Podcasts about pedram

Text threads made AI feel personal, then agents made it productive, and suddenly “success” turns into chaos you can't even track. In this episode, Ron sits down with Pedram Amini, creator of Maestro, to show what agent work looks like when you stop babysitting and start orchestrating. Pedram lays out why context windows are the limiter, why harnessing beats model-chasing right now, and how Auto Run executes task-docs with fresh context every iteration so agents can run for hours (or days) without melting down. Impactful Moments 00:00 - Intro 02:05 - Codex desktop sparks agent shift 06:40 - Harness beats model iteration 08:10 - Context window: the hidden limiter 12:10 - Terminal sprawl creates agent chaos 14:05 - Maestro panels: agents, tabs, history 17:25 - Auto Run: fresh context per task 26:15 - “Donate tokens” via Symphony PRs 28:20 - AI tax debate gets spicy 33:05 - Start simple: download and run   Links Connect with Pedram on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedramamini/ Check out Maestro for yourself: https://runmaestro.ai/     Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/    

In this Advent sermon, Pedram invites us to rethink waiting, not as passive frustration, but as a holy posture rooted in Christ's work in the past, present, and future. Through John 1 and the wedding at Cana, we see how Jesus meets our emptiness with overflowing grace and new wine. Come explore what it means to open your hands and let him turn water into wine in your own life. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting.

This episode is a re-air of one of our most popular conversations from this year, featuring insights worth revisiting. Thank you for being part of the Data Stack community. Stay up to date with the latest episodes at datastackshow.com. This week on The Data Stack Show, John and Matt welcome Pedram Navid, Chief Dashboard Officer at Dagster Labs. During the conversation, Pedram shares his career evolution from consulting to his current role, where he oversees data, developer relations (DevRel), and marketing. The discussion delves into the synergies between DevRel and marketing, emphasizing the importance of understanding developers' learning preferences. Pedram explains data orchestration, highlighting its role in managing and automating data workflows. He also discusses Daxter's unique asset-based approach, which enhances visibility and control over data processes, catering to users from novices to experts, and so much more. Highlights from this week's conversation include:Pedram's Background and Journey in Data (0:47)Joining Dagster Labs (1:41)Synergies Between Teams (2:56)Developer Marketing Preferences (6:06)Bridging Technical Gaps (9:54)Understanding Data Orchestration (11:05)Dagster's Unique Features (16:07)The Future of Orchestration (18:09)Freeing Up Team Resources (20:30)Market Readiness of the Modern Data Stack (22:20)Career Journey into DevRel and Marketing (26:09)Understanding Technical Audiences (29:33)Building Trust Through Open Source (31:36)Understanding Vendor Lock-In (34:40)AI and Data Orchestration (36:11)Modern Data Stack Evolution (39:09)The Cost of AI Services (41:58)Differentiation Through Integration (44:13)Language and Frameworks in Orchestration (49:45)Future of Orchestration and Closing Thoughts (51:54)The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we'll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are we living in a parasitic Matrix designed to keep us disconnected from God and our true power? Josh Trent welcomes Pedram Shojai, Taoist priest, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and Qi Gong Master, to the Wellness + Wisdom Podcast, episode 781, to explore how modern society has become a parasitic system designed to steal our focus, time, and divine connection, how language, self-talk, and unconscious patterns shape our reality, and why reclaiming awareness restores the power to co-create with God. Bring Vitality Back to Your Life Join the Urban Monk Academy to free yourself from the trap of stress and reactivity, pull your attention back onto your own priorities, regain your vitality, and come back to life. Life's challenges can be overwhelming, but you have the power to change your trajectory. Don't let stress consume you any longer. Once you're registered as a student, you get it all. All the courses, the media, the series, the tools, resources, community, and LIVE weekly calls with Pedram. He personally guides and curates your journey with LIVE weekly interaction and questions. Join The Academy In This Episode, Pedram Shojai Uncovers: [01:15] We Live in a Parasitic Universe Why we live in a parasitic universe. How the things that are trying to steal our attention, money, and energy are parasitic entities. Why we can create anything with sustained attention. How media and social media are designed to influence our emotions. Why most people are angry about the current systems, but misdirect their anger. Resources: Pedram Shojai [06:15] Words Create Your Reality How many people on social media can't be trusted. Why the words we speak create our reality. How deconstructing the self-talk language can heal us. Why words can empower our weakness. [11:00] Finding Purpose in Taoism How Pedram got into practicing Taoist Kung Fu. Why Kung Fu is an operating system for life. How he was raised in a family that was angry at religion. Why he found his way to Taoism through a book that fell off a shelf. [16:50] Escape the Matrix Why Pedram wasn't involved in religion growing up. How he realized he was living in the Matrix. Why he went from becoming a traditional medicine doctor to Chinese medicine. How he started studying Taoism and ancient practices. [21:35] Listen to The Voice of God The importance of having God in our lives. Why religious institutions are the middleman that get in the way of us and God. How many people are puppeted by the parazites. Why we have to learn to listen to the voice of God. [25:15] How to Turn Your Awareness Inwards How we can bring our neuroception back online. Why our body needs safety in order to heal. How every sounds and feeling contain information that tells us what's happening around us. Why we can't hear God if we can't even hear our own heartbeat. [29:40] Why You Can't Meditate Why we get stuck in a shame spiral. How leaky gut creates endotoxemia, which causes more than 80% of chronic diseases. Why we can't meditate if our gut is in dysbiosis. How every day is Kung Fu for Pedram. Why the food we eat is destroying our natural gifts and making us sick. The importance of testing our gut. [37:40] Who Am I? Why so many people experience anxiety and depression. How we need to deconstruct the "I" with the right questions. Who we think we are is not who we truly are. The original definition of alchemy. Why freedom comes from immortalizing our consciousness. [44:15] How to Deconstruct Your Conditionings How our parents did the best they could. Why Pedram doesn't blame his mother for making him anxious. How he's learning to set boundaries with his parents while being kind. The importance of learning not to respond to our programming. Why we're in the era of codes. How we're being manipulated through codes. [55:50] You Co-Create The World Why the Luciferian experiment is not real, but our participation is real. How our energy co-creates the evil. Why we become eternal when we stop co-creating the human prison. How we tell ourselves stories that distract us from becoming eternal. Why our brain is always looking for signs of whether we can trust someone or not. [01:01:00] The Journey of an Urban Monk Why Pedram started calling himself "urban monk." How he noticed himself being arrogant after he had studied ancient teachings. Why people weren't able to receive Pedram's wisdom at first. [01:04:50] How to Strengthen Your Intuition How we can train our intuition to uncover whether someone is authentic or not. Why the spiritual and self-development industry are full of evil people. The importance of deconstructing our wants and needs. Why nobody else can save us but ourselves. Resources: Justin Nault [01:10:00] Choose a Different Path Why Pedram struggles with being a public figure because he doesn't want the fame. How society norms can make us feel not good enough. Why we need to stop avoiding the lessons that come through pain and suffering. How transformation cannot be bought, it can only be created from within. "There's a lot of parasitic energy in the biohacking community, convincing people to live forever versus immortalizing your consciousness. This is the difference between God and Lucifer. There are many nefarious players now that are just trying to get your money and get your attention. — Pedram Shojai Leave Wellness + Wisdom a Review on Apple Podcasts All Resources From This Episode Pedram Shojai Justin Nault

Original airdate: Apr 5, 2022 In our unpredictable and ever-changing world, we're constantly in a state of figuring out how to sow our seeds for a happy life. The information age has turned our attention into a currency that's being mined, and time seems to be an increasingly scarce resource. But what if it wasn't? What if we had the ability to take control of how we trade our energy for time and increase our vitality to live our fullest life? That's what my guest, Pedram Shojai, and I discuss in this episode. Pedram is a former Taoist monk, doctor of Chinese medicine, and qi gong master. He is a New York Times best-selling author of several books including The Urban Monk and the producer of multiple films and series. He's lectured on wellness around the world and is known for his no-nonsense approach towards teaching esoteric concepts to readers in an easy-to-understand way. Pedram shares his thoughts on how we can make healthier choices in our life and design a lifestyle that fulfills our needs. We also talk about the major energy drainers in the modern world and what we can do to regain vitality.

This podcast is brought to you by Outcomes Rocket, your exclusive healthcare marketing agency. Learn how to accelerate your growth by going to⁠ outcomesrocket.com Proactive, AI-driven tools can drastically reduce administrative burdens in healthcare while improving access for patients who need it most. In this episode, Pedram Afshar, founder and CEO of Escher Health, shares how his journey from physician to technologist began after losing a patient due to delays in Medicaid enrollment. Motivated by that tragedy, he built Escher, a platform inspired by M.C. Escher's seamless designs to eliminate care gaps and administrative inefficiencies. At HFMA, he discusses the growing role of AI in transforming healthcare from reactive to proactive, especially in streamlining financial workflows. Escher's self-service tools, accessible via smartphones, kiosks, or iPads, automate 90% of the enrollment process, easing burdens on staff and improving outcomes. Tune in and learn how smarter systems are transforming Medicaid enrollment and making healthcare more efficient, accessible, and humane! Resources: Connect with and follow Pedram Afshar on LinkedIn. Follow Escher Health on LinkedIn and explore their website! Email Pedram directly here.

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." – Lao TzuWhy is it so hard to change—even when we know exactly what we need to do?Why do we keep falling into the same patterns, habits, and distractions—even when they're hurting us or the people we love?Dr. Pedram Shojai is a former Taoist monk, doctor of Oriental medicine, and Qigong master. As founder of The Urban Monk, he helps people reclaim their focus, vitality, and purpose.Pedram is a New York Times bestselling author with eight books translated into 30+ languages.Blending ancient wisdom with real-world tools, Pedram is here to help you stop chasing symptoms, heal at the root, and step into your personal power.In this episode:• Why we resist change (even when we say we want it).• The truth about anxiety, burnout, and symptom-chasing.• Daily habits that actually make a difference.• How you can start living with more clarity, energy, and purpose.

In this sermon we explore Jobs story of faith in the midst of deep pain with empathy and honesty. This message speaks to anyone who has felt their faith falter amid suffering and unanswered questions. It reminds us that even when our faith weeps, God hears our cries and never leaves our side. Listen in for comfort, hope, and the assurance that you are not alone in your suffering. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript It's from Job chapter 3, verses 110 and 2026 (page 786 in the red pew Bibles). If you're following along, Job speaks: After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said, "May the day of my birth perish, and the night that said a boy is conceived. That daymay it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it. May gloom and utter darkness claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm it. That nightmay thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year, nor be entered in any of the months. May that night be barren; may no shout of joy be heard in it. May those who curse days curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan. May its morning stars become dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn, for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes. Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave? Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil." Good morning, my name is Leili if we haven't met before. And what a privilege it is to be together on this Pentecost day listening to God's Word. There is a side of faith we don't often talk about It's the kind that doesn't always feel strong or cheerful. It's when we still believe, but we're tired, confused, or hurting. Many of us have been in that place, and maybe some of us are there right now. In 1856, Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers in church history, collapsed into depression after a tragedy struck during one of his sermons. A prankster shouted "Fire!" in a packed venue and the resulting panic killed several people. Though he was not physically harmed, Spurgeon was never the same emotionally. Years later he wrote, "I have been brought very low. My spirits have been depressed so long that I could weep by the hour like a child." He also said, "I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages." That wave is grief. It is fear. It is despair. But even when faith is bruised, it can still cling. This sermon is for those of us who know what it's like to feel that wave crash over our heads and still believe. And while we weep, it's about what happens when we fall on our kneesnot in worship, but in despair. And yet God is still there. Job was blameless and upright The first two chapters of Job tell us that Job was blameless and upright. He feared God and turned away from evil. He had a large family, great wealth, and respect in the community. Then suddenly the bottom falls outone by one, his livestock are destroyed, his servants killed, and his children found dead. Then he's afflicted with painful sores from head to toe. Job ends up sitting in ashes, scraping himself with broken pottery. For seven days, he and his friends sit in silence. Then in chapter 3, Job finally speaks. What comes out is not a prayer, but a cry of anguish: "May the day of my birth perish." It's important to understand that Job doesnt curse God; he curses his own existence. He wishes he had never been born. Let's pause here. Job's words are dark. They are disturbing, but they are honest. And that honesty is faith. Because real faith does not always look like singing praise songs with a smile. Sometimes it sounds like groaning. It sounds like someone saying, "God, where are you?" Sometimes there is a space for anger, even when it's messy or not fully justified. Have we been there? Not doubting God's existence, but feeling lost in His silence. Job asks, "Why did I not perish at birth? Why is light given to those in misery? What I feared has come upon me." Job doesn't pretend to be strong. He doesn't clean up his grief. In our churches and even among pastors and mature Christians, there's often an expectation to stay positive, to give spiritual answers quickly, or to hide our pain. You may have heard things like, "Where is your faith? Aren't you a Christian? You shouldn't feel like this." Or, "As a pastor, aren't you supposed to have peace?" I've heard things like that myself. People have said to me, "Why are you feeling this way? Don't you trust God more than others? You're a leaderyou help people. How can you be in this place?" Well, Job reminds us that even the faithful can feel broken. Longevity as a Christian, and even leadership, does not make us immune to pain. Sometimes it deepens it. Lament is not a lack of faith Job reminds us that lament is not a lack of faith. It is true faithdeep, honest faith experiencing itself in the midst of pain. It's the kind of faith that stays near enough to God to cry out in confusion. Biblical lament is not complaining without direction; it is pain expressed in the presence of God. Over a third of the Psalms are laments. Lament says, "God, I still believe You're there, so I'm bringing You my sorrow." The question "why" is deeply human. Sometimes it comes from curiosity, like when a child wants to understand the world. Other times it grows out of doubt or protest. In Job's case, it arises from the pain of a world that no longer makes sensewhere suffering doesn't match what we thought we knew of God. And sometimes those "why" questions go unanswered. Not every question gets a resolution. Faith doesn't always mean certainty. It often means learning to live with mystery, trusting God in the silence between questions and answers. I remember a few years ago I was in a season of deep uncertainty. In 2016, while we were in Turkey waiting to be sent to another country, Pedram and I were finally supposed to go to the United States after three long years. But just after receiving the good news and waiting for the next step, the door to the US was suddenly shut to Iranians. Once again, I found myself stuck in a place of waiting and uncertainty. I didn't know what the future held and felt unsettled and exposed at different moments. I found myself asking God why. Why am I in this situation? Why did You allow this? Why don't I feel safe? Why am I not where I thought I would be? These weren't questions born out of unbelief. They came from a place of wrestling and pain. Like Job, I wasn't trying to rebel against God; I was trying to find Him in the midst of confusion. I was searching for understanding in a season that felt completely out of control. But something sacred happened through those questions. The Spirit did not immediately answer them, but He led me to pause, to be still, to sit in silence. And then He gently led me into prayer, not always with words, but with a quiet trust forming deep inside me. It was in that silence that I began to sense God's nearnessnot in explanations, but in presence. The Spirit met me in the questions and gave me the courage to stay close to God, even without answers. Job didn't run from God. He stayed near enough to cry out. His questions didn't disqualify his faith; they were his faith. And like Job, I'm learning that the Spirit often leads us through the questions, not around them. We are not alone in our weakness and our confusion. The Spirit meets us there not with quick fixes but with communionsitting in the dust with us and turning our pain into prayer. Throughout Scripture, we see faithful people who wrestled with despair: Jeremiah cursed the day of his birth. Elijah, exhausted and afraid, cried out, "I've had enough. Lord, take my life." Even Moses and Jonah asked God to let them die. These weren't moments of rebellion; they were moments of deep honesty in the presence of God. And just like with Job, God didn't reject them. He met them in their pain. It's worth noting that Job's theology here is not perfect. He sees death as a relief and escape. But this is not the complete truth we now know through Christ. Death is not rest for all; it is a doorway to either eternal life or judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Still, God does not rebuke Job here. Why? Because Job isn't writing a theological essay. He's breaking under the weight of grief, and God receives that grief. Martin Luther once wrote during a time of intense spiritual darkness, "I spent more than a week in death and hell. I was utterly abandoned by Christ." Even spiritual giants have walked through the valley of shadows. And as Paul says in 2 Corinthians, "When I am weak, then I am strong." True faith wrestles; it doesn't walk away Job loses his wealth, his children, his health, his wife's support, his friends' compassion. He is emotionally, physically, relationally, and spiritually crushed. Job stands in every sense naked before God, and still he does not curse God. This is vital. His words are raw; his grief is real. But he speaks it out not in rebellion, but in relationship. He hasn't walked away from God; he just doesn't understand Him. That's a key difference. Job asks, "Why is life given to the bitter of soul? Why is life given to a man whom God has hedged in?" These aren't rhetorical questions; they are personal. He wants answers. And we've been there too. Even Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" God is not offended by our honest questions. In fact, they may be the most honest worship we offer. Jesus chose suffering And Job doesn't stay stuck. His questions point forward to One greater than Job. Unlike Job, Jesus chose suffering. He stepped into pain for our sake. He too was innocent. He too was misunderstood, betrayed, and abandoned. In Gethsemane, He said, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." But Jesus didn't run from the cross. He said, "Not My will, but Yours." On the cross, Jesus bore not just sin, but sorrow. And because He rose again, our sorrow and suffering are no longer pointless; they are being transformed. This means that in our suffering, we are not abandoned. Jesus has gone before us. He is the Man of Sorrows who understands firsthand. We don't need to fake joy when our hearts are broken. God values authenticity. He gave us the Psalms of lament for a reason. Lord, You see my pain, but I feel alone. My tears are my food day and night. I want to trust You, but my heart is broken. Speak, Lord, even through the silence. Restore to me the hope I've lost. Lament is a form of worship. It keeps the conversation going when we feel like giving up. If Job, Jeremiah, Elijah, Moses, and even Jesus poured out their sorrow before God, then surely we are invited to do the same. Job's friends eventually failed him (and we'll hear more about that next week). But their silence in the beginning was beautiful. Sometimes just sitting with someone is enough. Carry each other's burdens We are called to carry each other's burdens (Galatians 6). Let's be that kind of churcha place where people can bring their sorrow without fear or judgment, where grief is not silenced but embraced with compassion. Sometimes healing begins when suffering is shared, and often sharing starts with a simple act of love. Get to know one another. Ask deep questions. Take time for a coffee. Listen without rushing to fix. Pray with and for one another. Remind each other of God's love, especially when it's hard to feel. Sometimes it's just a text message that says, "I see you. I'm here. You are not alone." This is how we carry each other's burdens: not by having all the answers, but by showing up with presence, kindness, and grace. When we stand with one another, we reflect the heart of Christ. Suffering will not have the final word The cross shows us that God doesn't avoid suffering; He enters it. And the resurrection promises that suffering will not have the final word. Job saw shadows. We see the light, and we know one day all tears will be wiped away. Friends, faith does weep. But it also waits.It clings. It groans and it grows even in silence. If all we can say today is "Why, God?" then let that be our offering. Let our tears be our prayers. God may not always give us full answers in this life, but He gives us something greater. He gives us Himself. Last Monday at our Encounter Night, we reflected on Psalm23. Verse 4 reminds us: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) That's the assurance we hold onto: even in despair, we are not alone. And as Job's story unfolds, he doesn't get all the answers he wants, but he meets God. So maybe in our silence, in our tears, in our questions, and in our darkest valley, we may just find a Redeemer who still lives and who walks with us. We are not groaning alone Here is the wonder of Pentecost: the Spirit has been poured out not to erase our pain, but to accompany us in it. In that place where words run outwhere all we have are sighs or silenceRomans8 reminds us: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:2627) Romans 8 doesn't say, "Stop groaning." It says, "You groan." Creation groans. And the Spirit groans too. He doesn't just help us pray; He becomes our prayer. Our groans are met with His groans. Our vulnerability is not a barrier to God. It's where the Spirit goes to work most intimately. We are caught up in a divine solidaritya holy, Trinitarian response to suffering. The Spirit doesn't stand at a distance. He comes close. He joins us. He prays within us even when we have no words. God is not just above us or beside us, but within us. And even in our weeping, He is working. Before we close, I want to give us a moment to breathe. To let our soul be still. To let the Holy Spirit gently surface what's buried beneath the surface. What laments do I carry today that feel too deep for words? Can I sit in silence and trust that the Spirit is praying within me? How does knowing the Spirit groans with me change how I see my suffering? Faith doesn't silence our sorrow; it brings it to God. And in the groaning, the Spirit groans with us. Let us pray. God of all comfort. You see our tears. You hear our cries. Even when we don't have the words, You understand. Meet us in our suffering. Thank You for the Spirit who prays within us when words fail and hope feels distant. Teach us to trust You in the silence. Help us to draw near, not because we have the answers, but because You are near to the brokenhearted. Remind us today that we are never alone, even in our deepest sorrow. You are with us. Amen.

