Podcasts about Outward

In a world swirling with uncertainty and global chaos, Proverbs 21 arrives as a timely anchor for our souls. This passage reminds us of a fundamental truth that can transform our anxiety into peace: God rules over rulers. The opening verse declares that the king's heart is like a stream of water in the Lord's hand, turned wherever He wills. No political upheaval, no international crisis, no earthly authority operates outside God's sovereign control. While we may have vastly different opinions about current events, while confusion and frustration may tempt us to lose focus, we are called to remember that nothing catches God off guard. He has read the end of the book, and He wins. This doesn't mean we live with reckless abandonment or ignore the world around us, but it does mean we refuse to let global distractions pull us away from our mission of making disciples where we live, work, and play. The passage also confronts our tendency to justify our own actions, reminding us that while every way seems right in our own eyes, the Lord weighs the heart. We cannot fool God with partial obedience or self-serving rationalizations. As we face uncertain times ahead, this chapter calls us to trust in God's perfect justice, His unfailing mercy, and His absolute sovereignty over every nation, every leader, and every circumstance we encounter.Sermon Notes – Proverbs 21 & God's Sovereignty  --------------------------------  DETAILED NOTES  --------------------------------  I. God Rules Over Rulers (Prov. 21:1)  - “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”  - In a world full of information, conflict, and confusion, nothing is outside God's control.  - Definition of God's sovereignty:   God's absolute and kingly authority whereby he not only has the right to rule over all creation, but actively governs and accomplishes all things according to his wise and holy will, including the outworking of salvation history.  - God is sovereign over:   - Kings, presidents, and rulers   - Nations and wars   - History and salvation  - This sovereignty doesn't excuse reckless living but produces peace and confidence in God's plan.  - Revelation and Daniel affirm God's control and final victory (Dan. 2:21; 4:35).  - Satan's tactic: use global chaos to distract the church from its mission—making disciples where we live, work, and play.  II. God Weighs the Heart (Prov. 21:2)  - “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.”  - We are skilled at self-justification; feelings and perceptions can lie.  - Outward obedience is not the same as inward submission.  - God is not impressed with appearances (1 Sam. 16:7).  - He searches the heart and tests the mind (Jer. 17:10).  - Many surrounding verses reinforce this:   - v.5: Haste leads to poverty.   - v.6: Ill-gotten gain is a deadly trap.   - v.8: The guilty way is crooked; the pure walk uprightly.   - v.9, 19: Wise living affects the peace of our homes.  III. Mercy, Justice, and Consequences (Prov. 21:10, 12, 18)  - v.10: “The soul of the wicked desires evil…” – sin is not neutral; it loves what harms.  - v.12: God observes the wicked and brings them down. Nothing escapes His notice.  - v.18: “The wicked is a ransom for the righteous…” – God will ultimately reverse wrongs and vindicate His people.  - Choices have consequences; justice is certain (Rom. 2:5–11).  - God shows no partiality; He will judge according to works.  IV. God's Sovereignty Rules (Prov. 21:30–31)  - v.30: “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.”  - v.31: “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.”  - Human planning, power, and strategy are real—but not ultimate.  - Job 42:2; Isa. 14:27; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11:33–36: God's purposes cannot be thwarted; His ways are beyond our comprehension, yet absolutely sure.  - This should give deep peace in uncertain, turbulent times.  --------------------------------  PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS  --------------------------------  1. **Respond to Global Events with Faith, Not Panic**    - Stay informed, but don't be consumed.    - Let God's sovereignty shape your news intake, social media habits, and conversations.  2. **Stay on Mission**    - Don't let world chaos distract you from making disciples.    - Ask: “How can I be faithful where I live, work, and play today?”  3. **Invite God to Weigh Your Heart**    - Pray Psalm 139:23–24 style prayers: “Search me, O God…”    - Ask where you might be justifying disobedience or compromise.  4. **Take Sin and Consequences Seriously**    - Teach and model that choices have real outcomes (for yourself, your family).    - Repent quickly; don't “store up wrath” (Rom. 2:5).  5. **Rest in God's Final Victory**    - When you feel fearful, meditate on Prov. 21:30–31 and Rom. 11:33–36.    - Anchor your hope in Christ's return and ultimate justice.  --------------------------------  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  --------------------------------  1. How does Proverbs 21:1 practically change the way you view elections, wars, and world leaders?  2. Where do you feel most tempted to let global events distract you from everyday discipleship?  3. Can you identify a time when you “felt right” but later realized you were just justifying yourself (Prov. 21:2)? What did God show you?  4. In what areas of life do you tend to forget that choices have consequences before God?  5. Which verse in Proverbs 21 (or in Romans 11:33–36) most encourages you right now, and why?

For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 3:30 am and 7:30 am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on KSPD 94.5 FM and 790 AM Boise's Solid Talk in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://www.790kspd.com/gospel-for-life/

This is a companion podcast for this morning's mantra. Kindness begins within. In a world that can feel rushed and disconnected, today’s meditation invites us to soften our hearts, choose compassion in small moments, and allow that energy to ripple outward. Your Morning Mantra: I choose kindness and let it ripple outward. Jennifer Cray is a life coach, meditation teacher and yoga teacher for Living Lit Up, based in Brisbane. You can deepen your meditation practices with her on Insight Timer. Insight TimerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kindness begins within. In a world that can feel rushed and disconnected, today’s meditation invites us to soften our hearts, choose compassion in small moments, and allow that energy to ripple outward. Your Morning Mantra: I choose kindness and let it ripple outward. Jennifer Cray is a life coach, meditation teacher and yoga teacher for Living Lit Up, based in Brisbane. You can deepen your meditation practices with her on Insight Timer. Insight TimerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily Word             A trap that many entrepreneurs and ministers fall into is making their God-given vision their god, instead of the Lord being their God. This is a deceptive trap. All your outward actions may look godly and in line with the vision, but your heart motivation is no longer right. This is dangerous because outward actions are meaningless when your heart motive is wrong.  __________ Revelation 2:1-5 KJV, 1 Samuel 16:7 KJV     __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com Leave a Comment: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/comments __________    

Send a textDr. Randy Davis, Pastor of Zion Word Church USA, brings a powerful message to the congregation about how the church must turn outward.  God's heart is for the lost and dying of this world and not the church building!  If a church stays within its 4 walls they will bite and devour one another and become of no effect to the Kingdom of God.  Church, Turn Outward!To hear more inspiring messages by Dr. Randy Davis visit and subscribe to:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zwmiusaTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@zwmiusaRumble:  https://rumble.com/c/ZionWordMinistriesIntUSAPodcasts: https://www.buzzsprout.com/40604Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zion_word/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zionwordministriesint

