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In a world that often feels unjust, how do we keep trusting a God who promises to be both just and loving? In today’s devotional, we turn to Psalm 17—David’s heartfelt prayer in the face of betrayal and injustice—and uncover a blueprint for trusting God even when life feels unfair. Whether you're facing false accusations, broken promises, or just the weight of injustice around you, this episode offers hope and healing in the hands of a just God.

Scott Lord discusses Psalm 123:1-2—“Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us.”

Bible Readings: Acts 16:1-40 Sermon Outline: Psalm 123:1–4 (NKJV) 1Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. 2Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord… The post 04/05/2025 – Evening Service: Psalm 123 – My longing eyes appeared first on Maroubra Presbyterian Church.

Because we've come to the end of Navaratri and because many are now finishing their mantra-repetition sādhana (puraścarana), I thought it would be nice to discuss the mantra for offering japa to the Divine Mother:oṁ guhyātiguhyagoptrī tvaṁ gṛhāṇāsmatkṛtaṁ japamsiddhirbhavatu me devi tvatprasādān maheśvari"O You who are the Protectress of the Secret of all Secrets (i.e the sacred, intimate mantra), accept this repetition of mantra done by us! Make me perfect (i.e help me accomplish the goal of this mantra repetition), which happens only by thy grace, You who are the Great Ruler of the Cosmos (mahā-īsvarī)"PS: if you are offering to a male deity then change "goptrī" to "gopta", "Devi" to "deva" and "maheśvarī" to "maheśvara" in the above mantra!" So it would be:oṁ guhyātiguhyagopta tvaṁ gṛhāṇāsmatkṛtaṁ japamsiddhirbhavatu me deva tvatprasādān maheśvaraThe prayer:oṁ mahāmāye jaganmātaḥ kālike ghoradakṣiṇegṛhāṇa vandanaṁ devi namaste parameśvarioṁ gṛhāṇa vandanaṁ mātaḥ sadā vijayavardhinipādapadmaṁ sadā vande sthānaṁ dehi padāmbuje"O Cosmic Confoundress (in the vocative case here), Mother of the World, Terrifying , Southward-Facing Kali! Accept my prayer! Salutations to you, Supreme Ruler of the Cosmos! (parama-īsvarī) Accept my prayer, O Mother who art ever Victorious (or who always increases victory!), I always praise thy lotus feet! Keep me forevermore at thy lotus feet!"This was the preamble to our Hatha Yoga class earlier today which you can watch here and practice along! We meet Wednesdays at 11am PST for postural yoga practice. You'll find a complete playlist of introductory lectures on Tantra in both theory and practice here. Lectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and again Friday at 6pm PST.Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the show

O You my help, hasten to my assistance. – Psalm 22:19

Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. – Psalm 22:3

Send us a text“To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!” (Psalm 123:1)Written and sent out from the morning prayer time of Tommy Hays each day.God bless you and may you have a great day!—Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministrieshttp://messiah-ministries.org

Psalm 123 A Song of Ascents“Verses 1-2 are written in the tone of a psalm of trust, but 3-4 are in the form of a community lament.123:1 To You I lift up my eyes- 121:1; Lifting up eyes can indicate arrogance- II Kings 19:22; Ps. 131:1 but here they are lifted up to God and not against Him. “To phrase ‘to You' is in the emphatic position, suggesting the psalmist's complete orientation to God” McCann, 1187. O You who are enthroned in the heavens- Pss. 2:4; 11:4; 115:3, 16; 135:15 “His faithful love and wisdom are equally beyond our calculating (Ps. 36:5; Is. 55:9)” Kidner, 435. “The Lord whose heavenly throne (1) speaks of His endless resources as well as His worldwide sovereignty” Motyer, 573.123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master- “The eye symbolizes longing, need, expectancy” Motyer, 573.“They await some provision for their own benefit.As the eyes of the maid to the hand of her mistress- “Everyone in this community, man and woman, looks urgently to God for a sign of grace” Alter, 441.  So our eyes look to the LORD our God- “God's people are in the position of ‘servants' (see Pss. 34:22; 69:35-46; 113:1; 116:16)” McCann, 1187. This shows their humility before God. Israel looks for the good hand of the LORD- Ezra 7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31. “The simile certainly emphasizes the psalmist's utter dependence on God, like that of slaves on their master” Longman, 419. “The repetition of ‘eyes' which occurs in each of the four poetic lines in vv. 1-2, is another instance of the steplike pattern that characterizes the Songs of Ascents (see Pss. 120:5-7; 121:1-4, 7-8; 122:2-5)” McCann, 1187. Until He shall be gracious to us- This is another example of the steplike parallel pattern (climactic parallelism).123:3 Be gracious to us- Pss. 4:1; 6:2; 9:13; 25:16; 26:11; 27:7.For we are greatly filled with contempt- We are not told who gives the scorn, the actual things said, nor the reason for it. “Superlatives are used here and in vs. 4 to indicate the overabundance of scorn and contempt they have received” Miller, 402. 123:4 Our soul is greatly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease- Lam. 3:30ff., 33.And with the contempt of the proud- Proud are enemies of the psalmists in Pss. 94:2; 140:5. There is a strong contrast in the Psalm. It begins with “to You” and ends with “the arrogant”- VanGemeren, 783. Jesus and Psalm 123123:2, 3 Lord- The term used in the LXX is κυριος and it is used of Jesus in many NT passages including Matt. 7:21, 21, 22, 22; Luke 6:46, 46. The word is used over 700 times in the NT and many of them are of Jesus. He is LORD and we are utterly dependent upon Him for salvation and all blessings. 123:2 Servant- in the LXX is the term δουλος and it is used of the NT writers in Rom. 1:1; James 1:1; II Peter 1:1; and Jude 1. It is used of all Christians in Romans 6:16-23. It is used of Jesus in Philippians 2:7. Jesus, who is addressed as Lord, is also a servant. The LORD became a servant to show us mercy. We are totally dependent upon His mercy for salvation.  123:2, 3 Have mercy upon us- The word used was addressed to Jesus in Matt. 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; 20:30-31; Mark 10:47-48; Luke 17:13; 18:39. As these begged for Jesus to have mercy upon them, we are beggars who fall before Him totally dependent upon His mercy.When God takes flesh in the person of Christ, Jesus, who was God became a servant- John 13:1-17; Phil. 2:5-8. 

The Last Day, that measures 50,000 years. A caller, Angel Israafeel (as) who will Stand on The Dome of The Rock and will address all the dead People of the entire world, O You rotten bones O You decomposed skins O You scattered hair Listen & respond Allah SWT commands you to reassemble to render accounts of your actions (ibn Asaakir), Surah Qaf v40-42. This scene depicts how after the 2nd blowing of the Horn, the world will be resurrected (Mariful Quran). 'Hurrying up' (Surah 50 v44) will be towards Syria when the Dome of the Rock is situated (Tirmidhi). The earth will be made flat & stretched out like leather, Surah 84 v3 (Haakim). 'The duration of time on The Last day for the believers will be like that between Zohar & Asr' (Haakim). The Bridge of Siraat, some will be given light like a mountain others much less. Some will cross the bridge like a falling star, others like the wind or like the blinking of an eye... (Haakim).

Title: Exodus Revisited Text: Acts 12:6-17 FCF: We often struggle to trust the Lord in great tragedy and persecution. Prop: Because God saves and keeps saving His people, we must trust and obey Him while preserving ourselves from harm. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 12. In a moment I'll begin reading in the LSB starting in verse 6. Today we continue the episode begun in chapter 11. The church's troubles are multiplying. Last week we saw how the most recent incident with Peter eating with the Gentiles had caused hatred to build in Jerusalem from the Jews toward the church. This hatred combined with a ruler who desired power and popularity was a perfect recipe for persecution. James the brother of John and leading apostle of the church has been killed. Herod executed him. Peter is now in prison. Herod's plan is to execute him too. But the church is praying fervently for him. What will happen to Peter? Will he join James in martyrdom? Or does God have other plans? Stand with me out of reverence for and to focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: O Most High, as we approach your Word today, our souls wait for you; you are our help and our shield. Our heart is glad in you, because we trust in your holy name. Our hope is in you; let your presence and steadfast love be upon us. Help us to see your watch care and protection and guide us in the exposition of your word today. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Transition: The story that follows is a real-life historical record of what occurred. Nothing I am about to say diminishes that. But you should make no mistake… this story is a comedy. Be prepared to laugh. There are some absolutely hilarious details that follow in this text and it isn't the first time we've seen humor in the book of Acts. In fact, the last time was when Peter was miraculously delivered from jail the first time. It is almost like God loves humiliating leaders who think they are wiser and more powerful than He is. Let's look to the text this morning starting in verse 6. I.) God alone saves and keeps saving His people, so we must trust and obey God. (6-11) a. [Slide 2] 6 - Now on the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. i. For all intents and purposes… Peter has absolutely NO hope of escaping his jail cell this time. ii. Why do I say that? 1. First, he is sleeping between two soldiers. a. He doesn't even get a bed in a room by himself. b. Instead, he must sleep between two other soldiers who are awake keeping watch over him. c. Luke doesn't tell us what the significance may be of Peter being able to sleep soundly the night before his execution. d. Many scholars point to Peter's faith here. He is trusting the Lord for the outcome and therefore is content and at peace enough to be able to sleep. 2. Second, not only is he between two soldiers, but he is also bound with two chains. a. We aren't told but we can surmise that most likely he is chained either left side to one guard, right side to another or hands to one guard and feet to another. b. So, guards keep watch over him, changing shifts every 3 hours. And in that, they keep him between them and chained to them. c. There is absolutely no way Peter can escape. 3. Third, as if that wasn't enough to make it utterly impossible, the other two guards of the squad assigned to him for those 3 hours… were watching the doors that led out of the prison. a. We learn later that this is probably 1 guard per guard post leading out of prison and into the city. b. Even if Peter were able, somehow, to incapacitate the guards next to him or slip away from the chains and sneak away from guards who were well rested and alert… he now had to make his way through two locked guard post doors each of which were guarded by another awake and alert guard. iii. Now what is the significance of establishing that Peter could not possibly have released himself from prison? iv. Let's hold on to that question until we get to the end of this point. v. So, what happens? The sun rises and Peter is executed right? b. [Slide 3] 7 - And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, “Rise up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. i. In the introduction I told you that this was a comedy, right? ii. Well, here is the first hilarious detail that Luke records. iii. We have already established that it is absolutely impossible for Peter to escape. Peter trusts the Lord no matter the outcome. And the outcome seems to be guaranteed to be his death. So, he sleeps in contented faith – waiting to join James, Stephen, and all those who have been martyred so far. iv. Then all of a sudden… an angel of the Lord appears and lights up this entire jail cell. v. Luke doesn't tell us the magnitude of the brightness… but I don't think this is a candle flicker. vi. I think this cell became bright as day. vii. What do you notice here about the guards? viii. Nothing. They aren't mentioned. ix. Now are we to assume they were asleep? Are we to assume they were negligent? Did they go out for a late-night coffee assuring themselves that the prisoner was secure? x. Based on the details Luke has given us so far, and what I see as the first of many correlations between this story and Jesus' resurrection as well as the Exodus from Egypt. xi. They simply could not see the angel, nor could they see the light. xii. Much like the guards posted in front of the tomb, and much like the people of Egypt not standing in the way and even giving gold and silver to the people as they left. So here the guards are rendered absolutely benign. Unwilling, unable or unaware of the need to intervene. xiii. The humor intensifies to reveal that not only did the guards not see the angel appear, nor see the light… Peter didn't either. Because he was asleep! xiv. The angel strikes him in the side to wake him up. This is the first of two times in this chapter that an angel strikes someone. The next time will render significantly different results. xv. And what does the angel say? xvi. Rise up. Quickly! xvii. Another similarity between the Exodus and this event. His departure was to be hurried and guided by God through His messenger. Sound familiar? Oh and when was Peter in jail again? Yes during Passover. Interesting. xviii. Although we don't see Peter's obedience in this verse, in preparation for his obedience and in order to make his obedience possible, the chains fall off of him. xix. Once again, they fall off and the guards are none the wiser. c. [Slide 4] 8 - And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your garment around yourself and follow me.” i. More humor emerges as the story unfolds. ii. Imagine with me Peter standing in a brightly lit room with an angel of the Lord. iii. He meets the gaze of the soldiers in the cell with him. But they look right through him. They have no idea that he is standing directly in front of them. iv. They are blind to all that is happening in the cell. v. They don't feel the chains fall from Peter. vi. They don't hear the angel's instruction to Peter. vii. Peter begins putting on his undergarments and sandals. viii. The soldiers say nothing. They do nothing. They simply stare into the distance as if nothing was happening at all. ix. Peter throws on his cloak, his outer garment, preparing himself to go out into the night. x. Still the soldiers do not do or say anything. They don't react at all. xi. Notice again the similarity to Exodus. The donning of traveling apparel. xii. Peter obeys the angel and begins to follow him. xiii. And still the soldiers remain by his bed where his chains lay… empty. d. [Slide 5] 9 - And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but was thinking he was seeing a vision. i. Peter follows the angel out the door. ii. And Luke suspends reality no longer. iii. He actually records what Peter had running through his head. iv. This is a dream. There is no way this is real. v. Why would he conclude this? vi. Well, think about it… he is moving around, making noise, putting on his clothes, walking through prison doors and watching all the soldiers… do and say nothing. vii. Either this is a dream or he is a ghost. viii. Peter's conclusion should not prompt us to say… silly Peter. Why didn't he see this. ix. Instead, it should prompt us to say… Mighty God! Who are you that you can switch off the senses of men? To be blind and deaf. To feel nothing as it all happens before you. e. [Slide 6] 10 - And when they had passed the first and second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. i. Peter continues to follow the angel. Much like the children of Israel followed Moses. ii. Past both doors and both guards. iii. He passes through the iron gate (probably not a soundless gate) iv. Oh and also… by the way… it opens by itself! So Iron is heavy… I don't think a large prison gate could be blown open by a strong wind. Nope. It just opened. v. Much like the way the Red sea opened before the children of Israel as they left Egypt for good. vi. They go out into the street and just as suddenly as the angel had come… he was gone. vii. Just like the puny gods of Egypt could not prevent Yahweh from reclaiming His own, so also puny Herod could not keep Peter. f. [Slide 7] 11 - When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now truly I know that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” i. Much like the two on the road to Emmaus who came to themselves to identify the traveler as none other than the risen Christ, Peter came to himself and realized what he thought was only a dream was true. ii. An angel of the Lord had rescued him from Herod. iii. All that the Jewish people were hoping would happen the next day, would come to nothing. It was the will of God to rescue Peter. g. [Slide 8] Summary of the Point: Peter is spared what is an almost certain death and the church is spared yet another apostle's death. But Luke doesn't record this story for us merely to tell us of Peter's rescue. What is the message of the book of Acts? The church is united and triumphant! Why? Because God alone saves, expands, keeps and preserves His people. From physical safety to Spiritual deliverance God alone saves and keeps saving His people to the uttermost. What is our response to such a glorious truth? What did Peter do? He trusted the Lord and obeyed the angel right? We too must trust and obey the Lord. Regardless of the situation we are in and the danger it may pose, we must trust that God alone saves and keeps us and because of that, set out to obey Him. Transition: [Slide 9 (blank) So, if God alone saves and keeps saving His people… Peter should go right back to doing everything he was doing before right? He went right back to preaching in the temple the last time he was released from prison. Shouldn't he trust that the Lord saves and keeps him and boldly go back to leading the Jerusalem church? II.) God alone saves and keeps saving His people, we must not tempt the Lord. (12-17) a. [Slide 10] 12 - And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. i. Realizing that it was the Lord's Sovereign will to spare him from death, he dared not test the Lord. ii. Unlike the last time he escaped prison where he was commanded to go and preach in the temple, this time Peter had no such command. iii. He did not assume that since God had let Him out again that He should go back to what he was doing before. Instead, he sought safety from fellow believers. iv. Knowing those who gathered in the church and where, he realized he was near a dear saint's home. v. He went to Mary's home. A wealthy woman with a home in Jerusalem large enough to accommodate a great crowd of believers. vi. We are not told much about Mary. We don't even know if she was married, widowed or divorced. We only know that she had a son named John who also went by the name Mark. vii. John called Mark will feature prominently in the next chapter, so we won't spend much time talking about him at the moment. But we should know that he is the same Mark who wrote the gospel that bears his name. viii. Here we see that they were having a prayer meeting in the home of Mary. ix. Now we are not told directly by Luke that they were praying for Peter. x. One manuscript does have “for him” after praying, indicating that this is what at least one copyist thought. xi. We were told earlier that the church was praying fervently to the Lord for Pete, so it seems likely that he is of primary concern in the prayer meeting. xii. And if that is the case, the irony and humor is set up to continue throughout the rest of the episode. b. [Slide 11] 13 - And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. i. Further emphasizing the fact that Mary was wealthy, we see that she has at least 1 servant girl working her estate. ii. This girl is often depicted as a little girl in dramatizations and cartoons, but there is actually no indication of her age here by Luke. The term used is essentially “female slave” and not necessarily a little girl. iii. Also, it was Rhoda's job to guard the door and welcome any from the church and fend off any who might have bad-faith intentions for the church meeting there. It could be that a little girl would be well-suited for such a job, but perhaps not. c. [Slide 12] 14 - And when she recognized Peter's voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate. But she ran in and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate. i. Perhaps this is the reason she is portrayed as a little girl. ii. In what strikes our funny bone yet again, we imagine this girl hear the voice of Peter imploring to be let in. iii. At which point she forgets her primary job of letting people in who are welcome. iv. Her joy overwhelms her and she runs in to report to the rest that Peter was standing in front of the gate. v. So, Peter remains outside in the streets of Jerusalem – a fugitive from the law. vi. Thanks Rhoda! vii. Perhaps here we see another allusion to the wilderness wanderings as the children of Israel came to the very edge of the promised land only to be shut out. d. [Slide 13] 15 - And they said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel.” i. Again, rather ironically and humorously, we see the church praying, probably for Peter's release, consider it absolutely bonkers that Peter could be standing at the front gate. ii. Perhaps another allusion to the resurrection of Christ, where the disciples did not initially believe the women's report. Luke says that the disciples thought the women's words seemed like nonsense to them. iii. Now it is possible that they were not necessarily praying for him to be miraculously delivered from prison. More than likely they were praying for God's will to be done and for Him to be merciful with Peter and the church. iv. But God often answers prayer abundantly beyond what we ask or think. And here they are caught, not in disbelief, but pure humanness. v. There is no way he could be standing at the gate. It is not possible. And everyone… including Peter not too long ago… thought that was the case. vi. So, Rhoda's crazy. vii. But when she kept insisting… they came up with an alternate explanation… viii. It was Peter's angel. ix. This refers to the Jewish mythological belief that each person is granted 1 angel to watch over them. In some cases, this guardian angel can take our appearance and mannerisms. x. This is not necessarily affirmed by this text. And searching for such a teaching throughout the bible turns up very little to prove it. But whether the myth is true or not is immaterial. They believed it. And therefore, their explanation was that it was Peter's angel. xi. The irony of course… is that it may well have been his guardian angel that was sent by God to free him. e. [Slide 14] 16 - But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door, they saw him and were astounded. i. Again – more humor – Peter probably waits by the gate for a few moments… ii. Is she coming back? iii. Rhoda? Are you there? iv. I better knock again. v. So, he keeps knocking and finally they all come to see who is knocking at the door and are amazed that it is indeed Peter. vi. No doubt this caused quite the stir. Perhaps shouts of joy? Perhaps hymns of praise? f. [Slide 15] 17 - But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he recounted to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. i. He motions them to be quiet. ii. No doubt, if we read between the lines, he comes into the house and they sit down and he tells them about all that had happened. iii. Notice that although it was an angel of the Lord who led him out, Peter gives credit only to the Lord for leading him out. iv. Angels, just like us, get no glory for obeying their King. g. [Slide 16] And he said, “Report these things to James and the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place. i. And here we an interesting transition that helps to explain some perplexing things. ii. Peter was very obviously the head of the church up to this point. He didn't make all the decisions, but was certainly the most prominent apostle among the 12. iii. Nevertheless, in the book of Acts we see his authority in Jerusalem diminish. iv. By Acts 15, James the Lord's half-brother, becomes an Elder and leader of the church of Jerusalem. How did all that come about? Well this story helps us to understand. v. The apostles are not safe in Jerusalem anymore. Even Peter is said to go to another place. While this could mean that he left the city more likely it means that Peter is going to make himself scarce in Jerusalem. vi. Probably not disappearing entirely as some commentators suggest. Nor does it mean that he has to go on some evangelistic or missionary effort to lands not controlled by Herod. vii. So since Peter and the other apostles are not safe in Jerusalem, they must leave leadership in the hands of those who are trusted and wise. viii. James had at this time probably already written or was in the process of writing his letter that bore his name. He has proven his wisdom and faithfulness. ix. He is a good Jew who had probably not publicly eaten with Gentiles but would not have refused them which bridges the gap between some of the more conservative factions arising among Jewish Christians. x. James becomes an ideal candidate to take over the leadership of the Jerusalem church. xi. Peter gives instruction for them to inform James and the brothers (which probably means other elders) of what had happened. xii. Then Peter departs. xiii. And although he will reappear in Acts 15 for a moment, his release from prison is the last time Peter is the focal point of any narrative in the book of Acts. h. [Slide 17] Summary of the Point: God alone saves and keeps on saving His people. Peter affirms this in his testimony before these church members gathered to pray. God is the one who delivered Him. But just because God has delivered him, does not mean that God will always deliver him. Peter was released from prison before, and he went right back to preaching publicly. But the difference there is that God commanded him to do that. Here, Peter uses the good sense that the Lord gave him to realize that Jerusalem was no longer safe for him. So, he hid and fled. What is the lesson for us? We trust the Lord that He saves and keeps us but we realize that one of the ways God keeps his people is by human agency. He gives us sense to preserve and prevent our own harm. And so, we must not test the Lord by running into hazardous situations expecting him to safeguard us. Conclusion: So CBC, what doctrinal point must we see here today and how does it impact us? Doctrinal Takeaway: [Slide 18] One side effect of studying one book of the bible expositionally is that the theme of the book will not only be a significant part of almost every single text of the book, but will even be the main point of several sermons. This idea that God alone saves, expands, keeps, protects, preserves, grows, guides, and blesses His church has been the main point of several of the sermons in the book of Acts so far. And it will probably be the main point of many more to come. It isn't because I particularly like repeating myself. It isn't because it is all I can think of. It is because that is what the text is saying. All the way back at the introduction to the book of Acts, I stated that if I were to rename the book it would be The Acts of The Holy Spirit rather than the Acts of the Apostles. I stand by that statement. God's divine hand of providence is integral to every movement, every facet of the church's existence. And in that the church is united and the church is triumphant. That is, essentially, the message today. Herod wanted Peter dead. God didn't. Herod did all he could to get his way. God sent one angel to accomplish His will. And God won. Peter didn't rescue himself and the church wasn't even expecting him to be rescued. God did it. God saves and keeps saving His people. And He does it alone. But we do see two responses to this truth in this text. One we've seen before, but the other is worth pointing out too. We ought to trust and obey God, no matter what situation we find ourselves in. Peter trusted God and obeyed the angel's instructions. We must trust that He alone is able to save and keep us. And we must then obey Him knowing that He will do what is ultimately for our good and His glory. But we cannot test the Lord, and put ourselves into needless peril claiming this truth as our foundation. Instead, we must exercise our human agency to protect and preserve ourselves, while relying on God ultimately to deliver us into His Kingdom. So how does this truth and these responses connect to our daily lives? 1.) Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must believe that God has worked out all things for the good of those who love Him. a. The last two sermons have assured us that we as the church will experience trouble and persecution. b. That we will be hated and afflicted. c. As far as sermons go, these are not the most pleasant to deliver. d. But as assured as it is that we will be afflicted and hated, we must remember that God has promised that He has worked all things in our lives for our good and His glory. e. There is nothing that transpires in the life of those who love God that He has not ordained to produce good for them. f. God is no clock maker setting the inner workings of our salvation and then walking away. g. Christ is not twiddling his thumbs up in heaven waiting for the day when He is to return to reclaim us. h. Instead, God the triune is actively saving, protecting, keeping, helping, purifying, convicting, instructing, and preserving His people until the day of redemption. i. He will never leave us… that is what He promised. j. Yes even in a jail cell, chained to two guards, awaiting execution… God's good to Peter is on display. k. So, in whatever situation no matter how bleak. No matter how convinced we are that what is happening is terrible! We must believe through faith that it is not bad… but good. l. Even in the midst of sin, our sin, God's goodness is on display. It is not good that we are sinning… but if you are His child – even your sin cannot keep you from the good that God has planned. Indeed, your sin will be part of His plan for your good. m. This is why Paul exclaims in verse 31 of Romans 8 – If God is for us… who is against us? Who indeed. No man. No angel. Not even ourselves. God wins my friends. Always. n. God was for Peter… could Herod hope to stand against Peter? 2.) Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that our good always means physical protection and provision. a. My friends, James' execution with a sword was also… God's good to James on display. b. That is where it gets tricky doesn't it. c. This is why Jesus said to seek the Kingdom of God first. d. Our greatest good is not found in this world. But in that New Kingdom. e. And while God may plan good for us here, forming, molding, shaping, and pressing us into the image of Christ… His plan for good may include suffering and even death. f. God was for James… Herod was against him. g. And if we look with eyes of this world we might observe that in the case of James… Herod won. h. But if that is our conclusion – we'd be dead wrong. i. For what can men do to us? To live is Christ and to die is gain. j. In reality… hear me now…God's goodness to James far exceeded His goodness to Peter. James was given a martyrs death 20 years before Peter. k. My friends, sometimes God's good for us is not our definition of good. l. All that means is that our perspective needs to change. m. Sometimes the best thing God can do for us… is to take something away from us. n. If Jesus is the vine, if we are the branches, if the Father is the gardener… is it not good for the vine to be pruned? Is pruning not a painful process for the plant? o. God's good for us may not be pleasant… but it is always good. 3.) Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must trust and obey the Lord, even in situations where the outcomes seem certain, knowing He is able to do abundantly more than we ask. a. Peter was as good as dead. b. Herod assured it. c. The Jews expected it. d. The church expected it. e. Even Peter expected it. f. Literally NO HUMAN in this story expected Peter to survive. g. Yet Peter was asleep. He trusted the Lord. Whatever comes… the Lord is good. And Peter lost not a wink of sleep over it. h. But when the angel kicked him in the ribs and told him to get up and get out… i. Peter didn't wave his hand and say… no no… I am suffering for Jesus here. j. And although it took some convincing the church did not say… no no… it isn't possible for God to save Peter. k. We too must trust the Lord that He is always able to change any situation and do beyond what we could think or ask. l. No one expected Peter that night. But they got him anyway. m. We too must trust the Lord and obey Him hoping and praying that He can do mighty things, in spite of the worst situations. 4.) De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must stop considering recklessness to be great faith. a. For this point, I don't want to press it too far. b. We've all heard stories of missionaries doing crazy things and the Lord preserving and protecting them. c. I don't want to cast doubt or criticism at these stories. d. But we should observe from Peter a time when recklessness doesn't equal faith. e. Peter certainly is not Jesus and everything he does is not always right. But there is no hint in this text that the choice Peter made to lay low and seek safety from Herod was some great act of weakness or faithlessness. f. Jesus even said to flee persecution if you are able to flee. It is not a sign of faithlessness or doubt for someone to take steps to preserve their own life. g. Nor would I say it is a sign of great faith for someone to take no precaution or protection for themselves. h. Even with the promise that God would not allow His holy one to have his foot dashed against the rocks, Jesus denied Satan at his temptation citing that it was improper to test the Lord. i. The great principle here is that God desires us to exercise human agency to preserve and protect ourselves. To be good stewards of our bodies and lives here. And the only time that is overridden is when we have clear direction from God to endanger ourselves for His sake. j. It is not necessarily great faith to be reckless with our lives. k. So, we must do all we are able in order protect and care for ourselves knowing that God is ultimately the one who will work out all things for our good and His glory. And that this may include our suffering and death. 5.) Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” Our God mocks and laughs at the pride of the wicked. a. Oh, how sure Herod was that he would have the applause of the people! b. Oh, how certain he was that 2 of the 3 most prominent apostles would be dead after Passover. c. He no doubt imagined the accolades he would have and the love he would have from the people. d. Rome would be so pleased with him that he would inherit even more control, perhaps rivaling even Solomon's reign. e. But the next day… no one knows what happened. f. God mocks Herod's arrogance by taking his servant Peter from his grasp without leaving a single trace. g. My friends, it may seem like the wicked are winning. It may seem like everything is breaking and that things are getting so terrible. h. It may seem like the world is descending and is bound for a crash. i. But my friends, the Lord laughs and mocks the pride of the wicked. j. He is in complete control of His creation. And that has never changed. k. Do you think our world leaders are any different than Herod? l. Do you think Satan is any different than Herod? m. The Lord our God is One. He is one in number and He is the only one at His level. Nothing else compares. n. Take comfort in the fact that your God… the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David – The God who sent Jesus His Messiah – the God of the apostles. The God of the church – Our God… reigns. And He laughs and mocks the wisdom of the world. Let me close with a Puritan prayer titled “The Servant In Battle” ​ O LORD, We bless you that the issue of the battle between Yourself and Satan has never been uncertain, and will end in victory. Calvary broke the dragon's head, and we contend with a vanquished foe, who with all his subtlety and strength has already been overcome. When we feel the serpent at our heel may we remember him whose heel was bruised, but who, when bruised, broke the devil's head. Our souls with inward joy extol the mighty conqueror. Heal us of any wounds received in the great conflict; if we have gathered defilement, if our faith has suffered damage, if our hope is less than bright, if our love is not fervent, if some creature-comfort occupies our heart, if our souls sink under pressure of the fight. O You whose every promise is balm, every touch life, draw near to Your weary warriors, Refresh us, that we may rise again to wage the strife, and never tire until our enemy is trodden down. Give us such fellowship with You that we may defy Satan, unbelief, the flesh, the world, with delight that comes not From a creature, and which a creature cannot mar. Give us a draught of the eternal fountain that lies in Your immutable, everlasting love and decree. Then shall our hands never weaken, our feet never stumble, our swords never rest, our shields never rust, our helmets never shatter, our breastplates never fall, as our strength rests in the power of Your might. It is in Jesus The Conqueror's name we pray this… Amen. Benediction: May the Lord make you a blessing and send down showers of blessing in their season; May you dwell securely, and may none make you afraid. May you know that the Lord your God is with you and that you are His people. Until we meet again… Go in Peace.