In this sermon we explore Jobs story of faith in the midst of deep pain with empathy and honesty. This message speaks to anyone who has felt their faith falter amid suffering and unanswered questions. It reminds us that even when our faith weeps, God hears our cries and never leaves our side. Listen in for comfort, hope, and the assurance that you are not alone in your suffering. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript It's from Job chapter 3, verses 110 and 2026 (page 786 in the red pew Bibles). If you're following along, Job speaks: After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said, "May the day of my birth perish, and the night that said a boy is conceived. That daymay it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it. May gloom and utter darkness claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm it. That nightmay thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year, nor be entered in any of the months. May that night be barren; may no shout of joy be heard in it. May those who curse days curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan. May its morning stars become dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn, for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes. Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave? Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil." Good morning, my name is Leili if we haven't met before. And what a privilege it is to be together on this Pentecost day listening to God's Word. There is a side of faith we don't often talk about It's the kind that doesn't always feel strong or cheerful. It's when we still believe, but we're tired, confused, or hurting. Many of us have been in that place, and maybe some of us are there right now. In 1856, Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers in church history, collapsed into depression after a tragedy struck during one of his sermons. A prankster shouted "Fire!" in a packed venue and the resulting panic killed several people. Though he was not physically harmed, Spurgeon was never the same emotionally. Years later he wrote, "I have been brought very low. My spirits have been depressed so long that I could weep by the hour like a child." He also said, "I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages." That wave is grief. It is fear. It is despair. But even when faith is bruised, it can still cling. This sermon is for those of us who know what it's like to feel that wave crash over our heads and still believe. And while we weep, it's about what happens when we fall on our kneesnot in worship, but in despair. And yet God is still there. Job was blameless and upright The first two chapters of Job tell us that Job was blameless and upright. He feared God and turned away from evil. He had a large family, great wealth, and respect in the community. Then suddenly the bottom falls outone by one, his livestock are destroyed, his servants killed, and his children found dead. Then he's afflicted with painful sores from head to toe. Job ends up sitting in ashes, scraping himself with broken pottery. For seven days, he and his friends sit in silence. Then in chapter 3, Job finally speaks. What comes out is not a prayer, but a cry of anguish: "May the day of my birth perish." It's important to understand that Job doesnt curse God; he curses his own existence. He wishes he had never been born. Let's pause here. Job's words are dark. They are disturbing, but they are honest. And that honesty is faith. Because real faith does not always look like singing praise songs with a smile. Sometimes it sounds like groaning. It sounds like someone saying, "God, where are you?" Sometimes there is a space for anger, even when it's messy or not fully justified. Have we been there? Not doubting God's existence, but feeling lost in His silence. Job asks, "Why did I not perish at birth? Why is light given to those in misery? What I feared has come upon me." Job doesn't pretend to be strong. He doesn't clean up his grief. In our churches and even among pastors and mature Christians, there's often an expectation to stay positive, to give spiritual answers quickly, or to hide our pain. You may have heard things like, "Where is your faith? Aren't you a Christian? You shouldn't feel like this." Or, "As a pastor, aren't you supposed to have peace?" I've heard things like that myself. People have said to me, "Why are you feeling this way? Don't you trust God more than others? You're a leaderyou help people. How can you be in this place?" Well, Job reminds us that even the faithful can feel broken. Longevity as a Christian, and even leadership, does not make us immune to pain. Sometimes it deepens it. Lament is not a lack of faith Job reminds us that lament is not a lack of faith. It is true faithdeep, honest faith experiencing itself in the midst of pain. It's the kind of faith that stays near enough to God to cry out in confusion. Biblical lament is not complaining without direction; it is pain expressed in the presence of God. Over a third of the Psalms are laments. Lament says, "God, I still believe You're there, so I'm bringing You my sorrow." The question "why" is deeply human. Sometimes it comes from curiosity, like when a child wants to understand the world. Other times it grows out of doubt or protest. In Job's case, it arises from the pain of a world that no longer makes sensewhere suffering doesn't match what we thought we knew of God. And sometimes those "why" questions go unanswered. Not every question gets a resolution. Faith doesn't always mean certainty. It often means learning to live with mystery, trusting God in the silence between questions and answers. I remember a few years ago I was in a season of deep uncertainty. In 2016, while we were in Turkey waiting to be sent to another country, Pedram and I were finally supposed to go to the United States after three long years. But just after receiving the good news and waiting for the next step, the door to the US was suddenly shut to Iranians. Once again, I found myself stuck in a place of waiting and uncertainty. I didn't know what the future held and felt unsettled and exposed at different moments. I found myself asking God why. Why am I in this situation? Why did You allow this? Why don't I feel safe? Why am I not where I thought I would be? These weren't questions born out of unbelief. They came from a place of wrestling and pain. Like Job, I wasn't trying to rebel against God; I was trying to find Him in the midst of confusion. I was searching for understanding in a season that felt completely out of control. But something sacred happened through those questions. The Spirit did not immediately answer them, but He led me to pause, to be still, to sit in silence. And then He gently led me into prayer, not always with words, but with a quiet trust forming deep inside me. It was in that silence that I began to sense God's nearnessnot in explanations, but in presence. The Spirit met me in the questions and gave me the courage to stay close to God, even without answers. Job didn't run from God. He stayed near enough to cry out. His questions didn't disqualify his faith; they were his faith. And like Job, I'm learning that the Spirit often leads us through the questions, not around them. We are not alone in our weakness and our confusion. The Spirit meets us there not with quick fixes but with communionsitting in the dust with us and turning our pain into prayer. Throughout Scripture, we see faithful people who wrestled with despair: Jeremiah cursed the day of his birth. Elijah, exhausted and afraid, cried out, "I've had enough. Lord, take my life." Even Moses and Jonah asked God to let them die. These weren't moments of rebellion; they were moments of deep honesty in the presence of God. And just like with Job, God didn't reject them. He met them in their pain. It's worth noting that Job's theology here is not perfect. He sees death as a relief and escape. But this is not the complete truth we now know through Christ. Death is not rest for all; it is a doorway to either eternal life or judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Still, God does not rebuke Job here. Why? Because Job isn't writing a theological essay. He's breaking under the weight of grief, and God receives that grief. Martin Luther once wrote during a time of intense spiritual darkness, "I spent more than a week in death and hell. I was utterly abandoned by Christ." Even spiritual giants have walked through the valley of shadows. And as Paul says in 2 Corinthians, "When I am weak, then I am strong." True faith wrestles; it doesn't walk away Job loses his wealth, his children, his health, his wife's support, his friends' compassion. He is emotionally, physically, relationally, and spiritually crushed. Job stands in every sense naked before God, and still he does not curse God. This is vital. His words are raw; his grief is real. But he speaks it out not in rebellion, but in relationship. He hasn't walked away from God; he just doesn't understand Him. That's a key difference. Job asks, "Why is life given to the bitter of soul? Why is life given to a man whom God has hedged in?" These aren't rhetorical questions; they are personal. He wants answers. And we've been there too. Even Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" God is not offended by our honest questions. In fact, they may be the most honest worship we offer. Jesus chose suffering And Job doesn't stay stuck. His questions point forward to One greater than Job. Unlike Job, Jesus chose suffering. He stepped into pain for our sake. He too was innocent. He too was misunderstood, betrayed, and abandoned. In Gethsemane, He said, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." But Jesus didn't run from the cross. He said, "Not My will, but Yours." On the cross, Jesus bore not just sin, but sorrow. And because He rose again, our sorrow and suffering are no longer pointless; they are being transformed. This means that in our suffering, we are not abandoned. Jesus has gone before us. He is the Man of Sorrows who understands firsthand. We don't need to fake joy when our hearts are broken. God values authenticity. He gave us the Psalms of lament for a reason. Lord, You see my pain, but I feel alone. My tears are my food day and night. I want to trust You, but my heart is broken. Speak, Lord, even through the silence. Restore to me the hope I've lost. Lament is a form of worship. It keeps the conversation going when we feel like giving up. If Job, Jeremiah, Elijah, Moses, and even Jesus poured out their sorrow before God, then surely we are invited to do the same. Job's friends eventually failed him (and we'll hear more about that next week). But their silence in the beginning was beautiful. Sometimes just sitting with someone is enough. Carry each other's burdens We are called to carry each other's burdens (Galatians 6). Let's be that kind of churcha place where people can bring their sorrow without fear or judgment, where grief is not silenced but embraced with compassion. Sometimes healing begins when suffering is shared, and often sharing starts with a simple act of love. Get to know one another. Ask deep questions. Take time for a coffee. Listen without rushing to fix. Pray with and for one another. Remind each other of God's love, especially when it's hard to feel. Sometimes it's just a text message that says, "I see you. I'm here. You are not alone." This is how we carry each other's burdens: not by having all the answers, but by showing up with presence, kindness, and grace. When we stand with one another, we reflect the heart of Christ. Suffering will not have the final word The cross shows us that God doesn't avoid suffering; He enters it. And the resurrection promises that suffering will not have the final word. Job saw shadows. We see the light, and we know one day all tears will be wiped away. Friends, faith does weep. But it also waits.It clings. It groans and it grows even in silence. If all we can say today is "Why, God?" then let that be our offering. Let our tears be our prayers. God may not always give us full answers in this life, but He gives us something greater. He gives us Himself. Last Monday at our Encounter Night, we reflected on Psalm23. Verse 4 reminds us: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) That's the assurance we hold onto: even in despair, we are not alone. And as Job's story unfolds, he doesn't get all the answers he wants, but he meets God. So maybe in our silence, in our tears, in our questions, and in our darkest valley, we may just find a Redeemer who still lives and who walks with us. We are not groaning alone Here is the wonder of Pentecost: the Spirit has been poured out not to erase our pain, but to accompany us in it. In that place where words run outwhere all we have are sighs or silenceRomans8 reminds us: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:2627) Romans 8 doesn't say, "Stop groaning." It says, "You groan." Creation groans. And the Spirit groans too. He doesn't just help us pray; He becomes our prayer. Our groans are met with His groans. Our vulnerability is not a barrier to God. It's where the Spirit goes to work most intimately. We are caught up in a divine solidaritya holy, Trinitarian response to suffering. The Spirit doesn't stand at a distance. He comes close. He joins us. He prays within us even when we have no words. God is not just above us or beside us, but within us. And even in our weeping, He is working. Before we close, I want to give us a moment to breathe. To let our soul be still. To let the Holy Spirit gently surface what's buried beneath the surface. What laments do I carry today that feel too deep for words? Can I sit in silence and trust that the Spirit is praying within me? How does knowing the Spirit groans with me change how I see my suffering? Faith doesn't silence our sorrow; it brings it to God. And in the groaning, the Spirit groans with us. Let us pray. God of all comfort. You see our tears. You hear our cries. Even when we don't have the words, You understand. Meet us in our suffering. Thank You for the Spirit who prays within us when words fail and hope feels distant. Teach us to trust You in the silence. Help us to draw near, not because we have the answers, but because You are near to the brokenhearted. Remind us today that we are never alone, even in our deepest sorrow. You are with us. Amen.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Pedram Shojai, known as The Urban Monk, a former Taoist monk and doctor of Oriental medicine.  Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-304/?ref=278 Pedram shares his journey from intensive martial arts training under one of the last living descendants of a Daoist monastery to bringing ancient wisdom into modern life. He discusses the challenges of integrating monastic practices into householder living, the relationship between physical vitality and spiritual growth, and offers a balanced perspective on psychedelics. Dr. Shojai explores the importance of strengthening one's vessel before seeking peak experiences, the risks of "shortcut spirituality," and how ancient contemplative practices can help us live with greater presence in today's fast-paced world. Dr. Pedram Shojai is the founder and director of The Urban Monk Academy and the New York Times bestselling author of Rise and Shine, The Urban Monk, The Art of Stopping Time, Inner Alchemy, Exhausted, Trauma, Focus, and Conscious Parenting. He's the producer of the movies Vitality, Origins, Prosperity, and The Great Heist, as well as the docuseries Interconnected, Gateway to Health, Exhausted, Trauma, Conscious Parenting, Hormones Health & Harmony, and Gut Check. He hosts "The Urban Monk" podcast and is a key influencer in the health and personal development space. As a prominent physician in the functional medicine space, he's known for his ability to bring people together around ideas that matter. In his spare time, he's a kung fu–practicing world traveler, a fierce global green warrior, an avid backpacker, a devout alchemist, and an old-school Jedi biohacker working to preserve our natural world and wake us up to our full potential. Episode Highlights:  From Kung Fu to contemplative practice The path of the "fire monk" Strengthening the vessel before spiritual work The life garden: mindful householder practice Vitality as prerequisite for spiritual growth Integrating ancient wisdom into modern life Jing, Qi, and Shen: energy management principles Nervous system preparation for psychedelics Awareness as background process, not app Atlantis origins of contemplative practices Episode Sponsor: These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links. Golden Rule Mushrooms - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout

What does it mean to live out your faith in a postmodern world? In this sermon from Romans 10, we explore how the gospel is not just a messagebut the message. Discover why confessing Jesus is Lord changes everything, and how your everyday words and actions can carry the good news to others. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Transcription Scripture Reading: Romans 10:515 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law. The person who does these things will live by them. But the righteousness that is by faith says, do not say in your heart who will ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down), or who will descend into the deep? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart. That is the message concerning faith that we proclaim. If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. (Romans 10:515, NIV) Thanks, Ange. And good morning and welcome to Deep Creek. My name is Pedram. Please let me know if you would like to be a part of the things on the screen or if you're not, then, well, we find a way to well, we are exploring Finding Faith. And as Leili said, next week is the last session of this Finding Faith series as we explore the faith that we have in this worldnot just at the church, but outside the churchhow we live out our faith as Christians and believers and followers of Jesus Christ. So today, we will explore what it means to live out our faith in the 21st century in a postmodern world, how faith begins, and why sharing the gospel matters to us. I will change. Yeah. All right, so let's pray together. Gracious God, as we open Your Word today, we ask for open hearts and attentive ears. Speak to us through the Scriptures and by Your Spirit. Help us to hear the message of faith, to receive it with trust, and to respond with obedience. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. The Power of Words and the Gospel How the words we hear shape what we do in our daily life. We all have moments when words shape our decisions. In our postmodern world, videos and voices and comments from people in social media and politics, ads and friends, influencers everywherethey influence people (and us) more than we realize. So you scroll through Instagram or Facebook and see an influencer talking about a new smart vacuum, and you weren't planning to buy any. Suddenly you find that the vacuum machine is in your cart. Or during the federal election last year, constant messaging from the candidates begins to shape our thinking and decision through repeated promises of hope and change for the future. Even when shopping, it is often the reviews that we readnot just the product description, but the opinions of othersthat guide our choices. Words shape what we do. Why does this happen? Well, because words carry power. They shape our perception of reality, often without us even realizing it. We believe the words we hear, and belief leads to action and decision. That's exactly the dynamic that Paul is talking about here in Romans chapter 10. He says, How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? So the gospel is not just another message among all those messages that we hear from the world. It is the message. It is the message that calls for belief and transformation. And just as we act on the words we trust in everyday life, we act eternally on the words of Christ when we hear them and believe. So what's the difference? The words of an advertiser, influencer, or politician all offer temporary benefits, but the words of Christ offer eternal life to each of us who believes in Jesus. Righteousness by Law vs. Righteousness by Faith In verses 5 to 8, Paul shows us a contrast between law and faith, showing that faith has always been central to a right relationship with God. The laws righteousness is based on doing, but none of us can do it perfectly, right? So the law isn't the problemwe should know that the law is pure and speaks of the holiness of God, and it's not the problem. We are the problem, right? The law reveals God's standard, but it doesn't have the power to fix us. It doesn't matter what age we live in, whether 3,000 years ago or now in the 21st century, the root issue remains the same: our sinful nature. Like an X-ray that shows a broken bone but can't fix it, the law exposes our sin, but can't heal or cleanse it. It tells the truth, but it doesn't change us. Paul points to a better waya righteousness by faith. We don't need to reach up to heaven or down into the grave to find God, because Christ has already come and risen from the dead. The work is done not by humans, but by God Himself. And the good news: The word is near you. You don't need to climb up a ladder to get to God or to somehow become righteous in His eyes. But the gospel is right herein your mouth and in your heartready to be received and to be proclaimed. Belief and Confession So then, in verses 9 to 10, Paul tells us exactly what this message contains. These two verses are among the clearest summaries of the gospel in all of Scriptureif you need a short summary of what the gospel is, here it is. Faith involves both believing and confession. If you look closely, youll notice something fascinating: verse 9 says, If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. It begins with the mouth and then mentions the heart. But in verse 10 the order is reversed: For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Why this change? Is it just a stylistic quirk from Paul? I dont think so. I believe it's very intentional, because God wants us to see that true confession is never just about saying the words. It's not about empty repetition or external performance; it's a confession that comes from a deep well of belief in our hearts. The mouth simply gives voice to what the heart holds dear. Jesus Himself said in Luke chapter 6, Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. In other words, if you truly believe deeply and inwardly that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, your mouth will declare it. And that declaration will not be superficial or performativeit will be genuine, it will be worship, it will be a true testimony of a life lived with Jesus. Last Saturday we had a great baptism service at the cathedral, and an Iranian grandmother of four stood publicly to declare her faith in Christ in the liturgy. From the prayer book, there is a part where the priest asks the candidates to make a personal response. He asks her, Do you turn to Christ? And her response was simply, I turn to Christ. I do. It was a short responsejust two wordsbut they were full of meaning. They were the outflow of a heart that had been awakened by grace, transformed by truth, and brought into living faith. It was the visible moment of a mouth declaring what the heart already believed. Jesus Is Lord: A Radical Declaration Well, faith is not only internal trust, nor is it just external words. It is the union of both. To confess Jesus is Lord is to acknowledge His divine authorityHis rightful rule over our lives. Back in the olden days in the Roman Empire, where Caesar was hailed as Lord, to say Jesus is Lord was a bold and radical declaration. Similarly, in our 21st century, declaring Jesus as Lord is still a bold and radical declaration, especially in societies where personal eternity autonomy, success, or political ideologies are treated as ultimate authorities. In a culture where personal autonomy is prized, submitting to the lordship of Christ challenges our self-centeredness and calls us to a life of obedience and trust. To confess Christ as Lord is to say that no one else has the final word over our lives. Only Jesus does. Faith is not private. It's personal, yes, but not hidden. We are all called not only to trust Jesus inwardly, but to declare Him outwardly as well. No One Is Beyond God's Grace Verses 11 to 13 tell us that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Everyonefrom every nation, every language, every social classeveryone. There is no second-class citizen in the Kingdom of God. No one is beyond the reach of the grace of God. Our performance, our past sins, our present failures or whatever may come in the futurenone of these things can exclude us from the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. All thats required is this: call on the name of the Lord. That's it. Believe in His name. Depend on His mercy. Confess His lordship in your life. But someone might ask: Do I really need faith in God in the 21st century, in this postmodern world? Well, the simple and short answer is yesperhaps now more than ever. We all witnessed during the pandemic how modern advancementsthe technology and knowledge that humans havecannot fill the deepest gaps. And the problem is our sinful nature, and the gap between us and our Creator God. So faith in God speaks directly into those gaps and empty places. It tells the business person that their worth is not based on performance, but on being a beloved child of God. It tells the anxious parents that they are not alone, that there is a faithful Father who sees and cares. It tells the exhausted Nikki nurse on a night shift that she's not carrying the weight by herself. She's not alone. Jesus is present beside every hospital bed, even with her sleeping colleagues. Faith in God in the 21st century is not about rejecting science or hiding from hard questions and complexity in this world. It is about knowing where your true foundation lies. Its about trusting that when everything else feels uncertain, God is still steady. Its about opening our life to the One who brings peace in chaos, hope in sorrow, and purpose in the middle of confusion. It means following Jesus not just in belief, but in everyday actionat work, at home, and in our relationships. It means letting the gospel shape our decisions, our relationships, and how we respond to the challenges of this modern world. The Beautiful Chain of the Gospel Then we see in verses 14 to 15, Paul brings a series of rhetorical questions: to call on Christ, you must believe; to believe, you must hear; to hear, someone must preach; to preach, someone must be sent. Its a beautiful chaina divine sequence that shows how God brings people to faith through the proclamation of the good news (the gospel). This is why the Word of God matters to us in our churches, homes, and neighborhoods. People can't believe in a message they've never heard, can they? And they won't hear unless someone tells them. This is why sharing our faith isn't optional. It's essential. A few years ago, one of my friends was preparing to travel to Iran, and his desire was to carry Bibles with him to share God's Word with friends and family in Iran. But as you know, this is incredibly risky. We searched for a safe way to do it, but every option seemed too dangerous or impossible. Then one of the team members said, Instead of carrying Bibles into the country, why don't you become a living Bible yourself to carry the good news of Jesus? So we paused and prayed for that brotherthat God would protect him, empower him, and bear fruit through him. And God did exactly what we prayed. When he returned, he shared that during that trip he was able to share the gospel with 25 individuals, talking about Jesus and testifying how Jesus had shaped his life. We are the ones who are sent. We are the ones called to speak. And Paul concludes with this: As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. Well, feet might not be the most glamorous part of our body, but in God's plan, the ones that carry the gospel are beautiful because they bring life and real hope. (The Bible says the gospel brings a living hopeits not a superficial hope.) They bring peace, and they bring change to people's lives. The Word of God will change peoples lives. Living and Sharing the Word So what does this mean for us at Deep Creek, as followers of Jesus? This passage reminds us that the gospel is not just for unbelievers. Yes, it must be preached to those who havent heard, but it remains near to us who believeactive and living in our lives as well. The word that brought us to life is also the word that sustains us and transforms us every day. Faith is not just a private conviction or a one-time decision. It's a daily rhythm of hearing, trusting, confessing, and proclaiming. If the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, then our entire life becomes a space where the gospel lives and people can witness that. So let me offer three simple but challenging invitations based on these truths: Faith comes by hearing. That doesn't mean just listening to a sermon on Sunday or going to church once a week. It means creating space daily in our life to hear the Word of Christ. This could be setting aside ten minutes each morning to read Scripture slowly and reflectively. It could mean listening to a podcast that shapes your spiritual life while you're traveling or driving. Or it could be memorizing a passage of Scripture that you carry with you during the week. If we are not hearing the Word, our hearts will start to listen to other messagesthe messages spread everywhere, the ones that form us without us even noticing. It's a good moment to ask ourselves: What am I filling my ears and heart with? Speak the gospel where you are. When we say Jesus is Lord, we are making a claim that confronts every other claim to authoritywhether it's success, family expectations, national identity, or personal autonomy. To confess Christ as Lord is to resist the subtle pull of idols, not just the obvious ones, but even respectable ones like careerism, security, self-actualization, or even ministry success. The challenge for Christians today is not just to preach the gospel from the pulpit, but to speak it in kitchens and on commutes, in cafes, at work, or at the gymflowing from lives shaped by the gospel and submitted to the lordship of Christ. There is a challenge here for many of us: You don't need to be a theologian to share the gospel. Its good to have a solid knowledge of the Word of God, but you just need to be honest and available. Some Christians hesitate to speak because they feel unqualified. I don't have a Master of Divinity or a theology degree, so I don't know how to answer the hard questions. But the people around you don't need perfect answers. They need your real storyyour story of what Jesus has done for you. And you know what? Everyone has a story. Like our services start with every week, everyone has a story, and each story is unique in how God has shaped us through our journey. People love to hear these stories. So when it comes time for a discussion or even a normal conversation, you can talk about your hope, your struggles, your transformation. It gives others permission to wonder, to ask, and to speak. This is a great opportunity for the Holy Spirit to open space for them to explore what Christianity means. Paul doesnt say, How can they hear unless someone perfect speaks or perfect preaches? He says, unless someone is sent. In other words, the qualification is not perfectionit's willingness. God does not choose people because of their ability, but because of their availability. (Are we available for God and ready to share the story we have?) We are all sentnot as experts or theologians, but as witnesses. You may not have all the answers, but you do have a story. As I often say, you are a living testimony to the grace of God. Proclaiming the gospel is not about status or training or having perfect theology; it's just being you and talking about your faith. You can start with very small steps. Offer to pray for someone during the weekif someone shares something with you, say, Can I pray for you about that? Or mention Jesus in your conversations naturally. Share how Scripture encouraged you this week, or how a sermon or a podcast spoke to you. And never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will open the way through all those conversations in our daily lifeat our workplaces, in our families and relationships. Let confession shape our whole life. When Paul says we are to confess Jesus is Lord, he doesn't mean doing it only once at conversion or when we get baptized. He means that our whole life is to be shaped by that confession. The more we confess Christ with our mouth, the more our hearts are aligned to His lordship. And the more our hearts are rooted in Him, the more naturally our mouth will proclaim His goodness. Our whole life is to be shaped by that confession. It will change how we handle money, how we forgive others, how we prioritize our time, how we treat others, how we speak to our children, and how we endure suffering. In practice, it could look like this: Choosing integrity at the workplace, even when it costs you. Serving at church or in your neighborhood without recognition. Staying faithful in a hard relationship. Speaking truth when it's unpopular. This kind of life is not loud, but it is powerful. And it begins with the daily decision to saynot just with your mouth, but with your whole lifethat Jesus is Lord. The word is near us not only when we first believed, but today, in the 21st centuryin this season, in your questions, in your complexities at work, in your family, in your relationships, in your fears. God has placed His Word in our hearts to anchor us. He has placed it on our lips so that others may know Him too. When we embody the Word we have believed, we become the beautiful feet that Paul speaks ofthe ones who carry good news wherever we go. And we carry the testimony and the story that we each have.

What does it mean to live out your faith in a postmodern world? In this sermon from Romans 10, we explore how the gospel is not just a messagebut the message. Discover why confessing Jesus is Lord changes everything, and how your everyday words and actions can carry the good news to others. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Transcription Scripture Reading: Romans 10:515 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law. The person who does these things will live by them. But the righteousness that is by faith says, do not say in your heart who will ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down), or who will descend into the deep? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart. That is the message concerning faith that we proclaim. If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. (Romans 10:515, NIV) Thanks, Ange. And good morning and welcome to Deep Creek. My name is Pedram. Please let me know if you would like to be a part of the things on the screen or if you're not, then, well, we find a way to well, we are exploring Finding Faith. And as Leili said, next week is the last session of this Finding Faith series as we explore the faith that we have in this worldnot just at the church, but outside the churchhow we live out our faith as Christians and believers and followers of Jesus Christ. So today, we will explore what it means to live out our faith in the 21st century in a postmodern world, how faith begins, and why sharing the gospel matters to us. I will change. Yeah. All right, so let's pray together. Gracious God, as we open Your Word today, we ask for open hearts and attentive ears. Speak to us through the Scriptures and by Your Spirit. Help us to hear the message of faith, to receive it with trust, and to respond with obedience. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. The Power of Words and the Gospel How the words we hear shape what we do in our daily life. We all have moments when words shape our decisions. In our postmodern world, videos and voices and comments from people in social media and politics, ads and friends, influencers everywherethey influence people (and us) more than we realize. So you scroll through Instagram or Facebook and see an influencer talking about a new smart vacuum, and you weren't planning to buy any. Suddenly you find that the vacuum machine is in your cart. Or during the federal election last year, constant messaging from the candidates begins to shape our thinking and decision through repeated promises of hope and change for the future. Even when shopping, it is often the reviews that we readnot just the product description, but the opinions of othersthat guide our choices. Words shape what we do. Why does this happen? Well, because words carry power. They shape our perception of reality, often without us even realizing it. We believe the words we hear, and belief leads to action and decision. That's exactly the dynamic that Paul is talking about here in Romans chapter 10. He says, How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? So the gospel is not just another message among all those messages that we hear from the world. It is the message. It is the message that calls for belief and transformation. And just as we act on the words we trust in everyday life, we act eternally on the words of Christ when we hear them and believe. So what's the difference? The words of an advertiser, influencer, or politician all offer temporary benefits, but the words of Christ offer eternal life to each of us who believes in Jesus. Righteousness by Law vs. Righteousness by Faith In verses 5 to 8, Paul shows us a contrast between law and faith, showing that faith has always been central to a right relationship with God. The laws righteousness is based on doing, but none of us can do it perfectly, right? So the law isn't the problemwe should know that the law is pure and speaks of the holiness of God, and it's not the problem. We are the problem, right? The law reveals God's standard, but it doesn't have the power to fix us. It doesn't matter what age we live in, whether 3,000 years ago or now in the 21st century, the root issue remains the same: our sinful nature. Like an X-ray that shows a broken bone but can't fix it, the law exposes our sin, but can't heal or cleanse it. It tells the truth, but it doesn't change us. Paul points to a better waya righteousness by faith. We don't need to reach up to heaven or down into the grave to find God, because Christ has already come and risen from the dead. The work is done not by humans, but by God Himself. And the good news: The word is near you. You don't need to climb up a ladder to get to God or to somehow become righteous in His eyes. But the gospel is right herein your mouth and in your heartready to be received and to be proclaimed. Belief and Confession So then, in verses 9 to 10, Paul tells us exactly what this message contains. These two verses are among the clearest summaries of the gospel in all of Scriptureif you need a short summary of what the gospel is, here it is. Faith involves both believing and confession. If you look closely, youll notice something fascinating: verse 9 says, If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. It begins with the mouth and then mentions the heart. But in verse 10 the order is reversed: For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Why this change? Is it just a stylistic quirk from Paul? I dont think so. I believe it's very intentional, because God wants us to see that true confession is never just about saying the words. It's not about empty repetition or external performance; it's a confession that comes from a deep well of belief in our hearts. The mouth simply gives voice to what the heart holds dear. Jesus Himself said in Luke chapter 6, Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. In other words, if you truly believe deeply and inwardly that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, your mouth will declare it. And that declaration will not be superficial or performativeit will be genuine, it will be worship, it will be a true testimony of a life lived with Jesus. Last Saturday we had a great baptism service at the cathedral, and an Iranian grandmother of four stood publicly to declare her faith in Christ in the liturgy. From the prayer book, there is a part where the priest asks the candidates to make a personal response. He asks her, Do you turn to Christ? And her response was simply, I turn to Christ. I do. It was a short responsejust two wordsbut they were full of meaning. They were the outflow of a heart that had been awakened by grace, transformed by truth, and brought into living faith. It was the visible moment of a mouth declaring what the heart already believed. Jesus Is Lord: A Radical Declaration Well, faith is not only internal trust, nor is it just external words. It is the union of both. To confess Jesus is Lord is to acknowledge His divine authorityHis rightful rule over our lives. Back in the olden days in the Roman Empire, where Caesar was hailed as Lord, to say Jesus is Lord was a bold and radical declaration. Similarly, in our 21st century, declaring Jesus as Lord is still a bold and radical declaration, especially in societies where personal eternity autonomy, success, or political ideologies are treated as ultimate authorities. In a culture where personal autonomy is prized, submitting to the lordship of Christ challenges our self-centeredness and calls us to a life of obedience and trust. To confess Christ as Lord is to say that no one else has the final word over our lives. Only Jesus does. Faith is not private. It's personal, yes, but not hidden. We are all called not only to trust Jesus inwardly, but to declare Him outwardly as well. No One Is Beyond God's Grace Verses 11 to 13 tell us that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Everyonefrom every nation, every language, every social classeveryone. There is no second-class citizen in the Kingdom of God. No one is beyond the reach of the grace of God. Our performance, our past sins, our present failures or whatever may come in the futurenone of these things can exclude us from the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. All thats required is this: call on the name of the Lord. That's it. Believe in His name. Depend on His mercy. Confess His lordship in your life. But someone might ask: Do I really need faith in God in the 21st century, in this postmodern world? Well, the simple and short answer is yesperhaps now more than ever. We all witnessed during the pandemic how modern advancementsthe technology and knowledge that humans havecannot fill the deepest gaps. And the problem is our sinful nature, and the gap between us and our Creator God. So faith in God speaks directly into those gaps and empty places. It tells the business person that their worth is not based on performance, but on being a beloved child of God. It tells the anxious parents that they are not alone, that there is a faithful Father who sees and cares. It tells the exhausted Nikki nurse on a night shift that she's not carrying the weight by herself. She's not alone. Jesus is present beside every hospital bed, even with her sleeping colleagues. Faith in God in the 21st century is not about rejecting science or hiding from hard questions and complexity in this world. It is about knowing where your true foundation lies. Its about trusting that when everything else feels uncertain, God is still steady. Its about opening our life to the One who brings peace in chaos, hope in sorrow, and purpose in the middle of confusion. It means following Jesus not just in belief, but in everyday actionat work, at home, and in our relationships. It means letting the gospel shape our decisions, our relationships, and how we respond to the challenges of this modern world. The Beautiful Chain of the Gospel Then we see in verses 14 to 15, Paul brings a series of rhetorical questions: to call on Christ, you must believe; to believe, you must hear; to hear, someone must preach; to preach, someone must be sent. Its a beautiful chaina divine sequence that shows how God brings people to faith through the proclamation of the good news (the gospel). This is why the Word of God matters to us in our churches, homes, and neighborhoods. People can't believe in a message they've never heard, can they? And they won't hear unless someone tells them. This is why sharing our faith isn't optional. It's essential. A few years ago, one of my friends was preparing to travel to Iran, and his desire was to carry Bibles with him to share God's Word with friends and family in Iran. But as you know, this is incredibly risky. We searched for a safe way to do it, but every option seemed too dangerous or impossible. Then one of the team members said, Instead of carrying Bibles into the country, why don't you become a living Bible yourself to carry the good news of Jesus? So we paused and prayed for that brotherthat God would protect him, empower him, and bear fruit through him. And God did exactly what we prayed. When he returned, he shared that during that trip he was able to share the gospel with 25 individuals, talking about Jesus and testifying how Jesus had shaped his life. We are the ones who are sent. We are the ones called to speak. And Paul concludes with this: As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. Well, feet might not be the most glamorous part of our body, but in God's plan, the ones that carry the gospel are beautiful because they bring life and real hope. (The Bible says the gospel brings a living hopeits not a superficial hope.) They bring peace, and they bring change to people's lives. The Word of God will change peoples lives. Living and Sharing the Word So what does this mean for us at Deep Creek, as followers of Jesus? This passage reminds us that the gospel is not just for unbelievers. Yes, it must be preached to those who havent heard, but it remains near to us who believeactive and living in our lives as well. The word that brought us to life is also the word that sustains us and transforms us every day. Faith is not just a private conviction or a one-time decision. It's a daily rhythm of hearing, trusting, confessing, and proclaiming. If the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, then our entire life becomes a space where the gospel lives and people can witness that. So let me offer three simple but challenging invitations based on these truths: Faith comes by hearing. That doesn't mean just listening to a sermon on Sunday or going to church once a week. It means creating space daily in our life to hear the Word of Christ. This could be setting aside ten minutes each morning to read Scripture slowly and reflectively. It could mean listening to a podcast that shapes your spiritual life while you're traveling or driving. Or it could be memorizing a passage of Scripture that you carry with you during the week. If we are not hearing the Word, our hearts will start to listen to other messagesthe messages spread everywhere, the ones that form us without us even noticing. It's a good moment to ask ourselves: What am I filling my ears and heart with? Speak the gospel where you are. When we say Jesus is Lord, we are making a claim that confronts every other claim to authoritywhether it's success, family expectations, national identity, or personal autonomy. To confess Christ as Lord is to resist the subtle pull of idols, not just the obvious ones, but even respectable ones like careerism, security, self-actualization, or even ministry success. The challenge for Christians today is not just to preach the gospel from the pulpit, but to speak it in kitchens and on commutes, in cafes, at work, or at the gymflowing from lives shaped by the gospel and submitted to the lordship of Christ. There is a challenge here for many of us: You don't need to be a theologian to share the gospel. Its good to have a solid knowledge of the Word of God, but you just need to be honest and available. Some Christians hesitate to speak because they feel unqualified. I don't have a Master of Divinity or a theology degree, so I don't know how to answer the hard questions. But the people around you don't need perfect answers. They need your real storyyour story of what Jesus has done for you. And you know what? Everyone has a story. Like our services start with every week, everyone has a story, and each story is unique in how God has shaped us through our journey. People love to hear these stories. So when it comes time for a discussion or even a normal conversation, you can talk about your hope, your struggles, your transformation. It gives others permission to wonder, to ask, and to speak. This is a great opportunity for the Holy Spirit to open space for them to explore what Christianity means. Paul doesnt say, How can they hear unless someone perfect speaks or perfect preaches? He says, unless someone is sent. In other words, the qualification is not perfectionit's willingness. God does not choose people because of their ability, but because of their availability. (Are we available for God and ready to share the story we have?) We are all sentnot as experts or theologians, but as witnesses. You may not have all the answers, but you do have a story. As I often say, you are a living testimony to the grace of God. Proclaiming the gospel is not about status or training or having perfect theology; it's just being you and talking about your faith. You can start with very small steps. Offer to pray for someone during the weekif someone shares something with you, say, Can I pray for you about that? Or mention Jesus in your conversations naturally. Share how Scripture encouraged you this week, or how a sermon or a podcast spoke to you. And never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will open the way through all those conversations in our daily lifeat our workplaces, in our families and relationships. Let confession shape our whole life. When Paul says we are to confess Jesus is Lord, he doesn't mean doing it only once at conversion or when we get baptized. He means that our whole life is to be shaped by that confession. The more we confess Christ with our mouth, the more our hearts are aligned to His lordship. And the more our hearts are rooted in Him, the more naturally our mouth will proclaim His goodness. Our whole life is to be shaped by that confession. It will change how we handle money, how we forgive others, how we prioritize our time, how we treat others, how we speak to our children, and how we endure suffering. In practice, it could look like this: Choosing integrity at the workplace, even when it costs you. Serving at church or in your neighborhood without recognition. Staying faithful in a hard relationship. Speaking truth when it's unpopular. This kind of life is not loud, but it is powerful. And it begins with the daily decision to saynot just with your mouth, but with your whole lifethat Jesus is Lord. The word is near us not only when we first believed, but today, in the 21st centuryin this season, in your questions, in your complexities at work, in your family, in your relationships, in your fears. God has placed His Word in our hearts to anchor us. He has placed it on our lips so that others may know Him too. When we embody the Word we have believed, we become the beautiful feet that Paul speaks ofthe ones who carry good news wherever we go. And we carry the testimony and the story that we each have.

Highlights from this week's conversation include:Pedram's Background and Journey in Data (1:13)Marketing vs. Data Engineering (2:30)Understanding Marketing Pressures (4:16)Attribution Models and Accountability (8:13)Balancing Marketing and Team Management (12:25)Introduction to Dagster Components (15:00)AI Integration with Data Engineering (19:05)Challenges in Data Support (22:05)Self-Service Data Access (26:07)AI in Data Management (28:25)Organizing Data in Technical Teams (31:25)Challenges in Real-Time Data (33:28)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (37:01)The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we'll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.

Join Nathan Oliver as he delves into John chapter 4the story of Jesus and the woman at the wellto explore a faith that truly impacts our daily lives. Discover how faith is thinking, deeply personal, and actively lived out. If you're seeking a faith that goes beyond Sunday and meets you where you are, this message offers refreshing insights. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Transcription Bible Reading: John 4:4-45 This morning's reading is taken from the Gospel of John, beginning at verse chapter four, verse four. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Saco, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. And Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon when a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, Will you give me a drink? His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, you are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, if you knew the gift of God and who it is that asked you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. Sir, the woman said, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock? Jesus answered, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, sir, give me this water, so that I won't get thirsty, and have to keep coming here to draw water. He told her, go call your husband and come back. I have no husband, she replied. Jesus said to her, you are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true. Sir, the woman said, I can see you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain. But the Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem. Woman Jesus replied, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the father in the spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the spirit and in truth. The woman said, I know that the Messiah called Christ is coming. When he comes, we will explain everything to us. Then Jesus said, I, the one speaking to you, I am he. Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, what do you want? Or why are you talking with her? When leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah? They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile, his disciples urged him, Rabbi, eat something. But he said to them, I have food to eat that you know nothing about. Then his disciples said to each other, could someone have brought him food? My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don't you have a saying? It's still four months until harvest, I tell you. Open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for the harvest. Even now, the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life. So that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying one sows and another reaps is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work and you have reaped the benefits of their labor. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. He told me everything I ever did. So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them. And he stayed two days. And because of this words, many more became believers. They said to the woman, we no longer believe just because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world. This is the Word of God. Opening Remarks Happy Mother's Day, I suppose. I don't know if that's a good introduction. It's too much of me. That's the first thing. But, And I'm here again. You know, Amy said a quiet life, not on a stage. I'm sorry about that. Thank you. That was. Pedram, you made us look way better than we are. That was good. I'm proud of Amy. and I love hearing her share her heart, too. So it's good. And, you know, before I begin, I'm going to pray. Father, thank you for your Grace. And free love. I love that line. That, you are greater. then, then our failures. So, God, I pray now that we would see your goodness this morning by your Holy Spirit. Would you make that clear to us? In your name we pray. Amen. So, Yeah. Like, I don't know how many people, would have known us before the video on the screen just now. we have been part of Deep Creek for about 12 months or so. you might know us. You might know us as, the family with the noisiest baby. Or you might know us as the family that's always late. which is fair. I didn't know there was music at the start until today. So this is the earliest we've turned up on a Sunday, so it was a good habit for us to begin. It's good. it's really good to be here and a good opportunity. Thank you for having me share with you this morning. My background is in church leadership, and, but it's been a couple of years since I've preached the until 8:00 this morning, and it was okay. so, you know, appreciate you, Grace and me having lots of nerves. I'm more nervous after the video than I was before. but I'm also nervous just just through the week. Thinking about this passage. I appreciate the Bible reading this morning. That was a long one. I'm sorry. and we're not going to go through it verse by verse if you wanted, though. open a Bible or have it in front of you. The text is going to jump around a little bit. but I'm nervous because, thinking about this passage and just actually applying it to my own heart. It's a big thing. there's a lot. There's a lot for us to think about. We're talking about everyday faith and how our faith makes a difference for us on the daily. Right. That's a big thing. And I think in my reflections this week, I'm feeling that very personally. And there's a there's a bunch that we can take out from this interaction that Jesus has, with the woman at the well. And so, what I want to look at, are three things about, I think, what this lady learned and definitely what we can learn about faith in everyday life. I want to look at how, our faith is a thinking faith, a personal faith and an act of faith. Just also want to clarify that when I. When I say faith, I mean faith in God. We're going to shorthand that today. we often in today's day and age, we talk about faith quite broad and quite generally, faith can mean that I just have general hope. have faith in myself. I have faith that we can get through. But definitely what we're talking about this morning is faith in everyday life is faith in God. The difference that he makes when we put our hope and trust in him? Okay, so thinking faith, personal faith and living faith. Faith in God is a Thinking Faith So the first one. Faith in God is a thinking faith. Okay, now, we read the passage, and one of the things that you'll notice at the start, or maybe I'll give words to you for that is there's six verses of context, six, six verses, just to set the story up. Now, the reason that's interesting to me is because you don't get that in every passage. I wish we did, but we don't. Often you'll get maybe one line, maybe one word, maybe just a really brief intro to what's happening. Maybe sometimes there's none. But here we get six whole verses on context, and so we need to learn from that and take well, the setting actually must be quite important. And it is. We need to know that the setting is significant to the people of Samaria. This is a Samaritan woman at the well. The setting where they are in Samaria is important. I like the way that the the passage was read this morning for us. It said Jesus had to go through this place, and it's sort of like, well, why else would he if he didn't have to? He probably wouldn't. And that's the case. Jews and Samaritans were not the best of friends. This was a time where where you came from determined significantly. What you believed today might not be that different, but it was very much the case in this time. Judea and sorry, Judea and Samaria were at this stage politically the same. They were both under the same Roman rule, technically within the same sort of like, country, I suppose. But historically, Samaria stood out. If you go back to one Kings, you'll see that there was a point in Israel's history where Samaria was made the capital of the northern Kingdom. Why that's significant is because when the Assyrian empire came in and took over Israel, they went for Samaria. They went for that city. It was strategically the smartest thing to do. And one of the ways that they defeated that city was to take all of the prominent Israelites out of it and put their own people in. Right. And so the people who influenced culture the most were now gone, and it was mixed in with the new Assyrian flavor. It became this sort of dual culture. And they changed. They mingled everything. They, they, they, they shared each other. They learned new recipes from each other and their background and their cultures. They they whatever. They watched each other's movies. I don't know how you learn someone else's culture, but they they sort of mixed everything up, including intermarrying and including borrowing from each other's religious perspective. So much so that Samaria kind of adapted this alt alt alternative version of the Hebrew faith. It's it's alt Jew Judaism, that's what it is. And, They sort of during this phase, they sort of like only focused in on the first five books of the Bible of the law. That's how they interpreted everything in Samaria. And so, the Jews actually had a further breadth to draw from, to understand God's Word, but it was just reduced. And because it was reduced to those five chapters or, sorry, five books of the Bible, the literal implications of that meant that they thought that the place where you worshiped God was in this specific setting on Mount Gerizim. And it was so important to them that they actually built a rival temple there. And that's. Does that make sense? Now, as you think about the conversation Jesus was having with this woman. And and he's saying, you believe this. And she's saying, well, we believe this. And you. And what about where you worship, right? That's why it's because of this, this background. And it was such a rivalry that was built between the two 200 years after that temple was built. There was an uprising by certain, Jewish people, and they destroyed their temple, the Samaritan temple. And that was 200 years before this story took place. This is a rivalry that is both historical and religious, and it's centered at the location where we're reading this story. Add something to the text. It adds something. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus finds himself there, and there's no one else there except this one lady, the Samaritan woman. And here we have a Jew and a Samaritan, and they begin to talk. If you need further confirmation of the rivalry, just look at verse nine where it says, the Samaritan woman said to him, You're a Jew. I'm a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? And here it is, just there for you. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Clear as day. And yet they did associate. And it doesn't seem heated either. There is a reasonable exchange. And in the end, the woman Jesus is speaking with seemingly expresses faith in God the way that Jesus was talking about it. And by the end of the passage, we see she's a believer. Through this conversation. This is a powerful conversation. A reasonable exchange of thoughts and ideas took place, and it led to something very significant happening. It's not a normal conversation because Jesus uses all sorts of vivid imagery about water and, you know, water that doesn't run out. It's very metaphorical, right? I don't know. I don't know if you would if you would find that frustrating or not. Talking with someone who's speaking in metaphors and hey, the wind is a bit of, I don't know, I don't even want to pretend like I can do that. But she doesn't know what Jesus means. But that's kind of the point. He says something, she clarifies. Jesus doubles down on his claims. She questions, how does that fit with my beliefs? Even the part Jesus miraculously knows her family history. She changes the topic and Jesus lets her, doesn't pull it back and say no, no, no, no. It's a very even conversation. Jesus gives room for the penny to drop. Because, you know, she needs to think this through. Even when the location question is brought up in verse 20, she says, but what about where you worship and where we worship? It's different. Jesus says, believe me. A time is coming when you will worship the father, neither on this mountain or in Jerusalem. A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the spirit and in truth. In other words, Jesus says to her, where? Think about it. Think about it. Think about who God is and what he's like. Maybe think about how big he is, how great he is. Do you really think he cares which side of the hill you worship on? There is a coming time where none of that will matter. Not from your side or from my side. No, no, no. He cares about your heart. And you might say, well, why bother with all of that, right? We saw in the passage there was a moment he pulled the husband trick out, and he. And like, that was pretty impressive. Like like he pulled out the thing. He had no knowledge of that beforehand. He just says it like, why bother with all the interaction? Just do that again. She was on the ropes. Get her over the line now. Right. You could even say, why are we even reading this at all? If Jesus is like this, that people like do the the miracle trick on me, you know, and I'll believe 100% no gaps at all. Right? And the reason why he doesn't just zap us into faith is because faith requires thinking. I don't think you can have faith without thinking. Is that good news for you this morning? You can't have faith without thinking. Which I think that's good news, because I think there is a perception out there that Christians are people who have switched their brains off, and the people who think would never believe what we believe or what a Christian believes. But I don't think it can work like that to have faith in God who we can't see. We have to acknowledge that you can't prove God's existence, and at the same time, you can't disprove his existence either. So that puts the whole thing in a bit of a dilemma. Either side of that equation, you are going to have to stand on faith one way or the other. I do believe it or I don't believe it. Both are faith standpoints. You can't prove it either way. So the question becomes you have to what? What can you live with from that position of faith that you take? Whichever one is what has the least issues for you? And so you have to think about that. What am I content to live with? One person says God can't be real because there's so much pain and suffering. Another person says the pain and suffering led me to God. Do you see what I'm saying? This week, as I was hanging out with a friend at the pub, we were talking about politics because I'm a boring person now and have grown up conversations. We were talking about politics and everything that's wrong in the world. And he got really agitated about one specific thing. I'm not going to say it's too divisive. Don't even ask me about it. but, it was. Are you Team Naga or Brookie? Which one? And we said, I'm not going to go into it. No no, no. Three people are on social media. Okay, okay. No no, no, it was something else more global than that. And, and he he was super agitated. Right. And I was thinking to myself, how do I even help my friend? What's my role here? And so I had this strange idea to ask him a question. Okay, that's fair enough. I agree with you. It's bad. But where do you get peace from now? But what will bring you peace? How are you going to live with that? And what I really want to say was, because if you intellectualize issues and push them aside because they're too much, then you have to acknowledge that the only way to do that by is by faith that nothing matters ultimately. If if you intellectualize it and then say, well, I can't deal with it, I just have to push it aside. Well, then the only way to do that, really is the faith that nothing really matters in the end. But it does matter to my friend. It does, obviously it does. See, faith comes from thinking, and thinking leads to faith. Don't just leave it there. Think. Be a thoughtful person. Think. Think about what? Why is it that when you see a beautiful sunset, it does something in you? But why? Why so much art based on the things around the world that we would describe as beautiful? Why do photographers take pictures of things that's done? Why? Why do we like it when we see it? Think about these things. What is it? And then what's the next question after that? You got to think. Remember Jesus on the road to Emmaus talking with the disciples. And he said, guys, remember, this is what the Bible said, this and this and this. Put it together. Think about it. Remember Jesus when he taught on worry and he's lying to the people he was speaking to. He was you of little faith. Why? Because. Just think about it. Look at the lilies of the field. Look at the sparrows. They eat their feel right. Don't worry. Think about that. Think this faith is a thinking faith. Faith in God requires thinking. Faith in God is also Personal Faith in God is also personal. We need to accept faith in God, which means we need to let it in. Sometimes that's hard because the personal stuff we feel can run pretty deep and it's real stuff. And actually, that's what I want to talk about, the real stuff, where it is personal. It was very personal for this lady, at least in three ways. She had three. She she had she had hurdles to get over. Firstly, she was a Samaritan. Secondly, she was female. And thirdly, she had a personal history that was difficult. The fact that she's a Samaritan, I've already covered a bunch of that. It wasn't just a racial division, it was a religious division. Certain associations with the Samaritan would have made a Jew ritually unclean. In fact, the verse is in so verse nine where it says, For Jews don't associate with Samaritans. The Greek is a bit dubious there, and is often used to sort of like translate a different way, which would say for Jews and Samaritans don't share, don't share the same dish. Right. And yet Jesus pursues her. He jumps that hurdle. Secondly, she's female. Everything of note in regard to a Samaritan background of the woman would be intensified by the fact of her being female. There's a bit of a pause in the story when the disciples catch up with Jesus and see him chatting with a woman, right? Remember that bit at the end? And I think it says they were surprised. Huh? What are you doing? Jesus is you at a lady? And it says. But no one said anything. The implication being, normally they might write. She wasn't supposed to be chatting with him. In fact, there was a traditional law created in the oral tradition that declared all Samaritan women were unclean from birth. It just really shouldn't have been doing this. And yet, if you flick back just one chapter to John three, you know, for God so loved the world that he gave. Right? That and this chapter are eerily similar. It's Jesus speaking with one person, having a deep and meaningful about all the big things of life. Except in that instance, it was a man, a powerful, educated, religious Jewish man. And he treats what's what. What is so stark about the two passages is he treats them both identically. Jesus shows this lady the same dignity and respect as anyone else. He jumps that hurdle. And then it's the private life that Jesus is talking about needs. Using water as a metaphor, anyone who would drink the water that I could offer them, they'll never be thirsty again. And she hasn't really got it right. And so Jesus changes the topic and addresses something in her life. Go tell your husband. Go tell your husband. Which she says, well, I don't have a husband. Jesus knew that. But what she said wasn't entirely true. Jesus clarifies that he knew that too. Now, it's not the whole picture. You've had five husbands. The man you're with now currently is not your husband. And yet, here's the key. Jesus doesn't rub it in her face. He commends her honest answer. And then he reveals the full story. There's no doubt this woman would have experienced stigma in her day. And at no point does Jesus embarrass her. Tease her. Mock her. Look down on her. And neither does he condone her situation. But he doesn't treat her unfairly. Instead, the offer to her is the same to you. And I have faith in God from exactly where you are, exactly where you are. I don't know about you, but like, so often I think I'm like, in order to even have faith in God, I'm supposed to be at a certain standard, even when I pray. I'm not honest all the time because I'm. And I pretend like like God. Like I could schmooze him over to think that I'm actually worthy. You know what I'm saying? Do you relate to that at all? But it's it's the gaps in our life that are that show us where we need God. It's personal, it's deep, it's real. But it has to come from those gaps. I've been getting into, becoming cultured in the last couple of years and learning about art history. I'm grown up now, and I can have conversations with other grown ups, too. And so I'm just I just want to impress people that I know stuff about art. That's all it really is. No, but I find it fascinating. I've loved this guy's writing called Russ Ramsey. he tells the most beautiful stories about famous, art, events throughout history. Right. And as I was reading the passage this week, it made me think of one particular story about Van Gogh. van Gogh. here he is. Vincent van Gogh. People would know him mainly for two things. The starry night painting. And let me test the second thing. How else? What's famous about Van Gogh? It's not. He cut his ear off. All right. There you go. It's exactly what I thought. So that's true, except the lead up to the event where he cut his ear off. Lots of people don't know that. And it's pretty, pretty powerful, actually. maybe you be the judge. Anyway. so the reason that came to be. Let me tell you the story. Right? It's a true story. Van Gogh was desperate as an artist to be in community with other people. he was he was a very, passionate guy, I suppose is a good way of saying it. And he was desperate to be in a community of artists and, always wanted to, like, do art and better himself, become the greatest artist he could ever be. Right? never really had it. Never really found that community. his brother was an art dealer. And so through the work that he did, he connected with some other artists, including, Paul Gauguin, who was like someone that Van Gogh looked up to. Right. And so, through that connection with his brother, they actually got to know each other a little bit, and he slipped the invitation and say, would you ever consider coming and living in France with me? Go again? After some deliberation, said I will on a trial period. Right. But we won't know each other. We don't know each other. How are we going to get to know each other? We can't find each other on Facebook yet, so I don't even know what you look like, right? So through their letter exchanges, they said, well, let's paint a self-portrait of ourselves as a way of introduction and mail it in the mail. I like this better than social media. And and then they said, how about we also attach like, like a literary thing, like a, like expression to it so that we can get each other where we're at. Right? And so they did. and so can we have the next slide up. This is Gauguin painted a picture of himself. He painted himself in the image like he presented himself as Jean Valjean from, Les Mis. Which I think is pretty bold. so he's a hero. He's what he's saying, right? And this is what he wrote in the letter. It is the face of an outlaw, ill clad and powerful, like Jean Valjean. That's fun to say. With an inner nobility and gentleness. The faces flush, the eyes accented, and the surrounding colors of a furnace fire. This is to represent the volcanic flames that animate the soul of the artist. The girlish background, with its childlike flowers, is there to attest to our artistic purity. As for this Jean Valjean, whom society has oppressed, cast out, is he not equally the symbol of contemporary Impressionist painters and endowing him with my features? I offer you as well an image of myself, a portrait of all the wretched victims of society. So he writes and says, I'm a hero. I'm representing all the all the outcasts out there and. And that's that's why I do what I do. Van Gogh presented himself in the sort of like nature of a Japanese monk. Right. He was really influenced by Japanese culture. He loved that. You'veseen some of his famous paintings. You can see that. and, so he got his idea from the, you know, the book that became Madame Butterfly, right? The opera, which is about French soldiers stationed off the coast of Japan. He was, you know, sort of like that. He was into that. And this is what he wrote in his letter. If we study Japanese art, we see a man who's undoubtedly wise, philosophic and intelligent, who spends his time doing what he studies a single blade of grass, but the blade of grass leads him to draw every plant. And then the seasons, the wide aspects of the countryside, then animals, then the human figure. Come now. Isn't it almost a true religion which these simple Japanese people teach us, who live in nature as though they themselves were flowers? Now, here's the thing. Like, he's he's like none of these. Neither of the guys were like, what? They said they were right. They weren't. Came from a super broken. He'd just been kicked out by his family. He couldn't make any money. He was a failed stockbroker, and he really just needed a place to live. And he cast himself as his hero. And then, like, sorry, it's troubling history of Van Gogh, but he was he was a troubled man. He was deeply anxious. Deeply. He struggled with self-doubt significantly. And yet they present each other as like, hey, this is this. It sounds like it's going to be a great community. And they did produce some good work, but they could only stick it out for 63 days. They argued bitterly every day. They were so like they had such different views. And so. And it actually ended in one boozy beef up one night when they were drinking in a cafe, discussing where art should come from in the artist's eyes. Right. And it says, the cafe owner said, like Van Gogh threw his absinthe across the room, and then he went up to his apartment. He got a razor to come back, and his intention was to kill Gauguin. He got a few steps away from him and then freaked out when Gauguin turned around and he just ran off and he ran up to his apartment, which is where the next thing he did was cut his ear off. What a tragic tale. What? What a tragic story. And the thing is about that Russ Ramsey, who I mentioned before, who writes about these things, what he says in this particular section is that to truly know someone. To truly know someone is to know their pain, is to know the gaps in their life, to know their area of need. That's how you know someone, not by their aspirational self, but by their actual self, when maybe even no one's looking. And then he points out that when you look at Jesus's ministry, that's in fact how you know anyone that Jesus related to. Think about all the people that Jesus ministered to. That we know them by their deficit. That's how we know them. Blind Bartimaeus. We know that the woman who was bleeding, we know the child who, like, was only sleeping like, you know what I'm saying? Like everyone that Jesus ministered to. It was at the point of need. It was the gaps in their life that actually made Jesus good news for them. And look at what Jesus is saying in this passage, verse 13 and 14. It says, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I given will be coming them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The gaps in your life, in other words, the things you ache for, the things that have hurt you, the things that make you broken, the things that put you at a distance from God do not preclude you from faith in God. In fact, it's the opposite. The prerequisite for faith is thirst. Jesus isn't saying it's bad to want things, or to desire things, or to to be broken or anything like that. He's saying that if you put your faith in those things, though, that if only my job was better, if only I had more money, if only I had if whatever. Your if only statement is that if you put your faith in those things, you will be left wanting. There is nothing big enough to contain the dreams of your heart, the daily lives that you live. There is nothing big enough to contain it other than the one who made you. That's what he's saying. Because he knows he's the only one he can hold us. Our hopes and dreams, our hearts hurts and our fears. He's the only one big enough who can handle that. He's the only one. Therefore, he's the only one who we could really, truly have faith in that can meet us where we're at. Do you see Jesus at the cross and what he's doing? He he goes to the cross for our sin, right? And he pays the penalty. He gets rid of the gap between us and God. The things that cause the hurt, the things that cause the act. He he deals with that. But do you notice what happens that kind of like the climactic moment, the moment where Jesus breathed his last, everything goes black. And then what happened in the temple? The holy place, the place where God resided. The place where he dwelt, the place that was the most special dwelling of him in earth at all, was protected by a thick curtain. And at the moment Jesus died and passed cross that thorn for us. It tore into, because nothing could keep his holiness away from our own holiness. Nothing could keep his love away from us. And so he says, no, it's not. You show me how good you are and then you earn it. I'm coming to you in love so that you can respond to me in faith. It's your thirst for all things is the prerequisite for faith in Jesus. And in doing these things, Jesus validates those aches. He validates the hurts. He validates the gaps in your life and says, yes, it was intended to be different. And one day all those things will be realized in him. If faith is not personal, I don't think it's worth it. So, friends, I ask you in love today. Where are the gaps in your life? These are the spaces where God wants to have wants us to have hope and trust and faith in him. This is what this is the conversation he's having at the well with this woman. And he is the very gift himself that he offers for it to happen. It's good news. So where are the gaps in your life? These are the spaces where our faith comes from, needs to come from, not the bits where you got to work out. Faith in God is a Living Faith The third thing leads from that, and it's that faith in God is a living faith. Once we have faith in God, then what? I'm going to be short here, so don't worry. So it's going along well. Let's look at the woman at the well. Can we read verse 28 to 30? It's like she hears and then she goes. She receives that. She leaves her jar there. People like talk symbolically like that. She's she's given up her mechanism to keep drawing from the physical water because she's received from Jesus. I don't know if that's what is actually going on or not. She just might have forgotten a jar, I don't know, but either way, like, she's gone and she's like, she's acting. She's like and telling people, guys, you'll never believe I just spoke to this. Man. He knew everything. He's. He's got to be the one. He's got to be. She did something. She acted. I love it, I love it how it says at the end. We no longer believe just because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves. You see, they're going through the process. We're thinking. We're applying it to ourselves. And now we believe. And so now we are in response. Yeah. There's two ways you need to respond to God in faith. If you believe it's true. Faith. I've been thinking about what faith is and you can sum it up as belief. You can sum it up as just what you think. I don't know, but one thing I think the Bible describes faith as is responding to what you know is true about who God is. Right. Which then helps us identify how we need to have faith in him. What do you know is true about God? Do you know that God is the most generous being in all the universe? Well, then, what does that say about how you use your resources, your finances, your time, your energy, keeping to yourself? Like, how could you if you know what God's like? What about how God welcomes strangers? Well, then who gets to eat at your table? How many times? This is for me too. How many times do people get to sit at your table who don't share the same surname as you? What does it mean to make new friends? Isn't that what God's like? I'm not saying you have to do it that way. But what do you know about God to be true? And then how do you live? What about that? That he will return one day to judge the living and the dead? Okay, so where do you cut corners? What are the small gaps in your life that you can offer to him in faith and trust him in those spaces? The second thing that we can see here is that faith is for ourselves to to live out. But then it's for the benefit of others, too. That's what happened. A whole community of people came to faith in Jesus because one woman responded. In my role, I raised money for churches during the week. That's what I do. and it means I get to go and speak with lots of wonderful people. And I had a meeting not long ago with, with a big, foundation that is not from a Christian or any sort of religious background, and they'd never worked with an organization that was a faith organization. And I didn't know that until we met. And but I just approached it the same way I normally would. and so we just met for coffee and had a really good time, and it was just lovely. It was so, so much fun. And we kind of got carried away and just having a good time having coffee together. That's sort of my life. But, And then she sort of caught herself unnoticed. She caught herself and went, oh yeah, I've got to ask that question. And she, I could tell, like her face dropped a bit and she said it was like she had this important question that she needed to check before we passed the test, you know, and she said, but what do you say about the fact that, churches already have loads of money, that churches are rich? I said, you should see my church. No, I said, that joke worked better this morning. and I said, well, yeah, institutionally, I can see that's true. But the reality is, every church that I know, they're in it because they believe it and nothing else, that they're writing off their own steam. They're pushing as hard as they can with every resource that they've got. And I just had happened to have come from a meeting where I met with someone who was leading a church, and in their congregation, they told me that there's a number of instances, serious instances, and one of them was domestic violence. And so he had actually invited a woman to come live with his family. And that's what had happened. And so I relayed that to this person. I said he's not doing it because he has to. This is out of hours work. He believes this is what to do. This is how to live by faith, because this is the way that God has treated him. And then it looks like that. And she said, I need to figure out how I can tell this to the people at my work, because we need to figure out how to make that more common. And then she indicated that she wanted to just to talk more about how this was real. Do you see? Do you see how it works? Faith that you think through then becomes real for you personally and you live out is compelling. It's beautiful. It's just like the good news that Jesus shared with us. Would you consider what it might look like to be a person of faith in God? And what that would look like for your life? Think it through. Personalize it. Let it get in the gaps and then live it. Concluding Prayer Let me pray. Father God, thank you for your grace. May we live humbly in response to it. Amen.

Join Nathan Oliver as he delves into John chapter 4the story of Jesus and the woman at the wellto explore a faith that truly impacts our daily lives. Discover how faith is thinking, deeply personal, and actively lived out. If you're seeking a faith that goes beyond Sunday and meets you where you are, this message offers refreshing insights. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Transcription Bible Reading: John 4:4-45 This morning's reading is taken from the Gospel of John, beginning at verse chapter four, verse four. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Saco, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. And Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon when a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, Will you give me a drink? His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, you are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, if you knew the gift of God and who it is that asked you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. Sir, the woman said, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock? Jesus answered, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, sir, give me this water, so that I won't get thirsty, and have to keep coming here to draw water. He told her, go call your husband and come back. I have no husband, she replied. Jesus said to her, you are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true. Sir, the woman said, I can see you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain. But the Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem. Woman Jesus replied, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the father in the spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the spirit and in truth. The woman said, I know that the Messiah called Christ is coming. When he comes, we will explain everything to us. Then Jesus said, I, the one speaking to you, I am he. Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, what do you want? Or why are you talking with her? When leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah? They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile, his disciples urged him, Rabbi, eat something. But he said to them, I have food to eat that you know nothing about. Then his disciples said to each other, could someone have brought him food? My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don't you have a saying? It's still four months until harvest, I tell you. Open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for the harvest. Even now, the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life. So that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying one sows and another reaps is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work and you have reaped the benefits of their labor. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. He told me everything I ever did. So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them. And he stayed two days. And because of this words, many more became believers. They said to the woman, we no longer believe just because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world. This is the Word of God. Opening Remarks Happy Mother's Day, I suppose. I don't know if that's a good introduction. It's too much of me. That's the first thing. But, And I'm here again. You know, Amy said a quiet life, not on a stage. I'm sorry about that. Thank you. That was. Pedram, you made us look way better than we are. That was good. I'm proud of Amy. and I love hearing her share her heart, too. So it's good. And, you know, before I begin, I'm going to pray. Father, thank you for your Grace. And free love. I love that line. That, you are greater. then, then our failures. So, God, I pray now that we would see your goodness this morning by your Holy Spirit. Would you make that clear to us? In your name we pray. Amen. So, Yeah. Like, I don't know how many people, would have known us before the video on the screen just now. we have been part of Deep Creek for about 12 months or so. you might know us. You might know us as, the family with the noisiest baby. Or you might know us as the family that's always late. which is fair. I didn't know there was music at the start until today. So this is the earliest we've turned up on a Sunday, so it was a good habit for us to begin. It's good. it's really good to be here and a good opportunity. Thank you for having me share with you this morning. My background is in church leadership, and, but it's been a couple of years since I've preached the until 8:00 this morning, and it was okay. so, you know, appreciate you, Grace and me having lots of nerves. I'm more nervous after the video than I was before. but I'm also nervous just just through the week. Thinking about this passage. I appreciate the Bible reading this morning. That was a long one. I'm sorry. and we're not going to go through it verse by verse if you wanted, though. open a Bible or have it in front of you. The text is going to jump around a little bit. but I'm nervous because, thinking about this passage and just actually applying it to my own heart. It's a big thing. there's a lot. There's a lot for us to think about. We're talking about everyday faith and how our faith makes a difference for us on the daily. Right. That's a big thing. And I think in my reflections this week, I'm feeling that very personally. And there's a there's a bunch that we can take out from this interaction that Jesus has, with the woman at the well. And so, what I want to look at, are three things about, I think, what this lady learned and definitely what we can learn about faith in everyday life. I want to look at how, our faith is a thinking faith, a personal faith and an act of faith. Just also want to clarify that when I. When I say faith, I mean faith in God. We're going to shorthand that today. we often in today's day and age, we talk about faith quite broad and quite generally, faith can mean that I just have general hope. have faith in myself. I have faith that we can get through. But definitely what we're talking about this morning is faith in everyday life is faith in God. The difference that he makes when we put our hope and trust in him? Okay, so thinking faith, personal faith and living faith. Faith in God is a Thinking Faith So the first one. Faith in God is a thinking faith. Okay, now, we read the passage, and one of the things that you'll notice at the start, or maybe I'll give words to you for that is there's six verses of context, six, six verses, just to set the story up. Now, the reason that's interesting to me is because you don't get that in every passage. I wish we did, but we don't. Often you'll get maybe one line, maybe one word, maybe just a really brief intro to what's happening. Maybe sometimes there's none. But here we get six whole verses on context, and so we need to learn from that and take well, the setting actually must be quite important. And it is. We need to know that the setting is significant to the people of Samaria. This is a Samaritan woman at the well. The setting where they are in Samaria is important. I like the way that the the passage was read this morning for us. It said Jesus had to go through this place, and it's sort of like, well, why else would he if he didn't have to? He probably wouldn't. And that's the case. Jews and Samaritans were not the best of friends. This was a time where where you came from determined significantly. What you believed today might not be that different, but it was very much the case in this time. Judea and sorry, Judea and Samaria were at this stage politically the same. They were both under the same Roman rule, technically within the same sort of like, country, I suppose. But historically, Samaria stood out. If you go back to one Kings, you'll see that there was a point in Israel's history where Samaria was made the capital of the northern Kingdom. Why that's significant is because when the Assyrian empire came in and took over Israel, they went for Samaria. They went for that city. It was strategically the smartest thing to do. And one of the ways that they defeated that city was to take all of the prominent Israelites out of it and put their own people in. Right. And so the people who influenced culture the most were now gone, and it was mixed in with the new Assyrian flavor. It became this sort of dual culture. And they changed. They mingled everything. They, they, they, they shared each other. They learned new recipes from each other and their background and their cultures. They they whatever. They watched each other's movies. I don't know how you learn someone else's culture, but they they sort of mixed everything up, including intermarrying and including borrowing from each other's religious perspective. So much so that Samaria kind of adapted this alt alt alternative version of the Hebrew faith. It's it's alt Jew Judaism, that's what it is. And, They sort of during this phase, they sort of like only focused in on the first five books of the Bible of the law. That's how they interpreted everything in Samaria. And so, the Jews actually had a further breadth to draw from, to understand God's Word, but it was just reduced. And because it was reduced to those five chapters or, sorry, five books of the Bible, the literal implications of that meant that they thought that the place where you worshiped God was in this specific setting on Mount Gerizim. And it was so important to them that they actually built a rival temple there. And that's. Does that make sense? Now, as you think about the conversation Jesus was having with this woman. And and he's saying, you believe this. And she's saying, well, we believe this. And you. And what about where you worship, right? That's why it's because of this, this background. And it was such a rivalry that was built between the two 200 years after that temple was built. There was an uprising by certain, Jewish people, and they destroyed their temple, the Samaritan temple. And that was 200 years before this story took place. This is a rivalry that is both historical and religious, and it's centered at the location where we're reading this story. Add something to the text. It adds something. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus finds himself there, and there's no one else there except this one lady, the Samaritan woman. And here we have a Jew and a Samaritan, and they begin to talk. If you need further confirmation of the rivalry, just look at verse nine where it says, the Samaritan woman said to him, You're a Jew. I'm a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? And here it is, just there for you. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Clear as day. And yet they did associate. And it doesn't seem heated either. There is a reasonable exchange. And in the end, the woman Jesus is speaking with seemingly expresses faith in God the way that Jesus was talking about it. And by the end of the passage, we see she's a believer. Through this conversation. This is a powerful conversation. A reasonable exchange of thoughts and ideas took place, and it led to something very significant happening. It's not a normal conversation because Jesus uses all sorts of vivid imagery about water and, you know, water that doesn't run out. It's very metaphorical, right? I don't know. I don't know if you would if you would find that frustrating or not. Talking with someone who's speaking in metaphors and hey, the wind is a bit of, I don't know, I don't even want to pretend like I can do that. But she doesn't know what Jesus means. But that's kind of the point. He says something, she clarifies. Jesus doubles down on his claims. She questions, how does that fit with my beliefs? Even the part Jesus miraculously knows her family history. She changes the topic and Jesus lets her, doesn't pull it back and say no, no, no, no. It's a very even conversation. Jesus gives room for the penny to drop. Because, you know, she needs to think this through. Even when the location question is brought up in verse 20, she says, but what about where you worship and where we worship? It's different. Jesus says, believe me. A time is coming when you will worship the father, neither on this mountain or in Jerusalem. A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the spirit and in truth. In other words, Jesus says to her, where? Think about it. Think about it. Think about who God is and what he's like. Maybe think about how big he is, how great he is. Do you really think he cares which side of the hill you worship on? There is a coming time where none of that will matter. Not from your side or from my side. No, no, no. He cares about your heart. And you might say, well, why bother with all of that, right? We saw in the passage there was a moment he pulled the husband trick out, and he. And like, that was pretty impressive. Like like he pulled out the thing. He had no knowledge of that beforehand. He just says it like, why bother with all the interaction? Just do that again. She was on the ropes. Get her over the line now. Right. You could even say, why are we even reading this at all? If Jesus is like this, that people like do the the miracle trick on me, you know, and I'll believe 100% no gaps at all. Right? And the reason why he doesn't just zap us into faith is because faith requires thinking. I don't think you can have faith without thinking. Is that good news for you this morning? You can't have faith without thinking. Which I think that's good news, because I think there is a perception out there that Christians are people who have switched their brains off, and the people who think would never believe what we believe or what a Christian believes. But I don't think it can work like that to have faith in God who we can't see. We have to acknowledge that you can't prove God's existence, and at the same time, you can't disprove his existence either. So that puts the whole thing in a bit of a dilemma. Either side of that equation, you are going to have to stand on faith one way or the other. I do believe it or I don't believe it. Both are faith standpoints. You can't prove it either way. So the question becomes you have to what? What can you live with from that position of faith that you take? Whichever one is what has the least issues for you? And so you have to think about that. What am I content to live with? One person says God can't be real because there's so much pain and suffering. Another person says the pain and suffering led me to God. Do you see what I'm saying? This week, as I was hanging out with a friend at the pub, we were talking about politics because I'm a boring person now and have grown up conversations. We were talking about politics and everything that's wrong in the world. And he got really agitated about one specific thing. I'm not going to say it's too divisive. Don't even ask me about it. but, it was. Are you Team Naga or Brookie? Which one? And we said, I'm not going to go into it. No no, no. Three people are on social media. Okay, okay. No no, no, it was something else more global than that. And, and he he was super agitated. Right. And I was thinking to myself, how do I even help my friend? What's my role here? And so I had this strange idea to ask him a question. Okay, that's fair enough. I agree with you. It's bad. But where do you get peace from now? But what will bring you peace? How are you going to live with that? And what I really want to say was, because if you intellectualize issues and push them aside because they're too much, then you have to acknowledge that the only way to do that by is by faith that nothing matters ultimately. If if you intellectualize it and then say, well, I can't deal with it, I just have to push it aside. Well, then the only way to do that, really is the faith that nothing really matters in the end. But it does matter to my friend. It does, obviously it does. See, faith comes from thinking, and thinking leads to faith. Don't just leave it there. Think. Be a thoughtful person. Think. Think about what? Why is it that when you see a beautiful sunset, it does something in you? But why? Why so much art based on the things around the world that we would describe as beautiful? Why do photographers take pictures of things that's done? Why? Why do we like it when we see it? Think about these things. What is it? And then what's the next question after that? You got to think. Remember Jesus on the road to Emmaus talking with the disciples. And he said, guys, remember, this is what the Bible said, this and this and this. Put it together. Think about it. Remember Jesus when he taught on worry and he's lying to the people he was speaking to. He was you of little faith. Why? Because. Just think about it. Look at the lilies of the field. Look at the sparrows. They eat their feel right. Don't worry. Think about that. Think this faith is a thinking faith. Faith in God requires thinking. Faith in God is also Personal Faith in God is also personal. We need to accept faith in God, which means we need to let it in. Sometimes that's hard because the personal stuff we feel can run pretty deep and it's real stuff. And actually, that's what I want to talk about, the real stuff, where it is personal. It was very personal for this lady, at least in three ways. She had three. She she had she had hurdles to get over. Firstly, she was a Samaritan. Secondly, she was female. And thirdly, she had a personal history that was difficult. The fact that she's a Samaritan, I've already covered a bunch of that. It wasn't just a racial division, it was a religious division. Certain associations with the Samaritan would have made a Jew ritually unclean. In fact, the verse is in so verse nine where it says, For Jews don't associate with Samaritans. The Greek is a bit dubious there, and is often used to sort of like translate a different way, which would say for Jews and Samaritans don't share, don't share the same dish. Right. And yet Jesus pursues her. He jumps that hurdle. Secondly, she's female. Everything of note in regard to a Samaritan background of the woman would be intensified by the fact of her being female. There's a bit of a pause in the story when the disciples catch up with Jesus and see him chatting with a woman, right? Remember that bit at the end? And I think it says they were surprised. Huh? What are you doing? Jesus is you at a lady? And it says. But no one said anything. The implication being, normally they might write. She wasn't supposed to be chatting with him. In fact, there was a traditional law created in the oral tradition that declared all Samaritan women were unclean from birth. It just really shouldn't have been doing this. And yet, if you flick back just one chapter to John three, you know, for God so loved the world that he gave. Right? That and this chapter are eerily similar. It's Jesus speaking with one person, having a deep and meaningful about all the big things of life. Except in that instance, it was a man, a powerful, educated, religious Jewish man. And he treats what's what. What is so stark about the two passages is he treats them both identically. Jesus shows this lady the same dignity and respect as anyone else. He jumps that hurdle. And then it's the private life that Jesus is talking about needs. Using water as a metaphor, anyone who would drink the water that I could offer them, they'll never be thirsty again. And she hasn't really got it right. And so Jesus changes the topic and addresses something in her life. Go tell your husband. Go tell your husband. Which she says, well, I don't have a husband. Jesus knew that. But what she said wasn't entirely true. Jesus clarifies that he knew that too. Now, it's not the whole picture. You've had five husbands. The man you're with now currently is not your husband. And yet, here's the key. Jesus doesn't rub it in her face. He commends her honest answer. And then he reveals the full story. There's no doubt this woman would have experienced stigma in her day. And at no point does Jesus embarrass her. Tease her. Mock her. Look down on her. And neither does he condone her situation. But he doesn't treat her unfairly. Instead, the offer to her is the same to you. And I have faith in God from exactly where you are, exactly where you are. I don't know about you, but like, so often I think I'm like, in order to even have faith in God, I'm supposed to be at a certain standard, even when I pray. I'm not honest all the time because I'm. And I pretend like like God. Like I could schmooze him over to think that I'm actually worthy. You know what I'm saying? Do you relate to that at all? But it's it's the gaps in our life that are that show us where we need God. It's personal, it's deep, it's real. But it has to come from those gaps. I've been getting into, becoming cultured in the last couple of years and learning about art history. I'm grown up now, and I can have conversations with other grown ups, too. And so I'm just I just want to impress people that I know stuff about art. That's all it really is. No, but I find it fascinating. I've loved this guy's writing called Russ Ramsey. he tells the most beautiful stories about famous, art, events throughout history. Right. And as I was reading the passage this week, it made me think of one particular story about Van Gogh. van Gogh. here he is. Vincent van Gogh. People would know him mainly for two things. The starry night painting. And let me test the second thing. How else? What's famous about Van Gogh? It's not. He cut his ear off. All right. There you go. It's exactly what I thought. So that's true, except the lead up to the event where he cut his ear off. Lots of people don't know that. And it's pretty, pretty powerful, actually. maybe you be the judge. Anyway. so the reason that came to be. Let me tell you the story. Right? It's a true story. Van Gogh was desperate as an artist to be in community with other people. he was he was a very, passionate guy, I suppose is a good way of saying it. And he was desperate to be in a community of artists and, always wanted to, like, do art and better himself, become the greatest artist he could ever be. Right? never really had it. Never really found that community. his brother was an art dealer. And so through the work that he did, he connected with some other artists, including, Paul Gauguin, who was like someone that Van Gogh looked up to. Right. And so, through that connection with his brother, they actually got to know each other a little bit, and he slipped the invitation and say, would you ever consider coming and living in France with me? Go again? After some deliberation, said I will on a trial period. Right. But we won't know each other. We don't know each other. How are we going to get to know each other? We can't find each other on Facebook yet, so I don't even know what you look like, right? So through their letter exchanges, they said, well, let's paint a self-portrait of ourselves as a way of introduction and mail it in the mail. I like this better than social media. And and then they said, how about we also attach like, like a literary thing, like a, like expression to it so that we can get each other where we're at. Right? And so they did. and so can we have the next slide up. This is Gauguin painted a picture of himself. He painted himself in the image like he presented himself as Jean Valjean from, Les Mis. Which I think is pretty bold. so he's a hero. He's what he's saying, right? And this is what he wrote in the letter. It is the face of an outlaw, ill clad and powerful, like Jean Valjean. That's fun to say. With an inner nobility and gentleness. The faces flush, the eyes accented, and the surrounding colors of a furnace fire. This is to represent the volcanic flames that animate the soul of the artist. The girlish background, with its childlike flowers, is there to attest to our artistic purity. As for this Jean Valjean, whom society has oppressed, cast out, is he not equally the symbol of contemporary Impressionist painters and endowing him with my features? I offer you as well an image of myself, a portrait of all the wretched victims of society. So he writes and says, I'm a hero. I'm representing all the all the outcasts out there and. And that's that's why I do what I do. Van Gogh presented himself in the sort of like nature of a Japanese monk. Right. He was really influenced by Japanese culture. He loved that. You'veseen some of his famous paintings. You can see that. and, so he got his idea from the, you know, the book that became Madame Butterfly, right? The opera, which is about French soldiers stationed off the coast of Japan. He was, you know, sort of like that. He was into that. And this is what he wrote in his letter. If we study Japanese art, we see a man who's undoubtedly wise, philosophic and intelligent, who spends his time doing what he studies a single blade of grass, but the blade of grass leads him to draw every plant. And then the seasons, the wide aspects of the countryside, then animals, then the human figure. Come now. Isn't it almost a true religion which these simple Japanese people teach us, who live in nature as though they themselves were flowers? Now, here's the thing. Like, he's he's like none of these. Neither of the guys were like, what? They said they were right. They weren't. Came from a super broken. He'd just been kicked out by his family. He couldn't make any money. He was a failed stockbroker, and he really just needed a place to live. And he cast himself as his hero. And then, like, sorry, it's troubling history of Van Gogh, but he was he was a troubled man. He was deeply anxious. Deeply. He struggled with self-doubt significantly. And yet they present each other as like, hey, this is this. It sounds like it's going to be a great community. And they did produce some good work, but they could only stick it out for 63 days. They argued bitterly every day. They were so like they had such different views. And so. And it actually ended in one boozy beef up one night when they were drinking in a cafe, discussing where art should come from in the artist's eyes. Right. And it says, the cafe owner said, like Van Gogh threw his absinthe across the room, and then he went up to his apartment. He got a razor to come back, and his intention was to kill Gauguin. He got a few steps away from him and then freaked out when Gauguin turned around and he just ran off and he ran up to his apartment, which is where the next thing he did was cut his ear off. What a tragic tale. What? What a tragic story. And the thing is about that Russ Ramsey, who I mentioned before, who writes about these things, what he says in this particular section is that to truly know someone. To truly know someone is to know their pain, is to know the gaps in their life, to know their area of need. That's how you know someone, not by their aspirational self, but by their actual self, when maybe even no one's looking. And then he points out that when you look at Jesus's ministry, that's in fact how you know anyone that Jesus related to. Think about all the people that Jesus ministered to. That we know them by their deficit. That's how we know them. Blind Bartimaeus. We know that the woman who was bleeding, we know the child who, like, was only sleeping like, you know what I'm saying? Like everyone that Jesus ministered to. It was at the point of need. It was the gaps in their life that actually made Jesus good news for them. And look at what Jesus is saying in this passage, verse 13 and 14. It says, everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I given will be coming them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The gaps in your life, in other words, the things you ache for, the things that have hurt you, the things that make you broken, the things that put you at a distance from God do not preclude you from faith in God. In fact, it's the opposite. The prerequisite for faith is thirst. Jesus isn't saying it's bad to want things, or to desire things, or to to be broken or anything like that. He's saying that if you put your faith in those things, though, that if only my job was better, if only I had more money, if only I had if whatever. Your if only statement is that if you put your faith in those things, you will be left wanting. There is nothing big enough to contain the dreams of your heart, the daily lives that you live. There is nothing big enough to contain it other than the one who made you. That's what he's saying. Because he knows he's the only one he can hold us. Our hopes and dreams, our hearts hurts and our fears. He's the only one big enough who can handle that. He's the only one. Therefore, he's the only one who we could really, truly have faith in that can meet us where we're at. Do you see Jesus at the cross and what he's doing? He he goes to the cross for our sin, right? And he pays the penalty. He gets rid of the gap between us and God. The things that cause the hurt, the things that cause the act. He he deals with that. But do you notice what happens that kind of like the climactic moment, the moment where Jesus breathed his last, everything goes black. And then what happened in the temple? The holy place, the place where God resided. The place where he dwelt, the place that was the most special dwelling of him in earth at all, was protected by a thick curtain. And at the moment Jesus died and passed cross that thorn for us. It tore into, because nothing could keep his holiness away from our own holiness. Nothing could keep his love away from us. And so he says, no, it's not. You show me how good you are and then you earn it. I'm coming to you in love so that you can respond to me in faith. It's your thirst for all things is the prerequisite for faith in Jesus. And in doing these things, Jesus validates those aches. He validates the hurts. He validates the gaps in your life and says, yes, it was intended to be different. And one day all those things will be realized in him. If faith is not personal, I don't think it's worth it. So, friends, I ask you in love today. Where are the gaps in your life? These are the spaces where God wants to have wants us to have hope and trust and faith in him. This is what this is the conversation he's having at the well with this woman. And he is the very gift himself that he offers for it to happen. It's good news. So where are the gaps in your life? These are the spaces where our faith comes from, needs to come from, not the bits where you got to work out. Faith in God is a Living Faith The third thing leads from that, and it's that faith in God is a living faith. Once we have faith in God, then what? I'm going to be short here, so don't worry. So it's going along well. Let's look at the woman at the well. Can we read verse 28 to 30? It's like she hears and then she goes. She receives that. She leaves her jar there. People like talk symbolically like that. She's she's given up her mechanism to keep drawing from the physical water because she's received from Jesus. I don't know if that's what is actually going on or not. She just might have forgotten a jar, I don't know, but either way, like, she's gone and she's like, she's acting. She's like and telling people, guys, you'll never believe I just spoke to this. Man. He knew everything. He's. He's got to be the one. He's got to be. She did something. She acted. I love it, I love it how it says at the end. We no longer believe just because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves. You see, they're going through the process. We're thinking. We're applying it to ourselves. And now we believe. And so now we are in response. Yeah. There's two ways you need to respond to God in faith. If you believe it's true. Faith. I've been thinking about what faith is and you can sum it up as belief. You can sum it up as just what you think. I don't know, but one thing I think the Bible describes faith as is responding to what you know is true about who God is. Right. Which then helps us identify how we need to have faith in him. What do you know is true about God? Do you know that God is the most generous being in all the universe? Well, then, what does that say about how you use your resources, your finances, your time, your energy, keeping to yourself? Like, how could you if you know what God's like? What about how God welcomes strangers? Well, then who gets to eat at your table? How many times? This is for me too. How many times do people get to sit at your table who don't share the same surname as you? What does it mean to make new friends? Isn't that what God's like? I'm not saying you have to do it that way. But what do you know about God to be true? And then how do you live? What about that? That he will return one day to judge the living and the dead? Okay, so where do you cut corners? What are the small gaps in your life that you can offer to him in faith and trust him in those spaces? The second thing that we can see here is that faith is for ourselves to to live out. But then it's for the benefit of others, too. That's what happened. A whole community of people came to faith in Jesus because one woman responded. In my role, I raised money for churches during the week. That's what I do. and it means I get to go and speak with lots of wonderful people. And I had a meeting not long ago with, with a big, foundation that is not from a Christian or any sort of religious background, and they'd never worked with an organization that was a faith organization. And I didn't know that until we met. And but I just approached it the same way I normally would. and so we just met for coffee and had a really good time, and it was just lovely. It was so, so much fun. And we kind of got carried away and just having a good time having coffee together. That's sort of my life. But, And then she sort of caught herself unnoticed. She caught herself and went, oh yeah, I've got to ask that question. And she, I could tell, like her face dropped a bit and she said it was like she had this important question that she needed to check before we passed the test, you know, and she said, but what do you say about the fact that, churches already have loads of money, that churches are rich? I said, you should see my church. No, I said, that joke worked better this morning. and I said, well, yeah, institutionally, I can see that's true. But the reality is, every church that I know, they're in it because they believe it and nothing else, that they're writing off their own steam. They're pushing as hard as they can with every resource that they've got. And I just had happened to have come from a meeting where I met with someone who was leading a church, and in their congregation, they told me that there's a number of instances, serious instances, and one of them was domestic violence. And so he had actually invited a woman to come live with his family. And that's what had happened. And so I relayed that to this person. I said he's not doing it because he has to. This is out of hours work. He believes this is what to do. This is how to live by faith, because this is the way that God has treated him. And then it looks like that. And she said, I need to figure out how I can tell this to the people at my work, because we need to figure out how to make that more common. And then she indicated that she wanted to just to talk more about how this was real. Do you see? Do you see how it works? Faith that you think through then becomes real for you personally and you live out is compelling. It's beautiful. It's just like the good news that Jesus shared with us. Would you consider what it might look like to be a person of faith in God? And what that would look like for your life? Think it through. Personalize it. Let it get in the gaps and then live it. Concluding Prayer Let me pray. Father God, thank you for your grace. May we live humbly in response to it. Amen.

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This week on Ready Set Live, Gary interviews Dr. Pedram Navab, FAASM & Author

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗮𝘇𝘇 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 & 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝟭𝟳 𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘇𝗼 | 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟳𝘁𝗵 Congratulations 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗙𝗫 & 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗜 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗜, our new TOP 1 Congratulations to everyone that made it into this week’s Top 100! 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝟭𝟬𝟬 🔊 100.- LONGE DE VOCÉ - S-Tone Inc. & Toco 🔊 094.- GRAVITY - Shelby Brown 🔊 091.- IN TO THE NIGHT - Walter Kittle Ft. Nils 🔊 090.- LATE NIGHT RENDEZVOUS - Terry Disley 🔊 088.- UNDER THE STARS - Brian Simpson 🔊 085.- SO NATURALLY - Lin Rountree 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗖 𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦 🔊 BREEZE - Return To Valencia 𝗕𝗬 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗭 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗦 🔊 PATRICE RUSHEN 𝗕𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗡 𝗝𝗔𝗭𝗭 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗦 🔊 Janette Harris – Golden Nights Ft. Romel Veal 🔊 The TNR Collective – To The Moon Ft. Lemek, Lin Rountree, Nicholas Cole 🔊 Yuko Mabuchi – Ethereal 🔊 Brownie – Shake it 🔊 Reggie Parker – God’s Mercy 🔊 SVITLO – Love Story Ft. Tarasov.Sax, Eli 🔊 Toshiki Soejima – Moon Ft. Nahokimama 🔊 STELLA – Amber Ft. Pedram 🔊 Jhavaly – Sophistication 🔊 Francia JazzLine Orchestra – Please, No Guns at Dinner! 🔊 Shawn LaBelle – Mon Cher Amour Ft. Maysa, Bobby Lyle 🔊 Philippe Saisse – Nougayork Ft. Marquis Hill 🔊 Tom Braxton – East Side Hang 🔊 Lee Jones – Oh Yeah (Can You Feel It) Ft. SoulEyes, Lucía Costa 🔊 Jon Gilutin – Mr. Jones 🔊 Pavel Mirga – Late Night Groove 🔊 Andre Delano – Calvert street 🔊 Max Filosi – Cold Case 🔊 Uli brodersen – Nature Boy Ft. Achim Rafain 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝟮𝟬 🔊 020.- 18 KARAT - Althea Rene 🔊 019.- MANGO BREEZE - Vandell Andrew, Jordan Grant, Jah Born 🔊 015.- MINT CONDITION - Patrick Lamb 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝟭 🔊 001.- MEAN TO BE - Special EFX & Chieli Minucci

What do we do when life doesn't make senseeven when we've done everything right? In this sermon, Megan reflects on the powerful question John the Baptist asked from prison: Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? Through Jesus response, we explore what it means to find hope, not just in answers, but in the character and work of Christ. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Today's reading is from Luke chapter seven, verse 18 to 35. Jesus and John the Baptist. Scripture Reading: Luke 7:1835 John's disciples told him about all these things, calling two of them. He sent them to the Lord to ask, are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? When the men came to Jesus, they said, John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? At that very time, Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk. Those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. I tell you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves because they had not been baptized by John. Jesus went on to say, to what then can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: We played the pipe for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge and you did not cry. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say he has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. But wisdom is proved right by all her children. This is the word of the Lord. Introduction Well, my name is Megan. If I haven't met you before. I'm the senior minister here at Deep Creek. If you were here last week, I wasn't, and so thank you to Lily and Pedram, for holding down the fortress, but particularly to Pedram for an excellent sermon that I had the opportunity to read during the week, starting our series on questions of hope. It's very powerful to have Jesus as someone who doesn't simply, download content to us, but who asks us questions who, as he interacted with people throughout his ministry, asked such powerful questions that people's hearts had to open to answer them. During the season of lent, the practice of asking questions of ourselves and hearing the questions that Jesus asks is really important. As we discern our way forward and as we reflect on whether we are in fact living the way that God wants us to live, asking questions about our life, about our soul, about what we love, about what we value is essential. And of course, if you find yourself in a hard place, feeling confused, feeling under pressure, or perhaps in the midst of suffering or injustice, questions can be powerful there too. But some of the questions that often come to mind in these hard times might not be the most powerful question we could ask. John the Baptists Question from Prison Sometimes we ask: why me? Is God punishing me? what am I supposed to be learning from this hard thing? who's to blame? Why is this happening? Well, today we meet a man who is in a very hard place. He's in jail, John the Baptist. And we read in Luke chapter three that he is in prison because he has been ministering for God. He's been speaking God's truth, encouraging people to ask very, very hard questions of their lives, of their spirit. And he did that to a leader. He spoke truth to power, as the saying goes. And that leader Herod threw him in prison. So Luke chapter three, when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. This was a great injustice. There was no reason for John to be in prison. And yet Herod added this to his list of many injustices. And so John the Baptist, in prison in this hard place, has a choice of the sort of question that he might ask. Will he ask, why me? Will he ask who's to blame? Will he ask, was it worth it? Will he ask who will get him out? Well, instead of any of those, he asks this question. Are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Now, I know that the youth on Friday those ones on their devices, up on the couch were looking at Mark chapter two, and, they... (Yeah, I see everything!) they were looking at Mark chapter two, where friends helped a friend come to Jesus. So, someone is lowered through the roof, and the conclusion is friends can help friends find faith in Christ. Well here, the friends of John are doing the same. They can't get him out of prison to go and see Jesus, but they can help him with the question that might get him out of his dark place. So they take the question to Jesus. Are you Jesus, the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Seems like a funny question for someone who'd been so set on Jesus being the Messiah to ask. John had been the one who had identified Jesus as the Lamb of God. In John's gospel, we see John the Baptist say, there he is, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It could not be clearer. John says, this is the Messiah. John's Expectations of the Messiah Luke's Gospel, he describes the sort of work that he expects that Messiah to do. The people were waiting expectantly around John getting baptized, and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn. But he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. And with many other words, John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. John the Baptist was sure that he was the forerunner of the Messiah, preparing the people, because if they had not been given the opportunity to repent, the clear and swift immediate judgment being brought by the Messiah would take them unawares. And when the Messiah came, he would bring fire. He would be the one that was dividing the evil and the good. He would be the one who was making sure that those who were following the Lord were gathered together into the Lord's barn, and those who were not were destroyed. And so you can imagine, as John is a victim of injustice in prison, suffering greatly for this message, and hearing the reports of Jesus healing, eating and drinking and partying, including others, showing great mercy and compassion, he might have had a moment of dissonance. I'm in his suffering. The injustice that I am suffering is exactly the sort that the Messiah should be overturning. And yet Jesus is out there partying. Are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Jesus Response to John Well, Jesus is not at all concerned to have John ask a question like that. It's not offensive to Jesus. He doesn't shut John down his friends. He doesn't send back, "He knows who I am. He should toughen up." No, there is commendation for questioning in this way. And Jesus provides evidence that yes, John, you were right. And the mission for which you have been jailed is worth it. You will find evidence in me for hope. And so he replies to the messengers, Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard. The blind receive sight. The lame walk. Those who have leprosy are cleansed. The deaf hear. The dead are raised. And the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. Jesus doesn't say a yes or no to the question, are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? But he points to the evidence of his character and his action. I might have shared this story before, but when I was asking many questions of the Lord about where I should do my first ministry placement, my first curacy, I sat with him in a church and was praying and asking for guidance. And and as I've said before, if you've heard it I did not receive clear guidance. I did not receive an answer to my question. But what I did receive was an assurance of the character and works of Jesus. So as I was praying in the church, I had a strong sense of Jesus himself coming from behind the communion table or altar and sitting next to me, that the answer to my question was actually in the character and work of Jesus, the companion, the one who would bring me to the table, the one who was the Savior through his own death and resurrection, and who would never leave me. When Jesus answers John the Baptist with this, he is encouraging John that the works that he is doing are the works of the Messiah, and the character that he is displaying is the character of the Messiah. And so he's actually quoting from these Old Testament passages that look forward to or describe the promised servant of the Lord Isaiah 35, Isaiah 29, Isaiah 61 and is showing that he is fulfilling exactly the mission statement that he gave when he went to the synagogue and said, see, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. This partying, this inclusion, these acts of mercy, actually are exactly the sorts of acts that John should have been expecting from the Messiah, as well as the works of justice. Jesus wants him to know that his works of mercy are indeed the Messiah's work, and that as he suffers injustice, the work that is happening outside that prison is the work of the one who he was preparing the people to receive. The Great Reversal in Jesus Ministry But interestingly, I also think he wants John to know that these works in some way are a work of justice. So I've been thinking about healings, and I was reading some articles about whether there's evidence of resuscitation from the dead in our world today someone who was investigating the claims in this passage, see, the dead are raised. And a lot of the evidence is from parts of the world that we would consider still developing the two thirds world, the global South, parts of the world that are far more marginalized and under the impact of poverty and war than our own. So, Craig Keener, who is a Bible scholar some of you might know he's married to an African woman, and her family are all involved in church life in Africa and she kind of got him in touch with a whole bunch of people who could testify to miracles of resuscitation from the dead. And he, thinking about the incredible kind of percentage of experience that happens there (maybe in the Philippines, in Indonesia, other places), but not always in his homeland of America, not always in our experience in Australia. Well, part of the reason for that is not simply that they are more open to spiritual things or they don't live in such a scientific worldview. Sometimes we can bring quite an inappropriate lens to looking at miracle accounts in the non-Western. But is it perhaps because Jesus' acts of healing, of mercy, of raising up, are in fact symbols of the great reversal that he is bringing and has brought into the world, that those who cannot heal themselves, that those who suffer great injustice actually, when they see miracles, it is because the Lord is showing that his task is to turn this broken, unjust world upside down. We have so many resources at our disposal now. That's not the only reason God does miracles, and we know that he does miracles amongst us. And that's not the only reason God does not do miracles. But I think that the teaching of Luke's gospel would be that Jesus, in everything that he does, turns the world upside down. That the great reversal, the lifting up of the lowly that Mary worshipped about in the Magnificat, is seen here in Jesus' works of mercy, healing, and restoration. Jesus' works of mercy ... are also works of justice, because they reverse the marginalization and the poverty of those who are under the big system of broken, unjust world. But he would say to John, absolutely question your way out of your hard place, but be prepared for surprises. Jesus Affirms John the Baptist And so Jesus now moves into two questions of his own. The first is, What did you go out into the wilderness to see? He's talking to the people around him. And then he asks, To what shall I compare this generation? After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes. I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. The crowd hearing John bring this question to Jesus may have started to wonder whether he himself had been the forerunner that he had understood himself to be. Well, if John's asking the question now, we're all feeling confused. Is John gone soft? Did we make a mistake? And Jesus says, no. You know John, you know how tough he is. You went out not to see someone swayed by the wind. You went to see a rock solid tree trunk in the ground quite austere and possibly quite unusual fellow this is a prophet of the Old Testament school. You went out to see him and he asks this question. Well, I can confirm to you that he is exactly who he said he was. He was the messenger sent by God ahead of me. He asks, are you the one who is to come, or should we await someone else? No. He was the messenger of the one who is to come. Be sure of it. But he says, even though John was the greatest, the greatest prophet, the preparer of the Messiah, yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Question your way out question, but don't stop too soon. John's message of preparation, of asking people to reflect on their lives, to question whether they were living for God, whether they needed to repent was absolutely right. But it was not the end of the story. John was in the period of expectation of promise, but Jesus was now in the kingdom of fulfillment. John's answers John's questions and answers could only bring a person so far: to repent before God, to weep and bemoan your sins and your wickedness, as we sometimes say in our Anglican liturgy, was absolutely what needed to happen. But to stop there would not be enough. The one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. Not because John's not now in the kingdom of God, but because the fulfillment of what John was pointing to was here in Jesus. And so the questions that John asked and then the questions that Jesus asked must be heard together. The ministry that John had, and then the ministry that the Messiah has must be embraced together. So Jesus asks his next question: to what then can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? An Unresponsive Generation He's speaking now not to those who have heard John's message he's told them, don't stop too soon, come into the kingdom. Now he's speaking to the Pharisees and the experts in the law, those who should have both heard John's message and then seen him as the forerunner to the Messiah. But what happened? To what then can I compare the people of this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: 'We played the pipe for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge and you did not cry.' For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine. And you say he has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking. And you say, 'here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by all her children." Jesus looks around at a people who have not heard either the call of John nor the call of Jesus, and he says nothing. Nothing is going to please you if you cannot hear a person who's calling you to Old Testament repentance, and yet you cannot also see someone inviting you into the love of God. The dirge and you did not cry well, that's John out in the wilderness, eating his locusts and honey and being very smelly and very serious and calling people well, calling them a brood of vipers. Calling them to repentance. Because so clearly have they broken the law of God for justice and care. But they didn't cry to that dirge. They didn't repent. They didn't want to hear. And then Jesus comes eating and drinking, partying on, embracing those on the margins, healing people who needed it. And they didn't dance. They didn't rejoice. John, they said, oh, all that fasting and smelling piss and yelling at us. He's got a demon. Jesus coming, eating and drinking. Oh, he's just a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. And that's not actually just a charge of saying, oh, he's a total party boy. That's actually from Deuteronomy a quote from Deuteronomy that a parent would say about his or her rebellious son, taking them to the elders of the village and asking for punishment: Here my child, is a glutton and a drunkard. And Jesus is saying, actually, God can't win with you. You want someone to be serious and call you to repentance. You have it. You want someone to show you the love and justice and inclusion of God. You have it. God can't. I just think of Jesus having to rejoice and celebrate being amongst people who he is restoring to the kingdom of God. But God can't win. Wisdom is proved right by all her children, John's way and Jesus' way sit together to bring people into the wise kingdom of God and all those who follow them. But it's very possible to avoid the answers if you really want to. We live in a world where there are many, many arguments against faith, and it's really important to grapple with those at various times, probably not all at once. But it's important for us to know that even for ourselves, you can avoid the answer if you really want to. You can find the next objection. You can change what you're looking for. You can change the standards, the goalposts. Can God win? So I just want us to close today by asking you. If you got answers to some of your questions, if you're in a hard place, would the answers to the questions you're asking really be enough? What Are You Really Looking For? If you got answers to some of your questions, if you're in a hard place, would the answers to the questions you're asking really be enough? Maybe you're asking who's to blame.Maybe you're asking, why me?Maybe you're asking, what should I do next?Maybe you're asking, what's the system that's underneath all of this injustice? If you got answers to that, would it really be enough? And I want you to ask yourself and I ask myself this, too what are you really looking for? If you had God, if you had Jesus right here, what is the question that you really want to ask him? Is it really who's to blame? Is it really why me? Could it be do you really love me? Could it be are you the one that we're looking for? Or should we expect someone else? Just take a moment in quiet. If you feel comfortable to close your eyes in a group, then please do that if that helps you. Jesus does not turn away your questions. So I'm encouraging you now and as we spend some time in worship as well what are the questions, right down at the bottom of your heart, that you really want to ask. And then I'm going to pray that Jesus' works and Jesus' character will show you what you're looking for. Closing Prayer Loving and most merciful Lord, we know that you are the Holy One, and we know that you never overlook injustice. We know that you will set things right. We know that one day we will see you face to face. And as we sit here now, Lord, we have our questions: Do you love us? Did you love our loved one who died? Are you the one? Is it worth it? What do you want to say to me? Lord Jesus, as we bring our real questions to you, we ask that you would show us who you are. Point us to the evidence in our own lives, in the world, and most clearly in the scriptures, illuminated by Your Holy Spirit. Speak to our hearts of the ways in which you can be trusted, of your great love for us, each one, and your joy over us as we come into your kingdom. As we journey through lent, we ask Lord, that you would help us to ask the right questions, that we might know you truly as the one we've been waiting for. Amen.

