, o Pará – segundo maior produtor do Brasil, atrás do Mato Grosso – quer dar o exemplo e adota o primeiro programa de rastreabilidade do gado na Amazônia. O plano é que, até 2027, todo o rebanho estará com o chip na orelha, dando acesso ao trânsito completo de um animal desde o nascimento até chegar à prateleira do supermercado.   Do ponto de vista ambiental, a informação crucial é saber se, em alguma etapa, o boi passou por áreas ilegalmente desmatadas. O controle do início da cadeia é o principal desafio para o sucesso do programa – e envolve centenas de milhares de pequenos produtores, espalhados pelo estado. Desde 2013, o Pará ultrapassou o Mato Grosso e está no topo da lista dos que mais devastam a Amazônia. “Para lhe falar a verdade, vontade de desmatar, eu tenho muita. Muita mesmo”, disse à RFI o agricultor familiar Adelson Alves da Silva Torres.   Há 25 anos, ele deixou o Maranhão e chegou ao Pará, atraído pela promessa de uma vida melhor. Há 19, conseguiu um lote de 25 hectares no Assentamento Tuerê, conhecido como o maior da América Latina, no leste do estado. Nesta região, a pressão do desmatamento para a pecuária já devastou praticamente tudo que havia de floresta.  Produtividade baixa impulsiona mais desmatamento Na maioria das vezes, os rebanhos ocupam vastas áreas, em lugares remotos, com produtividade muito baixa: menos de um boi por hectare. Na Europa, em países como Holanda, o índice chega a sete.  Mas num país extenso como o Brasil, é mais barato abrir novas áreas de pastagem do que conservar as que já existem, com manejo adequado do pasto, do solo e do próprio gado. O desafio é ainda maior para os pequenos produtores, de até 100 animais. No Pará, 67% dos pecuaristas se enquadram nesta categoria.   O carro-chefe da roça de Adelson sempre foi a agricultura: cacau, banana, mandioca. Nos últimos anos, voltou a criar gado e hoje tem dez cabeças. A diferença é que, desta vez, ele está recebendo orientação técnica para produzir mais, no mesmo espaço de terra. “Através dessas reuniões que eu tenho participado, eu resolvi deixar [a mata]. Até na serra, eu não posso mexer”, garantiu. “Se tivesse como o governo ajudar a gente no manejo dentro de uma área pequena, com a cerca elétrica, dividir tudo direitinho. Mas, para isso, nós, que somos pobres, nós não aguentamos. Se fosse assim, não precisava desmatar.”  Mudança de mentalidade  Convencer os agricultores de que dá para produzir mais sem derrubar a floresta é um trabalho de formiguinha. “É uma região muito desafiadora. São famílias que estão lutando no seu dia a dia, buscando a sua independência financeira, sua regularização fundiária e ambiental”, explica Leonardo Dutra, coordenador de projetos do Programa da Amazônia da Fundação Solidaridad, que atua há 10 anos em municípios na rodovia Transamazônica.   A entidade ensina técnicas de agropecuária sustentável e ajuda os pequenos produtores a se regularizarem à luz do novo Código Florestal, adotado em 2012.   “É um desafio porque são famílias que têm uma cultura longeva, com determinado tipo de trabalho, e a gente precisa avançar nessas técnicas para que elas assimilem, ano após ano. A gente costuma trazer lideranças de outras regiões que já conhecem o nosso trabalho, e aí a gente começa a ganhar confiança deles.”    Do total da carne produzida no Brasil, 43% vem da Amazônia Legal, segundo levantamento do Imazon (Instituto do Homem e Meio Ambiente da Amazônia). A produção é profundamente fragmentada: entre o nascimento e o abate, o boi pode passar por três proprietários diferentes – e apenas a última etapa, a do fornecedor direto para o frigorífico, tem fiscalização ambiental rigorosa no país.  Isso significa que milhares de produtores em condição irregular conseguem revender os animais para fornecedores "limpos", que comercializam com os grandes frigoríficos. É a chamada lavagem de gado.  “A gente ainda não está em plenas condições de garantir que temos controle sobre isso”, afirma Camila Trigueiro, analista de pesquisa do Imazon, instituto especializado em desenvolvimento sustentável, em Belém.  “Se a gente conseguir identificar todos os animais, a origem deles, tornar isso transparente, a gente consegue trazer para a sociedade e para as empresas que estão adquirindo esses animais a informação de que existe esse produtor, ele está comercializando o gado, e você deve verificar o status socioambiental dele – que é algo que a gente ainda não consegue fazer.” ‘Brinco' na orelha do gado ainda ainda é exceção  Atualmente, o único estado brasileiro que oferece a identificação da cadeia bovina é Santa Catarina, implementada há mais de 15 anos para o controle da febre aftosa. No âmbito federal, primeiro Plano Nacional de Identificação Individual de Bovinos e Búfalos foi lançado no fim de 2024, mas o prazo de implementação é extenso, até o fim de 2032. “A identificação individual tem um potencial muito grande de colocar a produção pecuária do Brasil num caminho de maior sustentabilidade. Mas para isso acontecer, você tem que trazer os produtores para junto porque, no fim das contas, quem vai fazer a transição e vai realizar as ações necessárias, botar o brinco no boi, fazer o processo de regularização ambiental, fazer o isolamento das áreas desmatadas, são os produtores”, destaca Bruno Vello, coordenador de políticas públicas do Imaflora (Instituto de Manejo e Certificação Florestal e Agrícola). “Tem que ser viável para eles, em termos de custos, principalmente.”  No Pará, estimativas de organizações da sociedade civil, como a The Nature Conservancy, indicam que cerca da metade do gado sai de áreas irregulares, com passivos ambientais e fundiários. O governo estadual não desmente e afirma que, destes, 50% poderão voltar para o mercado formal por meio de um novo protocolo de regularização de pequenos e médios produtores. O dispositivo inclui a obrigação de reflorestamento de áreas ilegalmente desmatadas.  “Mais da metade deles estão em propriedades cujo desmatamento ilegal representa menos de 10% do tamanho total da propriedade. São propriedades que tendem a buscar a regularização porque o prejuízo delas é muito grande frente ao tamanho do passivo”, aposta o secretário do Meio Ambiente e Sustentabilidade (Semas), Raul Protazio Romão, que antes de assumir o cargo, era procurador do Estado. “O custo-benefício de essa propriedade se regularizar é muito maior.”  Vulnerabilidades atrasam aplicação    O produtor Wanderlan Sousa Damasceno, no Assentamento Tuerê, pode se enquadrar nesta situação: já recuperou áreas desmatadas ilegalmente e, nos cinco hectares onde cria 100 cabeças de gado, investiu em infraestrutura para fazer manejo com pastagem rotacionada, mais produtiva.   Em um ano, o goiano conseguiu chegar a cinco animais por hectare. Mas as próximas etapas do processo, a identificação individual do rebanho, lhe causam uma certa apreensão.  “Tem que ver também como é que funciona, porque às vezes a gente quer, mas não dá conta. Chegar lá e tem esses problemas de queimada”, relata.   Na tentativa de se regularizar, Wanderlan se deparou com a informação de que existe um registro de uma queimada que, segundo ele, não aconteceu. “E aí como é que eu vou fazer, se eu moro aqui há tantos anos? Fui eu que abri isso aqui. Eu não tenho uma queimada de 2008 para cá”, garante. “Eu sou um cara analfabeto. A gente fica até com medo do mundo que a gente vive hoje, com as leis chegando. É complicado para nós.”  Recursos para a implementação  E tem ainda a situação da segunda metade dos produtores em situação ilegal, incluindo os que invadem terras indígenas, unidades de conservação ou outras terras públicas para criar gado. Nestes casos, a fiscalização e as multas deverão aumentar, assegura o secretário Protazio, e o custo da ilegalidade tende a ser ainda maior quando o programa de rastreabilidade sair do papel.   O orçamento para reforçar as autuações, entretanto, ainda é vago. Mais servidores estão sendo contratados pela Agência de Defesa Agropecuária do Pará (Adepará), responsável pela implementação do programa do ponto de vista sanitário, e a frota de veículos da agência para percorrer o estado está sendo renovada.  O desafio é imenso: com uma superfície mais extensa do que o dobro de um país como a França, o Pará tem 90 mil famílias que trabalham na pecuária, com um rebanho que chega a 26 milhões de cabeças de gado. As autuações cabem tanto à Secretaria Estadual do Meio Ambiente, quanto a órgãos federais, como o Ibama (Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Naturais Renováveis) e o ICMBio (Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade).  A despeito de não apresentar números específicos sobre como essa fiscalização será ampliada, o secretário do Meio Ambiente pega o exemplo do esforço feito pelo estado no combate ao desmatamento, que caiu pela metade desde 2019. “Nós decuplicamos a força de combate ao desmatamento. O estado tinha dez fiscais, para o estado inteiro. Nós fomos para 100 fiscais”, defende. “Não só fiscais, como veículos, drones, impressoras. Todo o aparato necessário para essa fiscalização acontecer”, complementa.    O maior frigorífico do país, a JBS, é parceiro do programa: financia parcialmente a compra dos “brincos” para pequenos produtores e das máquinas usadas para ler as informações. Em outubro, cerca de 180 cabeças de gado já estavam registradas, ou menos de 1% do total do rebanho estadual. “A programação para que tudo isso aconteça está no papel. O programa é factível, ele tem potencial para acontecer”, avalia Camila Trigueiro, do Imazon. “O que é necessário é que sejam direcionados recursos para que as fases que foram planejadas sejam de fato executadas.”    Resistência em campo e cruzamento de informações  Em campo, a resistência dos produtores é outra barreira a ser vencida. Não à toa, na hora de conversar com os pecuaristas para explicar o programa da identificação individual, o governo do estado prefere a abordagem sanitária, focada nos benefícios para o controle de doenças no rebanho, em vez do viés ambiental do projeto.  Uma associação de produtores rurais “independentes da Amazônia” chegou a entrar na Justiça para questionar o plano, alegando que ele “desvirtuou a finalidade sanitária e comercial” para ter objetivos “ambientalistas”.  Jamir Macedo, diretor-geral da Adepará reconhece as dificuldades. “Quando a gente implementou o programa, muita fake news e muita desinformação circulou no Estado. Essas matérias negativas correm muito mais rápido que a verdadeira informação”, aponta. “As nossas idas a campo desmistificam isso. A gente mostra a realidade para o produtor, com muito pé no chão, sem prometer mundos e fundos.”   As informações não estão obrigatoriamente comparadas aos dados ambientais da propriedade, como a validação do Cadastro Ambiental Rural (CAR) – que atesta a produção isenta de desmatamento ilegal. Sem o cruzamento sistemático desses dados, a eficiência do programa no combate ao desmatamento fica limitada.   Custo alto e a desigualdade no campo  Segundo Macedo, as propriedades com mais de mil cabeças já tendem a adotar a identificação individual para a gestão do rebanho. Para os pequenos produtores, o maior freio é o custo da regularização.   “É um processo bastante longo. Exige diversas etapas e uma certa expertise técnica da parte do proprietário, de identificar com precisão essas áreas, o uso de imagens de satélite, e também exige o isolamento das áreas que estão desmatadas. Ou seja, é um processo que é caro”, reitera Bruno Vello, do Imaflora.    “Num país que é muito desigual, a viabilidade disso para os produtores, a capacidade de arcar com esses custos, ela também é desigual. Grandes produtores, que possuem mais capital, conseguem arcar com os custos de transição e fazer isso de uma maneira mais autônoma. Pequenos produtores, agricultores familiares, precisam de apoio para conseguir fazer essa transição”, complementa.   O governo paraense fornece e aplica gratuitamente o dispositivo para os donos de até 100 cabeças de gado. Maria Gorete Rios, agricultora familiar em Novo Repartimento, foi a primeira da região a ter o seu rastreado.   “A gente já fazia um mínimo de controle: tu enumeravas o gado e marcavas a ferro. Só que para o comércio de couro não é legal”, recorda. “Quando vem um brinco com a numeração, fica tranquilo, e não tem maus-tratos dos animais”, comenta. Depois de um demorado processo para regularizar a propriedade, comprada há 11 anos, ela começou a criar gado. Foram três anos vendendo seus animais para atravessadores, até que, em 2024, ela fez a primeira venda direta para a JBS.   “O atravessador compra da gente para vender para o frigorífico. Então por que não eu me organizar, fazer a documentação, tudo bonitinho, e vender direto para o frigorifico?”, conclui.   Exigência dos mercados: UE e, no futuro, China?  Gorete vê a rastreabilidade como um caminho sem volta, num mercado que, pouco a pouco, se torna mais exigente. A Lei Antidesmatamento da União Europeia, que proíbe os países do bloco de comprarem produtos cultivados em áreas desmatadas ilegalmente, inclusive no exterior, foi a primeira a exigir a rastreabilidade dos parceiros comerciais dos europeus, como o Brasil.   Hoje, o único estado da Amazônia Legal que exporta para a União Europeia é o Mato Grosso, mas o Pará pode comercializar gado para o vizinho – o que ilustra outro grande desafio para o país, a movimentação dos animais entre os estados.  A expectativa é que a China, maior cliente da carne bovina brasileira, não demore a também aumentar os padrões ambientais da carne que compra do exterior. Em um relatório de 2022, o Conselho Chinês para Cooperação Internacional em Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento (CCICED) indica que Pequim considerando medidas "para evitar que a importação de commodities agrícolas esteja ligada à conversão de ecossistemas naturais no exterior".   “A China pode ser uma grande influência para o Brasil conseguir implementar esse programa, porque praticamente todos os estados que exportam carne bovina têm habilitação para exportar para a China”, aposta Camila Trigueiro. “Se vier dela mais exigências sobre o aspecto socioambiental, acredito que o Brasil vai se movimentar de maneira acelerada para atender, como fez no passado, para evitar vaca louca.”   Mesmo assim, em volta da propriedade da Gorete, a maioria dos vizinhos ainda não está convencida. Segundo ela, muitos temem só poder comercializar com quem tiver gado “brincado”, e preferem esperar para entrar no programa só mais perto do prazo final para a identificação individual do rebanho, em 2027.  Ao mesmo tempo em que a hesitação persiste na região, a vizinhança amarga os impactos das mudanças climáticas na agropecuária. O desmatamento aumenta o calor na Amazônia e a adaptação ao novo clima já é uma realidade para os produtores rurais.   “De uns dois anos para cá, não é a maioria, mas tem muita gente preservando. Tem muita gente sentindo na pele e tendo que preservar para poder se manter nessa atividade, porque senão não vai dar”, constata. “Se você não vai ter pasto, não vai ter água para os animais, vai viver como? Já tem produtor perdendo animais por falta de chuva. A gente tira a vegetação e paga as consequências disso.”  * Esta é a quinta e última reportagem da série Caminhos para uma Amazônia sustentável, do podcast Planeta Verde. As reportagens foram parcialmente financiadas pelo Imaflora.