Psalm 9:1-20 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds.2 I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back,   they stumble and perish before Your presence. 4For You have maintained my just cause; You have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. 5 You have rebuked the nations; You have made the wicked perish; You have blotted out their name forever and ever. 6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities You rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. 7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice, 8 and He judges the world with righteousness; He judges the peoples with uprightness. 9The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble 10 And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. 11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples His deeds! 12 For He who avenges blood is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.13 Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me, O You who lift me up from the gates of death, 14 that I may recount all Your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in Your salvation. 15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. 16 The Lord has made Himself known; He has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Selah 17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever. 19 Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before You! 20 Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men!   Key Words:Praise and Judgment, Righteousness and Wicked, Nations and Needy Keystone Verse:Those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:10)     BULLETIN

**Advancing DEI Values** In an enlightening new episode of SA Voices From The Field Dr. Jill Creighton invites Shawntal Brown, an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), to share her insights on driving institutional support for these crucial values. Shawntal emphasizes how integrating DEI into the fabric of higher education is not just beneficial but essential for creating welcoming and inclusive environments. **The Research Journey** Shawntal's research journey reveals a strategic pivot from focusing on staff insights to exploring university presidents' role in championing DEI. This shift underscores the importance of leadership buy-in for effective DEI initiatives **Navigating Complex Social Landscapes** Proactive DEI work is emerging as a priority in contemporary academia. Dr. Jill and Shawntal discuss the challenges posed by today's charged social and political climates, emphasizing the need for steadfast commitment to DEI principles. **Legislative Impacts on DEI** Texas Senate Bill 17's severe restrictions on diversity trainings and resources present significant hurdles. Shawntal offers a poignant analysis of the bill's consequences, exploring the complex task of reconciling legislative compliance with DEI values. **Staying True to DEI Amidst Legal Challenges** Transitioning DEI efforts to align with new legislation while adhering to core values is a delicate balance. Shawntal reflects on her time in the school of engineering, bringing a personal touch to her professional dedication to supporting students. **Self-Care for DEI Professionals** Shawntal wisely advises her peers to prioritize self-care while traversing the treacherous waters of DEI work, advocating for a strong support system amidst the current landscape. **Professional Development and Community Building** Promising initiatives like the NASPA 2024 Mid Level Administrators Conference and the Women's Leadership Institute provide pivotal growth and networking opportunities for DEI professionals. **Resources Against Regressive Legislation** Sharing resources and staying informed are vital for navigating legislative impacts on higher education, as Shawntal passionately discusses. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:01]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts. This is season 10, continuing our season 9 theme of On Transitions in Student Affairs. This podcast is brought to you by NASPA, and I'm doctor Jill Creighton, she, her, hers, your essay voices from the field host. Hey, essay voices. Welcome back for our next episode. And today, I'm very excited to introduce you to Shawntal Brown. Shawntal aims to advance the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and promote servant leadership through her research, service, and formal academic appointments. In her current appointment as senior outreach program coordinator for initiatives for campus support in the division of campus and community engagement at the University of Texas at Austin, Shawntal builds connections with students, staff, and faculty so the campus community members can experience a welcoming and inclusive campus climate. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:57]: She enjoys a research based approach to community building, including leveraging campus climate assessment findings to develop resources and strategically approach campus outreach to support equitable environments at the university. Her equity lens is also evident in her service and accolades. Shawntal is the co-president of the Texas Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education or TADAHE for short and provides TADAHE administrators with professional and personal development opportunities in alignment with the mission, envision, and equity and inclusive experience of the organization. Additionally, she received the NASPA Region 3 DEI Mosaic Award for her passion and support of diversity, equity, and inclusion through her advocacy and research. Shawntal's doctoral research focuses on university presidents and their commitments to DEI through their organizational perspective. Her work, mapping pleasure and pain of women's bodies, Southern Black feminist geographic interventions in the journal Gender, Place, and Culture. And Additionally, she has co authored with doctor Michael a Goodman in ACPA developments called It'll Be Like Biden and Harris, a Black Woman's Conundrum in Collegiate Student Government. To bridge research and practice across disciplines, Shawntal regularly presents at different conferences, including National Women's Studies Association, the Texas Association College and University Student Personnel Administrators or TCUPSA Group, and with NASPA. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:16]: Hope you enjoy our conversation. Before this episode moves forward today, I want to ensure that we clarify the timeline for the conversation. Shawntal and I had the pleasure of speaking in mid February 2024. This was prior to the layoffs happening at the University of Florida in the DEIB space. So if you don't hear us reference it or you're confused why something sounds a little different than your expectations, it's because that particular action simply had not occurred yet when this conversation was recorded. If you are a person at the University of Florida who's been impacted by the legislation and by job loss, just want to say that I'm thinking about you and hope that you're able to progress forward in a way that is meaningful and also still helps our students feel included, not just feel included, but become included in our collegiate spaces. I appreciate all of the work that you all are doing and have done. Shawntal, we are thrilled to welcome you to SA Voices. Shawntal Brown [00:03:14]: Yes. Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited for today. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:17]: And in our theme of transitions, we're going to be talking about your transitions primarily as a diversity educator and student activist all the way through to professional who's supporting students who are engaging in activism. And we always love to get to know our guests by asking you how you got to your current seat. Shawntal Brown [00:03:34]: Yes. So I think going back, I am originally from Oklahoma City. So transferred to Austin, Texas for my master's in women's and gender studies. And so while I was a master's student, I was just trying to find my way of, like, you know, what do I wanna do as a career? What do I want to, like, focus on? And I found myself being in spaces that primarily supported minority student populations. And so first started out in a center called the Gender and Sexuality Center, supported LGBTQIA students, women students within that space, and led different opportunities like a feminist Friday, where we talked about different topics focused on, like, you know, feminist theory, talking about occurring events, things like that. Just supporting folks who are like in different organizations. And so as I was in that space, I was like, I kinda like this. This is like a really cool space to be in. Shawntal Brown [00:04:23]: I really enjoyed just working along the different program programs that they did, events that were had. And I was like there's there's something about this that I like and so after I finish that internship, I started working at the international office at my institution at the University of Texas at Austin, and I was working with, like, different students from different, countries. So from, like, China, Germany, you name it. We were working with those student populations. And to do that event, I was considered a assistant program coordinator then. And before, I'm not formally trained in, you know, student theory, higher education, and that sends for my master's degree. And so I was like, I wonder how this could pan out as a job in the future. And so slowly but surely continue to do that work, working with different student groups, whether they're international, whether they were, like, you know, minoritized populations, campus. Shawntal Brown [00:05:17]: And then I found myself, like, I think this is, like, the career path that I wanna go down. And so I was applying for positions that are specifically working with underrepresented students, especially women students. I wanted to, you know, continue to do that work. And after a while, I was able to become a student program coordinator in an engineering office that supported underrepresented students, which was an amazing opportunity because I, like, advise student groups, a lot of professional groups like the National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. I was able to put on programs to welcome, like, prospective students. I did a lot of recruitment work, and then also did, like, classes, taught, like, research research course, getting students it really interested in graduate school, especially underrepresented students because I was just like, you in this space are so important to have as a potential, like, faculty member, as a mentor for, like, future students that are coming behind you. And so I was really passionate about doing that work. But really in that role is doing, like, a little bit of everything, becoming like a Swiss army knife, if you will, in, the space. Shawntal Brown [00:06:18]: So really getting to know different skills that I was building and helping folks academically, helping folks professionally, you know, all those different realms for those student groups. And so after a while, I was like, this has been a really great opportunity just to really get to know these students, seeing them grow in their different ways. And so that was, like, my first full time position to really see, like, this is a really great opportunity to work with these students. And so now my current role as a senior outreach program coordinator, I work in a division of the of campus and community engagement. It's more focused on the broader campus community as supporting students, staff, and faculty to make sure they have a welcoming and accessible, like, experience at the institution. But really, my pathway kind of just helping support underrepresented groups has been really just like the foundation of where I found myself at the institution and just really enjoy the work that I do. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:07:09]: And I'll give you a shout out for your work for our listeners. As we mentioned in the bio, Shawntal actually received a NASPA award region 3 for, the DEI Mosaic award supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. So can you tell us about what work led to that recognition? Shawntal Brown [00:07:24]: Yeah. Oh, goodness. I would just also wanna shout out the folks who willingly nominated me. I was like, thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. The it was really like a lot of the work that I have done has really been focused on, just supporting the professionals in my role with the Techs Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. A mouthful I know, but we call it TADAA here, was really the opportunity for me to really branch out and network with other DEI professionals rather in the state of Texas. Shawntal Brown [00:07:51]: And so that was kind of, like, one of the many things that folks saw me doing. I'm currently the co president for that. And so that has kind of, like, led to to that recementing my foundation within DEI. I think just also the support of, underrepresented students, like I've mentioned, has really just been, like, the cracks that people can see that connection building that I really love to just put forth with people. And let me see. I think I'm trying to remember one more. I feel like I'm forgetting one more, but I think folks see the overall research. And I'm also doing my my doctorate part time, doing my research focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion. Shawntal Brown [00:08:28]: And I think people see that that's something that's really just a core value to my, like, higher ed professional life profile. And so I think the folks who nominated me really saw and let that shine through when they wrote those nominations. So I'm really appreciative for them. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:08:44]: And the work that you were doing for that recognition, also extremely important and kind of unique to tie into higher education. Can you talk a little bit about how you found your research topic? Because I know that is a major question for almost every doctoral student on the planet. Everyone's either on this very big mind space of wanting to study everything, maybe a little bit lost on not knowing what to study. Shawntal Brown [00:09:06]: Yeah. That's a great question. I think I really started out with, like, the crux of, like, I'm really interested in DEI in my research, but where do I go here? And initially, I was trying to focus more on, like, the staff perspective of, like, flipping it. Like, what could staff do to make DEI more cemented in their goals and their, like, you know, opportunities and things like that. But then I was, like, really sitting with it's bigger than this because my personal opinion in thinking about the institution, I feel like DEI should be really just linked up into, like it should be fully embedded into the infrastructure of the institution. So I was, like, thinking, how can that happen? What does that look like? And read through, like, the literature that I have gone through at this point. They talked about chief diversity officers as, like, really important people to have in these roles, really important to have in these spaces to really amplify that voice. But then in the case of my research specifically, I was like, you know what? Let's shift it. Shawntal Brown [00:10:00]: Like, what does it mean to have a university president who really supports this? And so that's kind of the perspective I'm taking up. Like, what does it mean for your leadership up above to support the values of diversity and inclusion, whether it be in their state of union addresses and strategic plans. Like what does that mean for them to do this work? And so it was something that it took me a while to get there. I think I kind of, like, was taking the different angles. I think of it as like a diamond. I was like, I'm on this face of the diamond, but I I need to just go over to this face to this face. And now I'm like, oh, I kind of hit where I wanna be. And it's really interesting. Shawntal Brown [00:10:34]: I might nerd out a little bit on researching because I'm really excited about it to really look at one specific, president that is at the University of Texas at Boston who had a really amazing legacy that I've heard so far, who was William c Powers, who just really did a lot of great work and really amplified diversity, equity, inclusion here. And so I'm kind of curious, how did he do this work? How did he get here? And so I'm very excited to start get to the process of, like, interviewing, chatting with folks to kinda hear about the experiences that people may have had with him. So I'm I'm really excited just to see what does this mean for other future university presidents? What does it mean for folks who are, like, aspiring for this role who also love diversity, equity, inclusion, or value diversity, equity, inclusion too? So I'm really excited for this. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:11:15]: I think that's really important work to look at that narrative perspective on what it actually looks like in practice. I know that our NASPA colleagues put out a publication not too long ago about campus statements in response to acts of racial aggression or ethnic aggression or marginalized identity based aggression and what they looked like, some of their impact and things like that that came out, I wanna say, maybe couple of years ago. It was post the murder of George Floyd, but it was, I think, still during the pandemic when that came out. So that maybe kind of losing a little steam in terms of age as we all know research does, but I appreciate that I think what you're doing is carrying that forward and looking a little bit deeper at one individual perspective. But I'm wondering as a professional in the DEI realm, what you're seeing in terms of transitioning the work that you're doing because I feel like for a long time, the field was in reactive mode because there was so much happening. And now maybe we're swinging back to being more proactive. What do you see? Shawntal Brown [00:12:13]: No. I think that's really important now, especially with, like, the social political climate happening, you know, states like Texas, very conservative states with the anti DEI legislature that's going on. And so I think it's an opportunity for professionals who are trying to, 1, remain in compliance with, like, you know, the new law. But then, 2, for folks who are, like, needing to really resubmit and reaffirm the work that they're doing. And so it's definitely, like, a difficult balance right now because to think more broadly about what's going on, folks of the AI professionals or, you know, the new spaces that folks are in trying to still support the new type of work that we're doing is a really tough place. It's definitely like a lot of losses happened, but I think it's more important now than ever to learn how to be proactive in the spaces, especially That's a generous word. Yeah. It's a unique time. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:13:11]: That's a generous word. Shawntal Brown [00:13:13]: Yeah. It's a unique time. And so I think it I think there is, like, a future of what we can do to continue to support a version of diversity work and what it can be. But I think it's definitely like a we're kinda rolling with the punches. And I think the proactive piece will definitely it still needs to be there, but I think it'll just have to be a different way of shaping it for it to be still present in our values in of itself, if that makes sense. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:13:42]: So the unique thing always about the US is that depending on which state you're in, the rules shift drastically. We also have quite a few national members who are not within the United States. So can you please elucidate a little bit what's going on in Texas with the law? Shawntal Brown [00:13:56]: Yes. No. That's important to just kind of get out of my US centric perspective. So in Texas specifically, there was a bill passed called 7 senate bill 17. It's more colloquially described as, like, the anti DEI bill. And so with this, the bill asked for many different things to be discontinued, such as, like, diversity trainings, opportunities to have specific affinity groups, ally trainings, different types of statements made by individuals. So, like, diversity statements are no longer able to be offered by faculty who are looking into precisions at their institutions. But many all of it did really say that is trying to aim towards, like, a color blind, gender neutral approach to things that happens at the institution, which is very difficult because a lot of the current DEI offices in Texas specifically have to go through undergo a lot of changes. Shawntal Brown [00:14:49]: And some of these changes resulted a lot of them were resolved. And then an office that, you know, had to come back with something that was gonna abide by the current law of senate bill 17. And so it's definitely been a lot of upheaval just like not specifically I would say upheaval watching it as a professional at my institution, but also looking at the broader, like, Texas institutions and seeing how the different changes are happening. And that's definitely been, like, a really tough time overall just kind of navigating the the spaces and how everyone's kind of doing things a little bit differently. So it's been tough in that front. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:15:25]: I think Texas, Utah, and Florida are all kind of in the same space right now. How are you transitioning your work on a day to day basis from what maybe you would have done last year or things like trainings or just general inclusion in your campus community? And how do you work towards that now given it feels like it's a little bit antithesis to the new law? Shawntal Brown [00:15:50]: Yeah. I think I'll I'll highlight Tadee because I think it is a moment where us as an organization, we really wanna provide resources to staff in those spaces and really help them kind of understand the new law and also building community with each other. Because since we Texas is so big, so spread out, there's so many institutions here. And so it's really, like, important to have, like, the community building, like, resource offering to folks because, like I mentioned, like, everyone's doing things a little bit differently, understanding the the law a little bit differently. And so that makes it really tough. I can empathize and, like, relate to, like, the feeling of, like, isolation in some ways of, oh my goodness. We're this little hub here, and we're doing this in this way. And then watching, like, a little hub there, and they're doing it that way. Shawntal Brown [00:16:40]: And so I think I am fortunate to be in a role with Tati just to kind of be a support system in this time and just really try to bring together the conversations with individuals. Like, we're having our annual summit that's coming up in the summertime, and so we're really trying to bring people, like, let's chat about this. Let's understand it. How can we work together in this time? How can we support each other in this time? And so that's our main push right now. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:17:04]: And what are you seeing that's working? Shawntal Brown [00:17:06]: I feel like, you know, in the in the broader sense, I think the resource sharing has been more, this is our key. We need to chat about this. We need to talk about these conversations. So resource sharing has been very helpful. Just to understand what's happening at other campuses because we're this is still new. We're about, what, a month in to this new legislature. So it's kind of like, oh, yeah. We need to chat with each other. Shawntal Brown [00:17:27]: We need to talk to each other. And so definitely, like, receiving articles, keeping up with the news, reading about what's changing, what's happening across the country, across the state, it's been really important during this time. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:17:38]: And anyone in particular who's been implementing practice differently now in terms of being able to do the work and stay in alignment with what the legislature expects? Shawntal Brown [00:17:48]: Yeah. I think that's a really great question. And I think a lot of the work that we used to do within our spaces cannot continue. And that's really been tough for us as higher ed professionals to learn the restrictions and the confines that we have to navigate with this new law. And so it really hurts because there's great losses that hasn't been acknowledged enough. I would say just to know that there are centers that are closed that used to support LGBTQ students. There are positions that are being let go of at different institutions. And so there's a lot of grieving that is happening right now amid these different anti DEI laws. Shawntal Brown [00:18:31]: And so it makes the work that we try to do within the confines of this law much more difficult because we are trying to make sure that we are in compliance to new law. So there's a lot of barriers to us now. And so it does impede a lot of the progress that was made in prior years that we're trying to, you know, we were trying to advance towards equity, and now we can't. And so it's definitely very much antithetical to the work that was previously done, and it's making it more difficult for higher ed professionals to continue to do this work. And so, yeah, that's been really tough and really difficult to just sit with currently. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:19:09]: Yeah. Let's talk about your students as well or the students in the state of Texas because, you know, we we think about the impact to the profession. We think about, you know, the impact to how our faculty colleagues are also responding. But at the end of the day, the number one population impacted is probably the students who will either no longer be receiving this type of education or who maybe relied on services or communities, that are no longer either allowed or at least recognizable under this new law. So how is that playing out? Shawntal Brown [00:19:44]: I think in the sense of this law, the students have really stepped up in some ways. And I know that's kind of a tricky thing because I know my personal, like, soap boxes that students came to the institution to learn and not have to do so much advocacy work. And so I hold a bit of tension with it in some ways. But I also say that they have a lot of voice in what they can do and make institutional leaders know, like, this is a problem. We're missing this. We're hurting. We want to make sure that you understand this loud and clear. And I think, like, you know, throughout social media, throughout, like, my personal experience of, like, what I'm seeing broadly is, like, I think that student voice is really important right now. Shawntal Brown [00:20:24]: It's critical right now, and it's so needed because they are being heard. They are, you know, doing their own organizing. And there are groups that are even outside of the institution that are doing their organizing that, you know, are putting their own resources together to really band with each other, which is really important too. And so I really admire and appreciate what they're doing because it's really gonna be something that's, 1, gonna be important in when we look back at this time to see the work that they've done and acknowledge that work. But then, 2, it's gonna be something that we may need to think about in the future sense too of, like, you know, how can we make sure that students, in a broader sense, kind of get information that's gonna be helpful for them prior to, like, the bills coming up. Maybe more of a, how can we think about legislative, like, education and advocacy for our students? Like, how can that be built into our to our programming and our systems, like, in the future too? So it's kind of like a thought that I hadn't missed about this kind of reflecting the experiences. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:21:20]: And you were a student activist before becoming a professional in the DEI space. How has your take on the work changed from being a student in the space to being a professional who's leading others in the space? Shawntal Brown [00:21:32]: I think in my experience, I guess, like for context, I went to the University of Oklahoma for my alma mater. And so there is a unfortunately, a racist incident that happened at the institution that is known as the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, incident. Institution that is known as the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, incident or SAE. It had a lot of, like, press CNN, a lot of, like, you know, large global and local news kind of took over it. And, essentially, it really alienated black students on campus because the fraternity didn't want black men to be part of their organization. And so it was something where in that student activist perspective, I was like, my voice, I feel like I need to share something. Like, my voice is needed in this conversation, and I wanna be able to contribute. And so to really do a lot of work of, like, making your voice known at that time was really important and also engaging in different conversations that people were having. Shawntal Brown [00:22:24]: So whether it was me on social media talking about, you know, this is why this isn't, you know, this is the article, current events. This is what I think about it. We need to kind of think about how we can incorporate this at the institution is one way I kinda contribute my voice in the conversation. And also showing up to, like, meetings with senior leadership as well as a way to kind of put the face and name, help them understand how we can better improve the experiences for black students specifically at the campus, but also like black faculty to consider them and black staff to consider them. And I think that was really important during that time in addition to there's already a, like, a student activist group called O You and Her that I always tell folks, like, I feel like I was at the 2nd wave of that organization. And the 1st wave of folks were really doing the work, and the 2nd wave was kind of thinking more of, like, how can we make this work be expansive than just this time frame that we're having now. And so to think about all those different experience as a student activist that I've had and coming into this role as, like, being a full time professional, it was interesting to think about when 2020 did happen and then the murder of George Floyd did occur, that there was a lot of student voice that was happening when I was in my role in the the school of engineering. And I was like, oh, when I was in my role in the the school of engineering. And I was like, oh my goodness. This is very reminiscent. This feels familiar. And it was a moment for me to kind of think about, like, where do I step in and where do I step back? Because I know as a professional, there's, like, all the different layers of, like, you know, you cannot represent, like, the institution. You can't represent your department, but how else can you support these students? And so really to be like the the listening ear or the person who's signing, like the list of demands that they had to kind of like cosign with them. If I was able to do that with them, then that was something that I was, like, I feel good about supporting you in this way or folks that, like, wanting to talk about advice about navigating the space or what made sense or who to talk to. Shawntal Brown [00:24:13]: I think that's kind of how it shifted in a way of from the student perspective, I felt more, I guess, I don't wanna say without restriction, but I guess, like, there's a freeness around, like, you know, how I can, like, express my voice and how I can express my opinion and thoughts and things of that way. But as a staff member, I had to kinda reflect on my sense of, like, power and privilege and kind of, like, know when I can, like, step up in that space and, like, help support or need to step back and let the students kind of lead that and let me be in the background. And so I think that perspective overall has really kind of helped better understand or I guess better empathize really when students do use their voice or, you know, need support in using their voice and kinda think about how the greater picture of, like, what can change at an institution really look like overall with those two perspectives in mind? Dr. Jill Creighton [00:25:00]: That is a really important lesson that I think a lot of us in campus based higher education need to relearn often, which is in student affairs, we are more often than not the primary advocate and voice for student needs within a university's administration. And that voice has a lot of power, but also it can be marginalized at an institution in a lot of cases. And so often I I think about how much power our students really do have compared to staff, and it is a very different balance. And deciding to sign on to a position statement with students is an interesting balance of choice that we all have to make when presented with that choice. Can you talk a little bit about how you make that choice, to determine whether you're signing on to something that your students are advocating for versus not? Shawntal Brown [00:25:50]: I think that's a delicate balance. And truthfully, I think I'm still learning. I think in that space of thinking about when I was in engineering, I was appreciative that other staff members were willing to do that same thing for students. And so I felt that since the community from trusted folks who were, like, signing on to their to their positionality statements and speaking up in that way. And I think it was more of a communal thing of, like, you know, yes, we agree with you. We see you. We see the work that you're doing. I think in in now, I think in some ways, I still do that. Shawntal Brown [00:26:22]: But sometimes I'm used like a personal email, for example, as a way to still kind of do that work because I feel, you know, there is I think I've hear this so many times, like, there's power in numbers and it's really important. And so if I can still provide that support and maybe it's more of a perfect like a personal like, I personally feel like this is something critical that the institution needs to listen to. I will do that work because I want to see the institution or whatever the department, the office change for the better. And once it changes for the better, it changes for everyone. And it's a it's a win for everyone, I feel. And so I think that's like the subtle way I have done it. There's probably other ways that folks probably have thought through it, but I think that's the my catch for all that balancing. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:27:07]: Especially if you're a public employee choosing to use a personal email is a big thing. Right? So I think everyone would be smart to check with their local regulations on what that means for public records and whole bunch of other things. But, yeah, it's it's definitely an interesting balance. And then at some point in your career as you grow, that letter's being sent to you as opposed to you being asked to sign on to it. And then we're in a position to decide how we engage in dialogue and actions and how we determine what's actionable and not actionable. What's usually, everything is quite reasonable, but what is actionable is a different question given budget and time and, human resources and all those things. I absolutely have so much respect for what's going on for DEI professionals. And as like I said, in Texas, Utah, Florida, you all are on the forefront of what could be a policy trend. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:28:01]: And then on the other side, you know, we've got states that are instituting protective measures for these efforts instead. Do you have any advice for DEI professionals who are out there navigating these waters on a daily? Shawntal Brown [00:28:14]: I guess one thing is please take care of yourself during this time because it's hard. It has definitely been hard. I think that that has been the biggest thing that I feel like I'm still in some ways learning of, like, needing to step away for a moment as much as I'm able to and kind of step back. Because at the end of the day, it's like it's a very large thing that's happening, like, across the United States, across specific states. And I think if you have the support to lean on someone else or to tap in someone else to kind of be there for you as you kind of, like, take that moment to yourself is really important. I think it's a tricky thing, but I think that's something that I wish I kinda had that person, like, in the midst of things changing or learning about the legislation. I kinda wish I had a tap and being like, hey, Shawntal, you need to go sit down for a moment. You need to rest for a moment. Shawntal Brown [00:29:04]: And that has been something that I feel like that is at the core now. For me, it's just kind of slowing down, taking the step away, reading a book, meditating, whatever I need to to kind of repour my cup for myself and to kind of still understand the the current landscape that we're in. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:29:20]: It's such simple and beautiful advice, but so hard to actually do. The delivery of that is really challenging, I think, in the hustle and bustle of our present day. Shawntal Brown [00:29:30]: Yes. But it's a good like a reminder. So check-in, it's kind of like check-in like, Hey, how are you doing? And then really kind of assess like, what makes sense for you to like, continue in the day. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:29:41]: It's time to take a quick break and toss it over to producer Chris to learn what's going on in the NASPA world. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:29:47]: Thanks, Jill. So excited to be back in the NASPA world and a lot of things happening. Though we're past the NASPA annual conference, there's a number of other professional development opportunities that are coming up. One such event is the 2024 NASPA Mid Level Administrators Conference. The early registration for this conference closes on Friday, March 29th. Join us in Indianapolis, Indiana for a transformative professional development experience tailored for mid level student affairs professionals like you. Discover cutting edge strategies for organizational leadership, master the art of managing from the middle, and unlock your full potential in influencing change. Connect with peers, exchange insights, and build a robust network of allies to support your growth. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:30:32]: Don't miss out on this opportunity to level up your skills and take your career to new heights. Register now and embark on a journey of growth, learning, and connection at mlac 2024. The conference itself runs from June 13th to June 15th in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you want more information, go to the NASPA website and find out more. The 2024 Women's Leadership Institute is running from December 10th through 13th in San Diego, California. ACUI, Association of College Unions International, and NASPA are partnering to bring you an experience focused on women leaders in higher education. This institute offers strategies for women who plan to lead with lasting impact. ACUI and NASPA are seeking programs that will inspire participants to become an inspirational and effective leader. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:31:23]: The program is designed by women for women. If you have a program that you would like to submit, submit it on the NASPA website by April 26th to be considered for this. Some of the topics that the Leadership Institute looks to cover include supervision and performance management, strategic planning, financial well-being, upskill, reskill the bridge to the future, delegating and giving away, picking up new skills and putting things down among others. Again, the deadline to submit your program is April 26, and I encourage you to go to the NASPA website to find out more. Volume 25 of the Journal of College and Character is out. And as a NASPA member, you have access to the Journal of College and Character among a number of other great journals that will help you in your own professional development. This peer reviewed publication has a number of amazing articles that are in it. And in this issue, there are a ton of peer reviewed articles as well as some specific focus areas on student engagement with spiritual and secular world views, diversity and social justice and interfaith cooperation. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:32:36]: I highly encourage you to check out the Journal of College and Character for yourself. If you've never checked out the journals, go to the NASPA website, highlight publications, and go down to the Journal of College and Character. You'll also see the other 3 journals that are available for NASPA members, the Journal of First Generation Student Success, the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, and the Journal of Women short course that is happening between March 25th April 26th on basic counseling skills. This short course is a primer on the fundamental critical topic of mental health and how to support students on your campus and beyond tailored for non clinical professionals. The program will focus on hands on skills needed for empathetic listening and effective referral making based on NASBA's book, Basic Counseling Skills for Higher Education Professionals, topics include anxiety and depression, sexual assault and violence, well-being and burnout, current trends in student mental health, making referrals, student support, and more. You can register for this short course on the NASPO website. This course is set up as 5 60 minute live sessions that'll be held every Wednesday at 1 PM EST. They're scheduled for March 27th, April 3rd, April 10th, April 17th, and April 24th. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:34:02]: Again, go to the NASPA website and learn more. Every week, we're going to be sharing some amazing things that are happening within the association. So we are going to be able to try and keep you up to date on everything that's happening and allow for you to be able to get involved in different ways because the association is as strong as its members. And for all of us, we have to find our place within the association, whether it be getting involved with a knowledge community, giving back within one of the the centers or the divisions of the association. And as you're doing that, it's important to be able to identify for yourself where do you fit? Where do you wanna give back? Each week, we're hoping that we will share some things that might encourage you, might allow for you to be able to get some ideas that will provide you with an opportunity to be able to say, Hey, I see myself in that knowledge community. I see myself doing something like that. Or encourage you in other ways that allow for you to be able to think beyond what's available right now, to offer other things to the association, to bring your gifts, your talents, association and to all of the members within the association. Because through doing that, all of us are stronger and the association is better. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:35:25]: Tune in again next week as we find out more about what is happening in NASPA. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:35:30]: Chris, we really appreciate you always updating us on what's going on in and around NASPA. And, Shawntal, that means we have made it to our lightning round of our show. I have 7 questions for you in about 90 seconds. Feeling ready? Shawntal Brown [00:35:44]: I'm ready. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:35:45]: Alright. Let's roll. Question number 1. If you were a conference keynote speaker, what would your entrance music be? Shawntal Brown [00:35:50]: Because I'm gonna say Texas Hold. I'm gonna be Beyonce. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:35:52]: Number 2, when you were 5 years old, what did you wanna be when you grew up? Shawntal Brown [00:35:56]: An astronaut. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:35:56]: Number 3, who's your most influential professional mentor? Shawntal Brown [00:35:59]: Oh my goodness. I would say doctor Sophia Morin at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:36:05]: Number 4, your essential student affairs read. Shawntal Brown [00:36:08]: Not necessarily within student affairs, but I would say Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawab. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:36:15]: Number 5, the best TV show you binged during the pandemic. Shawntal Brown [00:36:18]: Oh, goodness. I watch a lot of true crime, so that's probably what was something I was watching during that time. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:36:24]: Number 6, the podcast you spent the most hours listening to in the last year. Shawntal Brown [00:36:28]: Oh, that is You Need to Hear This by Metro Global Chihuahua. Wonderful, wonderful podcast. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:36:33]: And finally, number 7, any shout outs you'd like to give personal or professional? Shawntal Brown [00:36:37]: Oh, goodness. I like to thank my husband, Cody. He's always there listening to me, listening ear. I'll shout it out to my family in Oklahoma and all the folks that I have made friends with and and who have supported me in the state of Texas. There's a lot of people, but I hope they all know who they are. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:36:54]: Well, it's been wonderful to learn from you today, Shawntal, and to hear your perspective on the evolution of DEI work in these states that are becoming more challenging to deliver that work in on a daily. If anyone would like to find community with you after the show, how can they reach you? Shawntal Brown [00:37:09]: Yes. I'm really active on Twitter. It is @ShawntalBrown, capital s, capital b. You can find me there. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. And then I also have a Instagram, Shawntal_ or Shawntal_brown_22. So happy to connect with folks on all those platforms. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:37:27]: Thank you so much for sharing your voice with us today. Shawntal Brown [00:37:29]: Thank you. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:37:33]: This has been an episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field, a podcast brought to you by NASPA. This show continues to be possible because you choose to listen to us. We are so grateful for your subscriptions and your downloads and your engagement with the content. If you'd like to reach the show, please email us at sa voices at naspa.org or find me on LinkedIn by searching for doctor Jill L. Creighton. We always welcome your feedback and your topic and guest suggestions. We'd love it if you take a moment to tell a colleague about the show and give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening now. It really does help other student affairs professionals find the show and helps raise the show's profile within the larger podcasting community. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:38:14]: This episode was produced and hosted by doctor Jill Creighton, that's me, produced and audio engineered by Dr.Chris Lewis. Special thanks to the University of Michigan Flint for your support as we create this project. Catch you next time.

