Podcasts about perish

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most of our communication, there's no time to plan, practice, or perfect — we have to respond in the moment.Spontaneous communication is a part of our everyday lives, but few of us have been trained to handle these impromptu situations with confidence. What does it take to flow, not freeze, when put on the spot? This special three-part series turns to experts for guidance, from a sports commentator, FBI hostage negotiator, and UN translator to a game show host, NFL referee and Sotheby's auctioneer.Part 1: Preparation and MindsetDiscover how to prepare for the unpredictable, manage anxiety, and find the right headspace for success.Part 2: Mastering the MomentLearn to stay present, read the room, and use techniques like mirroring and pacing to connect with your audience.Part 3: When Things Go WrongFind out how to recover from inevitable mishaps and keep moving forward with confidence, turning mistakes into gold.In addition to insight-packed discussions, this Think Fast, Talk Smart miniseries offers practical exercises and homework assignments to help you implement what you've learned. Whether you draw blanks when put on the spot or simply want to articulate your thoughts more clearly in the moment, these episodes will transform how you think — and speak — on your feet.Episode Reference Links:Chris Voss - Former FBI Negotiator, Keynote SpeakerChris Voss's Book: Empathy and Understanding In Business  Annabelle Williams - Paralympic Champion, Sports BroadcasterGiampaolo Bianchi - United Nations InterpreterBrad Rogers - NFL Referee, ProfessorPhyllis Kao - Sotheby's AuctioneerPeter D Sagal - Game Show Host, AuthorConnect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (04:12) - Pressure and Preparation (06:03) - Cognitive Load and Focus (08:47) - Speaking with Clarity (10:25) - Building Instinct Through Practice (12:29) - Overthinking vs. Acting Fast (14:09) - Staying Present Under Pressure (14:49) - Make It About the Audience (15:50) - Handling Public Scrutiny (17:54) - Physical Rituals to Manage Nerves (19:27) - Grounding Techniques Before Speaking (22:01) - Listener Exercises for Better Speaking (25:18) - Conclusion  *****Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford ReportBecome a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.     

The retail real estate landscape is evolving, and few people understand its intricacies better than Adam Ifshin, Founder and CEO of DLC Management. In this episode, Trademark CEO Terry Montesi sits down with Adam to discuss how value-driven open-air centers, omnichannel innovation, and institutional capital are reshaping the industry.Adam shares insights on why open-air retail continues to outperform, how AI is poised to revolutionize retail operations, and why institutional investors are re-embracing retail real estate. He also dives into the impact of supply and demand dynamics, the future of apparel shopping, and the challenges of new development in today's market. With over 30 years of experience and a track record of transforming underperforming assets, Adam's perspective offers a must-listen deep dive into where retail and retail real estate are headed.To stay informed and hear more from top voices in the industry, subscribe to Leaning In and sign up here to be the first to know when a new episode drops!Links: ⁠Trademark Property⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Terry on LinkedInAdam on LinkedInTopics:(00:05:22) - DLC's Evolution and Core Values  (00:11:48) - Investment Strategy and Market Trends  (00:16:09) - Pandemic Impact on Retail  (00:22:39) - Omnichannel Retail and Future Outlook  (00:24:43) - Retailers Must Adapt or Perish  (00:25:35) - Bankruptcy and Replacement Tenants  (00:27:31) - The Shift to Open-Air Retail  (00:30:40) - Consumer Behavior Post-Pandemic  (00:32:46) - Interest Rates and Inflation Impact  (00:36:31) - Supply and Demand in Retail Real Estate  (00:43:23) - The Role of AI in Retail Real Estate  (00:45:52) - Future Trends in Retail Real Estate  (00:51:04) - Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts  

Your brand has more in common with this organization than you realize. Grab a pen and paper, and listen to my conversation about the Portland VFW.

Theologians and philosophers love to talk about the meaning of life. They explore its purpose, justification, and value, questioning whether or not suffering has meaning. They sound like the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, wasting time viewing things from the wrong perspective: man's point of view, the king's point of view, Job's point of view.This mirrors how Christians assess and then attempt to control the Holy Spirit through human words. Their version of the Holy Spirit—always friendly, gentle, and “inspiring”—bears little resemblance to the God of Scripture. This domesticated spirit, which makes people feel good with that telltale twinkle and misty look, becomes a false god they tame, groom, and adore like a pet.That's why they're confused when the same wind that filled Jesus' sails at the beginning of the parable suddenly transforms into a fierce, wrathful storm—a whirlwind. But this is precisely how God's breath, his wind, operates.Not only is it invisible to the eye, but it cannot be controlled. Sometimes cold, sometimes hot, and always unpredictable, it can turn against you on a dime, just like life's events.As Jesus said in judgment of Job's lament, “the rain falls on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45)This week, I discuss Luke 8:24.λαῖλαψ (lailaps) / ס-ע-ר (samek-ʿayin-resh) / ס-ו-פ (samek-waw-feh)Hurricane, tempest, furious storm. All three biblical references in Luke 8:23 invoke the Lord's wrath against human arrogance:Job 21:18 (סוּפָה sû·fāhʹ ) - The arrogance of Job, who questions why the wicked prosper.“Are they as straw before the wind, and like chaff which the storm (סוּפָה sû·p̄āhʹ ) carries away?Job 38:1(סְעָרָה seʿā·rāh) - Anger at Job's arrogance—at his attempt to comprehend divine judgment. The whirlwind is the wrath of God.Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind (סְעָרָה seʿā·rāh) and said, 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?Jeremiah 32:18 (סַ֫עַר sǎʹ·ʿǎr) God stirs up a sweeping, consuming judgment against all nations.Thus says the Lord of hosts,“Behold, evil is going forthFrom nation to nation,And a great storm (סַ֫עַר sǎʹ·ʿǎr) is being stirred upFrom the remotest parts of the earth.ἐπιτιμάω (epitimaō) / ג-ע-ר (gimel-ʿayin-resh) / ج-ع-ر (jīm–ʿayn–rāʼ)Rebuke or speak insultingly, often with a firm or authoritative tone. It can also imply harsh or scolding speech; in divine usage, it can function as subduing or silencing through rebuke. The Arabic root also denotes the production of a loud, guttural sound, explicitly referring to the mooing or bellowing of cattle. In both Hebrew (גער) and Arabic (جعر), the shared Semitic root captures a raw, forceful vocalization.The waters in the Psalms represent a fundamental aspect of God's creation, serving as a metaphor for his dominion and kingly victory over all opponents. They are the chaotic forces under his control. The Psalms consistently depict God as the supreme authority over all the waters of creation—a realm teeming with life and human activity, overcome by God, the only true hegemon.“You have rebuked (גָּעַ֣רְתָּ gā·ʿǎrʹ·tā) the nations, you have eliminated the wicked; You have wiped out their name forever and ever.” (Psalm 9:5)“Thus he rebuked (יִּגְעַ֣ר yiḡ·ʿǎrʹ) the Red Sea and it dried up, and he led them through the deeps, as through the wilderness.” (Psalm 106:9)“You rebuke (גָּ֭עַרְתָּ gāʹ·ʿǎr·tā) the arrogant, the cursed, who wander from your commandments.” (Psalm 119:21)“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke (יִגְעַ֨ר yiḡ·ʿǎrʹ) you! Is this not a log snatched from the fire?'” (Zechariah 3:2)ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi) / א-ב-ד (ʾalef-bet-dalet) / أ-ب-د (ʾalif-bāʼ-dāl)Perish, get lost, go astray; destroy, kill. In Arabic, أَبَدَ (ʾábada) can indicate “it ran away”, especially concerning animals, in line with the function lost, gone, destroyed, or vanished beyond recovery or control.“Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, ‘How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, so that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is destroyed? (אָבְדָ֖ה ʾǒḇ·ḏāhʹ)'” (Exodus 10:7)“As for any person who does any work on this same day, that person I will eliminate (הַֽאֲבַדְתִּ֛י hǎ·ʾǎḇǎḏ·tîʹ) from among his people.” (Leviticus 23:30)“But you will perish (אֲבַדְתֶּ֖ם ʾǎḇǎḏ·těmʹ) among the nations, and your enemies' land will consume you.” (Leviticus 26:38)“On that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were perishing (אֹֽבְדִים֙ ʾō·ḇeḏîmʹ) in the land of Assyria and who were scattered in the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 27:13)In the Qur'an, the function أ-ب-د is often used in noun forms and derivatives related to judgment. This usage stems from the biblical function אֲבַדּוֹן (abaddon) used interchangeably with Sheol (Proverbs 15:11; Psalm 88:11). In Arabic, أَبَدًا (ʾabadan) indicates everlasting:Surah Al-Baqarah (2:95):“وَلَن يَتَمَنَّوْهُ أَبَدًا”(wa-lan yatamannawhu ʾabadan)“And they will never wish for it, ever.”Surah Al-Jinn (72:23):“…عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا أَبَدًا”(adhāban alīman abadan)“a painful punishment, forever…”“خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا”(khālidīna fīhā abadan)“abiding therein forever.”The phrase خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا (khālidīna fīhā abadan) appears numerous times in the Qur'an. It's used in verses describing the everlasting nature of Paradise or Hell.ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi) / כרת (kaf–resh–taw)To “cut” or “cut off.” In a cultic setting, a covenant was “cut”—reflecting the ritual slicing of animals in two (cf. Genesis 15:18, where God “cut a covenant” with Abram).ἀπόλλυμι is not the most frequent translation of כרת, which carries the function of destruction or extermination, notably, unto death or ruin.Luke's usage of this rare Levitical function corresponds to the consequence of disobedience:“And anyone from the house of Israel, or from the strangers who reside among them, who eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats the blood and will cut him off (הִכְרַתִּ֥י hiḵ·rǎt·tîʹ) from among his people.” (Leviticus 17:10)“I will also set my face against that man and will cut him off (הִכְרַתִּ֥י hiḵ·rǎt·tîʹ) from among his people, because he has given some of his children to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and to profane my holy name.” (Le...