Why are there so many denominations and where did they come from...isn't the church supposed to be unified? And why are we South Baptist? Is there a "best" denomination?In today's episode, Pastor Derek and Pastor Jackie answer a listener question about denominational history and we look into how the church has changed over the last 2000 years. We look at Scriptures around unity and talk through whether denominations help or hinder church unity. Finally, we talk through why we are Southern Baptist specifically and our hope is to guide you into thinking deeply into why you are a part of the denomination you are and how to be unified with other believers.The 17:17 podcast is a ministry of Roseville Baptist Church (MN) that seeks to tackle cultural issues and societal questions from a biblical worldview so that listeners discover what the Bible has to say about the key issues they face on a daily basis. The 17:17 podcast seeks to teach the truth of God's Word in a way that is glorifying to God and easy to understand with the hope of furthering God's kingdom in Spirit and in Truth. Scriptures: Acts 2:1-12; Acts 15; Matthew 16:18-19; 1 Cor. 1:10-15; Jude 3; 2 John 10-11; Num. 6:1-8; Matt. 16:11; Matt. 10:1-4; Acts 1:13; John 3:22-25; Mark 11:30; Gal. 2:11-12.If you'd like access to our show notes and all the books Jackie read on sabbatical, please visit www.rosevillebaptist.com/1717podcast to see them in Google Drive!Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so that we can reach to larger audiences and share the truth of God's Word with them!Write in your own questions to be answered on the show at 1717pod@gmail.com.  God bless!

13 Milliarden Euro! Sein Vermächtnis ist gewaltig! Der Tod von Giorgio Armani ist das Ende einer Ära. Mailand – die Hauptstadt der Eleganz – fragt sich: Wer übernimmt jetzt die Macht? Im großen TOMorrow Fashion-Special spricht Host Tom Junkersdorf mit Götz Offergeld, Gründer von Numéro Berlin und neuem Creative Director von WRSTBHVR, über die Zukunft der großen Luxusmarken. Götz Offergeld kannte Giorgio Armani persönlich, er hat für ihn gearbeitet. Seine Erinnerungen an den „König der Eleganz“ sind eine Hommage an eine Ikone – und ein seltener Blick hinter die Kulissen der Fashion-Industrie. Diese Folge liefert Antworten auf die großen Fragen: – Wer führt das Luxusimperium Armani in die Zukunft? – Kann Demna Gvasalia das angeschlagene Gucci wirklich retten? – Hat Chanel mit Matthieu Blazy endlich den richtigen Nachfolger für Karl Lagerfeld gefunden? Außerdem: – Die Rolle von WRSTBHVR als neue Kulturmarke zwischen Streetwear und High Fashion – Und warum Berlin plötzlich wieder fashion-relevant ist Ein emotionales Fashion-Update, das zeigt, wie sich die Machtverhältnisse in der Mode gerade neu ordnen. TOMorrow – ausgezeichnet als Podcast des Jahres. Abonniere jetzt, um keine Folge zu verpassen. Jede Woche mit den inspirierendsten Köpfen aus Fashion, Business und Culture.

In this episode of AI Marketing for Remodelers and Builders, hosts Kai Biami and Spencer Powell discuss the significant changes brought about by Google's Num 100 update, which has altered keyword rankings and reporting. They explore the implications for SEO strategies, the importance of focusing on user engagement and conversion rather than just keyword rankings, and the evolving landscape of digital marketing in the age of AI. The conversation emphasizes the need for marketers to adapt their strategies to align with real business outcomes and to understand the new dynamics of traffic and impressions in light of the update.

De São Paulo a Sintra, a trajetória de um sommelier que se apaixonou pelo vinho português e hoje dirige cartas em um dos hotéis mais prestigiados do país. Luciana Quaresma, correspondente da RFI em Lisboa Quando chegou a Lisboa, há 12 anos, Diego Apolinário não imaginava que aquele bilhete de ida e volta acabaria apenas de um lado e que, uma década depois, se tornaria o diretor de Vinhos de um dos resorts mais prestigiados de Portugal. Ele conta que veio passar férias, mas no dia do voo de regresso, decidiu ficar. O avião voltou para o Brasil, e ele permaneceu em Lisboa. Com pouco dinheiro no bolso – cerca de mil euros, segundo recorda – e experiência prévia em restaurantes de São Paulo, começou a bater de porta em porta. “Entreguei dez currículos e só no terceiro restaurante me disseram sim. A partir daí, tudo começou a acontecer.” Foi nesse primeiro emprego, num restaurante tradicional português, que Diego teve o seu primeiro contato real com o mundo do vinho. “O meu chefe era um sommelier de uma geração mais antiga, daqueles que falavam várias línguas e faziam do serviço do vinho quase um ritual. Fiquei fascinado. Ele tirava a rolha com uma calma, acendia uma vela, explicava cada detalhe. Eu queria ser como ele.” Autodidata e primeiro curso O interesse rapidamente virou obsessão. Durante as pausas no trabalho, livros sobre vinhos eram estudados por ele em jardins da cidade. Ele começou a fazer perguntas e a tentar entender por que certos vinhos precisavam ser decantados, o que caracterizava um vinho da Madeira e como o envelhecimento do vinho do Porto ocorria. Mais tarde, inscreveu-se no curso WSET, referência mundial no ensino do vinho. “Foi aí que tudo ficou mais sério. Percebi que queria mesmo seguir a carreira de sommelier.” A oportunidade de trabalhar num restaurante estrelado Michelin — o Eleven, do renomado chef alemão Joaquim Koeper, em Lisboa — foi o ponto de virada. Ali, ele teve contato direto com clientes exigentes, vinhos raros e produtores internacionais, experiência que considera seu verdadeiro batismo profissional. Entre taças e desafios Atualmente, Diego é diretor de Vinhos de um dos hotéis mais prestigiados de Portugal, em Sintra, cargo que ocupa há dois anos e meio. “É uma posição que me permite aplicar o lado sensitivo – provar, escolher vinhos para cada restaurante – mas também exige gestão e estratégia. É um desafio diferente, porque o Penha Longa Resort tem sete restaurantes, cada um com um público e uma identidade.” Diego é também sommelier do Lab, restaurante com uma estrela Michelin do chef espanhol Sergio Arola. Apesar das responsabilidades, afirma que continua a servir vinhos e a conversar com os clientes. “Essa é a parte mais bonita do trabalho – cada dia é diferente e cada mesa conta uma história.” Portugal, "uma pérola" de vinhos Depois de provar vinhos de praticamente toda a Europa, Diego diz que o vinho português continua a surpreendê-lo. “Portugal é uma pérola. Num país tão pequeno, há uma diversidade enorme de solos, castas e climas. É possível criar harmonizações incríveis só com vinhos portugueses.” Com brilho nos olhos, ele descreve os vinhos da Madeira como verdadeiras preciosidades. Segundo Diego, são vinhos com séculos de história, que atravessam gerações. Embora seja mais difícil encontrar garrafas antigas, continuam entre os mais incríveis que já provou. O sommelier ainda quer conhecer o arquipélago dos Açores e descobrir a magia dos vinhos da ilha do Pico. “Os vinhos de lá têm algo mágico — o solo vulcânico, o toque salino do Atlântico. São vinhos com identidade, feitos num lugar que respira mar e lava.” Brasileiro em terras lusitanas Diego afirma que nunca sentiu discriminação por ser brasileiro. Pelo contrário, sempre foi bem recebido. Para ele, Portugal está mais aberto e há uma ligação natural entre portugueses e brasileiros. “Muitos clientes portugueses começam logo a conversa com: ‘Tenho um primo em São Paulo'”, brinca. O sotaque, diz, ajuda a criar pontes. “Quando um cliente ouve que sou brasileiro, o gelo quebra logo. Ficam à vontade, fazem perguntas, e o serviço torna-se mais humano.” Inspiração e legado Hoje, ao olhar para trás, Diego sente orgulho do caminho percorrido – do jovem que não gostava de vinho ao profissional que coordena equipes e cartas em múltiplos restaurantes. Ele conta que, quando decidiu ser sommelier, parecia um sonho distante. Agora, poder inspirar outras pessoas é o que mais o gratifica. Já ajudou alguns brasileiros a iniciarem-se na carreira e ver que seguem esse caminho lhe dá grande alegria. Questionado sobre o futuro, é cauteloso: “Ainda tenho objetivos a definir, mas o mais importante é continuar a aprender. O vinho está sempre a mudar – e nós, sommeliers, temos de evoluir com ele.”

The Rosetta stone, discovered 1799: The top and middle texts are in Ancient Egyptian using hieroglyphic and Demotic scripts respectively, while the bottom is in Ancient Greek. Allowed us to unlock hieroglyphics Covenant is to scripture interpretation the same way. Should we follow the Law? Keep the Sabbath? God in the OT can seem very harsh, and in the NT He's all about love--has He changed? Does God cause evil or not? OT: Amos 3:6 “ shall there be evil in a city and the Lord has not done it?” and Isa 45:7 “I form the light and create darkness: I make peace and create evil: I the Lord do all these things”. NT: 1 John 1:5 “God is light and in him is no darkness at all”. John 10:10: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." "Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Heb 13:8), and “God is not a man that he should lie or the son of man that he should change his mind” (Num 23:19). The difference has to do with the covenants in place at the time. How did David have the courage to face Goliath? He knew His covenant (1 Sam 17:26, 36) circumcision was a sign of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 17:10-14) which covered all Isaac's descendants (Gen 17:19). Included: God will bless those who bless Abraham and his descendants, and curse those who curse them (Gen 12:3) + "The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways" (Deut 28:7) (Mosaic covenant in place by this time too) Jonathan and his armor-bearer knew the same promises applied (1 Sam 14:6). Covenant = Testament (Diatheke) Old and New Testament = Old and New Covenant New Covenant anticipated at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19-20), fulfilled by the cross (Hebrews 8:6-7). Gospels before this are still under the Old Covenant (Mosaic). Jesus 'didn’t come to destroy the law but fulfill it' (Matt 5:17) After the cross: Galatians 3:12: "the law is not of faith, being made a curse for us" Romans 4:7 “you died to the law” Gal 5:4: “Christ is become of no effect unto you; whosoever of you are justified by the law you are fallen from grace.” Paul’s anger in Galatians 5:12 against those who insisted that circumcision (part of the Abrahamic covenant) should continue for Christians--if used as a tool for justification Rom 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Octobre 2025 - Numéro 69 : ・Les nouvelles de l'équipe ・Les sujets d'actualité : Point élections politiques, fermeture de l'Expo universelle, la pilule du lendemain, etc. ・Les recommandations L'équipe Gaijin San : Vincent (@Vince_Tokyo), Nicolas (@Ryo_Saeba_3) et Amaury