What does the cursed fig tree have to do with prayer, faith, and judgment?In Mark 11:12–25, Jesus curses a fig tree, cleanses the temple, and then teaches one of the most powerful lessons on biblical faith and prayer. This wasn't random. It was prophetic.The fig tree represented Israel — full of leaves but empty of fruit. Outward religion. No inward reality.And the warning is clear: If there is no fruit, there will be judgment.But Jesus doesn't stop there. He moves from warning to instruction:“Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22)In this sermon, we explore:✔️ What Biblical Faith Really Is ✔️ Faith in God's Person, Promises, Power, and Purposes ✔️ Why Prayer Is Not a Blank Check ✔️ What It Means to Move Mountains ✔️ How to Align Your Will With God's Will ✔️ The Danger of Fruitless ChristianityFaith is not: Faith in feelingsFaith in outcomes Faith in faithFaith is confidence in the character and Word of God.This message will challenge religious routine and call you back to authentic, fruit-bearing faith rooted in Scripture.

Stéphanie Rousselle welcomes her friend, author and spiritual director Bonnie O'Neil, to discuss the spiritual significance of Lent through Bonnie's Christ-centered devotional, "Where the Light of Hope Falls." This new book gives us both theological depth and practical advice for those seeking to engage with Lent meaningfully.The title, "Where the Light of Hope Falls," reflects that our ultimate hope is found in Jesus' sacrificial love—His crucifixion and resurrection. Throughout Lent, we are invited to place our failures and longings in the light of the cross, finding forgiveness and strength, and emerging to share that hope with those around us.Lent is one of the two penitential seasons in the church calendar, alongside Advent, and is traditionally a time for deep self-examination and realignment with God. Bonnie O'Neil shares that, although she grew up in a tradition that didn't extensively engage with Lent, her lifelong exposure to global churches deepened her appreciation for its intentionality. Lent offers a set-aside, sacred period—40 days echoing biblical patterns for reflection and preparation, paralleling Jesus' own time in the wilderness. While anyone could, in theory, embark on a season of introspection at any time, Lent's communal and historical significance makes it a uniquely powerful time for spiritual renewal.The process of Lent isn't about guilt or shame but about journeying inward "into the cave"—a metaphor for self-examination. Bonnie O'Neil emphasizes that only by plumbing the depths of our inner lives can we experience true healing and freedom. Importantly, this journey is not taken alone or in harshness. She shares how her approach is shaped by gentleness, beginning with an anchoring in the belovedness we have in Christ. The process starts with focusing on Jesus, remembering that we are utterly loved and safe in God's presence; only then can we honestly bring ourselves to confession and repentance.A central tool Bonnie O'Neil uses is the historic Prayer of Confession from the Book of Common Prayer. Recited slowly, this prayer walks believers through acknowledging specific failings—not to wallow in them but to bring them into the healing presence of God's mercy. Bonnie O'Neil recounts how, in a moment of frustration, quietly praying this confession brought unexpected freedom and release, demonstrating how tender acknowledgment before God removes the power of pride and shame.The end goal of this Lenten journey isn't mere self-improvement. Bonnie O'Neil reminds us, drawing from John 17 and her experiences with Alpha, that true transformation equips us to participate in God's work of reconciliation and hope in the world. After deep inward work, we are called outward—to reflect Christ's hope and love to others, contributing to the revitalization of communities and the world at large.Lent is a sacred opportunity for intentional growth, transformation, and hope. Through honest self-examination, gentle confession, and remembrance of God's abundant mercy, we find freedom—not only for ourselves but for the wider world. This journey, lovingly guided by ancient prayers and the presence of the Holy Spirit, prepares us to walk in the light of Christ's resurrection—the truest hope of all.MORE ABOUT THE BOOKPurchase the book on Amazon today at https://a.co/d/4r14rHm If the Christian life is meant to form us in Christlikeness, then why is transformation so elusive?We yearn to break free from the habits and mindsets that continuously ensnare us and remind us of how far we have to travel in our journey toward Christlikeness. Yet we get locked into the same patterns of control, envy, shame, anger, pride, judgmentalism and more. Can we hope for rescue from these habits that are so contrary to the abundant life of grace and rest Jesus offers us?Incorporating 47 daily Scripture readings and meditations, Where the Light of Hope Falls guides you on a journey inward to discover the roots behind many hidden sin patterns. Beginning by examining Jesus—the one into whose image we seek transformation—and helping us get comfortable with honest confession and repentance, the book then explores twenty-one common sin habits. This daily devotional helps you not only identify these central issues, but also yield to the Holy Spirit's restorative work within you. From this posture of rest, you will discover that transformation into Christlikeness is never meant for your benefit only, but is meant to awaken you to share the love and grace of Jesus with a world in need. Where the Light of Hope Falls offers you:- 47 hope-filled meditations that guide you on a journey of discovering Jesus more intimately, understanding yourself more fully, and loving others more completely;- 47 Bible passages that anchor the meditations;- A journey into deeper rest that's perfect for Lent or anytime.Lent offers us six weeks to wrestle with old habits and press into new ways of being as we accompany Jesus to the cross. Everyone who thirsts for more of God is welcome here, whether Lent is a familiar practice or something brand new—and not only during Lent, but whenever you long for deeper freedom.MORE ABOUT BONNIE O'NEIL“Hi there! I'm Bonnie and I'm glad you stopped by. I'm a hope hunter. As long as I can remember, I have sought to find hope in the hard seasons of life. I believe beauty can be found in every life, and that sometimes beauty does its most transformative work in brokenness.My greatest source of hope comes from trusting in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My training and work as a spiritual director has shaped me to go deeper below the surface of our emotions to discover root causes of things that block us from experiencing the love of God.Drawing from a deep well of faith, I have learned the restorative grace of giving space for sorrow rather than pushing quickly past it. Whether writing about discovering deeper freedom in Jesus or searching for hope in the darkest valleys of illness, suffering, and broken dreams, my writing reflects life in all its beauty and messiness, convinced that hope glimmers even in the darkest of shadows.I wrote my latest book, Where the Light of Hope Falls, as a Lenten companion for your six-week journey to the cross with Jesus. The book is for everyone who thirsts for more of God—whether Lent is a familiar practice or something brand new, and for any season— not only during Lent, but whenever you long for deeper freedom.A former banker, I'm now the Executive Director of Alpha Mid Atlantic, the local face of a global ministry called Alpha. Alpha offers churches a post-Christian approach to introducing people to Jesus and is run in nearly every denominational stream within the Church. I live with my husband in greater Philadelphia but have also made my home in New York City, greater Boston, Paris, Florida, Connecticut, and London. My happiest times are spent in the company of my three adult children.I'm passionate about helping others encounter the God of love, finding a cure for type 1 diabetes, filling my senses with beauty and wonder, and exploring all things France.Perhaps you too are hunting for hope in the hard places. I'd love to travel with you through whatever life season you're currently encountering and discover hope and joy together in the journey. Thanks for visiting. I hope you'll continue hunting for hope with me!”More at https://www.bonnieoneil.com/ Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Send a textSeason 4, Episode 33 - Outward Love: Loving People Without Trying to Fix Them.  Series: Practicing Love in All Directions.