The last days before the Great Hunt.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.“Can the scorpion ever stop being a scorpion? “"Do we get our legally permitted weaponry back?" The bishop still held my hand."Sure. If it makes you feel better.""I would like to meet your people then," he gave my paw one last shake then released me. "Shall we go?""I will have someone take you to your car. I want to briefly meet with the President, of Havenstone, then I'll join you in the garage. We'll drive over to JIKIT and I'll make the introductions. Good enough?""That is acceptable," he nodded."What about you two?" I regarded the nun and the Swiss Super-soldier. The nun remained vigilant, and silent. The Swiss' eyes flickered to his boss before settling back on me."It is what I volunteered for," he stated firmly."Okay. Please never say I didn't give you a chance to take the sane way out. Also, Bishop Nicolö, circumstances have conspired to up my prospective wedding date to January 1st.""That will be more difficult. Why the change?" he remained grim."We are having twins. By March, this will be very visible.""That is, unfortunate," he shook his head."You have no idea," and then a brainstorm. "And I am curious about resurrecting the Order of the Dragon, the Societas Draconistarum." Technically that meant 'Society of the Dragonists' which was more appropriate than the literal Ordo Draconis."Precisely how do you plan to recreate a crusading Christian Order which was the purview of the Hungarian monarchs?" he didn't sound the least skeptical, just curious."I have billions of euros to fund such a thing," I winked. "Of far greater critical importance, I know where I can find the supernatural guidance and spiritual imperative for such an organization.""You are going to produce a dragon?" his eyes grew larger even as he fought down his fear. Good man. He was adaptive. He'd need to be."I never said such a thing. That would make me sound crazy," I smiled broadly. "Besides, when I say 'dragon', you think 'devil' and that's way too pedestrian for where we are going.""I am not a moral relativist.""Neither am I. I'm out to save lives and nurture the drive in the human spirit to reach for freedom, love and liberty. As you might imagine, I'm pretty freaking outnumbered.""I think you are crazy," he re-evaluated things."I just might be. In all honesty, you should back out now. Take your two compadres back to 25 East 39th Street (the Holy See's Permanent Observer Offices to the UN in NYC) and report 'Mission Failure'. You'll most likely live longer," I reasoned."I am not afraid to die," Sister Rafaela Sophia finally voiced an opinion."That's idiotic," I scoffed before the bishop could reprimand her for opening her mouth. "You should be.""My soul is in God's hands," she set her jaw."Does he talk to you?" I countered."His message is clear.""Not what I asked. I asked if he specifically directed you to toss your life fruitlessly away as an object lesson for the reckless, or careless?""This is uncalled for," Nicolö intervened."Nope. I bet you a phone call to my Brother to physically restore your bishopric that there are four people in this room who have murdered in cold blood," I kept eye contact with the nun, "and she's the odd one out. Right Juanita?""Yes, Ishara," Juanita slipped up. Her spycraft, like mine, needed work."You were in the military?" the bishop asked my bodyguard."Was? I am. Right now," she related. "I will be until I die."That earned me looks from the three Catholics."She is loyal," Nicolö nodded slightly toward her, referring to Juanita's declaration."Huh? To me? Nope. She's loyal to my office, which we shan't get into right now. Back to you, Sister Rafaela Sophia. Are you out to be a martyr, or has some saint, or angel, given you a directive the other two seem to be unaware of which causes you to devalue your life?""I am devoted to the One True God, Christ, our Savior," and Juanita snorted, "and the Virgin Mary," the nun stated firmly. "I don't hear voices in my head.""Juanita, that was rude. Apologize to our guest," I kept looking forward."No." Well, fuck you too."Gun," I commanded. I held out my left hand."What? No. I will not give you one of my guns," she resisted."Juanita, give me your primary weapon, or I will ask Pamela to beat you up the moment I depart for the Great Hunt. After yesterday's stunt, you know she will," I threatened. Fair, I was not. She drew a Glock-20 and handed it to me. I went through the routine, dropped the magazine then ejected the round before opening the door.Oh look, there were four SD chicks outside, ready to escort my visitors downstairs. I didn't even need to waste a phone call. It wasn't like the conference room wasn't being monitored."Excuse me," I took a half step out the door then hurled all three items down the hall. Looking back at Juanita. "Go fetch.""Fuck you," she snapped."And insulting her faith was as degrading to both her faith and her as me doing this to you is degrading to you right now," I lectured her. "It is important to her, therefore it is important to me because she is my guest in the same way it is important to me that I let my bodyguard do her job without being a total asshole all the time. Now go get your God-damn weapon," I barked. Off she went. I left the door open."Now Sister Rafaela Sophia, the point of all this is: I don't give a crap if you are willing to die for God. In fact, that makes you less than worthless to me and the team. I want to know if you are willing to put other motherfuckers in the ground so that Bishop Nicolá, or Mathias, might get to keep doing their jobs.""Murder is a sin," she declared."Go home," I sighed while shaking my head."She answers to me, the Church and God, not you, Mr. Nyilas," the bishop stepped forward."Then you can go home too," I shrugged. "I'm not asking for remorseless killers. I'm asking for people willing to kill to get the hard work done and best of all, for people who know the difference.""Everyone on JIKIT is a professional soldier, or killer?" he asked."No, but the ones who aren't don't carry guns and know to get down when things get funky," I bantered."I vouch for her," he insisted. Juanita came running back into the room."Cool beans. I don't know you either.""You apparently know my service history," he volleyed."Yeah. Ten years a foreigner in the service of France, then you went straight into a university which turns out Jesuits," I riposted."What turned your life around?" he evaded. That was okay. I'd gotten what I wanted. I was willing to bet he had read every bit of public information about me and it was rumored the heavy Catholic membership in the FBI had its benefits to the Church as well. Not so much as to give them insight into JIKIT, but,"Someone risked their life for me. It's been pretty much downhill from there," I confessed. It was the truth. After Katrina gave me the life line on Day Two, it had all spiraled to the revelation of my heritage, Dad's death, Summer Camp, the Hamptons, Romania and Aya's kidnapping."A person, a soldier, died saving my life," the bishop empathized. "Her story is similar. She seeks redemption. She is not suicidal. I am staking both our lives on it."Did he mean him and Mathias, or him and me? I wasn't certain. Still, it was good enough for now. I'd gotten a look at their emotional make up, even the relatively quiet Swiss."Very well," I agreed. "I have to go see the President about my new job description. I'll catch up with you at your car." To the SD team leader, "Take them to the garage. I will join the group of you very soon.""Yes Ishara," she nodded. I exited the room, Juanita in tow. Two SD entered. I was gone before the Papal team left. Upstairs we went, with one last chore to discharge. I had to check on Ms. French to be absolutely freaking sure it was Shawnee, because anyone else would spell disaster.{8:30 am, Monday, September 8th. Last day}A Room full of asistants:Well, there it was, the office of the Executive Director to the President, and not 'Executive Assistant', because this was Katrina's final 'fuck you, no, just her final 'fuck you' before the Great Hunt got underway. I shouldn't assume things, dang it!Anyway, according to the gray-haired matron running gatekeeper to the Office of the President, this was where I was supposed to show up. I shot Juanita a worried look. She glanced my way and shrugged, momentarily willing to not give me shit about the past 24 hours because where I was situated would determine how easily she could do her job.In we went. In the suite were three desks, the 'big' desk situated at the far end of the office space and two far more modest ones on either side of the entryway. The room expanded beyond the chokepoint formed by the two closest desks into a cluttered area. The walls were cluttered with inset bookshelves and portraits of women. Facing one another were a loveseat on my left with bookend plush chairs in an 'L' facing and a full sofa on the right. There were end tables at the ends of the sofa and the corners between the loveseat and each chair.As the door opened, I hadn't knock as this was my office, or so it seemed, the occupants, who had all been sitting in quiet conversation in the central section, began reacting. Oh look ~ Constanza! I nearly had a heart attack before I realized there were three other Amazons also in the room. Sadly, none were behind the 'big desk', so I couldn't tell who was in charge. Two of the other three choices weren't too much better. First off,"Ishara," Marilynn Saint John stood to greet me. I'd last seen her when I'd dedicated her grandmother's (Hayden's) spirit to the halls of my ancestors, not hers, after forcing the political crisis leading to Hayden's suicide ~ her taking herself to the cliffs and in doing so, destroying the Amazon Cult of Blood Purity. Marilynne was clearly still bitter with me. Umm, I could still incite passion in women I hadn't slept with, yet, woot?"Cáel," the senior-most and only friendly face in the room spoke next. Thank goodness it was Beyoncé Vincennes, Head of House Hanwasuit and House Ishara ally."Cáel Ishara," the third individual was deferential which I wasn't sure how to take as the last time I'd encountered her, yeah, things hadn't gone well either."Beyoncé," I started off with a smile. From there, I had to figure out, ah, Beyoncé's eyes flickered to Constanza then Sabia. I knew Marilynn, with her young age, had the least seniority, "Constanza, Sabia, Marilynn. How's tricks?"Glum faces by everyone except Beyoncé. I didn't ask about Sabia's particular well-being. It had been months since I'd beaten her into the mats of the Full-blooded gym. She'd attacked Yasmin, the Brazilian Hottie and my Brazilian Jujutsu sparring buddy, and I'd retaliated by ambushed her when she turned her back on us. Besides, she'd been giving me shit before I even could see straight.Constanza was minus her left eye because of her dire insult to me. If she wasn't capable of working, she wouldn't be here. If she appreciated my 'mercy' in sparing her life ~ her insult was worthy of her death ~ Constanza hid it well. I hadn't spared her expecting a change of heart. I hadn't felt words alone warranted anyone's death. I was a big boy and could take a few insults. House Ishara, as represented by me, could care less. These days, my sisters would be less understanding despite them knowing my heart."Constanza Landau of House Jaya and Marilynn Saint John of House Anahit are Assistants to President Shawnee French," Beyoncé eased things along, "so will be working closely with us, at least for the short term. Sabia Noel of House Guabancex, who I now think you know as well, has joined you as the other 'Assistant' to the 'Executive Director to the President', (that would make me an 'adept', but adept at what?), and since two of the three Regents are unfamiliar with the workings of Havenstone proper, Shawnee has asked me to perform in that role."Beyoncé was, or had been, Havenstone HQ's CFO (Chief Financial Officer). From what I was quickly piecing together, she would essentially be making all the day-to-day decisions concerning the running of Havenstone (how the Host made the majority of its money) until the Regents got up to speed.Only Buffy had actual experience with the New York office and, from what she had told me, solely within Executive Services. While ES knew 'who' did what inside Havenstone, they weren't aware precisely how those Amazons got their jobs done. That would have been an impossible task. Katrina could do it, but she knew it was beyond the ability of most of us 'mere mortals'. Since we were currently at war, the Host needed Katrina completely focused on her duties as Chief Spy-mistress, not baby-sitting the adults.Shawnee indeed had much gravitas among the other House Heads. Not only had she risen up to lead a First House, she had performed heroically during the final days of the last Secret War. Afterwards she had moved into the realm of Amazon jurisprudence and mediation. Until yesterday, she had lived in a House Arinniti freehold in Minnesota's Great Lakes region thus her desire for the 'Training Wheels' period.The Regency would not rule through telecommunication (the upper echelons feared being eavesdropped upon beyond the standard Amazon (read: paranoid) levels) and Havenstone: New York was the center best situated for the current war-fighting operations, so here she lived. I was sure a team from Executive Services was buying, outfitting/spy-proofing and fortifying a dwelling suitable for the President of a Fortune 500 company. Hayden's home would remain the domicile of Sydney thus Marilynn.The same rigmarole would be done for Rhada and Buffy (though I imaged Buffy would bitch endlessly). Publically, they were VP's of a company worth hundreds of billions of dollars and they had to present the public trappings of such leaders.Why did the Amazons do this ~ unmask their leadership to public exposure? Legal-simple: they could request and expect all levels of public and private security for their executives who happened to also be important officials of the Host. Certainly not all executives at Havenstone were officeholders, House Heads, or House Apprentices, but the high level of competence which permitted one often led to the other.Beyonce:As an example: Beyoncé wasn't the most 'bad-ass' lethal chick in House Hanwasuit. As she was preparing to be casted, her intelligence, creativity and diligence at her future craft, finances, was noted by the Host and the members of her House. In due time her name was circulated as Apprentice and the elders approved. When her elder cousin, the prior House Head, took herself to the cliffs, Beyoncé assumed the top spot. Beyoncé wasn't even one of that woman's three daughters.Mirroring her advancement in her House was her advancement in Havenstone's Accounting, Acquisitions and Banking Divisions until she was appointed CFO Havenstone HQ ~ the supreme financial authority inside Havenstone, though the individual regional branches had a greater degree of autonomy than you might normally expect from a 21st century conglomerate, or a Bronze Age autocracy.I had to constantly remind myself, despite the near-constant feuding, Amazons exhibited a phenomenally higher level of trust than I'd ever found in any other society I'd ever witnessed, or read about, before. Though technically Beyoncé could have gone to President Hayden to enforce her decisions ~ or now the Regency ~ she was far more diplomatic in her approach in dealing with the other 'continental' CEO's and CFO's.That meant she had to wrangle the aspirations and resources from:North America (including Latin America, the 'Canadian Arctic' and the North Pacific Ocean),South America (includes both the South Atlantic and South Pacific as far as Samoa),Europe (mostly Central Europe these days