What do we do when life doesn't make senseeven when we've done everything right? In this sermon, Megan reflects on the powerful question John the Baptist asked from prison: Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? Through Jesus response, we explore what it means to find hope, not just in answers, but in the character and work of Christ. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript Today's reading is from Luke chapter seven, verse 18 to 35. Jesus and John the Baptist. Scripture Reading: Luke 7:1835 John's disciples told him about all these things, calling two of them. He sent them to the Lord to ask, are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? When the men came to Jesus, they said, John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? At that very time, Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk. Those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. I tell you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves because they had not been baptized by John. Jesus went on to say, to what then can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: We played the pipe for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge and you did not cry. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say he has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. But wisdom is proved right by all her children. This is the word of the Lord. Introduction Well, my name is Megan. If I haven't met you before. I'm the senior minister here at Deep Creek. If you were here last week, I wasn't, and so thank you to Lily and Pedram, for holding down the fortress, but particularly to Pedram for an excellent sermon that I had the opportunity to read during the week, starting our series on questions of hope. It's very powerful to have Jesus as someone who doesn't simply, download content to us, but who asks us questions who, as he interacted with people throughout his ministry, asked such powerful questions that people's hearts had to open to answer them. During the season of lent, the practice of asking questions of ourselves and hearing the questions that Jesus asks is really important. As we discern our way forward and as we reflect on whether we are in fact living the way that God wants us to live, asking questions about our life, about our soul, about what we love, about what we value is essential. And of course, if you find yourself in a hard place, feeling confused, feeling under pressure, or perhaps in the midst of suffering or injustice, questions can be powerful there too. But some of the questions that often come to mind in these hard times might not be the most powerful question we could ask. John the Baptists Question from Prison Sometimes we ask: why me? Is God punishing me? what am I supposed to be learning from this hard thing? who's to blame? Why is this happening? Well, today we meet a man who is in a very hard place. He's in jail, John the Baptist. And we read in Luke chapter three that he is in prison because he has been ministering for God. He's been speaking God's truth, encouraging people to ask very, very hard questions of their lives, of their spirit. And he did that to a leader. He spoke truth to power, as the saying goes. And that leader Herod threw him in prison. So Luke chapter three, when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. This was a great injustice. There was no reason for John to be in prison. And yet Herod added this to his list of many injustices. And so John the Baptist, in prison in this hard place, has a choice of the sort of question that he might ask. Will he ask, why me? Will he ask who's to blame? Will he ask, was it worth it? Will he ask who will get him out? Well, instead of any of those, he asks this question. Are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Now, I know that the youth on Friday those ones on their devices, up on the couch were looking at Mark chapter two, and, they... (Yeah, I see everything!) they were looking at Mark chapter two, where friends helped a friend come to Jesus. So, someone is lowered through the roof, and the conclusion is friends can help friends find faith in Christ. Well here, the friends of John are doing the same. They can't get him out of prison to go and see Jesus, but they can help him with the question that might get him out of his dark place. So they take the question to Jesus. Are you Jesus, the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Seems like a funny question for someone who'd been so set on Jesus being the Messiah to ask. John had been the one who had identified Jesus as the Lamb of God. In John's gospel, we see John the Baptist say, there he is, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It could not be clearer. John says, this is the Messiah. John's Expectations of the Messiah Luke's Gospel, he describes the sort of work that he expects that Messiah to do. The people were waiting expectantly around John getting baptized, and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn. But he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. And with many other words, John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. John the Baptist was sure that he was the forerunner of the Messiah, preparing the people, because if they had not been given the opportunity to repent, the clear and swift immediate judgment being brought by the Messiah would take them unawares. And when the Messiah came, he would bring fire. He would be the one that was dividing the evil and the good. He would be the one who was making sure that those who were following the Lord were gathered together into the Lord's barn, and those who were not were destroyed. And so you can imagine, as John is a victim of injustice in prison, suffering greatly for this message, and hearing the reports of Jesus healing, eating and drinking and partying, including others, showing great mercy and compassion, he might have had a moment of dissonance. I'm in his suffering. The injustice that I am suffering is exactly the sort that the Messiah should be overturning. And yet Jesus is out there partying. Are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Jesus Response to John Well, Jesus is not at all concerned to have John ask a question like that. It's not offensive to Jesus. He doesn't shut John down his friends. He doesn't send back, "He knows who I am. He should toughen up." No, there is commendation for questioning in this way. And Jesus provides evidence that yes, John, you were right. And the mission for which you have been jailed is worth it. You will find evidence in me for hope. And so he replies to the messengers, Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard. The blind receive sight. The lame walk. Those who have leprosy are cleansed. The deaf hear. The dead are raised. And the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. Jesus doesn't say a yes or no to the question, are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? But he points to the evidence of his character and his action. I might have shared this story before, but when I was asking many questions of the Lord about where I should do my first ministry placement, my first curacy, I sat with him in a church and was praying and asking for guidance. And and as I've said before, if you've heard it I did not receive clear guidance. I did not receive an answer to my question. But what I did receive was an assurance of the character and works of Jesus. So as I was praying in the church, I had a strong sense of Jesus himself coming from behind the communion table or altar and sitting next to me, that the answer to my question was actually in the character and work of Jesus, the companion, the one who would bring me to the table, the one who was the Savior through his own death and resurrection, and who would never leave me. When Jesus answers John the Baptist with this, he is encouraging John that the works that he is doing are the works of the Messiah, and the character that he is displaying is the character of the Messiah. And so he's actually quoting from these Old Testament passages that look forward to or describe the promised servant of the Lord Isaiah 35, Isaiah 29, Isaiah 61 and is showing that he is fulfilling exactly the mission statement that he gave when he went to the synagogue and said, see, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. This partying, this inclusion, these acts of mercy, actually are exactly the sorts of acts that John should have been expecting from the Messiah, as well as the works of justice. Jesus wants him to know that his works of mercy are indeed the Messiah's work, and that as he suffers injustice, the work that is happening outside that prison is the work of the one who he was preparing the people to receive. The Great Reversal in Jesus Ministry But interestingly, I also think he wants John to know that these works in some way are a work of justice. So I've been thinking about healings, and I was reading some articles about whether there's evidence of resuscitation from the dead in our world today someone who was investigating the claims in this passage, see, the dead are raised. And a lot of the evidence is from parts of the world that we would consider still developing the two thirds world, the global South, parts of the world that are far more marginalized and under the impact of poverty and war than our own. So, Craig Keener, who is a Bible scholar some of you might know he's married to an African woman, and her family are all involved in church life in Africa and she kind of got him in touch with a whole bunch of people who could testify to miracles of resuscitation from the dead. And he, thinking about the incredible kind of percentage of experience that happens there (maybe in the Philippines, in Indonesia, other places), but not always in his homeland of America, not always in our experience in Australia. Well, part of the reason for that is not simply that they are more open to spiritual things or they don't live in such a scientific worldview. Sometimes we can bring quite an inappropriate lens to looking at miracle accounts in the non-Western. But is it perhaps because Jesus' acts of healing, of mercy, of raising up, are in fact symbols of the great reversal that he is bringing and has brought into the world, that those who cannot heal themselves, that those who suffer great injustice actually, when they see miracles, it is because the Lord is showing that his task is to turn this broken, unjust world upside down. We have so many resources at our disposal now. That's not the only reason God does miracles, and we know that he does miracles amongst us. And that's not the only reason God does not do miracles. But I think that the teaching of Luke's gospel would be that Jesus, in everything that he does, turns the world upside down. That the great reversal, the lifting up of the lowly that Mary worshipped about in the Magnificat, is seen here in Jesus' works of mercy, healing, and restoration. Jesus' works of mercy ... are also works of justice, because they reverse the marginalization and the poverty of those who are under the big system of broken, unjust world. But he would say to John, absolutely question your way out of your hard place, but be prepared for surprises. Jesus Affirms John the Baptist And so Jesus now moves into two questions of his own. The first is, What did you go out into the wilderness to see? He's talking to the people around him. And then he asks, To what shall I compare this generation? After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes. I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. The crowd hearing John bring this question to Jesus may have started to wonder whether he himself had been the forerunner that he had understood himself to be. Well, if John's asking the question now, we're all feeling confused. Is John gone soft? Did we make a mistake? And Jesus says, no. You know John, you know how tough he is. You went out not to see someone swayed by the wind. You went to see a rock solid tree trunk in the ground quite austere and possibly quite unusual fellow this is a prophet of the Old Testament school. You went out to see him and he asks this question. Well, I can confirm to you that he is exactly who he said he was. He was the messenger sent by God ahead of me. He asks, are you the one who is to come, or should we await someone else? No. He was the messenger of the one who is to come. Be sure of it. But he says, even though John was the greatest, the greatest prophet, the preparer of the Messiah, yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Question your way out question, but don't stop too soon. John's message of preparation, of asking people to reflect on their lives, to question whether they were living for God, whether they needed to repent was absolutely right. But it was not the end of the story. John was in the period of expectation of promise, but Jesus was now in the kingdom of fulfillment. John's answers John's questions and answers could only bring a person so far: to repent before God, to weep and bemoan your sins and your wickedness, as we sometimes say in our Anglican liturgy, was absolutely what needed to happen. But to stop there would not be enough. The one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. Not because John's not now in the kingdom of God, but because the fulfillment of what John was pointing to was here in Jesus. And so the questions that John asked and then the questions that Jesus asked must be heard together. The ministry that John had, and then the ministry that the Messiah has must be embraced together. So Jesus asks his next question: to what then can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? An Unresponsive Generation He's speaking now not to those who have heard John's message he's told them, don't stop too soon, come into the kingdom. Now he's speaking to the Pharisees and the experts in the law, those who should have both heard John's message and then seen him as the forerunner to the Messiah. But what happened? To what then can I compare the people of this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: 'We played the pipe for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge and you did not cry.' For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine. And you say he has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking. And you say, 'here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by all her children." Jesus looks around at a people who have not heard either the call of John nor the call of Jesus, and he says nothing. Nothing is going to please you if you cannot hear a person who's calling you to Old Testament repentance, and yet you cannot also see someone inviting you into the love of God. The dirge and you did not cry well, that's John out in the wilderness, eating his locusts and honey and being very smelly and very serious and calling people well, calling them a brood of vipers. Calling them to repentance. Because so clearly have they broken the law of God for justice and care. But they didn't cry to that dirge. They didn't repent. They didn't want to hear. And then Jesus comes eating and drinking, partying on, embracing those on the margins, healing people who needed it. And they didn't dance. They didn't rejoice. John, they said, oh, all that fasting and smelling piss and yelling at us. He's got a demon. Jesus coming, eating and drinking. Oh, he's just a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. And that's not actually just a charge of saying, oh, he's a total party boy. That's actually from Deuteronomy a quote from Deuteronomy that a parent would say about his or her rebellious son, taking them to the elders of the village and asking for punishment: Here my child, is a glutton and a drunkard. And Jesus is saying, actually, God can't win with you. You want someone to be serious and call you to repentance. You have it. You want someone to show you the love and justice and inclusion of God. You have it. God can't. I just think of Jesus having to rejoice and celebrate being amongst people who he is restoring to the kingdom of God. But God can't win. Wisdom is proved right by all her children, John's way and Jesus' way sit together to bring people into the wise kingdom of God and all those who follow them. But it's very possible to avoid the answers if you really want to. We live in a world where there are many, many arguments against faith, and it's really important to grapple with those at various times, probably not all at once. But it's important for us to know that even for ourselves, you can avoid the answer if you really want to. You can find the next objection. You can change what you're looking for. You can change the standards, the goalposts. Can God win? So I just want us to close today by asking you. If you got answers to some of your questions, if you're in a hard place, would the answers to the questions you're asking really be enough? What Are You Really Looking For? If you got answers to some of your questions, if you're in a hard place, would the answers to the questions you're asking really be enough? Maybe you're asking who's to blame.Maybe you're asking, why me?Maybe you're asking, what should I do next?Maybe you're asking, what's the system that's underneath all of this injustice? If you got answers to that, would it really be enough? And I want you to ask yourself and I ask myself this, too what are you really looking for? If you had God, if you had Jesus right here, what is the question that you really want to ask him? Is it really who's to blame? Is it really why me? Could it be do you really love me? Could it be are you the one that we're looking for? Or should we expect someone else? Just take a moment in quiet. If you feel comfortable to close your eyes in a group, then please do that if that helps you. Jesus does not turn away your questions. So I'm encouraging you now and as we spend some time in worship as well what are the questions, right down at the bottom of your heart, that you really want to ask. And then I'm going to pray that Jesus' works and Jesus' character will show you what you're looking for. Closing Prayer Loving and most merciful Lord, we know that you are the Holy One, and we know that you never overlook injustice. We know that you will set things right. We know that one day we will see you face to face. And as we sit here now, Lord, we have our questions: Do you love us? Did you love our loved one who died? Are you the one? Is it worth it? What do you want to say to me? Lord Jesus, as we bring our real questions to you, we ask that you would show us who you are. Point us to the evidence in our own lives, in the world, and most clearly in the scriptures, illuminated by Your Holy Spirit. Speak to our hearts of the ways in which you can be trusted, of your great love for us, each one, and your joy over us as we come into your kingdom. As we journey through lent, we ask Lord, that you would help us to ask the right questions, that we might know you truly as the one we've been waiting for. Amen.

What if you could have a conversation with yourself—years into the future? Or leave behind an AI-powered avatar that understands your thoughts, philosophies, and even your voice? In this episode, we explore the mind-blowing potential of AI and its impact on cybersecurity, productivity, and even legacy. Pedram Amini, Chief Scientist at OPSWAT, joins Ron Eddings to discuss his journey from bootstrapped startups to AI-driven innovation. Together they cover topics like the role of AI in cybersecurity, the rise of fake identities in hiring, the ethics of AI-generated content, and why mastering AI tools is no longer optional—it's essential. Pedram shares his workflow for superhuman productivity, his thoughts on deepfakes, and how AI is reshaping how we work and communicate. Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction 02:00 - Meet Pedram Amini, cyber innovator 03:07 - The $17M North Korea insider threat case 06:00 - Fake job candidates and AI hiring scams 09:28 - Deepfakes and AI-driven deception 14:00 - Future of AI-powered personal assistants 20:49 - The reality of bootstrapping vs. VC funding 26:00 - AI in cybersecurity: risk or revolution? 31:00 - “AI isn't taking your job—someone using AI is” 35:00 - The ultimate AI-powered legacy project   Links: Connect with our guest, Pedram Amini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedramamini/ Check out the entire article about the $17M North Korea insider threat case here: https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/12/arizona_woman_laptop_farm_guilty/ Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

In this episode of the Ideas on Stage podcast we spoke with Pedram Parasmand. Pedram brings 24 years of learning design and facilitation experience in the public, private, charity and education sectors. He has designed and delivered programmes ranging from culture change initiatives in Governmental bodies; Exec team development in companies like Kimberly-Clarke and Netflix; soft-skills and creativity workshops for managers in companies like Google and Siemens; to bootcamps for new starters in the digital start-up sector. As an ex-theoretical Physicist who loves systems and frameworks, he developed tools and templates to create a repeatable process to design, develop and facilitate transformational experiences. He now supports consultant coaches, trainers and facilitators to create more sales opportunities and scale their impact. In this episode we talked about the art and science of facilitating workshops. What You'll Learn:- The essential first step to designing workshops that engage and inspire- Common mistakes in facilitation- Why creating key moments in workshops can transform participant experiences- Six activity formats that boost engagement and participation- Tips for guiding activities, managing disruptions and sparking meaningful insights We hope you enjoy it! ———————Pedram Parasmand: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedramparasmand/ - Website: https://www.theskillslab.com/ Recommended books: - Performance-Focused Smile Sheets by Will Thalheimer - The Workshop Survival Guide by Rob Fitzpatrick and Devin Hunt- The Secrets of Facilitation by Michael Wilkinson ———————IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES - Books: ‘Confident Presenter’ (https://www.ideasonstage.com/resources/confident-presenter-book/) and ‘Business Presentation Revolution’ (https://www.ideasonstage.com/business-presentation-revolution/book/)- The Confident Presenter Scorecard: https://ideasonstage.com/score - Free Web Class: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/masterclass - Free Mini-Course: https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-mini-course #IdeasOnStagePodcast#WorkshopFacilitation#EngagingWorkshops#FacilitationSkills#WorkshopDesign

Highlights from this week's conversation include:Pedram's Background and Journey in Data (0:47)Joining Dagster Labs (1:41)Synergies Between Teams (2:56)Developer Marketing Preferences (6:06)Bridging Technical Gaps (9:54)Understanding Data Orchestration (11:05)Dagster's Unique Features (16:07)The Future of Orchestration (18:09)Freeing Up Team Resources (20:30)Market Readiness of the Modern Data Stack (22:20)Career Journey into DevRel and Marketing (26:09)Understanding Technical Audiences (29:33)Building Trust Through Open Source (31:36)Understanding Vendor Lock-In (34:40)AI and Data Orchestration (36:11)Modern Data Stack Evolution (39:09)The Cost of AI Services (41:58)Differentiation Through Integration (44:13)Language and Frameworks in Orchestration (49:45)Future of Orchestration and Closing Thoughts (51:54)The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we'll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we'll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.

In this episode, we welcome Pedram Fanailoo, Director for the Low Carbon Segment - North America at DNV, to discuss the future of H2 in the energy transition. Pedram shares insights about DNV's role in supporting companies with sustainable H2 solutions and how their expertise in risk management ensures the development of high-quality projects. We explore the evolving green and blue H2 sectors, strategies for de-risking projects, and securing funding amidst changing regulations. Pedram also breaks down the impact of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on H2 investments and anticipates potential shifts in federal support under a Trump administration. Don't miss this in-depth conversation on the key factors shaping the H2 industry and what stakeholders can do to prepare for the road ahead.

Dr. Pedram Emami ist Präsident der Landesärztekammer Hamburg und Mitglied des Vorstandes der Bundesärztekammer. Er setzt sich für ein klares Bekenntnis der Medizin zur Wissenschaftlichkeit ein. Dr. Emami sieht die Rolle der Ärztekammern als Vermittler zwischen Ärzteschaft/Wissenschaft, Politik und Gesellschaft. Auch der Einsatz gegen Benachteiligung, insbesondere gegen Rassismus gehört zu seinen Themen in der Ärztekammer. In der Covid-19-Pandemie mahnte er vor allem Transparenz in der Darlegung von Interessenskonflikten bei Personen an, die wissenschaftliche Beratungsfunktionen für die Politik innehatten. Auch das Verfahren zur Auswahl und Zusammensetzung dieser Gremien kritisierte er als intransparent. Auch Menschenrechtsfragen und freie Berufsausübung gehören zu seinen Themen. Während der Proteste gegen das iranische Regime im Winter 2022/2023 übernahm er die Patenschaft für den zum Tod verurteilten Arzt Hamid Gharehhassanloo. In der heutigen Podcastfolge erklärt er, wo das deutsche Gesundheitssystem aktuell steht und was sich zum Wohle der Patienten ändern muss.

Das Spezialgebiet von Dr. Pedram Farschtschian? Das Konzept der Syntegration. Es hat schon Unternehmen wie VW geholfen, komplexe Herausforderungen zu meistern. Ein Prinzip, das Menschen und Wissen so verbindet, dass sie gemeinsam lösungsfähig werden. Ein Prinzip, das schon zu beeindruckenden Ergebnissen und emotionalen Momenten geführt hat. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Moritz Neuhaus ist Founder und CEO der Insight Consulting GmbH. Gemeinsam mit seinem Team hilft er CEOs, Gründern und Consulting-Partnern dabei, online zu Meinungsführern in ihrer Industrie zu werden.

Dr. Pedram Farschtschian, ist Managing Partner bei pims.ai. Seit 1973 verfolgt das Unternehmen das Ziel, Unternehmenspotenziale zu erschließen und setzt dabei auf evidenzbasiertes Management statt auf Wunschdenken. Dr. Pedram Farschtschian teilt seine Einblicke in die Quantifizierung von Strategien und die Erfindung des EBITs. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Moritz Neuhaus ist Founder und CEO der Insight Consulting GmbH. Gemeinsam mit seinem Team hilft er CEOs, Gründern und Consulting-Partnern dabei, online zu Meinungsführern in ihrer Industrie zu werden.

Dr. Pedram Farschtschian hat einen besonderen Werdegang von Private Equity und Investment Banking hin zur Unternehmensberatung mit Fokus auf Strategiequantifizierung. Von seinem Schwiegervater, Prof. Dr. Fredmund Malik, konnte er auf seinem Weg wertvolles Wissen mitnehmen. Heute arbeitet Dr. Pedram Farschtschian mit den Top-Vorständen Europas zusammen und ist Managing Partner bei pims.ai, dem weltweit größten empirischen Forschungsprogramm im strategischen Management. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Moritz Neuhaus ist Founder und CEO der Insight Consulting GmbH. Gemeinsam mit seinem Team hilft er CEOs, Gründern und Consulting-Partnern dabei, online zu Meinungsführern in ihrer Industrie zu werden.

In the midst of life's chaos, finding inner peace and enlightenment seems like a distant dream. But what if you could create a Zen life even in the face of stress and hardships? Join us as we unravel the keys to stress relief, hormonal transitions, and the path to enlightenment with special guest Dr. Pedram Shojai, a former Monk turned Doctor, Author, and Filmmaker. Learn how to navigate life's challenges with grace and wisdom in this episode and discover the power of self-care, spiritual practices, and mindfulness in cultivating a sense of peace and gratitude. Dr. Pedram's insights will inspire you to focus on your well-being and set out on a journey toward enlightenment. Ready to reduce stress, enhance your well-being, and embrace a more fulfilling life? Tune in to this enlightening episode and unlock the secrets to a balanced, harmonious existence. Don't miss out on my featured product, Balance, Wild Yam Progesterone Cream, designed to support your hormonal health and overall vitality. Visit drannacabeca.com/balance to experience the dream cream you've been waiting for.   Key Takeaways: [00:02:06] Hormonal changes and life stages in women. [00:03:32] Creating a Zen life. [00:07:22] Feeling safe and stress management. [00:10:33] Personal impact of stress and recovery. [00:12:30] Stress Induced Immunodeficiency Syndrome. [00:19:33] Saying yes means saying no. [00:23:33] Hormonal transition and enlightenment. [00:24:09] The golden age of life. [00:31:04] Cultivating focus. [00:33:36] Fertilizing your garden today. Memorable Quotes: "And ‘No' is, you know, we have such a negative connotation to that word, but I think it's one of the most powerful words we can adopt for our own personal sanity. I call it life gardening, right? You have to water the plants that are important to you in your life." [00:18:05] – Dr. Pedram Shojai   "I assemble the skeleton of my day around dedicated acts of self-love. So that then I can be the urban monk my students deserve. I can be the father my children deserve, the spouse my wife deserves. " [00:27:37] – Dr. Pedram Shojai Links Mentioned:  Balance, Wild Yam Progesterone Cream: https://drannacabeca.com/products/pura-balance-ppr-cream   Connect with Dr. Pedram Shojai: Website: https://theurbanmonk.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpedramshojai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pedramshojaiurbanmonk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedramshojai/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drpedramshojai YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@urbanmonkproductions   Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca: Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dranna__c

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of automotive technology innovation with Pedram Faed, Vice President & General Manager at Tekion. Discover the intriguing origins of Tekion's name, rooted in both science and heritage, including a connection to a significant era when founder Jay worked alongside Elon Musk. Pedram sheds light on Tekion's unconventional approach to product testing, such as acquiring a dealership to create a real-world environment for their solutions. He shares insights gained from this hands-on experience and the importance of embracing change through a focus on people and processes alongside technology. Exploring the setbacks faced by Tekion, Pedram reveals how they pivoted towards contactless sales during challenging times like the Covid era, leading to a shift towards mobile-forward solutions over desktop interfaces. This shift unlocked new capabilities for dealership teams, sparking a wave of innovation within the company. Delving deeper, we discuss the common challenges dealers face with DMS systems and how Tekion's platform addresses these issues by bridging fragmented systems and disconnected OEM portals. Pedram highlights the importance of creating an ecosystem where OEMs and dealers can collaborate seamlessly on a unified platform, driving efficiency and innovation in the automotive industry. Join us as we unravel the journey of Tekion, from its inception to its transformative impact on the automotive tech landscape, and gain valuable insights into the future of dealership operations and technology integration. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 800-625-1590 | edealersolutions.com

Data communities have played a major role in the careers of many analysts, but times they are a-changin'. We're not sure if we're different, if the communities' purposes and missions have shifted, or both. One thing we are confident in, though, is that Pedram Navid was absolutely the right guest to invite on to the show to explore the topic alongside Michael, Moe, and Val. His blog post last year that discussed how "this used to be fun" was a great reflection on some of the environmental trends influencing the communities we've come to know and love. But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom! The crew all agreed that there are still places and ways for data practitioners to connect and support each other, even if it doesn't look identical to the early aughts. For complete show notes, including links to items mentioned in this episode and a transcript of the show, visit the show page.

Do you have data that you pull from external sources or is generated and appears at your digital doorstep? I bet that data needs processed, filtered, transformed, distributed, and much more. One of the biggest tools to create these data pipelines with Python is Dagster. And we are fortunate to have Pedram Navid on the show this episode. Pedram is the Head of Data Engineering and DevRel at Dagster Labs. And we're talking data pipelines this week at Talk Python. Episode sponsors Talk Python Courses Posit Links from the show Rock Solid Python with Types Course: training.talkpython.fm Pedram on Twitter: twitter.com Pedram on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Ship data pipelines with extraordinary velocity: dagster.io dagster-open-platform: github.com The Dagster Master Plan: dagster.io data load tool (dlt): dlthub.com DataFrames for the new era: pola.rs Apache Arrow: arrow.apache.org DuckDB is a fast in-process analytical database: duckdb.org Ship trusted data products faster: www.getdbt.com Watch this episode on YouTube: youtube.com Episode transcripts: talkpython.fm --- Stay in touch with us --- Subscribe to us on YouTube: youtube.com Follow Talk Python on Mastodon: talkpython Follow Michael on Mastodon: mkennedy

I enjoyed chatting with Dr. Pedram Shojai, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Master Herbalist & Acupuncturist, and NYT Bestselling Author. Our topic will be centered around his book: “FOCUS: Bringing Time, Energy and Money into Flow,” - and how to bring your attention in line with your intention to get the life you want! Dr. Pedram Shojai is an acclaimed Qigong Master and Taoist Abbot with a practical approach to modern living, using Eastern thinking and practices to help himself and others overcome the Westernized challenges of everyday life and to wake up and live their lives fully. His no-nonsense approach teaches esoteric concepts to Western readers in an easy-to-understand way. He is the author of “The Urban Monk”, “The Art of Stopping Time” and the founder of Well.org. Pedram is also the producer of the movies “Vitality,” “Origins.” and “Prosperity,” along with the series- “Interconnected”, “Gateway to Health”, and “Exhausted.”  We'll uncover tools for enriching your well-being from the inside out. Discover inspiration for living with more intention, purpose, and presence - even during chaotic times. Whether you're seeking to alleviate stress, boost immunity, or take your self-care routine to the next level, this episode offers profound insights and guidance. I hope you enjoy the discussion and find motivation for positive change. Thanks for tuning in! (00:00) - Intro  (00:39) - Connecting virtually during difficult times (01:05) - Embracing Eastern wisdom in the modern world (04:10) - An unconventional journey to healing (05:38) - Mastering time through mindfulness (06:46) - Prioritizing what fuels your soul (10:11) - Cultivating deeper insights through discussion (11:39) - Maximizing life's gifts with intention (16:44) - Building resilience from within (19:13) - Elevating our collective well-being (22:16) - Owning your path to empowerment (27:43) - Demystifying health and vitality (30:22) - Forging harmony from home (34:17) - The healing power of presence

In this episode Sean is joined by Pedram Naveed, Head of Data Engineering at Dagster Labs. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in the realm of data engineering, particularly the culture of learning and sharing within the field. Pedram discusses the traditionally guarded nature of data engineering, contrasting it with the more open-source approach in software engineering. He highlights the potential downsides of this secrecy, such as the difficulty in learning best practices and innovating. The discussion also touches on the balance companies must strike between contributing to communal knowledge and protecting valuable data and intellectual property. Pedram shares insights from his experiences at Dagster Labs, including the development of the Dagster Open Platform and its impact on fostering a culture of openness in data engineering. Additionally, they explore the future of collaboration in the field, considering emerging technologies and methodologies that could further encourage sharing and innovation over the next 5-10 years. Links: Dagster Open Platform Pedram Navid

Pedram Navid, Head of Data Engineering and DevRel at Dagster Labs, explores data products and AI and large language models' roles in data. While AI has limitations, it offers data practitioners new ways to explore and leverage data, transforming the analysis process. Further, AI and LLMs democratize access to data analysis for non-technical people, enabling them to explore and derive insights from complex datasets without feeling overwhelmed. Today, Pedram discusses the role of AI and large language models in data.Connect With: Pedram Navid: Website // LinkedInData Driven Podcast: Email // LinkedIn // TwitterDiedre Downing: Website // LinkedIn // Twitter

Pedram Navid, Head of Data Engineering and DevRel at Dagster Labs, explores data products and AI and large language models' roles in data. With the rising data literacy levels in organizations, leaders are increasingly inclined to access data independently. Shifting towards viewing data as a product, data teams can strategically enable self-service and empower them to find the answers they need to make business decisions. Today, Pedram discusses cutting through the noise of data products.Connect With: Pedram Navid: Website // LinkedInData Driven Podcast: Email // LinkedIn // TwitterDiedre Downing: Website // LinkedIn // Twitter

On this week's podcast we're delighted to talk to Pedram Shojai, who is well known as the Urban Monk. He is a Dr of Oriental Medicine & Integrative Medicine, a taoist priest, a qi gong master, film maker and a New York Times best selling author.  We met Pedram when we were in the US at a health conference and we hit it off immediately. In this episode Dr Pedram shares his insights on the the cause of the midlife crisis, how we often get trapped in the medical system of cure rather than prevention and how we're constantly being distracted from taking responsibility for our life. There is so much in this podcast that will get you thinking - perhaps in new and different ways, and we hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we enjoyed recording it. You can find out more about Dr Pedram at the below links: https://theurbanmonk.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/drpedramshojai/ Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful. For more information about The Midlife Mentors, click the below link: https://linktr.ee/themidlifementors.com

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Pedram Parasmand shares his insights on using AI tools for workshop designs and emphasises the importance of not relying on AI to do the creative work for you, but rather using it as a thought partner and brainstorming tool. He shares his experience with Chat GPT and Copy AI, highlighting how he trains these AI generative tools on his own methodology to support workshop design. He also explores the potential of using AI-powered transcription tools like Otter AI for analysis and evaluation.About  Pedram ParasmandPedram Parasmand is The Co-Founder and CEO of Skills Lab and has over 11 years experience working with executive teams to new entrants in the corporate, public, third and education sectors. Pedram has partnered with clients such as Accenture, Barclays Bank, Mind, Ministry of Justice, Red Bull, The European Union Commission, and The British Council. Previously, Pedram worked in Leadership Development at the education charity Teach First and started his career as a high school Science teacher.Key takeaways:Don't rely on AI to do the creative work for you: Pedram emphasises the importance of trusting your own human instincts and using AI as a support system or brainstorming tool. AI can enhance your workshop design process, but it can never replace your skills as a facilitator.Align AI with your specific challenges: When incorporating AI into your workshops, consider your pain points and processes. Explore how AI can assist you in addressing those challenges and improving your facilitation techniques. AI should complement your objectives, not replace them.Train AI in your methodology: Pedram shares his experience with training AI tools like Copy AI in his own workshop design methodology. By giving detailed prompts and instructions, you can teach AI to analyse transcripts, identify pains and gains, and generate audience-friendly content.Segmented time stamps:(00:00) Introduction(01:53) AI aids in designing workshops for newbies(05:46) Using tools like Otter AI that summarise, analyse, and evaluate conversations(07:01) How evaluation is flexible with various data points(12:57) Generate ideas for workshop objectives and refine later(16:44) Workshop structured like a story for growth(19:22) Finding ways to removes manual tasksLinks from the podcast Connect with Pedram on LinkedInVisit the Skills Lab's Website  Check out Copy AICheck out Otter AI 

Are you ready for some game-changing tips on running transformational offsite events?

Pedram Navid – Founder of West Marin Data – is a data engineering savant who has captured the attention of the entire industry with his writing and viewpoints. Pedram has been a trailblazer in terms of leveraging the modern data stack including tools like Snowflake, BigQuery, DuckDB, Striim, Fivetran, and dbt to build pipelines.However in a changing environment with tightening budgets and rising interest rates, Pedram is on a new slant of data minimalism. He speaks of 'Doing Data the Hard Way', using low cost tools that are purpose built for narrow jobs that data teams need to get done. Is Pedram's new approach the key for data teams to survive and thrive with economic headwinds? Listen to find out!Follow Pedram on TwitterFollow Pedram on SubstackWhat's New In Data is a data thought leadership series hosted by John Kutay who leads data and products at Striim. What's New In Data hosts industry practitioners to discuss latest trends, common patterns for real world data patterns, and analytics success stories.

In this episode, I talk with Pedram MolkAra, M.Sc., M.Eng., P.Geo., P.Eng., geotechnical lead for Canadian Buildings & Infrastructure, Mining, and Environmental Services at Jacobs, about the present status of geotechnical engineering. Pedram sheds light on the hurdles faced by small geotechnical engineering firms, the risks and liabilities involved, and the critical skills required for […] The post TGEP 076: Strategies for Tackling Challenges and Mitigating Risks in Small Geotechnical Engineering Firms appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.

Julia just got back from Data Council in Austin, a conference organized by Pete Sonderling, where lots of startups share what they're building, data practitioners go to learn in hands-on workshops, and of course investors go to spot the next big trend. In this episode, Taylor Murphy (Head of Product & Data at Meltano) + Pedram Navid (Founder, West Marin Data) join Julia to recap the conference and have a bit of fun. They talked streaming, how the MDS is growing up, new SQL variants, and, of course, AI. For full show notes and to read 6+ years of back issues of the podcast's companion newsletter, head to https://roundup.getdbt.com.

While most problems that dairy farms face both arise and are solved inside the farm, sometimes it's not that easy – some natural hazards, over which we have little to no control, can cause harm. That is the case with wildfires: concerns over the danger posed by the air pollution caused by wildfires have been increasing in recent years. In order to reduce these impacts, we have to stay up to date with the latest research about the effects of poor air quality. That is precisely the topic of this episode's roundtable, with Dr. Amy Skibiel and Dr. Pedram Rezamand: discussing air quality indicators, the impacts of wildfire air pollution on cow health and performance, and the development of research on the long-term effects, mitigation, and treatment of affected cows.“The major issues with which producers deal in our area have to do with environmental issues.'' – Dr. Pedram Rezamand‬What you'll learn:Highlight (00:00)Introduction (1:45)Quantifying air pollution (10:09)The impact of air pollution on cows (16:53)Smoke inhalation issues on calves (21:545)Controlled experiments for air pollution exposure (24:14)Further research on wildfire air pollution (27:17)Protection measures for dairy workers' safety (32:33)The final questions (36:02)Meet the guest: Dr. Amy Skibiel‬Experience:Current: Assistant Professor at the University of IdahoBackground:Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (Auburn University)M.Sc., Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology (Auburn University)B.S., Biology (Juniata College)Connect with the guest on Social Media: LinkedInMeet the guest: Dr. Pedram Rezamand‬Experience:Current: Professor at the University of IdahoBackground:Ph.D., Animal Science (The University of Connecticut)Connect with the guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

Frontierer is an unrelenting, uncompromising brand of sonic punishment fusing Metal, Mathcore, and electronics for fans of Full Of Hell, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Converge. Lead by Scottish primary guitarist Pedram Valiani and U.S.-based vocalist Chad Kapper, the unit debuted in 2016 and since has performed on several European tours and many European festivals. In 2021 the band released Oxidized,their best work yet. Video Version:  YouTube FOR MORE ON FRONTIERER IG: https://www.instagram.com/frontiererband/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/frontiererband/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/frontiererband WEBSITE: https://frontierer.bandcamp.com/ FOLLOW LURK: IG: https://www.instagram.com/lurkcity/ TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/lurkcity/ WEBSITE: https://www.iamlurk.com/   FOLLOW LAMBGOAT: IG: https://www.instagram.com/lambgoat/ TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/lambgoat/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lambgoatmusic/ WEBSITE: https://www.lambgoat.com SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UsofwyNNvQZBmPKDjaaoi?si=NAFMHWy8R_mSofeEb3Mzqg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you remember the last time you woke up feeling completely refreshed and ready to start the new day with bright eyes? If not, you may be like the millions of other people around the world who suffer from some form of sleep deprivation. To discover the keys to more restful sleep and how to eliminate the distractions that keep us from fading into all stages of sleep, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a sleep medicine specialist about how to get high-quality rest that can change your life for the better. Dr. Pedram Navab is a board-certified neurologist and author of Sleep Reimagined: The Fast Track to a Revitalized Life. He works with patients with insomnia and sleep disorders that mimic insomnia. During this conversation, he shares the four physiological stages of sleep and tips for creating an environment where we can sleep well. Millions of Americans experience thinning hair. Nutrafol is 100% drug-free, physician-prescribed health and hair care. Achieve hair growth naturally. Take the hair wellness quiz at Nutrafol.com and use promo code Happiness to save $15 off your first month's subscription. This offer is available to US customers with free shipping on every order.

I det här avsnittet får du lära dig många nya ord relaterade till spel! -------------------- For English, scroll down! -------------------- För att stödja podden och få transkript till avsnitten - bli patron för bara 5€ per månad – klicka här! Vill du ha en GRATIS PDF med de 20 vanligaste misstagen folk gör i svenska? Klicka här och prenumerera på nyhetsbrevet – alltid på lätt svenska :) -------------------- To support the podcast and get transcripts to the weekly episodes – become a patron for only 5€ per month - click here! Would you like a FREE PDF with the 20 most common mistakes people make in Swedish, and how to correct them? Click here and subscribe to the newsletter – always in easy Swedish! ------------------- Instagram: swedish.linguist YouTube: Swedish Linguist Facebook: Swedish Linguist Website: www.swedishlinguist.com ------------------- Ett smakprov (sample) på transkriptet: Hej! Välkommen välkommen till Simple Swedish Podcast. Idag ska jag prata om spel! För ja, dom flesta tycker ju om att spela spel, och ja, jag tänkte att det kan vara användbart att lära sig lite ord som är relaterade till spel.   Ja, så jag kommer förklara alla dom här orden på svenska, och jag är säker på att du kommer lära dig några nya ord bara genom att höra dom i kontext, och få dom förklarade på svenska!   Först så ska jag tacka några nya patrons, och det är Huu, Thanh Hung, Kyungin, och Pedram. Förlåt om jag uttalade era ord (ska vara “namn”), det var svåra namn att lära upp idag. Men, tack för att ni stödjer den här podden i alla fall!   Ja, och ni som stödjer podden får såklart transkript till alla avsnitt. Och du kan gå till www.patreon.com/swedishlinguist om du vill bli patron! Det är väldigt väldigt användbart.   Jag gör den här podden, och jag gör det här patreon-programmet, för att det är vad jag själv skulle vilja ha, om jag lärde mig svenska. Det är liksom dom här sakerna som jag gillar att använda när jag lär mig språk. Så kolla gärna in Patreon-programmet!   Okej, men vi ska prata lite om spel då. Och först och främst, det finns en skillnad mellan spel och lek. Ett spel har nästan alltid ett tävlingsmoment, okej? Så man kan antingen vinna eller förlora. Det är oftast en viktig del av ett spel.   Och lek, ah, det är lite mer generellt, det är lite mer relaterat till barn och djur, och såna saker, man leker med barn, man leker med djur. Man kan också ha lekar på fester, och sånt. Såhär, lite kul, lite roligt, sådär. Spel är lite mer tävlingsinriktat, så.   Men, definitionen är inte 100% (hundra procent) tydlig. Men efter att jag har gått igenom lite olika spel så tror jag att du kommer förstå.   ....för att läsa hela transkriptet till detta och alla andra avsnitt, klicka här!

https://libertylinks.io/biohackingsecrets    Pedram is a Taoist Abbot and NYT best sellling author. He's the founder of bPossible.com a health and wellness streaming platform.   - Learn more about our one-on-one Biohacker Coaching program www.BiohackerCoaching.com   - Grab your free copy of The Biohacker's Guide to Upgraded Energy and Focus (just help with s/h) https://biohackersguide.com/free-guide   - Subscribe to our free email newsletter www.biohackersguide.com/energycrash    - Subscribe to The Biohacking Secrets Show podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biohacking-secrets-show/id1139825099   Join Our Uncensored Telegram Channel for VIP Biohacking Content You Can't Get On Social Media https://t.me/joinchat/GFCs4ezgCQ4vHi3S

Pedram Esfandiary leads a group of attorneys who filed a lawsuit against several corporations alleging they knowingly sell baby food tainted with arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rfkjr/message

Pedram's dog, KitKat, is the most important thing in his life - their close emotional bond is a source of comfort and delight. But this bond also comes with constant fear, because they live in Iran where dogs are considered "untouchable", and the only truly safe place is in the dark shadows of the night.