Psalm 123 New King James Version Prayer for Relief from Contempt A Song of Ascents. 1 Unto You I lift up my eyes,O You who dwell in the heavens.2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,So our eyes look to the Lord our God,Until He has mercy on us. 3 Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us!For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.4 Our soul is exceedingly filledWith the scorn of those who are at ease,With the contempt of the proud. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maranatha-ministries/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maranatha-ministries/support

Video version: https://youtu.be/yqMVWygpR1M The post O You who believe, Believe – part 2 appeared first on Mahmood Habib Masjid and Islamic Centre - We came to give, not to take..

Video of the reminder: https://youtu.be/iuhVv777x_c The post O You who believe, Believe appeared first on Mahmood Habib Masjid and Islamic Centre - We came to give, not to take..

Psalm 22:1-31 “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In You our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them. 5 To You they cried and were rescued; in You they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 9 Yet You are He who took me from the womb; You made me trust You at my mother's breasts. 10 On You was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb You have been my God. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. 12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; You lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—17 I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. 19 But You, O Lord, do not be far off! O You my help, come quickly to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! 22 I will tell of Your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You: 23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify Him, and stand in awe of Him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For He has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and He has not hidden His face from him, but has heard, when he cried to Him. 25 From You comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear Him. 26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. 28 For kingship belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before Him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. 30 Posterity shall serve Him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 31 they shall come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn, that He has done it.” Key Words: Forsaken, Cry, Trust, Deliver, Save, Affliction, Praise, Fear, God, Brothers, Nations Keystone Verse: My God, my God, why have You forsaken me. Why are You so far from saving me, from the words of my groanings. (Psalm 22:1)   Download Bulletin

Devotional Prayer by Be Inspired by His word © Song Unto thee oh Lord Do I lift up my soul Unto thee oh Lord Do I lift up my voice Oh my Lord I trust in thee Let me not be ashamed Let not my enemies triumph Over me Unto you I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, And as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He is gracious and favorable toward us. Be gracious to us, O Lord, be gracious and favorable toward us, For we are greatly filled with contempt. Our soul is greatly filled With the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud [who disregard God's law]. Psalms 123:1‭-‬4 AMP Prayer Lord thank you for this amazing dawn and grace of life Abba thank you for the forgiveness of sin and your blood shed for my salvation Lord I lift my eyes unto you come to my aid and silent the workers of iniquity Lord help me in all areas and remove every delay from my path Arise king of kings and show yourself mighty over every situation in my life Lord remove all devourers and the sources of devourers from my life Ancient of days as the maid look up to their master do I look up to you, come through for me in all aspects of life Lord let your favour and mercy speak for me this day and always Father make a way for me where there was no way and open the door that leads to many doors for my breakthrough to manifest Lord disgrace the plans of the enemy concerning me and my lineage Lord concerning the vessel used for this daily prayers all impacted by it and our household do something new in our lives, let there be a divine change and divine encounter where we are due for it *Personal Prayer* Thank you ancient of days for answered prayers in Jesus name *Confess Daily: Sin shall not have dominion over me, I am operating in the power of the word of God. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus by faith as Jesus is so am I in this world. The Lord has come through for me, He has silenced the roaring of the evil beast. The king of kings has given me wings to soar, I will not remain on the level of delay and denial. Grace has made way for me beyond my imagination in Jesus name amen.* Today's Prayer by Be Inspired (by His word) © 14th August 2023 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/be-inspired-by-his-word/message

Because heaven is eternal, we can have a hope that changes everything. ~~~ Do you ever think about heaven? When I was little I mostly thought about angels. I wanted wings. I loved being an angel in our little Christmas play. I knew God loved the world so much that He sent His son Jesus down to earth from Heaven, so that whoever believes in Him can have eternal life. John 3:16 lays it out pretty clearly. I believed it. Why wouldn't I? It's the best news ever for this fallen and broken world. There is life to come that is everlasting beyond this one and if your faith is in Jesus, you will spend eternity in Heaven. As I grew a little older I began to understand that my life on earth and how I live it matters. I didn't put my faith in Jesus simply to secure me for heaven and keep me from going to hell. I mean that's a huge part of it, but I am here for such a time as this for a purpose and this is not the end! I read through the pages of scripture about people just like me who chose to listen and obey God. Their life didn't always go as they planned, but God showed up in amazing miraculous ways, fulfilling His purpose and plan and He was forever faithful to His people. So many times I have looked up to the skies on a starry night, thinking about heaven some, but mainly I found myself searching for a sign. God is this your plan for my life? I know you're up there so could you just give me a shooting star, like right now if it's a yes? Don't tell me you've never done that. Listen we're in good company! The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah, “Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars…” David in Psalm 123, “To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!” Jesus in John 11, “raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” Stephen, in Acts chapter seven, about to be stoned to death, “being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” There's a reason we look up to heaven and we think about heaven, it's because we were made for it! Knowing heaven is our eternal home changes everything for every single day of this life. This world is not the end. Jesus said in John 14:3, “if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be there with me.” He's never NOT fulfilled a promise. 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. My dad left this earth on June 15th. He lived his life by faith. I know the moment he left his earthly body, he was in the presence of the Lord. His faith was made sight and because of that faith, we don't grieve as those do who are without hope! The hope and promise of heaven changes everything! My dad is there with my sweet mother in law and my grandparents and precious friends and saints that have gone on before! Christian author Randy Alcorn, wrote this about ‘Heaven'. “Earth is a in-between world touched by both Heaven and Hell. Earth leads directly into Heaven or directly into Hell, affording a choice between the two. The best of life on Earth is a glimpse of Heaven; the worst of life is a glimpse of Hell.” That's the truth. Know where you're headed. This life is not the end. Jesus is the cure for all that is broken in this world. Give your heart to him. When you do, it changes everything! I'm Lori Cline

Introduction • A few months ago I got an interesting text from Steve Walker. He said, “Hey, we're going to be going through Ephesians, and we want to know if you'll be up to preach.” • So I was like, “Yeah!” Texted him back. Absolutely. o I love Ephesians. I've been to Ephesus a couple times, maybe I'll be able to talk about some of the harbor there and the multinational city and the impact that had on the believers there. o Riot in the theater in Acts 19 and tie that into the book. The goddess Artemis. o Or maybe I'll get to say something about Apollos. I did a really cool study once on Apollos and Alexandria. Favorite.  Acts 18 mentions that he was a Jew who grew up in Egypt and went to Ephesus to preach the gospel.  It's really cool since that's where the Jewish philosopher Philo grew up. He was into rhetoric and there were a number of erudite schools in Alexandria.  Apollos may have learned some of his rhetoric from Philo and taken it to Ephesus.  Maybe I'll get to talk about that a bit! o Or maybe I can talk about Jews and Gentiles. Ephesians is all about unity between the two. My wife is Jewish, I'm not. I lived and taught in Israel for years…maybe I'll get to talk about that. • I got all excited, went home, turned to my passage in Eph 5:22 to see what I get to preach on. And these are the words I read: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” o OK, there goes Apollos, the theater, Jews/Gentile…“Wait that's the passage you give me?” o It's not exactly my first choice.

Pastor Darrell Jones breaks down Psalm 123.1-2  this morning. “1 Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He has mercy on us.”Psalm 123; 1-2 NKJV

Recorded May 5, 2023 We start with a news story about making digital content accessible and that leads to a larger discussion of accessibility in AV.  Look for that on a future show. Then we talk “selling” our campus clients on AV in order to deliver the experience they think they want; especially in conference rooms.  Marc leverages the client's business case to convince them how to spend, Justin hates the word “sales,” and the rest of us are simply trying to drive prices downward on standard spaces.   Except Chris, who is the only one of the AVSF who actually budgets projects correctly including required specialized infrastructure, labor, and contingency pricing.  It's an apples-to-oranges discussion, but Chris is correct and everyone else is wrong (because I write these descriptions). Finally, we stay on conference rooms and share our thoughts on BYOM and why it's not a thing.  Yes, we get it, you can make it happen with all-in-wonder packages, commodity AV hardware, and wireless doodads, not to mention larger switching infrastructure (unless you're doing it via IP which requires none of that), but that all pales to a simple installed PC. News: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2023-05-03-digital-accessibility-is-a-bigger-education-issue-than-we-think-here-s-what-we-can-do-about-it Alternate show titles: Still cashing those checks It's just “effort” The Easiest Way to Say No He Called you for everything he shouldn't have clicked on And you realize it was nothing that was in the ticket What you just said IS sales Half-giraffes They wanted to look good Athletics is an Arms Race I charge only in nickels and dimes I don't know what sales is to you all All the shiny furniture What's an adapter? There's a lot of letters between I and O You can bring your laptop and it will probably work

Devotional Prayer by Be Inspired by His Word © Song My life is in You, Lord, My strength is in You, Lord My hope is in You, Lord In You, it's in You. I will praise You with all of my heart. I will praise You with all of my Strength With all of my life, and all of my strength. All of my hope is in You. But You are holy, O You who are enthroned in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered]. In You our fathers trusted [leaned on, relied on, and were confident]; They trusted and You rescued them. They cried out to You and were delivered; They trusted in You and were not disappointed or ashamed. Psalms 22:3‭-‬5 AMP Prayer Lord I honour your name and worship your majesty Eternal rock of ages I praise you and give you all the glory Lord thank you for this amazing day and grace to be a partaker of your divine blessings Lord thank you for the forgiveness of sin and your blood shed for my salvation Father thank you for your grace that is forever sufficient for me Lord my hope is in you do not let me be put to shame in Jesus name Lord Jesus you are my strength in you I have capacity to do great and mighty things Father arise and rescue me from the hands of evil perpetrators and destiny destroyers Lord I commit my entire existence into your hands make my life untouchable for workers and works of darkness Abba destroy all evil plans and negativities in and around me in Jesus name Lord order my steps, teach me what to do, how to do it and when to do it Lord give me divine wisdom that makes me function above the natural human level henceforth Father negate every tongue that speaks ill of me even when I have done them no wrong Lord concerning the vessel used for this daily prayers all impacted by it and our household, do a new thing in our life, give us new songs over all our desires in Jesus name amen *Personal Prayer* Thank you abba father for answered prayers in Jesus name *Confess Daily: Sin shall not have dominion over me, I am operating in the power of the word of God. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus by faith as Jesus is so am I in this world. My hope and My life is in the king of kings. The lord is in control of all that concerns me. The one who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all I can ask or think of according to the power at work in me, has settled all that concerns me. God has made a way for me where there seems to be no way. Protocols are broken for my sake in Jesus name amen.* Today's Prayer by Be Inspired (by His Word) © 10th May 2023 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/be-inspired-by-his-word/message

Resurrection Sunday 2023 Updated: Apr 8   1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV   20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.       Matthew 27:46 NASB   46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”       Mark 15:34 NASB   34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”       Psalm 22:1 NASB   My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?       Matthew 27:38-44 NASB   38 At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” 44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.       Luke 23:34 NASB   34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.       Psalm 22:7-8; 18; 24 NASB   All who see me sneer at me;   They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying,   8 “Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him;   Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”       18 They divide my garments among them,   And for my clothing they cast lots.       24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from him;   But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.       Luke 23:42-43 NASB   42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”       Psalm 22:4-5 NASB   4 In You our fathers trusted;   They trusted and You delivered them.   5 To You they cried out and were delivered;   In You they trusted and were not disappointed.       Luke 23:44-46 NASB   44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.       Psalm 22:19-20 NASB   19 But You, O Lord, be not far off;   O You my help, hasten to my assistance.   20 Deliver my soul from the sword,   My only life from the power of the dog.       John 19:26-27 NASB   26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He *said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He *said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.       Psalm 22:9-10 NASB   9 Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb;   You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts.   10 Upon You I was cast from birth;   You have been my God from my mother's womb.       Psalm 31:5a NASB   Into Your hand I commit my spirit;       John 19:28 NASB   28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, *said, “I am thirsty.”       Psalm 22:15 NASB   15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,   And my tongue cleaves to my jaws;   And You lay me in the dust of death.       Psalm 69:21 NASB   They also gave me gall for my food   And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.       John 19:30 NASB   30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.       Psalm 22:31 NASB   31 They will come and will declare His righteousness   To a people who will be born, that He has performed it.           22 For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David; 31 For the director of music. A psalm of David; 69 For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.               Romans 8:11 NIV   11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.       Ephesians 1:18-20 NIV   18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,       Romans 12:1-2 NIV   Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.          

2023-04-09 Exalted, Not Forsakenby Pastor Chris BergScripture Reference: Psalm 221 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.2 O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer;And by night, but I have no rest.3 Yet You are holy,O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.4 In You our fathers trusted;They trusted and You delivered them.5 To You they cried out and were delivered;In You they trusted and were not disappointed.6 But I am a worm and not a man,A reproach of men and despised by the people.7 All who see me sneer at me;They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying,8 “Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him;Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”9 Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb;You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts.10 Upon You I was cast from birth;You have been my God from my mother's womb.11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near;For there is none to help.12 Many bulls have surrounded me;Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.13 They open wide their mouth at me,As a ravening and a roaring lion.14 I am poured out like water,And all my bones are out of joint;My heart is like wax;It is melted within me.15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,And my tongue cleaves to my jaws;And You lay me in the dust of death.16 For dogs have surrounded me;A band of evildoers has encompassed me;They pierced my hands and my feet.17 I can count all my bones.They look, they stare at me;18 They divide my garments among them,And for my clothing they cast lots.19 But You, O Lord, be not far off;O You my help, hasten to my assistance.20 Deliver my soul from the sword,My only life from the power of the dog.21 Save me from the lion's mouth;From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me.22 I will tell of Your name to my brethren;In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him;All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel.24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;Nor has He hidden His face from him;But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.25 From You comes my praise in the great assembly;I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him.26 The afflicted will eat and be satisfied;Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.Let your heart live forever!27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,And all the families of the nations will worship before You.28 For the kingdom is the Lord'sAnd He rules over the nations.29 All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him,Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.30 Posterity will serve Him;It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.31 They will come and will declare His righteousnessTo a people who will be born, that He has performed it.

Unto You I lift up my eyes,O You who dwell in the heavens.Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,So our eyes look to the Lord our God,Until He has mercy on us.Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us!For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.Our soul is exceedingly filledWith the scorn of those who are at ease,With the contempt of the proud (Ps. 123).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.

[v.14] – “Do not be afraid…remember the Lord…fight!” Remembering the great and awesome God was the inspiration for their preparation to fight and to work. In your work for the Lord, His Word is a most valuable and necessary asset. And in your battle against sin and the enemy, the Word of God is irreplaceable. Yes, get ready for battle – prepare, train, and work together – but never forget who we fight for and, more importantly, who fights for us. [v.21-23] – The people of God labored at the work and they never let their guard down. Always be ready, and in your preparations remember: o You are not alone. o You do not fight for yourself alone. o You do not fight by your strength alone. The battle we’re in is fought with truth – the Word of God (the sword of the Spirit).

[v.14] – “Do not be afraid…remember the Lord…fight!” Remembering the great and awesome God was the inspiration for their preparation to fight and to work. In your work for the Lord, His Word is a most valuable and necessary asset. And in your battle against sin and the enemy, the Word of God is irreplaceable. Yes, get ready for battle – prepare, train, and work together – but never forget who we fight for and, more importantly, who fights for us. [v.21-23] – The people of God labored at the work and they never let their guard down. Always be ready, and in your preparations remember: o You are not alone. o You do not fight for yourself alone. o You do not fight by your strength alone. The battle we’re in is fought with truth – the Word of God (the sword of the Spirit).

“Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭17‬:‭7

Psalm 18 is a wonderful Psalm of David. In verses 1-3, David begins this Psalm with an expression of his devotion and love for Jehovah! In verse 1, David expressed his love “I will love you…”. In verse 2, he expressed his faith, “in whom I will trust”. And in verse 3, he expressed his hope, “so shall I be saved…”. After expressing his devotion, David described his distress (vv. 4-6). He pictured himself as a man who had been hemmed in on every side, caught in a trap, bound with cords, and thrown into the water to drown. (See Psalms 88:16-18; 69:2, 15; 124:4; Job 22:11.) So what did David do, and how did he respond to his distress? He said, “In my distress, I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God.” David turned to Jehovah, his great and awesome God to help him in his distress! Do you feel like you are about to drown, and you are going under for the last time? David said that when he cried, that the “Lord heard his voice from his temple in heaven and his cry came before Him, even to His ears.” David wrote about this again in Psalm 65:2, “O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come.” My friend, please believe that the Lord will hear your cry and plea for help today because He will!!!! In verses 7-19, David describes how the Lord answered and his great God began to act on his behalf. The great deliverance (vv. 7-19) God sent is depicted as a storm. The Lord had been longsuffering with King Saul, but now His anger arose and began to shake things, like an earthquake and an erupting volcano (vv. 7-8; Ex. 15:8; Deut. 32:22). God came down in a storm, like a warrior in a chariot, carried along swiftly by a cherub. (See Gen. 3:24; Ex. 25:18; 2 Kings 19:15; Ezek. 1, 10). He was accompanied by darkness, rain, wind, hail (a rare thing in the Holy Land), thunder, and lightning (His arrows, v. 14; see 77:17, 144:6). All because David called on the Lord! (v. 6). At just the right time, God reached down and delivered David (vv. 16-19). Like Moses, he was drawn out of the water (Ex. 2:10). The enemy fell in defeat, but David stood firm, supported by the Lord (23:4). He was now king of Israel. Ten years of exile were ended, his life had been spared, and his ministry lay before him. Read these verses of God's deliverance and be encouraged today: Psalm 18:7-19 – “Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry. Smoke went up from His nostrils, And devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down With darkness under His feet. And He rode upon a cherub, and flew; He flew upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters And thick clouds of the skies. From the brightness before Him, His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire. The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire. He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe, Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered At Your rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.” My friend, God delights in you and is waiting for you to call upon Him for help! God bless!

“I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me. They have closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly. They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places.” This is one of three Psalms that David wrote and called “A Prayer of David” (Psalms 17, 86, 142). David had been anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel. He had killed Goliath and become a national hero. He had become a commander in Saul's army and was best friends with his son Jonathan. But Saul got jealous and had tried to personally kill David on two occasions in the palace and he had to flee for his life. For the next 10 years David was a fugitive in the wilderness. This is the time David cried out to the Lord for deliverance and wrote these Psalms. First, David prayed for vindication (vv. 1-5), and now he is praying for protection (vv. 6-12). The enemy had surrounded him (vv. 9, 11; and see 1 Sam. 23:19-29), and though David was a masterful military tactician, he knew that without the Lord's help, he could not escape. God was not only the righteous judge, but He was also the powerful defender who could shelter David and his men from the enemy. He used the Hebrew name El as he addressed the Lord, a name that emphasizes God's great power, for He is "the Mighty God." His request in verse 7reminds us of the "Song of Moses" in Exodus 15:1-19. Jehovah is a God of marvels and wonders (Ex. 15:11) and great unfailing love (15:13), and His right hand works for His people (15:12). If God could deliver His people from Egypt, He could deliver David from the hand of Saul. (In Ps. 18, David will celebrate that victory.) David asked for "a marvelous demonstration of God's love" in the defeat of his enemies. Have you ever felt like David with people lying about you and attempting to beat you down? I'm convinced David knew the first five books of the Bible, (“the Torah, the Law of Moses”) like the back of his hand. Our defense is still the found in our faith that comes from the Word of God and prayer! Like David, may we trust in the greatness of our God and ask Him to protect us “under the Shadow of His Wings”. God bless!

PSALM 22A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise.For the choir director; upon Aijeleth Hashshahar. A Psalm of David.1 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?bFar from my deliverance are the words of my cgroaning.2 O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer;And by night, but I have no rest.3 Yet You are holy,O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.4 In You our fathers trusted;They trusted and You delivered them.5 To You they cried out and were delivered;In You they trusted and were not disappointed.6 But I am a worm and not a man,A reproach of men and despised by the people.7 All who see me asneer at me;They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying,8 “Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him;Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”9 Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb;You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts.10 Upon You I was cast from birth;You have been my God from my mother's womb.11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near;For there is none to help.12 Many bulls have surrounded me;Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.13 They open wide their mouth at me,As a ravening and a roaring lion.14 I am poured out like water,And all my bones are out of joint;My heart is like wax;It is melted within me.15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,And my tongue cleaves to my jaws;And You lay me in the dust of death.16 For dogs have surrounded me;A band of evildoers has encompassed me;They pierced my hands and my feet.17 I can count all my bones.They look, they stare at me;18 They divide my garments among them,And for my clothing they cast lots.19 But You, O Lord, be not far off;O You my help, hasten to my assistance.20 Deliver my soul from the sword,My only life from the power of the dog.21 Save me from the lion's mouth;From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me.22 I will tell of Your name to my brethren;In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him;All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel.24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;Nor has He hidden His face from him;But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.25 From You comes my praise in the great assembly;I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him.26 The afflicted will eat and be satisfied;Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.Let your heart live forever!27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,And all the families of the nations will worship before You.28 For the kingdom is the Lord'sAnd He rules over the nations.29 All the aprosperous of the earth will eat and worship,All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him,Even he who ccannot keep his soul alive.30 aPosterity will serve Him;It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.31 They will come and will declare His righteousnessTo a people who will be born, that He has performed it.New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ps 22.

Insecurities come from attaching our identity or significance on something that is not secure. We must meditate on three truths in found in God's Word that can never change. o You are Created Uniquely o You are Loved Unconditionally o You are Redeemed Eternally

Insecurities come from attaching our identity or significance on something that is not secure. We must meditate on three truths in found in God's Word that can never change. o You are Created Uniquely o You are Loved Unconditionally o You are Redeemed Eternally

Key Points, Top Takeaways and Memorable Quotes - “Again, on the weekends, when I was with them, I was kinda full on dad because I figured I have got to make up for the fact that I'm just not around here as often as I would have wanted to be.” 8:25“Don't make everything look perfect.  If you're having a bad day, you can say to your kids, “Dad's just not having a good day today.” 11:12“It was really important that she always knew, and she really liked this, that neither her mother nor I were living vicariously through her and her sport.  This was her's, her decision, if she wanted to stop, stop, if you want to continue, continue, we really tried and we really kept an eye on her mental health.”  22:58“I come back to this whole point of asking questions.  We always talked to both kids like adults. We didn't do a lot of goo goo gah gah stuff and all that.  They also came everywhere with us.” 24:37“I get this all the time, “Do you exercise all the time because of your body and how you look? I'm like, no, this is 95% for the neck up, 5% for the neck down, and I really strongly believe that.” 25:30“I do think you just have to look at your kids and figure out what is something that may work for them.” 30:43“Expose your kids to everything.  Let them decide what they want to do, but the more exposed they get, the more educated, the more knowledgeable, the more they know how to respond to situations just because you give them that opportunity.” 32:12“I couldn't believe it when I read this article that 94% of all women in Fortune 500 C Suites, 94%, were former athletes.” 37:26“Our job too, as parents, is to provide bookends, to see where they are going and help navigate that stream.  And if it needs to open up a little bit, fine.  If you need to fine tune it a little bit fine, but you really need to have a pulse on where your child is going. 41:12“For your parents, listening: who you choose as your friends has a significant impact on your children.” 47:35“I say this to people all the time with an Entrepreneurial idea: figure out if it's a human capital business or like, something you can produce, you know, a widget, a clothing store, do you know what I'm trying to say, a bookstore.” 49:31“Hands down, don't take yourself so seriously, Jim.  Knock it off.  Don't be so hard on yourself.” 51:01“The poor want to be rich, the rich want to be happy.  The single wanna be married, and the married want to be dead.” -Jim quoted Dear Abby @ 52:43 Guest Bio - Jim Karas is a Lifestyle Expert who combines a degree from the Wharton School of Business with 36+ years of unparalleled success in helping people look and feel their very best.Jim is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Business Plan for the Body, the New York Times bestsellers, The Cardio-Free Diet, The 7-Day Energy Surge, The Petite Advantage Diet, Flip The Switch and The Ultimate Diet Revolution. His newest book, Confessions of a Division-1 Athlete was released in June of 2021, co-authored with his daughter, Olivia Karas.Jim has been the Fitness Contributor on ABC's Good Morning America (he helped former co-host Diane Sawyer lose over 25 pounds), is frequently seen on 20/20 and The Dr. Oz Show.Jim is a widely sought after as a key note speaker for many of the world's most prominent corporations and organizations such as Oprah's O You, Kraft Foods, Fortune Brands, Blue Cross BlueShield, the Federal Reserve, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Young and World Presidents' Organization.Jim has served as a Contributing Editor for Good Housekeeping magazine and has written feature articles for countless other national publications, including “O” The Oprah Magazine (he helped Editor-At Large and Oprah's bff, Gayle King, lose 25 pounds) Jim and his team of trainers have personally worked with People magazine's “Sexiest Man Alive,” Hugh Jackman, and with countless other celebrities, CEOs and Soccer Moms in Chicago and New York.  Show Notes - 0:00 - What I Meant to Say Podcast Intro0:23 - Introducing Jim Karas0:40 - Welcome to Jim Karas1:20 - What is Your Background in Fitness?7:13 - Family Role and Relationships with Your Children11:48 - Writing ‘Confessions of a Division 1 Athlete' with Your Daughter, Olivia14:25 - We Edited the Book During the Pandemic16:43 - The Story of the Conflict with Olivia's Coach During Her Club Development19:45 - There is a Price to Being Great at One Thing22:03 - It's Better Not to Live Vicariously Through Your Kids23:59 - How Do You Recommend That Parents Start to Recognize the Personality Traits in Their Kids?28:13 - What Were Some of the Things You Encountered with Evan and Olivia Through this Journey?33:36 - BB Commercial33:45 - The Recruiting Path to Michigan37:22 - 94% of Women in Fortune 500 C Suites39:31 - The Concept of Grit42:30 - The Role of Recovery 44:26 - How Did You Help Olivia Navigate Finding Her Identity After Gymnastics?48:23 - Where Do You Take Your Entrepreneurial Route From Here?50:46 - One Piece of Advice to Your Younger Self54:24 - Thank You for the Conversation Today55:02 - WIMTS Podcast Closing Links & Where to Find Jim - www.jimkaras.comIG - @jim.karas@jimkaras_intelligentfit @chicgocryospa Book: The Business Plan for the BodyBook: Confessions of a Division 1 Athlete

https://gratefulguilt.com/ S2HRTS@VERIZON.NET Instructions - Discuss Audio Book, multiple heart transplants and the rare experiences with the donor family Two Time Heart Transplant Patient, Steven G. Taibbi, Meets Family of Donor Following publication of GRATEFUL GUILT: Living in the Shadow of My Heart Now Available in Audio on Google Play, Kobo, Walmart, Scribd, Chirp, Apple, NOOK Audiobooks, HiBooks and LibroFM In a rare moment of extended family bonding, Steven Taibbi (author of Grateful Guilt: Living in the Shadow of My Heart) - a two time heart donor recipient - just met with the family of the recent donor. The donor, David Jason Jocobo, a healthy 36 year old man, suffered a brain aneurysm and collapsed in front of the family, dying just three days later. A multiple organ donor, he has now saved many lives, including that of Mr Taibbi. The family, that did not originally respond to the thank you from Mr. Taibbi, would later contact him when they were ready. The donors mother expressed their desire to meet him in a note. Steven arrived with a stethoscope in hand, should they wish to listen to the heart of their son and father beating in Steven's chest. All of the women in the family (mother, sister, daughter, ex-wife and aunt) took turns listening, while the male members (father and sons) opted not to listen. They informed Steven that night, they consider him family now. Statistically, only 3% of donor families answer any cooresponde nce, let alone meet the recipient and it someetimes does not go well. However, in this case the donor's mother expressed her joy that her son's life helped not only save Steven's life, but several others as a multiple organ donor. TAIBBI BACKGROUND - Do you remember when cable television was so new that "Lifetime" was a show and not a network? And when Dr. Ruth shocked the nation with her cable show, "Good Sex with Dr. Ruth"? Steven was among the group that worked on those and many of the other original cable shows. with Joan Lunden, Joy Philbin, Cyndi Lauper, Richard Lewis as hosts early in their careers and, of course, guest stars. ALL while being told he had an expiration date ... that , to date, gratefully has not come. “I've been told I have a year to live 3 different times and I've beaten it 3 different times. How did I do it? I've found that there are certain fundamental things I had to do immediately if I wanted to live and prove the doctors wrong:” - Steven Taibbi Topics and Tips to survival discussed include: o Living with an experation date. o Communicating with the donor families and they like to listen to the heart of their loved one beating him his chest. o Getting over ones self almost instantly - When feel sad and sorry for oneself, express it and get it out of your system. Allowing yourself almost no time or room for a pity party and that gives you strength and determination to come out of the situation on the other side alive and healthy. o Putting on mental armor, sword in hand, pull down the visor on my helmet and prepare to do battle. o I make sure of my attitude. There is only one attitude you allow yourself to have and that is gratitude: o You can't do battle and cry at the same time. It's impossible. o Be your own advocate, in a very active way. Watch caregivers carefully, especially during sterilization protocols. o Dignity should be kept intact to the highest level the situation will allow. o A sense of humor and the use of humor has actually saved lives. o Wear your own clothes at the hospital helps you keep your dignity in tact and you are treated differently than if you are in a gown. o Maybe most important, be extra super polite to everyone who comes into your room, be it an office visit or a hospital stay. Make friends with everyone. If they like you, they will want to help me even more.