plus Antarctica, the 'Russian' Arctic and the North Atlantic),Africa (mostly West-central Africa),India (the subcontinent plus the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean) and,Southeast Asia (which includes Australia)All of which suggested Havenstone hadn't redrawn the Amazons' geographic demarcations since the late 19th century. As an example, an East African venture, say in Tanzania, was as likely to be under the purview of Havenstone: India (due to its control over the Indian Ocean) as Havenstone: Africa (which traditionally had no East Coast holdings due to their constant struggles versus the Arabic slave trade).Returning to Beyoncé: initially she had held the proper 'conservative' (aka man-hating) mindset. My behavior during that first Board Meeting began to change her opinion of me and the New Directive. After the Archery Range incident, Beyoncé became a vocal proponent of the New Directive and faced challenges within her ranks. House Heads do not have to accept challenges and Beyoncé didn't, reasoning with her detractors they had no alternatives save the 'Old Ways' which spelled doom for the Amazon Race.Bing-bang-boom ~ I became the Head of a resurrected House Ishara by the Will of the Ancestors and Beyoncé was vindicated. Not necessarily in the New Directive, but in her support of me thus the rebirth of a sister First House. The purge following High Priestess' Hayden's death was her ultimate absolution. The Ancestors and Destiny had spoken and shown Beyoncé had been piloting House Hanwasuit along the proper course all along.Back to my current circumstances:Oh, why was I Assistant to the Executive Director to the President? It gave me direct access to the finances of Havenstone which was a critical leg of the war-fighting stool ~ people, morale, money and equipment. As Chief Diplomat, I helped with all four of those in varying degrees, allied troops, allied victories, allied bank accounts and allied armaments.The Great Khan, my spiritual 'Blood-Brother', was ramping up his logistic support for my Amazons in Africa, Asia and the Americas. We were 'Allies in the Struggle' and he wasn't going to wait for the Condottieri to begin coordinating with the Seven Pillars to declare them to be his enemies. They were already fighting the Amazons and 9 Clans, his allies, so their fates were sealed.In Japan, my Amazons provided small yet highly effective strike groups which the Ninja families furnished all the support services for. Everything from food to bullets to medical attention as needed. Without reservation, we shared their death-grapple with the Seven Pillars.From the dispatches I was getting back from my family members and envoys in Japan, we were making serious diplomatic inroads with the Ninja. Once again, it was the Amazons shocking capacity for violence as well as their fanaticism, professionalism and proficiency which all impressed our hosts and terrified our enemies, and this from people of a philosophical mindset which had them historically battling samurai.The Black Lotus were running around like rhesus monkeys on crack cocaine unleashed in a China Shop and given RPG's. While the Amazons couldn't help them in China, Indochina & Thailand ~ the Khanate could and was. The Amazons were of more help in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, where the Black Lotus and Amazons were going everywhere on the offensive against the Seven Pillars while the normal tight cohesion and iron-clad confidence, traits which made the 7P's so dangerous ~ were shaken by their horrendous losses in the 'Homeland' aka Mainland China.Less we forget, the 'military intelligence' wing of their organization had been decimated by the Khanate's Anthrax attack due to members of the Earth & Sky sacrificing themselves by being injected with the toxin then allowing themselves to be captured, which always ended in torture and death.Furthermore, the People's Republic of China, while having a scary 18% of the population either captured, imprisoned, dead, or displaced due to the Khanate invasion, that had come with the loss of 63% of their landmass (they had lost all of Nei Mongol, Ningxia & Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regions, Qinghai and Gansu as well as 90% of Yunnan, 80% of Sichuan and 20% of Shaanxi provinces) to the Khanate and the 'abomination' that was a free Tibet.Then came the Russian 'stab in the back' which entailed the loss of another 10% of their people falling under foreign dominion as well as losing 8% of their most industrialized territory, Manchuria (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces ~ the Nei Mongol portion of 'Manchuria' was in the Khanate's greedy clutches, from the viewpoint of a Seven P's warrior).Don't get me wrong, they weren't about to throw in the towel. If anything, they were becoming more dedicated to trying harder, digging deep into their knowledge of every atrocity, inhumanity and perversion now deemed necessary to re-chart history back onto its 'correct' path. It was this willingness to act in an even greater sociopathic manner which was being used against them. After all, the 7P's had plenty of proxy allies, who were starting to get really nervous about what their paymasters were now asking them to do,We Amazons were getting some extra special help too. The Booth-gan (Do not call them Thuggee ~ the confederate 9 Clan member based out of India though long since ensconced within various Hindi enclaves across the Globe) had created an all-female group of ultra-fanatical Kali-devotees ~ a gift for the upcoming battle fomented by the Will of the Goddess herself.While Aya was our Queen and the Regency would rule until she wished to assume command of the Amazon People, the nuts-and-bolts of the Host's activities were handled by Saint Marie as Golden Mare (our Minister of War) (technically she held the top spot due to our State of War, though no Golden Mare had ever exercised such authority over a Queen (and she definitely believed Aya was our Queen)), Katrina (as Minister of Intelligence and Security), Beyoncé (as Havenstone (the multinational corporation) ~ our Treasurer/Economic Tsarina) and me (our Foreign Minister).Saint Marie had decided to forgo a public face in order to better facilitate her moving around to various battle fronts and holding clandestine meetings with her junior regional commanders. Her Havenstone corporate title was 'Chief of Security Training and Certification'. As an extra level of deception, the head of Security Services wasn't even a Director-level position, instead being folded into the duties of the Office of the President.To my current circumstances ~ I had been given Constanza's house name which could only mean she wasn't currently assigned to the Security Detail; a fact that couldn't have made her bad attitude any better. Marilynn had completely lost her way as an Amazon when I first met her, burying her pain and confusion in endless partying and intoxicants. I believed only her grandmother's status as High Priestess kept her from the severest of reprimands, or death. I didn't even know what Marilynn's caste was. Sabia,"While I'm sure you are both far more qualified than I, precisely how did you two get these jobs?" I had to ask my two non-coworkers. Constanza glowered. Marilynn flinched."I have an in depth knowledge of Havenstone security procedures and resources," Constanza replied."Shawnee requested me," was Marilynn's comeback. "I also have intimate knowledge of the City of New York and its environs.""Actually, Buffy Ishara recommended you both to Shawnee," Beyoncé corrected their misconceptions. I knew the score. I'd be working intimately with the tight community around the President (Shawnee) and Vice Presidents (Buffy & Rhada). Buffy wanted me to be surrounded by women who hated my guts, so I wouldn't end up boinking them. It rarely worked that way. All too often ladies who hated my still-beating heart ended up punishing me with sex. I wasn't sure why that happened, but it did."Beyoncé, didn't the Chief Diplomat of the Host have her own office? I'm pretty sure Troika had one before her unfortunate collision with Saint Marie," I felt entitled to inquire."Do you feel you've earned that office space?" she riposted."Oh, fuck no!" I waved my hands one over the other to accentuate my denial. "I was just wondering where I could stick Juanita while I'm hanging around, here.""She has the desk right outside the door, Cáel," Beyoncé smiled knowingly. "So there is no way you can sneak past her.""Oh," I grunted. "Buffy again?""No. Pamela Pile put in that particular request.""Oh, Sweet Mother of God, now she is conspiring against me too?""Yes. Some of us realize the greatest hazard to your health is yourself, Ishara," Beyoncé chided me. "We'd like to keep you around, so we listen to those charged with that nigh impossible task.""Is she going to be hanging around the office often?" Constanza asked, either myself, Juanita, or Beyoncé; I wasn't sure. She = Pamela."Please, Constanza," I attempted to intervene, "don't make Pamela kill you. It will upset Mona." Constanza's scowl was accentuated by the eyepatch covering her ruined left socket, the one Pamela had carved out when Constanza had insulted me and House Ishara on our first day of rebirth. I didn't tell Juanita this, because Juanita might just shoot Constanza over the insult before Pamela got a chance to finish the job.The tension was palatable."Mona and I have talked, about Romania, and other things," Constanza grudgingly allowed. It took me a second to realize there was a hidden meaning to what she said. Mona was part of my personal Security Detail bodyguard unit. If she felt Constanza, the woman who had raised her after her birth-mother had died, was a threat to me, she'd feel duty-bound to snuff Constanza first. Amazons were hard-ass bitches alright and I think Mona had made that clear."I hope things can improve between us," I offered to Constanza. "Beyoncé, I just stopped in to say 'hey'. I'm off to JIKIT and I've got three of the Pope's people waiting on me in the garage so,""Vice President Varma requested a moment of your time," Beyoncé smirked. "She is in 2604.""Who?""Vice President Rhada Varma, a moment of your time, alone?" she clarified."Sure thing," I backed out of the office. Once I had some space, I turned to Juanita. "Give me three minutes then bust in and say, I don't know, a tsunami is about to overwhelm the city, or something. Otherwise, I won't get out for at least an hour and I think I've put the Bishop and his people through enough delays as it is.""Are you actually asking me to stop you from having an in-office liaison?" she studied me intently as we walked in the direction of Rhada's office."Yes. It's not likely to happen often, believe me.""Oh, I do, in that you won't ask me to do it often," she grumbled. I'd deal with Juanita's morale problem later. Right now, I had to gird my loins so they wouldn't do anything else with Rhada. I had work to do, damn it!Rhada was sitting at her desk, working on something, stylus raised up so she could chew on the end. Her hair was pulled back in a half-ponytail, the type that captured the rear half of the hair in a ponytail while leaving the front and bangs free to flow down. Rhada's blouse was white & billowy and, as I was soon to discover, her pants were ultra-tight and contour hugging."Mr. Nyilas," she greeted me. "I would like a moment of your time," she relayed what I already knew. She was more than a tad nervous to boot."Vice President Varma," I started off."When in private you may call me Rhada," she interrupted."Rhada, you look more ravishing than ever."That got up her and coming around her desk, which revealed her ultra-tight pants with no sign of her wearing underwear. Yikes! My cock was preparing to do what a cock was meant to do and I just didn't have the time, Really!"Do you have any time?" she let her bosom heave."Not today, ugh," I groaned. See, Rhada took the stylus and dragged it down her chin, throat and in between her bountiful mounds.All of which exposed the top of her black bra."Are you sure, Master?" she enticed me by turning around and then leaning over her desk, point that ass in my direction. My mouth began salivating and my groin ached. I found myself quick-stepping to her and giving those buttocks two firm slaps, one on each cheek."No, damn it, though I'm going to make you pay for this when I get back," I rumbled."Master will make me wait?" she taunted me."That will cost you even more," I growled. "I have business which simply won't wait and here is my captive teasing me with the treasures of her flesh. Bad, war captive," I spanked her yet again, hard. "Bad!" and I spanked her a fourth time. With each beating, Rhada gasped in pain and then exhaled in pleasure."If I've been bad, Master must be extra harsh with me when he returns in triumph from the Great Hunt," she gloated. Rhada had gotten what she wanted, which was another affirmation of my lust for her and our 'game'. I could provide her the release she so desperately craved while allowing her the safety of remaining in the Amazon fold. It was a perfect pairing, for her.I had other problems, such as all the other baby mamas in my life plus the extra-marital affairs I was contemplating. I still took the moments we had to snuggle with Rhada, her grinding that tush into my rod while I held both her arms tightly to her side while raining kisses down onto her neck and head."Sir! A giant tsunami is approaching the city!" Juanita exploded through the door."What?" I coughed. I had a face full of hair."Huh?" Rhada pushed up and away from me. I let her go."Right now," Juanita insisted. She really needed to stop taking me so seriously when I gave her such advice."Really?" from Rhada. She shot me a curious look so I shrugged. What else was I supposed to do with such a flimsy lie forcing our separation? At least I got out of there on time?