Outward, Upward, and Heavenward

Icebreaker What is a moment in your life when you felt small in a good way—like you were standing before something bigger than you? When you think about Lent, what emotions or expectations come up for you personally?   Reflecting on our Need for God Where do you notice “wilderness spaces” in your life right now—places that feel uncertain, dry, or unresolved? Our world is full of noise and hurry. What do you think makes it difficult today for people to experience awe or stillness? When life feels overwhelming or insufficient, what are the things we tend to reach for first to feel grounded or secure? Scripture  In Exodus 3:1–6, Moses encounters the burning bush during an ordinary day in the wilderness. What stands out to you about the way God chooses to meet Moses, and what might that suggest about how God meets us today? In Exodus 3:13–15, God reveals His name as “I AM WHO I AM.”  What do you think it means that God introduces Himself with a name of presence rather than a simple description? How do you experience this posture from God in your own life? In John 8:54–58, Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” Why do you think this statement at the end of chapter 8 felt so shocking to the people listening, and what does it reveal about who Jesus is? What is Jesus trying to get them, and us, to understand about himself? In John 18:3–6, when Jesus says “I AM,” the soldiers draw back and fall to the ground. What does this moment show you about Jesus' authority and willingness as He goes toward the cross? Live It Out This week, brainstorm a list of people you regularly interact with (neighbors, coworkers, classmates, friends). Pray through that list and ask God for one name—one person you could intentionally walk with this Lent. Close in Prayer Prayer prompt for us as individuals Lord, help us to recognize Your presence this Lent. Teach us to stand on holy ground, to listen, and to trust that You are near. Outward prayer prompt for the world around us Jesus, the great I AM, draw near to those in wilderness places—those who feel alone, afraid, distracted, or hurting. Let Your light and life meet them through Your people.