No Dia Mundial da Alimentação, conversamos com a psicóloga clínica Lara Castro Nunes sobre transtorno do comportamento alimentar. Num episódio gravado ao vivo na conferência “Alimentação e Saúde: um desafio para toda a gente”, falamos de anorexia, bulimia e compulsão alimentar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 7 Zane s Kappa Sigma Cock Legend In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.             Domestication may be our second greatest accomplishment, exceeded only by Fire       Rhaine had clearly heard something and was trying to make up her mind if she could both check it out and keep me contained when I decided to change her train of thought. I gave an exaggerated sigh, took off my towel, threw it over my shoulder, and headed to my room. "Put, put, put, put that towel, back on," Rhaine stammered. "Why? There are not supposed to be any girls out on the fifth floor at this hour. It is all mine, according to the Chancellor herself," I said over my shoulder. "Now, are you coming along or do I get to shut my door in your face?" "We don't care," Rhaine tried to recover the momentum, "we have a key." "I don't believe you," I accused her as I stopped and kept looking over my shoulder. Barbie Lynn must be right, I have a really fine ass, because that was what they were all staring at. "Well, I have one," she taunted me as she brandished it in my face, from ten feet away. I just had to beam a smile her way. Her key was silver; mine, which hung around my neck on a light chain, was bronze, as were all five of the original keys. Someone was giving out copies of my room key; what a bunch of fuck-nuts. I turned and walked right up to her, which entailed backing her into a wall since she was trying to backpedal away, her eyes torn between my fiery gaze and awakening erection. The other two made to grab me but were flummoxed by my lack of clothing. I took the opportunity to press myself into Rhaine, who was giving me the deer-in-the-headlights look, ran a hand along her jaw and curled a lock of hair. I tickled her cheek with that lock, causing Rhaine to blush and her eyes to flutter. "Thanks, Rhaine. You are helping me out more than you know. If there is anything, I mean anything, I can do for you, let me know," I softly growled with a wolfish hunger to her, but still loud enough for her companions to hear. I stepped back and strutted away again, my semi-rigid rod swaggering back and forth. "Let's go to my room," I laughed. "Weren't we supposed to hurt him if he tried anything like that?" one girl whispered. "But he was naked," responded Mercy quietly. "What would happen if, you know, we touched, IT?" "We are not going to your room with you," Rhaine shouted at me. "Fine, suit yourself, because it isn't like I'm going to avail myself of any of the three fire escapes that lead off the roof," I chortled. "Also, touching IT can lead to blindness and sterility in the elderly under twelve and children over 65," I purposely attempted to confuse them. Children over 65, sometimes I need to show the whole world that I'm not getting enough sleep. Double Dating I was still laughing at my screw-up as the door swung shut. At the last second I failed to hear the 'clunk' of the latch hitting home, though I was already to my bed, when I heard the first hesitant footfalls on steps. I was well into my morning meditative trance, lotus style, when Rhaine crested the stairs. My eyes were shut but I could tell by her sharp intake of breath where she was and what she was staring at. "Put on some clothes!" she barked. I remained blind and silent. "I said 'put on some clothes'," she repeated. I hardly had more reason to do so now than I had a second ago. "Put on your clothes," she now sounded petulant; no response. We remained silent for almost a minute, I normally remain still for ten minutes, when she said the magic word. "Would you please put some clothes on?" "Please?" I responded, cracking open one eye. "Come over right now and give me a kiss; then I'll get dressed. Otherwise, you have to wait nine more minutes while I remain in prayer." "Prayer?" whispered Mercy; strangely, I prayed to the Christian God when I meditated, drawing upon Psalms and the Songs of Solomon mostly. "I will not kiss you; you sex, sex, sex fiend!" Rhaine shouted with disgust. I closed my eye and went back into my own little dream demi-plain. "Get dressed," she insisted once more. I could keep this up for another eight and a half minutes. Finally, in frustration, she stalked up to the side of my bed, the other two in tow. "If we need to, I'll escort you straight to the gymnastics facility where Coach Gorman can administer another lesson in humility." Since I hardly felt humiliated by our last encounter, I felt no necessity to slip out of my Center. My carpets were thin cast-offs from an earlier college epoch so they hardly aided any stealth attempt. Rhaine walked up to me, weighed her options, then pushed me lightly. "Get dressed, Zane," she said, neither convincingly angry nor commanding. That didn't work so she repeated the phrase and pushed harder. The third attempt used more strength but got the same results. Rhaine decided that her problem was in the application of force, not her message, so to increase her push, she placed a knee on the bed and pushed harder. "Get dressed, she squealed as I fell over, grabbing her wrist and pulling her with me. I leapt on top of her even as she rolled from her stomach to her back. Rhaine's eyes were wide as I dove in for a kiss. Her lips were locked shut so nothing more happened. She was still struggling for words when Mercy and the other girl grabbed my arms and yanked me up and back. "Get off of me," Rhaine shouted, a little too late to be effective or believable. Experienced leg-breakers usually keep their victim's arms up or to the side; they never stick them between their thighs. As it was, I was being pulled back on my knees, pinning Rhaine's shins to the bed and my hands merely inches away from their pussies. Was it Christmas already? So much of life is about leverage of one kind or another and in this case, the leverage was all in my captor's favor, so I needed to change things up. "Let go of me!" I shouted, struggled, and slipped my hands higher up their thighs. I'm not going to win an Oscar but I did make Rhaine smile at my feigned discomfort, to the point she propped herself up and grinned wickedly at me. "Now you are going to do what I say," she gloated. "Oh, I don't think so," I grinned right back. I rolled my arms in my shoulder joints and launched my upper body toward Rhaine. For those fans of physics, when the shoulder goes down and they've made the elbow a pivot point, then the lower arm goes up, science is my friend. I rolled my fore- and middle finger into one stiff rod and prodded Mercy's and her partner's perineum. They yelped and pulled back, drawing my fingers onto their slits and along them until I flicked their slumbering clits. Their faces flushed crimson as they stumbled back and released my arms. This allowed me to descend on Rhaine unimpeded. Her mouth open in a surprised 'O', our lips met and then our tongues touched inside her mouth. I was quick enough to wrap my arms around her before her back hit the bed. "Umm" she protested inside our oral embrace. "Umm" she mumbled, before, "Umm, she ended up moaning. I was a bit curious why Mercy and the as-of-yet named accomplice weren't all over this, breaking us apart, when I felt Rhaine's legs move from beneath me, to up my sides until they crossed over my ass and locked me in. "Is that, your, I'm not sure what to call it, cock?" she whispered between kisses. How she had become oblivious of her cohorts was beyond me. "I prefer the term cock," I responded with great gentleness but with a hungry stare, "but if cock works for you," I added with a slow, steady, downward pressure with my hips upon hers. Rhaine groaned from deep within, her head lolled back, and her eyes became somewhat unfocussed. "Oh, yes," she mouthed, barely audible. "Rhaine?" Mercy inquired. "Get, get off of Rhaine," the third girl said weakly. "Please?" Since she said please, I obliged. I flipped us over so that Rhaine was on top. I'm not sure how happy the girl was because Rhaine showed no haste in dismounting me, though we did stop kissing once more. "Would you, would you please get dressed now," Rhaine panted. I would have been more impressed, and able, if Rhaine hadn't been humping me at the moment. Clearly, my cock had wedged itself right against her panty-covered love box, her lips divided and her clit rubbing along my shaft. "You really are quite beautiful," I complimented her, as I brushed some loose hairs out of her eyes. Her face softened and she gave me her first compassionate smile. She also ground down on me harder, biting her lip as she did so. The two companions decided something, technically, it could be called a rescue mission, but I never really figured out who was being rescued as they grabbed my arms that encompassed Rhaine. The unnamed girl grabbed my unresisting hand and pulled it to her chest and kept it pinned tightly there. Mercy made even less pretense of actually helping out. She grabbed my other hand and put it in her lap. This would have been minutely more believable if her skirt hadn't 'accidentally' ridden up her thighs so that when I curled in my fingers, my hand slipped between her thighs. Any guess as to what happened when I flexed them again? As best as I could tell (I was still dealing with a face full of Rhaine), she had raised her closest thigh to block her friends from seeing what she was doing and was thrusting my hand into her crotch like it was some sort of fleshy dildo, with the 'finger-tickler' function. Heavy breathing, five seconds grinding my hand in deep, fifteen seconds figuring out that I was working my fingers underneath the elastic bands of her panties, twenty-two seconds. After that, she spread her thighs open slowly and as wide as she hoped she could get away with without being caught. She remained absolutely still as I slipped two fingers underneath her virginal armor and into her cream-covered labia while rubbing my thumb against her clit from the outside. Back to Rhaine: "I hope, ugh, ugh, you have learned, ugh, ugh, ugh, oh, God, your lesson, ugh, ugh, and we won't, Oh, have to force ourselves on, oh, yeah, ugh, ugh, you again." By this time, Rhaine had soaked her panties so thoroughly that she was making squishing noises as she rode me. "If you give me one more kiss," I grinned at her, "I'll do what you want and get dressed." I've rarely seen someone so arrogant and conceited so utterly baffled about what they should do. Obviously, if she kissed me and I stood up, we would stop having 'safe sex,' but she was truly, in her heart, trying to enforce her will on me too. "Fine," I saved her, "if you kiss me until I surrender to you, I'll go quietly and do what you say all day long." At no time was it ever discussed between us what it would take to make me surrender; she never gave me the chance. She grabbed my head with both hands and proceeded to suck the air out of my lungs and use her tongue to wrestle my tongue into submission. No-Name Girl wasn't humping me like a kitten on speed or pretending I was blind and her cunny was Braille, imparting knowledge by touch; she was playing the nervous virgin. I gave the slightest nudge toward her left breast, she stopped me. I repeated the motion and she stopped me again. On the third try, she controlled my gradual migration over her breast and centered my fingertips over her nipple. Mind you, I still had a face full of Rhaine so I couldn't see what I was doing, but I've had sex on moonless nights and I've even had sex blindfolded once (we both were and it was really fun), so I had some experience at sexual navigation by touch alone. I didn't grab, grope, or shake her orb around; I palmed the breast and slowly contracted the hand up, letting the fingers and thumb bring the areolas and nipple into a tantalizing squeeze, then re-extend hand and repeat. Her nipple was pretty average but it soon made an appearance, so on the seventh stroke, I migrated my hand toward the middle of her chest. She groaned in disappointment until I tapped on two of her buttons rapidly before going back to the breast. She understood right off the bat and that shirt got unbuttoned in three seconds flat. Another squeeze and I rolled like a gentle breeze back to the sternum, under the shirt, and to her surprise, under the bra, and started tweaking the nipple and letting her breast roll in my palm. You know, it would be easier to tell my friends from my enemies if they weren't both trying to fuck me to death. I guess all my girl-'friends' do it out of love; my enemies are trying to bring me closer to God, as long as I get there from outside the campus grounds. There are a million worse ways to die and I shouldn't complain; the most important point is that I do have friends after all. Making the Most of Punishment I had barely gotten Nameless to suck two of my fingers and my thumb to slippery goodness and returned them to working her nipple when I heard someone not on the bed speak. "Do you think we have enough footage now, Iona?" Rio purred in a lethally seductive voice. "In the words of the immortal Rio Talon," Iona recited, "these bitches are toast." Dedicated readers will recall how I once claimed that I didn't live in the real world; I lived in Crazy Town. I still do. Rhaine rolled off me, into Nameless, and they clutched each other to avoid tumbling off my bed. (I have a newer, far bigger bed on order for the very reason that I'm tired of lovely ladies nearly taking headers off my favorite sexual encounter spot.) Rhaine was bosom to bosom with a girl whose shirt was wide open with one boob pulled out of her bra. My hand was yanked free in the exchange so I rapidly pushed myself into a semi-reclined position. Why was I not getting all the way up, you ask? Reference: Crazy Town - Mercy decided that being secretly included in a sex video was a huge turn-on. She started riding my two fingers like they were a mini-cock and she was going off like gangbusters. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, ahah." Mercy's whimpers kept rising in volume. "Oh, here it comes," was Barbie Lynn's assessment, based on deep personal experience with me. "Ah," Mercy continued with even more vigor. "Don't you worry, Barbie Lynn," Rio patted her on the shoulder, "she's not nearly as loud as you are." "Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh," Mercy's whimpers became hiccups as I redoubled my efforts on her clitoris. "She's no Leigh either," Opal pointed out. "Ai, ai, ai, ai, ai, ai," Mercy began yelping louder still. "What is he doing to her?" Brandi gasped in wonderment. "Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba," Mercy's diaphragm began building up a terrible tension deep inside. "Ask him to show that to you in the shower tomorrow," Opal sighed, reliving her own tactile experiences under my care. "I'm not fixated on his cock; if I can't have it, I'll settle for his hands and mouth on me whenever I can get it." "Mother Fucker!" Mercy's head rolled back and she howled at the ceiling, killing all conversation in an instant. Silence hung over the room. Mercy started to fall forward but I caught her and let her drop onto my chest. I held her close until I felt her breathing start to come under control. She pushed up enough to look at me with eyes brimming with tears. "I'm ruined," she told me in a tired, raspy voice, then put her face into my shoulder and began wailing uncontrollably. I stroked her back and hair with my free hand. My other hand was covered in Mercy's fluids, and while some chicks might get off on being covered in their love juice, I doubted Mercy was into that kink; and besides, she was in her school uniform. "You are fine," I cooed. "No one is showing that video to anyone so you are safe. You are one of us and we'll protect you." That last bit was pulled 'outta my ass' so to speak. Every one of my friends up here had their own idea what our relationship was about and I could hardly speak for any one of them, much less all of us. "Speak for yourself, Num-nuts; I'm going to sink these skanks," Rio growled. "Rio, please," I requested in a calm and tender voice. She glared back with ill-concealed rage. "Do you have any idea what these bitches have been doing to me and the other freshmen?" Rio spat back. "Only the vaguest. And I am not saying they shouldn't make amends but there are two things we should consider," I began. It is a testament to how close Rio and I had grown that she permitted me to continue talking uninterrupted. "If we turn them in, we are precisely the type of people they think we are, immoral degenerates. This is supposed to be fun and liberating; if we start breaking people because they cut loose, actually express themselves and have fun, we become what they are and what we despise. I'll leave first," I told her. "Also, as strange as it sounds, probably more to you and me than anyone else on campus, we are Christians," I continued. Rio scoffed and clearly thought I'd lost my mind, or sold out. "You don't bend, Rio. You know right and wrong, and while you often choose wrong, you don't make excuses about it, and I've never had a better friend because I know you mean what you say and say what you mean, no matter how cutting," I explained. "You have clearly lived a socially deprived life, Rio taunted me, but her words cracked under her emotional turmoil ", if I'm what you consider to be a good friend, you stupid bitch moron cocksucker." "Let's put it to a vote," Iona volunteered the notion. "I think that's a good idea," Barbie Lynn stated, with Brandi and Opal agreeing. "Fine, whatever," grumbled Rio. "Okay. We are voting on whether or not we use the video as leverage against Rhaine, Mercy and, I looked to the nameless girl. "Joy," she provided. "Joy Jefferson." "Okay, and Joy Jefferson," I finished. "I vote 'no'." "I vote 'No'," Barbie Lynn went first, but Iona was right behind her with the same vote. "I'm actually with Rio on this one," Brandi said. "They are trying to get rid of Zane. I vote 'Yes'." "I vote 'Yes' as well," Opal agreed. "They shouldn't even be in our dorm or in Zane's room." The most surprised person in the room was now Rio. She clearly expected all the girls who had 'fallen under my spell' to do what I said, leaving her to be in the too familiar spot of being the Odd Woman Out. "I vote 'Yes' for both those reasons," she beamed hate at Rhaine, "plus I am Evil and I want your parents' heads to explode when they see you humping a guy in his dorm room while your lesbian buddies hold him down." "It is a tie," Iona pointed out. "What do we do now?" "It isn't a tie," I countered. "Not every FFU student has voted." "Oh, fuck no," Rio snapped. "They don't get a vote. I'll run and get Cappy and she'll sink their asses." "Okay," I told her. "I'm sure you can relate to having your fate boned by forces beyond your control. You go out and get as many people as you think are necessary to get them expelled and possibly tossed out by their parents. Take your time; there is nowhere they can run." Rio got halfway down the stairs before she came storming back up in a fury that would make a tornado proud. "Move, Bitch," she screamed at Mercy. I pushed Mercy out of the way because I knew what was coming while she had no clue. I scooted to the edge of the bed closest to where Rio was charging. Slap! Oh, fuck, that hurt. "You motherfucking, cock-smoking, son of a bitch," she seethed. Slap! resounded from my other cheek. I caught a glimpse of Iona coming to my aid but she was corralled by Barbie Lynn in time. Opal looked concerned and Brandi was totally stunned. "Don't you ever talk to me like that," she screamed, Slap! "I am not the Better Person. People fuck with me and I make them burn! Do you hear me?" "I understand," I responded with quiet, sincere intensity. Rio hauled off to hit me again and stopped. "Give them to me, Zane. Don't fight me on this. You'll be sorry," she threatened. "I'm doing this because I am your friend, Rio. From 6:00 a.m. on Day One, it has been you and me, and in four years when we earn our release, it will still be you and me," I related. "I don't fucking need you or your fucking pity, Shit For Brains," she growled. "Did it ever occur to you that I'm doing this for me, not you?" I explained. "Look around you right now; mostly really special people but none of them have lost their family and been sent off to live in exile." "My family is not dead, Zane," she replied, her anger misting away like fog before the Sun. "They may live and breathe but you lost them some time ago just the same," I prodded her. Rio said nothing for the longest time, then a lone tear escaped down her cheek. "Sorry, Bro," she stroked my tenderized cheek. "I'm seriously awake now, if that's any consolation," I smirked. "Smart ass," she chuckled back. "Are they okay now?" I overheard Brandi asking the other three girls on my side. "Oh, they are fine, Brandi," drawled Barbie Lynn. "They are like feuding twin brother and sister, somewhat incestuous, mind you, but they are about as close to kin, without being kin, as anyone I've ever seen, save Christina and Heaven." "Rio?" I requested once more. "Fine, the dumb bunnies can vote," she snarled, "but I am praying to God they screw it up anyway." "How do you ladies vote?" I looked to Rhaine but addressed them all. "Um, 'No'," Rhaine said quietly. When no one said anything, Joy rapidly agreed. That left everyone looking at Mercy not that her vote mattered to the final outcome; Rhaine and company were safe by at least one vote no matter what. "I," sniff, "okay, yes," gak, "I mean No!" she corrected, then added, "thank you." "The Noes have it; the video will be archived, not to be seen again until my funeral, which might convince Rhaine to let me live in peace," I teased. The three seniors sighed with relief. "Now for the punishment," Barbie Lynn pronounced. "What?" Rhaine blanched. "I thought we covered that. Are you going back on your word?" "No," Barbie Lynn smiled. "The video is out of bounds but there is still the matter of this being my dorm and me finding you in one of my student's rooms sexually molesting him. Re-read the Handbook if you doubt me or my authority, Rhaine." "We were told to be here by Dean Gorman," Rhaine countered. "Coach Gorman told you to go into Zane's room, sit on his lovely piece of male reproductive perfection, and ride it like you were in the Pony Express?" Barbie smirked. Rhaine, Joy, and Mercy realized that they had no plausible defense and too many witnesses. "What about you all being here?" Rhaine reposed desperately. "We heard his cries for help," Rio beamed. "I think Zane's cries went something like, 'Help, help, I'm trying to remain pure but these scantily clad babes are tearing off their clothes and partaking of my muscular, well-toned man-flesh'." "But that's a lie," Rhaine wailed. "Rhaine, we just salvaged your college career, if not your entire life, and you are worried about Rio's colorful recreation of events?" I inquired. "What is the punishment?" I looked to Barbie. "Spanking," she declared. "Three swats from each of us should do it - barehanded." Rhaine, Joy, and Mercy looked unhappy but not horrified. They looked decidedly less happy when Rio perked up. Morphing Intentions "Iona goes first," Rio said gleefully. "And it has to be on the bare, naked bottom, no panties; three spanks from each of us on each of you, no more than three minutes between the first and last." "No way," Rhaine snapped. She moved to the edge of the bed and stood up. "Fine. Let's go to Gorman's office right now," Barbie Lynn declared. "Zane, you come along as soon as you get dressed. "I'll do it," Mercy sniffled. "I'll take my spanking." "Me too," Joy joined in. Rhaine looked around for some lifeline but there was none. "Very well; let's get this over with," Rhaine conceded. The three girls took off their panties, which probably needed replacing anyway, turned around, bent over, and put their hands on the bed. "No, no, no," Rio denounced their efforts. "All three of you, on the bed, hands and knees with your knees at the edge." When Rhaine looked ready to object, "You agreed to this, Ladies. It is this or else!" The Condemned looked at one another, then slowly obeyed, but Rio wasn't satisfied. She pushed their tushes around and forced them to spread their legs farther apart and generally harangued them until she was happy with the arrangements. It didn't take a 'Doctor Ruth' to figure out what Rio was really doing but the three victims, plus Brandi and Iona, had no idea what they were in store for. "Iona, you first; give them something to remember you by. I'm next, followed by Barbie Lynn, Brandi, Opal, and Zane bats clean-up," (snicker) Rio directed. Barbie Lynn walked down the line, lifting up each skirt onto their back while I scrambled off to get dressed. (Okay, I walked six feet to my wardrobe and dresser.) Iona stood somewhat timidly behind Rhaine, took a deep breath, and, did a rather lukewarm smack. As soon as it fell Iona flinched, and she looked over to a glaring Rio. The next smack was hard enough to make Rhaine give a startled jump but not really cruel. The third, on the other cheek, was about as forceful. Iona stepped down the line and administered her share of the punishment. When she shuffled over to Rio, she looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Rio. I'm not sure about all of this. I don't want to hurt them," she explained. "It's cool," Rio soothed her. "You did exactly what I wanted you to do. Now," and whispering followed. Iona shrugged, raided my towel shelf, and headed downstairs quickly. Now it was Rio's turn. She walked up behind Rhaine, knelt between her legs, pressing them apart. "What the, Rhaine began. "Shut up and take it!" Rio growled with such menace that Rhaine turned forward and lowered her head in shame. When Rio placed a hand against Rhaine's rump, it wasn't in anger, though, but to rub it softly. "Very soft," Rio purred sensually. "Did Iona hurt you?" "Ah, not too bad," Rhaine stammered, confused by Rio's sudden affection. "I see a handprint," Rio told her. She was seeing something the rest of us were missing was all I could think. She leaned in and kissed that invisible mark, which caused more of a reaction than any of Iona's slaps. "Hey, what are you doing?" Rhaine squawked. Slap! "Ow!" cried Rhaine. She tried to pull away but Rio grabbed her hips with two hands and pulled back. "You agreed to this," Rio threatened her. Rhaine shuddered but she stopped trying to escape. "Are you going to behave so we can get this over with or do we need to make up an excuse for why we missed breakfast?" "Fine, fine, let's get this over with," Rhaine said dejectedly. "Good girl," Rio cooed. She began massaging Rhaine's right ass cheek with one hand while holding tight with her left hand on Rhaine's left hip. Rio placed a kiss on the cleft between the thigh and ass; Rhaine gave a tiny gasp, twitched, and tried to incrementally pull away. Rio was having none of that. "Bad girl," she murmured, but there was no slap this time. Instead, she slithered between Rhaine and Joy and whispered into Rhaine's ear. "Would you please get on your elbows, Sweet Rhaine?" I'd have bet money that Rhaine would have shot off her mouth if not physically resisted, but Rio was Mistress of the Moment and Rhaine meekly complied. Rio was so dominant, she even kissed Rhaine's ear and nipped the earlobe before resuming her station at Rhaine's posterior. "Is this punishment?" Brandi whispered. "Just you wait and see, Brandi," was my reply. Rio reached out with her hands, separated her ass cheeks, and soaked in the view. Right when Rhaine started to look underneath herself, Rio pushed her face into her cunt and made a loud sucking sound. "Ah!" Rhaine gasped, startled yet aroused. "Umm," Rio slurped, as she rubbed her face deep into Rhaine's Love box. I recognized the tongue technique of darting deep into the cunt, alternating with a vigorous suction of the clitoris. Instead of trying to get away, Rhaine went from resting on her elbows down to her chest touching the bed, her arms crossed, and her head resting on them. Slap! "Ow!" Rhaine whined, "That hurt." Rio was too busy giving Rhaine's cunt a world class swirly so it fell to Barbie Lynn to explain. "That's why it is called punishment, Rhaine," she said, but Rhaine was already moaning in ecstasy. A thin sheen of sweat had just started covering Rhaine's exposed flesh when Iona returned with a wicker basket full of wet cloths. I was buttoning my shirt and enjoying the show when I caught Joy and Mercy studying Rhaine with some concern and exchanging worried glances with one another. Rio seriously worked over Rhaine's cunt for another minute, then launched one more stinging slap. This time Rhaine screamed into her arm instead of out loud and didn't protest. Rio stood up and kissed the small of Rhaine's back. "You have one hot cunt, Bitch. I look forward to tearing another piece of you off later," Rio told her, voice heavy with heated passion. "Iona, towel." Iona tossed her a towel; Rio caught it one handed and used it to wipe off her face. She smiled at Barbie as the blonde came up and knelt behind Rhaine. Barbie Lynn's first spank was hardly brutal but it did get Rhaine's attention. She then began kissing each cheek as her hands parted the Senior Class President's (presumptive) ass cheeks. Her attentions wandered between the twin sets of firm muscle, her tongue flicking along Rhaine's pink, puckered star. "Gak!" Rhaine gasped. She followed it up with a serious tremor throughout her body. Barbie Lynn glanced over to me, gave me a devilish grin, and flexed her eyebrows in sheer delight. Barbie returned to Rhaine's rump and set to work using her extensive skills on her cunt, parting her lips with the fingers of one hand, pinching her clit between the thumb and forefingers of the other hand, and licking along her entire slit with her tongue. Between Joy's thighs, Rio was putting on a performance that would make Jenna Jameson proud, maybe even envious. Apparently her teenage exploration of the Arizona nightlife had not been the waste of time her parents thought it was. I doubt it mattered to Joy, who was already pushing her ass against Rio's face. On this victim, instead of spanking, Rio was biting her ass hard enough to leave marks and make Joy squeal. Two minutes into this round, Rhaine lost it and squirted all over Barbie Lynn's face. This was apparently her first squirter because Barbie tried to back away from the eruption, which only guaranteed that it splashed all over her body from eyebrows to both bodacious breasts. "Rhaine," Barbie Lynn scolded her fellow senior, "you could have warned me." Rhaine didn't respond; her face nestled down on her arms and her whole body wracked with waves of orgasmic bliss and her lungs fighting for air - she was in no state to respond. As Barbie stripped off her shirt, I gave her a washcloth and one of my white shirts. I tossed Rio her second cloth of the morning and motioned Brandi forward. "She's, she's still having her orgasm," Brandi questioned. "That's why this is called punishment," I explained with a knowing smile. Brandi opened her mouth in surprise, followed by understanding, and then a race to get between Rhaine's legs and take her first lick of Rhaine's quivering quim. "Ah, ah, ah,  Barbie Lynn, I've, Rhaine finally articulated ", never done that before, I swear. I am sorry." That was all she could muster; right after that, her fists crumpled up the quilt on my bed and she bit down on the folds in an attempt to stifle the increasingly slutty moans Brandi was bringing forth. Barbie Lynn decided not to put on my shirt, maybe not comprehending that her lacy beige bra had been rendered virtually transparent by Rhaine's ejaculate. Besides myself, Opal was also fixated on the view of her pendulous orbs and gorgeous engorged nipples. The blonde took a different approach with Joy. She lifted up the girl's hips, elevated her to the point Barbie could lick her from pubic mound to ass and back again. I knew Barbie Lynn was strong, but I'd never exploited that quality in that manner. I made a note for experimentation tomorrow night. "No, no, no, no," Joy repeated in a desperate effort to fight off the sensations that were pulsating in an irresistible current surging up from the wellspring of her womanhood. "I can't do this," she sobbed. "Lord, please save me." I hurried around the bed and slid beside Joy's head. I took her by the chin and made eye contact. "Joy, if you really want this to stop, it will end right now," I promised her, though I was sure I was getting a dirty, if unseen, glare from Rio. "You gave your word but if you honestly believe you have been punished enough, take my hand and I'll escort you out of here." I offered my hand to her and she stared at it. "Get me out of here," she panted, tears trickling down her cheeks and gathering at her chin. "No, you get yourself out of here. Give up and agree to leave Mercy and Rhaine to take the punishment you agreed to." "Take my hand, abandon them, and I'll clean you up and escort you back to the fifth floor. That will be the end of it and nothing more will be said," I defined my terms. Barbie Lynn was still going to town on Joy's clit and the poor victim so desperately wanted to escape her nearly impossible battle with her own incendiary sexuality, which was no longer begging for release but tearing its prison down brick by brick. Joy almost reached my hand but fell short at the last moment. "God forgive me," she wept. He breathing began spiraling out of control. "Ugh, ugh, ugh, oh, please, stop, I beg, beg you." Divine intervention or not, Barbie Lynn's session ended and Joy was given breathing room. She even had a moment to look up at me and give a weak smile as if she had gained some small triumph. Her self-deception was made evident to her the moment Brandi exploded onto her scene. What the girl lacked in technique and experience, she more than compensated with raw, hungry enthusiasm. Joy's eyes grew as wide as limpid saucers, "Oh, No!" she wailed. Gurgling came next, and finally, "This can't be happening. God Forgive Me!" and what may have been her first sexual climax. She did grab my hands then and pulled them to her. Her face was slack, her mouth open and panting, and her eyes had this far-off look, so I lowered my lips to her face and licked her lips before settling my lips on hers and basically coaxing her tongue as it struggled to deal with several more waves of orgasm. I kept her kiss going with the occasional rest break so she could continue to breath. "Thank you," she whispered to me as she started to stabilize. "We FFU have to stick together," I both reminded her and boggled her shaken mind at the same time. Half an hour ago she had no doubt I didn't belong here and wasn't really FFU material, male and immoral. In her regard for me, I could see her blind acceptance of traditional FFU dogma weakening. "I've got to go now; it is almost my time to start punishing Rhaine," I softly informed Joy. Her hormone-trampled mind struggled to grasp that she was halfway through her torture. Brandi would finish soon, then it would be Opal, and then it would me, a male; me, face first at the gateway to her sacred womb. Her virginity would be spared from extinction by my will alone and I could tell that scared the hell out of her. She'd been chosen for her belief that Zane was a corrupter and that extraordinary measures were necessary to drive him out, no matter how sinful they may appear, and now she was face down and bare ass up, surrounded in his room by him and his friends. The most terrifying thing of all may well have been that we had made her feel more like a woman than she'd ever felt before. Where Rhaine had divorced her feelings and pleasure from her grasp of reality, and Joy was beating herself up every step of the way, Mercy had completely submerged herself in the transformation her body was going through. Mercy had already experienced one orgasm and come crashing down into doubt and self-loathing, only to be shown that her life wasn't over and no one thought the worst of her for actually enjoying sex. She didn't feel like a tramp or a slut; she felt alive and burning bright, so when Rio gave her that first hard spank, she'd moaned instead of crying out, and when the 'felon' gave her first few licks, Mercy reached under her body with one arm and started rubbing her slit in tandem with Rio's face dance. Even Rio's snicker didn't dampen her ardor, and when Rio took Mercy's hand and pushed two of Mercy's fingers deep in, Mercy thrust back with her hips so that her fingers touched her hymen. When Rio pulled Mercy's hand out of her twat, Mercy whimpered in need, but when she felt her fingers go into a different damp, warm orifice, she stopped, and when Rio's mouth started sucking the juices off of those fingers and twirling her tongue around each individual digit, Mercy couldn't help herself from wiggling her hips like a bitch in heat. With the fingers clean, Rio inserted them, along with two of her own fingers, back into Mercy's cunt, extremely stretching it out. Rio then came around the far side of Mercy, away from the others, and whispered into her ear. Later she related what was said: "You like that don't you?" Rio teased. Mercy nodded vigorously. "Come to Zane's room tonight and I'll fuck you all night long. You'll be my bitch. Do you understand that?" Another vigorous nod. "I've got to leave you soon to these other girls and Zane, but don't you forget you are mine now; my property, my mate. Don't make me hunt you down and put my brand on your ass, clear?" One final, excited nod. I live in Crazy Town. On par with that information was the fact that I had promised the night to Heaven and I had no clue how in the hell that was going to work out. My bed barely held three people, four was asking too much. If you made one of those people Heaven with her secret, the term 'impossible' came to mind. At the start of the line, Opal met Rhaine. She landed two very loud, wet smacks on Rhaine's behind, causing the senior to rock forward. Having gotten most of the 'cover story' (the spanking) out of the way, Opal rolled Rhaine onto her back with only the weakest of protests. She started a few gentle teases and kisses with her lips to Rhaine's cunt while Rhaine's legs dangled off the floor. Once she got Rhaine back into an erotic state, Opal began lifting Rhaine's thighs up and out until she'd pushed Rhaine's knees almost back to her breasts and feeding like a ravenous succubus on every inch of thigh, cunt, ass, and stomach. Opal hadn't been gentle with Brandi, but she'd been absolutely gentle, kind, and caring compared to the treatment Rhaine was getting. Rhaine held it in as long as possible but when she cut loose, she cut loose in a big way. Her fists pounded the bed repeatedly, her head swept back and forth, and her lower torso kept thrusting off the bed and into Opal's mouth, lips, and tongue. "Damn!" she screamed through clenched teeth as her body expended one last spasm. Opal succeeded in catching most of Rhaine's fluid eruption, rolled the heavily panting Rhaine to one side, and administered the proscribed last spank. "You're up, Zane," she winked with a smile, before cleaning her face and moving on to the nearly as devastated Joy. I settled between Rhaine's legs and began administering kisses. "Please, Zane," she begged, "it hurts. I'm so sore. Please just spank me." "Sorry, I can't do that," I told her sternly. Rhaine closed her eyes and muttered some kind of prayer, though she made no attempt to shield her body from me. I doubt she even knew I was lying beside her until my first kiss played upon her eyelids. "You are not going to, to me?" she inquired with a desperate hope. "No. I'm going to spank you so hard you can't sit for a week," I threatened, "unless I forget my three-minute time limit. I can't imagine what would possibly distract me, though." It took Rhaine's sexually fatigued mind a moment to catch on but when she did, she clasped her hands on either side of my face and kissed me with an inspired intensity. I let my fingers play along her breastbone and stroke her breasts through her shirt and bra. About a minute into this little game, I discovered Rio leaning over us, clearing her throat. "This monster made us jump out a second-story window," she stared intently. Fear crept back into Rhaine's eyes as she glanced from Rio to me. "I am biting her tongue, I promise," I grinned. "I'm not joking, Zane," Rio warned me. "Fine," I groaned. "Rhaine, roll toward me," I instructed, as I propped myself up, and she reluctantly rolled toward me. I put a hand on her hip, hiked up her skirt and rolled her farther to me until I got a good look at her rump. "Rio, take a look at this, please," I motioned to Rhaine's ass. Rhaine blushed and lowered her head. I doubt having her ass naked and on display on my bed was what she intended or even imagined possible when she got up this morning. I ran a hand along her spine to the cleft between her cheeks and squeezed the upper one tightly. "This is a thing of beauty," I told Rio, but clearly wanting Rhaine thinking about what was being said. Rio knew me too well to think I'd turn that ass cheek red so she took the other path. Rio reached out and stroked it too. "Okay, Zane; it is damn sexy," Rio acknowledged grudgingly. I took Rhaine's hand in my own and placed it on her side, just below the ribs, and led it in a wandering trip to her lower back, then to the cheek I'd displayed to Rio. "See, Rhaine, you have a fantastic ass. God knew what he was doing when he made you," I told her. "It is a pity we can't see you in shorts or a bikini from time to time." "That is sinful and leads men into the Sin of Lust," Rhaine said with absolute conviction. "This is the work of the Devil, not God." Rio ground her teeth but I grinned. "Did God create the male peacock?" I questioned, while I kept hold of Rhaine's hand and stroking her ass from tailbone to the dip into the bottom of her sopping wet cunt. "Yes," she cautiously replied, her breath coming faster and faster. "Yet we don't run around putting them in garbage bags because they are enticing to the eye," I reasoned. "You make it sound like it isn't a man's fault that he can't control his own impulses, even though he is supposed to lead his household." "God made you beautiful and he made me with will enough to look at you and respect any decision you make about your body," I hammered away. "I'm not going to say I don't want to have sex with you because that would be a lie, but the important thing to me is that you took a Purity Pledge and I have to respect that." Rhaine had nothing to say at that moment. I was clearly a randy bastard who preyed upon good Christian girls and tricked them into surrendering to my dark desires. "You are trying to trick me," she panted, while I leaned in and kissed her neck and ear. "Rhaine, I've been trying to avoid you since we first met. You are the one who cornered me in my dorm," I pointed out. "You came into my room when you knew I was either naked or getting dressed. You chose to crawl onto my bed when I was sitting down, meditating and clearly naked. I was hoping my blatant sexuality would make you leave me alone, not attack me." "Don't blame Rhaine," Rio joked to me. "Rhaine, Zane's like sex candy," she directed to Rhaine. "You won't be the first bunch of Christian bitches we've had to rescue Zane from. It is not his fault; it is ours. He's masculine, kind, and available. You know that he has been in three fights since coming here; right?" "Uh, uh, uh, yes," Rhaine panted. "It makes him dangerous, he's a man." "Really?" Rio chortled. "Two of those fights were to save me from you ladies, and he stopped fighting the moment I was safe. The third fight was caused because two of our girls were being set upon by those University guys and Zane put his body in the way, they hit him first." "I, is this true?" she said with a heavy breath. "Ask Mercy to tell you the truth, not what they've told her to say. Ask Cappadocia about that first fight and the fight off campus. You may not like Iona but she wouldn't lie to you and she knows how that second fight started," Rio sounded so reasonable. I slowly rolled over onto Rhaine while I kissed her neck and shoulders. "Ah, ew, yes," Rhaine cooed passionately. "Tricking me," she sighed but that didn't stop her from slowly moving her arms and legs around me. "Do you want to be on top?" I whispered to Rhaine. "I, uh," she stammered, then nodded. We rolled to the very foot of the bed and started a serious make-out session. I began rubbing down her mid- and lower back for a bit before moving to her ass cheeks and giving them a firm squeeze. "That doesn't hurt too much, does it?" I asked compassionately. "Umm, no, feels good," she managed to get out between kisses. "Okay," Rio smirked as she tapped Rhaine's shoulder. "Tap out; your time is up. Now get off my bitch (meaning me). He's got two more of you to go through before we can leave." "Huh? What?" Rhaine sounded confused, then, "it's over?" Her eyes betrayed how little she wanted this to stop right now. "Good," Rhaine sighed sadly. She began sliding down my body. When she saw that I was rising slower than she was receding, Rhaine waited until our lips met before continuing. We remained lip-locked until we stood up, my hands cupping her ass (now covered by her skirt once more) and her arms wrapped around my neck. "Have you learned your lesson?" I inquired when we finally came up for air. Rhaine looked at me for several seconds, unsure what to say. "Joy's waiting," Barbie Lynn reminded us both. Rhaine let her hands drop to her sides and stepped back. Barbie Lynn pressed something into her hands which turned out to be a fresh pair of panties. "I doubt you want to put on your old pair," Barbie Lynn pointed out, "and these are fresh out of the bag." "Thank you, Barbie Lynn," Rhaine said with embarrassment. "Here is a washcloth," Iona added as she handed one over. "You can go behind my wardrobe to change," I offered. The thought of any of the girls going behind a veil to avoid exposing themselves as they cleaned up and put on underwear might appear pointless, but after everything those three had gone through, handing them back a piece of their dignity was a kindness we could all afford. Rhaine disappeared from sight and I turned to Joy. Opal was still giving her a seriously hard time despite the time limit expiring and gave me a wink as she went to displace Brandi on Mercy. I put a knee on the bed and lifted Joy up. She squealed but didn't squirm and I carefully maneuvered her onto her feet. I held her tight while she reoriented. "Are you okay?" I voiced my concern. Joy gave a brief nod. "Are you ready for your last punishment?" Joy looked me in the eyes, then gave the tiniest acknowledgement. "Now stand on your tiptoes, put one hand around my neck, and use the other to hold up the back of your skirt while you press tightly against me." When she had done as I directed, I looked deep into her eyes. I spanked her cheeks, left-right-left, drawing forth a sharp breath, gritted teeth, and tears brimming in her eyes. I had not been gentle but sometimes a person needs punishment to forgive themselves for feeling good about something they've been told is wrong. That was the pop psychology I was running on at the moment. If I got it wrong, forgive me; I'm only eighteen. No sooner had Barbie Lynn and Iona supplied Joy with her parting gifts did Mercy howl. Her further outbursts were muted by her grabbing my much abused pillow and using it as a muzzle. Her body tensing and recoiling time and again was both frightening and erotic combined, and I was suddenly trying to remember if anyone close by knew CPR. Opal fell back on her ass and looked at the rest of us. "That was wild," she smiled, and licked her lips, "but I think I need to go change." I helped Opal stand and we exchanged a rich yet messy, sticky kiss. "Best intervention ever," Opal joked with me, then skipped off down the stairs. I turned to Mercy and plopped down beside her. A quick examination showed a sweaty, tired young lady with a sensual smile on her lips. "I think she's had enough, but" , I swatted her ass lightly three times and stood up. "Breakfast anyone?" Dorm Life, Heaven, and Mercy too. We were late heading out of the dorm so, under Rhaine's watchful control, the group jogged toward the dining hall. As we made the final approach, Rhaine grabbed my arm. Rhaine, Joy, Mercy and I slowed down while the rest headed in ahead of us. "What are we going to say?" Rhaine hissed in a panicky voice. "I was childish, blocked the door, and you caught me sneaking down a fire escape," I suggested. "You will get in trouble," Rhaine said with utter confusion. "I can take it better than you can," I related. "I don't understand. Why are you, all of you, doing this for us?" Joy asked. "Because," I snorted, "we are the good guys." They clearly thought I was a nut but going inside cut off the conversation. "Besides, I need to do something that's going to be rough on both of us." The Smartest Girl on Campus Looking back on things, that first Monday when it was only Rio and I realizing what I was became the only time I entered the Dining Hall or Assembly without being noticed. First I had been a novelty, now I was the freakish center of the storm. I sort of held my reactions in reverse; the hateful looks my enemies gave me made me laugh while the hopeful looks my allies gave me scared the hell out of me. I was dwelling on that quirk in my nature when I reached the spot my gang was sitting; we had our own location and the majority of the school had given it their blessing. Weird? Only the Class Presidents had their own preordained spots. Speaking of which, "Hey, Jungle Boy," Rio teased in such a dangerous way that I felt my balls crawl up into my body. "Iona nominated you for Freshman Class President." "Ha, ha, ha," I joked dryly, then looked to Iona. She couldn't meet my gaze. "Iona, why? Why didn't you at least ask me first?" "I knew you would say 'no'," she replied softly, then she looked up with more determination, "but I know you would be a great Class President." "Don't sweat it, Zane," Rio chuckled. "You need fifty signatures to be on the ballet." "He has seventy-two," Iona informed us. "Gak! How long have I been out there?" I gasped. "Nine minutes," Iona smirked bashfully. I looked around the room, humbled and disturbed. You have to remember that there weren't 250 freshmen and nearly one-third had decided that I should lead them; the faculty must be having kittens. I was thinking that over when a previous bit of theater came back to bite me in the ass. A girl I vaguely knew, Arielle, a fellow freshman, put her hand on my shoulder and waited. It took me a second to clue in but thankfully she and the others were patient. I put my hand on top of hers. "Thank you," I told her. She smiled and moved away, immediately replaced by another freshman. Over 80 freshmen followed and I could feel the disgust emanating from the head table were Chancellor Bazz sat. Friends like Brandi and Dove came over to congratulate me on my nomination but I realized my more savvy friends stayed away. They knew the struggle I was in for and the very real possibility that even if I was elected, Chancellor Bazz would simply kick me out. I'd be going to them for advice and counsel. I guess I might actually have to ask Iona who the Sophomore and Junior Class Presidents were. In fact, "Iona, who are the other Class Presidents?" I inquired. "They would be those haughty bitches in pleated skirts," Rio interrupted. "Funny like a crutch," I replied snidely. "Besides, that describes about half the girls here." "These would be the ones avoiding you like the plague," Rio snickered. "Here you go," Iona intervened, showing me two pictures on her phone. "Besides, you aren't that alone; the Science Club and Botany Club both support you." "Whoop-de-do," Rio huffed. "What are they going to do? Send nasty e-mails and throw clods of dirt on our opponents?" "Could I meet with them?" I asked Iona, ignoring Rio's snide asides. "They've both agreed to help with your Solarium," Iona shot a 'that will show you' to Rio, "and you already know the head of the Science Club but I can set up a meeting if you like." "Make it so," I commanded loftily. "Zane, if you become Class President Iona will be your Personal Assistant, but what does that make me?" Rio inquired. "My House Assassin," I suggested. Rio seemed to like the idea, it fit with her violent tendencies, but she wanted an explanation. "You are almost always underestimated, and like me, you have nothing to lose." "House Assassin," Rio mulled it over. "Okay, but I prefer the title 'Ninja Reaper Angel'." Rio and I exchanged looks; hers mischievous and mine one of amusement. "N R A"

Resting In the Promises (1) (audio) David Eells, 10/15/25 Today, I'd like to encourage you and remind you about the rest of God and to trust in His promises so we can see His salvation come to pass completely. We need the Lord to help us understand how deep and broad His precious promises of the Real Good News are, and what His power is to those who believe them. Jesus said, (Mat.9:29) According to your faith be it done unto you. And in (8:13) As thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. It's important what we believe and know because faith is based on knowledge, and you can't believe for something that you don't know about. So we need to be familiar with the Word. The promises of God are for our salvation in personal (soul) salvation, healing (body) salvation, and also deliverance, protection, and provision. We know that all these promises are past tense. (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree ... by whose stripes ye were healed. (Col.1:13) Who delivered us out of the power of darkness.... (Rom.6:18) And being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. (22) But now being made free from sin and become servants to God... They are all past tense so that we can enter into His all-inclusive, New Testament rest. The rest mentioned in Hebrews speaks of ceasing from our own works through faith in His promises. We need to walk in that rest and in that peace so that we are not condemned by the devil, separated from the faith of God, separated from the things that God wants to do through us. All provision has been made in our New Testament Sabbath rest. Our sabbatismos, as it is called in Hebrews 4, means “a continual rest.” The Sabbath is no longer one day that we rest; we have to cease from our works and enter into His rest through faith every day. That's His promise. The Lord has been bringing individuals through their own personal wilderness so that they can learn how to live by faith. (Heb.10:38) But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul. Now, your soul is your mind, will and emotions; it's your nature, your character. Jesus Christ is an example of a saved soul, and walking in His steps is something that He has provided for us to do. (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. And we can see from His life that Jesus walked by faith, completely trusting the Father in everything. The Lord is using our time in the wilderness to work the same thing in us. We understand that we are living in the latter days, and Jeremiah said in (Jer.30:23) Behold, the tempest of the Lord, [even his] wrath, is gone forth, a sweeping tempest: it shall burst upon the head of the wicked. (24) the fierce anger of the Lord shall not return until he have executed, and till he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall understand it. And continuing in (31:1) At that time (still talking about the latter days), saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Romans 11 tells us about all those who are grafted into the olive tree, which is called “all Israel” by faith. The Lord broke off the unbelieving Jews concerning the new Kingdom and He grafted in the Gentiles as the Church, and then He said, (Rom.11:26) And so all Israel shall be saved. “All the families of Israel” is a very large group of people around the world, not just natural Israel. (Jer.31:2) Thus saith the Lord, The people that were left of the sword found favor in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. The wilderness is a sparse place with very little worldly provision for man. There, the Israelites had to have their salvation, provision, and protection from God. He brought them to a perfect place to learn to trust in Him for His provision. He made this an opportunity for them where God, in His mercy, had to ultimately save them after they ran out of all their provision from Egypt (a type of the world) and there was no natural provision around them. So, when you believe these past tense promises from God, you automatically enter into a wilderness because there is no help from man. I have seen God's wonderful stored provision for His people headed to wilderness.  God's already delivered you, healed you, provided for you, fed you, housed you, already protected you, and saved your soul. He's already done all these things; therefore, you can't do anything to bring them to pass. Since He's already done them, you just have to rest. (Heb.4:3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. In other words, God is saying, “Why shouldn't you rest? The works are already finished!” The problem is that people don't walk by faith and the promises are quickly taken away from them. Here's one instance: (Heb.3:18) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? (19) And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. So if you want to know where disobedience comes from, it comes from unbelief because when you believe the promises, you are at rest. You are at peace. You are trusting in God to bring it to pass and you are ceasing from your works. Now, your works of the flesh are disobedience and they're sin. Your works of the Law, which are of the Old Covenent, are sin in the New Covenant. So you see, unbelief brings disobedience, and the Greek word apeitheia means both “disobedience” and “unbelief.” It can be translated either way. How can that be? Let's read (Heb.4:11) Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience (apeitheia or “unbelief”). (6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience (apeitheia or “unbelief”). If you have unbelief, you will be disobedient and one reason is that you cannot cease from your own works when you don't believe God's already done it. You always want to help Him out, or you get your eyes on the world and your problems. When that happens, people fall victim to fear, doubt, discouragement, and all those things because of what they see with their physical eyes, rather than what they see in the Bible. If you walk by sight, you will not walk by faith. You'll be like Israel in the wilderness, who looked around and saw lack on every side. They didn't believe that God was able to meet their every need out there, and the devil agreed with them, so they became full of fear, discouragement, and disobedience, and they spoke against the Lord. You will do that too if you don't have faith. Let's read some of that story and look at a few points. (Num.21:4) And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. (5) And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light (or “vile”) bread. They were speaking about the manna and calling it “this vile bread.” The bread of life is sweet to the taste but is bitter in the belly. In other words, the flesh does not like it because it demands your life, and that you give up your thinking and your ways. It demands submission. Well, these people were walking by sight, having their eyes on the problems around them, instead of on the promise, so they became discouraged and they spoke against the Lord. But God has already taken care of every problem that you could possibly have or imagine. It's all been covered by the blood. It's already been covered by the Lord on the cross. He's already taken it away; it's already solved as Jesus said in (Joh.19:30) It is finished. Jesus told His disciples in (16:33) Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. If we keep our eyes on those promises, they bring us rest. If we get our eyes on the problem, we stumble and fall. When that happens, we go back to walking by sight and speaking against the Lord. Do you know what speaking against the Lord can be? It can be anything that is contrary to the Word, anything that is not confessing the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. (Rom.10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Our salvation in every form comes not only by faith, but the works that come from that faith, and the biggest work that comes from faith is what we say. We have to learn to confess the Lord in the midst of the situations around us. The Lord brought the Israelites into the wilderness on purpose to try them, to see if they would walk by sight or by faith. Jesus tells us this, too. (Mat.10:32) Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. (33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. We believe His promises and they give us rest, and then what naturally comes out of our mouth is in agreement with the Word of God. And when you confess Him before men, He confesses you before the Father. The word “confess” here is the Greek homologeo, and it means “to speak the same as.” When we are in the tribulations of our wilderness experiences, we see our need, our lack, our sickness, and our sin; we see our problems, which as we have discovered the Lord has already taken care of. Are we going to agree with the Good News? “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” It's very important that we're careful to confess faith in the promises. This brings the salvation that we're believing for. With our confession, we're “calling the things that are not as though they were.” It's very important that we confess Him before men, that we say before men what His Word says. (Heb.3:1) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, [even] Jesus. Jesus is the “High Priest of our confession,” Who offers an offering before the Father and that offering is what we say; it's the words of our mouth. And if we speak the same as Jesus, then He confesses us before the Father and before the holy angels. (Luk.12:8) And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: (9) but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God. I also like this verse: (Mat.12:36) And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Thank God that we come into days of judgment so that we don't have to come into the Day of Judgment! The Greek word translated as “idle” here means “unfruitful.” There are unfruitful words that don't give us any help in the day of judgment. (Mat.12:37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified (that means “accounted righteous”), and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. When you come into judgment you want to be justified, so that you come through and overcome it. (Rom 3:4)  God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.  He tells us in order for that to happen, we have to confess Him before men. (Mat.15:18) But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: (20) these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man. When we think thoughts that are contrary to God, when we speak what we see, feel and hear, we're like the spies who went into the Promised Land and brought back a bad report. They reported what they saw, what they felt and what they heard, so they were condemned by God. They made the hearts of the people fearful and that made the people fall away (Numbers 13,14). The spies died in the wilderness because they brought a bad report and the rest died because they believed what they heard and not what God said. Our report, the good witness that we're supposed to give before men, has to be what “thus saith the Lord.” What did the Lord say about our circumstances and our situations? By your words you are going to be justified or accounted righteous, and by your words, you are going to be condemned. When these Israelites in the wilderness began to look at the problems around them and became discouraged because they didn't have their mind on the promise, they “spoke against the Lord.” (Num 14:28) … as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you. They spoke about what they saw, what they felt, what they heard, and what their fears told them would happen. They cried the whole time to go back to Egypt because they loved the fleshly rest of trusting in the world to supply their needs. God wanted them to rest in the promises in the wilderness, and He had to bring them through the wilderness to get them to the Promised Land of rest. We see here that the people, walking in flesh, “spake against the Lord,” and that's what comes from the disobedience caused by unbelief. They spoke against the Lord, saying that He was going to cause them to die in the wilderness and they spoke of how much they hated the bread, which brought a curse upon them. (Num.21:6) And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. They said they hated the “light bread.” They hated the Lord! Did you know that if you don't love the bread of the Word, you don't love the Lord? Many people say they love the Lord, but what did the Lord Himself say? (Joh.14:15) If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. If you love the Lord, you will love the Word. Now the “light bread” that they reviled was the manna, but what was the manna? (Exo.16:31) And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers [made] with honey. Some Bible versions have a footnote that the word “manna” is actually the Hebrew word “man.” Wow! And Who is the Man? The Man is Jesus. (Joh.6:33) For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (34) They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. (35) Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. They hated the manna, which represented the Word of life. It represented He Who is the Word, Jesus Christ. They hated the Lord, but the Lord is these promises. (Joh.1:14) And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. “The Word became flesh,” or to state it another way, the Word manifested in flesh. The Word became flesh in order for us to be like Him, bearing His fruit, because we also have to be the Word become flesh. God's plan is that He might reveal Himself through the body of Christ today, like He revealed Himself through the first body of Christ. The Israelites in the wilderness hated the Lord because they had their eyes on the problems instead of the promises, and they became discouraged. They hadn't entered into the rest. They hadn't ceased from their works and so they were under the curse. (Num.21:6) And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. (7) And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. They sinned because they spoke against the Lord. Do you know it's overwhelmingly common for God's people to speak against Him? That's because their tongue is connected to their physical sight and their physical hearing. It's also common that God's people live under the curse, but the Lord did not ordain us to live under the curse. He ordained us to live above the curse. God told Joshua (Jos.1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: (Notice: You will be able to do what is written if you speak in agreement with the Word.) for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous (Hebrew: “to push forward”; this has nothing to do with the worldly “prosperity” doctrine.), and then thou shalt have good success (Notice: Christian success comes from speaking and acting in agreement with the Word.). To state it another way, when we speak in agreement with the Word, although not necessarily quoting the Word, “then thou shalt make thy way prosperous.” This is how we “prosper” in going to the Promised Land and what else did He say? “That thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.” You see, faith makes us obedient; unbelief makes us disobedient. If we never cease from our works, then we will never enter into the rest. That's what the Lord exhorted in (Heb.3:11) As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. Why? (12) Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God. They couldn't enter into the rest because they had “an evil heart of unbelief” that made them speak against the Lord. When they realized this was sin, they asked Moses to pray for them and Moses prayed for the people. (Num.21:8) And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live. What does the serpent represent? We came out of this world and into the Kingdom of God, into what is called “the body of Christ.” So what body were we a part of before we came to the body of Christ? The body of antichrist. Anti means against. Jesus said, (Mat.12:30) He that is not with me is against me.... He talked to the Pharisees and said, (Joh.8:44) Ye are of [your] father the devil.... They were members of the body of the devil, which is antichrist! And we used to be in the devil's body, too. We were created to be in his image but we were actually full of the poison of the serpent. We had that poison in our heads, just like the serpent does. Remember what Revelation says. (Rev.12:9) And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.... And yet the Lord called us to be a part of His body. The Bible says that Jesus became like that serpent on the pole. (Joh.3:14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. From now on, when we look at Jesus upon the cross, we can see our curse put there upon Him. We can see our sin and our sickness put upon Him. We can see our lack and whatever our problem is put there upon Him because of this. (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.... “Redeemed” is the Greek word exagorazo, and it means “to buy out or to purchase a slave with a mind to set him free.” Christ bought us. He delivered us from the bondage of slavery to sin, the devil and the curse. The “curse of the law” is all of the evil things that came upon mankind for disobeying God's Law (Deuteronomy 28). (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.... Jesus became the curse! We know that the devil administers the curse and he's been given that authority by God to do it so that people would be humbled, repent and turn to Him. (13) Christ… having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree (Now we see that Jesus became cursed on that cross; He became like the serpent, like us.): (14) that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The Bible says that Abraham was blessed in all things. (16) Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. God made all these promises to Christ. He made all these promises to just one seed and now we must abide in Him. And we abide in Him by accepting the same promises, by speaking the same promises, by walking in faith in the same promises. And we receive the benefit of Abraham because Jesus became cursed for us. God put our curse, the whole curse that's partially enumerated in Deuteronomy 28, upon Jesus. No matter what problem you have, you should be able to see this problem upon Jesus. (Num.21:8) And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live. We were snake-bit and Jesus took the venom. I'd like to point out something else: (2Co.5:21) Him who knew no sin he made [to be] sin (Jesus became the curse and He became the sin.) on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Do you have a problem with sin? Do you have a problem with the curse that comes from sin? We see the serpent on the cross and that the Lord has put all of this upon Jesus. Now we confess what the Bible says: (2Co.5:17) Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [he is] a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. All of that curse and sin has completely passed away. We are new creatures by faith in this. When you look at the serpent on the pole, you're supposed to see your curse, your sin, upon Him. The curse is very broad. If you read Deuteronomy 28, you'll find it's all sickness, it's all lack, it's all bondage to your enemies, etc. We're speaking against God if we're not speaking in agreement with His promises. We must repent. We must “change our mind,” which is what “repent” means. We are new creatures in Christ. Christ has been raised up on the pole for our salvation and we are to get our eyes upon Him because Moses said, (Num.21:8) ... every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live. (9) And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived. So when the Israelites got their eyes on the Son, which in this case is represented by the serpent, and on what the Son had accomplished, they were healed. Many years ago, I had a vision in which I saw myself walking to a stream and when I got into the stream, I received a revelation that as long as I lay on my back and looked at the sun, I could stay floating up the stream. As I meditated on that, the Lord gave me the understanding that this stream represents the Word of God. God told Moses, (Deu.11:26) Behold I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. He was talking about His commandments because they represent both a blessing and a curse. They represent the blessing of God's Good News, and they represent the curse of death to those who disobey it. So I realized that the water represented the Word of God (Eph.5:26) having cleansed [the church] by the washing of water with the word, and that it could either kill me or give me life. I could go upstream, contrary to nature, if I kept my eyes on the sun and I would always stay afloat; in other words, I would always stay above the curse. Water will kill you if you go beneath it, but if you stay on top, it's a blessing like Noah in the ark. We have to keep our eyes on the Son in order to stay above the curse that's upon this world because He's the One Who promised and He's the One Who bore the curse. We should be able to see our curse upon Him. If you can see your problem having been put on Jesus, you can be free of it; that's His method. It's very, very simple. If you get double minded you sink into the curse like Peter when he walked on water. That's what faith is all about; faith is believing that you have already received on account of the promises that God has already given. Continuing with my dream, as I was lying on my back with my face to the sun, I was floating upstream, contrary to nature and to the laws of this world. If you keep your eyes on the Son, it's supernatural. It's above the laws of this world. The supernatural takes precedence over the laws of this world. For instance, healing comes to people who believe that they have received it, but healing comes very hard to people who are always seeking it. It works the same way for deliverance from sins and all of the curse. (Mar.11:24) All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. That's very simple and an awesome benefit that the Lord has given to us. So I'm floating upstream and I looked around me and saw there were a few others who were doing the same thing. As we floated away, I noticed that there were people on the left side of the stream who floated up under a tent that was stretched over about half the stream. Whenever any of these people who were floating with me went under the tent and the shadow fell upon them, they sank to the bottom of the stream, for they lost sight of the Son and His salvation. I quickly got out onto the bank and cut the ropes holding the tent up. It fell into the water and the water carried it away. Then I made these floats to float the people up off the bottom. As soon as they saw the sun again, they started floating once more. I realized that the tent represented man's religion. The religions of man like to take credit for what God has already done. They like to tell men, “God does not do it that way anymore.” They have their fleshly ideas and their way of leading people is, “Let's go back to Egypt and do it the way of the world. Let's have God's salvation through man's provision. Let's go back by the fleshpots.” They don't teach people to walk by faith with their eyes on the Son, but they bring them into darkness. They block the light of the Son and the people sink. They're under the curse and think it's normal to live that way because everybody around them lives that way. God did not ordain us to do that. If we keep our eyes on the Son, we will stay above the curse; that's what the Lord revealed to me about this. Also it was those on the “left” that fell away. Jesus put the goats on the left. Many “Christians” are self-willed and rebellious like goats and must be taught better. Another revelation I want to share …   Resting in Jesus to Do the Work Missy Pollock - 04/11/2012 (David's notes in red) A couple was ministering to me concerning something I've been going through for about four years. The husband said he sensed in his spirit that soon things would come to light. Then, that same night, the Lord gave me the following dream to encourage me and build my faith. I believe that this dream can be encouraging and faith-building for other members of the body of Christ. In the dream, my husband (representing Jesus) was driving to work and I was with Him (the Lord doesn't do anything without me; He needs my cooperation). (Missy here represents the bride of Jesus, who is learning to let Him lead and do the work.) There was a car (representing circumstances and situations in my environment, or in my life) in front of us with a baseball glove attached to it by about 6 feet of string (my flesh) on the back bumper. (Getting ahead of the Lord's works.) My husband (Jesus) said that the baseball glove (the hand of God) was His. I said, “No, that's not your glove” (not recognizing God's hand in things). Then there was another car in front of us with a string attached to it with a baseball glove on a power line (Doing our work by)(the power of God's kingdom) and the car eventually pulled the string tight to the point that it came off and the glove stayed on the power line (God is using the circumstances in my life to cause me to let go and let God). This same thing happened again (the process of transforming me into His image through dying to self and taking up my cross and following Him) with another car and ball glove attached. The next time it happened, when the string was pulled tight, it wasn't a glove but a bird attached to the string, and it flew away and landed in a tree. (I am the bird in the Spirit, in resurrection, one with the Lord, free from the flesh [the string], resting in the tree from the works of the flesh. Amen. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!) (Also, a bird can represent God's Spirit who enables His works with gifts.) Then my husband was driving fast (doing a quick work in my life) and I asked Him to slow down (a quick work is hard on the flesh. Amen; it's dying! (1Pe.4:1) ... for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin). He made a comment that the road was a dirt road (an earthly, temporary journey: (2Co.4:18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.) and I said, “No, it wasn't.” My husband made a turn without even looking and a car almost hit us (Psalm 91). I said to him, “That car almost hit us.” My husband was annoyed with all my comments (because I wasn't trusting in Him). At some point, I saw that the road really was a dirt road and there were a lot of curves in the road (finally seeing that it was just a temporary (earthly) journey). My husband made another reckless turn. (This is just the perception of my carnal man. I need to make sure I set my mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are on the earth.) These are the verses the Lord gave me to go with the dream: (1Ki.12:33) And he went up unto the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth (rest) day in the eighth (the number of circumcision, the cutting off of sowing flesh) month, even in the month which he devised of his own heart: and he ordained a feast for the children of Israel and went up unto the altar, to burn incense. (Serving God our own way in the flesh. The wife gave the meaning of the numbers. She said, “Step away from the matter now; it's in God's hands. Rest in all that God has shown you. The end of the matter is at hand. Be patient in spirit!”) Also (Joe.3:17) So shall ye know that I am Jehovah your god, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. We start out serving God in the flesh, but learn to rest through all the trials and tribulations He takes us through. Eventually, there are no strangers (man in the flesh) in God's Kingdom and His bride. (Ecc.3:14) I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him. Amen.