{9:50 am, Monday, September 8th ~ Last day}(JKIT HQ)"Is this a common occurrence?" Sister Rafaela Sophia whispered to the closest woman, who happened to be Wiesława, the Polish Amazon. Since she hadn't arrived with us from Havenstone, the nun might have assumed she was with the 'Americans', or British."What?" Wiesława responded evenly."Weapons combat, they look real," the nun clarified."They are real. We always practice with real weapons.""Really?""Of course," Wiesława smiled at her. "We believe a few cuts and scrapes now will save lives when the true tests come.""Oh, you are with, Havenstone?" Rafaela clued in."Yes. I am Wiesława of House Živa. I am currently assigned to Unit L, Cáel's unit within JIKIT," she offered her hand to shake. Despite being a full-blooded Amazon from a freehold, her 'human' skills were progressing nicely. The nun shook it."I am Sister Rafaela Sophia of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that is a Roman Catholic Religious Order." Pause. "Do you hate Catholics too?""Yes. We have lived beside your people for many centuries and found your clergy to be much more dangerous than your pagan predecessors. Still, Cáel thinks you can be relied on and he's proven we can trust outsider women, which I was raised to believe was unlikely, and outsider men, which was basically anathema, so I'm willing to set aside my prejudices and judge you as an individual," the Pole imparted."Outsider men?" Rafaela mumbled."Well, yes," Wiesława smirked. "You are a nun, right?""Yes.""So you set aside the World of Men to live mostly among women, right?""Not entirely," the nun chose her words carefully. "We still rely on priests for religious rights and of course obey the life teachings of Christ and follow the leadership of his Holiness, the Pope, a man.""No one is perfect," the Amazon bantered back."Do you know the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ?" Rafaela ventured into dangerous waters."Yes. He was the semi-historical Son of your supposed One True God. We are not monotheists. We are Polytheists. Živa is my House's matron Goddess. It is also the name of the first woman to lead the House, her birth name surrendered to Destiny so all the daughters who came afterwards would be equals.""Oh, is Mr. Nyilas also pagan?" she inquired."I am unsure. From what I have been told, he has commended the spirit of his fallen father to your Jesus in a sacred ceremony then, in the presence of your Trinity and the Goddess Ishara, brought in new members to his House. I suspect he may be both," Wiesława reasoned. "Why don't you ask him?""Because he's fighting for his life?" Rafaela looked my way.See, the entire time their discussion had been going on, I had been sparring in a spare room at JIKIT HQ with Estere Abed, the Hashashin assassin (rather redundant ~ like saying the Sahara Desert). I had two tomahawks while she had a scimitar and curved dagger. While we sparred using the furniture as obstacles, Agent-86 was briefing me on various World events to get my input.Addison Stuart (CIA) and Lady Fathom Worthington-Burke (MI-6) were having a chat with Bishop Nicolé de Santis, verifying for themselves he was worth adding to the team. Juanita was having a similar discussion with Rikki Martin (US State Department) concerning my earlier encounter with the Papal team. Nicolé's buddy, Wachtmeister Mathias Bosshart of the Swiss Guard, was getting acquainted with the other security personnel.In comparison, those two had it easy. Both men were in their elements. Nicolé was a spook who pretended to be a diplomat for the Pope and was well acquainted with terms like 'deniable assets', 'plausible deniability' and your direct superior referring to requests concerning your identity/diplomatic status by saying 'I never heard of him and if I had, I have no idea what he was doing when you caught him doing what I don't know what he was doing', or something like that.Mathias was in the company of military-security specialists, brother professionals who were introducing him to his 'sister' professionals. Our Homeland Security gang were almost entirely former military by now. They got along with our JSOC folks and both had gained a limited acceptance with the Amazon security contingent.They bonded over the fact they were forced to work with really shady characters ~ the 9 Clans menagerie ~ who didn't always appreciate JIKIT operational security. Without going into particulars, the Wachtmeister was given the impression the abnormal was the norm and if you didn't think there was a 'down-side' to being able to carry your personally favorite bang-bang (the SG 552-2P Commando in his case) with some serious attachments (read: grenade launcher) around in downtown Manhattan, you probably didn't belong on this team.Back in the room,"He's not fighting for his life," Estere laughed. "He is fighting for mine.""Right," I responded sarcastically. We went through a flurry of exchanges, ending up with me kicking a chair at her. Estere stepped over it, colliding with me.I blocked her dagger, disarmed her scimitar and,"You are dead," she panted down at me, smiling. I was on my back, her straddling me. She had a belt-knife to my throat. I hadn't see her draw it. The scimitar 'disarm' had been a distraction."Woot!" I exhaled."But you're dead," Sister Rafaela misunderstood my good humor."He survived a minute and thirty-four seconds more today than his previous record," Estere responded. She slithered off of me, doing my arousal no good whatsoever, then offered me a hand up."And that's better?""He's a rank amateur with a few months on the job. I've been training to kill people for nearly two decades," Estere smiled. "Care to have a go?""With him, or you?""Either," Estere offered."I don't have a knife, or any hand weapons," she stated."We'll need to remedy that," Wiesława stated. "You should at least carry a knife.""Really? Why?""It is a nearly universal tool," I verbally stepped up. "Even if you are disarmed, you should be able to find one relatively easily, people are less likely to miss a stolen knife than a purloined gun, and a concealed blade could come in handy.""Do you train in knife-work?" Rafaela eye-balled me."Absolutely. It is part of my culture," I grinned."Okay. Can we spar, hand-to-hand?""Sure," I nodded. I put my tomahawks in their harnesses then put my harnesses aside. Estere gave me a wink before giving us the fighting space."So," Rafaela began to circle, "are you Christian?""By your definition, or mine?""By the definition of the Catholic Church."Oh cool, she went for a Savate stance. This was going to get ugly.My "no," was followed by her kick and my block, lunge and grapple. She wasn't nearly as good as Felix. I had her down and in a choke hold within fifteen seconds.Perhaps she thought I'd take it easy on her. She tapped out. I released her, retreated and flowed back to my boxing stance. It took her a moment to realize this was 'practice', not 'an interview'. She hadn't failed in anyone's eyes. We were both doing this to get better."See, I really, truly believe I have talked to supernatural entities ~ some who are considered divinities," I continued. This time she was more careful, trading jabs and blocks with me. "They don't claim to be the One True God. I believe in such a thing, but I also believe having been given the Message, Humanity has been left to muddle things out for ourselves."Whoops, she popped me one."The Woman-Thing this morning?""Yep," I evaded another flurry. She got cocky and I landed three blows, dropping her to the ground. I didn't help her up. Instead, I withdrew and let her get back up on her own before deciding if she wanted to continue. She did."I believe I've seen dragons and ghosts. I have felt legions of my ancestors give me quiet encouragement when I needed it. I know the dead have been brought back to life," I came at her. This time we both went for body blows, knees, elbows and fists. She was not SD-caliber and she needed to be. I grappled and she was forced to tap out again. After she regained her feet, she held up a hand for a pause."Do you believe any of that?" she addressed Estere."I am an adherent of Ismaili Islam yet nothing Cáel has encountered is contrary to my belief system. The Universe is a complex place and the Divine Light is often seen through a fractured lenses," she counseled the nun."Among the escapees were lawyer Francisco Luemba, Catholic Priest Raul Tati, economist Belchior Lanso Tati and former policeman Benjamin Fuca who are serving jail sentences of between three and six years each for supposed links to the rebel group FLEC (Frente para a Libertaé'o do Enclave de Cabinda), which carried out the attack on the Togolese football team at the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in January, 2010," Agent-86 read off yet another bit of global minutia."We need to get to them," I half turned. Sister Rafaela punched me in the gut and I folded up."Oh!" she gasped. "I'm sorry.""Okay," I mumbled. I had to keep with the plan. "Those men. We need to contact our Coils people in Kinshasa and the Warden of the Mountain Ways ('she' was the Amazon Host's leader of Africa ~ in the ancient times, the mountain ways had been the routes of southern vulnerability for the Amazon tribe thus the name).""Okay," both Agent-86 and Estere answered."Why?" 86 added."The Coils and the Host have had a serious problem with no nation in Africa giving them even back room recognition so we are going to take over our own country, Cabinda. It's been struggling to be free of Angola since 1975 and, by latest estimates, we've got strike elements of over 2,000 Amazons ready and waiting next door in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.""So you are going to go to war with Angola?" Estere frowned. "Don't we have enough enemies?""Au contraire," I grinned wickedly. "The resistance movement is genuine," I ticked off my points, "they have tons of offshore oil, and after we set off some spectacular explosions in the two main Angolan ports which are just down the coast, we allow global panic to bully the UN into intervening before the Angolan military launch an effective counter-offensive ~ considering the Angolan Armed Forces (I'd been reading up on a ton of CIA & MI-6 briefings) will most likely involve attrition warfare since they can't beat us in a stand-up fight.""They, the Angolans, have no overland access, they are separated by 60 kilometers of territory belonging to the Democratic Republic of Congo over some sad ass roads Plus the Congo River itself which is freaking huge by the time it gets that close to the Atlantic, Cabinda rests on the Atlantic Ocean by the way. No bridges. The Angolan Navy is anemic. Let me think."I began pacing."Hmm, they have no paratroopers though they have some Special Forces, we will need to hit as many of them in the barracks as we can. Their last invasion was from the north, overland, from the Republic of the Congo, in 1975, not likely to happen this time, though I may have my 'Brother' weasel up a battalion of Indian paratroopers to act as convincing peacekeepers after the initial take over.""Perhaps we can recruit some Vietnamese. I'm sure they'll love fighting in someone else's jungle for a change. We'll need some of 'our' guys to seize the port of Soyo, it is on the wrong side of the river, but has the major refinery the Cabindans will need. Since the entire surrounding province are the same ethnic make-up as the Cabindans, we'll have to take that too.""Man-o-man, I bet by the time this is over they'll really wish they'd given little Cabinda independence back in 1975. As for their other refinery, it is in their capital, Luanda, a few big explosions there too will get the markets jittery. Check that ~ the complete and utter destruction of their major petroleum facility will create a stampede for Peace," I continued. I walked over as our resident computer intelligence genius worked his magic."Blowing things up, you mean killing people," the nun blanched."Yes. This is what I do," I spared her a sympathetic glance. "I've got a madman roaming around in my head who provides me truly epic military advice which normally, but not always, means blowing shit up and killing folks. Welcome to the team," then as the data appeared, "Holy Shit! Did they build their oil refinery in the midst of their ghetto?" I was staggered. The refinery in Soyo was isolated from the town so it could be easily (and safely) seized. It was the one in Luanda which was the 'Holy Shit' site."It looks that way," Agent-86 agreed nonplussed. "Hmm, yeah, here is the port facility then your neighborhood of shoddily constructed one- and two-story dwellings between the refinery and the inland storage tanks, the perimeter barrier appears to be a chain link fence. I'd hate to be their Chief of Security.""Oh yeah," I choked. Estere slipped around to get a look."Whoops," she snorted."What are these people thinking?" I continued. "The whole shebang is exposed to the northern quarter of the city. The storage tanks have residential dwellings on all four sides with numerous side streets. Two teams with RPGs and four rounds apiece, Holy Crap. Sorry Sister.""But I want to save lives," she sputtered."Limiting the collateral damage could be pretty tough," Estere frowned. She toggled throw a series of maps to multiple pictures."Oh, look (dripping sarcasm); they light up the refinery at night. You can sit off the coast in a speed boat under cover of darkness and attack from there," she noted."Damn. Those are a lot of lights," Agent-86 agreed."24-7 operation," I suspected."We will need some experts," the government agent nodded."Or we are going to kill a fuck-load of innocent people. Not just the workers, but can you imagine a fire spreading to those neighborhoods? Shit," I muttered."You can't seriously be contemplating doing something like this," the nun sputtered. "It is inhumane. Think of the families, the children.""Lady, yes I am. Do you have any idea what the Human Rights record of the Angolan Army in Cabinda is? It is truly horrific and in case you missed it, one of the guys in dire need of rescuing by me, due to him being a huge rebel leader who has managed to escape, is also a Catholic priest. He's going to be part of the new government we are going to install once we kill a few hundred Angolans ~ mostly soldiers (more like well over a thousand).""We are going to kill a few hundred so a few hundred thousand can live free, democratic lives without worrying about the local police and political establishment torturing and murdering them. It is all part of the plan.""I think I need to talk with the Bishop.""Hang on. Let me finish," I forestalled her. "He'll get briefed along with everyone else. After all, it is a majority Roman Catholic country as is Angola, so I'm sure your guy can be of immense help.""The people you are putting at risk don't deserve this," she protested."They never do," I nodded in agreement with her. "It rarely stops terrible crap from happening to them though."I felt sorry for the Sister. She thought the Bishop was going to put a stop to this. Poor girl; he was going to do the exact opposite. See, the two competing forces at play here were a communistic kleptocracy (currently ruling Angola) and Catholic liberation theology united with a Cabindan national identity dating back to 1885. At stake was 900,000 barrels a day of petroleum. That was a bunch of funding for somebody. Last I checked, the state run energy conglomerate had misplaced $32 billion, in just three years.Mind you, the Coils of the Serpent and the Amazon Host didn't want to help the People of Cabinda out of the goodness of their hearts either. They wanted cover for the importation of weapons and other war-fighting material so they could kill the Condottieri in Africa. If the rebel leaders-turned-legitimate government didn't play ball well, the Coils were in the 'assassinating people' business and somewhere along the line the survivors would figure out keeping 'us' happy kept them alive. Problem solved.It was Bishop Nicolé de Santis' job to facilitate that understanding. If certain people with Vatican credentials explained the 'facts of life' to the new regime a lot more lives could be saved, Catholic lives. In turn, he could work to make sure the new group in power wasn't nearly as corrupt as the gang we were tossing out. Better education and quality of life, improved infrastructure & security and a nice shiny cathedral, or two.We, as in JIKIT and our component members, didn't want to rule the country and dominate the people's lives. We needed the ports and the airfields with a blind eye turned to our skullduggery. Sure, there would be future considerations. Amazons and Coil members would be fighting and dying for these people's freedom ~ public recognition definitely not required. No; the Amazons wanted to be left alone in their deep jungle homes which was an isolation they basically already had. This was a future chit which said 'don't come looking'.The Coils? Let's just say in the future Cabinda would have embassies around the globe and if occasionally they wanted someone to slip through under diplomatic cover ~ they were good for it. And if the Cabindans ever needed help in the future they knew they had friends in dark places who were now invested in Cabinda's survival. It was a win-win-win, unless you were an Angolan big-wig, or one of their foot-soldier currently serving in Cabinda. Amazons weren't big on taking prisoners, or even giving the opposition the option of giving up.For me, it wasn't lunch yet and here I was plotting to overthrow yet another government in yet another country ~ though in only two, small provinces this time. Thank the Goddess I had the rest of the week