Tuesday, 31 May 2022   But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, Acts 7:55   The words of the previous verse said that upon hearing the words of Stephen, those who heard them “were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.” With that said, Luke next notes, “But he.”   It is referring to Stephen. He is set in contrast to those who were like enraged animals snarling at him. Instead, it says of him, “being full of the Holy Spirit.”   This was just as promised by Jesus. First, it is a reminder that everything Stephen had said has been under the influence of the Spirit and in accord with His intents –   “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11, 12   Also, it is an indication that Stephen was covered in the peace that can only come from being filled with the Holy Spirit –   “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26, 27   As this is so, it also confirms that this council of leaders did not have the Holy Spirit to guide them. Instead, they stood as enemies of God because of their rejection of Christ. Stephen had said, “You always resist the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51). This truth is borne out in the filling of Stephen, of whose words they rejected. As Jesus said –   “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15-18   Next, in this state of being filled with the Holy Spirit, Luke says that Stephen “gazed into heaven.” It is the natural reaction of someone who is at his wit's end. As humans, we may look away from something in disgust, we may look down in dejection, or we may look to heaven in hope of relief or to refocus our thoughts on higher things. It is the state that David wrote about –   “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.” Psalm 5:3   Stephen, finding no reassurance in the reaction from the council, lifted his eyes unto heaven “and saw the glory of God.”   It is the hope of the human soul. We look to heaven in hopes of discernment, relief, and stabilization of our thoughts, but we do so not really expecting to see anything but the roof of the building we are in or the expanse of the sky under which we stand. However, Stephen was given the relief for his soul that countless others of the past had hoped to find –   “Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He has mercy on us. 3 Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scorn of those who are at ease, With the contempt of the proud.” Psalm 123   In his looking up and beholding the glory of God, we are then given an insight into the exaltation of the Lord Jesus through what Stephen saw. Luke records that he saw the glory of God “and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”   Several key points can be determined from this. One is that seeing the glory of God does not mean that a person has seen God. Both Paul and John confirm this –   “I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:13-16   “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12   Stephen saw the glory that let him know that God is there, even if He cannot be seen. Another point we can learn from this is one that has already been revealed earlier in Acts where Peter said, “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33).   To be at the right hand is not a physical location. God does not have parts. Rather, it signifies being at the position of all power and authority. It is a confirmation of the deity of Jesus. He is the physical manifestation of who God is. Through Him, the unseen God becomes knowable and understandable.   Thirdly, it says that this Jesus, who appears in the position of authority and power as He dwells in the glory of God, is standing. Acts has already said that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God (Acts 2:34). It is also recorded several times in the gospels, in Ephesians, and in Hebrews. This then reveals to us that a change has taken place. A potentate will sit on his throne as a sign of rule and authority. For him to rise to a standing position will signify the bestowal of an honor, such as the knighting of a person or the crowning of an authority figure under him. It may even occur as a sign of welcoming someone to whom the king is intimately connected –   “Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king's mother; so she sat at his right hand.” 1 Kings 2:19   Jesus, who is at the position of all authority and power, sitting at the right hand of God while dwelling in His glory, arose. It is a sign of welcoming family, of the closest friendship, and of honoring His subordinate. It is to confer a crown – the crown of life – upon him, and to welcome him into his new home. It is the mark of honor to the person whom Scripture will reveal is the church's first martyr.   Life application: If any set of verses in Scripture shows us the affection of the Lord for His people, it is these verses concerning the coming death of Stephen. The Lord rose to acknowledge the one who would be His first recorded martyr. He will rise again someday when the last saint of the church age is brought into the number to be saved. At that moment, the call will go forth, and the church will be brought to Him.   Jesus is aware of every single person who is His. The deaths of His saints are not only known to Him, but they are being carefully recorded and tallied. Each brings us one count closer to the moment that our faith in Him has promised will come –   “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18   For the Lord to descend from heaven, He must first arise from the place of His sitting. Arise, Lord! Come for Your people. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.   Heavenly Father, You have sent Your Son to complete a mission and to call Him back to Your throne in heaven. But someday, He will arise from that throne to gather His people together. We long for that day, and may it be soon. Until then, give us patience as we live out our lives in hopeful anticipation of that glorious day. Amen.  

Have you ever met someone who is so filled with hope, enamoured by hope and literally lives in the space of hope that you had no choice but to have hope? Ladies and gentlemen, storytelling connoisseurs, join the world's first virtual storytelling train this Tuesday as we make a stop in Ghana by way of Florida with the Legendary HOPEMONGER herself Aba Cato Andah as she takes us on a journey up memory lane. O You do not want to miss this one …. #TellingAfricanStories #Hopemong… See more

“O You of great intellect, not even the demigods can fathom the level of Your intelligence. Due to bereavement Your wisdom is currently in a dormant state, and I am here to rouse it.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 66.19)

Psa 22:2  O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest.Psa 22:3  Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.Psa 22:4  In You our fathers trusted; They trusted and You delivered them.Psa 22:5  To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed.

17 Hear a just cause, O Lord,Attend to my cry;Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.2 Let my vindication come from Your presence;Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.3 You have tested my heart;You have visited me in the night;You have tried me and have found nothing;I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.4 Concerning the works of men,By the word of Your lips,I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.5 Uphold my steps in Your paths,That my footsteps may not slip.6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,O You who save those who trust in YouFrom those who rise up against them.8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,9 From the wicked who oppress me,From my deadly enemies who surround me.10 They have closed up their fat hearts;With their mouths they speak proudly.11 They have now surrounded us in our steps;They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey,And like a young lion lurking in secret places.13 Arise, O Lord,Confront him, cast him down;Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,14 With Your hand from men, O Lord,From men of the world who have their portion in this life,And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.They are satisfied with children,And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Order of Service: - Prelude - Opening Prayer : P: Almighty God, stretch forth the right hand of Your majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; C: Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. P: Attend us with Your grace in all temptations. C: By Your Holy Spirit keep us in Your Word, that we may be delivered from the adversary, and obtain eternal salvation. All: Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Amen. - Hymn 256 - When Afflictions Sore Oppress You: vv. 1-3 - Romans 8: 31-35: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 256 - When Afflictions Sore Oppress You: vv. 4 & 5 - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Chaplain Don Moldstad (Preacher), Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Organist)

The Western Piedmont Symphony's next Masterworks concert on features baritone Sidney Outlaw who performs Wagner's "O You, My Fair Evening Star" and Mahler's "Songs of a Wayfarer". Hear Outlaw and Western Piedmont music director Matthew Troy chat about everything from Mahler's intent when he wrote "Songs of a Wayfarer" to the preparation necessary for performing such a work to their best practices as musicians for surviving the pandemic. Sidney Outlaw , baritone Matthew Troy , conductor

Notas. Inglés y Español ⬇️December 21: Songs on the way to the temple in the city of God.Psalms 120:5-7:Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.Psalms 121:1-8:I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.Psalms 122:1-5:I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to the Testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For thrones are set there for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.Psalms 123:1-2:Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy on us.Psalms 124:1-5: “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” let Israel now say— “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul;then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul.”We are going to begin a series of psalms that were written to be sung at a special event. Every time the Israelites went up to the temple to celebrate the holy festivals and offer sacrifices and offerings, they sang these songs on the way. These psalms range from Psalms 120 to 135. They are short psalms but with very beautiful teachings. Today I have read a portion of the first four psalms, so I encourage you to read them in their entirety.The 120 is a psalm of someone who lives far from his land. This psalm served as a consolation to those Jews who came from distant lands and who have felt alone and possibly attacked in the land where they live. Possibly they suffered contempt for being Jews and were continually attacked. This psalm is a cry to the Lord to free them from those who want to harm them and hate peace.The 121 is one of the most psalms recognized in the Bible. I encourage you to learn it by heart. This psalm strengthens your faith when you feel helpless and alone. If you find yourself in a dead end situation, raise your gaze to the holy mountain of God and cry out to Him. The 122 is a psalm that was possibly sung on the way to Jerusalem, when the writer began to see that multitude of worshipers on the road going to the tabernacle or temple where the ark of the Lord was located, which represented the presence of God. Nowadays, we can feel the same when we come to the temple to worship Jesus Christ and we see families come to celebrate and worship the Lord.The 123 is another psalm that expresses the longing for the presence of God. That desire to deliver the offering into the hands of the priest so that he intercedes for them to God and God forgives their sin, or receives their offering of peace and reconciliation, or receives the vows promised by God's blessing on their behalf at some point of their lives throughout the year. May this psalm inspire you to seek the Owner and Lord of our lives and favor you. The 124 is one of the psalms that express that satisfaction and gratitude for the protection and liberation from the hand of men with position and authority to destroy and annihilate. How many times have the Jews, for generations, lived through this persecution with attempts to be exterminated, but the Lord has always kept a remnant and, after centuries and millennia, this people continues to exist. How great is the God of Israel and ours!Consider this:How do you feel when you come to church and see your brothers and sisters in Christ?I am your friend Eduardo Rodríguez. May the Lord Jesus gladly receive your offering.Listen to the song "Shalom sea la paz" from the album "Preparad el camino".≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈Diciembre 21: Canciones de camino al templo en la ciudad de Dios.Salmos 120:5‭-‬7 RVA2015:¡Ay de mí, que soy peregrino en Mesec, y habito en las tiendas de Quedar! Mucho tiempo ha habitado sola mi alma con los que aborrecen la paz. Yo soy pacífico; pero cuando hablo ellos me hacen la guerra.Salmos 121:1‭-‬8 RVA2015:Alzaré mis ojos a los montes; ¿de dónde vendrá mi socorro? Mi socorro viene del SEÑOR, que hizo los cielos y la tierra. No permitirá que resbale tu pie ni se adormecerá el que te guarda. He aquí, no se adormecerá ni se dormirá el que guarda a Israel. El SEÑOR es tu protector; el SEÑOR es tu sombra a tu mano derecha. El sol no te herirá de día ni la luna de noche. El SEÑOR te guardará de todo mal; él guardará tu vida. El SEÑOR guardará tu salida y tu entrada desde ahora y para siempre.Salmos 122:1‭-‬5 RVA2015:Yo me alegré con los que me decían: “¡Vayamos a la casa del SEÑOR!”. Ya se posan nuestros pies ante tus puertas, oh Jerusalén. ¡Oh Jerusalén, que ha sido edificada como una ciudad toda compacta! Allá suben las tribus, las tribus del SEÑOR, las congregaciones de Israel, para alabar el nombre del SEÑOR. Porque allá están los tronos para el juicio, los tronos de la casa de David.Salmos 123:1‭-‬2 RVA2015:A ti, que habitas en los cielos, levanto mis ojos. He aquí, como los ojos de los siervos miran la mano de sus amos, y como los ojos de la sierva miran la mano de su ama, así nuestros ojos miran al SEÑOR, nuestro Dios, hasta que tenga compasión de nosotros.Salmos 124:1‭-‬5 RVA2015:“Si el SEÑOR no hubiera estado por nosotros”, dígalo, por favor, Israel, “si el SEÑOR no hubiera estado por nosotros cuando se levantaron contra nosotros los hombres, entonces nos habrían tragado vivos cuando se encendió su furor contra nosotros; entonces las aguas nos habrían inundado; el torrente habría pasado sobre nosotros; entonces las aguas tumultuosas habrían pasado sobre nosotros”.Vamos a comenzar una serie de salmos que fueron escritos para ser cantados en un evento especial. Cada vez que los israelitas subían al templo para celebrar las fiestas sagradas y ofrecer sacrificios y ofrendas, ellos cantaban estos cánticos en el camino. Estos salmos abarcan desde el salmo 120 hasta el 135. Son salmos cortos pero con enseñanzas muy lindas. Hoy he leído una porción de los primeros cuatro salmos, así que te animo para que los leas en su totalidad.El 120 es un salmo de alguien que vive lejos de su tierra. Este salmo sirvió de consolación a aquellos judíos que venían de lejanas tierras y que se han sentido solos y posiblemente atacados en la tierra donde viven. Posiblemente sufrían menosprecio por ser judíos y eran continuamente atacados. Este salmo es un clamor al Señor para que los libre de los que quieren hacerles mal y odian la paz.El 121 es uno de los salmos más reconocidos en la Biblia. Te animo a que lo aprendas de memoria. Este salmo fortalece tu fe cuando te sientas desprotegido y solo. Si te encuentras en una situación sin salida, levanta tu mirada al monte santo de Dios y clama a Él. El 122 es un salmo que posiblemente lo cantaban de camino a Jerusalén, cuando el escritor comenzaba a ver en el camino a esa multitud de adoradores dirigiéndose al tabernáculo o el templo donde se encontraba el arca del Señor, que representaba la presencia de Dios. Hoy en día, podemos sentir lo mismo cuando llegamos al templo a adorar a Jesucristo y vemos a las familias llegar a celebrar y adorar al Señor.El 123 es otro salmo que expresa el anhelo por la presencia de Dios. Ese anhelo de entregar la ofrenda en las manos del sacerdote para que interceda por ellos a Dios y Dios perdone su pecado, o reciba su ofrenda de paz y reconciliación, o reciba los votos prometidos por la bendición de Dios a favor de ellos en algún momento de sus vidas durante el transcurso del año. Que este salmo te inspire a buscar al Dueño y Señor de nuestras vidas y te favorezca. El 124 es uno de los salmos que expresan esa satisfacción y agradecimiento por la protección y liberación de la mano de hombres con posición y autoridad para destruir y aniquilar. Cuántas veces los judíos, por generaciones, han vivido esa persecución con intentos de ser exterminados, pero el Señor siempre ha guardado un remanente y, después de siglos y milenios, este pueblo sigue existiendo. ¡Cuan grande es el Dios de Israel y el nuestro!Considera:¿Qué sensación sientes cuando llegas a la iglesia y ves a tus hermanos en Cristo?Soy tu amigo Eduardo Rodríguez. Que el Señor Jesús reciba con agrado tu ofrenda.Escucha la canción "Shalom sea la paz", del álbum "Preparad el camino".#HogaresDePacto #KingdomChurch #IglesiaElReino #IPUH #PastorCarlos #CarlosRodriguez#EduardoRodriguez #PoderCaster #salmos #salmo120 #salmo121 #salmo122 #salmo123 #salmo124

‘the macrocosmic Lord's Prayer' AUM, Amen! The evil holds sway. Witness of the ‘I' severed Selfhood guilt through others incurred Experienced in the daily bread. In which heaven's will is not being done, For man deserted your kingdom, And forgot your names, O You fathers in the heavens. In Grosse's book he reports how Steiner spoke it at the laying of the Foundation Stone in the Dornach Hill on 20 September 1913. And it was during those Holy Nights that Steiner gave insights for the 1sttime about the Epic of Gilgamesh. As on offset I also spoke The Lord's Prayer as Prayed by Rudolf Steiner: Father, you who are, were and will be in our inmost being May Your Name be glorified and praised in us May Your Kingdom grow in our deeds and inmost lives May we perform Your Will as You, Father, lay it down in our inmost being You give us spiritual nourishment, the Bread of Life, super abundantly In all the changing conditions of our lives. Let our mercy toward others make up for the sins done to our being. You do not allow the tempter to work in us beyond the capacity of our strength, For no temptation can live in Your Being, Father, And the tempter is only appearance and delusion From which you lead us, Father, through the light of knowledge. May Your power and glory work in us through all periods and ages of time. The Lord's Prayer translated from Aramaic O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration. Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your Presence can abide. Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission. Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire. Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish. Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes. Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment. For you are the ground and the fruitful vision, the birth, power and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again. https://reverseritual.com/research/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hazel-archer-ginsberg/message

Notas en inglés y español ⬇️ November 15: He hears the prayer of protection and gratitude.Psalms 64:1-10:Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the rebellion of the workers of iniquity, who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the blameless; suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear. They encourage themselves in an evil matter; they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, “Who will see them?” They devise iniquities: “We have perfected a shrewd scheme.”Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep. But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded. So He will make them stumble over their own tongue; all who see them shall flee away. All men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider His doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him. And all the upright in heart shall glory.Psalms 65:1-8:Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; and to You the vow shall be performed. O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them. Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple. By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far-off seas; who established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power; You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples. They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice.Today we are going to study Psalms 64 and 65. I have read all of Psalm 64; please don't forget to read the missing verses from 65.Psalm 64 begins with a request that the psalmist made to the Lord. David asked the Lord to help him not develop a fear for enemies. David was aware that when the bad guys met secretly to make plans they became very dangerous people. David described the danger when a person uses his words to do evil. This confirms to us what the apostle James taught us about the tongue. The danger when we use words to persuade others to do wrong. Through gossip or a bad comment there are people who have damaged friendships and others have even lost their lives due to misunderstandings, due to the recklessness of many who with a bad heart use their words to destroy.The psalm 65 is a psalm of joy where the psalmist expresses with all his heart that great privilege of having been chosen by the Lord as His people. That is why the psalmist expressed that all praise and adoration belongs to the Lord, especially when it comes from those who have been blessed by the Lord to be in His house.May this day be an opportunity to learn to trust the Lord more and not fear those who rise up against us. Understanding that there are bad people who rise up against us, the Lord will make them fall into their own traps, reaping what they sowed with their evil intentions. Also let us affirm our identity in God today. Our praises belong to the Lord because we are His chosen ones, the ones who can enter the presence of the Lord, who have received the revelation of His power and His divine purposes with us. Get together with your family today to make a commitment to the Lord and become worshipers; may they never doubt God's provision, His justice in times of oppression, and the hope that many like us are waiting for an answer from the Lord, who never fails us. Consider this:Are we waiting for the Lord to defend us or are we doing it our way?Are we giving the Lord what belongs to him, which is our praise at all times?I recommend the song "Tú Eres Todo" by the group Miel San Marcos. ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈Noviembre 15: Él escucha la oración de protección y agradecimiento.Salmos 64:1‭-‬10 RVA2015:Escucha, oh Dios, mi voz en mi oración; guarda mi vida del miedo al enemigo. Escóndeme del consejo secreto de los malhechores, del tumulto de los que obran iniquidad. Ellos afilan su lengua como espadas, y disponen palabras amargas como flechas para tirarlas a escondidas contra el inocente. De repente tiran contra él, y no temen. Se alientan unos a otros en perverso designio y planean esconder trampas. Dicen: “¿Quién nos ha de ver?”. Traman maldad, hacen un minucioso complot hasta en el íntimo pensamiento del hombre y lo profundo del corazón. Pero Dios los herirá con sus propias flechas. De repente les sobrevendrán sus heridas. Los hará caer por la propia lengua de ellos; todos los que los vean moverán la cabeza. Todos los hombres temerán; anunciarán la obra de Dios y entenderán sus hechos. El justo se alegrará en el SEÑOR y confiará en él. Se gloriarán todos los rectos de corazón.Salmos 65:1‭-‬8 RVA2015:En Sion, oh Dios, te corresponde la alabanza; a ti serán pagados los votos. Tú oyes la oración; a ti acudirá todo ser. Las palabras de iniquidad prevalecen contra mí pero tú perdonarás nuestras rebeliones. Bienaventurado el hombre que tú escoges y haces que se acerque a ti para que habite en tus atrios. Seremos saciados del bien de tu casa, de tu santo templo. Con hechos tremendos nos responderás en justicia, oh Dios de nuestra salvación, esperanza de todos los confines de la tierra y de todos los mares más distantes. Tú eres el que afirmas las montañas con poder, ceñido de poderío. Tú eres el que sosiegas el estruendo de los mares, el estruendo de las olas y el tumulto de los pueblos. Por eso los habitantes de los confines de la tierra tienen temor de tus maravillas. Tú haces cantar de júbilo a las salidas de la mañana y de la noche.Hoy vamos a estudiar los salmos 64 y 65. He leído todo el salmo 64; por favor, no olvides leer los versos que faltan del 65.El salmo 64 comienza con una petición que el salmista le hizo al Señor. David le pidió al Señor que lo ayudara a no desarrollar un temor por los enemigos. David era consciente que cuando los malos se reunían en secreto para hacer planes se convertían en personas muy peligrosas. David describió el peligro que hay cuando una persona utiliza sus palabras para hacer el mal. Esto nos confirma lo que el apóstol Santiago nos enseñó sobre la lengua. El peligro cuando usamos las palabras para persuadir a otros a hacer el mal. Por medio de un chisme o un mal comentario hay personas que han dañado amistades y otros hasta han perdido la vida por malentendidos, por la imprudencia de muchos que con un corazón malo utiliza sus palabras para destruir.El salmo 65 es un salmo de alegría donde el salmista expresa con todo su corazón ese gran privilegio de haber sido escogidos por el Señor como pueblo Suyo. Por eso el salmista expresó que toda la alabanza y adoración le pertenecen al Señor, especialmente cuando proviene de aquellos que han sido bendecidos por el Señor para estar en Su casa.Que este día sea una oportunidad para poder aprender a confiar más en el Señor y no temer a los que se levantan en contra nuestra. Entendiendo que hay personas malas que se levantan contra nosotros, el Señor hará que ellos mismos caigan en sus propias trampas, recogiendo lo que sembraron con sus malas intenciones. También afirmemos hoy nuestra identidad en Dios. Nuestras alabanzas pertenecen al Señor porque somos Sus escogidos, los que podemos entrar a la presencia del Señor, a los que hemos recibido la revelación de Su poder y Sus propósitos divinos con nosotros. Reúnete hoy con tu familia para que hagan un compromiso con el Señor y conviértanse en adoradores; que nunca duden de la provisión de Dios, de Su justicia en momentos de opresión, y de la esperanza que muchos como nosotros están esperando una respuesta del Señor, el que nunca nos falla. Considera:¿Estamos esperando que el Señor nos defienda o lo estamos haciendo a nuestra manera?¿Estamos dando al Señor lo que le pertenece, que es nuestra alabanza en todo tiempo?Te recomiendo la canción "Tú Eres Todo" del grupo Miel San Marcos. #HogaresDePacto #KingdomChurch #IglesiaElReino #IPUH #PastorCarlos #CarlosRodriguez #oracion#EduardoRodriguez #PoderCaster #salmos #salmo64

Notas en inglés y español⬇️Noviembre 12: Librado de la emboscada.Salmos 58:10‭-‬11 RVA2015Salmos 59:1‭-‬17 RVA2015El día de hoy vamos a utilizar dos salmos, el 58 y el 59, porque los dos tienen un tema en común y es cómo el malo ataca sin piedad, pero a la vez, cómo Dios nos libra en esos momentos.Estos dos salmos son un clamor de David exponiendo las actitudes destructivas de los malvados que desde temprana edad dañaron su corazón para hacerlo malo y que son comparados como la serpiente o una cobra venenosa que está dispuesta a envenenar a cualquiera que estén al frente de ellos. Te animo para que leas todo el salmo completo. El salmo 59 es muy parecido; y la Biblia especifica que fue escrito cuando Saúl envió a los soldados en la noche para que secuestraran a David, sorprendiéndolo cuando él estuviera dormido y matarlo en la mañana. Prácticamente, David sufrió su primera emboscada y fue tanto su decepción al enterarse que el rey al que él tanto servía y que era su suegro había decidido eliminarlo como a un criminal.Ese odio sorprendió a David, aunque Saúl ya había amenazado de muerte muchas veces a David. El caso de David es muy complejo, sabiendo que Saúl estaba dominado por espíritus malos que lo estaban llevando a cometer varias acciones atroces como matar a la familia sacerdotal de Ahimelec como lo aprendimos en el salmo 52. Te invito a que busques este devocional y lo escuches o lo leas otra vez.Esto nos ilustra cómo personas que habían sido escogidas por Dios se dejaron llevar por el orgullo y arrogancia, por lo cual el Espíritu de Dios los abandonó y ahora están haciendo obras de maldad pero vestidos como ungidos de Dios.¿Qué vas a hacer? ¿Te vas a rebajar al nivel de ellos? ¿Vas a pagar mal por mal? Toma la posición de David. Haz todo lo posible en cuidar tu vida, tu mente y tu corazón. Reconoce que muchos abusan de su poder para manipular y destruir a su prójimo, identifica sus malas intenciones y protege tu vida, pero nunca cometas sus mismas acciones. Muchos se frustran cuando un líder es injusto y entonces toman una actitud de odio o resentimiento. Se desaniman y dejan abandonado el ministerio que estaban desarrollando o peor aun, abandonan los caminos de Dios, arrastrando con ellos a su familia, afectando sus vidas espirituales. Es doloroso ver que, por un impulso de frustración, destruyen lo lindo que Dios está haciendo con ellos. David fue pulido en la prueba. ¡Tú también pasa la prueba!Y más bien, deja la justicia en las manos del Señor, clama a Él y espera, porque verás cómo el Señor quebranta al maligno. Dedica tu vida al servicio del Señor, haciendo el bien y adorando en todo momento. ¡Canta de Su poder! como lo declara David. Mientras ellos buscaban matar a David en la mañana, ¡Dios no lo permitió, porque Dios se agradaba de la alabanza de David! Por eso Dios lo puso en un lugar alto donde Saúl no pudiera encontrarlo. Dios siempre lo libró del mal, lo protegió, y el mismo David sentía que estaba dentro de una fortaleza, seguro del poder de un ejército y de un rey malo.Soy tu amigo y hermano Eduardo Rodriguez. Que el Señor Jesucristo escuche tu oración y tu cántico declarando el poder de Dios.Te recomiendo la canción titulada ''Tu Poder'' (Creo en Ti ) de Tauren Wells y Christine D' Clario.Recuerda que vamos a estar estudiando dos salmos en un día cuando sean parecidos o cuando sean muy cortos. Bendiciones.≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈November 12: Delivered from ambush.Psalms 58:10-11:The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.”Psalms 59:1-17:Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; defend me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloodthirsty men. For look, they lie in wait for my life; the mighty gather against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord. They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold! You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations; do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. SelahAt evening they return, they growl like a dog, and go all around the city. Indeed, they belch with their mouth; swords are in their lips; for they say, “Who hears?” But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision. I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense. My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies. Do not slay them, lest my people forget; scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield. For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak. Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be; and let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. SelahAnd at evening they return, they growl like a dog, and go all around the city. They wander up and down for food, and howl if they are not satisfied. But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy.Today we are going to use two psalms, 58 and 59, because both have a common theme and it is how the wicked attack without mercy, but at the same time, how God frees and saves us in those moments.These two psalms are a cry of David exposing the destructive attitudes of the wicked who from an early age damaged his heart to make it evil and are compared as a snake or a poisonous cobra that is willing to poison anyone who is at the front of them. I encourage you to read the entire psalm. Psalm 59 is very similar; and the Bible specifies that it was written when Saul sent the soldiers at night to kidnap David, surprising him when he was asleep and killing him in the morning. Practically, David suffered his first ambush and was so disappointed when he found out that the king he served so much and who was his father-in-law had decided to eliminate him like a criminal.That hatred surprised David, even though Saul had already threatened David with death many times. David's case is very complex, knowing that Saul was dominated by evil spirits that were leading him to commit several heinous actions such as killing the priestly family of Ahimelech as we learned in Psalm 52. I invite you to look for this devotional and listen or read it again.This illustrates how people who had been chosen by God were carried away by pride and arrogance, for which the Spirit of God abandoned them and now they are doing evil deeds but dressed as God's anointed.What are you going to do? Are you going to lower yourself to their level? Are you going to pay bad for bad? Take David's position. Do your best to take care of your life, your mind and your heart. Recognize that many abuse their power to manipulate and destroy their neighbor, identify their bad intentions and protect your life, but never commit the same actions. Many get frustrated when a leader is unfair and then take an attitude of hatred or resentment. They get discouraged and abandon the ministry they were developing or worse, they abandon God's ways, dragging their family with them, affecting their spiritual lives. It is painful to see that, out of an impulse of frustration, they destroy the beautiful thing that God is doing with them. David was polished on the test. You too pass the test!And rather, leave justice in the hands of the Lord, cry out to Him and wait, because you will see how the Lord breaks the evil one. Dedicate your life to the service of the Lord, doing good and worshiping at all times. Sing of His power! as David declared it. As they sought to kill David in the morning, God did not allow it, because God was pleased with David's praise! That is why God put him in a high place where Saul could not find him. God always freed and saved him from evil, protected him, and David himself felt that he was inside a fortress, safe from the power of an army and an evil king.I am your friend and brother Eduardo Rodriguez. May the Lord Jesus Christ hear your prayer and your song declaring the power of God.I recommend the song titled “Tu Poder” (Creo en Ti) by Tauren Wells and Christine D 'Clario.Remember that we will be studying two psalms in one day when they are similar or when they are very short. Blessings.