February 8, 2026 - Jared Bryant

Mystery-Clad Being The Primal Rhythm of Being and the Heart of All Reality by Doug Scott, LCSW I. The Nature of Mystery We have just heard [previous presenter] speak beautifully about the theme of mystery. I want to build on that foundation with a particular question: What is the nature of the mystery that we are exploring? Mystery is not that which cannot be known. Mystery is that which can never be exhausted in all the ways of knowing. It is infinitely knowable—which means we can spend eternity exploring it and never arrive at complete comprehension. Not because it withholds itself from us, but because it is inexhaustible in its richness. This is a crucial distinction. Mystery is not ignorance. It is not a wall we cannot penetrate. Mystery is an ocean we can swim in forever, each stroke revealing new depths, new currents, new wonders. The fullness of mystery—what we might call gnosis—is not a destination we arrive at but a horizon that recedes as we approach, always inviting us further. Ra describes this with precise language when speaking of the fundamental rhythms of intelligent infinity: "The basic rhythms of intelligent infinity are totally without distortion of any kind. The rhythms are clothed in mystery, for they are being itself." (27.7) Clothed in mystery. Not hidden by mystery. Clothed in it—the way a body is clothed, the way we wear our appearance. Mystery is not what conceals being from us. Mystery is being, wearing its own inexhaustibility. So tonight I want to ask: If being itself is clothed in mystery, can we nonetheless discern something of its shape? Its flow? Its fundamental rhythm? Can we, while honoring the inexhaustibility, trace patterns that appear consistently across Ra's teachings—patterns that might illuminate something primal about the nature of reality itself? II. Being as Verb: Does It Have a Shape? Notice that Ra says the rhythms are being itself. Not that being has rhythms. Not that being does rhythms. The rhythms are being. This is being as verb, not as noun. Not a thing that exists, but existence itself as dynamic, self-processing oscillation. What does Ra tell us about the shape of this rhythm? In Session 27.6, we find a remarkable description: "Intelligent infinity has a rhythm, or flow, as of a giant heart beginning with the Central Sun... the presence of the flow inevitable as a tide of beingness without polarity, without finity; the vast and silent all beating outward, outward, focusing outward and inward until the focuses are complete. The intelligence or consciousness of foci have reached a state where their, shall we say, spiritual nature or mass calls them inward, inward, inward until all is coalesced. This is the rhythm of reality." A giant heart. Beating outward, outward... then inward, inward, inward until all is coalesced. This is the shape of being itself: a circulation. Not linear progression, not random chaos, but rhythmic circulation—emanation and return, expansion and coalescence, systole and diastole. III. The Primal Desire: Joy Seeking to Know Itself But why? Why does being beat outward and then inward? What drives the circulation? Ra gives us the answer in the most fundamental teaching of all: "The Creator will know Itself" (27.8). This is the First Distortion, the primal movement from undifferentiated unity toward manifestation. Not "wants to know" as if lacking something—but will, an active, ongoing, generative drive. Here is the crucial insight: This desire is not experienced as lack. It is experienced as Joy. The Creator's desire to know Itself is not a hunger born of deficiency but a fullness seeking to express and discover itself through infinite perspectives. Joy is the fundamental affective quality of being itself. And this Joy can only be fulfilled through experience. The Creator cannot know Itself through static contemplation. Self-knowing requires circulation—going forth into differentiated expression and returning enriched by what the journey has gathered. This means experience is circulation. The going forth and the returning are not separate from experience—they are experience itself in its most fundamental form. IV. The Heart as Locus of Circulation If experience is circulation, and circulation has a pattern—outward, inward, coalescence—then we can ask: Is there a center to this circulation? Is there a locus where the three movements meet? Ra speaks directly to this in Session 82.7: "There is a center to infinity. From this center all spreads. Therefore, there are centers to the creation, to the galaxies, to star systems, to planetary systems, and to consciousness. In each case you may see growth from the center outward." A center from which all spreads. This is the ontological definition of a heart—not merely an organ that pumps blood, not merely a chakra that processes emotion, but the locus of circulation itself. Wherever being localizes—whether as universe, galaxy, star, planet, or person—there exists a heart: a center where the three forces of circulation operate. The Three Forces Outward Flow (Emanation): From the heart, energy emanates. The Original Thought—the Creator's desire to know Itself—pulses forth from this center into manifestation, seeking, exploring, differentiating. Ra speaks of the vast and silent all "beating outward, outward." Inward Flow (Return): To the heart, experience returns. The spiritual nature or mass of the foci "calls them inward, inward, inward." This is what Ra elsewhere calls "spiritual gravity"—the attractive force drawing consciousness back toward center, back toward Source. Coalescence (Integration): Within the heart, what went forth and what returns are integrated. Ra uses several terms for this: coalesced (27.6), distilled (18.5—"distilling from them the love/light within them"), and in other passages, the image of atoms finding "precise distances from each other" to "produce a lattice structure which we call crystalline" (29.23). Coalescence is not mere combination. It is integration that transforms. What went forth as seed returns as harvest. What emanated as question returns as lived answer. The heart distills, processes, and prepares the next arising. V. The Modes of Joy: Yearning, Longing, Rejoicing Now we can go deeper. The three movements—outward, inward, coalescence—are kinetic. They are movements. But what generates them? What is the affective quality that drives the circulation? I want to suggest that the three movements are responses to three prior conditions—three ontological yearnings that are themselves modes of Joy. These yearnings do not cause the movements mechanically; they are the movements in their affective dimension. Yearning (to go forth): At the primal level, yearning is not lack. It is eager desire, anticipation, the joy in becoming. The Old English giernan means "to strive, be eager, desire"—and shares roots with the Greek chaírein, "to rejoice." Yearning is rejoicing—no lack, only eager delight in the adventure about to unfold. This generates the outward flow. Longing (to return): Once consciousness has gone forth and differentiated, a new quality of desire emerges. Longing is desire stretched across the distance that experience has created. The Old English langian means literally "to grow long, to lengthen"—stretching toward what is distant. This is the memory of home pulling homeward, joy stretched toward reunion. This generates the inward flow. Rejoicing (in union): When outward and inward meet in the heart, there is consummation. Rejoicing, from the Latin gaudēre, originally meant "to possess, to enjoy possession of, to have fruition of." It is the joy of completion, of harvest gathered, of distillation accomplished. This generates coalescence and seeds the new arising. And throughout—enjoying. Being in joy. The Old French enjoir means literally "to be placed within joy, to dwell in joy." This is the medium through which the entire circulation occurs. There is no moment outside of joy, because joy is being itself in its affective dimension. VI. The Two Energies Within Us This cosmic pattern is not distant from us. Ra tells us it operates within our own energy system. In Session 49.5-6, Ra describes two types of energy operating within the mind/body/spirit complex: "The most important concept to grasp about the energy field is that the lower, or negative pole, will draw the universal energy into itself from the cosmos. Therefrom it will move upward to be met and reacted to by the positive spiraling energy moving downward from within." "Meanwhile the Creator lies within. In the north pole the crown is already upon the head and the entity is potentially a god." Two flows: one rising from below, drawing universal energy from the cosmos; one descending from within, where the Creator already dwells. The place where they meet—this is what Ra calls kundalini, "the meeting place of cosmic and inner vibratory understanding." This meeting point is our heart, in its deepest sense. The cosmic rhythm that beats through all creation beats through you. The yearning that sends energy outward, the longing that draws it back, the rejoicing where they meet—these are not metaphors. They are the actual dynamics of your being. VII. The Pattern Appears Everywhere This pattern of three forces—outward flow, inward flow, coalescence—appears throughout nature and science. Not because science "proves" metaphysics, but because the same pattern that constitutes being manifests at every scale. Physics: White holes (cosmic emanation) and black holes (cosmic return). The Big Bang as universal outward flow, gravitational collapse as universal inward flow. The strange attractor in chaos theory—which we will watch in a moment—reveals how apparent chaos organizes around a hidden center. Chemistry: Dissipative structures maintain organization through constant circulation of energy—taking in, transforming, releasing. Living systems are precisely such structures. Biology: The heartbeat itself. Systole (contraction, emanation) and diastole (relaxation, reception). Breath: inhalation drawing the world in, exhalation releasing transformed air. The cell taking nutrients in, processing, releasing waste. Psychology: Attachment theory describes the child moving out into the world (secure base), returning to the caregiver (safe haven), and being transformed by the cycle. We spend our lives circulating between independence and intimacy. Neuroscience: The brain itself can be understood as a torus on its side—two hemispheres longing for each other across the corpus callosum, which functions as both veil and bridge. The left hemisphere specializes in focused analysis; the right in holistic context. Neither is complete without the other. The longing between them is the mechanism of integrated consciousness. VIII. Strange Attractor Contemplation   Watch the point move through space. It never repeats. Never traces the same path twice. And yet—it does not wander randomly. Something draws it. Something organizes its apparent chaos.   