What happens when brands fail to adapt? Journalist Bernadette Giacomazzo breaks it down, sharing why evolution is essential for survival in today's retail landscape. From Blockbuster vs. Netflix to the rise of secondhand shopping and upcycling, this episode dives into the shifts shaping fashion and retail.

God's Word for Today2 Apr, 2025A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.-Prov 21:28 ESVLIARS WILL PERISHLiars will perish. “No lie will prevail forever. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” (Prov 12:19). There are consequences such as criminal charges, social outrage, or even vengeance from those they hurt. “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. (Prov 19:5) “ A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.”[Prov 19:9). In another sense, chronic or habitual liars are doomed to suffer God's wrath (Prov 6:16–19). Revelation 21:8 puts lying in the same category of sins as cowardice, disloyalty, depravity, murder, sexual sin, sorcery, and idolatry. Obviously, God, who is holy and true, detests lying. The lake of fire will be the destiny for those whose lives are defined by those types of evil.In contrast, the righteous are not only to learn wisdom, but they also find themselves preserved by the Lord until eternity (Prov 3:1–6; 9:10–11; 1:7; John 14:6). God praises him who listens carefully and absorbs what he hears. He is an upright, truthful, and dependable witness. Like the apostles, saying, "We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).However, there is hope for liars and all sinners who do sincerely repent and trust in Jesus as their Savior will avoid judgment. God's grace is strong enough to save even the foremost sinner (1 Tim 1:14–16; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmgListen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audibleFollow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio#gospellightfilipino#godswordfortoday