Devotional Prayer by Be Inspired by His Word © Song by Maverick city music God of Abraham You're the God of covenant And of faithful promises Time and time again You have proven You'll do just what You said Though the storms may come and the winds may blow I'll remain steadfast And let my heart learn, when You speak a word It will come to pass Great is Your faithfulness to me Great is Your faithfulness to me From the rising sun to the setting same I will praise Your name Great is Your faithfulness to me I put my faith in Jesus My anchor to the ground My hope and firm foundation He'll never let me down But You are holy, O You who are enthroned in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered]. In You our fathers trusted [leaned on, relied on, and were confident]; They trusted and You rescued them. Psalms 22:3‭-‬4 AMP Prayer Almighty father I thank you for another wonderful day and grace of life King of kings thank you for this amazing grace given to me each and every day Abba thank you for the forgiveness of my sin and your blood shed for my salvation Father thank you for always being faithful even when I am unfaithful to you Jehovah thank you for releasing your fragrance of mercy and blessing over me Lord thank you for never putting me to shame Lord thank you for increasing my faith and trust in you, over all that I do Lord thank you for healing from the innermost part of my life to the outside Lord thank you for allowing me to witness the last day of October Thank you father for grace to end this month well and in your unfailing love I decree every situation that is unpleasant in any aspect of my life ends with this month in Jesus name I decree the faithful hands of God has brought me into a new era of divine encounters and opportunities I decree my life is forever moving higher and my coast is enlarging in the will of God I decree the favour of God that surpass the understanding of man is resting over my life I decree concerning the vessel used for this daily prayer all impacted by it and our household, you are our anchor lord remove permanently every shame and pain in Jesus name amen *Begin to renounce and rebuke those things you do not want to see again* Thank you faithful father for answered prayers in Jesus name *Confess Daily; Sin shall not have dominion over me, I am operating in the power of the word of God. I am the righteousness of God by faith as Jesus is so am I in this world. My faith is in Christ Jesus always, He is my hope and my firm foundation. He is my deliverer and my sustainer. He is my confidence and my confidant, He will never let me down. My trust is in Christ Jesus, my life is secured in Him, I have strength, I have faith and I will never be put to shame or dismayed in Jesus name amen.* Today's Prayer by Be Inspired (by His Word) © 31st October 2021 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/be-inspired-by-his-word/message

REVELATION 2:8-11 To the Church in Smyrna 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ INTRODUCTION – COMFORTING THE AFFLICTED Many have said that the Preacher should have two aims when it comes to preaching to a group of people: 1. Comfort the Afflicted 2. Afflict the Comfortable In our first letter, we saw Jesus afflicting the comfortable. He did provide some comfort – some encouragement - to Ephesus. He praised them for the many things that they were doing right. But the real reason he was writing to them was to cause them a little discomfort. • You’re doing all these things well, Jesus said… o but you’re just going through the motions. o You’ve lost your love. And as this letter would have been read at Ephesus you can imagine some people beginning to squirm. You ever been in a room where you can almost feel the entire room start to shift in their seat because of what the Preacher is saying? • I was at a conference held in the KFC Yum Center in Louisville Kentucky listening to Ligon Duncan several years ago. o And there were thousands of people in the room, o but the place was completely quiet, and you could feel the discomfort – the good kind of discomfort – as Ligon preached. • It was one of the most powerful moments I’ve ever been a part of. o The conviction of the Holy Spirit falling on us all at once as the Word was preached. Sometimes the comfortable need to be made uncomfortable. • Sometimes our toes need to be stepped on a little. But sometimes the afflicted need to be comforted. • And the church in Smyrna, is a church that is afflicted. And the words that Jesus writes to them are: • words that challenge them. • Words that encourage them. • But primarily they are words that comfort them. The church in Smyrna was of course located in the city of Smyrna. Smyrna is the only city of the seven that is still in existence today. • Today it’s known as the city of Ismir in Turkey, and has a population of almost 3 million. At the time this letter was written, it had a population of around 200,000 • Big city for that time. Like Ephesus, Smyrna was a major city in the region. Like Ephesus (MAP), it was located on a harbor. • Which meant a lot of business was done in Smyrna. In fact, Smyrna was known as the Port of Asia • As you can see on the map, there was a narrow entrance into the harbor, which made it easy to defend, and therefore a favorite of most sea travelers. Smyrna was a modern city for the time. • Libraries • Gymnasiums • Paved streets • Asia’s largest open air theater The coins minted in Smyrna: First in Asia in Beauty and Size. But while Smyrna was similar in many ways to the city of Ephesus, one of the things that made it unique…was its loyalty to Rome. • All of the cities that these letters were written to were part of the Roman Empire, o but Smyrna was dedicated to Rome. In the first century BC the Roman senator Circero described Smyrna as one of Romes “most faithful and ancient allies.” And one of the ways Smyrna showed that allegiance was by being a center of worship to the Roman Emperors. • There were multiple temples in Smyrna dedicated to different past and present emperors. • And it was required that all citizens of the city offer sacrifices to the emperor. Something that Christians could not do. They could not join with the crowd shouting that Caesar was Lord, because there was only one Lord. • And that was Jesus. And their refusal to worship the emperor led to opposition • it led to them being ostracized in the city, o and eventually it led to martyrdom. Many Christians in Smyrna were killed for their faith in Jesus. Again, the first recorded Christian martyr outside of the New Testament is from Smyrna. And since that day…many Christians have been, and are being killed for their faith in Jesus. A 2014 article in Christianity Today says that since the days of the writing of this letter over 70 million Christians have been killed for their faith. Open Doors tells us that since 2014, it’s only gotten worse. Just last year, Open Doors reports that: • Over 340 million Christians live in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination. o That’s 1 in every 8 Christians. o You think about 1 out of 7 churches in Revelation being a persecuted church…not much has changed. • 4,761 Christians killed for their faith • 4,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked • 4,277 believers were arrested, sentenced or imprisoned without trial. Again, just in 2020. What would Jesus say to these Christians? • How would he comfort and encourage his afflicted church? Well fortunately we don’t have to wonder what he would say, because we have what he has said. • What he said to Christians in Smyrna in the 1st century • he says to persecuted Christians in the 21st century. And the first thing that Jesus tells the persecuted Christians in Smyrna is that He is greater than death. JESUS IS GREATER THAN DEATH What do the Christians who face the reality of dying for their faith need to know? • They need to know that there is something greater than death. o And that is the Savior who is awaiting them on the other side of death. In each of these letters Jesus introduces himself in a unique way. • He reveals something about himself that that church in particular needs to know. And to the church that is facing persecuted the way Jesus reveals himself is that he is: Revelation 2:8 “The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.” Two things Jesus says about himself. The first is that he is the first and the last: JESUS IS THE FIRST AND THE LAST He is the eternal one. • Go back as far into eternity past as you can go…and Jesus was there. What does John say about Jesus in the opening of his gospel? • In the beginning…Jesus was… (John 1:1) When the beginning took place, Jesus already was. • He has always been. And he always will be. • Nothing will outlast Jesus. Not even persecution. • Persecution will end. o But Jesus will still be. • Your pain will end. o But Jesus will still be. • Your suffering will be complete. o But Jesus will still be. Jesus is the eternal one. Here he is really emphasizing his divinity. • Only God is eternal. He’s associating himself with God the Father, who is described in verse 8 of chapter as the: Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. • He is the A to Z. • He is the first and the last. And Jesus, the one who is walking among his churches, the one who will say in a little bit – I know what you’re experiencing Smyrna – is the eternal God. But then he says: JESUS IS THE ONE WHO DIED AND CAME TO LIFE NLT - “This is the message from the one…who was dead but is now alive” Those two statements together baffle us: how can someone who died be alive? But what’s even more baffling is to put them with the previous statement: • How can the one who is eternal…die? What is Jesus saying to this church? This church who he later says: • some of you will be thrown into prison • and some of you will need to be faithful even unto death. What does this description say to them? He’s saying: • I’ve already been there. You’ve seen those shirts right – been there done that. • Jesus says, I’ve been there, and I’ve done that. • I have died and came to life again. Later in Revelation we see Jesus as the Lamb standing…but when you look at him you see that he is one who has been slain. But he’s standing. He’s alive. I’m not asking you Smyrnan Christians to do something that I haven’t already done. • And because I’ve already done it I can tell you…you’re going to be ok. Because I died, and in my death, I conquered death. Standing at the tomb of Lazarus Jesus said to Mary and Martha: John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. And then he asks them: Do you believe this?” And now he asks the Christians in Smyrna, who are facing their own tombs…do you believe this? Believe it. Because I have accomplished it. • Look at me. • I am the one who died, but is now alive. What the Christians facing persecution need to know most in order to remain faithful is they need to know who Jesus is. What all of us need to know most in order to remain faithful is who Jesus is. • He is the eternal God who became flesh. o Who lived o and died o and rose again. And who comes to us and says I am greater than any obstacle that lies in the way of your faithfulness…even death. Look to me. “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” C.T. Studd The first comfort that Jesus brings to his afflicted church is the reminder that He is greater than death. The second comfort is that he knows what they’re going through. JESUS KNOWS THE SUFFERINGS OF HIS PEOPLE “I know…” Jesus says. Revelation 2:9 “I know your tribulation and your poverty…and the slander.” That phrase – I know – is found in each of the seven letters. Sometimes, when Jesus says that, when he looks at the church and says “I know…” it causes some shuffling in the pews. • The congregation starts to get uncomfortable. o Because they wish that Jesus didn’t know…all that he knew. o They were hoping that he didn’t know about that. But when Jesus says those words to the church in Smyrna a wave of comfort sweeps over the church. • He knows… • He knows what we’re going through. • He sees us. Do you know…that Jesus knows? You aren’t hidden from his sight. One of the hardest parts of suffering is the loneliness of it. It isolates us from others so often. Even when others are doing the best they can to walk with you in your suffering, there is still a sense of loneliness that comes with suffering. • But Jesus says…it hasn’t isolated you from me. I know what you’re going through Smyrna. And Jesus points out three things that he knows. First he says: I know your tribulation. JESUS KNOWS THEIR TRIBULATION NIV – Afflictions NLT – Suffering And the word refers not to minor irritants or inconveniences, but to real hardships. • It’s a word that refers to things being pressed together. o Like grapes that are pressed to produce juice. There is a constant pressure on the church in Smyrna. James Hamilton says of this word that it reminds us that: “Tribulation is painful and wearisome. It pecks away at us little by little, chipping away at our joy, taking the wind out of our perseverance, and things only worsen as tribulation drags on.” Our tribulation might not come in the form of persecution like the Smyrnans, but there are many ways that the enemy brings these kinds of tribulation into our lives. • Things that peck away at us little by little. And notice, Jesus doesn’t minimize their suffering, does he? • He doesn’t say, “oh come on, its not that bad. Look at what I went through!” He doesn’t belittle them and say • “oh Smyrna why are you not stronger in this? Why aren’t you handling this a little better than you are.” Instead, he says, I see you. • I know what you’re going through. • Your suffering is real. Neither does Jesus offer them advice on how to escape the suffering. • Because there is no escape. • In order to remain faithful to Jesus in Smyrna, it means they’re going to have to experience suffering. Under Emperor Domitian, the Roman Emperor at the time, it was a capital offense to refuse to offer the yearly sacrifice to the emperor. • The only escape from suffering was compromise. o Of denying Jesus. And there are seasons in our lives, and situations for many here, that there is no escaping the suffering except by compromise. We don’t know all the reasons, but in many situations God has not provided an escape route out of suffering. • We don’t know why our lives don’t involve the kind of suffering right now that Christians in Afghanistan do. • Or why your life involves the level of tribulation that the person sitting beside you doesn’t experience. But I think that it’s significant that this letter is one of only two of the letters that receives only words of comfort. • There is a special comfort that comes from God when walking through tribulation. • A special grace that is not found in seasons of ease. The only two churches that receive only words of comfort and encouragement are Smyrna and Philadelphia. • And most commentators will say that on the surface, those are the two churches that looked the least impressive. o They were small. o They were insignificant in the eyes of the world. Smyrna didn’t have all the activity of Ephesus. • It didn’t have the well-known leaders of John and Paul and Timothy. It went unnoticed by the world. But Jesus says to them…I know you. • I see you. • And I am with you in your sufferings. Over and over again we hear in the New Testament that there is something gained in sharing in the suffering of Christ that is not found anywhere else. And over and over again we see that on display in our persecuted brothers and sisters. And we see it here, in this letter to Smyrna. I know your tribulations. JESUS KNOWS THEIR POVERTY The second thing that Jesus knows, is their poverty. There are two Greek words that are used in the New Testament for poor. • One means that you only have the basics. o Nothing extravagant. • But the other means you have nothing at all. It refers to utter poverty. o It’s the word ptochos. o And that’s the word that Jesus uses here. These Christians…had nothing. Not participating in the worship at the temples meant that the Christians in Smyrna were ostracized from society. • Most jobs were unavailable to them. • Only the jobs no one else wanted were available to Christians. This still happens today in many places. • A few years ago we saw a video from Christians in a persecuted country saying that they had the same experience. o Maybe you remember the man being lowered into the sewer,  and coming out covered in what was in the sewer. o These were the only jobs Christians were allowed to have. But if you watched that video you remember the face of that poor man. • And that it wasn’t the face of someone who was poor. • But it was the face of someone who had found something of greater value than any high paying job could bring. Open Doors, India… Jesus says, I know you’re poor…but here’s what else I know…you are rich. A few letters later he’ll say the same thing, only the opposite. To Laodicea he’ll say, you think you’re rich, and in the worlds eyes you are rich. • But I know the truth…and that is that your bankrupt when it comes to spiritual wealth. Laodicea was a rich church that was really poor…but Smyrna is a poor church that has true riches. James 2:5 “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” The Christians in Smyrna were poor in the world, but rich in faith. Hebrews tells us that many Christians in that day had their homes robbed. • In many countries today where Christians are persecuted, the government will look the other way as Christians are robbed and mistreated. And that was happening in places like Smyrna. But Hebrews said that they: Hebrews 10:34 “you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.” And here Jesus is reminding them…don’t forget that you have the true riches. James Hamilton said that those who have the kind of wealth Jesus is talking about in these verses are like the poor man boarding the Titanic. • All around him he sees men and women in fancy clothes, expensive jewelry and bags and bags of luggage for their journey. All laughing and mocking him as they walk by. • And all he has is a lifeboat. o What a seemingly foolish thing to bring aboard a large and beautiful ship. But what he brought is the only thing that will be of any use when the ship sinks in the night. Jesus says, you have what is of real value. I know your poverty… And the third thing Jesus knows is the slander. JESUS KNOWS THE SLANDER This word “slander” is actually the word “blasphemy”. Which again reminds us that Jesus knows all that Smyrna is experiencing from first hand experience. • He experienced tribulation. • Though he was rich, he was made poor. • And he was blasphemed against. And not only does Jesus know that they’re being slandered, he knows who they are being slandered by. Revelation 2:9 “I know…the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” Most likely this slander came in the form being informants. • The Jews would turn the Christians in to the officials in Smyrna. Jews were exempt from emperor worship in the Roman Empire at this time. • They were an ancient religion, and weren’t a threat to the emperor, so they were allowed to skip out on the sacrifices at the temple. And for a time, many viewed the Christians simply as a Jewish sect, and they fell under that same umbrella of protection. But the Jews denounced the Christians. • They aren’t part of us. • They aren’t Jews at all. And they kicked them out from that umbrella of protection. In fact, at the martyrdom of Polycarp its recorded that the Jews actually helped to gather the sticks that would be used to light the fire that burned him at the stake. • And they did this despite the fact that it was the Sabbath. The Jews hated the Christians. But what does Jesus say about these Jewish men and women? • They aren’t really Jewish. They might be Jewish by their family line, but they come from a different spiritual line. • They are a part of the adversary. • They are in cohots with Satan – the one who is described as the accuser of the brethren. Jesus said this same thing to the Jews who opposed him during his earthly ministry. • You might claim to come from Abraham, but you have a different Father. o Your acting just like your father, the devil. Again, Jesus knows, because he has experienced this. • Nothing that happens to Smyrna has not happened to him. He is the great high priest who truly has been tempted in every way that we are…yet without sin. (Hebrews 4) Jesus knows. • Isn’t that a great comfort? • Jesus knows. • Whatever you’re going through…Jesus knows. My Jesus knows when I am lonely / He knows each pain; He sees each tear He understands each lonely heartache / He understands and always cares. But not only does Jesus know what we’re experiencing in the moment of our suffering. • He knows what’s on the other side of the suffering. And that’s the third and final thing he says to the suffering Christians. • That all the suffering… • all the slander… • all the tribulation… • all of it.. • is worth it. o It’s worth it. FOLLOWING JESUS IS WORTH THE COST Following Jesus is worth the cost. • No matter what that cost is, it’s worth it. But notice what that cost will be for the Christians in Smyrna: THE COST WILL BE GREAT Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death…” When Jesus says do not fear, what he actually says is stop fearing: TLB – Stop being afraid They are already fearing what is about to happen. And to say that it’s about to happen, means that it’s at the door. • It’s imminent. The Christians in Smyrna can sense the pressure in Smyrna mounting. • The slander is getting more severe, • the poverty is getting worse. o Just when they thought they couldn’t get poorer, they do. • And the tribulation is rising. And with it, the hearts of the Christians in Smyrna are becoming more and more fearful. But Jesus says, stop fearing. Do you know that one of the most used phrases in the Bible is “do not fear.” • In fact, someone said it’s found exactly 365 times in the Bible. o One time for every day of the year. That tells us two things doesn’t it. • First of all, there’s plenty of things in this world for us to be fearful of. • But secondly, God really wants us to know…with Him we don’t have to fear any of it. And there’s plenty to be fearful about in Smyrna. Jesus says some of you are about to get thrown into prison. • In those days, prison was not a place of rehabilitation, o or even a place of punishment. • Prison was a holding cell while you await trial for your execution. And some of the Smyrnan Christians are about to experience that. But notice, they will only experience tribulation for 10 days. Now there is an argument over whether this is a literal ten days or a figurative 10 days. • I lean towards figurative. But either way what Jesus is saying is the same thing. And that is that though your tribulation will be intense…it will end. Your suffering has an expiration date. • And God knows what it is. And nothing • that Devil, • or the Jews of Smyrna, • or the city officials do can extend that date. And this is true for us as well. • Your suffering has an expiration date. It may be intense, it may be long…but it will end. • Your pain…it will end. • Your trials…they will be brought to an end. • Your heartache…it will one day be gone. • Your suffering has an expiration date. It will only last 10 days, Jesus says. • 10 days is a long time when you’re on day 5 or 6. • But compared to some of the other numbers in Revelation – the thousand year reign of Christ – 10 days isn’t very long. • And compared with eternity…10 days is merely the blink of an eye. And Jesus tells them that these days of suffering will be hard…but they will end. • Hold on. Be faithful, Jesus says, even unto death. But why be faithful unto death? Because it’s worth it. The cost is great…but the reward is greater. THE REWARD IS GREATER Revelation 2:10-11 “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” The crown that Smyrna would have in their minds as they hear these words wouldn’t be a golden crown covered with jewels, • but would be a laurel wreath that was given at athletic competitions. • It was also placed on the heads of military men who came home after conquering in war. And Jesus says that for those who remain faithful, awaiting them on the other side of death, is a crown. • A crown of life in the kingdom of eternal life. But the only way to get to that crown is by death. The only way for any of us to get to that crown is by death. This is the way to life. The way of death. • Death to self • Death to sin • Dead to the world But alive unto God. All of us must be faithful unto death. And Jesus says that for those who remain faithful unto death…they don’t have to fear the final death. The second death. The second death is described later in Revelation as the lake of fire. A place of eternal death. And eternal separation from God. Revelation 20:14 "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire." Revelation 21:8 "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Everyone will die the first death. Physical death in this world. But those who are faithful to Jesus will be saved from the second death. CONCLUSION One such person who was faithful unto death was the pastor of Smyrna…the Bishop Polycarp. And at the age of 86, Polycarp was arrested and brought before the proconsul in Smyrna. On the way their the chief of police tried to persuade Polycarp – you don’t have to go through this “what harm is there in saying “Lord Caesar” and offering some incense and save yourself?” But Polycarp refused. When he was brought before the proconsul, he to tried to persuade Polycarp: Take the oath, and I shall release you. Curse Christ.” Polycarp responded: Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me? The proconsul replied: I have wild beasts. I shall throw you to them, if you do not change your mind.” But Polycarp said: “Call them.” I will not recant. Well then, the proconsul replied, “I shall have you consumed with fire, if you despise the wild beasts, unless your change your mind.” But Polycarp said: “The fire you threaten burns but an hour and is quenched after a little; for you do not know the fire of the coming judgment and everlasting punishment that is laid up for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Come, do what you will.” And they did. Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, was faithful unto death. And millions of Christians have followed in his footsteps. Because they knew that what was awaiting them on the other side of death was worth the cost. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Don’t be fearful…remain faithful.

Salmos 17:1‭-‬15 RVA2015:Escucha, oh SEÑOR, una causa justa; atiende a mi clamor. Presta oído a mi oración que es de labios sin engaño. Proceda de tu presencia mi vindicación; vean tus ojos la rectitud. Tú has examinado mi corazón; me has visitado de noche. Me has probado y nada infame has hallado porque me he propuesto que mi boca no se exceda. En cuanto a las obras de los hombres, por la palabra de tus labios me he guardado de las sendas de los violentos. Mis pasos se han mantenido en tus caminos para que mis pies no resbalen. Yo te invoco, porque tú oirás, oh Dios. Inclina a mí tu oído; escucha mi palabra. Muestra tus maravillosos actos de misericordia, tú que, a los que confían, libras con tu diestra de los que se levantan contra ti. Guárdame como a la niña de tu ojo; escóndeme bajo la sombra de tus alas de la vista de los impíos que me oprimen, y de mis enemigos mortales que me rodean. Ellos están protegidos con su propio sebo; con su boca hablan con soberbia. Han rodeado nuestros pasos; sobre nosotros ponen sus ojos para echarnos por tierra. Se parecen al león que anhela la presa, o al cachorro de león que se agacha en secreto. ¡Levántate, oh SEÑOR! ¡Hazle frente! ¡Somételo! Con tu espada libra mi alma de los impíos. Oh SEÑOR, líbrame con tu mano de los hombres, de los hombres de este mundo cuya parte está en esta vida; cuyos vientres llenas con tus tesoros, cuyos hijos se sacian y aun dejan para sus pequeños. En cuanto a mí, en justicia veré tu rostro; quedaré satisfecho cuando despierte a tu semejanza.Quiero que el día de hoy examinemos diferentes versos de los que podemos aprender y aplicarlos a nuestras vidas. Aprendamos la forma en que el salmista se presentaba delante del Señor y así tendremos un modelo de oración, ya que a veces no tenemos palabras o no sabemos cómo entablar una charla con Dios. Recuerda que orar es hablar con Dios.Este salmo comienza con un clamor pidiendo al Señor que su oración sea escuchada, ya que David se presentó con una actitud de alguien que ha estado practicando una vida justa. Él estaba seguro que en ese momento en que elevaba la oración él no tenía nada de qué arrepentirse. Él estaba consciente de sus actos para hablar con Dios sin culpabilidades. Él mismo sabía que él ha guardado incluso las palabras que salen de su boca porque también fallamos cuando hablamos más de la cuenta. Ayer aprendimos cómo Dios nos habla en las noches, y aquí David también hizo referencia de ese tiempo en la noche donde Dios nos corrige, y que también Él analiza nuestro caminar y lo que hay en nuestro corazón. En el verso 5 David sabía que debemos estar concientes en caminar continuamente con el Señor porque si nos alejamos de Dios, la consecuencia es que resbalaremos. Si alguien que conoces tuvo un desliz espiritual y cayó en pecado, de seguro fue porque comenzó a desviarse de los principios bíblicos y los consejos basados en la Palabra de Dios. Nadie cae sin haber sido advertido con anticipación. También quiero que notemos el clamor tierno de David, como un niño a su padre, pidiendo a Dios que lo guarde de los malos. David no confiaba en sus propias fuerzas, él imploraba al Todopoderoso para que lo proteja; en este verso 8 él le pidió protección a Dios de dos formas: que lo cuide así como uno protege sus propios ojos, y que lo esconda bajo sus alas, similar como un ave esconde a sus polluelos para darles abrigo y protección. Por último, el salmista cerró este salmo con una palabra de esperanza diciéndole al Señor que su mayor anhelo es aquel día cuando esté ante su presencia. Ese debe ser nuestro anhelo continuo, siempre pensando en que tendremos la oportunidad de estar en la presencia de Dios y le veremos cara a cara porque seremos tal como Él es. La promesa de la resurrección y la vida eterna es algo grandioso, que nos ayuda a sobrepasar las pruebas del diario vivir. Soy tu amigo y hermano Eduardo Rodríguez. Que el Señor escuche tu oración y te dé protección y refugio. ========

How does a person choose a good church? Involvement in a church is an important part of spiritual growth. But which one? There are so many to choose from. It's good to know that Jesus has an answer… “Tell me, O You whom my heart loves, where do You pasture Your sheep?” “If you do not know,... simply follow the tracks of My flock” (Song of Solomon 1.7-8). The text suggests I may ‘Follow those who follow Him.' If finding a good church eludes me, there is another way. I need only to find good sheep who follow their Shepherd Jesus, and then follow their “tracks” to the church they attend. That should get me to a “pasture” worth grazing in. Once I am part of a excellent community of faith, I must endeavor to faithfully follow Jesus each day so others who “follow the tracks” I make, may also happily join us.

Welcome back everyone to “The Really REAL Real Estate Podcast!” There are many reasons why someone might want to downsize their current home and for some people, it might happen sooner than they had initially planned. Today, we explore many of the different reasons why someone might want to downsize their home and what signs to look out for if you find yourself asking the question, “Is it time for me to downsize my home?” TALKING POINTS (3-5): • Introduction o Important to know that different people downsize at different times for different reasons! • Reasons to downsize o Retirement  You can MAKE big money!  You can SAVE big money (especially on taxes in Allegheny County)!  Financial troubles o Feeling overwhelmed with maintenance  Unused rooms  Emotional stress o Major life/lifestyle change  Needing different living for health reasons  Wanting to travel! o You want to see your family more! • Talk to your team about downsizing! o i.e. CPA, financial planner, etc. but also talk to your family! • Have a plan for downsizing! • Final thoughts o Don't wait until it's too late to downsize! HASH TAGS: #downsizing #timetomove #cashingout #timeforachange LINKS: JASON: https://jasonwilcox.cbintouch.com/ https://www.zillow.com/profile/jasonwilcox1987/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRksfKiMNteHKYRYrinAug?view_as=subscriber https://www.facebook.com/jason.wilcox.186 https://twitter.com/jason_wilcox1 https://www.instagram.com/jason.wilcox1/ CONTACT INFORMATION: JASON: Cell Phone: 412-651-4638 Email: jason.wilcox@pittsburghmoves.com

 RIGHT AT THE GATES OF HELLHADES JUSTICE JUDGEMENT & THE END OF PERPS 2 Kings 17:11 There they burned incense on all the high places, as the nations did whom the LORD had carried away before them. And they did wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger, Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily after the error of Balaam for a reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. 12 These are the ones who are stains on your love feasts as they feast with you irreverently and care only for themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted; 13 raging waves of the sea, which are foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been kept forever. 14 Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, also prophesied of these men, saying, “Look! The Lord is coming with ten thousand of His holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all who are godless of all their wicked deeds that they have committed, and of all the terrible words that godless sinners have spoken against Him.” 16 These men are grumblers, complainers, who walk after their own lusts. Their mouths speak arrogant words, and they flatter others to gain profit. And I heard another from the altar saying: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.” The Walls Come Down Mike THE BREAKING NEWS WASN’T ABOUT THE CRIMES COMMITTED BY Sandusky. It was all about Penn State, and above all, it was about the iconic Joe Paterno. I was reading the papers and watching the news and trying to keep up with everything just like the rest of the world was. I still have boxes filled with piles of news clips in my office. In addition to the arrest of Sandusky based upon the grand jury’s recommendation that they found evidence that he molested eight boys whom he met through the Second Mile, there were charges against Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, Penn State’s interim senior vice president for finance and business. Schultz was also the one who oversaw the Penn State police. The grand jury found that Curley and Schultz had lied during their testimony with regard to information they had received about a report of sexual abuse involving Sandusky. The two were charged with perjury, 81 From THE LIVE RAGGED EDGE RADIO BROADCAST/SHATTER LIVE TV WEBINAR RUSS DIZDAR © which is a felony, and failing to report abuse. The attorney general’s office went public now with hotlines set up at their offices and with the state police, asking anyone with information about other possible victims, and asking any other victims themselves, to come forward. It was Mike McQueary’s testimony at the grand jury that was possibly the most damning when it came to what was now being viewed as a massive cover-up at Penn State. McQueary, although not initially named in the press and merely referred to as a former graduate assistant, testified that he witnessed Sandusky assaulting a naked boy around ten years old in the shower in 2001. The grand jury called McQueary an “extremely credible witness.” Reports said that the witness testified that he had first spoken with his own father and then notified Paterno the next day. Paterno then reported the incident to Curley. In a meeting with Curley and Schultz about a week later, the witness was assured that they would investigate the incident. Paterno was not at the meeting. During the grand jury testimony, Curley called the activity in the shower between the child and Sandusky “horsing around” and also denied that McQueary said it was of a sexual nature. Schultz testified at the grand jury that the allegations proved not to be serious and there was no indication that a crime occurred. He also testified that he was aware that Sandusky had been investigated for similar allegations in 1998. University president Graham Spanier said he knew nothing of a 1998 investigation. It wasn’t a week after Sandusky’s arrest that both Spanier and Paterno were fired. Although neither Paterno nor Spanier was charged in the case (unlike Curley and Schultz), there were far too many questions about the fact that Spanier and Paterno had knowledge of Sandusky’s alleged sexual abuse and failed to act in a way that could have stopped him. Spanier was saying that Curley and Schultz would be proven innocent and I was wondering how he could possibly support these two guys who were covering it all up. The campus seemed to go into a state of shock. Thousands of students lined the streets, blowing vuvuzelas and air horns, and pumping their fists in the air chanting, “We want Joe!” Cops in riot gear were sending out clouds of pepper spray and trying to hold them back as the students toppled a news van, knocked down street signs and trash cans, and set off firecrackers. It looked like a war zone. Fisher, Aaron; M.A. Mike Gillum; Dawn Daniels. Silent No More (pp. 166-168). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. Psalm 9 For the Music Director. To the melody of “The Death of the Son.” A Psalm of David. 1 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will declare all Your marvelous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies are turned back, they will stumble and perish at Your presence. 4 For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging what is right. 5 You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked, You have wiped out their name forever and ever. 6 O you enemy, destructions have come to you for a perpetual end. 82 From THE LIVE RAGGED EDGE RADIO BROADCAST/SHATTER LIVE TV WEBINAR RUSS DIZDAR © You have destroyed cities; their memory perished with them. 7 But the Lord remains forever; He has established His throne for judgment. 8 He will judge the world in righteousness; He will give judgment to the peoples in uprightness. 9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 Those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. 11 Sing praises to the Lord who dwells in Zion; declare His deeds among the people. 12 He who avenges deaths remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. 13 Be gracious to me, O Lord; consider my trouble from those who hate me, O You who lifts me up from the gates of death, 14 that I may recount all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion, that I may rejoice in Your salvation. 15 The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made; their own foot is caught in the net which they hid. 16 The Lord is known by the judgment that He executes; the wicked one is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah 17 The wicked will be turned to Sheol, and all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy will not always be forgotten, nor will the hope of the poor perish forever. 19 Arise, O Lord, may mortals not prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight. 20 Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations themselves may know they are mortals. Selah 

“We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps and made them [missiles] for stoning satans… (Qur'an, 67: 5)” “O You the schooled gentleman whose mind is narrowed down by the spiritless matters of astronomy, intellect has descended to his eye, and who cannot fit the tremendous secret of this verse in his narrow mind! The firmament of this verse can be climbed with a ladder with seven steps. Come, we will climb together.” For a rough translation of the section that is being discussed click here (scroll to Episode 04). This text is a work in progress and should not be considered a finalized translation. It is only meant to help with understanding the recorded discussion. Read and interpreted by Mustafa Tuna. For more on the Risale-i Nur, visit www.reflections-RN.org.

“We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps and made them [missiles] for stoning satans… (Qur'an, 67: 5)” “O You the schooled gentleman whose mind is narrowed down by the spiritless matters of astronomy, intellect has descended to his eye, and who cannot fit the tremendous secret of this verse in his narrow mind! The firmament of this verse can be climbed with a ladder with seven steps. Come, we will climb together.” For a rough translation of the section that is being discussed click here (scroll to Episode 03). This text is a work in progress and should not be considered a finalized translation. It is only meant to help with understanding the recorded discussion. Read and interpreted by Mustafa Tuna. For more on the Risale-i Nur, visit www.reflections-RN.org.

“We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps and made them [missiles] for stoning satans… (Qur'an, 67: 5)” “O You the schooled gentleman whose mind is narrowed down by the spiritless matters of astronomy, intellect has descended to his eye, and who cannot fit the tremendous secret of this verse in his narrow mind! The firmament of this verse can be climbed with a ladder with seven steps. Come, we will climb together.” For a rough translation of the section that is being discussed click here (scroll to Episode 02). This text is a work in progress and should not be considered a finalized translation. It is only meant to help with understanding the recorded discussion. Read and interpreted by Mustafa Tuna. For more on the Risale-i Nur, visit www.reflections-RN.org.

“We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps and made them [missiles] for stoning satans… (Qur'an, 67: 5)” “O You the schooled gentleman whose mind is narrowed down by the spiritless matters of astronomy, intellect has descended to his eye, and who cannot fit the tremendous secret of this verse in his narrow mind! The firmament of this verse can be climbed with a ladder with seven steps. Come, we will climb together.” For a rough translation of the section that is being discussed click here (scroll to Episode 01). This text is a work in progress and should not be considered a finalized translation. It is only meant to help with understanding the recorded discussion. Read and interpreted by Mustafa Tuna. For more on the Risale-i Nur, visit www.reflections-RN.org.

Psalm 22:19 - Amplified Bible 19 But You, O Lord, do not be far from me; O You my help, come quickly to my assistance. the 8lu8ok Vol.2 (02.18.21) hosted by: ur8oy8lu (Da Blu Era) Co-Hosted by: Twisted Tom Leslie Special Guest: Loren Maccario Music by: T Haddy Presented by: PENTE50ST Ministries Follow on IG | TW | FB @8lu8ok Prayer, Comments or Questions: 8lu8ok@gmail.com Ministry WEB: www.PENTE50ST.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/8lu8ok/message

Psalm 123-125 New King James Version   Prayer for Relief from Contempt A Song of Ascents. 123 Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He has mercy on us. 3 Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scorn of those who are at ease, With the contempt of the proud. The Lord the Defense of His People A Song of Ascents. Of David. 124 “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say— 2 “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us, 3 Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us; 4 Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have [a]gone over our soul; 5 Then the swollen waters Would have [b]gone over our soul.” 6 Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the [c]fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. The Lord the Strength of His People A Song of Ascents. 125 Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. 3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. 4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, And to those who are upright in their hearts. 5 As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The Lord shall lead them away With the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel!

Making The Right Decisions No More Excuses This is a must not a maybe and when you make it a must you will make things happen for you and in your way and you get to profoundly enjoy the results. He Who Waits................. tumble weed rolls by Waits and waits and waits and let others decide your fate and results. When this happens you are on the effect side of life and to try to soften the results we, yep both of us, give 'valid' reasons which when you break them down are just feeble excuses. It's harsh but true my friend and that is not what I want for you. That's why getting this is a must. It's simple and you will have to do the work but man the results are unbelievable, especially to those who are still giving excuses why they couldn't. As the start of this, we'll start with painful truths and get the learnings we need to find that ultimate pleasure of success and knowing we made it - no one else! So come down this rabbit hole to discover what you need and even experience a process to make it easier to achieve. Remember when you do the process have nothing that needs your attention and just set your intention to succeed :O) You may even want to repeat this episode and get the subtle learning that can be missed the first time around. It would be a shame to miss them and dilute the success you will create for yourself and in turn those close to you. As this is such an important topic please do share this episode with everyone you know. It would be the ultimate 'Pai It Forward' here's the link: https://personaldevelopmentunplugged.com/219-making-the-right-decisions/ By the way, as always, hit me with your feedback - simply email me feedback@personaldevelopmentunplugged.com Oh! and don't miss out on that massive discount, to PDU listeners, on my Supreme Inner Confidence program code: HELLYES Shine brightly Paul Please remember you can leave a comment or email me with questions, requests and feedback. If you have enjoyed this or any other episode please share and subscribe. Just email me feedback@personaldevelopmentunplugged.com Go to paulclough.co.uk/subscribe to learn more Or simply click here to go straight to Apple Music / iTunes to subscribe OR leave a review If you want to access my FREE HYPNOSIS tracks go to paulcloughonline.com/podcast Follow and inter-react on Twitter @pcloughie Why not look for me and the podcast on > SPOTIFY AND the app Castbox I'm also in iHeart radio YouTube - copy n paste UC3BlpN4voq8aAN7ePsIMt2Q into search bar The Libsyn podcast page http://personaldevelomentunplugged.libsyn.com Stitcher, tunein, learnoutloud, Google Play Music Here is your show on RadioPublic: Listen to Personal Development Unplugged on RadioPublic I’m a therapist but not your therapist The information with this website or online work, techniques and exercises provided within these free and paid products are for educational purposes only. Do not use the techniques or exercises contained within some of these free or paid products whilst driving or operating machinery, or if you suffer from epilepsy, clinical depression or any other nervous or psychiatric conditions. The information provided is not a substitute for proper medical advice. If in doubt, please consult your doctor or licensed medical practitioner. Any decision you make having received any of Paul Clough's free or paid products are your own and you remain wholly responsible for any decisions and actions you take.  

Wanting a good start to a new year, Jack asks Don for a nice intro, and almost gets one. Amid well wishes at the door, the cast talk about the parties they went to to celebrate the new year. Mary sheds light on Jack's date being stolen away by Phil. Mary types out a hasty poem in honor of the holiday, while Don presents a commercial. Phil plays, Under the Spell of the Voodoo Drums. With her poem finished, Mary shares her rhymes, O You 1937. Kenny shows up with his giggling girlfriend, Lena. How did Kenny's partying go? Such a caveman he is. Kenny

In this episode, Sheldon says you need an email marketing system, today. He will go over the features one at a time to help you see what he mean • unlimited sends, o This means that there are no limits to how many emails in a month you can send. Some services will cap you at a set amount. • email scheduling, o You can create an email and then send it at a later date. This way you will be able to set up your messages on one day for the week, month, bi-monthly, whatever. • triggered automation by reader actions, o When someone clicks on a link in the email, you can use that action to target specific email to match their interest. L use this to send messages for subscribers that are interested in a specific class or podcast. The system will perform an action that would be “if this link is clicked”, then start this automatic message sequence. • easy email editing and tagging, o You can add text, pictures and links to the email very easily. It's just like typing in a Word document. • Smart pages o You can have a page for people to sign up for your email or even give a free download without having you own website. The system will send the download after the person signed up for the newsletter. • autoresponders, o This feature is how you can make a series of emails to go out at different days to continue conversations with someone. You can do targeted messages over several days to promote a course, podcast, or anything. • even automatically creating draft emails from any of your existing RSS feeds. o If you have a YouTube channel or a podcast, then there is a RSS feed that gets broadcasted when you share something on that service. The email system will pick up the RSS feed and once a week create an automatic email for you to look over and send to your people. Email marketing should begin before you have a product or service. It's a way to keep people updated on the most recent thing that you do. A smart email system will do something with the emails to raise engagement in the audience. They must first know you, then they will like you, lastly they will trust you. So after you build trust it becomes easier to sell your product or service to help them. Hope this helps you understand the process a little better. There are many email service companies, but not many do everything I just explained. I've been trying to find and offer my audience better resources as of late and I do have a wonderful company, If you're ready to collect those names and emails from potential clients.

PRINCE HANDLEY PODCAST REVELATION WITH DIRECTIONA MIRACLE PODCAST PRODUCTION ~ ~ ~ PRINCE HANDLEY PORTAL 1,000's of FREE ResourcesWWW.REALMIRACLES.ORG ~ ~ ~ INTERNATIONAL Geopolitics | Intelligence | Prophecy WWW.UOFE.ORG SOME HINDRANCES TO HEALING HOW YOU CAN OVERCOME THEM You can listen to the above message NOW. Click on the pod circle at top left. (Click “BACK” to return.)OR … LISTEN NOW  >>>  LISTEN HERE 24/7 release of Prince Handley teachings, BLOGS and podcasts > STREAM Twitter: princehandley Email this message to a friend and help them! _________________________________ DESCRIPTION OF THIS TEACHING In this podcast teaching we will discuss “Some Hindrances to Healing … and How You Can Overcome Them.” Many times God's People know it is His will for them to be healed; however, do NOT realize that there MAY be some situations or conditions that are preventing―or hindering―their healing. Your mind―and therefore your body―can be abused by many things. At times there are hindrances to healing―things or conditions that are causing the sickness or affliction―and that must be dealt with before healing can take place permanently. This teaching covers several such conditions AND how to achieve healing by dealing with them. _________________________________ SOME HINDRANCES TO HEALING HOW YOU CAN OVERCOME THEM Your mind - and therefore your body - can be abused by many things. At times there are hindrances to healing: things or conditions that are causing the sickness or affliction, and that must be dealt with before healing can take place permanently. Things such as: ► Unforgiveness, bitterness, or resentment [Mark 11:25-26] ► Envy and strife [James 3:16] ► Improper food, rest, sunshine, or exercise [Isaiah 30:15] ► Speaking evil of, or causing harm to, God’s ministers [1 Samuel 26:9] ► Involvement in the occult or in witchcraft [Deuteronomy 18:10-12] ► Association with religious cults [1 John 4:1-3 / 1 John 5:20] Whether sickness is caused by disobeying God through an unforgiving spirit, strife, or resentment … involvement in the occult … or association with religious cults … Jesus Christ is the answer! NOTE: For help with deliverance, consult the book, Healing Deliverance – Freedom from the Bondage of Satan, by Prince Handley. PROPER PRAYER Through prayer we can come to God and ask him to forgive us of all these things; we can also ask him to deliver us, if necessary! 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In Psalm 50:15 we read, "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." PROPER PRAISE Praise is also an important element in healing and is definitely inter-connected with prayer and proper mental attitude. Praise lets God know you believe He will work in your situation. Learn to lift your hands up to God and praise Him several times a day, for as long as you want to. God lives in the praise of His people. “But You are holy, O You that inhabits the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3) The anointing breaks the yoke. Since God lives in the praise of His people, there is an anointing present with true praise, which can break an “assigned” attack on the body, mind or spirit. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” (Isaiah 10:27) Praise brings victory. King Jehoshaphat and the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem won a large battle utilizing praise. (Read 2 Chronicles Chapter 20, verses 1-30 in the Tanakh.) PROPER MENTAL ATTITUDE We see the importance of proper mental attitude in the life of Job. Job was afflicted by Satan with sore boils from his feet to his head. The devil destroyed Job’s wealth and killed his seven sons and three daughters and stole his health. Job’s experience was a rare, "once-in-the-Bible" case. It was allowed by God to prove that a certain man ("greatest of all the men in the East") would not curse God even if he lost everything, including his health. It shows that Satan is a "destroyer," who causes sickness and disease. It shows that God is a "healer," and that God calls sickness "captivity." Job was a just man; even God said so. His experience presents a question that lots of people ask: "Why?" NOTICE 7 THINGS ABOUT JOB'S CONDITION 1. Job’s case was unique; it was NOT an example! Don’t use it as an excuse to be sick. 2. Satan accused Job of serving God only because of God’s blessing, protection and help. 3. Satan is the one, the Bible says, who STOLE Job’s health, KILLED his children, and who DESTROYED his property. [Job, Chapters 1 and 2; John 10:10] 4. Job proved faithful in trial. Job did not sin with his lips or charge God foolishly. [Job 1:22 and 2:10] 5. The Bible calls Job’s sickness and his loss -- "captivity." [Job 42:10]. Jesus said, "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” [John 8:36] 6. Job was healed! Because of proper mental attitude, Job prayed for his friends (who were not real friends); this was when God delivered Job. [Job 42:10] 7. "The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." … "The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning." [Job 42:10-12]   Even though Job lived on the other side of the cross (that is, before Christ)―not having the advantages of Christ’s work and authority over Satan as we do―he was still healed through prayer and proper mental attitude. A proper mental attitude will cause you to have an instinctive reaction to sickness and ill-health: you will refuse it … knowing it does NOT belong to you! You will speak to it, saying, "Sickness, I resist you in the name of Jesus Christ by whose stripes I am healed." Notice two things; you resisted the sickness by: 1) speaking to it; and, 2) using Scripture (the Word of God). The Holy Bible says in James 4:7, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." In Matthew 4:11, we see how Jesus resisted Satan. He did it the same way you are to do it: with the Word of God. Each time Jesus spoke to the devil, Jesus said, "It is written …"   PROPER PHYSICAL PRACTICE Proper nutrition, rest, sunshine, and exercise are all beneficial to a proper mental attitude and maintenance of good health.   Scriptural fasting and honoring the Lord’s Day or Sabbath contribute, also, to a proper mental attitude; and are laws of God with built-in bonuses of health and blessing. Read Isaiah Chapter 58. “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” (Isaiah 58:8-9) “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land ...” (Isaiah 58:13-14) You can be healed … walk in health … and help others to do the same. “You shall come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of corn comes in its season.” (Job 5:26-27). For an unabridged study of victory over sickness and disease, read Health and Healing: Complete Guide to Wholeness. (Available in both Paperback and eBook formats.)   I trust this message will help you today, my friend. Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai. Your friend, Prince Handley President / RegentUniversity of Excellence Podcast time: 11 minutes, 9 seconds Copyright © Prince Handley 2020 _________________________ Rabbinical & Biblical Studies The Believers’ Intelligentsia Prince Handley Portal (1,000’s of FREE resources) Prince Handley Books OPPORTUNITY If you would like to partner with Prince Handley and help him do the Spirit exploits the LORD has assigned him, Click the secure DONATE you see below. God will reward you abundantly on earth … and in Heaven! A TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT WILL BE SENT TO YOU ___________________________

THE HEALING AND MIRACLE PODCASTwith Prince HandleyWWW.REALMIRACLES.ORG | HINDRANCES TO HEALING HOW TO OVERCOME THEMYou can listen to the above message NOW. Click on the pod circle at top left. (Click “BACK” to return.) OR … LISTEN NOW >>> LISTEN HERE 24/7 release of Prince Handley teachings, BLOGS and podcasts > STREAM Twitter: princehandley Subscribe FREE to Prince Handley teaching: princehandley@gmail.com ________________________________________ DESCRIPTION In this podcast teaching we will discuss “Hindrances to Healing … and HOW to Overcome Them.” Many times God's People know it is His will for them to be healed; however, do NOT realize that there MAY be some situations or conditions that are preventing―or hindering―their healing. Your mind―and therefore your body―can be abused by many things. At times there are hindrances to healing―things or conditions that are causing the sickness or affliction―and that must be dealt with before healing can take place permanently. This teaching covers several such conditions AND how to achieve healing by dealing with them. ________________________________________ HINDRANCES TO HEALING HOW TO OVERCOME THEM Your mind - and therefore your body - can be abused by many things. At times there are hindrances to healing: things or conditions that are causing the sickness or affliction, and that must be dealt with before healing can take place permanently. Things such as: ► Unforgiveness, bitterness, or resentment [Mark 11:25-26] ► Envy and strife [James 3:16] ► Improper food, rest, sunshine, or exercise [Isaiah 30:15] ► Speaking evil of, or causing harm to, God’s ministers [1 Samuel 26:9] ► Involvement in the occult or in witchcraft [Deuteronomy 18:10-12] ► Association with religious cults [1 John 4:1-3 / 1 John 5:20] Whether sickness is caused by disobeying God through an unforgiving spirit, strife, or resentment … involvement in the occult … or association with religious cults … Jesus Christ is the answer! NOTE: For help with deliverance, consult the book, Healing Deliverance – Freedom from the Bondage of Satan, by Prince Handley. PROPER PRAYER Through prayer we can come to God and ask him to forgive us of all these things; we can also ask him to deliver us, if necessary! 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In Psalm 50:15 we read, "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." PROPER PRAISE Praise is also an important element in healing and is definitely inter-connected with prayer and proper mental attitude. Praise lets God know you believe He will work in your situation. Learn to lift your hands up to God and praise Him several times a day, for as long as you want to. God lives in the praise of His people. “But You are holy, O You that inhabits the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3) The anointing breaks the yoke. Since God lives in the praise of His people, there is an anointing present with true praise, which can break an “assigned” attack on the body, mind or spirit. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” (Isaiah 10:27) Praise brings victory. King Jehoshaphat and the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem won a large battle utilizing praise. (Read 2 Chronicles Chapter 20, verses 1-30 in the Tanakh.) PROPER MENTAL ATTITUDE We see the importance of proper mental attitude in the life of Job. Job was afflicted by Satan with sore boils from his feet to his head. The devil destroyed Job’s wealth and killed his seven sons and three daughters and stole his health. Job’s experience was a rare, "once-in-the-Bible" case. It was allowed by God to prove that a certain man ("greatest of all the men in the East") would not curse God even if he lost everything, including his health. It shows that Satan is a "destroyer," who causes sickness and disease. It shows that God is a "healer," and that God calls sickness "captivity." Job was a just man; even God said so. His experience presents a question that lots of people ask: "Why?" NOTICE 7 THINGS ABOUT JOB'S CONDITION 1. Job’s case was unique; it was NOT an example! Don’t use it as an excuse to be sick. 2. Satan accused Job of serving God only because of God’s blessing, protection and help. 3. Satan is the one, the Bible says, who STOLE Job’s health, KILLED his children, and who DESTROYED his property. [Job, Chapters 1 and 2; John 10:10] 4. Job proved faithful in trial. Job did not sin with his lips or charge God foolishly. [Job 1:22 and 2:10] 5. The Bible calls Job’s sickness and his loss -- "captivity." [Job 42:10]. Jesus said, "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” [John 8:36] 6. Job was healed! Because of proper mental attitude, Job prayed for his friends (who were not real friends); this was when God delivered Job. [Job 42:10] 7. "The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." … "The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning." [Job 42:10-12]   Even though Job lived on the other side of the cross (that is, before Christ)―not having the advantages of Christ’s work and authority over Satan as we do―he was still healed through prayer and proper mental attitude. A proper mental attitude will cause you to have an instinctive reaction to sickness and ill-health: you will refuse it … knowing it does NOT belong to you! You will speak to it, saying, "Sickness, I resist you in the name of Jesus Christ by whose stripes I am healed." Notice two things; you resisted the sickness by: 1) speaking to it; and, 2) using Scripture (the Word of God). The Holy Bible says in James 4:7, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." In Matthew 4:11, we see how Jesus resisted Satan. He did it the same way you are to do it: with the Word of God. Each time Jesus spoke to the devil, Jesus said, "It is written …"   PROPER PHYSICAL PRACTICE Proper nutrition, rest, sunshine, and exercise are all beneficial to a proper mental attitude and maintenance of good health.   Scriptural fasting and honoring the Lord’s Day or Sabbath contribute, also, to a proper mental attitude; and are laws of God with built-in bonuses of health and blessing. Read Isaiah Chapter 58. “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” (Isaiah 58:8-9) “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land ...” (Isaiah 58:13-14) You can be healed … walk in health … and help others to do the same. “You shall come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of corn comes in its season.” (Job 5:26-27). For an unabridged study of victory over sickness and disease, read Health and Healing: Complete Guide to Wholeness. (Available in both Paperback and eBook formats.)   I trust this message will help you today, my friend. Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai. Your friend, Prince Handley President / RegentUniversity of Excellence Podcast time: 11 minutes, 9 seconds Copyright © Prince Handley 2020 _________________________ Rabbinical & Biblical Studies The Believers’ Intelligentsia Prince Handley Portal (1,000’s of FREE resources) Prince Handley Books OPPORTUNITY If you would like to partner with Prince Handley and help him do the Spirit exploits the LORD has assigned him, Click the secure DONATE you see below. God will reward you abundantly on earth … and in Heaven! A TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT WILL BE SENT TO YOU ___________________________

Key Bible Verse: "But You are holy, O You that inhabit the praises of Israel." Psalm 22:3

This week, we cover Hunter x Hunter eps 48&49. Killugon takes a little break from bounty hunting to get into fine art auctioning and through a series of underestimations finds themselves in front of the Insane Clown Posse! You'll thank me later but you might wanna read the manga for this part :O You better get ready! Follow and hit us up at your social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/spirithunterpod/ Twitter: @spirithunterpod Twitter: instagram.com/spirithunterpod You can support the show and join our backer discord at www.patreon.com/spirithunterpod

'Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; And to You the vow shall be performed. O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them. Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.' Psalms 65:1-4

Psalm 59-61 New King James Version (NKJV) The Assured Judgment of the Wicked To the Chief Musician. Set to [a]“Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when Saul sent men, and they watched the house in order to kill him. 59 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;[b]Defend me from those who rise up against me.2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,And save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 For look, they lie in wait for my life;The mighty gather against me,Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.4 They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold!5 You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel,Awake to punish all the [c]nations;Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah 6 At evening they return,They growl like a dog,And go all around the city.7 Indeed, they belch with their mouth;Swords are in their lips;For they say, “Who hears?” 8 But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them;You shall have all the [d]nations in derision.9 I will wait for You, O You [e]his Strength;For God is my [f]defense.10 [g]My God of mercy shall come to meet me;God shall let me see my desire on my enemies. 11 Do not slay them, lest my people forget;Scatter them by Your power,And bring them down,O Lord our shield.12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips,Let them even be taken in their pride,And for the cursing and lying which they speak.13 Consume them in wrath, consume them,That they may not be;And let them know that God rules in JacobTo the ends of the earth. Selah 14 And at evening they return,They growl like a dog,And go all around the city.15 They wander up and down for food,And [h]howl if they are not satisfied. 16 But I will sing of Your power;Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;For You have been my defenseAnd refuge in the day of my trouble.17 To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;For God is my defense,My God of mercy. Urgent Prayer for the Restored Favor of God To the Chief Musician. Set to [i]“Lily of the Testimony.” A Michtam of David. For teaching. When he fought against Mesopotamia and Syria of Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 60 O God, You have cast us off;You have broken us down;You have been displeased;Oh, restore us again!2 You have made the earth tremble;You have broken it;Heal its breaches, for it is shaking.3 You have shown Your people hard things;You have made us drink the wine of [j]confusion. 4 You have given a banner to those who fear You,That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah5 That Your beloved may be delivered,Save with Your right hand, and hear me. 6 God has spoken in His holiness:“I will rejoice;I will divide ShechemAnd measure out the Valley of Succoth.7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;Ephraim also is the [k]helmet for My head;Judah is My lawgiver.8 Moab is My washpot;Over Edom I will cast My shoe;Philistia, shout in triumph because of Me.” 9 Who will bring me to the strong city?Who will lead me to Edom?10 Is it not You, O God, who cast us off?And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies?11 Give us help from trouble,For the help of man is useless.12 Through God we will do valiantly,For it is He who shall tread down our enemies. Assurance of God’s Eternal Protection To the Chief Musician. On [l]a stringed instrument. A Psalm of David. 61 Hear my cry, O God;Attend to my prayer.2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,When my heart is overwhelmed;Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a shelter for me,A strong tower from the enemy.4 I will abide in Your [m]tabernacle forever;I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah 5 For You, O God, have heard my vows;You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.6 You will prolong the king’s life,His years as many generations.7 He shall abide before God forever.Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may [n]preserve him! 8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever,That I may daily perform my vows.

St Athanasius Part ThreeOn the 7th day of the Coptic Month of Pashons we celebrate the life and struggles of the Patriarch St Athanasius the Apostolic. Part Three, Exiled but never ExitedA Greek historian testified about Athanasius saying: "Athanasius’s fluency in speech and his outspokenness in the council of Nicea brought over him all the hardships that he encountered in his life.” A prophecy of the suffering the young Athanasius would endure during his life. For light creates shadows. The greater the light, the more shadows it casts. The young Athanasius demonstrated such Divinely inspired eloquence that the devil made him his target for the reminder of his life.After the passing of Pope Alexander, the patriarch of Alexandria, whom Athanasius had served many years, there was a renowned unified calling to make Athanasius the new Patriarch of Alexandria. This beguiled the wicked followers of Arianism. They crafted false charges against the great saint, and convened their own council at Trye to levy these allegations against the new Pope. Most of the attendants were Arians, and against Athanasius.One of these charges alleged that Athanasius had killed a bishop sympathetic to the Arians. The Arians brought two arms of a dead person and claimed that they were the arms of Arsanius. Then Arsanius, who had shown himself to Athanasius prior to the council’s beginning, was brought in, and showed his arms to the council and declared his regrets. The Arians said that Athanasius was a sorcerer and he was able to make arms for him. They became violent against Arsanius who left the council and went to the Emperor.Despite all the charges being rebuked, the sneaky Arius brought all the false charges against Athanasius before the Emperor. Using the fake council as proof of the new Pope’s guilt. Athanasius was called to the Emperor, but many loyal to Arius prevented his appearing. The Emperor gave his order to exile Athanasius to France in February 5th., 335 A.D. where its bishop had met him with great honor.Arius died a horrible death and it was said: "God made Arius to die in a public washroom, where his bowels poured out of his body, and the people regarded his death as a punishment from the Divine Justice."When the Emperor heard about the death of Arius, he recognized the innocence of Athanasius, and recommended while he was on his death bed, in the year 337 A.D. that Athanasius be returned to Alexandria.But the remaining Arians did not stop. They assembled another fake council, where they excommunicated Athanasius. They appointed instead someone called Gregory, and they sent their decision to Pope Julius, ArchBishop of Rome. Pope Athanasius assembled a council in Alexandria in 340 A.D. where he protested against the Arians, then he wrote a letter to all the churches to declare his innocence.However, the Arians influenced new Emperor, as well as some weak church leaders, to recognize Gregory as the Pope of Alexandria. But Gregory and his fellow Arius demons, raped Alexandria of her wealth and purity. The people of Alexandria were horrified, and decided to resist, but the Arians attacked the churches.Pope Athanasius sought the help of all the churches in the world, left his Seat, and traveled to Rome. A council was assembled in Sardica, where they declared:a. The innocence of Pope Athanasius b. Confirmed the cannons of the Nicean Creed. c. They excommunicated the Arian bishops. d. Deposed Gregory from his office.Athanasius returned for the second time to his Chair, and the people received him with joy. Gregory the Theologian, the writer of the liturgy, described this reception saying: "The people came as the flood of the Nile," and he also pointed out to the palm branches, the carpets, and the many clapping of hands.The Arians did not like the return of Athanasius to Alexandria, and waited unwillingly until the death of new Emperor. The Arians again falsely accused Athanasius before Emperor Constantius, claiming Athanasius was collaborating with the enemy of the Emperor. Constantius exiled Athanasius yet again. The Arians appointed George of Cappadocia, bishop on Alexandria, but the Orthodox people refused to accept him and admonished him. He responded violently, taking over all the churches and its properties.After the death of Emperor Constantius, Julian his cousin became ruler. He wanted to rally the people of Alexandria so he returned Athanasius to his Seat. Athanasius assembled a council in 362 A.D., and provided conditions for the acceptance of the Arians that wish to return to the church. He also gave a special attention to the preaching among the pagans. This was not appreciated by Emperor Julian, who loved and supported the pagans. He therefore ordered the arrest of Athanasius.Those around the Pope were greatly saddened because of the tribulations that befell him again and again. Athanasius told them, that in times of persecution, he felt great inner peace and that God took care of him and embraced him with His grace more than any other time in his life. He also said: "The persecution of Emperor Julian is like a summer cloud that will go away." While they were in these conversation, the news came to them that Julian was killed in his war with the Persians, and that he was killed by St. Mercurius (Abu Sefain), and that he said just before his death: "You have overcome me, O You son of Mary.”Jovian became Emperor breifly, then Valens who was under the spell of the Arians. In 367 A.D. Valens ordered the exile of Athanasius. Athanasius was forced to leave Alexandria yet again, hid in the tomb of his father. Meanwhile, the Emperor killed 30 bishops who were pro-Athanasius. The Emperor saw the determination of the Coptic Church, and decided to lift the persecution, and return Athanasius to his Chair in 368 A.D.Although Athanasius reached the age of 72, he did not compromise in performing his duties. For his steadfastness and his firm stand for justice, the world described him by the saying: "Athanasius against the world.” He wrote several books about the false doctrine of Arius called, On the Incarnation, as well as many other subjects, including the faithful telling of the Life of St Anthony.Athanasius was the first Pope to wear the monastic tunic from the hand of St. Anthony. He made it the uniform for all bishops and patriarchs. He was the one who ordained St. Antonios a priest, and then Archpriest.

Pastor Sean brings a fourth a message titled Honor the King: The One Thing Psalm 95 Psalm 27 James 4: 6-10 Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. – Psalm 22:3 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;… The post Honor the King: The One Thing appeared first on Believers Chapel - Olean, New York.

Sahih al-Bukhari – The Book of Tawheed – Lesson 102 (23/11/2019) Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "Your stay (in this world) in comparison to the stay of the nations preceding you, is like the period between 'Asr prayer and the sun set (in comparison to a whole day). The people of the Torah were given the Torah and they acted on it till midday and then they were unable to carry on. And they were given (a reward equal to) one Qirat each. Then the people of the Gospel were given the Gospel and they acted on it till 'Asr Prayer and then they were unable to carry on, so they were given la reward equal to) one Qirat each. Then you were given the Qur'an and you acted on it till sunset, therefore you were given (a reward equal to) two Qirats each. On that, the people of the Scriptures said, 'These people (Muslims) did less work than we but they took a bigger reward.' Allah said (to them). 'Have I done any oppression to you as regards your rights?' They said, "No." Then Allah said, 'That is My Blessing which I grant to whomsoever I will.' " Today we covered: • The recitation of the Qu’raan • The 2 types of recitation of the Quran o The recitation in words, with his mouth and reading etc o The following of the Qu’raan. You believe and implement everything the Qu’raan • There are 5 major points that a believer needs to understand between himself and the Qu’raan o You believe it is the speech of Allaah, not created. o You recite the Qu’raan o Memorise the Qu’raan o Pondering over the Qu’raan and understand it o Acting upon the Qu’raan Benefit: To gain further understanding when we discuss the chains, follow our “Bayqooniyyah in the Sciences of Hadith” lessons on LearnAboutIslam: http://www.learnaboutislam.co.uk/2016/01/18/al-Ma’iyahndhoMa’iyahh-al-bayqooniyah/ The English translation of the hadiths and all the audio are available on: www.learnaboutislam.co.uk/bukhari Recorded at the Salafi Centre of Manchester on 23/11/2019 and streamed live on www.SunnahRadio.Net

Archives Listen to the Prayer Audio:PRAYER FOCUS: DO YOU HEAR GOD’S SONG IN YOUR HEART? SING PRAISE TO HIM FOR WHAT HE IS DOING FOR US THIS DAY!Heavenly Father,Your take delight in our expression of Faith Hope and Love as we gather here in this hour!We are Your Family because of our Faith in Yeshuah Your Son. He is the source of our Hope that all things will work unto good no matter what we are going through! His Love is poured out on us by the Sacrifice of His Love so that we too will love s He has commanded us to. We sing Praise to You for this great privilege to gather in this assembly of Prayer Warriors to follow Your Commands and be used as instruments to spread Your Kingdom here in America and around the world as the Holy Spirit leads us and guides us! It is in Your Strength that we are able to conquer and subdue the earth to make it a fitting dwelling place to be with us now and into eternity!Father we bring the words You have spoken to us prophetically that the old systems are to be brought down and new life will spring forth. Father, we expect to see that the Presidents who have deceived us or led us astray will be exposed and face the consequences of their actions and choices. Lord, we know when You bring down the wickedness of that last administration and their uplifting of those forces of the Muslim Brotherhood and others who hate America and hate are following of Jesus Christ as Lord much will happen to return us to our heritage and the principled life of our Constitution and Laws based on the Scriptures will take root and bring forth the Justice and Liberty we have had since the beginning. Lord forgive us for foolishly being deceived in voting and supporting those things that divide us and cause hate between races and even among those who call themselves Christians. Father, we are grateful for giving us President Trump and all who are working with him to make America a nation for You Lord! Continue to bless him and the righteous men and women who are here to serve and bring Justice to our land and its people.Father, this band of warriors are here to intercede and do battle in the spirit so that we will see Your Mighty Hand crush the new world order and all this garbage of a one world religion run by puppet masters who are evil, selfish and worship Baal and all other forms of godlessness! Father we stand with you to continue to dry up the source of blood sacrifice through abortion and other forms of devil worship to turn us to true worship O You the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who has given us Your Son for our salvation and to make this earth a suitable dwelling for us to be one with You! We are here to stop putting our money and finances into wickedness and the deceptive ways of entertainment and allurements of the world and turn our tithes and offerings to help the poor, the widow and the orphan. What is on Your Heart is in our ours! What You want is what we want! We give Your Praise, Honor and Glory!Father, we want our court systems to reflect You Heavenly Court where You render proper Judgment and true Justice. We especially pray for our Supreme Court and the Justices that those who are to be removed because of their lack of integrity happen now! Lord, we especially place special protection on those who truly follow our Constitution and know their rightful role in Justice, Like Justice Thomas, Kavanaugh and the others, but let those fall who have been in favor of the perversion of our biblical morality like abortion and same sex marriage being forced upon us be brought down now! To allow President Trump to appoint righteous men and women to this honored place in our Supreme Court! Lord as Justice Thomas has stated there are many decisions that can be changed and should be so America will be what our Founding Fathers and Mothers believed and were willing to die for. An America of Freedom to worship You without fear and without interference in any form!

Eddy and I had the honor of meeting Michaela Murphy (aka Jessie Flowers) [voice of Toph] and Olivia Hack [voice of Ty Lee] at Anime Expo on July 7th, 2019. I had messaged Michaela earlier and asked ahead of time if I could interview her for Beyond Bending Podcast and she said yes. I was ecstatic. It’s not everyday you get to meet one of your idols, let alone interview them. I have never made an Instagram post so fast in my life. I shared the news with our fans and asked them what questions they would want to ask Michaela, or TOPH BEIFONG. Leading up to Anime Expo, I was trying not to think too much of it. “They’re just regular people…” I told myself over and over. But like many other die hard fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, this was a show that changed my life in so many ways and has shaped me into who I am today...Who am I kidding? These “regular people” that I was about to meet were my idols. My adolescent self was freaking out but Podcast Marilyn kept me calm. Finally the day came. We drove to L.A., paid a ridiculous $35 for parking in front of the convention, and wandered around Anime Expo until it was time to meet them. As Eddy and I approached Michaela and Olivia at their booth at Anime Expo, the butterflies hit me. Thank god Podcast Marilyn took over and kept me normal. Michaela was occupied with another fan, so we approached Olivia first. My heart jumped over the moon. I was meeting the voice of Ty Lee, one of the most badass female characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Olivia was so sweet and amazing. We chatted for a bit and I asked her if I could interview her as well and she agreed. Michaela finished up with her fan, looked over at us, and smiled. And I swear my husband Eddy had a heart attack. Toph Beifong is his favorite character of all time and to him, it was like meeting Jesus.We got to their booth towards the end of their time slot so we were able to chat with them for a while. What was minutes felt like hours to me. Olivia suggested doing a joint interview with Michaela and I said “Yeah! Sounds good!” She then offered to take us to “the back” where it was quieter and that there were couches in the back that we could sit on while doing the interview. I felt like I had been struck by lightning. “It’s not much…” Olivia said leading us behind the curtain, but to Eddy and I it might as well have been Disneyland. Olivia and Michaela sat down on one of the couches and Eddy and I sat adjacent to them, with Michaela being closest to me. I hooked up my cheap lavalier interview microphones into my iphone and passed them each a lavalier to pin onto their shirts. Unfortunately I didn’t have an extra set on me for myself but I was only concerned about getting a clear recording of their voices. After sound testing, we started rolling.Michaela: I’m Jessie Flower, I voice Toph Beifong in Avatar: The Last Airbender...Olivia: And I’m Olivia Hack and I play Ty Lee! Marilyn: So great to meet you guys. Oh my gosh… O: Great to meet you!M: Nice to meet you as well!Marilyn: Be honest, when was the last time you watched the show?M: I’m actually binge rewatching it this week. So, technically right now. But before that it had been probably about two years...maybe three, since I’d watched any part of it. It’d been a while. So yeah, in spirit of Anime Expo I was like “Okay...you know, I think I need to rewatch everything from top to bottom.” So yeah, I’m about to start Season 2 so it’s been a full week. *laughs*O: And I’m with Michaela. It’s been a couple of years. I’ve seen some of the comic books and stuff but the actual show it’s been a while, yeah….Marilyn: It’s been a while since both of you voiced your characters. Off the top of your head, [what’s] the fondest memory you have when you voicing them?M: For me, I really liked when multiple cast members got to be in the recording booth together because a lot of the time it would be separate. My usual date, ‘cause I was still in high school, it was like every other Tuesday after school I would go in and record. And sometimes it would be just me, sometimes maybe Jack [voice of Sokka] or Mae [voice of Katara] would be there...But there was one day when every microphone...and I think this only happened once...every microphone was full. We had...you know, Toph, Sokka, I think Azula, and...was it Zuko? Yeah, and Uncle Iroh. We had like everyone kind of in the recording booth together so we got to go through like 3 or 4 pages without stopping and like everyone was there to like go through the scene. And like that was a cool moment ‘cause it felt like it came to life for a second, you know? And it doesn’t really get to feel that way until you watch the episode later. And so I just remember, and I forget which episode it was...cause...just memories of all different things happening but that was my favorite day because Mike and Bryan were also there cause they came in to listen sometimes...So like they were sitting with our recorder...person...audio engineer. That’s like a proper term!O: *laughs*M: “That recorder person.” *laughs* The audio engineer. And that was probably the highlight cause it was all of us in one place and just, you know...like, 45 minutes we got to kind of be going through it live together, which was awesome. So yeah, that’s like my favorite tidbit from recording.O: I was literally gonna say the same thing cause as voice actors, a lot of times you record separately! Which is fine...and we’re used to that but when you can record everybody together, there’s a rhythm and...yeah it feels like real acting. You can play off each other. They tended to record all the fire nation girls together, so that was kinda nice. But yeah, I’d say 50/50 they don’t record everyone together...but when they do it’s like more a magic kind of in the air. So yeah for sure…M: And for me it was even less, and I don’t know if it was just a scheduling thing, but I’d say probably only 20-25% of the time somebody else is in the studio. Most of the time, it was just me. So...I don’t know why….O: School, man! M: Yeah, school! *laughs*O: *laughs* School’s a drag.M: Yeah, high school… *laughs*O: That’s the one part of being a child actor that’s just like...blows...it’s the school factor.M: Yeah...You have to figure in to the scheduling but yeah….*laughs*Marilyn: Have you found like there are some days...since you don’t have someone to interact with or bounce off of, you just like struggle with…?O: I’ve personally seen performances that I...I mean obviously you read the script but you kinda didn’t realize what was going on in the scene or the tone later and I’m like “Ugh...I would have said that differently…” or “I would have played that a little different had I seen what the other person was doing..” you know? So it’s always better to act with another human being as you can imagine. M: Yeah, I agree. We’re two different instances. Me being by myself, I got used to it. BUT! Sometimes they would have the animation already made or like roughly done and maybe it wasn’t completely finished. So they would play that out while I was saying my lines so I can kind of see what was going on so that would be helpful. But then other times it would just be blank and it was like “Okay…” They send you the script beforehand usually so I would just read and see what was happening in that episode. But there wouldn’t be something to actually react to so sometimes they would be like “Okay, that was good...we need more…” or “Do three takes that were kind of like that last one and be a little more surprised.” Just to give a little bit of nuance of like what they were envisioning and I didn’t know necessarily. So yeah, it can get a little tricky but usually people then hop in to direct you and help shape what you’re supposed to sound like. *laughs* Marilyn: Yeah…*laughs* So in our podcast, we’re revisiting it as adults. We watched it in like middle school and high school and so...you know, like we were dumb kids… M: *laughs*O: Yeah, yeah, yeah!Marilyn: Everything just flew over our heads...We didn’t realize like “Oh, it’s just kids fighting a war...you know, no biggie!” Like years after you guys finished recording, was there anything that hit you later? Like “Oh wow, I didn’t realize that these themes came up or…?” O: Just how dark I think the show is...You really kinda go like “Oh this is…” I don’t know, it gets there a little bit sometimes, right? I mean just what you said...there is a lot of adult themes that go with it.M: Yeah, um...Well on a more personal note I think...when I was younger…*laughs* I’m still young...Everyone: *laughs*M: We’re still young. BUT! When I was younger, people would come up to me at cons or send some fanmail and just be like “Oh, you’ve really helped inspire me to just like be more confident in who I am and to not care about what people think...” Just kind of have a stronger attitude specifically relating to Toph...and I don’t think I realized how important and then helpful for me that would be later... just cause I was kind of in my weird-like actor kid world and grateful enough to to like have a great relationship with my mom and like always felt comfortable with like who I was...But then as I got older and I started to feel a little uncomfortable myself in college and then like noticed that a lot of people struggled in middle school and high school...Just kind of recognized that having such like a bold, doesn’t give a fuck character…O: Yeah… M: You know, 13 year old blind chick who’s just like “I’m who I am. This is it. You’re gonna like it or not….”Marilyn: Yeah…M: ...is helpful! For any age…O: ...and strong female characters!M: Yeah! O: Like ass-kicking women that you don’t see in TV...especially then.M: Right! In light of today, being a...you know, a more popular topic obviously to talk about...along with LGBTQ! Just like the whole thing. A lot more conversation happening...but this all happened, you know, a decade ago! And so it was kind of cool just to recognize like “Oh! We were a part of something that hopefully played a part in the conversations that are happening now! Which is nice...So…”O: It’s weird to be in something, especially kind of...not that Avatar was pre-internet but kind of...you know?M: Kind of...yeah. Instagram wasn’t like really a thing yet.O: Yeah! You don’t realize that you’re in something that’s culturally significant or something that’s touching children until those children grow up, and then can reach out to you and that sort of thing. So that’s a cool part of being an entertainer now, is you immediately know…Is this show a hit? Do people like it? Does it resonate? Whereas Avatar I feel like I didn’t know until 8-9 years after it was off the air…M: Yeah! Yep… O: ...that it was a big deal! So that’s been kind of cool to see how it’s touched people…M: Cause people just don’t look at your followers or how many reposts you have...or how many...you know, it’s just not the same way anymore. So it took a second to marinate, I feel like. And then we started watching people...kind of come back to us. So I don’t know! It’s cool…yeah. *laughs* Marilyn: When I started doing this podcast and being more active on social media, I definitely noticed like there’s a lot of high schoolers that are just getting into the show right now and kind of reliving what we went through…O: And streaming helps too!Marilyn: Yeah! Just binge all of it…M: Amazon Prime! Everyone, run…Everyone: *laughs*Marilyn: Like for us, Avatar is my favorite show. What are your favorite shows that you think resonated with you as much as like...for me and Eddy… M: So I didn’t really have TV growing up on purpose. My mom just like...I like to read a lot so she kinda just kept me doing that for as long as possible...Just cause she didn’t want to get me to get like sucked into staring at a screen all day. So I watched a lot of Winnie the Pooh on VHS growing up.O: Awwww!!! M: And like a lot of Arthur and...I guess we’re pretty hardcore Disney fans. Just with you know, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid...The Little Mermaid live action [news] came out!O: Yes!!!M: Very exciting! But yeah, so it was a lot of VHS, you know, like “Watch it once.” and “Okay, now you have to go outside.” So I didn’t really know even more what I was a part of until like college because I didn’t go home and then watch the episode that I had recorded.O: Did you see Avatar when you were young? Or no…?M: No, not really. O: Oh wow! Okay… M: Like I didnt...you know, in the booth I would see scenes happening and watch snippets but I didn’t really watch it on TV until...maybe college...or so just cause I didn’t have access to cable. So I mean at friends’ houses and stuff like that there might have been an episode on or they’d be like “Oh let’s watch it because it’d be funny.” and I would be like “Sure…”Everyone: *laughs*M: But you know, it never was something that I went home and watched because I just didn’t….we didn’t do TV really….Although I will say Kim Possible, if I had to pick. Just, that was around a lot and I always wanted to be her. So that was probably my kind of influential-like “Go out and kick ass...be a cool chick.” *laughs* Everyone: *laughs* M: Yeah, exactly. Toph in another dimension...So yeah that’s probably my show.O: That’s awesome. As a kid...I mean I’m like from Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake generation, you know?M: *laughs* O: But Little Mermaid came out when I was 6 and I thought I was a mermaid that entire summer…. M: I understand…*laughs*O: But yeah, I’m like….X-Men, Gargoyles and that whole kind of classic animation era age cause I grew up with the 80s-90s. And then I was obviously on Hey Arnold, but I love Hey Arnold. I think that’s just like a really classic show...Yeah I’m just into all that stuff. I watched a lot of TV when I was a kid, I’m like the opposite of Michaela.Everyone: *laughs* Marilyn: So aside from your characters, like I wanna know...Michaela Murphy and Olivia Hack….Eddy: Or Jessie Flower…M: Yeah...either way....*laughs* Jessie Flower, Michaela Murphy, they both work. *laughs*Marilyn: Which element...or would you be a Kyoshi Warrior, a non-bender? Like which would you be? Aside from your character!M: So I can’t choose earthbending? Okay...Cause I have decided that I think I actually would be….so aside from that, if I’m moving away from Earth...I honestly...I was actually talking to Olivia about this yesterday...I feel like I would be a Ty Lee. I do a lot of acrobatic and like trapeze stuff and I dance! And I’m like typically high energy and bubbly...with just like a quiet, sassy side if someone gets in my way kind of girl…O: She’s a really good Ty Lee right?!Everyone: Yeah! M: So I think I would just kind of be Ty Lee! *laughs* That’s who I would...yeah, if I had to pick another route in Avatar world. And I was talking about for the live-action, if they’re not gonna be casting any Caucasian human beings...BUT! If they were, that was hardcore who I would be gunning to be…O: Speaking of casting Caucasian people, what’d you guys think of the movie? What’s the….Eddy: The movie?*Eddy and I make a sour face…*M: Yeah...I know…O: Everybody makes a face when I say that! I’ve never seen it, and everyone says don’t see it!M: Oh I have...I mean yeah, there’s not a reason to see it but I did see it…O: *laughs* Eddy: I hate to say it but it feels like they didn’t watch an episode. Like a single episode of it...They say “Oong” instead of “Aang”, they say “Soak-a” instead of “Sah-ka”....M: Yeah...it hurts….it’s painful….Eddy: Sorry I can ramble on…O: Yeah, yeah, yeah!M: *laughs*Marilyn: I think it was just like...for fans of Avatar the cartoon, like we really love the show….and so like going into the movie and just having it disappoint us but...but kind of like...stab you and then turn the knife on you…O: It’s like disrespectful to fans!M: Yeah… Marilyn: Yeah! And so...that’s how we felt...and with the live-adaption on Netflix...we have hope again. So it’s nice. Eddy: Thankfully, the movie didn’t hurt Toph or Ty Lee…O: Yeah!M: Thankfully! Marilyn: I think after everyone saw that movie, they revisited the show. M: Yes! Cause they were like “Oh, well...we gotta go back to what was good.” *laughs*O: Fingers crossed for the Netflix show!Eddy: I have faith… O: I think it’s gonna be good!Marilyn: You mentioned earlier you met with Mike and Bryan...can you reiterate what you told us?M: Yes! So I had just heard little twitterings and people had been sending me articles and being like “Hey, are you going to be a part of this?” I was like “Okay, so this is a thing that’s happening.” So I reached out to Mike and Bryan and I came to Los Angeles in May, just for a little bit. A couple of days...and then I was like “Hey! Can I get lunch with you guys? It’s been a while…” *laughs* “...and just like wanna pick your brain!” So...they’re much more involved with the live adaption...this...THIS live action! And I just wanted to hear...you know, what their thoughts were. They were on the fence, Nickelodeon was on the fence about partnering with Netflix. A lot of things kind of had to be arranged and it was a bit crazy apparently...but finally it got settled. They are scouting places, you know, up in Canada for shooting...and I asked like “Are you casting soon? Who are you casting? What’s happening?” And they’re trying to keep it as true to...kind of location in the animated series for real life. So they’re focusing on different sectors of...you know, Northern Asia and like Southeast Asia for like the Earth tribe and Fire Nation. They’re tryna like appropriately space...SO! Actually like...verbatum...They said “We’re really excited to not cast any Caucasian people.”Everyone: *laughs*M: And I was like…”That’s understandable!” It’s cool, and I was like, you know…”Are you gonna cast in Los Angeles?” and they were like “We’re tryna do like a nation/worldwide search...and try to make it as available as possible to anybody and anybody that wants to send in a video and audition or whatever...cause we want to find the right people. We don’t just want to find somebody’s cousin who happens to know the producer or whatever”...right? They want to find people who will really represent these characters...which I thought was cool. And a lot of people have been messaging me being like “How do I send in something?” Like, they’re from that point. They will probably cast like maybe mid-fall earliest...and then start filming like next spring. So there’s a long timeline for things but point is...they’re going to make it accessible to anyone. They’ll be public about it, whenever they do start...so yeah, it’s just cool. They’re gonna be very open about it I think...and like a lot more public because they know that the movie was so like “Eh…” that they want people to be on board for this...yeah. So it was cool! And they’re both doing well and they’re excited to be back and like working on the project and…O: You guys got the hot exclusive scoop!Everyone: *laughs* M: And with all like the CGI technology just in the last 10 years, it’s gotten so, so much better. I mean they’re doing all sorts of stuff with various green screens and like creating models and doing...I mean it’s...cause it’s you know...This world is so involved and kind of magical..you know, four flippered penguins and flying things...you know, just like a lot of...a LOT OF detail so that’s why it’s gonna take a second…*laughs*...to get started, understandably. But yeah, I’m excited for it just after talking to them, cause i think they want it to be as good as we do...you know?Marilyn: Yeah...Thank you for telling us this.M: Of course! Yeah...and I got the clearance, so this is all normal. There’s nothing secretive... None of that is like exclusive. It’s just like normal...they’re figuring things out...yeah, it’s cool. *laughs*Marilyn: So for Ty Lee...we were talking about it in the car getting over here...she’s like a female version of Aang! Like she’s so positive…O: She’s so positive but she’s a killer!Marilyn: She’s like the best friend you can want. Like the scene...I think like one of the most iconic scenes is when Mai betrays Azula and then Ty Lee saves her! And you see like Ty Lee’s face and she’s like “...we have to go! Let’s bounce!”O: *laughs* Ty Lee is always kind of cleaning up after Azula a little bit...yeah, yeah!Marilyn: Yeah! And we were just wondering like...in your life do you have like a Ty Lee version? Like a friend that’s always positive…?O: Yeah, I mean...I kind of...well I’m a little dry, but I mean I feel like Ty Lee a little bit. It’s like I try and look on the bright side of everything and whatever...but I would definitely go in there and kick some ass if I have to. I just like Ty Lee. My favorite episode is the beach...cause I like that you get everybody’s backstory in that. (My favorite Ty Lee episode I should say…) But yeah, I like her story cause she was in the circus and then she ran away...It’s kind of just this...yeah, it’s not what you would expect. But yeah, Ty Lee’s just a fun character. Like I didn’t know...my first two episodes or whatever, I think they casted another actress...Because I walked in there and they had already...the animation was already done. Like DONE, done...and I was just matching stuff…M: Ohhh...Interesting…hmm… O: Yeah! And so...I went in there kind of just thinking it was some anime. I had no idea what it was or whatever...so that voice just kind of came out of nowhere and like...it’s fun to do it because...*slips into Ty Lee voice*.... “She’s just really...Your aura is very pink!” *talks normal* Like she’s just really fun and yeah…. M: *laughs*O: Do a Toph line! Do your…. M: Oh gosh! Um...there are so many… Everyone: *laughs*M: I mean...it’s...popular one I guess is uh….*slips into Toph voice*....”I am not Toph, I am Melonlord!!! MUWAHAHAHAHA….” Everyone: *laughs*M: I mean…*laughs*...oh it’s so fun. For me, I mean...it’s also funny. A lot of people ask like, “Oh do a Toph voice.” I was just being extra sassy at 13...and so it was me, higher voice and just kind of in tomboy mode. Like I’m very...very close...with my voice. Although I don’t know if everyone knows this but I voiced Meng in Season 1, with the big pigtails sticking out. She had the crush on Aang, yeah yeah yeah! So that’s actually...I did her first but because they...you know, we just got along and when they decided to make Toph a girl they were like, “Hey wait! Bring back this Jessie chick…” and they were like “Alright, so this character is not that...She’s tough, she’s mean, she’s blind…” and I was like “Cool! Okay!” So yeah...a little bit of a shift with intention. But yeah...it was close to home…”O: And being mean is fun!M: Oh yeah!O: Being mean is really fun, yeah.M: Tough love! It’s all in love. Just, you know…*laughs*Marilyn: Thank you guys so much for this interview!O: Awesome! Thanks guys!M: Perfect! Oh my gosh, of course! It was so nice to meet you! Thank you for reaching out...I’m glad the timing worked out and everything….End of Interview.——————————————————————————————-Michaela’s IG: @michaelamostlyOlivia’s IG: oliviahack1Host/Editor - Marilyn Chanthala | Animation/Music - Edward Naputi | Cover Art - trai no angle & Eric VoWe are now on Spotify, iTunes, Youtube, Stitch, idk a lot of places![(Social Media).com/beyondbending]Website: www.beyondbending.com

It's a bummer A five minute quickie podcast So what am I calling a bummer? Well - When you are using an excuse and your best friend calls you out on it - that's a bummer  :O) You see we believe we can fool some of the people all of the time and all the people some of the time and we even try (notice that horrible word) to fool ourselves and think we can get away with it. I had a friend who wold stand up and be counted because if I dodge a question or was deliberately vague he wouldn't let me get away with it. It made me think and be honest, honest with my self. Whilst that can be a little uncomfortable it really is most enlightening and empowering. Yet why should we put our friends in that difficult position? When we can simply own it and call ourselves out to be honest because we know it anyway. Let's go a little deeper in this - come with me and make a difference. Shine brightly Paul Please remember you can leave a comment or email me with questions, requests and feedback. If you have enjoyed this or any other episode please share and subscribe. Just email me feedback@personaldevelopmentunplugged.com Go to paulclough.co.uk/subscribe to learn more If you want to access my FREE HYPNOSIS tracks go to paulcloughonline.com/podcast Follow and inter-react on twitter @pcloughie Why not look for me and the podcast on SPOTIFY AND the app Castbox I'm also in iHeart radio YouTube - copy n paste UC3BlpN4voq8aAN7ePsIMt2Q into search bar The Libsyn podcast page http://personaldevelomentunplugged.libsyn.com Stitcher, tunein, learnoutloud, Google Play Music Here is your show on RadioPublic: Listen to Personal Development Unplugged on RadioPublic Download this episode here

 Now I'm trying too hard! Last FMQ (238) we dived into "Trying" and how that really doesn't work. This episode let's look at the other side of the issue of trying and it's in the title TOOOOO hard :O) You see what can happen when you change from trying to committing to being and doing we  can experience overwhelm - And we thought this was going to be easy - Stay with me because it will be - I promise 'Cloughie' promise. Tony Robbins hit the nail on the head when he said "people over-estimate what they can do in the short term and under-estimate what can be achieved in the long term" Come with me again to share my thoughts on how we can really achieve our dreams/goals/wants and needs and feel empowered at the same time. Yup! that's where we go in this Five Minute Quickie Podcast. When you have please share to your friends, give a review on your listening platform of choice and send me some feedback by email  feedback@personaldevelopmentunplugged.com When you've done all that, sit back and............ Shine brightly Paul Please remember you can leave a comment or email me with questions, requests and feedback. If you have enjoyed this or any other episode please share and subscribe. Just email me feedback@personaldevelopmentunplugged.com Go to paulclough.co.uk/subscribe to learn more If you want to access my FREE HYPNOSIS tracks go to paulcloughonline.com/podcast Follow and inter-react on twitter @pcloughie Why not look for me and the podcast on SPOTIFY AND the app Castbox I'm also in iHeart radio YouTube - copy n paste UC3BlpN4voq8aAN7ePsIMt2Q into search bar The Libsyn podcast page http://personaldevelomentunplugged.libsyn.com Stitcher, tunein, learnoutloud, Google Play Music "Listen to Personal Development Unplugged on RadioPublic" Download this episode here

The Letter of the Week is... O You guys are in luck as this was almost a lost episode! One of the hosts only had somehow only saved the first 20 minutes.  But have no fear as the guys go through TV, Comics, Video Games and Movies to figure out their Top 10 favorite Fictional Characters. Who will be the the #1 on the Ultimate List.

Joining us this week is Eric Wright, Technology Evangelist, Turbonomic. Highlights: • Discoposse Podcast • Discussion on Luke Kaines Article • Open Source Impact on IT Ops and Purchasing • Money Drives Operational Alignment • Sales as Organizational Improvements Time Stamp • 0 min 6 sec: Introduction of Guest • 1 min 19 sec: Discoposse Podcast o History of Podcast o Canada – Brewers Retail • 6 min 07 sec: Luke Kaines Article, My Losing Battle with Enterprise Sales o Like Watching a Netflix Story Heading to an Unexpected Ending o Starts with Hard Lessons Learned – how not to do things  Who are you building the product for? User or Purchaser  Still early in our industry on how to build a product that doesn’t require enterprise sales o When is sales enterprise? How to define that? o You succeed on your ability to manage relationships of warring departments at the prospect’s company; it’s not the product that you are selling • 13 min 16 sec: Examples of Politics impacting sales o RackN and Internal Champions o Open Source allows customers to bypass their sales departments: dangers of this happening o Tour de France of IT Operations o Justify the cost of the product vs. value or the product • 21 min 05 sec: People take things seriously when money is being spent o Free consulting never gets used o Open source has less perceived value since its free but it’s not really free o Personal investment vs team investment in solution  Disagreements add value to organizations  Silos vs Cross-Silo Communications • 31 min 08 sec: How sell product communicating value to multiple groups via internal champions o Having to use software purchased already to get value o Have to pay for software, even free software  Even open source software has commercial support that cost money o Always about building a team and communication • 40 min 25 sec: Wrap-Up

Sahih al-Bukhari – The Book of Tawheed – Lesson 80 (26/01/2019) Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "When Allah ordains something on the Heaven the angels beat with their wings in obedience to His Statement which sounds like that of a chain dragged over a rock. His Statement: "Until when the fear is banished from their hearts, the Angels say, 'What was it that your Lord said?' 'They reply, '(He has said) the Truth. And He is the Most High, The Great. " (34.23) Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Allah never listens to anything as He listens to the Prophet reciting Quran in a pleasant sweet-sounding voice." A companion of Abu Huraira said, "He means, reciting the Quran aloud." Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection), 'O Adam!' Adam will reply, 'Labbaik wa Sa'daik! ' Then a loud Voice will be heard (Saying) 'Allah Commands you to take out the mission of the Hell Fire from your offspring.' - Narrated 'Aisha: I never felt so jealous of any woman as I felt of Khadija, for Allah ordered him (the Prophet ) to give Khadija the glad tidings of a palace in Paradise (for her). Today we covered: The speech of Allaah – part 3 • The speech of Allaah • When the angels hear Allaah speak that causes fear in their hearts • When the fear exits the angels say, “what did your lord say”, they say “that your Lord speaks the truth and He is the most high and the most great.” • The Love that Allaah has for the voice of the Prophet ﷺ reciting the Qu’ran • An evidence that Allaah listens to the one reciting the Qu’ran • The more a person that recites in a beautiful recitation then Allaah listens more. • The reward for the one that recites the Qu’ran • 5 points that a believer should recognise with regards to the Qu’ran: o You have the correct aqeedah regarding the Book of Allaah o You recite it (it is not just left there) o To memorise the book of Allaah o To understand the meaning of the Qu’ran o Act upon the Qu’ran • It is not permissible to have the Qu’ran as a decorative art piece hung up upon the wall • The ruling of beautifying the voice when reciting the Qu’ran • The ruling for the ones that do not have tajweed when leading the prayer • Hudayfee has the best voice when trying to learn the Qu’ran • The narration of when Khadija was given the glad tidings of paradise • Q&A session Benefit: To gain further understanding when we discuss the chains, follow our “Bayqooniyyah in the Sciences of Hadith” lessons on LearnAboutIslam: http://www.learnaboutislam.co.uk/2016/01/18/al-Ma’iyahndhoMa’iyahh-al-bayqooniyah/ The English translation of the hadiths and all the audio are available on: www.learnaboutislam.co.uk/bukhari Recorded at the Salafi Centre of Manchester on 26/01/2019 and streamed live on www.SunnahRadio.Net

תְּפִלָּה לְדָוִד הַטֵּה־יְהוָה אָזְנְךָ עֲנֵנִי כִּי־עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אָנִי׃ A prayer of David. Incline Your ear, O Lord, answer me, for I am poor and needy. שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי כִּי־חָסִיד אָנִי הוֹשַׁע עַבְדְּךָ אַתָּה אֱלֹהַי הַבּוֹטֵחַ אֵלֶיךָ׃ Preserve my life, for I am steadfast; O You, my God, deliver Your servant who trusts in You. חָנֵּנִי אֲדֹנָי כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֶקְרָא כָּל־הַיּוֹם׃ Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long; שַׂמֵּחַ נֶפֶשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֲדֹנָי נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא׃ bring joy to Your servant’s life, for on You, Lord, I set my hope. כִּי־אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי טוֹב וְסַלָּח וְרַב־חֶסֶד לְכָל־קֹרְאֶיךָ׃ For You, Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on You. הַאֲזִינָה יְהוָה תְּפִלָּתִי וְהַקְשִׁיבָה בְּקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָי׃ Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; heed my plea for mercy. בְּיוֹם צָרָתִי אֶקְרָאֶךָּ כִּי תַעֲנֵנִי׃ In my time of trouble I call You, for You will answer me. אֵין־כָּמוֹךָ בָאֱלֹהִים אֲדֹנָי וְאֵין כְּמַעֲשֶׂיךָ׃ There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, and there are no deeds like Yours. כָּל־גּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ יָבוֹאוּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶיךָ אֲדֹנָי וִיכַבְּדוּ לִשְׁמֶךָ׃ All the nations You have made will come to bow down before You, O Lord, and they will pay honor to Your name. כִּי־גָדוֹל אַתָּה וְעֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת אַתָּה אֱלֹהִים לְבַדֶּךָ׃ For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God. הוֹרֵנִי יְהוָה דַּרְכֶּךָ אֲהַלֵּךְ בַּאֲמִתֶּךָ יַחֵד לְבָבִי לְיִרְאָה שְׁמֶךָ׃ Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; let my heart be undivided in reverence for Your name. אוֹדְךָ אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהַי בְּכָל־לְבָבִי וַאֲכַבְּדָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם׃ I will praise You, O Lord, my God, with all my heart and pay honor to Your name forever. כִּי־חַסְדְּךָ גָּדוֹל עָלָי וְהִצַּלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִשְּׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּיָּה׃ For Your steadfast love toward me is great; You have saved me from the depths of Sheol. אֱלֹהִים זֵדִים קָמוּ־עָלַי וַעֲדַת עָרִיצִים בִּקְשׁוּ נַפְשִׁי וְלֹא שָׂמוּךָ לְנֶגְדָּם׃ O God, arrogant men have risen against me; a band of ruthless men seek my life; they are not mindful of You. וְאַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֵל־רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב־חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת׃ But You, O Lord, are a God compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. פְּנֵה אֵלַי וְחָנֵּנִי תְּנָה־עֻזְּךָ לְעַבְדֶּךָ וְהוֹשִׁיעָה לְבֶן־אֲמָתֶךָ׃ Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant Your strength to Your servant and deliver the son of Your maidservant. עֲשֵׂה־עִמִּי אוֹת לְטוֹבָה וְיִרְאוּ שֹׂנְאַי וְיֵבֹשׁוּ כִּי־אַתָּה יְהוָה עֲזַרְתַּנִי וְנִחַמְתָּנִי׃ Show me a sign of Your favor, that my enemies may see and be frustrated because You, O LORD, have given me aid and comfort.

למנצח בנגינת מזמור לאסף שיר For the leader; with instrumental music. A psalm of Asaph, a song. נודע ביהודה אלהים בישראל גדול שמו God has made Himself known in Judah, His name is great in Israel; ויהי בשלם סכו ומעונתו בציון Salem became His abode; Zion, His den. שמה שבר רשפי־קשת מגן וחרב ומלחמה סלה There He broke the fiery arrows of the bow, the shield and the sword of war.Selah. נאור אתה אדיר מהררי־טרף You were resplendent, glorious, on the mountains of prey. אשתוללו אבירי לב נמו שנתם ולא־מצאו כל־אנשי־חיל ידיהם The stout-hearted were despoiled; they were in a stupor; the bravest of men could not lift a hand. מגערתך אלהי יעקב נרדם ורכב וסוס At Your blast, O God of Jacob, horse and chariot lay stunned. אתה נורא אתה ומי־יעמד לפניך מאז אפך O You! You are awesome! Who can withstand You when You are enraged? משמים השמעת דין ארץ יראה ושקטה In heaven You pronounced sentence; the earth was numbed with fright בקום־למשפט אלהים להושיע כל־ענוי־ארץ סלה as God rose to execute judgment, to deliver all the lowly of the earth.Selah. כי־חמת אדם תודך שארית חמת תחגר The fiercest of men shall acknowledge You, when You gird on the last bit of fury. נדרו ושלמו ליהוה א‍להיכם כל־סביביו יובילו שי למורא Make vows and pay them to the LORD your God; -all who are around Him shall bring tribute to the Awesome One. יבצר רוח נגידים נורא למלכי־ארץ He curbs the spirit of princes, inspires awe in the kings of the earth.

Psalms 17 : 1 Hear a just cause, O Lord, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. 2 Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. 3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. 5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip. 6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. 7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, 9 From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They have closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly. 11 They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, 12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places. 13 Arise, O Lord, Confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword, 14 With Your hand from men, O Lord, From men of the world who have their portion in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their possession for their babes. 15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Y

Saturday 15 July Chapter of Prayer: Prayer of those having Legal Excuses • Brief recap of last lesson on the prayer of the ill person • The Traveller can shorten some of the prayers • From among the ones with legal excuses or leeway regarding the prayer is the traveller • It is legislated to shorten a 4 Rakah prayer down to 2 • Reminder that originally the 4 rakah prayers (dhur, asr, isha) used to be 2 and afterwards were legislated to be 4 except for the traveller • The 2 Rakah prayer (fajr) and the 3 Rakah prayer (maghrib) cannot be shortened • What the Quran says about shortening prayer • The prophet when he used to travel he would always shorten the 4 Rakahs to 2 • Ibn Umar said “the traveller’s prayer is 2 Rakahs and that is complete...” • When are you allowed to shorten your prayer? (what defines you as a traveller?) o You must be travelling in order to shorten prayer, e.g. if traveling at 13:00 one cannot shorten if still resident at 12:00 o Do you have to leave the boundary of your city? o Opinions of scholars quantifying the distance o Taking into account the norms of the people • What about if one makes regular journeys (e.g. daily), do you combine and shorten? o E.g. regular commuter, taxi driver, courier or deliveryman etc. • Combining prayers: o The traveller can combine Dhur and Asr at the time of either of them o The traveller can also combine Maghrib and Isha at the time of either of them o What if you pray maghrib and set off on journey and you can arrive at your destination before Isha has finished, can you combine/shorten? • What if you travel to your destination or stop for a rest, and stay for a few days, during those days (whilst still not returned back home) can you still shorten and combine? o If less than 4 days in your destination (e.g. spending 3 days at location), you can shorten but it is preferable to not combine and to rather pray during the set times o However, if you find it difficult to perform each prayer at its due time then it is permissible to combine whilst at that place o What if you know you will spend 4 days or more at a destination during travel, can you still combine or shorten? o Various examples • Narration on how the Prophet would pray on journey During the battle of Tabuk • what happens when you come across a mosque whilst travelling? o Join their congregation? How do you pray behind imam? • Q&A o Question about praying in hotel around Masjid Al-Haraam o Question about Arafa and climbing mount Hira NEXT WEEK insha Allah • The Prayer of Riders • The Fear Prayer

Saturday 6 May 2017 Chapter: Fasting Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, it is obligatory for every Muslim according to: • The Qur’an • The Sunnah • Ijmaa’ (consensus) • Known from the religion to be a necessity “O You who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you, just as it has been prescribed upon those before you” [2: 183] • The wisdom behind fasting in Ramadan is that it purifies one from immorality and vice because it blocks the shaytaan as the shaytaan circulates round the body just like the blood does. When one eats and drinks he is more likely to succumb to desire. • Timings of the fast: - From Dusk (when the whiteness appears across the horizon) - To sunset • There are 3 ways in which you can find out when Ramadhaan begins 1. Sighting of the Moon yourself 2. Someone else informs you they sighted the moon 3. The completion of Sha’baan (up to 30 days) • It is not permissible to judge the start of Ramadhaan based on calculations • What is the ruling on the one who fasts on the day of doubt (yawm ash-shakk) just in case? • Can we use astronomical calculations to judge the start of Ramadan? • For whom is it obligatory to fast? - A Muslim - Adult (reached puberty) - Healthy (able to fast) • If someone becomes Muslim during Ramadan – when should he start to fast? • Who is exempt from fasting? Do they have to make up those days? • What is the ruling on the one who is traveling? Should he fast? What if he finds it easy to do?

Saturday 18 March 2017 Chapter: The Latecomer to the Congregational Prayer • You can only be considered to have caught the congregational Prayer if you have caught at least one Raka’ah (e.g. the last) o What happens if you catch less than the last raka’ah • Whoever catches the Rukuu’ (bowing), catches the raka’ah o Hadith of Abu Bakrah  Evidence that catching the rukuu’ catches the raka’ah  Importance of not running to the mosque • What happens if you arrive and you fear you may not catch the rukuu’, o You can make just one takbiiratul Ihram and immediately join rukuu’ o If you have time, you can make one takbir to join the prayer (takbiiratul Ihram) and then Make another to join the rukuu’ • If the Imam is concluding the prayer with tasleem, but you missed some raka’ah, at what point do you get up? o When he says the first salaam? o Or when he says the second (completely finishes)? • When you join the prayer, that raka’ah is considered as your first o What about the number of tashahuds? (e.g. 3) • What to do when you join late onto a loud prayer (e.g. maghrib)? o Do you recite fatiha if you missed hearing it?  Difference of opinion among the scholars o What about joining late onto the quiet prayers? • The IMPORTANCE in congregational prayers that the one behind the imam follows the Imam and does not go ahead of him o The hadith warning those who go ahead of the Imam o Four possible scenarios regarding following the Imam:  To go ahead of the Imam [Incorrect]  To go equal with the Imam [Incorrect]  To follow the Imam [Correct]  To lag behind the Imam and being too slow [Incorrect] o Hadith of Umar when he saw a man going ahead of the Imam o Many people are heedless and lax about this issue and it threatens their prayer o The statement of Ibn Taymiyah regarding the one who goes ahead of the Imam o Going ahead of the Imam is Haraam (agreement of all scholars) • Q&A o When you join the prayer late, do you read the opening dua? o If you come late and miss a raka’ah for a loud prayer, should you read out loud by yourself when you get up to make up your lost raka’ah? o Praying the Janaza (funeral) prayer without the body of the deceased o What about if you miss the Janaza prayer for someone, can you make up for it? o Lining up the Rows via the ankles o What Gap should there be when a person stands to pray? Wide stance vs narrow?  What about the statement of some people that there should be 4 finger gap between the feet? o Bad smells such as Smoking and Garlic, can a person attend the prayer? Next week insha Allah the Chapter on Women’s attendance in the mosques

PRC Public Meeting and Dec 20th PAEA Rate Review: • PRC has been working for a year to prepare for this event • Public Notice has been issued and the scope will include: o The CPI cap o The schedule for rate change o The 45-day notice prior to implementation o Rate changes due to extraordinary or exceptional circumstances (exigent surcharge) o Class level application of the annual limitation o The rounding of rates and fees o The use of unused rate authority o Workshare discounts • PRC will be review and accepting feedback on the following objectives: o Objective 1: To maximize incentives to reduce costs and increase efficiency o Objective 2: To create predictability and stability in rates o Objective 3: To maintain high quality service standards established under section 3691 o Objective 4: To allow the Postal Service pricing flexibility o Objective 5: To assure adequate revenues, including retained earnings, to maintain financial stability o Objective 6: To reduce the administrative burden and increase the transparency of the ratemaking process o Objective 7: To enhance mail security and deter terrorism o Objective 8: To establish and maintain a just and reasonable schedule for rates and classifications, however the objective under this paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit the Postal Service from making changes of unequal magnitude within, between, or among classes of mail o Objective 9: To allocate the total institutional costs of the Postal Service appropriately between market dominant and competitive products • Comments regarding the process and structure of the review, as well as whether the current system is achieving the objectives, while taking into account the factors, and if not, whether and what modifications to the system or an alternative system should be adopted as necessary to achieve the objectives, are due no later than March 20, 2017. • There are 3 ways that comments can be submitted o File comments on-line via a permanent account (many industry associations have a permanent account) o You can apply for a temporary account to submit comments on-line. o Use US Mail (just be aware of the delay in delivery due to the irradiation process for all mail sent to the PRC). • Other PRC related news, in the early morning hours of Saturday Dec 10th a little puff of smoke came out of the Senate…. • Both Chairman Robert Taub and Commissioner Mark Acton were re-appointed and CONFIRMED for another term o Both had expired terms as of Oct 14, 2016 and were serving in their hold-over year o Now that they were both confirmed, they will serve terms that expire on October 14, 2022. o President also officially designated Taub as Chairman (so no longer in an “acting” role: which has been since Dec 2014). o Mark Acton will be serving as Vice-Chairman for 2017 (which we covered previously) o There still remains one open spot on the Commission that will now be up to Trump to nominate.  Which could be important to prevent any tie votes

THE HEALING AND MIRACLE PODCASTwith Prince HandleyWWW.PRINCEHANDLEY.COM HEALING FROM BACKPAIN~ A MIRACLE PODCAST PRODUCTION ~  You can listen to this podcast NOW. Click the center of the Libsyn pod circle at top left. Listen now ... or download for later  Or, LISTEN HERE >>> LISTEN NOW  After you listen to this message, you can scroll down for all messages previously in the LibSyn Archives (with Show Notes).  Email this message to a friend!  24/7 release of Prince Handley blogs, teachings, and podcasts >>> STREAM   Text: "follow princehandley" to 40404 (in USA)  Or, Twitter: princehandley  Subscribe to THE APOSTLES E-zine newsletter: princehandley@gmail.com  _____________________________________________________________  DESCRIPTION: There are many types, as well as causes, of back pain. Also, there are severities ranging from moderate to extreme … and some, life threatening. Many people suffer for years with a condition that could have been taken care of in a short time … and some, instantly. God is the Healer and the Creator – and by virtue of this fact – He knows exactly what you need. There is nothing wrong with going to physicians or seeking medical help or advice.   But what we should do is seek the LORD first to see what He wants us to do. He may want to heal us by His sovereign power, over a period of time, or instantaneously. _____________________________________________________________  HEALING FROM BACKPAIN~ A MIRACLE PODCAST PRODUCTION ~ MUSIC / INTRO There are many types, as well as causes of, back pain. There is neck pain, upper back pain, mid and lower back pain, and then the sacrum related coditions at the base of the spine. You have probably heard someone complain of sciatica which is caused by irritation ot the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve coming out of the spinal cord in the lower back. A bulging or ruptured disc is usually the primary culprit is such a condition. However, there can be other conditions involved. Arthritis can cause bone spurs which can cause or exacerbate sciatica. Also, an injury can cause compression of the nerve roots. There are several other causes for sciatica, and the source of the irritation will usually dictate the treatment prescribed: physical therapy, medicine and sometimes surgery. Be very careful of exercise regimen with any type of back condtion, especially spinal related, as you could be aggravating the situation. Always check with your medical professional concerning any type of workouts, exercise and even stretching. CAUTION: There is a condition known as Cauda Equina Syndrome which you might think is sciatica; however, it is very dangerous and without a MIRACLE from God may require urgent surgical treatment. It's symptoms can be similar to sciatica, and causes can be: A severe ruptured disk in the lumbar area (the most common cause). Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis). A spinal lesion or tumor. A spinal infection, inflammation, hemorrhage, or fracture. A complication from a severe lumbar spine injury such as a car crash, fall, gunshot, or stabbing. A birth defect such as an abnormal connection between blood vessels. There are types of bone pain attributed to bone fusion or where the vertebrae grow over. One such conditon is known as Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). It affects the spine with pain and stiffness from the neck down to the lower back and does not necessarily confine itself to older people; it happens most often to teenagers and men in their twenties, and is characterized by stiffness from the neck down to the lower back, and can result in a rigid spine. Back pain can be caused from injury, work, poor posture (sitting or standing), sports and recreation. But … the Good News is that YOU can be healed of back pain! You may be thinking … or saying … “I've had this condition for years!” Well, let me tell you, my friend, that Jesus, the Healer, has been healing for years! There are some practical things you can do to help your situation: 1. Exercise (check with a medical professional before starting an exercise or stretching regimen); 2. Take proper nutrition and supplements; 3. Get the required amount of sunshine (for Vitamin D); 4. Rest your body and your mind. 5. Take advantage of physical helps like the “Teeter HangUps” inversion table. This helps reverse the effects of gravity and disc compression. (Check with your medical professional before using.) The scope of this teaching is NOT to discuss specific types of therapy or treatments, but rather to present an alternative solution to problems that you or a loved one may be experiencing with back related issues.You can be healed today...NOW...by calling on the name of the LORD:  Who forgives all your sins, and Who heals all your diseases [Psalm 103:3]  The LORD's healing nature never changes.  It is God's will to heal you! Remember the lady in the Bible who was bent over for 18 years? “And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together (bent over), and could not in anyway lift herself up. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” (Matthew 13:11-13) _____________   MY TESTIMONIES I am completely back pain FREE at this time in my life … and I have been on Planet Earth for quite a while! My advice to you – especially if you know the Great Physician, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus, the Messiah) – is: NEVER GIVE UP! I went for 13 years with terrible back pain. I don't know what caused it. I was a varsity wrestler in school, but I don't remember any happenings that would have caused (the devil's) pain. (I say “the devil's pain” because it was NOT my pain; it was pain the devil wanted me to have!) Also, I had been in NO serious accidents, not even small ones. By God's grace I have never had a broken bone in my lifetime. I have claimed the scripture for years (a prophetic one about Messiah Jesus' death on the cross) that says, “He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalm 34:20) Here is how I was healed. My pain was so bad and so aggravating. I had been to a chiropractor years before and had learned or remembered how he had “fixed” my back to alleviate pain. So, I would lie on the floor and try to “fix” my back the way the chiropractor did. I was miserable, and it got worse and worse! I was addicted to”cracking” my back. I probably was compounding the situation. It was such a miserable condition … and, to make matters worse, at that time in my life I did NOT know about the healing power of Christ! Finally, I began to wonder if the situation was NOT a physical problem, but possibly a “spirit” problem; in other words, a “spirit of affliction” sent by the devil to plague me while I was trying to do God's work! To give you an idea of how bad the situation was, if I were in a business environment where I had never been before, I would look to see if the receptionist stepped out of the office so I could lie on the floor and “crack” my back. I was miserable! One day as I was on the floor ready to “crack” my back, the Holy Spirit spoke to me. He said, “Why don't you let me take care of that for you?!” Wow! I knew exactly what He meant. Instead of ME trying to fix the problem and compounding it each time I “cracked” my back, the Holy Spirit wanted to FIX it. It was such a temptation because when – and immediately after – I would “crack” my back, I would feel so much better … until it started hurting again! I really had to resist “cracking” my back … but realized at the same time, I didn't want to go through that all of my life. So … I said, “OK, Holy Spirit, I give this problem – this back condition – to You!” That was it, it was over. PRAISE GOD! That was many years ago. Another time, I experienced extreme pain in my upper back below my shoulder. It was not a spinal problem, but it would hurt so badly that I would cry. I asked God different times to either heal me or take me home to Heaven! I went to medical doctors, I went to specialists, I went to physical therapy … nothing worked. I even told two of the doctors I had that I asked the LORD, “Either heal me or take me to Heaven,” so they would know how bad the situation was. Nothing worked! Finally, one night while travelling in another area of the country, before I went to bed, I prayed to God and said, “Father, you can just send an Angel to touch me and I will be healed.” That night, while I was sleeping, I was awakened with a loud “POP” in my back where the problem had been. It was so loud it awakened me. And I was perfectly healed. I have never had that problem since, and never will, thank God … and thank the Holy Angel that God sent to touch me. Yes, “Touched by an Angel” has a special meaning to me! _____________ PRAISE is also an important remedy for back pain. 1. It lifts up and straightens the spinal column and relaxes it from a “stooped” condition. Learn to practice praise to God several times a day for at least 30 seconds. 2. God lives in the praise of His people. “But You are holy, O You that inhabits the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3)3. The anointing breaks the yoke. Since God lives in the praise of His people, there is an anointing present with true praise, which can break an “assigned” attack on the body, mind or spirit. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” (Isaiah 10:27)4. Praise brings victory. King Jehoshaphat and the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem won a large battle utilising praise. (Read 2 Chronicles Chapter 20, verses 1-30 in the Tanakh.) _____________ CHECK THIS OUT:  An Egyptian friend of mine, Magdy Girgis, was a member of our Board of Directors. He worked for Hughes Aircraft as did several Christians who had been Baptized in the Holy Spirit, all of which spoke in tongues. They had Bible studies together every morning before work and also at luch time. One day a man named Warren Meisenbach, who worked in the Engineering Department, came to their Bible study at lunch. Warren was NOT a believer and he asked them, “What's this born again stuff you keep talking about?” Warren had been a “hunch back” for 15 years (like the lady in the Bible I discussed earlier who had been bent over 18 years). Warren received Christ as his Lord that day, and asked the men to lay hands on him for healing. Instantly … they could hear his back "cracking' like: POP, POP, POP. He was perfectly straightend in a normal position. (See Note #3 at bottom to listen to a podcast of this MIRACLE.) When he went home his wife was dumbfounded because he was not only “straightened” but smiling for the first time in years! Jesus is the Healer … the Great Physician. Will you let Him heal YOU? If you want to meet the Healer, Yeshua HaMashiach – Jesus the Anointed One – NOW is the time!  Invite God’s Son, Yeshua, to come into your life by praying the following prayer: "Messiah Jesus, I know that you are The Great Physician. You loved me enough to shed your sinless blood and die for me on the cross stake that I might be healed.   I know you are alive. Please forgive my sins, come into my life, and be my Master. Help me to live for you, and take me to Heaven when I die." _____________ I have selected three (2) books which will help you to know how to deal with back pain, and any type of pain – so you can live PAIN FREE and serve God – and enjoy life the way God wants you to. Here they are … just click on the image.     _____________ ADDENDUM I have seen many people healed by the LORD of back pain, back conditions and paralysis. I have witnessed many people walking out of their wheel chairs. I was holding a three day seminar and I had asked the people present to join me in prayer and fasting for the last day as I was going to teach on healing. A man was present who had been in a wheel chair for nine years due to two conditions: 1. A large 18 wheel semi-tractor truck had run into his automobile and he had five breaks in his spine; 2. He had muscular dystrophy. During Holy Communion he walked out of his wheel chair and never went back! Two years later, he gave his testimony in a large Presbyterian church and hundreds of people fell out of their seats under the Power of the Holy Spirit. NEVER GIVE UP! _____________ Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai Your friend, Prince Handley President / Regent University of Excellence MUSIC Podcast time: 17 minutes, 45 seconds (with music) NOTES: 1. Healing and Miracle Podcast – Source A: www.healing.libsyn.com 2. Healing and Miracle Podcast – Source B: www.hmpodcast.wordpress.com 3. To listen to the account of the hunchback being healed, go here: POP-POP   Copyright 2014 Prince Handley All rights reserved. ________________________________________ Real Miracles ResourcesPrince Handley BooksFree Bible & Rabbinical StudiesFAST READS24/7 Prince Handley Blogs, Podcasts & Teachings _________________________________________  Handley WORLD SERVICES Incorporated Box 1001 Bonsall, California 92003 USA NOTE: Scroll down for ALL previous podcasts.    

  Danielle DiFerdinando, is a young entrepreneur who is the founder and lead designer for Danielle Nicole, a handbag company based in NYC. Her collections have been sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks and Nordstrom's. Her bags are regularly featured on NBC's “Today” show and her famed “Sydney Shopper” tote was also the official gift bag at Oprah's O You! event last fall. At just 18 years old, Danielle was selling her designs to Bergdorf Goodman, making her one of the youngest vendors on the legendary 5th floor. During her summer internship at Bergdorf Goodman, the cosmetic buyer asked Danielle to design a line of cosmetic bags. The success of the line was instantaneous and she was subsequently asked to design a complete collection of handbags for the prominent department store.