durée : 00:04:06 - Le Reportage de la rédaction - Numéro national dédié à la prévention et à la protection des enfants en danger, le 119 veut se faire davantage connaître du grand public. Qu'ils soient témoins ou victimes de violences, adultes, adolescents et enfants sont invités à joindre le 119 pour alerter ou simplement demander conseil.

“Você tem que estar bem para o João Pedro ficar bem”, ouviu Mariana aos vinte e quatro semanas de gestação, ao descobrir um câncer de mama triplo negativo ; um tipo particularmente agressivo. De repente, ela precisou cuidar da própria vida e da vida que crescia dentro dela. Fez a mastectomia grávida: uma decisão guiada pela graça, mas também pelo medo de entrar em trabalho de parto. Apesar da seriedade da doença, Mariana viveu a gravidez com alegria — o seu bebê era um presente da vida.Ela conta aqui sobre o puerpério que veio junto com o tratamento, a impossibilidade de amamentar, e o vínculo com o filho que nasceu no olhar, dando a mamadeira.Num país onde a pressão social para amamentar é grande, vale lembrar: cada mãe, junto com o filho, encontra seu próprio jeito de cuidar, de criar o vínculo, de amar. Com Mariana, falamos sobre a doença que a fez repensar o corpo, o tempo e o trabalho; sobre a recidiva; e sobre a dimensão espiritual que sustenta a sua vida.Obrigada, Mariana, por nos lembrar, neste Outubro Rosa, que o cuidado com o corpo também é um ato de amor e que toda cura começa pelo vínculo que criamos com a vida.Gravamos a distância entre Belo Horizonte e São Paulo. 