Luke 13:1-9 The post Repent or Perish appeared first on Pillar Baptist Church.

A plane headed for Central America crashed deep in the jungle. Out of all the passengers, only 8 people survived the ordeal. They quickly found food but couldn't locate a safe water source. The only water they discovered looked extremely suspicious, and drinking it was risky, but dehydration was a sure death. This left the group with a tough choice: someone had to test the water, knowing that if it was contaminated, they'd die instantly. So, they faced a huge dilemma: who should they sacrifice to see if the water was safe? CreditsAnimation is created by Bright Side. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music from TheSoul Sound: https://thesoul-sound.com/ Check our Bright Side podcast on Spotify and leave a positive review! https://open.spotify.com/show/0hUkPxD34jRLrMrJux4VxV Subscribe to Bright Side: https://goo.gl/rQTJZz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightside Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightside.official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brightside.official?lang=en Stock materials (photos, footages and other): https://www.depositphotos.com https://www.shutterstock.com https://www.eastnews.ru ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more videos and articles visit: http://www.brightside.me ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This video is made for entertainment purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, safety and reliability. Any action you take upon the information in this video is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any damages or losses. It is the viewer's responsibility to use judgement, care and precaution if you plan to replicate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Turnbuckle Talk, the show where we report on the wrestling news you may or may not have heard.   This week on Turnbuckle Talk: The Natural Disasters finally take their rightful spot in the WWE Hall Of Fame Photographer sued over some controversial pictures of pro wrestlers A WWE Hall Of Famer comes back to the WWE family WWE Seeking writers and producers for both Raw and Smackdown +more In our Showstopper segment: We breakdown this Thursday's CWE Point To Prove 2025 Card   #womenswrestling #braywyatt #wwenetwork #terryfunk #prowrestler #wrestlemania #smackdown #ecw #wwenxt #luchalibre #roh #aew #impactwrestling #nxt #njpw #wwe #wwf #wwesmackdown #wrestling #romanreigns #wcw #aewdynamite #wweraw #indywrestling #allelitewrestling #JohnCena #TKO #sethrollins #wweuniverse #professionalwrestling   For ALL your wrestling needs, Subscribe to us at the following Channels: www.youtube.com/@turnbuckle_studios www.Twitch.tv/turnbucklestudios   Check out the new store for all your Turnbuckle Studios Merch at www.karlkarufel.redbubble.com   Rogue Energy gives you that boost you need without all the added sugars and gross crash afterwards. Use code PERISH at www.rogueenergy.com and save some cash!   Also check out our friends at CWE Canada's Wrestling Elite at http://cwecanada.ca   How to support Turnbuckle Talk: Anytime! http://paypal.me/jkpodcast   Connect with us on our Social Media Platforms: www.facebook.com/@turnbucklestudios www.instagram.com/turnbucklestudios   OMD: www.linktr.ee/OMDShow   Chris Best: www.linktr.ee/Chris_Best83   Karl Karufel: www.linktr.ee/karlkarufel   Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756609372618752

The Crew Is Back At The Table To Talk All Things Sports and Entertainment! We're less than 3 weeks away from WrestleMania and it's now time for WWE to ramp up the heat, in the midst of their Road to Mania European tour, John Cena is still bitter, Cody Rhodes is still angry and Jey Uso has yet to lock in. What needs to change? Plus, Naomi and Jade Cargill continues to be the stars of SmackDown while over in TNA, the company continues to make questionable decisions, Mariah May's contract is up soon and more!   Shop: https://greshapparel.creator-spring.com/ Website: https://www.greshunleashed.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/greshunleashed Facebook: https://facebook.com/GreshUnleashed Instagram: https://instagram.com/greshunleashed Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Gresh/ Discord: https://discord.gg/QHCzpCj FOLLOW THE CREW: GRESH - https://solo.to/gresh | HI-LITE REAL - https://linktr.ee/hilitereal   Want to start YOUR OWN Podcast? Click the links below to get started with Podbean Today! Unlimited Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/greshunleashed Business Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/pro/greshunleashed

We would love to pray for you! Please send us your request here:https://joniandfriends.org/contact-us/?department=Radio --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

We are a little late to the game when it comes to New Year's resolutions but we wanted to share what we are looking forward to in 2025 and how we think about them. It doesn't always have to be a New Year, it could be all kinds of different options; birthday, new month, any given Monday. Hear what we have to say and if anything helps it set up for your life.Drinks Featured:+Willet+Kona Big Wave+Dr. Pepper Zero-CherryIn This Episode:+Obtaining tenure+”Funded or fired”+R1, R2, R3 Defined+Pressures to publish. AI's involvement.+How to call BS in research+Blacklisted journalswww.barbellsnbourbon.comSUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqZ8BQLHvPzuKhI1dIerBHA? #barbells #bourbon #training #performance #lifting #research #learning #powerlifting #strength #protein #nutrition #podcast #whiskey #kilos #squat #bench #deadlift #throw 

Folks, we truly believe there's MORE EAGLES TALK to be had - so of couse we are happy to oblige here at Hoagie Mouth. The OG panel of Mike L, Bob and Jeff dissect the most up-to-date moves by the Birds. Minus the BG retirement which had just happened prior to recording - look for a big BG appreciation show / long segment next episode.Jeff questions the idea of developing players over the course of one season and then letting them walk....Mike L points out the youth movement is in full swing in South Philly. Bob keeps us all stable. We AVOIDED talking about the Sixers, and the Flyers are limping to the end of the season.But we hear the sound of the bats warming up. The Beer guy hollering in the stands. Dollar Dog Nights (RIP). Folks, baseball is almost here.

Homily from the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, A.D. MMXXV.

A talk on Luke 13:1-9Preached at Burnham Norton, third Sunday in Lent 2025

Don't let the title fool you, this is a good news sermon. God is merciful. Let's stay humble.Sermon preached by Kevin Makins in the Eucharist Sanctuary, March 23 2025.

What if repentance isn't what you think it is? In this message from Luke 13:1–9, we unpack the misunderstood word “repent” and reimagine it as an invitation—not to guilt, but to grace. Through three fresh movements—reorientation, reviving, and returning—we explore how repentance is not about shame, but about waking up, turning around, and coming home. With a look at the fig tree parable, this message invites us to see repentance as a gift that leads us deeper into the life of the Kingdom—here, now, and always.

In this special roundtable episode of The Trader's Journey, Anthony is joined by Investors Underground traders and moderators Chris Lanzilotti, Nick Kasnett, Stan 'Godfather' Ivanov, and Ariel Hernandez. Together, they dive deep into the debated topic of edge erosion — is it real, or just an excuse traders use when markets shift? The group discusses how adaptability, understanding market cycles, and continuously refining your approach can protect and even enhance your trading edge. They explore how professional traders manage to consistently stay profitable, despite changes in market dynamics and increasing competition.

Repent or Perish & Warning Against Hypocrisy - Gospel Portion (Luke 13:1-17): The Third Sunday in Lent 3/23/2025 by Shawn Ozbun

God doesn't force you to choose His Son Jesus. He gives you the power to choose who you love. You can't serve them both. Jesus loves you, the devil doesn't love anyone, to include himself. What you choose on earth is what you'll get when you step out of life's backdoor.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/relationships-and-relatable-life-chronicles--4126439/support.