This is called a strange attractor. "Attractor" because the system is drawn toward it. "Strange" because it has a shape that can never be fully occupied—the trajectory approaches infinitely close but never lands. The point spirals around one wing... then crosses to spiral around the other... then crosses back. Two centers. One circulation. The pattern never settles, never completes, never exhausts itself.   Watch how each spiral tightens toward center... then releases... and is drawn across to begin again. This is what longing looks like when mapped in phase space. The memory of center draws the wandering point. Not forcing—luring. The attractor does not compel. It invites. The point is free at every moment—and at every moment, it is being called.   You are watching the shape of yearning made visible. Going forth... being drawn back... crossing over... spiraling in... releasing out... and being drawn again. The outward is contained by the inward. The inward is activated by the outward. Neither exists without the other. This is circulation. This is life.   Now notice: there is no visible center. You cannot see the attractor itself. You see only the response to it—the endless spiral dance of something being drawn, being lured, being loved into pattern. The attractor is known only by its effects. It is mystery-clad. Present everywhere in the system. Visible nowhere except in what it organizes.   Ra said the rhythms of intelligent infinity are "clothed in mystery, for they are being itself." This is what it looks like when being wears its mystery: infinite complexity, perfect order, inexhaustible novelty—all dancing around a center that can never be possessed, only approached.   Feel how this is also your life. Going forth into experience... being drawn back toward something you cannot name but cannot forget... crossing between worlds—outer and inner, manifest and hidden—spiraling closer, then releasing, then spiraling again. You have never been lost. The attractor has always been calling. Every apparently random movement was already part of the pattern—the inexhaustible pattern that clothes the Center in visible mystery.   The heart beats. Outward, outward... inward, inward... until all is coalesced. This is the rhythm of reality. --- IX. Consolation: We Are Never Alone Before we turn to practice, I want to offer something pastoral. If the cosmic rhythm is yearning-longing-rejoicing, and if this same rhythm operates in you... then your own yearning and longing are not separate from God's. Your ache to return, your restlessness for something more, your homesickness for a home you cannot quite remember—this is God's own longing operating within and through you. You are inside divine longing even as it is inside you. Whitehead called God "the fellow sufferer who understands." But it goes deeper than that. God is not watching our longing from outside. God is longing through us, with us, as us. The yearning you feel is not evidence of God's absence but of God's presence within that very yearning. This means: You are never alone. The sense of alienation—the veil's deepest effect—produces not separation itself, but the felt conviction that separation is absolute. Softening that conviction is the heart of spiritual practice. Not replacing it with certainty of connection—that would be another kind of grasping—but allowing the possibility that we are not alone, that we have never been alone, that aloneness was always appearance rather than reality. And the restlessness? The ache that never quite goes away? This is not meant to be eliminated. It is meant to be tended—like a wound that is healing, like butterfly wings that are still wet, like an infant in arms. The tender, aching place is holy ground. It is where the longing lives. And the longing is the connection. X. Feeling the Torus Within I want to share from my own personal experience, because perhaps you have this too—and if you do not, you can, because it is simply a latent sense organ. You and I have five sense organs that perceive third density space/time: sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell. But did you know that we also have subtle sense organs? These are latent—not often used consciously—but they do arise in us through intuitive knowing and through the empathic connections we make with others. I'd like to share that you can begin to feel a sense of circulation around you. For the past five years or so, I feel this all the time. At my core—at the heart, the central axis of my personal torus—I feel a clockwise circulation spinning within me. But there is also an outward field around me, and this outer field circulates counterclockwise. I feel it. It is my subtle skin. I feel this most acutely when I am connecting with someone else. As a counselor—or simply as a friend—when I am fully aware of what I am doing, I will intentionally extend my toroidal field and connect it with the other person. Sometimes I extend it so far that it encompasses them entirely, depending on what I feel called to do in the moment. When I do this, I essentially become the other person. We are all one self, other-selves in one body, and this is a transposition of consciousness. In the counseling moment, it is myself—Doug—who connects with my client, and then I become embodied inside of their experience. I become that person, in a sense, through the energy. Through this flow, through this exchange of information on the subtle realm, I feel intuitively the blockages or the places of freedom within their aura, within their energy centers, as if they were my own. And so I am able to almost surgically connect with the other person through verbal speaking—articulating what I myself am feeling as if it were my own body on the other side. Because when I join that field, it is my own body. You can learn to do this too.   XI. Living from the Heart To "live from the heart" is not sentimental advice. It is an invitation to conscious alignment with the very structure of being. The heart already functions as this center—it cannot do otherwise, for this is what hearts are. But we can dwell there consciously or unconsciously, harmoniously or in resistance. The center was never absent. The rhythm never ceased. What awakens is not the heart itself but our recognition of it—our willingness to inhabit the center we never left, to feel the pulse we always were, to dance the rhythm that dances us. The yearning that sent you forth on this journey—it was already joy in the guise of anticipation. The longing that draws you homeward—it is joy stretched across the distance you have traveled. And the rejoicing that awaits in the meeting—it is joy consummated, the fullness you have always been moving toward. The heart beats. The mystery clothes itself in rhythm. And we—mystery-clad beings ourselves—pulse with the same life that pulses through all creation. Outward, outward... inward, inward... until all is coalesced. This is the rhythm of reality. This is who we are. * * * Appendix: Key Ra Quotes Referenced Ra 27.6: "Intelligent infinity has a rhythm, or flow, as of a giant heart beginning with the Central Sun... the vast and silent all beating outward, outward, focusing outward and inward until the focuses are complete. The intelligence or consciousness of foci have reached a state where their, shall we say, spiritual nature or mass calls them inward, inward, inward until all is coalesced. This is the rhythm of reality." Ra 27.7: "The basic rhythms of intelligent infinity are totally without distortion of any kind. The rhythms are clothed in mystery, for they are being itself." Ra 27.8: "In this distortion of the Law of One it is recognized that the Creator will know Itself." Ra 82.7: "There is a center to infinity. From this center all spreads. Therefore, there are centers to the creation, to the galaxies, to star systems, to planetary systems, and to consciousness. In each case you may see growth from the center outward." Ra 49.5: "The most important concept to grasp about the energy field is that the lower, or negative pole, will draw the universal energy into itself from the cosmos. Therefrom it will move upward to be met and reacted to by the positive spiraling energy moving downward from within." Ra 49.6: "Meanwhile the Creator lies within. In the north pole the crown is already upon the head and the entity is potentially a god." Ra 18.5: "[T]o experience all things desired, to then analyze, understand, and accept these experiences, distilling from them the love/light within them." Ra 29.23 (Question and Answer summarized): "[A]s the atoms form from rotations of the vibration which is light, they coalesce in a certain manner sometimes. They find distances, inter-atomic distances, from each other at precise distance and produce a lattice structure which we call crystalline." Ra 36.7: "The mass increases, shall we say, significantly but not greatly until the gateway density [7th]. In this density the summing up, the looking backwards—in short, all the useful functions of polarity have been used. Therefore, the metaphysical electrical nature of the individual grows greater and greater in spiritual mass." Ra 52.12: "This octave density of which we have spoken is both omega and alpha, the spiritual mass of the infinite universes becoming one central sun or Creator once again."

Jonah 4: 1-11But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”5 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. 6 Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” 10 And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”

Send us a textWhat causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?  Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?  You desire and do not have, so you murder.  You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.  James 4:1,2In the Book of James, there is much written about Christian conduct and character, especially as it pertains to relationships within the Body of Christ.  We all can struggle with selfishness.  But we must realize that our desire to look inward and take care of our own interests often comes at the expense of building up the Body.  If we have competing desires (following the world or following God), we eventually come to a place which James terms "adulterous and hostile" to the Lord.  The remedy is to seek a humble heart, a heart which God blesses and honors.  With the backdrop of James 4:1-12 today, we dive into a topic that focuses on Him, not us.  

Drawing on the precision of the Alter Rebbe and the Mitteler Rebbe, the Rebbe explains 19 Kislev as the “head” that channels vitality throughout the year, and connects it with Chanukah's theme of constant increase, urging outward-spreading light through action. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/016/003/5954

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (

Today on the Make A Difference Minute, I'm sharing a message about living with an outward focus. This segment challenges listeners to look beyond their own stress and busyness and consider how simple acts of service, encouragement, and awareness can bring meaning and make a real difference in someone else's life. Sponsor: Singing River Dentistry

It’s about time to pay the credit card bills from this past Christmas. Sadly, often those bills last longer than the gifts did. Ouch. But that’s how it is, right? The things of this world promise a lot of joy, but the joy expires before the cost. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us reevaluate our priorities, and set our focus on the eternal. A life lived for eternity experiences joy that never fades, and the price has been paid. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s about time to pay the credit card bills from this past Christmas. Sadly, often those bills last longer than the gifts did. Ouch. But that’s how it is, right? The things of this world promise a lot of joy, but the joy expires before the cost. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us reevaluate our priorities, and set our focus on the eternal. A life lived for eternity experiences joy that never fades, and the price has been paid. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever gotten up too quickly and felt a little light-headed . . . maybe lost your balance? When you lose your balance, it’s hard to walk a straight line. Spiritually, some believers let their lives get out of balance, and then have difficulty walking the straight and narrow path of faith. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, some help from Pastor Greg Laurie on bringing our lives back into balance . . . back into harmony with God’s plan. It’s a prescription for healing what ails us spiritually. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever gotten up too quickly and felt a little light-headed . . . maybe lost your balance? When you lose your balance, it’s hard to walk a straight line. Spiritually, some believers let their lives get out of balance, and then have difficulty walking the straight and narrow path of faith. Well today on A NEW BEGINNING, some help from Pastor Greg Laurie on bringing our lives back into balance . . . back into harmony with God’s plan. It’s a prescription for healing what ails us spiritually. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus taught that the true measure of giving isn't the size of the gift but the heart behind it. Generosity begins long before anything leaves our hands. It starts with what we treasure, love, and worship.Few writers explore the inner life of faith as clearly as Pierce Taylor Hibbs, senior writer at Westminster Theological Seminary and the author of more than twenty books on Christian living. In today's episode, he joins us to invite believers to examine not just the act of giving but the spiritual forces beneath it.In a recent article for the latest issue of Faithful Steward magazine titled "Motive Is Everything," he draws from counselor David Powlison to explain that there's always a “sun” around which the planets of our lives turn. We're always pulled toward something—success, security, comfort, pleasure, affirmation, or money—because we're created to worship. The question isn't whether we worship, but what we worship.When the created things we enjoy begin to occupy the center, Scripture calls it idolatry. Money is especially powerful in this way because it overlaps with pleasure and power. It promises control over life and the ability to enjoy it—two desires that easily eclipse our devotion to God if left unchecked.To explore the heart behind generosity, Hibbs points to one of Scripture's most striking stories: the widow's offering in Mark 12. We don't know her name, but Jesus knew her heart. While others gave large sums, she dropped two small coins into the temple treasury—an amount no one else would have celebrated. Yet Jesus did. He saw not the amount but the motive.That's the point: Giving is never merely transactional. It's deeply spiritual. It reveals what we value most.Hibbs notes that Scripture treats the heart—the lebab—as the control center of our lives. The Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck wrote that the heart is the source of both our rational and volitional life. It shapes what we think, desire, choose, and pursue. Outward actions are merely the visible tip of an iceberg. Beneath them lies motive.Jesus makes the same point in Luke 6:45: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good…for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Our generosity flows from whatever we treasure most. If we treasure God, giving becomes worship. If we treasure self, giving becomes calculation, obligation, or strategy.This reframes generosity. It's not just about allocating money. It's about the posture of the soul. It includes time, attention, hospitality, compassion, and quiet acts of service—not only dollars in a plate.So how do we cultivate godly motives? Hibbs suggests beginning with Scripture—especially the Gospels—and watching how Jesus treats people. Jesus continually draws attention to what's happening beneath the surface: motives, desires, and loves.We don't wait for perfectly pure motives to give—we'll never act if we do. But we do allow the Spirit to search us, shape us, and re-center our hearts on Christ, the God who gives first so that we might become givers.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My son owns a rental property in Baltimore, but the tenant hasn't paid rent for two months. This has happened before, and it's putting financial strain on his family. We're debating whether to sell the house, but it would need some work. If we keep it, are there any tax deductions or benefits since the tenant isn't paying? What should my son do?I'm 64 and still working full time, but I'd like to withdraw money from my 401(k). Since I'm over 59½, can I do that without the 10% penalty even though I'm still employed? What should I know about taxes and plan rules?My wife is retired and in her 60s, but I'm not yet at retirement age. We're both on the mortgage. Can we still get a reverse mortgage, or do both borrowers have to meet the age requirement?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Motive Is Everything by Pierce Taylor Hibbs (Faithful Steward Issue 4 Article)The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers by Pierce Taylor HibbsOur Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful StewardshipWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why are we here? So many people ask that. Wednesday on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us a peek inside heaven to get a glimpse of our purpose here on earth. It's a refreshing message on how to live a more balanced Christian life. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us the prescription for a balanced Christian life. We'll look to the believers of the First Century, and learn the importance of a life that looks upward, inward and outward. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastoral resident Jordan looks at passages from Matthew and Luke and what they can teach us about an Outward Rhythm. To learn more about City Collective you can visit citycollective.com. We would love to hear from you!More information about how to connect in January and other upcoming events at: www.citycollective.com/around-the-table If you've never been to City Collective, or are looking to try church we would love to have you with us!Want to get connected? Email hello@citycollective.comPrayer: pray@citycollective.comGive: www.citycollective.com/give or e-transfer to hello@citycollective.comCollectiveKIDS: hello@citycollective.com

Being Devoted to Christ means living a life that is marked by deep loyalty, selfless service and passionate dedication. When this happens in the Church, God transforms lives and grows the fellowship.

Renewal with Christ - Ep. 338Linda Hutchinson and co-host Kimmmm Hackworth discuss spiritual renewal as the new year begins.The Theme of RenewalLinda and Kimm aim to guide listeners in enhancing their relationships with God and setting an intentional rhythm for their spiritual lives. They emphasize that spiritual renewal can take various forms, often requiring intentionality and the need to create space away from the distractions of everyday life. The discussion begins by referencing Romans 12:2, warning against conforming to the world's patterns and instead focusing on transformation through the renewing of the mind.Spiritual DisciplinesThe hosts dive into spiritual disciplines, a concept introduced by Richard Foster, which includes practices meant to foster a deeper relationship with God. They clarify that these disciplines are not burdensome tasks but are meant to cultivate intimacy with God. They discuss various inward disciplines such as:         1.            Study and Meditation - Engaging with the Word of God for revelation, not mere          knowledge.2.Prayer - Cultivating an interactive relationship with God.3.Fasting - Withholding from certain things to reveal dependencies and deepen reliance on God.Kimm shares her preference for inward disciplines and how those help in personal reflection, while Linda emphasizes the importance of balance between inward and outward disciplines.Outward and Corporate DisciplinesThe conversation then shifts to outward disciplines, which are about changing behavior to align with spiritual truths. Some key practices mentioned include:•Simplicity - Reducing material possessions to focus on spiritual values.•Silence and Solitude - Taking time to be alone with God.•Sabbath Rest - Intentionally resting and trusting in God's provision.•Service - Helping others as a form of worship and humility.They also discuss corporate disciplines that involve community, such as worship, confession, and accountability, emphasizing the importance of being connected with others in faith.Family Dynamics and LegacyLinda and Kimm reflect on how spiritual practices at home influence children. They recount personal stories from their own families, illustrating how their children observed and internalized these spiritual rhythms. They stress the importance of modeling faith and creating intentional spaces for spiritual growth within families, reminding listeners that children are always watching and learning from their parents' actions.Final EncouragementLinda encourages listeners to choose one spiritual discipline to focus on for the next 30 days, urging them to reflect on what they can remove or add to their lives to experience renewal. They conclude by thanking their sponsors again and reinforcing the mission of RockSolid Families to help strengthen families in the community.ConclusionThe podcast delivers a thoughtful discussion on spiritual renewal, emphasizing intentionality, the significance of community, and leaving a legacy of faith for future generations. It invites listeners to embark on their journey of spiritual growth as the new year begins.rocksolidfamilies.orgSupport the show#Rocksolidfamilies, #familytherapy, #marriagecounseling, #parenting, #faithbasedcounseling, #counseling, #Strongdads, #coaching, #lifecoach, #lifecoaching, #marriagecoaching, #marriageandfamily, #control, #security, #respect, #affection, #love, #purpose, #faith, #affairs, #infidelity

Loving Upward and Outward

In this episode, we explore why hiring the "right" people or reaching big milestones doesn't automatically create the inner fulfillment we imagine. Anna shares how chasing external solutions, experts, and next steps led to a powerful wake-up call: true clarity, alignment, and purpose can't be outsourced. You'll hear reflections on confusing productivity with alignment, the emptiness of goals set by others, and the importance of slowing down, trusting your timing, and returning to your own inner compass.   Key Points: You can't outsource fulfillment Experts can't give you inner alignment Productivity ≠ true alignment Outward success can still feel empty Emptiness is a sign of misalignment Many "goals" are set by others' expectations The journey of self-discovery is ongoing Build and hire from authenticity, not fear You are not behind in your journey Trust timing and enjoy the process Connect with Anna: Email: annamarie@happywholeyou.com / info@HappyWholeYou.com Website: www.happywholeyou.com / https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou Personal Website: www.DrAnnaMarie.com Instagram: @happywholeyou Personal Instagram: @Dr.Anna.Marie Facebook: Happy Whole You LinkedIn: Anna Marie Frank Venmo: @happywholeyou

MESSAGE | Dr. Brian Payne (Pastor) "A Call to Corporate Prayer" Ephesians 6:10-18 Three Basic Kinds of Prayer:  Upward prayer (praise/Thanksgiving) Inward prayer (self examination and confession) Outward prayer (supplication/intercession)

In this episode, Anna reflects on a powerful realization: no amount of hiring, delegating, or expert support can replace the inner work of finding clarity, alignment, and fulfillment. Even when everything looks "right" on the outside—team, investments, progress—if it's not aligned internally, achievements can feel strangely empty. The episode explores the difference between productivity and true alignment, the danger of chasing goals set by others, and the importance of slowing down, trusting timing, and returning to your own inner compass.   Key Points: You can't outsource your fulfillment Experts and hires can't give you inner clarity Productivity is not the same as alignment Outward success can hide inner misalignment Emptiness after achieving goals signals misalignment Many goals are unconsciously set by others' expectations The journey of self-discovery never really ends True growth must come from authenticity, not fear You are not behind; timing is unique to you Slow down, breathe, and trust where you are now Connect with Anna: Email: annamarie@happywholeyou.com / info@HappyWholeYou.com Website: www.happywholeyou.com / https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou Personal Website: www.DrAnnaMarie.com Instagram: @happywholeyou Personal Instagram: @Dr.Anna.Marie Facebook: Happy Whole You LinkedIn: Anna Marie Frank Venmo: @happywholeyou

Christmas decorations make us see the world differently, through the eyes of children. During Advent, the stories we read in the Bible invite us into a new way of seeing as well. Today we are talking about the stories of Mary (in Luke) and Joseph (in Matthew). The inward vision of Mary: she responds to the personal call of God. She was open enough to hear the call of God. Then she was daring enough to say yes when God called. How open are we to hearing the call of God this Christmas season? Once we hear it, because God doesn't force it, we have the opportunity to say no. Are we daring enough to say yes when God calls? What is God calling you to this season? What about the new year? The outward vision of Joseph: his heart is changed to not leave Mary and the child. He stays. He heard the call of God and he bound his life to the lives of those who were vulnerable. Are we hearing the outward call of God? Do we have eyes to see and ears to hear it? Why do we exist as a church if not to make room for those who've been shut out? We exist to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. God calls each one of us individually, and all of us together as a community; are we listening? Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-24 https://www.bible.com/events/49540153

Katja wrote this essay years and years ago, and it's still a favorite. Today she needed to hear it again – yeah, you can do that with your own writing, it's allowed, don't worry – and she decided to share it with you. It's about how so many of us think we're the only trainwreck in any given room, and how we all have That Person in our lives (or just in our minds) who seems to really Have It All Together.Why can't I just get it together like That Person?, you think, like everyone does. Like even That Person does, Themselves, sometimes. Like someone might very well be thinking about… you! We are all trainwrecks. Outward appearances aren't the whole story, and it's hard to get to know the people around us. So this experience is super common.But don't worry! There's a lot we can do about it, starting with acknowledging the reality, then asking for help, then getting outside… and also – never doubt it – with a drink of tea. Some of our favorite nervines for these feelings include tulsi, betony, and calamus – but finding your own favorite herbs for these moments is the best way to help yourself.Need to reign in your trainwreck?Check out our Neurological & Emotional Health course. This course is a user's guide to your nerves & your emotions – including the difficult and dark ones, the falling apart ones, the total disaster ones. We discuss holistic herbal strategies for addressing both neurological & psychological health issues. It includes a lengthy discussion of herbal pain management strategies, too!Like all our offerings, this is a self-paced online video course, which comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions, lifetime access to current & future course material, twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

As When We All Get to Heaven wraps up, Christina sits down with series host Lynne Gerber and producer Siri Colum. They discuss how the church has changed, the value of fleeting queer spaces, and what a decade or more spent working on this story has meant to—and taught—them. Get more Outward with Slate Plus! Join for weekly bonus episodes of Outward and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Outward show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/outwardplus for access wherever you listen. Produced by Palace Shaw and Merritt Jacob. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final episode of When We All Get to Heaven, we catch up on what's happened in the many years between the emergence of effective treatment for AIDS in the late ‘90s and the fall of 2025, when we recorded this episode. We linger on a moment back in June 1999, when Jim was still pastor and called on the church to remember that AIDS wasn't over. Because—advances notwithstanding—it still isn't over.    For more on Gilbert Baker and the history of the rainbow flag see the  Gilbert Baker Foundation. For more on Prep see San Francisco AIDS Foundation, What is PrEP?  “The Path that Ends AIDS: 2023 UNAIDS Global Update” outlines a possible end to the AIDS epidemic.    The story of Jacob's Ladder is in the book of Genesis chapter 28, verses 10-19. The text for “This is the Day that God Has Made” is biblical with music by Leon C. Roberts. “We are Climbing Jacob's Ladder” is a traditional hymn. “This Little Light of Mine” – text traditional, music by Penelope Gneisen “Song of the Soul” is by Cris Williamson and was sung by her at MCC San Francisco on April 24, 2000.  For images and links about this episode visit https://www.heavenpodcast.org/episode-10. When We All Get to Heaven is produced by Eureka Street Productions. It is co-created by Lynne Gerber, Siri Colom, and Ariana Nedelman. Our story editor is Sayre Quevedo. Our sound designer is David Herman. Our managing producer is Krissy Clark. Tim Dillinger is our consulting producer and Betsy Towner Levine is our fact-checker. We had additional story editing help from Sarah Ventre, Arwen Nicks, Allison Behringer, and Krissy Clark. For a complete list of credits, please visit https://www.heavenpodcast.org/credits. This project received generous support from individual donors, the Henry Luce Foundation (www.hluce.org), the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities (www.CalHum.org). Eureka Street Productions has 501c3 status through our fiscal sponsor FJC: A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds. The music for this episode is from the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco's archive. It was performed by MCC-SF's musicians and members with Bob Crocker and Jack Hoggatt-St.John as music directors. Additional music is by Domestic BGM. Thanks to Dr. Judy Auerbach of the University of California at San Francisco.  Thanks to Sue Fulton for permission to use “This Little Light of Mine.”  Thanks to Cris Williamson for permission to use “Song of the Soul.”  Great thanks, as always, to the members and clergy of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco who made this project possible.   Some links to good groups: The Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco – the congregation's current website.  Metropolitan Community Churches – the denomination of which MCC San Francisco is a part.  San Francisco AIDS Foundation – a place to seek information about HIV.  POZ Magazine – a place to learn everything else about HIV (information included). Save AIDS Research – their recent, epic 24 hours to Save Research conference with all the latest HIV research is available on YouTube through this site.    LGBTQ Religious Archives Network – the place to get lost in LGBTQ+ religious history.  Get more Outward with Slate Plus! Join for weekly bonus episodes of Outward and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Outward show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/outwardplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder why most companies struggle to scale real culture as fast as they grow? What if the right blend of purpose, freedom, and radical alignment could make your team unstoppable?In this Fan Favorite episode, Cameron Herold sits down with Kshitij Minglani, co-founder of Mindvalley Quests and serial entrepreneur, to unpack the proven playbook behind building a revolutionary “cult-like” workplace where high-performers thrive, politics die, and radical innovation flourishes. They explore OKRs that spark action, mantras that force clarity, remote team magic, and how Gen Y talent fuels explosive, sticky growth. You'll hear mind-blowing lessons on hiring, self-driven learning, and operational rhythm that you won't get in any MBA.Listen now, because the pain of missing these atomic insights is real: most companies will burn out, fragment, or plateau if they skip what you'll learn here. This is your exclusive shortcut to building a thriving team before you get left behind.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The real secret to “Second in Command” chemistry and why skillset complement matters more than ego[00:03:33] – How Mindvalley went from selling meditation courses to teaching 10 million people a year[00:07:00] – Proven tactics to attract Gen Y talent from 54 countries—bootstrapped, not VC-fueled[00:09:45] – Why career pages, values, and strategic interviews pull “cult-like” high performers (and kill politics)[00:12:16] – The radical power of OKRs, failing 50%, and how competition keeps teams sharp[00:16:14] – Outward thinking and self-driven learning: fueling growth with global hackathons and TED talks[00:18:05] – How “OODA Loops” from the military weaponize CEO-COO alignment[00:21:05] – The epic failures: when Mindvalley ignored customers and missed the subscription revolution[00:29:09] – Minimum Viable Product mentality—shipping fast, fighting perfection, and keeping teams hungry[00:35:08] – How Lifebook and conscious parenting keep remote teams human, connected, and loyalAbout the GuestKshitij Minglani is the Co-Founder of Mindvalley Quests, a global leader in education and personal growth, serving millions from 54 countries. Known for his mastery in scaling startups, building culture-first organizations, and strategic innovation, he's been behind some of Mindvalley's most explosive pivots. Kshitij specializes in operations, growth, and high-velocity hiring, giving him unique authority for COOs and aspiring leaders alike.