Numbers 25 shows how Balaam couldn't curse Israel from the outside, so he corrupted them from the inside. Phinehas' zeal stopped a deadly plague and set a pattern: leaders must take a stand for purity, for fellowship, and for future generations. Pastor Richard Rubi applies this to modern church life—judging sexual immorality, guarding fellowship accountability, refusing discouragement, and building a legacy like Zadok, Ezra, and the Rechabites.Key texts: Num 25; Josh 22; Judg 20:18–28; Eph 6:10–14; Acts 5:27–29; Dan 3; Dan 6; Jer 35; 2 Kgs 20.https://TakingTheLandPodcast.comSUBSCRIBE TO PREMIUM FOR MORE:• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for only $3/month on Supercast⁠: https://taking-the-land.supercast.com/⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for only $3.99/month on Spotify⁠: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taking-the-land/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠Subscribe for only $4.99/month on Apple Podcasts⁠: https://apple.co/3vy1s5b⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapters00:00 The Call to Preach and Fundraising02:42 The Importance of Sacred Offerings05:45 Understanding Spiritual Supply Chains08:35 The Necessity of Generosity11:31 The Impact of Missed Opportunities14:36 Skin in the Game: The Importance of Investment17:39 Insider Trading in the Kingdom20:36 The Power of Generosity23:42 The Role of Prayer in Ministry24:23 Taking a Stand in Leadership27:08 The Battle Against Immorality30:17 The Importance of Bold Leadership33:00 Defending the Right Battlefield36:04 The Call to Conviction39:15 The Consequences of Compromise42:02 Lessons from History: Standing Firm46:32 Making a Stand for Purity50:34 The Importance of Fellowship57:24 Standing Up When Others Give Up01:01:39 Legacy and Future Generations01:12:28 The Cost of Compromise01:16:29 A Call to ActionShow NotesALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD EVANGELISMLocate a CFM Church near you: https://cfmmap.orgWe need five-star reviews! Tell the world what you think about this podcast at: • Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/3vy1s5b • Podchaser: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-the-land-cfm-sermon-pod-43369

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2025 quarter 4, lesson 3 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Joshua”, and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “Memorials of Grace”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God.  Reading: Joshua 3, Num. 14:44, Luke 18:18–27, Joshua 4, John 14:26, Heb. 4:8–11. Memory Text: “ ‘For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever' ” (Joshua 4:23, 24, ESV). (October 11 - October 17)  Sunday (James Rafferty) - Crossing the JordanMonday (John Lomacang) - The Living God of WondersTuesday (Jill Morikone) - RememberWednesday (John Dinzey) - ForgetfulnessThursday (Shelley Quinn) - Beyond the Jordan Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/  Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html 

Blessing as a Means to Spiritual Growth      God's blessings are intentional expressions of His character and His grace. He blesses all humanity with the gifts of life, provision, and the sustaining order of creation that reflects His goodness. As Jesus declared, “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5:45). Likewise, Paul explained that God “did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). In these passages, God's grace is freely given to all, and this because He is gracious by nature. Yet, His blessings toward His children are of a richer kind, flowing from a covenant relationship that imparts both spiritual and temporal benefits (Eph 1:3; Jam 1:17). These blessings not only make life enjoyable but also serve as reminders of the Giver Himself, calling believers to gratitude, humility, and faithful stewardship. God entrusts His children with resources, whether material, relational, or spiritual, so that they might use them for His glory and the good of others (1 Cor 4:2; 2 Cor 9:8-11; 1 Pet 4:10).      Scripture affirms that “every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (Jam 1:17). The Hebrew word bārak (בָּרַךְ), often used in the Old Testament (Gen 12:2-3; Num 6:24; Psa 103:2), carries the sense of endowing with benefit, prosperity, or favor, and reflects God's purpose to enrich the lives of His people according to His covenant love. According to Oswalt, “To bless in the OT means ‘to endue with power for success, prosperity, fecundity, longevity, etc.'”[1] It means the one whom God blesses is granted a life marked by richness, abundance, and fullness (John 10:10). Its New Testament counterpart, eulogeō (εὐλογέω), conveys the same idea of divine favor and gracious bestowal, emphasizing both God's act of blessing His people and their reciprocal act of praising Him in gratitude (Eph 1:3). Paul echoes this truth in the New Testament, teaching that God “richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Tim 6:17). These blessings are not only for our personal delight but also to reveal the goodness of the Giver, that our enjoyment might lead us into deeper worship and thanksgiving.      Yet with blessing comes responsibility. Moses warned Israel that prosperity could easily lead to spiritual amnesia, saying, “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God…otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them…then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God” (Deut 8:11–14). According to Wiersbe, “If we forget God, then success has a way of making us proud (Deut 8:14), and we forget what we were before the Lord called us.”[2] The danger is that blessings, if received without humility and gratitude, can foster pride and self-sufficiency. Paul raised the same concern when he asked the Corinthians, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Cor 4:7). Thus, blessings must be received with gratitude, humility, and a recognition of stewardship under God.      Blessings are also designed to teach us about God's good nature and His desire to bless His people. David wrote, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things” (Psa 103:2–5). Ross states, “God satisfies us with good things, i.e., things that enhance and benefit our lives, so that we may be renewed (spiritually and/or physically).”[3] God blesses because He is gracious and generous by nature. In the New Testament, Paul affirms that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Eph 3:20). Blessings therefore serve as tangible reminders that God is good, gracious, and personally involved in the well-being of His people.      Moreover, God blesses His people so they may in turn bless others. This principle is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant. God told Abraham, “And I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing” (Gen 12:2). The blessings given to Abraham were never meant to terminate with him but to overflow toward the nations. Fruchtenbaum states, “These blessings upon Abram included both material and spiritual blessings…Since Abram is to be blessed by God, as contained in the first three promises, he is now to become a blessing to others.”[4] Likewise, Paul emphasized to the Corinthians, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Cor 9:8). Divine provision equips the believer not only to meet his own needs but also to serve generously in the lives of others, making God's goodness visible in practical ways. Paul further declared, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God” (2 Cor 9:10–11). Ryrie states, “Acts of giving bring rewards in this life and the one to come. The generous giver will be given increasing means to give (multiply your seed for sowing) and increasing fruit.”[5]      Examples throughout Scripture highlight believers who used God's resources to bless others. Joseph, after being elevated to power in Egypt, used his God-given position and wisdom to preserve life during famine, declaring, “God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen 45:5). Boaz used his wealth to provide for Ruth and Naomi, reflecting covenant kindness (cḥesed, חֶסֶד), which would ultimately advance God's messianic plan (Ruth 2:8–12; 4:9–10). In the New Testament, Barnabas, “who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet” (Acts 4:37), exemplified generosity that fueled the early church's ministry. Such examples show that God blesses His people not to hoard resources but to distribute them voluntarily in service to others.      Blessings can therefore become instruments of maturity when rightly received. They test the believer no less than trials. The apostle reminded Timothy that those who are rich in this world's goods must not be “conceited or fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1 Tim 6:17–18). Blessings rightly used create spiritual capacity, expanding the believer's effectiveness in both service and witness. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] John N. Oswalt, “285 בָּרַך,” in Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 132. [2] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Equipped, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1999), 63. [3] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms (90–150): Commentary, vol. 3, Kregel Exegetical Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2016), 235. [4] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Ariel's Bible Commentary: The Book of Genesis, 1st ed. (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2008), 241–242. [5] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update, Expanded ed. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 1857.

Northwest Bible Church – Oct. 12, 2025 – Matthew – Alan Conner Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the Meek Intro A. MEANING OF MEEKNESS. 1. World's false impression.   2. Grk. Lexicon – “not being overly impressed by a sense of one's self-importance; gentle, humble, considerate.”         3. Submission to God.     4. Humility toward others. a. Humble, non-aggression, gentleness.   Mt. 5:39, 41 b. Opposite of violence and retaliation.  Heb. 10:34; Jam. 5:6 B. EXAMPLES OF MEEKNESS. 1. Abraham with Lot.  Gen. 13:8-9.    2. Moses.  Num. 12:3; Ex. 4:10; Num. 11:29  3. David.   2 Sam. 16:11-12 4. Christ the greatest example.  Mt. 11:29; 12:20; 21:5.  5. Paul.  2 Cor. 10:1 C. EXHORTATIONS TO MEEKNESS. 1. From Paul.    Tit. 3:2; Gal. 5:23; Col. 3:12; Eph. 4:2; 2 Tim. 2:25; Gal. 6:1 2. From Peter.   1 Pet. 3:15 3. From James. Jam. 3:13 D. REWARD OF MEEKNESS: INHERIT THE EARTH. Conclusion

Depois da loucura que foi gravar o Corrida das Blogueiras, a vó tá de volta! Num episódio que passa por nostalgia analógica à reflexão sobre como seria falecer, eu trago os principais pensamentos e reflexões dessa semana. Venha ouvir! -

Chaque jour, en quelques minutes, un résumé de l'actualité culturelle. Rapide, facile, accessible.Notre compte InstagramDES LIENS POUR EN SAVOIR PLUSUNE - ROBERT BADINTER : France Info, TF1 Info, Livres HebdoSCH - Train Mistral : La Provence, Konbini, GenerationsPRIX NOBEL : Le Monde, Libération, France InfoTIMBRE LA POSTE : Huffpost, Le Figaro, BFMTVFILM DIX POUR CENT : Télé Loisirs, Allociné, Ecran LargeCÉSAR BENJAMIN LAVERNHE : Premiere, Numéro MagazineÉcriture : Eden AyachIncarnation : Blanche Vathonne Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Psa 84:11; Phi 4:19; Jam1:19; Num 6:24; 3Jo 1:2; 2Co 9:8; Gen 12:3; Gen 22:17; Deu 1:11; 1Ch 4:10; Psa 112; Psa 103;Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-jesus-says--4116133/support.

Barry begins the conversation about Psalm 99 by reminding us about the stories of a few great leaders in Israel. These figures write a script for us with rejection and intercession—perhaps not the most cheerful invitation, but without doubt the most Messianic.   Scriptures: Ps 99 Ex 17:4, 32:31-32 Num 16:3, 45-48 1 Sam 8:4-8, […]

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2025 quarter 4, lesson 2 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Joshua”, and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “Surprised by Grace”. Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God.  Reading: Josh. 2:1–21, Num. 14:1–12, Heb. 11:31, Exod. 12:13, Joshua 9, Neh. 7:25.  Memory Text: “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31, NKJV).” (October 04 - October 10)  Sunday (Shelley Quinn) - Second ChanceMonday (James Rafferty) - Value in Unexpected Places Tuesday (John Dinzey) - New AllegianceWednesday (John Lomacang) - Conflicting ValuesThursday (Jill Morikone) - Surprising Grace Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/  Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Mike Livingstone and Amber Vaden look at session 7 (Num. 33:50-56; 34:13-15) in the Fall 2025 Explore the Bible study of the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Num mundo que vende felicidade em pacote, retomamos o óbvio: ela nasce dos micro atos. O Big Joy Project confirma o que Santa Teresinha já vivia: o detalhe, repetido com amor, transforma. Está no cafezinho repartido, no mutirão, na escuta atenta. Isso é Liderança Nutritiva: pequenas atitudes, todos os dias, que, acumuladas, criam confiança, pertencimento e sentido. O simples com constância é o que muda a vida. .. MUNDO CAFÉ BRASIL: https://mundocafebrasil.com Curso Merdades e Ventiras - Como se proteger da mídia que faz sua cabeça? https://merdadeseventiras.com.br/curso/ Conheça o Podcast Café com Leite: https://portalcafebrasil.com.br/todos/cafe-com-leite/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucianopires/ Para conhecer minhas palestras: https://lucianopires.com.br Vem dar uma olhada na nossa loja: https://lucianopires.com.br/loja Edição e animação: Daniel Pires ....................................................................................................................................................................