This week on Turnbuckle Talk: Indy wrestling star Vince Steele passes away during match Wendi Richter announced for 2025 women's wrestling hall of fame Indy Wrestler Charles Hutton arrested Tony Hinchcliffe to host The Roast of WrestleMania Mickie James to return to the ring +more In our Showstopper segment: TNA+ Lowers it's subscription costs #womenswrestling #braywyatt #wwenetwork #terryfunk #prowrestler #wrestlemania #smackdown #ecw #wwenxt #luchalibre #roh #aew #impactwrestling #nxt #njpw #wwe #wwf #wwesmackdown #wrestling #romanreigns #wcw #aewdynamite #wweraw #indywrestling #allelitewrestling #JohnCena #TKO #sethrollins #wweuniverse #professionalwrestling #Endeavour #Collision For ALL your wrestling needs, Subscribe to us at the following Channels: www.youtube.com/@turnbuckle_studios www.Twitch.tv/turnbucklestudios Check out the new store for all your Turnbuckle Studios Merch at www.karlkarufel.redbubble.com Rogue Energy gives you that boost you need without all the added sugars and gross crash afterwards. Use code PERISH at www.rogueenergy.com and save some cash! Also check out our friends at CWE Canada's Wrestling Elite at http://cwecanada.ca How to support Turnbuckle Talk: Anytime! http://paypal.me/jkpodcast Connect with us on our Social Media Platforms: Facebook and Instagram - Turnbucklestudios OMD: www.linktr.ee/OMDShow Chris Best: www.linktr.ee/Chris_Best83 Karl Karufel: www.linktr.ee/karlkarufel Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756609372618752 

Welcome to Turnbuckle Talk, the show where we report on the wrestling news you may or may not have heard This week on Turnbuckle Talk: Santino Marella eyeing a return to the ring? Hammerstone a free agent? NWA and grilled cheese? Butterbean set for an in ring return 2025 WWE Hall Of Fame location revealed +more In our Showstopper segment: Squashing the rumors on Nakamura's supposed departure #womenswrestling #braywyatt #wwenetwork #terryfunk #prowrestler #wrestlemania #smackdown #ecw #wwenxt #luchalibre #roh #aew #impactwrestling #nxt #njpw #wwe #wwf #wwesmackdown #wrestling #romanreigns #wcw #aewdynamite #wweraw #indywrestling #allelitewrestling #JohnCena #TKO #sethrollins #wweuniverse #professionalwrestling #Endeavour #Collision For ALL your wrestling needs, Subscribe to us at the following Channels: www.youtube.com/@turnbuckle_studios www.Twitch.tv/turnbucklestudios Check out the new store for all your Turnbuckle Studios Merch at www.karlkarufel.redbubble.com Rogue Energy gives you that boost you need without all the added sugars and gross crash afterwards. Use code PERISH at www.rogueenergy.com and save some cash! Also check out our friends at CWE Canada's Wrestling Elite at http://cwecanada.ca How to support Turnbuckle Talk: Anytime! http://paypal.me/jkpodcast Connect with us on our Social Media Platforms: Facebook and Instagram - Turnbucklestudios OMD: www.linktr.ee/OMDShow Chris Best: www.linktr.ee/Chris_Best83 Karl Karufel: www.linktr.ee/karlkarufel  

On today's episode, Holly encourages Janie to have more "Let Them" energy where her kids are concerned. This may be the worst parenting advice in the history of parenting. And we continue our journey through Esther...We see Esther step into her calling, even if it costs her life.Bible Verses Referenced:Esther 4:1-17Jeremiah 31:35-37Sisters with Swords is produced and edited by Holly Knight. Original music by the Minister of Funk and husband of the year, Bradley Knight, can be found here. You can find Holly's book Stubborn Obedience on Amazon! And don't forget to visit Janie's restaurant, The Biscuit Bar, if you're in the DFW Area. Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with your friends and follow us on Instagram! We are so grateful for you, sister, and are cheering you on as you wield your sword.@sisterswithswords@heyhollyknight@janiejoburkett

Can trading systematically boost your trading performance?In this episode, Adrian Reid reveals how backtesting both your systems and your emotions can give you the edge in the markets.Tune in for practical mindset hacks that will help you remove emotional bias and trade with more confidence and control.Let me give you my trading plan template…Stuck in a cycle of losses? It's tough, and I know how disheartening it can feel.The key is learning from those losses and creating a plan that works for you.I've created a free trading template to help you get back on track. It's simple, practical, and designed to give you more control over your trades.Head to www.tradinggame.com.au and download it today. Get my free Hot or Not Special Report I've created a FREE Hot or Not Special Report that reveals the 3 hottest sectors—and the 3 coldest—in the Australian market.Save yourself time and frustration. With my help, you'll know exactly where to focus—and where to avoid.Download your FREE report now at www.tradinggame.com.au/hotornot and start making more informed trades today. Trade confidently. Louise Bedford is a best-selling author and founder of www.tradinggame.com.au and www.talkingtrading.com.au.FacebookYouTube TwitterLinkedIn

The industry is shifting—with rising rates, unpredictable inventory, and evolving borrower expectations—so how do mortgage professionals stay ahead? In this episode of Laugh, Lend & Eat, host Fobby Naghmi sits down with Liz Short, owner of Short Solutions, to discuss how mortgage pros can embrace change, refine their strategies, and turn challenges into opportunities.Liz shares her perspective on why pivoting is essential for long-term success:

Rogers for America with Lt. Steve Rogers – I do not doubt that every leader of every country on earth was tuned into their television, radio, or internet, on the edge of their seats, listening to what he was saying with respect to a number of domestic and foreign policy issues he was enacting as part of his vision for America. The entire speech was a high point for America...

This week on Turnbuckle Talk: TNA inks a new deal with two of it's stars Homicide to retire NWA to host the Crockett Cup at the 2300 Arena Our Lady Peace take back Whatever Jeff Jarrett Joins Activision's advisory board? +more In our Showstopper segment: Rey Fenix is a free agent #womenswrestling #braywyatt #wwenetwork #terryfunk #prowrestler #wrestlemania #smackdown #ecw #wwenxt #luchalibre #roh #aew #impactwrestling #nxt #njpw #wwe #wwf #wwesmackdown #wrestling #romanreigns #wcw #aewdynamite #wweraw #indywrestling #allelitewrestling #JohnCena #TKO #sethrollins #wweuniverse #professionalwrestling #Endeavour #Collision For ALL your wrestling needs, Subscribe to us at the following Channels:    / @turnbuckle_studios   www.Twitch.tv/turnbucklestudios Check out the new store for all your Turnbuckle Studios Merch at www.karlkarufel.redbubble.com Rogue Energy gives you that boost you need without all the added sugars and gross crash afterwards. Use code PERISH at www.rogueenergy.com and save some cash! Also check out our friends at CWE Canada's Wrestling Elite at http://cwecanada.ca How to support Turnbuckle Talk: Anytime! http://paypal.me/jkpodcast Connect with us on our Social Media Platforms: Facebook and Instagram - Turnbucklestudios OMD: www.linktr.ee/OMDShow Chris Best: www.linktr.ee/Chris_Best83 Karl Karufel: www.linktr.ee/karlkarufel Want to make the most of your video streams?  Check out the site that all the members of the Turnbuckle Affiliation Program use.  Click the link to try out StreamYard today! https://streamyard.com/pal/c/5756609372618752 

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Your faith is proved genuine when you have confidence in Christ during a painful trial. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Luke 13:1-5 (NKJV) 1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

Welcome to Turnbuckle Talk, the show where we report on the wrestling news you may or may not have heard This week on Turnbuckle Talk: Morale between WWE employees down? WWE trademark the name "Kalyx" Ryan Nemeth  to sue Tony Khan, AEW and CM Punk Rhea Ripley issues warning +more In our Showstopper segment: We discuss our picks for the Elimination Chamber #womenswrestling #braywyatt #wwenetwork #terryfunk #prowrestler #wrestlemania #smackdown #ecw #wwenxt #luchalibre #roh #aew #impactwrestling #nxt #njpw #wwe #wwf #wwesmackdown #wrestling #romanreigns #wcw #aewdynamite #wweraw #indywrestling #allelitewrestling #JohnCena #TKO #sethrollins #wweuniverse #professionalwrestling #Endeavour #Collision For ALL your wrestling needs, Subscribe to us at the following Channels: www.youtube.com/@turnbuckle_studios   www.Twitch.tv/turnbucklestudios Check out the new store for all your Turnbuckle Studios Merch at www.karlkarufel.redbubble.com  Rogue Energy gives you that boost you need without all the added sugars and gross crash afterwards. Use code PERISH at www.rogueenergy.com and save some cash! Also check out our friends at CWE Canada's Wrestling Elite at http://cwecanada.ca How to support Turnbuckle Talk: Anytime! http://paypal.me/jkpodcast Connect with us on our Social Media Platforms: Facebook and Instagram - Turnbucklestudios OMD: www.linktr.ee/OMDShow  Chris Best: www.linktr.ee/Chris_Best83 Karl Karufel: www.linktr.ee/karlkarufel Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756609372618752 

Make a difference by collecting, storing, or transporting wheelchairs to be restored. Learn more here:https://joniandfriends.org/wheels-for-the-world/wheelchair-collection/  --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

The Live recording of the 10am Service at Steadfast Church in Carlsbad, California with Pastor Chris Fik February 23, 2025.

This message is going to be a "gut punch," but with this direct call to either repent and bear fruit or perish, Christ also gives us a message of hope. The time is now. The call is urgent. Repent and bear fruit. (Luke 13:1-9)

Sunday Morning Expositional Message

Stay Connected: Website: https://www.lstones.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lstoneschurch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lstoneschurch

Send us a textCan challenges and storms in life actually be opportunities for strengthening faith? This episode invites you to explore that possibility as we unravel the profound story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41. We reflect on the disciples' fear and doubt, emphasizing the importance of faith amid life's inevitable darkness. Through this narrative, we encourage believers to focus on the core teachings of faith and trust, rather than becoming preoccupied with aligning current events to biblical prophecy.The conversation then shifts to the concept of spiritual readiness and the metaphorical journey of "crossing over to the other side." We challenge listeners to introspect and assess their readiness for transformative changes, living authentically according to biblical truths. Are you truly embodying your faith or just professing knowledge without action? This episode urges all believers to move beyond complacency, to genuine commitment, and readiness for the anticipated return of the Lord.Lastly, we tackle the theological themes of separation from the world and the unity of believers under Christ. Addressing misconceptions about end-times prophecy, we affirm that Christ's death and resurrection fulfill these prophecies, and caution against idolatrous practices. By examining Jesus' teachings, we remind you that life's storms aren't signs of divine abandonment, but rather opportunities to bolster your faith, guided by Christ's presence and strength. Join us as we navigate these profound spiritual insights and reflect on living a life of true faith.Faith That Challenges. Conversations that Matter. Laughs included. Subscribe Now!Breaking down faith, culture & big questions - a mix of humor with real spiritual growth. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

Send us a textDoes Jesus truly care for us when life's storms rage around us?" This question has puzzled many, but by examining pivotal moments in biblical history, we attempt to unravel this mystery. Our journey begins with the story of Jesus calming the storm, where His disciples questioned His care for their safety. We challenge the notion that followers of Christ are promised an easy escape from tribulations and demonstrate how trials play an essential role in the Christian walk, refining and strengthening one's faith through the examples of Samson, Abraham, Joseph, and others.Imagine a leader who guides from behind, vigilant and ever-present. In discussing Mark 4:38, we reflect on Jesus' unique leadership style, which mirrors that of a shepherd from His time—leading from where He can see and care for all. While it's natural to desire immediate intervention during crises, we explore how His position and timing are intentional, offering assurance of His control. This perspective invites us to trust in His methods, even when they don't match our expectations, emphasizing that His silent vigilance is a testament to His unwavering care.Finally, we delve into the theme of trusting God through trials, drawing inspiration from stories like those of Lazarus and the Israelites at the Red Sea. Through personal experiences and biblical narratives, we underscore the importance of faith in God's promises, especially when He seems silent or inactive. The episode encourages resisting the temptation of fear and doubt, and instead, embracing the peace that comes from knowing He will never forsake us. By the end, we hope to remind listeners that God's love and concern remain steadfast, guiding us to the other side of our struggles with confidence and assurance.Faith That Challenges. Conversations that Matter. Laughs included. Subscribe Now!Breaking down faith, culture & big questions - a mix of humor with real spiritual growth. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

Stay Connected: Website: https://www.lstones.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lstoneschurch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lstoneschurch

The nasty Caiaphas speaks words about Jesus that are truer than he knows: it is better that 1 should die than the whole nation (and the whole world) should perish. This describes Jesus' mission in a nutshell.  He is here to rescue by paying a penalty for sin, and then conquering death as a bonus. We are soon entering THE GREAT WEEK, the last week of Jesus' life.  You'll want to SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube channel to not miss a word of it. https://youtu.be/eE02fqh2QDU

After the apostles had laid hands on the seven men who were to help administer aid to the widows, two of those men come to the forefront as powerful preachers and miracle workers. We have considered the story of Stephen, who face his martyrdom with remarkable courage and grace. The story of Stephen ended with an introduction to Saul of Tarsus and his early persecuting career, but Luke's main focus moves on to a second man among the seven, a man named Philip.Now remember the “table of contents” from Acts 1. Jesus had said they would travel as His witnesses to Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and then to the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit was poured out in Jerusalem (Acts 2:2-3), and all the early activity happened there. In the persecution that broke out after Stephen's death, the believers scattered into Judaea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). And then follows Philip into Samaria (Acts 8:5). 

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And today, I just want to mention a principle that's very helpful in staying in the moment and continuing chanting despite the phenomena that the mind will drag us in various ways, as Kṛṣṇa mentions in the Bhagavad Gitā. So, that's a principle called applied procrastination. Procrastination—everybody knows how to procrastinate because all you do is just put things off until the next time. And the same principle can be applied in staying fixed in Japa. When the mind comes with some other idea besides chanting, like, could you name three things the mind might suggest to say, "Rather than doing this, let's go do that"? Sleep. Sleep. Now, it's a "sleep now" movement, so there could be sleep. That's definitely one of the ones that's like, "I'm tired. I want to go sleep." That can also be overcome by going to bed earlier. It is important to manage sleep in order to have good Japa. What's another one? You want to go talk prajalpa instead. Somebody's out on the balcony talking about some juicy gossip, and you don't want to miss it. What's the third one? Planning. Yeah, there might be some plans you have to make, something like that, and it could be a correspondence that you forgot. And then it comes into your mind that, "Oh, if I don't do it now, this person's going to hate me, and I can't tolerate it," so I give up chanting, and I go away. So, that's four, but there could be 1,000 that we could name possibly. So, the principle of applied procrastination was showed to us by Haridāsa Thākura, or the Nāmācharya. When a prostitute came, he didn't say never. He just said later. And the word "later" is really helpful because there's always some later. And instead of saying no, and whatever you resist persists, you just say, "Sure, no problem, but not right now. I'll just wait till later on," and just put it off so that can be really helpful. That works for many different kinds of discipline. Like if you don't want to eat too much, and the mind says to eat, you just say, "Well, you know, there's going to be another meal later. I'll make up for it next time, and I'll eat less. I'll eat half as much this time, and next time I'll eat twice as much." But later never comes. You just keep putting it off. It's the same with taxes. You're supposed to defer taxes till later, when you're in a lower tax bracket. And also, there's a saying that "justice delayed is justice denied." So, it's a tactic in the legal circles. It's like, "Okay, not right now, we'll just deal with it later," and you keep putting obstacles so it's further away. And then there's another principle that helps, which is something they teach in accounting, which is especially for accounts receivable. It's called the law of diminishing intent because the longer you wait to collect on a bill, the less people are willing to pay it because the time factor makes their will less strong. So, just delay and staying in the process of chanting. (excerpt from the talk) Other highlights : Do Your Own Japa Retreat - focusing on personal daily chanting practice Applied Procrastination in Japa - using procrastination to stay focused on chanting Just For Now - emphasizing present-moment awareness during chanting Publish or Perish in Spiritual Life - stressing daily spiritual effort Fear the Fade - addressing the importance of continual improvement in chanting ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark

This episode looks at the early days of Christmas trees, the origin of glass ornaments, and the practice of mounting lit candles on trees before electric bulbs were invented. Research: · “36 Perish as Party Guests Stampede to Flee Flames.” The Minneapolis Star. Dec 25, 1924. https://www.newspapers.com/image/178762039/ · “Accident From a Christmas Tree.” The Morning Post. Jan 11, 1850. https://www.newspapers.com/image/402121758/?match=1&terms=%22christmas%20tree%22%20Victoria · Barnes, Allison. “The First Christmas Tree. History Today. December 12, 2006. https://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-matters/first-christmas-tree · Brittain, J. E. "John R. Crouse and the Society for Electrical Development [Scanning the Past]." Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 86, no. 12, pp. 2475-2477, Dec. 1998. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/735455 · Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Woolworth Co.." Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Nov. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/money/Woolworth-Co · “A Christmas tree candle set fire … “ The Jersey City News. Jan. 9, 1892. https://www.newspapers.com/image/856106974/?match=1&terms=christmas%20tree%20candles%20fire · Coleridge, Samuel Taylor, and Ernest Hartley Coleridge, ed. “LETTERS OFSAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE.” London. William Heinemann. 1895. Accessed online: https://gutenberg.org/files/44553/44553-h/44553-h.htm · Flander, Judith. “Christmas: A Biography.” Thomas Dunne Books. 2017. · Foyle, Jonathan. “The Business of Baubles – and the Town That Invented Them.” Financial Times. Dec. 19, 2014. https://www.ft.com/content/ce33a468-812a-11e4-b956-00144feabdc0 · “Glass Christmas Ornaments.” The German Way. https://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/glass-christmas-ornaments/ · Loud, Nicholas. “The History of Christmas Decorations in America.” Saturday Evening Post. December 2020. https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2020/12/the-history-of-christmas-decorations-in-america/ · Lorch, Mark. “The Forgotten Scientist Who Made Modern Christmas Ornaments Possible.” Fast Company. Dec. 21, 2021. https://www.fastcompany.com/90707875/the-forgotten-scientist-who-made-modern-christmas-ornaments-possible · Malanowski, Jamie. “Untangling the History of Christmas Lights.” Smithsonian. December 2016. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/untangling-history-christmas-lights-180961140/ · “No Christmas Tree Fires Are Reported Here.” Alton Evening Telegraph. Dec. 28. 1921. https://www.newspapers.com/image/19919324/?match=1&terms=christmas%20tree%20candles%20fire · “A few years ago the caution …” Daily Plainsman. Dec. 12, 1929. https://www.newspapers.com/image/23432095/?match=1&terms=christmas%20tree%20candles%20fire · “Christmas Tree Candles – Fire.” The Courier-Journal of Louisville. Jan. 05, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/119330231/?match=1&terms=christmas%20tree%20candles%20fire · “The Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle.” The Morning Post. Dec. 28, 1848. https://www.newspapers.com/image/402196932/?match=1&terms=%22christmas%20tree%22%20Victoria · “Feiker Takes Commerce Post.” New York Times. July 2, 1931. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/07/02/113339929.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 · “German Hospital, Dalston.” The Morning Post. Jan. 1, 1848. https://www.newspapers.com/image/402129709/?match=1&terms=%22christmas%20tree%22%20Victoria · Prior, Dr. M. Faye. “Trimming the Tree – Glass and metal Christmas tree decorations.” York Museum Trust. https://www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/blog/trimming-the-tree-glass-and-metal-christmas-tree-decorations/ · Roberts, Sam. “Si Spiegel, War Hero Who Modernized Christmas Trees, Dies at 99.” New York Times. Feb. 11, 2024. · Scinto, Madeleine. “Americans Are Spending A Whopping $6 Billion On Christmas Decorations This Year.” Business Insider. Dec. 7, 2011. https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-are-spending-a-record-6-billion-on-christmas-decorations-2011-12 · Shapiro, Laurie Gwen. “He Bombed the Nazis, Outwitted the Soviets and Modernized Christmas.” New York Times. Dec. 17, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/17/nyregion/bomber-pilot-christmas-trees.html · Tikkanen, Amy. "How Did the Tradition of Christmas Trees Start? ". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Dec. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/story/how-did-the-tradition-of-christmas-trees-start · Waxman, Olivia B. “How Christmas Trees Became a Holiday Tradition.” TIME. Dec. 21, 2020. https://time.com/5736523/history-of-christmas-trees/ · Waxman, Olivia B. “The Electricity Lobby Was Behind the First National Christmas Tree Lighting.” TIME. Dec. 1, 2016. https://time.com/4580764/national-christmas-tree-lighting-history-origins/ · Waxman, Olivia B. “This Was the First Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.” TIME. Nov. 30, 2016. https://time.com/4578685/first-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-lighting/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the holiday season in Perish, MI, and the legend of Santa No-Pants lurks through every house. They never did find the Anderson twins, did they? Dale, Rikki, Laura, Jennifer, and farty old good boy Zeke better not be naughty... Written and performed by Scott Sigler. Edited by A B Kovacs. Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2024 by Empty Set Entertainment  The New Year is almost upon us, so get a new dot-com and save 99% off your first year with the Go Daddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices