Podcasts about produces

Boomer and Gio dive into their favorite things about Fire Island multiple callers that Al usually blocks get on the air. Is it better to work in the morning or the afternoon? Jerry's update starts with talking about Anthony Volpe finally coming through in a big spot. The guys debate whether or not rivalries in golf are good for the sport. Gio gives a review of Death of a Salesman on Broadway.

Jerry's update starts with Anthony Volpe finally coming through in a big spot. The Mets were being a mess. The guys debate whether or not rivalries in golf are good for the sport.

ReconAfrica CEO Brian Reinsborough joined Steve Darling from Proactive to discuss preliminary production testing results from the Kavango West 1X discovery well, where the company has successfully produced hydrocarbons to surface during testing of the Elandshoek formation. Production testing began on June 8, 2026, with the company completing tests on the three lowest zones in the Elandshoek formation. The uppermost of those zones flowed natural gas to surface during three separate flow tests, with gas samples collected for laboratory analysis while the remaining hydrocarbons were safely flared. Results from U.S. laboratory testing are expected in the coming weeks. The well's 1,657-metre Otavi section, including both the Huttenberg and Elandshoek formations, has been cased and cemented, allowing ReconAfrica to individually evaluate six optimized reservoir zones identified through well log analysis. Management noted that while the production casing is necessary for testing, it may limit access to naturally fractured reservoir rock. Testing equipment is now being moved to the three shallower Huttenberg zones, which will evaluate 182 metres of reservoir, including 76 net metres of hydrocarbon pay identified from well logs. The company expects each zone to require up to 10 days of testing, with the next operational update anticipated in late August. Reinsborough said the results mark a significant milestone, as the production test represents the first hydrocarbons ever produced to surface onshore Namibia. The company added that confirming naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs in the Elandshoek formation can support production further strengthens the potential of the Kavango Basin. #proactiveinvestors #reconnaissanceenergyafricaltd #tsxv #reco #otcqx #recaf #NamibiaOil #EnergyExploration #OilAndGas #OilAndGas #Namibia #Hydrocarbons #NaturalGas #Energy #Exploration #Hydrocarbons #KavangoBasin #EnergyNews #MiningNews

Podcast Description: What does a life full of the Holy Spirit look like? Through the story of Stephen in Acts 6–7, Pastor Harrison Conley shows how the Spirit produces wisdom, faith, and power within us while forming the life of Jesus for the world to see through us. Discover what becomes possible when we allow the Holy Spirit to work fully in our lives.

In today's devotional, Pastor Kerrick shares how being at the right place at the right time is connected to experiencing a lifetime of favor. The favor of God on your life will produce opportunities for you. Stream today's devotional to learn more!

A coin featuring President Trump will be available starting in the fall.

Here it is—today we study the final fruit of the Spirit. And isn’t it just like God to save a grand lesson for last? The one fruit every one of us knows we desperately need: Self-control. In mentoring women to pursue their God-given goals and live the life they were created for, I hear this all the time: “Pamela, I just don’t have any willpower. I have no self-control.” Have you ever said that about yourself? But let’s stop and ask a deeper question. Is that really true? Can someone who has been filled with the Holy Spirit truly say they have no self-control? I believe that’s one of the enemy’s favorite lies. It’s a limiting belief designed to keep us striving in our own strength instead of living from the power already at work within us. It’s a lie that makes us buy our own excuses and settle for a little life, all while we were created for a BIG Life. The very presence of God living within you PRODUCES self-control. Let me show you how I know. Most of us refer to Galatians 5:22-23 as the “fruits” of the Spirit—as though Paul is giving us a basket filled with different kinds of fruit. Maybe you’re naturally patient but struggle with kindness. Maybe you have joy but not peace. Maybe you have love but not self-control. It’s like saying, “the basket I was given has grapes, but no strawberries. I just have to struggle through this life with never getting strawberries because I wasn’t given any.” But that’s not what Paul wrote. Look closely. He doesn’t say, “The Holy Spirit produces these fruits.” He says, “The fruit of the Spirit is…” Let’s read it for ourselves, Galatians 5: 22-23, “But the Holy Spirit produces THIS KIND OF FRUIT in our lives: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Fruit is singular. Paul isn’t describing 9 separate fruits we can pick and choose from. He is describing one Spirit-produced life that reveals itself in 9 beautiful expressions: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Think of it like sunlight passing through a prism. It’s one light, yet it displays many colors. If a prism has sunlight, then it has all the colors. There’s not one defective prism just lacking pink. There’s not another just lacking yellow. They’re all there if the prism has sunlight, just turn it to see. The fruit of the Spirit works much the same way. It is one supernatural life produced by the Holy Spirit, expressed in multiple ways. That changes everything. Self-control isn’t an isolated virtue reserved for naturally disciplined people. It isn’t a personality trait. It isn’t something God gives to a select few while withholding it from everyone else. Yet somehow we believe only the super fit get self-control. Only the ones losing weight, or saving money, or with a clean house have self-control. Only those who consistently meet their goals have self-control. Isn’t that what you’ve believed? And haven’t you dismissed yourself at some point because you just don’t have the same self-control they do? Girl, don’t let the enemy twist this. Don’t let him convince you that you’re lacking the fruit. Are you a believer and follower of Jesus? Have you placed your faith in him and surrendered your life to him? Yes? Then you have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. God’s presence dwells within you. And just like when sunlight hits the prism, all the lights are present when you turn it – all 9 expressions of the Spirit are growing in you! You’re not missing one. You weren’t just left out. Self-control is part of the very character the Holy Spirit is growing in EVERY believer – and that means YOU. Self-control is growing in you right along side love and joy, and peace and patience, kindness, goodness and gentleness. Now, does that mean every Christian demonstrates perfect self-control? Of course not. Fruit grows. No one plants an apple tree on Monday and expects a harvest by Friday. Growth is gradual. It is cultivated. It is nourished. It matures over time. The question isn’t, “Do I already have perfect self-control?” The better question is, “Am I yielding to the Spirit who is producing it in me?” That’s an entirely different conversation. You may feel like someone who lacks self-control because you’ve looked at your failures more than God’s promises. But your failures don’t define what the Holy Spirit is capable of producing. If you belong to Christ, the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. That means the seed of self-control has already been planted. The issue isn’t whether God has given it. The issue is whether we’re allowing Him to cultivate it. This life isn’t about gritting our teeth and trying harder. It has always been about surrendering more deeply. Now, let’s study self-control and see what it really means. The Greek word translated as ‘self-control’ means power and strength within. What this means is the Holy Spirits gives every believer an internal ruler stronger than external temptation. No matter what temptation you’re facing, there’s an internal ruler stronger! There’s a power within you that can turn away, resist, and overcome. Y’all this past weekend I was at my Mama’s house and she made her award winning, best thing you’ve ever eaten in your whole life, blackberry cobbler. She had gone out and picked the fresh blackberries herself. She had made her secret pie crust that’s thick and perfectly flaky and buttery. Then, she made homemade icrecream to go with it. BUT I am committed with a healthy meal plan right now that does not include cobbler or ice cream, dad-gum-it! So, how do you think I did? Do you think I was able to withstand the temptation of this culinary perfection? You bet your butt I did, and here’s how – I HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN ME and I KNOW THERE’S AN INTERNAL RULER STRONGER THAN THAT TEMPTATION. (I just have to listen to the right voice.) Does God really care if I eat mama’s blackberry cobbler and homemade icecream? Nahhh, I don’t think so. But I do believe God cares about my health because this body is a vessel for his Holy Spirit. And I do believe he cares about the commitments I make and my willingness to tap into the power he has given me to follow through with those commitments. What the Holy Spirit is growing within us isn’t the absence of desire. (I still really wanted a very large bowl of that greatness.) What the Holy Spirit is growing within us is proper rule OVER DESIRE. It’s the internal governor that says, “You don’t have to do every little thing you feel like doing. You don’t have to get everything you think you want. You don’t have to have immediate gratification. You’re not a victim to your every desire. Yield to God’s power within you.” 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” That’s what God has given you. Now it’s up to you to abide in him and surrender to the power he has put within you! Before Jesus saved us, our flesh ruled. We set on our throne, our desires issued commands and our minds justified them. Our bodies obeyed. But with Jesus we have the Holy Spirit, now we’re under a different command. There’s a different ruler on the throne. Jesus sits in authority. The Spirit empowers new desires. And yes, our flesh still speaks, but it is not longer the king. Self-control is evidence there’s a new king governing our heart and life. We become a new person with the fruit of the Holy Spirit growing in us! Now, understand this, the Holy Spirit does not merely hand us extra strength. He reshapes our loves. God’s commands come with God’s enabling grace. The Spirit writes God’s law on our hearts, creating new desires that increasingly align with His will. As we grow in Christ, we don’t just have stronger disciple, we actually grow to WANT WHAT GOD WANTS. The deepest direction of our heart is changing!!!!!! You can’t will yourself into that change – that’s a direct result of the Holy Spirit working within you. Now here’s what I hope you’ll never forget – Self-control is not about becoming a stronger version of you. It’s about becoming a more surrendered version of you. The world says, “Try harder.” Jesus says, “Abide in Me.” The world says, “Get more disciplined.” The Holy Spirit says, “Walk with Me.” Maybe you’ve spent years telling yourself, “I just don’t have any self-control.” Maybe you’ve believed that’s just the way you are. Maybe you’ve looked at other women and thought, “They’re disciplined. They’re organized. They’re healthy. They’re financially wise. They have self-control…I just don’t.” Sweet friend, that’s not your identity. If you belong to Christ, the Holy Spirit lives within you. And if the Holy Spirit lives within you, then He is producing His fruit within you—including self-control. The question isn’t whether God has given it. The question is whether you’ll believe it’s there…and begin partnering with Him instead of arguing with Him. Every time you’re tempted to quit… Every time you want to say something you’ll regret… Every time you want to give in to fear… Every time you want immediate gratification instead of God’s best… Pause. Remember who’s on the throne. Remember there is an internal Ruler who is stronger than every external temptation. Then choose to listen to His voice instead of the voice of your flesh. Will you still have moments where you fail? Absolutely. But failure is no longer your identity. It’s simply another opportunity to turn back to the One who is faithfully growing His fruit in you. Fruit doesn’t grow because we strain harder. Fruit grows because it stays connected to the vine. Jesus said in John 15, “Abide in Me.” He didn’t say, “Impress Me.” He didn’t say, “Perform for Me.” He said, “Remain in Me.” That’s the secret. As you remain with Him, the Holy Spirit keeps doing what only He can do. He changes your desires. He renews your mind. He strengthens your resolve. He reminds you of truth in the moment you need it. He gives you power to say “no” to what steals life so you can say “yes” to what leads to life. And one day you’ll look back and realize something remarkable. The things that once mastered you… don’t anymore. Not because you finally found enough willpower. But because the Spirit of God has been faithfully transforming you from the inside out. That’s the fruit of self-control. Not a life of white-knuckled striving. A life that is increasingly ruled by Jesus. And isn’t that what we’ve been studying all along? Self-control is simply Jesus ruling where our flesh used to. That’s the fruit the Holy Spirit is growing in you. So don’t leave here saying, “I need more willpower.” Leave here saying, “Holy Spirit, have more of me.” Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Meaning is not a soft concept. It is not a mission statement or a motivational poster. It is the reason people wake up and choose to give their best to something that does not have their name on it.And when it is missing — what gets produced is not just a culture problem. It is an organizational collapse happening in slow motion while the numbers still look acceptable.In today's episode we go deep into what leadership without meaning actually produces — not as a philosophical conversation but as a leadership diagnosis — through three FULFILL pillars that build progressively toward one conclusion:* Focus — how intense execution focus without meaning becomes a double-edged sword that produces results nobody is proud of* Feedback — how a good quarter can skew everything and blind a leader to the meaning that actually produced it* Learning — why without meaning, data stays as data and nothing ever truly changesIf your team is executing but the aliveness is gone — this episode is the diagnosis.Get every episode free, daily — subscribe on Substack:

The following article of the Oil & Gas industry is: 'Administrative Certainty Also Produces Oil' by Rafael Espino, President, Asociación Mexicana de Empresas de Servicios Petroleros A.C. (AMESPAC). 

Luke 19:1-10 Jesus invites himself the house of a rich tax collector's house and that man's life is turned around.

Series: Titus — Preacher: Eddie Benjamin

Send us Fan MailDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

Has the gospel truly changed your life?In the closing verses of Philemon, Paul points us to the visible evidence of God's transforming grace. The gospel does not merely change our eternity—it changes our hearts, our priorities, and the way we live each day.A gospel-centered life produces clear evidence of God's grace at work. As believers grow in Christ, obedience replaces rebellion, hope overcomes despair, and trust in God becomes the foundation of everyday life.The grace that saves us is also the grace that sanctifies us.As you watch, consider:• Have I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ?• Is the gospel the foundation of my life?• Am I living in obedience to God's Word?• Am I placing my hope and trust in God?• What evidence of God's transforming grace can be seen in my life?

Discipline Produces Spiritual StrengthScripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13—Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.Accept Jesus today. https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!****Congratulations! You are now a child of the Most High. John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."****If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.”****Click here for FREE eBook download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love and support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cash App: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles:https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/PastorMalachiBooksHNO Crypto Coin Investing Opportunity: https://tinyurl.com/HNOCoin-ReferralFREE Ways to Support Me:

Message from Jon Gibbs on June 28, 2026

What if the greatest source of stability isn't found in changing your circumstances, but in trusting the One who never changes?

Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner – Nutrition World) & Clint Powell A variety of topics all related to living a healthy life Presented by: Nutrition World www.nutritionw.com Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio www.noogadentistry.com Production of: Whitfield Media Group www.vitalhealthradio.com Title: Breakthrough Treatments for C Diff with Guest Dr. Oscar, Kiwi for Bowel Regularity with Julia from Enzymedica [0:00:00] Opening, Banter, and Announcements Ed plugs an upcoming podcast episode on heartburn with Julia from Enzymedica, explaining simple steps to get off PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) safely. MMA fighter sponsor shout‑out Discussion of Chance, an 8–0 MMA fighter who works at Nutrition World's warehouse. Upcoming fight at Camp Jordan in July; Nutrition World is a sponsor. Ed describes Tallow House in Cleveland: Burgers cooked in tallow Sourdough buns, high-quality ingredients Comparison to seed oils, stating tallow is preferable, though any fat can be overdone. Setup for today's show / guests Dr. Oscar – discussing a “revolutionary” next‑generation probiotic based on a super donor / fecal transplant science. Julia from Enzymedica – discussing constipation and digestive enzymes. [0:08:56] Gut Microbiome & Origin of the MET Probiotic Ed reiterates the show's philosophy: better aging means adding strength, clarity, mobility, and energy to existing years. Emphasizes his longstanding passion for the gut microbiome and how cluttered/confusing that field is. Ed welcomes Dr. Oscar and frames the topic as a truly unique/probably revolutionary probiotic advance. Personal story: Ed's father died from C. diff about 20 years ago. C. diff often triggered by antibiotics, then treated with more antibiotics → vicious cycle. Ed wanted to give probiotics/Saccharomyces boulardii; doctor was lukewarm but allowed it. How the product started (C. diff & FMT) – Dr. Oscar Traditional fecal microbiota transplants (FMT): Helpful for C. diff, but risky for immunocompromised patients. Concerns: pathogens, genetic material, and “yuckiness.” Microbial Ecosystem Therapeutics (MET) A company developed an alternative: MET, using a single “super donor”. Process: Select a rigorously screened donor with a healthy microbiome, no gut issues. Extract unique anaerobic bacteria. Use lyophilization (freeze-drying) to remove the fecal material and problematic components, leaving a purified community of bacteria. Result: a blister‑pack capsule containing live anaerobic strains that can engraft in the gut. C. diff trials and efficacy Comparative trials (MET-1 / MET-2) vs. fecal transplants for C. diff: MET formulations performed as well or better than FMT in some outcomes. One MET‑based product has already been used specifically for C. diff. Transition to functional / preventive use The MET company partnered with Designs for Health and Guelph University (Ontario). After years of research and clinical work, they created a five‑strain formulation used in the Designs for Health product. Claim: these five strains regulate roughly 85% of metabolic and immune functions influenced by gut bacteria. [0:14:47] How this Probiotic Differs from Traditional Probiotics Ed underscores: Thousands screened to identify an optimal super donor with best diversity. Human‑sourced strains → high compatibility with human physiology. Wants clarification on aerobic vs. anaerobic differences and why they matter. Traditional probiotics vs MET strains – Dr. Oscar Traditional probiotics: Often from exogenous sources (fermented dairy, industrial fermentation, etc.). Usually Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium etc. They are generally transient: Work while you take them. Poor ability to engraft and persist once discontinued because they're not native to the host. Still useful (like eating salad: benefits only while you keep consuming them). Human‑derived MET strains: Sourced from a human donor, recognized by the body as “self‑like.” Have co‑evolved with humans over long timeframes. Function as an “accessory organ system”: E.g., certain strains stimulate the production of new cells. Specific strain examples Akkermansia: Consumes mucin in the gut lining. Produces metabolites that activate stem cells and progenitor cells, leading to new cell formation in the gut. Other strains have specialized roles: Ferment food. Create an anaerobic environment. Modulate immune responses. Oxygen & anaerobes, “crowding out” pathogens Healthy human colon = low‑oxygen (anaerobic) environment. Certain beneficial strains (e.g., Roseburia) help remove oxygen: They create conditions where anaerobic commensals thrive. Pathogens and opportunistic bacteria that prefer oxygen are crowded out, not killed with antibiotics. Clinical observations: Pre‑ and post‑testing show reductions in overgrowth bacteria when taking this formulation. This suggests a “crowding out” approach vs. broad‑spectrum microbial killing. Terrain theory & engraftment duration Ed references terrain theory (Antoine Béchamp): improve the internal environment to resist disease. Engraftment data: Early engraftment seen in ~2 weeks. MET C. diff studies showed strains persisting up to 6 months. Key dependency: diet and “fertilizing” the microbiome. Good fiber, colorful plant foods, polyphenols → support long‑term survival. Threats: alcohol, glyphosate, long‑term antibiotics, stomach acid meds, narrow macro diets (strict keto, carnivore, low‑FODMAP) without adequate diversity. Solutions for narrow diets: add prebiotic fibers, greens/reds powders. Dosage & synergistic use with other probiotics Ed confirms he's taking one capsule per day of the Designs for Health product labeled “Next Generation Multi‑Strain Probiotic” and tolerating it well. Dr. Oscar: One cap is enough Emphasis on quality of the seed, not quantity (CFU count). High‑quality engrafting strains self‑propagate as long as diet supports them. Synergy with other probiotics: Example: Lactobacillus produces lactate, which serves as a food source for some MET strains. Hypothesis: traditional probiotics may have better persistence and function when the MET strains are present. Ed notes: Very high‑strain blends (20+ strains) may have unknown “infighting.” In contrast, a single donor community has already proven internal compatibility. Where to learn more Designs for Health website: designsforhealth.com Search “Complete Commensal” for patient education materials. Note: two of the strains have never before been available in commercial probiotics due to encapsulation challenges with strict anaerobes; newer technology solved this. [0:33:14] Constipation, Enzymes, Kiwi Regularity (with Julia from Enzymedica) Introducing Julia with Enzymedica Julia is a long‑time educator (20+ years) in the natural health industry. Ed compares clinical experience in natural health to a physician needing years of patient contact beyond textbooks. Julia: First-line advice – don't rely on stimulant laxatives Avoid over‑the‑counter stimulant laxatives except in rare, urgent situations. Chronic use irritates the bowel and makes it dependent, reducing natural motility. Foundational step: chew your food & nervous system calm Proper chewing: Activates salivary amylase and lipase (carb and fat‑digesting enzymes). Signals stomach acid secretion and subsequent digestive steps. Ed notes: Most people eat while on their phones, in a rushed state. He tries to pause for ~1 minute before eating to reset. Good digestion starts even with thought and sight of food. Why constipation happens & normal frequency Normal bowel frequency: At least once daily, ideally 2–3 times/day. Some people report going only once a week, which is problematic. If food is not broken down properly: The body delays gastric emptying and slows peristalsis. Leads to constipation, gas, and bloating. Digestive enzymes: Help break food down. Improve signal timing for stomach emptying and intestinal motility. Provide relatively rapid symptom relief (gas, bloating, heavy stomach). Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying Can manifest as: Heaviness (“rocks in my stomach”). Minimal or absent bowel movements. Bloating, gas, occasional heartburn, and nausea. GLP‑1 drugs (e.g., Ozempic and similar): Work partly by slowing gastric emptying. Can exacerbate pre‑existing motility issues. Digestive enzymes are compatible and can help. Enzyme basics & age Humans make tens of thousands of enzymes, but production declines with age. This explains why people often say: “I used to be able to eat X, and now I can't.” Gut–brain link & psychological burden Many neurotransmitters (or their precursors) are made/processed in the gut: Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, etc. Poor gut function → can influence mood, sleep, appetite, social drive. Constipation/diarrhea leads to stress, anxiety, fear of leaving home (e.g., unpredictable loose stools). Kiwi Regularity: a non‑stimulant “regulating” approach Product: Enzymedica Kiwi Regularity (chewable). Based on a concentrated kiwi extract, not a harsh laxative. Works in both directions: Helps people who can't go (constipation). Helps bind loose stools (diarrhea/urgency). Gently supports motility and microbiome over time. Miralax concerns Ed and Julia criticize chronic use of Miralax: Widely prescribed, even for children. Kiwi Regularity: Gentle, non‑addictive, appropriate for: Children. Pregnant women (though labeling can't state it due to regulations). Works long‑term and supports microbiome. Shown in 4‑week studies to: Increase commensal Bifidobacteria. Support Akkermansia and butyrate production. Butyrate nourishes colon cells and supports gut barrier. [0:43:01] Practical Enzyme Use, Histamine, and Product Recommendations Industrial vs human‑oriented enzymes Many enzymes on the market were originally developed for industrial uses. Enzymedica (since 1998) focused specifically on human digestive enzymes and research. Emergency backup vs daily habits Ed shares a travel anecdote: Severe constipation scenario solved with a Fleet enema while out of town. Enemas are non‑addictive, suitable for rare emergencies. Emphasizes hydration and magnesium: Magnesium (especially certain forms) helps pull water into the bowel. Regular use of magnesium oxide solely as a laxative is not ideal; better to use more balanced forms (e.g., magnesium glycinate). Most people over ~30 benefit from enzymes Declining enzyme production with age + modern diet → strong case for broad digestive enzyme support. Histamine & DAO enzymes Enzyme DAO (diamine oxidase) can help break down histamine from food. It's typically porcine‑sourced. Crucial caveat: Must pair with a low‑histamine diet; enzymes alone won't fully overcome high‑histamine intake. Gluten‑digesting enzymes limits Gluten enzyme products can help with cross‑contamination or minor slip‑ups. They are not a license to eat full gluten-rich meals (like a whole pizza) with impunity. Which Enzymedica product for the “average American diet”? For “standard” American eating patterns (larger, richer, mixed meals): Digest Gold: Enzymedica's most potent formula. Suited for heavy or complex meals, people early in their digestive-health journey. For somewhat cleaner / smaller meals: Digest Complete: Slightly smaller capsule, still potent. Good for those who have already improved diet somewhat. Enzymedica's research shows digestive enzymes also support microbiome health, not just symptom relief. In the broader health context, Both Julia and Ed highlight: Modern environmental and lifestyle burdens (glyphosate, EMFs, etc.). Need for foundational supports: enzymes, probiotics, microbiome‑friendly diet. Where to learn more Website: enzymedica.com Contains educational articles, research summaries, and product info. Ed notes Enzymedica has extensively trained Nutrition World staff on enzymes, heartburn, slow/fast transit, etc. [0:55:36] Final Segment Ed references a study: A single course of antibiotics can alter gut microbiome for years, affecting digestion, immunity, and metabolic health. Most recover within first two years post‑antibiotics, but not fully without support. Reaffirms importance of probiotics and enzymes on the “first page” of gut health tools.  Balanced view on medicine Acknowledge a time and place for antibiotics and conventional care (e.g., pneumonia, UTIs). Stress avoiding reflexive decisions based on fear; consider pros/cons, then act. The post Radio Show / Podcast – June 28, 2026 first appeared on Vital Health Radio.

Cyndi Williams, CEO and founder of Wanderlust Campus, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her wildly successful school for travel advisors. It isn't cheap, but professional training never is, and Wanderlust Campus graduates and travel suppliers tell us it works. Williams tells us how she began in the travel business and why she started her school for advisors, from newbies to experienced pros. For more information, visit www.wanderlustcampus.com  or www.travelschool.com.  All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our Youtube channel  (youtube.com/insidertravelreport), and as podcasts with the same title on: Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, TuneIn + Alexa, Podbean,  iHeartRadio,  Google, Amazon Music/Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict, and iTunes Apple Podcasts, which supports Overcast, Pocket Cast, Castro and Castbox. 

Sometimes the greatest gift a homestead can offer is not the projects completed, the skills learned, or the food grown... the greatest gift is sometimes simply being a place to come home to.

In Week 3 of Built Different, Pastor Ethan Harris closes the series by looking at 2 Peter 1:5–8 and the progression Peter gives us for a faith that grows into real, Christlike love.Peter knew what it felt like to fail, deny Jesus, and feel unworthy. But Jesus met him right where he was, restored him, and called him into a life of purpose. That same invitation is for us today.When we supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, we become people who are not ineffective or unfruitful. We become people who love like Jesus, serve like Jesus, and show the world that we are truly built different.

In episode 497 of The Reformed Brotherhood, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb bring the Parable of the Talents to a close with one of the most theologically rich discussions in recent memory. Beginning in Matthew 25:24, they zero in on the one-talent servant — not merely as a cautionary tale about productivity, but as a profound case study in distorted theology. The servant's fatal error wasn't laziness alone; it was a fundamentally false picture of his master. That mischaracterization produced a craven, fearful inaction that the hosts argue maps directly onto the eschatological stakes of the parable. Drawing on Calvin, William Ames, and Reformed confessional commitments, Tony and Jesse make the case that right theology is never merely academic — it shapes the whole of life, and ultimately determines one's eschatological destiny. Key Takeaways The one-talent servant's core failure is theological, not behavioral — he constructs a false image of his master as harsh and exploitative, and that distorted theology governs everything that follows. False theology produces fatal inaction — the servant's fear is not godly fear but a craven dread rooted entirely in his mischaracterization of the master's character. The knowledge of God and the knowledge of self are inseparable — following Calvin's Institutes, the hosts argue that a right understanding of God as gracious and generous will produce active, trusting faithfulness, while a distorted view produces fearful, minimal compliance. The parable is fundamentally eschatological, not merely practical — interpreting the talents primarily as spiritual gifts or ministry opportunities misses the point; the parable is about who belongs to the master's kingdom and who does not. Character precedes action — the faithful servants do not become faithful by producing returns; they produce returns because they are faithful. The wicked servant buries his talent because he is wicked, not the other way around. William Ames understood the servant's sin as a violation of the ninth commandment — by burying his talent, the servant effectively bears false witness against God's own estimation of the gift, rejecting both the gift and the Giver. The "outer darkness" language is not out of place — it is the natural eschatological conclusion for someone who never genuinely knew or trusted the master, making the parable a picture of what it means to be outside the grace and presence of God entirely. Key Concepts False Theology as the Root of Inaction The most striking feature of the one-talent servant's account is not what he did — or failed to do — but what he believed. He tells his master, "I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed." Tony and Jesse point out that nothing in the parable supports this characterization. A master who entrusts his servants with what amounts to decades of wages — hundreds of years' worth of labor between three servants — is not a hard, exploitative figure. He is astonishingly generous and trusting. The servant has constructed a theological fiction, and that fiction becomes the prison of his own inaction. This is not a peripheral observation; it is the interpretive key to the entire parable. What we believe about God determines everything about how we live before Him. The Knowledge of God Shapes the Whole of Life Calvin famously opens the Institutes with the observation that the knowledge of God and the knowledge of self are so bound together that it is nearly impossible to determine which is logically prior. Jesse draws on this insight to show that the one-talent servant's self-understanding — timid, fearful, paralyzed — flows directly from his distorted image of God. A person who genuinely knows God as gracious, generous, and long-suffering will be motivated to active, trusting faithfulness. A person who privately believes God to be harsh and demanding will retreat into fearful, minimalist compliance. This is not merely a first-century observation. It is a diagnostic tool for self-examination: the shape of our obedience reveals the shape of our theology. Reformed orthodoxy has always insisted that right doctrine is not academic — it is the engine of the Christian life. Character Precedes Action — The Anti-Works-Righteousness Reading One of the most important guardrails Tony and Jesse set up in this episode is against a subtle works-righteousness reading of the parable. It is tempting to hear the parable and conclude: do productive things for the kingdom, and you will be welcomed as a good and faithful servant. But the hosts argue that this inverts the logic of the text entirely. The faithful servants are not commended because they generated a return; they generated a return because they are faithful servants. The wicked servant buries his talent because he is wicked — his character drives his conduct, not the reverse. Justification and sanctification alike are received by faith in Christ alone, and no reading of this parable should suggest that our eschatological standing is secured by our productivity. The sheep act like sheep because they are sheep. That punchline, Tony notes, will carry them straight into the sheep and the goats passage next week. Memorable Quotes "Who is it that's not going to be saved in the last day? It's the people who don't recognize the master. The people who think that the master is a hard man who reaps where he has not sown and gathers where he has not scattered. Well, if we think that's who God is, we have a lot of trouble coming our way." — Tony Arsenal "A person who genuinely knows the living God as gracious, generous, long-suffering, with that kind of hesed kind of love — that person will be motivated to active, trusting faithfulness. A person who privately believes God to be harsh and demanding is always going to retreat in this fearful, minimal kind of compliance." — Jesse Schwamb "The sheep act like sheep because they're sheep. They don't become sheep because they do sheep things. They do sheep things because they're sheep." — Tony Arsenal Full Transcript Welcome to episode four hundred and ninety seven of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse  And I'm Tony, and this is the podcast with ears to hear Hey, brother  [00:00:42] Jesse Schwamb: Hey, brother. We're back at it again. We're hanging out in Matthew's gospel, the 25th chapter, and it's time to, I think, close out the Parable of the Talents, where we've got two servants that double their master's money, and one who buries his in the ground like a Calvinist who's confused predestination with doing nothing. And of course, all of this irony is the faithful servants, they can't even take credit. The master supplied the capital, the ability, and apparently even the bull market. It's grace all the way down. But meanwhile, the one talent guy returns exactly what he was given and he gets absolutely wrecked, and we're gonna dig into that. Gonna dig into- ... that later.  [00:01:26] Affirm or Deny Segment [00:01:26] Jesse Schwamb: But before we do, it's what everybody's waiting for. It's that time in the podcast where we affirm with something that we really like or we recommend or we think is undervalued, or we deny against something that's exactly the opposite. Not worth it, no good, get it out of here. So Tony, are you affirming with or denying against?  [00:01:43] Tony Arsenal: I'm denying against something related to the World Cup. Um-  [00:01:47] Jesse Schwamb: Okay ...  [00:01:48] Tony Arsenal: I am not a purist, so please don't hear me as, like, elitist soccer dude who is resistant to any sort of changes, but, um, I didn't actually even know this was happening. Are you following the World Cup at all, Jesse? [00:02:01] Jesse Schwamb: I'm trying to. I'm not against it, I'm just finding myself- Yeah ... stuck in  [00:02:05] Tony Arsenal: trying to like- There, there's a lot going on.  [00:02:06] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah ... yeah, coordinate everything.  [00:02:07] Tony Arsenal: Um, one of the things that they... And they're at weird times this year too- Yes ... at least so far they are.  [00:02:11] Jesse Schwamb: Exactly.  [00:02:11] Hydration Breaks Rant [00:02:11] Tony Arsenal: Um, one of the things this year that I noticed that I didn't know was happening, and I hate it, hate it, hate it, hate it, is, uh, I, I guess I understand why they're doing it, but they've instituted what they're calling mandatory hydration breaks-  [00:02:25] Jesse Schwamb: Oh,  [00:02:26] Tony Arsenal: I've read about this uh, into the games. Yeah. And essentially what this has done is it's turned a game that used to be, uh, and has always been two 45-minute halves-  [00:02:38] Jesse Schwamb: Mm-hmm ...  [00:02:38] Tony Arsenal: um, uh, with overage time, right? So, like, the, the ref will sometimes just, like, add a couple minutes. Usually it's, you know, three to five, maybe 10 minutes at the most to the end of the, the half. They've turned that from, uh, two 45-minute halves into now four, what is that? Like, 23-minute quarters, 22 and a half- Right ... minute quarters. Um, and they're not always quarters. They're not always evenly split. They sometimes do the hydration break early or later. Um, this is awful. It's just awful, right? One of the, one of the, um, maybe this is me being a little bit of a soccer purist. One of the things about soccer that makes it a challenging sport is the endurance of it.  [00:03:21] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:03:22] Tony Arsenal: Right? And contrary to what I think most people think when they watch soccer, um, it's one of the few games, few professional games that doesn't have a ton of breaks- Right? There's not a lot of times where, where match play actually stops for any real amount of time. Um, and that's what stoppage time is. It's not intended to be something like football, where there often is time on the clock where the clock is still moving, but the game is not, like, actively progressing forward, right? Right. You have to do something special to stop the clock. In soccer, uh, at least historically, 45 minutes of play is 45 minutes of play. It's, it's 45 minutes of actual actionable play. And now, um, you know, they stop the game. The clock doesn't continue, but now the game stre- like, the, the game itself stretches longer 'cause they've introduced these additional breaks. So I'm denying, uh... This just sounds like s- I'm such a ghoul here. I'm denying mandatory hydration breaks, not because I want soccer players to get sunstroke. Uh, they get plenty of water. There's plenty of times they get to stop and get water. It's- And this is... We didn't have mandatory hydration breaks when the World Cup was in Qatar. Right. Right? And everybody, for the most part, was fine. Like, the players were all fine. There were no casualties on the field. I don't even recall, like, major medical problems on the field. We're in LA now. Yeah, it's warm, summer, but come on, guys. Like, let's, let's, let's be real. This is not, uh, this is not rec league. This is not, you know, U15 league play with, with kids. These are adult men who condition for a living. Like, this is their job, is to be conditioned and for their bodies to be in peak performance. So it's just... It just interrupts the game. I don't know. I'm, I'm being a little crotchety here, but I feel like I have a right to be 'cause this is my show, and I can do what I want to. That's absolutely true. So I'm denying hydration breaks, mandatory hydrat- hydration breaks, which change the game. And a commentator actually commented about that on, on the match the other day. Um, it changes the dynamic of the game. It changes the strategy of the game. Um, it changes the whole feel of the game, right from the strategy of how long you have to be able to go, right? This will change how- how footballers have to condition themselves, 'cause they're no longer having to condition themselves for two 45-minute halves. They're having to condition themselves for four 22-and-a-half minute quarters, um, which is not the same game as, as that. So anyway, we'll- it's yet to see, be seen if that has any real impact on the outcome of any games or anything like that. But it was annoying to me, so I'm denying mandatory hydration breaks. [00:05:59] Jesse Schwamb: That's great. We haven't had a good denial in a little while on this podcast. I think that's fantastic. I mean, not the break, but the denial itself. Plus, and I don't wanna be... You'll have to tell me if I'm speaking conspiratorial here, because most of my apparent World Cup and general sports news still comes from The Wall Street Journal, so that might be a weird place to get it. But- ... the, I became aware of this through an article that was lamenting the exact same thing. Yeah. It was just basically all the arguments that you said. Like, it's weird, and the game wasn't designed this way, and it's definitely like an interruption. It's definitely like an insertion.  [00:06:32] Ads and Soccer Purism [00:06:32] Jesse Schwamb: And then, of course, was all the stuff about, isn't this really about just allowing commercial break time, and it's more about that, and we're just conveniently saying that we need the hydration breaks. And what else would they, we have them do if we needed to force them to take a break but say, "You know what? Why don't you guys take a knee and get some water- Yeah ... while we show you some ads?" So I imagine that doesn't sit well with people either.  [00:06:52] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. I mean, I'm sure that that's the case. Again, I, I haven't even been able to watch a full, full World Cup match, so I don't, I don't know... I don't even know how long the hydration breaks are, to be honest with you. But yes, it's an interruption in play where they can cut to commercial. And whether that was why they put this in place or not, or whether they're just utilizing it, it's obnoxious. Like, part of the fun of watching soccer is that there is no commercial break for the first 45 minutes. Right. Um, that's just part of- Which is unusual in sports ... part of the joy of the game, is that it's a continual game with no real breaks. Um, even when, like, a player is injured because, you know, there's an injury on the field or something like that, um, even when that happens, they don't cut to commercial because there was no planned commercial. They don't have anything there. Right. So, um, it's changed, like, the way... Y- you know, even, even things like this is gonna change how uniforms are thought out, because sponsorship money through uniforms used to be the m- one of the main commercial-driving, like, sponsorships for, um, for the game. So I'm just annoyed by it. [00:07:53] More Rule Changes [00:07:53] Tony Arsenal: There's an- a couple other things that I'm annoyed by this year. They have this... It's kinda like that automatic up call checker thing we talked about. Right. They have this, like, um- They call it mistaken identity, uh, recheck. Basically where if a player is fouled or appears to be fouled, they can, someone can flag it and it will recheck it and, like, digitally the system tells them whether there was a foul or not. And like I said before when we were talking about this a little bit before, um, there is a real element in the game, or there has been a real element to the game historically, where the ump is almost like, or the ref is almost like a third player, and you have to be wise and play the ref. Um, you have to, you know, there's, there's an element of a little bit of, uh, espionage and subtle- Right you know, subterfuge here going on in the game that I think people outside the game who are just watching, they look and they think like, "Oh, yeah, that guy flopped." But there's a whole, like, art and there's a whole form to that, and there's real cost if you do it poorly. Um, and so, like, we've already had one instance where a yellow card was called on a player. Uh, the other player simulated the foul. Um, and so they reversed it and gave the other guy a yellow card, but they did that after the game. Um, which, which is a whole other thing. Like, you play a whole game, um I could talk about this all night. Like when you get, when you get a red card- ... you're, you're out for an entire game, not just- Right the rest of this game. You're out for an entire game. Your position is out for an entire game, so that might mean you start the next match down a player. Well, what does that mean if you are given a red card sort of posthumously after the match, right? Right. Like, you- it's changed the whole calculation because for the whole game, that player, uh, was playing as though he didn't have a yellow card. And that, maybe that's good, maybe that's bad, but he was playing the game as though he didn't have a yellow card, and then all of a sudden now he does. Um, he doesn't go... I don't think he goes into the next match starting with a yellow card. Um, a- and so I'm kind of like, "Well, what's the, what's the point?" But, um, you know, some of that plays into, like, if there's ties and ties, match, match point ties, then they start looking at who has penalties and stuff. But either way, it's annoying that they, they're introducing this. Like, we didn't need to have... Yes, there's probably a place for reviewing a, a bad ref's calls. Right. They've also added, like, automatic on offsides. There was a whole strategy and a whole part of the game of forcing a person offsides, of drawing a person offsides, being offsides without looking like you're offsides. Some people may look at that and go, "Well, that's cheating," but no, it's actually just part of the game. Right. Like, playing the ref and understanding that is part of the game. And now it's still part of the game, but it's part of the game in a different way, and that's... Maybe I am just being a purist, but I just, I don't like it. I don't like it. Give me back my beautiful game the way it's always been and get off my lawn, get off the turf, get off my pitch, whatever. Um, I'm denying the fact that the World Cup is not as it's always been. But also, like, we don't need this stuff. Like, the World Cup has been fine for how many years?  [00:11:03] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:11:03] Tony Arsenal: We don't need water breaks like this- W- i- you know, if it was like last World Cup, five players died from dehydration in the middle of the... Like, okay, like yeah, let's do some water breaks. But like, nobody died. Nobody even had major medical emergencies. I think a couple people had to come out of the game a little early 'cause they weren't well-hydrated. But like- Right ... run to the side, get a water bottle. Like, you can do that in the middle of a game. There's nothing- Yeah ... against the rules to stand by the sideline, drink when someone's doing a substitution or even in the middle of the game. I've seen that happen, where someone will sprint over to the sideline, they'll take a drink of water, and then they'll throw the cup back over. So anywho, we should move on. This could be my entire, my entire rant of, for a whole episode- Good ... against the weird changes in, in World Cup soccer, so.  [00:11:48] Jesse Schwamb: Listen, I love it.  [00:11:49] Peacock Spanish Hack [00:11:49] Jesse Schwamb: My favorite hack, uh, for World Cup soccer so far this year, and this was given to me by a colleague, uh, and a brother, I think this is fantastic, is right now because my wife is convalescing, we have all the subscriptions temporarily to allow, like, the full healing process to take place. Watch whatever you want, wherever you want. Except for the World Cup, because the, uh... I- it was just, like, where you could actually get it in English was, like, crazy expensive, at least for me. So here's the thing, though. Somebody reminded me uh, that we have Peacock and that because of Telemundo, could just watch and stream the entire World Cup in Spanish. So guess what, loved ones? We're learning a lot more Spanish- I love it ... and we're watching the World Cup with the announcers on. I'm not turning off that, 'cause that's the best part. And, you know, I'm getting, like, 25% of what's being said, but it is awesome. And there's- Yeah ... a lot more energy and excitement. So if for some reason you have Peacock and you're saying, "Oh, I'm missing the World Cup," technically you don't have to. It's all there for you. That's amazing. Just you gotta embrace Spanish.  [00:12:46] Tony Arsenal: That's amazing. And yes, actually, it probably is more entertaining.  [00:12:49] Jesse Schwamb: It is.  [00:12:50] Tony Arsenal: Um, and you don't, you don't need to... You really don't need to understand what the commentator is- No I mean, like 90% of the time the commentator's like, "Oh, he's having a good year," and, uh- ... yeah, like, "Oh, yeah, yeah, he's looking real great. Do you see how his, uh, laces are laced up?" Like, they're just trying to fill time.  [00:13:05] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:13:05] Tony Arsenal: So it doesn't really matter what they're saying. And when it does matter what they're saying, you'll get it just from the-  [00:13:11] Jesse Schwamb: Yes [00:13:11] Tony Arsenal: just from what the announcer's voices are doing. So I'll have to check that out. Yeah, the, the matches are at weird times, at least so far. I think, I think that once we get out of group play, m- a lot of the matches shift to the East Coast, so there'll be, uh, a little bit more normal times.  [00:13:25] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:13:25] Tony Arsenal: But, like, the first, the first, uh, US match was at 9:00 Eastern Time, and then, like, the last one's at 10:00 Eastern Time. Yeah.  [00:13:32] Jesse Schwamb: So  [00:13:33] Tony Arsenal: late. Yeah, super late, and it's a, it's a three-hour match by the time you, you get done with halftime and everything. So yeah, it'll, it'll... It's, it's frustrating. Although historically, um, every time the men, the men's team has won their first match, they've gotten out of group play, and every time they've lost their fir- first match, they have not gotten out of group play. And we, we really, really won our first match. Yes. Yeah. So I think, I think we'll get out of group play. I think probably, depending on how the, the cards roll, um, we'll probably, we'll probably get through our first elimination round, maybe our second, but we're not gonna go much further than that. Um, even, even that would be a, a pretty good victory, so- Anyway, football is life, right? Danny Ross. Um, do, did you watch Ted last night? Yes,  [00:14:24] Jesse Schwamb: I have seen it. Yes.  [00:14:25] Tony Arsenal: That was good. Football is life. Um, that's me this time of year. Like, I wore a soccer jersey to work on Friday, and nobody could tell me I couldn't do that, and I didn't care. So- I  [00:14:33] Jesse Schwamb: love it ...  [00:14:34] Tony Arsenal: uh, nobody even tried. Everybody, everybody's fine. Everybody loves soccer- How dare they ... and loves the World Cup, so. Yeah. That's the truth. Anywho, save me from this. I, I literally could talk about soccer all night. This is the one sport that I get like this. And the... Not even the one sport. The one sporting event that I get like this about is the World Cup. I love it. So you've gotta, you gotta stop me or I'm not gonna, not gonna stop. Let  [00:14:54] Jesse Schwamb: it out.  [00:14:54] Hydration Tabs Recommendation [00:14:54] Jesse Schwamb: Well, I would say, like, we could play that game with our affirmations and denials where it's, like, six degrees of separation, but we only need one. And this is gonna sound like it was planned, but it wasn't. Your denial, of course, as you've just well articulated, was about hydration breaks. Turns out my affirmation is actually about hydration. So-  [00:15:11] Tony Arsenal: Jesse's affirming hydration breaks. We're about  [00:15:13] Jesse Schwamb: to fight. Yeah. No, I'm, I'm definitely not a- affirming hydration breaks, but this might be the kind of hydration they're having. I don't know, but it's the one I'm gonna recommend. So where I live, it is the summertime, and where I live, we get both the heat and the humidity, and that's the oppressive part, isn't it? It's where it feels like the inside of a dog's mouth. And so I actually just came back from a run, and my go-to hydration break for myself is, uh, Nuun, N-U-U-N. And here's the reason why, is I've had Gatorade, I've had all the... I've had Liquid IV, I've had all that stuff. Most of the time it's r- too sweet. Nuun is just these effervescent dissolvable tablets that you drop into water, and it creates this low sugar electrolyte drink. It has all, like, the normal stuff. It has sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, all that good stuff, but there's just one gram of sugar. And it's this convenient little tab. Like, you can just get this whole little roll of tabs. You can carry them with you if you're going hiking or you're camping or you're out and gonna do a run. You just drop them into a bottle of water or whatever size water you want. I usually go 32 ounces is the way I like it. They have all, all kinds of flavors. It's just the right thing. Like, it's... It is like the refreshing thing of water, but when you're like, "You know what? I wanna taste something that's not water." So Nuun is, like, the right thing. I may have referred to it before, so I'm sorry if I did. But I'm referring with you can order it on, like, Amazon or any kind of, I don't know, general kind of camping or sports-oriented store is probably gonna be there. But it's... For me, it's the right thing because I don't know about you, but I find most sports drinks, like, in general too sweet. Like, you, you start... You have one, and then if I get through it, I'm kind of like, "Ugh, now I feel like my mouth is, like, really just coated in sugar, and that's not what I wanted." Yeah. So this feels like you're, you're getting a little less sweetness, but you don't feel guilty afterwards like you've just consumed a bunch of sugar. I will admit, I drink one I guess it's like 12 ounce Gatorade every week, just one. And this is because there's a delightful and loving, like, 72-year-old woman in our congregation who brings, I believe it's her own, she invests this every week. She brings for the team that is doing the worship through music Gatorade, uh, because she thinks we need to be replenished. So really, we have a hydration break- ... right before the service. But she, it's so beautiful and so delightful, I will never refuse it, and I am also on often parched at the time. So-  [00:17:31] Tony Arsenal: Yeah ...  [00:17:31] Jesse Schwamb: it does work out, so.  [00:17:31] Tony Arsenal: Jesse's worship team goes real hard. They need to hydrate in the middle. They do a mandatory hydration break in the middle of the- It's, yeah middle of the service.  [00:17:39] Jesse Schwamb: It's mandatory. Yes. We are strict.  [00:17:41] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. And it's an, it's a good time for announcements and commercial breaks. Um, yeah. I, I think, uh, and you're... I don't know if you're gonna believe me when I say this. With all of the Nuun that passes its way around the family home when we're all here- Yeah at summertime, I've never had-  [00:17:57] Jesse Schwamb: Oh, really? ...  [00:17:57] Tony Arsenal: Nuun. Yeah. We never tried it. I think our go-to for, for sort of powdered energy drink or powdered, uh, sports drink is little Propel packets.  [00:18:05] Jesse Schwamb: Um- Oh,  [00:18:05] Tony Arsenal: that's not bad either. Propel's not bad. I like Propel. It's very sweet, but it, it doesn't- Yeah ... um, Propel- doesn't add sugar. I think that they've, they've got their formula where it's a sugar-free formula. Um, but it is very sweet. So sometimes I'll only do, like, a half a packet of Propel- Yeah ... which I know kind of, they, they argue that or they, like, advertise as, like, "It's the perfect balance of electro-" I don't know if it's the perfect balance of electrolytes, but- Um, but some is better than none probably. Yeah. And, uh, Propel is not better than Nuun apparently, so.  [00:18:36] Jesse Schwamb: I, I, I think Nuun is, like, top shelf electrolyte. And you can get it, like I said, in lots of flavors. One of the fun things is you can get it caffeinated or uncaffeinated. I mean, most, most of it is uncaffeinated. But if you're like you wanted to have some, they have a what they call Kona Cola, and it is cola-flavored and has caffeine. It's amazing, because it's, like, just slightly effervescent, a little bit bubbly. Not too much. It's still, like, refreshing, but if you like the cola flavor, which as you know is its own distinct combination of elements and spices, then it's right on. So- Yeah ... it's really nice. So there you go. Yeah. Nuun- I- And if you're gonna take a hydration break because you're being forced to while you're playing soccer, I highly suggest you choose Nuun. That's the way to go.  [00:19:22] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know what they're drinking. I think most of the time they're just drinking water.  [00:19:26] Jesse Schwamb: Probably.  [00:19:26] Tony Arsenal: So I, I don't... I mean, I, I think you're supposed to drink something with some electrolytes, so maybe they have some electrolyte-  [00:19:32] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah ...  [00:19:32] Tony Arsenal: water in it. I don't know.  [00:19:33] Jesse Schwamb: I don't know. Probably.  [00:19:34] Join the Telegram Group [00:19:34] Jesse Schwamb: Here's the thing. If you wanna tell us what you like to drink or when you are, let's say, serving the Lord's people by participating in worship through music and you're forced to take a hydration break, as I am at times, then you need to go to t.mereformedbrotherhood. Put that into your browser right now. Take a hydration break and put t.mereformedbrotherhood into your browser and that will send you to a link for Telegram, which is just a little chat app in which we have a small corner of the world. It's brothers and sisters listening to the podcast, interacting, and it's about time, actually, we probably had some kinda taste test stuff-  [00:20:11] Tony Arsenal: Yeah with,  [00:20:12] Jesse Schwamb: like, these kinda hydration drinks. There's so many of them now. Some of them are, like, purposely salty. Some of them are really sweet. Some have all these crazy and wild flavors. Some of them have all kinds of caffeine. So let us know what you like, but best way to do that- Please ... is join the Telegram group. [00:20:26] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. And please do not, uh, do not make your church stop their service for a hydration break. Please don't do that. The only hydration break I wanna hear you talking about in your church service is a baptism. So please-  [00:20:38] Jesse Schwamb: I knew that's  [00:20:38] Tony Arsenal: where you were going ... do not interrupt the Lord's day for a hydration break. Just if you need water, just, like, step out of the room, take a drink of water, come back. Or if you're in a church that lets you have water in the sanctuary, like most do, just take a drink. That's true. You don't have to- Yeah ... stand up. You don't need to have- That's good ... anyone interpret. Just take a quick drink and then be quiet. Just  [00:20:54] Jesse Schwamb: go to the sidelines, maybe sub out- Mm-hmm ... with somebody else who can play bass, and take a quick drink.  [00:21:00] Tony Arsenal: Exactly. Come back. Yeah. Or just dump the, dump the Propel powder straight in your mouth.  [00:21:05] Jesse Schwamb: I thought you were gonna say like have somebody come up, preferably like an elder, and just hose you down with a thing of Gatorade while you're, while you're  playing  [00:21:10] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, exactly. Just go up to the baptismal font, take a scoop of water, dump the Propel directly in the baptis- no, I'm just kidding. I shouldn't joke about that stuff. Yeah.  [00:21:19] Back to Matthew 25 [00:21:19] Tony Arsenal: Anyway, Jesse, I'm excited because although we are probably gonna round out this parable, we're not done with these parables because- Oh, yeah, that's  [00:21:28] Jesse Schwamb: right [00:21:28] Tony Arsenal: although we're gonna finish this parable this week, we'll probably finish it and get started talking about, uh, the next, the little chunk of text, which is not a parable, but we can't really, uh, divorce it from these parables 'cause they're all telling, they're all making the same or a very similar point about what the kingdom of heaven will be like in relation to the end times- Mm-hmm in relation to the eschatological, um, outcome of all things. Uh, and, and Christ in his teaching, um, he kind of rounds out this teaching and finalizes what these parables mean by talking to us about the sheep and the goats. Um, which again, is not really formed like a parable, but, uh, but it has very similar structures. It has some similar elements to it. Um, but it, it's so integral to what these, all what this sort of like, uh, anthology of eschatological parables mean in all the discourse. We really have to cover that to, to cover the others fully. But tonight we're gonna finish our discussion about the parable of the talents, which I'm excited about because I think we're gonna, we're gonna round out on some stuff that, um, I, I hope you've heard, uh, is probably not as, um, prominent as it should be. Uh, and this, we talked about last time that this parable has been, uh, not necessarily applied properly in many popular- Right ... teachings. Uh, and so I'm, I'm sure you've heard not so great interpretations. Hopefully we're gonna give you an interpretation that's a little bit more accurate and faithful to what the Bible teaches. [00:23:00] Reading the Parable Text [00:23:00] Jesse Schwamb: And so we're gonna pick it up in verse 24 of Matthew 25, because you'll probably recall, and if you haven't it's because you need to go back and listen, that we talked about the first two of these servants and the return that they were able to garner on the investment which the Lord gave them when He went away. And then there's the third dude. So we're gonna pick it up there and go all the way to the end of this, which allow us to close it out. So beginning verse 24, "And the one also had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you'd be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, have what is yours.' But the master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave. You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed; therefore you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have at least received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has 10 talents. For to everyone who has more, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who does not have, even what he does not have,' excuse me, 'what he does have shall be taken away. And throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"  [00:24:18] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah.  [00:24:19] Textual Notes and Transition [00:24:19] Tony Arsenal: There, there's some, um, some textual things about this that I think, uh, we sh- should at least acknowledge. I don't know that we're gonna dig too deep into them. Um, it is very possible to, um, to read verse 30 Almost as an interpretive statement in itself rather than part of the, um, part of the parable itself. And, and so let me, let me see if I can, can parse that out. So if we read it as though it's part of the parable, then it is the s- the, the master in the parable who is saying, "And cast the worthless servant into the darkness; in the place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." I think that's the most natural reading, so I'll, I'll put my cards on the table that I think that we should read this as part of the parable itself. It's also possible linguistically and grammatically to sort of read this as an explanation, where Christ is now taking this principle of what has happened with the worthless servant, right? That even what he has will be taken away. And then, and then to sort of read this as a commentary that sort of, uh, like we saw before, um, kind of bridges this section with the next. So instead of reading, "And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness," uh, as though it were part of the parable, that it was this master within the parable saying this, we can read this as Christ saying that this is what will happen to those who are worthless servants. And then that follows up with, in verse 31, kind of h- connecting to when the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all nations. Right. Th- this next sort of, like, more explicit, non-parabolical, um, uh, eschatological teaching. I think that former one is more natural, but just because it's, it's present in a lot of the commentaries that this is there, I wanted to at least call that out. I don't know that it makes a ton of difference in terms of how we understand the parable, but I do think, you know, part of what it means for us to wrestle through this is not just to take a particular position on the text, but to discuss, like, some of these ambiguities that are present. Um, and, and sometimes, um Sometimes I think we need to be cautious and really think through, because, uh, let me, let me rephrase it this way. None of the teaching in the Bible is sort of uninterpreted, untranslated, raw teaching of Christ. All of this is coming to us from the apostles retelling it, and yes, inspired by the Holy Spirit, so all of it's God's Word. But it's not as though, um, it's not as though Christ was first speaking in Greek. That's the big thing. But there are some places in the New Testament, in the Gospels, where it's not always clear whether a passage is Christ speaking or the, uh, the Gospel writer interpreting what Christ is speaking. This is one of those places where there's a little bit of a question mark about that. Um, again, I think the most natural reading is to read this as part of the statement of the master within the parable, but I did wanna just comment on that before we moved on much further.  [00:27:31] Buried Talent Scandal [00:27:31] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's helpful because I think we've gotta understand that end in light of how it's evolving. And we, we're starting with that stark contrast between the first two, which receive this great reward, which receive accolades and praise, and then you have this one talent servant's response is all about hiddenness. He just digs a hole, puts it in the ground, and hides it away. Which by the way, of course, we talked about this in the other parables, like in the ancient world, burying valuables was recognized as a form of safekeeping. I mean, I think even Josephus mentions that. We talk about the pearl of great price. There was something to be known for, well, I have this valuable thing. The best place for me to, the best place for me to put it so that it isn't compromised is in the ground, in a secret place. And there's like a surface level, I guess, reasonableness to that act. But what's interesting and where it comes in with that heat that you're kinda talking about, that ends up being in the end this grand statement of the eschatological, eschatological reality, is that the parable here with this one talent servant treats all that action as like complete catastrophic failure. And I, I think as much as I can understand it, it's because the master did not give him this talent to protect it from loss. He gave it to him for, to use it for gain And so the servant has mistaken the nature of that commission entirely. He substituted like the security-seeking for risk-taking faithfulness. And so I think that informs some of then what happens in these latter verses here, like when we get all the way down to 30. Because I think when we read that, we see the, like the redistribution as scandalous. But the scandal really is in this lack of actions. Like gifts exercised grow, but gifts buried, they just atrophy. So the one t- talent servant's talent is taken because he's, he's already been treated as n- as it was, was nothing. He's functionally like forfeited it by burying it. And so the transfer of the 10-talent servant is the formal confirmation of what his own choices had, had already produced. I think there is something there about like the eschatological reality, reality that will unfold in the judgment, which of course leads to, into the end of this chapter  [00:29:36] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah, I think you're right on that.  [00:29:39] Misreading The Master [00:29:39] Tony Arsenal: Um, what we see the problem with the one talent servant is not, um, not that he's not productive.  [00:29:49] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:29:49] Tony Arsenal: I mean, I think that's, that's actually the symptom of the illness, not the illness itself. What we see with the, the one talent servant is that he misunderstands his task, as you're pointing out, but more foundationally, he misunderstands his master, right? And that, that's really the, the main point of the parable when we kinda get... You know, Christ, um, when He's telling a parable, He explains the parable. Sometimes He doesn't explain the parable at all. He just sorta drops the parable and then moves on. Other times He will give the interpretation itself, like directly. We saw that in the parable of the, uh, of the soils or the parable of the sower. Um, and, and other times the kind of like the main explanation of the parable is, is actually embedded in the parable. And I think for this parable, the main explanation is when the, the one talent servant, uh, comes forward and he, when he's explaining why he did what he did-  [00:30:47] Jesse Schwamb: Right [00:30:48] Tony Arsenal: he says, "Well, I knew you were a," uh, let me just find it for sure here. He says, um, "I knew that you were a..." I just lost it. My brain is totally lost here. You ever have that happen where you're trying to find a word- Yes ... on a text and you just can't? He says, "Master," in verse 24, he says, "Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. So I was afraid. I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours." There's a number of statements in here that just don't make any sense. Like, they're just... Like you said, a lot of these parables have kind of like a chump figure, where, like, he's sort of like the designated idiot of the parable. [00:31:31] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:31:32] Tony Arsenal: In this instance, there's so much wrong that it's almost hard to find something right. And, you know, he starts out, he says, "I knew you were a hard man." There's nothing in the parable, there's nothing that suggests that this is a hard man. There's nothing to suggest that. He, as we said last week, he trusts these servants with an almost unimaginable amount of wealth, right? He just leaves hundreds of years worth of wealth in the, in the, like... And it's not even like he's going off to war and he may never be coming back. He's just going on a journey.  [00:32:05] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:32:05] Tony Arsenal: He's just traveling for a little while, and he's like, "I'm gonna leave 100 years worth of labor with this guy and 40 years worth of labor with this guy and 20 years worth of labor with this guy." He, what, what, in what world is that a hard man who just blesses and trusts his servants with that amount of unimaginable wealth? But then he says, "I knew that you, uh, reaped where you did not sow and gathered where you scattered no seed." First of all, um, what kind of person accumulates this kind of wealth without reaping, uh, without the, like, a- apart from the principle of reaping and sowing and gathering and, and scattering? Like, he obviously is a very successful businessman. Um, the, the fact that this, uh, servant is couching this in agricultural terms, I think it's reasonable to think that this is a very successful landowner who has made good use of his land, has turned a profit Obviously he's reaping where he sows and he's gathering where he scattered or he wouldn't have this kind of money to throw around to leave with his servants in the first place. But the servant doesn't recognize that the fact that he was given one talent is in fact the master reaping or sowing and scattering the seed of these talents. So he's saying like, "Well, you reap where you have not sown," but the fact is like he was sown a full talent worth of resources and he, the, the master expected to reap what he had sown when he gets back. So this servant He's worthless and he's lazy, but he's also just kind of dumb in that he just doesn't- Right ... recognize the reality of what's going on. He has an incorrect understanding of who the master is. He thinks he's a hard man, when actually he's an incredibly trusting and generous master, right? The, the ESV masks this as servants. We're not talking about hired hands here. We're talking about slaves. Right. We're talking about h- probably about household slaves. This is doulos. These are the slaves that work in the fields, um, as opposed to, like, diakonos, which are the slaves that work in the house, right? These are, these are field servants. These are laborers that are indentured or are, are in servitude, and he gives them enough wages, enough labor, enough money, they could just take off and leave with it. They could buy their own freedom with this. Right. He trusts them with that. That's not a description of a hard man, a hard, lazy man who sows w- reaps where he doesn't sow and gathers where he doesn't scatter. So the primary issue here with this servant is not that he's lazy, although he is lazy. It's not that he's wicked. He is wicked. It's that he doesn't recognize who the master is. He doesn't understand who the master is and what is expected of him as a servant of that master, which I think, I think, as I've thought about this over the last week or so, I think that actually says everything about the eschatological import of this, right? Yes. Who is it that's not going to be saved in the last day?  [00:34:56] Jesse Schwamb: That's right.  [00:34:57] Tony Arsenal: It's the people who don't recognize the master. Right on. The people who think that the master is a hard man who reaps where he has not sown and gathers where he has not scattered. Well, if we think that's who God is, we have a lot of trouble coming our way. [00:35:10] Fearful False Theology [00:35:10] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that is the heart, right, of this dude's sin. It's a false theology of God that produces then this fearful inaction. Because, like you said, it's not just that he's been lazy. He has constructed this weird, distorted picture of his master, and then he allows that distortion to govern his behavior. So this, quote-unquote, "fear" is not like the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom, but it's this kind of craven dread that's rooted in a mischaracterization of the master's entire character. And one of the things that I think, among many, that's really great about the Reformed theological tradition is that it's always assisted, and I th- hopefully we along with it in our conversations, that, like, the right theology is not merely academic. It does shape the whole life, which is why, like, Calvin famously opens his institutes with this observation that the knowledge of God and the knowledge of self are bound together. So- Yeah ... a person who genuinely knows the living God as gracious, generous, long-suffering, with that kind of hesed kind of love, who is good- W- that person will be motivated to active, trusting faithfulness. A person who privately believes God to be harsh and demanding is always, I think, going to retreat in this fearful, minimal kind of minimum champion-type compliance. It's the same thing, I think I always think about this for some reason, and mention it a lot probably, but it's the same thing with Joseph's brothers finding all their money back in the sacks-  [00:36:31] Tony Arsenal: Yeah ...  [00:36:32] Jesse Schwamb: with their food. It's, like, in that instant moment, all they have is fear and dread. And it- for this guy, that's exactly what he has. But it doesn't start, like you're saying, merely because he realizes that he should have done more, or he's comparing his return with that of everybody else, or even that he's going back and taking a look at his own actions and finding them to be full of want or lack. In fact, he does a really good job, at least in his own mind, theologically justifying his behavior. So here, what he, the real crime, the real shame, the real sin is that somehow he views the master as harsh and demanding and exploitative. That's wild. But of course, that was the root of everything else, which I think does give us pause to reflect on our own lives, like I said, as we come to understanding how this parable reads us. [00:37:20] Tony Arsenal: Yeah.  [00:37:21] Red Letters And Commentary [00:37:21] Tony Arsenal: And, um- Part of the reason why I think it's important to understand what I was talking about earlier with, you know, the, the Gospels are an interesting sort of like composite document in that, yes, they contain the true sayings of Jesus, the true, true, um, words of Christ. But this is also, a- and I promise that this will loop back around, this is, um, this is important for us. The red letters are no more God's word than the black letters, right? Mm-hmm. And what I mean by that is, like, the, the so-called words of Christ in scripture are not more inspired or more profitable than the words that are the commentary of the apostles. And I only say so-called, and I'll explain why I say that. As I said, like, Matthew is translating, uh, he- first of all, he's recalling what Christ has said. He's, he's probably not, um, sitting there with a, with a quill and a, you know, a piece of paper or a piece of parchment- Right ... transcribing what's, what Christ is saying as he goes. Right? He's, he was there. Matthew was there. He's recalling what Christ has said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He's making editorial decisions about what Christ taught in terms of like, what of Christ's teaching do I capture? What do I summarize? And I think there's ... It's important because every word is inspired, but also it's understandable. And what I mean here, and what, the reason I'm kind of belaboring that is I think there's an interesting thing that happens in verse 29. It says, "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance. And from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken." So this, this concept actually that, um, that verse 30 might be, uh, might actually be Matthew's commentary or even Christ's explanation of the parable, I think that actually, that actually expands to verse 29 in some of the commentators. So if we read it this way, and I think this, this may be valuable for us to at least ponder. If we read it this way, verse 27 is still the master in the parable space. It says, "Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has 10 talents." There's a way of understanding this text, uh, and it's grammatically acceptable. I think theologically it doesn't change a lot, but it's worth us at least considering this. There's a way of reading this text where that's the end of the parable, and then Christ is explaining the parable, or Ma- or even maybe Matthew is commenting on the parable. It says, "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance. But to the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." Now, I think that, um, as I said, the most natural way to read this is that the parable proper ends with verse 30, that all of this is part of the parable, all of this is the master in the parable speaking. But I do think verses 29 and 30 take on a more explanatory, um, uh, explanatory role, and this is the main reason why. The, the one parable, one talent servant in the parable, he's not properly described as the one who has not, right? He had one talent. He was given one talent. Right. It's not as though he had zero talents. The one who has not, even what he has will be taken away, and the one who has, more will be given.  [00:41:01] Has And Has Not [00:41:01] Tony Arsenal: This is actually, I think, where we can go really sideways on this parable. I hear this parable often interpreted as sort of this understanding that, like, God has blessed His people with certain gifts, and we have to use our gifts in the kingdom to be productive, and people who use their gifts in productive fashion will be given more responsibility and more opportunities. People who don't use their gifts, whatever opportunities they have will be taken away from them. Now, I, I would argue that's probably true on a practical level, um, and that's just actually just true in general, right? Right. A person who has responsibility, th- think of, like, your working environment. M- you know, all, most of our listeners are not working in regular pastoral ministry. This is one of those areas where I think, actually, the corporate world is more representative of how things are. Um, in the corporate world, if you are given responsibility and you excel and use that responsibility well and you are a productive servant of your company that you work for, you're going to be given more responsibility, whether that's in the form of a promotion, which is the ideal circumstances, or whether that's just your responsibilities as assigned, a job description expanding without pay. Either way, if you do a good job, if you, if you take the sphere of influence, the sphere of responsibility that you're given and you do a good job and you shepherd that well and you steward that well, that sphere of influence, that sphere of responsibility will expand. Um- If you squander it and you sit in your office watching TikTok videos or listening to music and you don't use that, uh, responsibility well, that sphere of influence will shrink, and ultimately it will shrink until you no longer have a job, right? It works a little differently, I think, in, like, traditional pastoral roles, and I think there are some in our audience that, them, are in those roles that this may not fit. That's a good general principle. I don't think that's what this is teaching. Like, I don't think this, this parable is about, like, productive ministry opportunities. Right. And if it was, we wouldn't be talking about people who have none, have not, right? We would be talking about people who have less. We'd be talking about people who are given less responsibility. The person who has no responsibility is who's in view here. And that's why- Mm ... I think it actually, this is shifting, this ex- explanation, whether it's, uh, sort of like an explanation, an explanatory punchline to the parable that's part of the parable itself, or whether it's Jesus or Matthew commenting on the meaning of the parable. The difference between those two things is important for us to think about. It's not so important in terms of what the actual meaning is. Because the difference here is that what we've now done is we've shifted from the context of a financial grounded analogy in the parable to now a broader discussion about the fact that there are those who have, and there are those who have not. And the people who have will be given more, and the people who have not will be taken away from. And if we were talking strictly financially, then now we're, like, in, like, Occupy Wall Street, 1% kind of era. We're talking about salvation. We're talking about, um, we're talking about the fact that God gives salvation to some, and He does not give salvation to others. He gives grace to some, and He does not give grace to others. And to those who have grace, more grace will be given. To those who have not grace, more will be taken away. And the outcome of that- Is that the worthless servant who is the one who has not, the worthless servant will be cast into the outer darkness, right? This is a, an explanation of what it means to be a worthless servant who ultimately ends their time. Ends is not the right word. Who ultimately has the outcome of s- of outer darkness for all eternity. If this parable is just about how we use our giftings and our skills and our money for the kingdom, and we're expected to be productive and to, like, increase the kingdom through our tithing and through our, like our service, then this comment about, like, the outer darkness is really out of place. Unless, unless we earn our salvation by that. Which of course we know we don't.  [00:45:22] Jesse Schwamb: Right. Right.  [00:45:24] Wicked And Slothful Heart [00:45:24] Jesse Schwamb: Here's how I think everything you said is true, and the scripture actually bears this out because it was exactly where you're going with that, which is we're talking more about the identity. Like, what, what makes this servant or slave worthless? That's the critical question. And then if we understand that, it'll help inform how we then interpret this idea of sheeps and goats, which we'll get to in a whole other episode. But if you look at verses 26 and 27, where the master then responds to this slave calls him wicked and slothful, slothful, right? So that his, his basically lack of usefulness comes embedded or underneath those two terms. So one, obviously the wickedness here is moral. It's a failure to fulfill a covenantal obligation to the master, which we've been talking about. So again, it's not just about laziness. Like there's, there's so much more there. It's as if that's the entry point for the master to bring condemnation on him in two forms. One is that wickedness. The second is this idea of like slothfulness, which is dispen- I was gonna say dispensational, but what I meant to say is dispositional. So it's like, uh, like a subtle inertia of the will, and together they're describing a person, and I think this is a critical point. This is a person whose heart has never been genuinely aligned with the master's purposes. Now, when we understand it that way, I think, then everything that follows makes a lot more sense because it's not just about bad timing in the market. It's not just about being fearful that you're gonna lose money and you're risk-averse, so therefore you hid, hid everything. It's really this idea that this, this s- slave, this one talent slave, he was not on board, not vibing with, not aligned with, however you wanna say it, with the master's purposes from the very beginning. And there is maybe we might say like a minimum of faithfulness, even interest on the deposit that God requires. But the question of course is never am I doing what the five talent servant does, but it's always am I using what I have been given? And in this way, like are we finding ourselves aligned, that our hearts are leaning into, that we find ourselves tilting towards what God has for us, both understanding who He is and who we are in light of who He is. What I find interesting is I found some really unique commentary from the great puritan William Ames in his book Conscience, with the Power and Cases Thereof. That's a title that only a puritan could- ... forward, um, where he actually treats this failure. So getting again to the sense of like why is it so grievous? Like in other words, why does the action of this servant, which we've already kind of touched on, lead into basically a character attack on the servant, and why is the connection between those two things legitimate? What he basically says is that he treats the failure to use one's gifts as God has given as a violation of the ninth commandment, which is bearing false witness against God's own estimation of those gifts. So this slothful servant, by burying his talent, effectively says, "This is not worth using." That is like the thing that God has given me, who God is Himself, I reject fully and outright. So why would that person then not be cast into outer darkness in kind of keeping with both like the, the breadth and scope of this parable, but also essentially what it's teaching about who this last, you know, servant is? [00:48:33] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah, and you know, as you say that, I think too, um- There's an element of this that is Because it ties to this servant's misunderstanding of the master, and then, a- and I think you're, you're bringing Calvin in here and, and sort of the idea that our knowledge of God and our kn- knowledge of self are so, like, intertwined that it- Right ... it's almost difficult to understand which comes first. Yes. Yes. Calvin concludes that the knowledge of God is logically prior, but he, he also acknowledges that, like, it's really tough to sort of like figure out which one is more logically prior. This servant starts from the understanding that the master is a wicked master, that he is an immoral, lazy master. I- and it's, it's ironic. It does- the text doesn't say this, but I think it's a reasonable extrapolation. Um, the, the wicked, slothful servant projects his own wickedness and his own slothfulness onto the master, right? He, he projects that the master is a wicked man, is a hard man, and also that he's lazy. He, he does- he reaps where he doesn't sow, he gathers where he doesn't scatter. And the action of the, of the, the character of the servant is not derived from his inaction. Right. It's his inaction that- Yes ... causes the, or it's his, his character- Character ... that drives his lack of action, right?  [00:50:12] Sheep Goats Identity [00:50:12] Tony Arsenal: The good and faithful servants, they're not, and this is where we're gonna come when we come next week. Like, this is where we're gonna go when we get to next week's. Just as maybe, like, I, I want you to listen next week, but you probably don't need to, 'cause I'm gonna give you the whole punchline here.  [00:50:27] Jesse Schwamb: Wow.  [00:50:27] Tony Arsenal: The sheep act like sheep because they're sheep.  [00:50:29] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:50:30] Tony Arsenal: They don't become sheep because they do sheep things. They do sheep things because they're sheep, and the goats do goat things because they're goats.  [00:50:37] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:50:37] Tony Arsenal: The wicked, lazy servant does wicked, lazy servant things because he's a wicked lady- lazy servant, right? He buries the talent in the ground because he's a wicked, lazy servant. The good, faithful servants j- just do what good, faithful servants do. They, they make a return on the master's talents because that's what they do, right? And I think where we have to be really careful and where, uh, the other pitfall that this parable can bring us to, and I kinda referenced it a little bit earlier, is there can be sort of this subtle works righteousness that creeps in, that we can believe if we're really good and productive for the kingdom, then that's what will earn us the good and faithful servant commendation when we, we cross into glory. The reality is there are those who cross into glory and hear good and faithful servant, right? There are those who will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master." And there are those who will not. They will have what little they have taken away from them, and they will be cast into the outer darkness where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth, right? That's not a statement on what we've earned. It's a statement on who we are.  [00:51:48] Jesse Schwamb: Right.  [00:51:49] Tony Arsenal: So you can either be the faithful servant who trusts the character of the Lord, who doesn't think Him to be a hard man, who reaps where He doesn't sow and gathers where He doesn't scatter. You can trust the master, and in the act of trusting the master and knowing His character, you just do what good, faithful servants do. You work hard, you follow the servant, the master's lead, and you produce a return on what is there. Right? In, a- and we didn't talk about this too much. In effect, these servants are reflecting the nature of the master.  [00:52:23] Jesse Schwamb: That's right.  [00:52:23] Tony Arsenal: Because you don't get to the point where you can leave 100 years worth of wealth to one servant, and 40 years worth of wealth to another servant, and 20 years worth of wealth to another servant if you have not yourself been a productive, faithful person who knows how to reap and sow appropriately, right? [00:52:42] Gospel Joy Or Darkness [00:52:42] Tony Arsenal: That is the key to this parable,

Learn to listen to God's voice.Throughout all dispensations, to hear God's voice has always been the basic, unvarying requirement for all ongoing relationship with God.Support the show

Discipline Produces Spiritual StrengthScripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13—Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.Accept Jesus today. https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!****Congratulations! You are now a child of the Most High. John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."****If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.”****Click here for FREE eBook download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love and support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cash App: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles:https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/PastorMalachiBooksHNO Crypto Coin Investing Opportunity: https://tinyurl.com/HNOCoin-ReferralFREE Ways to Support Me:

Five stories today — one of the most stacked news daysof the year.SpaceX confirmed Tuesday it is acquiring Cursor —the AI coding tool developed by Anysphere — for $60billion in an all-stock deal closing Q3 2026. Cursorgenerates $2.6 billion in annualized B2B revenue andis used by Fortune 500 developers globally. SpaceX'sstock gained 16% on Tuesday, surpassing Amazon inmarket cap. Elon Musk now controls SpaceX, xAI, Grok,Tesla, X, and the world's most used AI coding tool.SpaceX has also signed $26 billion per year in computedeals with Anthropic and Google combined.NIO Day 2026 preparations just started — advisorygroup applications are open now with a June 18 deadline.Deutsche Bank expects NIO's Q2 non-GAAP net profit toreach approximately 180 million yuan — a secondconsecutive profitable quarter driven by high-marginES8 and ES9 SUV performance. NIO AGM is June 24th.Deloitte surveyed 3,235 business and IT leaders across24 countries: 74% want AI to grow revenue, only 20%have seen it happen — a 54-point gap between ambitionand reality. 80-85% of enterprises miss their AI budgetforecasts by more than 25%. Uber blew its entire 2026AI coding budget by April. One company racked up a$500 million Claude bill from forgetting to set usagelimits. The era of AI accountability has started.Yum Brands is selling Pizza Hut for $2.7 billion.Brand recognition without innovation is nostalgia witha price tag. BlackRock is laying off for the third timein 18 months as AI replaces financial services rolesfaster than anyone predicted publicly.The US confirmed it will lift Iran oil sanctions themoment the accord is formally signed. Accord signed.Sanctions lifted. Iranian oil returns. Oil drops.Inflation eases. Rate cuts return. Growth stocksre-rate upward. Watch for the signature.

In a world filled with uncertainty and endless opinions, Pastor Rod Parsley and Ashton Blaire explore the biblical connection between wisdom and peace.Together, they unpack the difference between doubt and unbelief, what it means to be double-minded, and why so many believers struggle with confusion amidst America's chaotic culture.Learn how faith produces steadfastness, wisdom silences confusion, and God's truth provides an unshakable foundation in uncertain times.Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today!

When you hear the word "bees," what comes to mind? For many of us, it's fear, danger, or the memory of a painful sting. But if we look a little closer, there's more to a bee than its stinger. These tiny insects achieve extraordinary things through hard work, unity, and unwavering purpose. In fact, if we learned to think more like a bee, we might find ourselves accomplishing things we once thought were impossible.

A Study of Romans 12: 13

Special Guest Elder Elect-Shenelle Ball-Green shares her experiences dealing with persecution.  She persistently trusted God and discovered that sometimes we can bring it upon ourselves.  There are different types of persecution.  Listen in to find out what they are.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we wrapped up our weekly theme, "Under Pressure." We explored how pressure creates hope-filled people, and focused on Romans 5:1-5. Susie Larson joined us to talk about the hope God produces through suffering, explaining how endurance shapes character and how believers can actively fight painful memories with Scripture, gratitude, and the goodness of God. Susie is a well-known radio talk show host and podcaster of Susie Larson Live. Mike Tatlock joined us to talk about living with a compelling faith in a compromising culture, explaining how believers can hold to biblical truth without making agreements with false promises, while still responding to others with humility, compassion, and grace. Mike is the lead pastor at Grace Chapel church in Portland, Oregon, and is the author of “A Compelling Faith in a Comprising Culture.” We then opened up the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We posed the question, “What pressure did God free you from when you put your faith in God?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Caller Segment [ 10:32 ]Mike Tatlock [ 23:06 ]Susie Larson [ 43:56 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we wrapped up our weekly theme, "Under Pressure." We explored how pressure creates hope-filled people, and focused on Romans 5:1-5. Susie Larson joined us to talk about the hope God produces through suffering, explaining how endurance shapes character and how believers can actively fight painful memories with Scripture, gratitude, and the goodness of God. Susie is a well-known radio talk show host and podcaster of Susie Larson Live. Mike Tatlock joined us to talk about living with a compelling faith in a compromising culture, explaining how believers can hold to biblical truth without making agreements with false promises, while still responding to others with humility, compassion, and grace. Mike is the lead pastor at Grace Chapel church in Portland, Oregon, and is the author of “A Compelling Faith in a Comprising Culture.” We then opened up the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We posed the question, “What pressure did God free you from when you put your faith in God?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Caller Segment [ 10:32 ]Mike Tatlock [ 23:06 ]Susie Larson [ 43:56 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we wrapped up our weekly theme, "Under Pressure." We explored how pressure creates hope-filled people, and focused on Romans 5:1-5. Susie Larson joined us to talk about the hope God produces through suffering, explaining how endurance shapes character and how believers can actively fight painful memories with Scripture, gratitude, and the goodness of God. Susie is a well-known radio talk show host and podcaster of Susie Larson Live. Mike Tatlock joined us to talk about living with a compelling faith in a compromising culture, explaining how believers can hold to biblical truth without making agreements with false promises, while still responding to others with humility, compassion, and grace. Mike is the lead pastor at Grace Chapel church in Portland, Oregon, and is the author of “A Compelling Faith in a Comprising Culture.” We then opened up the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We posed the question, “What pressure did God free you from when you put your faith in God?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Caller Segment [ 10:32 ]Mike Tatlock [ 23:06 ]Susie Larson [ 43:56 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we wrapped up our weekly theme, "Under Pressure." We explored how pressure creates hope-filled people, and focused on Romans 5:1-5. Susie Larson joined us to talk about the hope God produces through suffering, explaining how endurance shapes character and how believers can actively fight painful memories with Scripture, gratitude, and the goodness of God. Susie is a well-known radio talk show host and podcaster of Susie Larson Live. Mike Tatlock joined us to talk about living with a compelling faith in a compromising culture, explaining how believers can hold to biblical truth without making agreements with false promises, while still responding to others with humility, compassion, and grace. Mike is the lead pastor at Grace Chapel church in Portland, Oregon, and is the author of “A Compelling Faith in a Comprising Culture.” We then opened up the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We posed the question, “What pressure did God free you from when you put your faith in God?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Caller Segment [ 10:32 ]Mike Tatlock [ 23:06 ]Susie Larson [ 43:56 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we wrapped up our weekly theme, "Under Pressure." We explored how pressure creates hope-filled people, and focused on Romans 5:1-5. Susie Larson joined us to talk about the hope God produces through suffering, explaining how endurance shapes character and how believers can actively fight painful memories with Scripture, gratitude, and the goodness of God. Susie is a well-known radio talk show host and podcaster of Susie Larson Live. Mike Tatlock joined us to talk about living with a compelling faith in a compromising culture, explaining how believers can hold to biblical truth without making agreements with false promises, while still responding to others with humility, compassion, and grace. Mike is the lead pastor at Grace Chapel church in Portland, Oregon, and is the author of “A Compelling Faith in a Comprising Culture.” We then opened up the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We posed the question, “What pressure did God free you from when you put your faith in God?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Caller Segment [ 10:32 ]Mike Tatlock [ 23:06 ]Susie Larson [ 43:56 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we wrapped up our weekly theme, "Under Pressure." We explored how pressure creates hope-filled people, and focused on Romans 5:1-5. Susie Larson joined us to talk about the hope God produces through suffering, explaining how endurance shapes character and how believers can actively fight painful memories with Scripture, gratitude, and the goodness of God. Susie is a well-known radio talk show host and podcaster of Susie Larson Live. Mike Tatlock joined us to talk about living with a compelling faith in a compromising culture, explaining how believers can hold to biblical truth without making agreements with false promises, while still responding to others with humility, compassion, and grace. Mike is the lead pastor at Grace Chapel church in Portland, Oregon, and is the author of “A Compelling Faith in a Comprising Culture.” We then opened up the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We posed the question, “What pressure did God free you from when you put your faith in God?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Caller Segment [ 10:32 ]Mike Tatlock [ 23:06 ]Susie Larson [ 43:56 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking ahead to God's promises should do more than encourage us—it should change us. Dr. Tony Evans explains how a biblical view of the future produces faithfulness, maturity, and hope in the present.

Looking ahead to God's promises should do more than encourage us—it should change us. Dr. Tony Evans explains how a biblical view of the future produces faithfulness, maturity, and hope in the present.

Henry Sokolski warns of China's fast breeder reactor program, which produces super weapons-grade plutonium capable of fueling efficient nuclear triggers. He also notes South Korea's growing interest in developing independent nuclear capabilities and submarines to counter threats from North Korea and China, despite international non-proliferation standards.LACONIA AT SPARTA320 BCE 

What we expect about the future has a powerful effect on how we live today. Dr. Tony Evans explains how anticipating Christ's return should inspire spiritual growth and lasting transformation.

What we expect about the future has a powerful effect on how we live today. Dr. Tony Evans explains how anticipating Christ's return should inspire spiritual growth and lasting transformation.

Idaho Public Television will air the new Idaho Experience documentary "The Teton Dam Disaster" on June 4 and 7. Producers Joan Cartan-Hansen and Aaron Kunz say the documentary will give people an up close look at what it was like to live through the disaster and its aftermath. Graphic credit: Idaho Public Television

240 240 - Love Produces 5-31-26 by Mike Hurtgen

Central Theme Praise and worship are not limited to church; they are a daily lifestyle that shifts one's spiritual atmosphere. Focus should be on what God is doing, not on negative or opposing forces. Power of Praise and Perspective Worship can be expressed through music, gratitude, and daily acknowledgment of God. Shifting focus from problems to God's work brings hope and encouragement. God is תמיד active and able to do new things regardless of age or circumstance. Main Scripture: Parable of the Sower (Luke 8) The “seed” represents the Word of God. The “soil” represents different heart conditions. There are four types of hearts: Hard heart: rejects the Word. Shallow heart: receives quickly but falls away under pressure. Crowded heart: distracted and choked by life's cares, riches, and pleasures. Good (fruitful) heart: receives, retains, and produces lasting fruit. Key Teaching: The Importance of Process God's will is not instant; it unfolds through a process. Spiritual growth requires patience and perseverance. Analogy: Like assembling furniture, skipping steps leads to problems. The Role of the Heart Spiritual outcomes depend on heart condition, not just hearing the Word. People respond differently to the same message بسبب their القلب. Faith does not automatically come; it depends on personal response. The Crowded Heart Distractions include: Worries (mental division and anxiety). Pursuit of wealth. Pleasures and comforts. These are not inherently wrong but become harmful when they overshadow God. Example: Solomon had everything yet found it unfulfilling. The Fruitful (Good) Heart Characteristics of a receptive heart: Receives and values the Word. Seeks understanding intentionally. Remains focused despite distractions. Produces results over time (30, 60, 100-fold). How to Cultivate a Receptive Heart Listen attentively: Be intentional and focused when hearing God's Word. Retain the Word: Reflect, meditate, and internalize it. Act on the Word: Apply it عمليًا to life. Stay persistent: Growth and results require patience. Warnings and Insights Information without application does not lead to transformation. Modern life creates “information overload,” reducing spiritual focus. Desire determines priority; people make time for what matters most. Final Encouragement Stay committed to the process. Keep trusting and applying God's Word. A fruitful life comes through perseverance and faithful response.

 Humility Produces Growth

My newsletter: https://simonowens.substack.com/   For years, Hollywood writer Aaron Tracy built his career inside the traditional television system, writing for shows like Law & Order and navigating the endless cycle of pilots, canceled series, and development purgatory that defines much of the TV business. But over the last several years, Tracy has quietly carved out a very different kind of entertainment career: producing serialized audio dramas for platforms like Audible and iHeart. Along the way, he's worked with everyone from Aaron Paul to Lizzy Caplan to Glenn Powell, helping pioneer a form of storytelling that sits somewhere between television, audiobooks, and podcasting. In a recent interview, Tracy explained why audio dramas offer writers far more creative freedom than television, how he packages and sells narrative shows to platforms like Audible and iHeart, and the surprisingly lean production process behind large-scale audio series.  

Welcome to episode #476 of TMT•Celtic condemn Rangers to 3rd in a two-horse race•Yang ran himself into the ground•Daizen produces one of the all-time derby classics•Motherwell is going to be very toughand much moreand much moreTreat yourself or the 20MT listener in your life, as well as supporting the podcast with some 20MT merch at 20mt.bigcartel.com/You can help support the production of these podcasts, get AD FREE content as well as gaining access to over 1200 extra episodes at patreon.com/20MinuteTimsSign up for Celtic's Youth Development Lottery The Celtic Pools and help shape Celtic's future here - https://celticpools.securecollections.net/index.aspx?Agent=353920MT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode "Pressure Produces Precision”, it explores how pressure, while uncomfortable, can become the very thing that sharpens leaders for greater effectiveness and purpose. Dr. Walker teaches that pressure is not always punishment, but often preparation for the next level of responsibility and impact. This episode challenges listeners to embrace pressure as a refining tool that develops focus, discipline, and clarity, ultimately producing stronger leadership, wiser decisions, and greater intentionality in every area of life and leadership.

It's fun questions on jelly's favorite counterpart! This episode's topic: PEANUT BUTTER CHECK OUT GRYMES SPORTS INDUSTRIES LLC: https://www.instagram.com/grymessportsindustries?igsh=ZHdjNzhsODRuNjJp Fact of the Day: After the release of The Crow (1994), original creator James O'Barr pitched a sequel: The Crow: The Bride. It would have seen a woman resurrected after being killed on her wedding day. Miramax execs rejected it, claiming "no one is going to see an action movie with a female lead." Triple Connections: At, Percent, Pound THE FIRST TRIVIA QUESTION STARTS AT 01:37 SUPPORT THE SHOW MONTHLY, LISTEN AD-FREE FOR JUST $3 A MONTH: www.Patreon.com/TriviaWithBudds INSTANT DOWNLOAD DIGITAL TRIVIA GAMES ON ETSY, GRAB ONE NOW! GET A CUSTOM EPISODE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES: Email ryanbudds@gmail.com Theme song by www.soundcloud.com/Frawsty Bed Music: "Laser Groove" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ http://TriviaWithBudds.comhttp://Facebook.com/TriviaWithBudds http://Instagram.com/ryanbudds Book a party, corporate event, or fundraiser anytime by emailing ryanbudds@gmail.com or use the contact form here: https://www.triviawithbudds.com/contact SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL MY AMAZING PATREON SUBSCRIBERS, INCLUDING: Samantha Wheeler Mark Kloppenburg Amber Shiels Alan Kreisel Rich Sommer Joe Heiman Waqas Ali Logan Booker Bringeka Sam Nathan Stenstrom Brooks Martin Robyn Price Gee Brian Clough Charles Glanville IV Lauren Schuette Evan Lemons AnneMarie Mattacchione Yves Bouyssounouse Kenny Zail York yates Gay Geek Fabulous Mollie Dominic Nathalie Avelar Natasha raina leslie gerhardt Diane White Youngblood Trophy Husband Trivia Lynnette Keel Lillian Campbell Jerry Loven Jamie Greig Jeremy Yoder Adam Jacoby rondell Adam Suzan Tiffany Poplin Bill Bavar Sarah Daniel Hoisington Keith Martin Sue First Steve Hoeker Jessica Allen Lauren Glassman Brian Williams Brett Livaudais Linda Elswick Carter A. Fourqurean Justly Maya Brandon Lavin Kathy McHale Chuck Nealen Courtney French Nikki Long Mark Zarate Laura Palmer JT Dean Bratton Kristy Erin Burgess Trenton Sullivan Jen and Nic Michael Redman Timothy Heavner Jeff Foust Richard Lefdal Myles Bagby Jenna Leatherman Vernon Heagy Albert Thomas Kimberly Brown Tracy Oldaker Sara Zimmerman Madeleine Garvey Jenni Yetter Patrick Leahy Dillon Enderby James Brown Christy Shipley Clayton Polizzi Alexander Calder Ricky Carney Paul McLaughlin Willy Powell Robert Casey Matthew Frost Brian Salyer Greg Bristow Megan Donnelly Jim Fields Mo Martinez Luke Mckay Simon Time Feana Nevel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's Wednesday, May 6th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Nigerian Muslim militias killed 9 Christians Over the past week, Muslim gunmen killed at least nine Christians in a spree of attacks across central Nigeria. Others were injured or abducted in the attacks. Fulani Ethnic Muslim Militias also destroyed nearly 100 acres of farmland.  International Christian Concern stated, “Residents across affected areas are now reporting attacks on mining routes and farming communities, vital sources of income for many families. Local leaders are urgently calling for reinforced security deployments and thorough investigations into the escalating incidents.” Nigeria is ranked seventh on the Open Doors World Watch List of the most difficult countries in which to be a Christian.  United Kingdom court rules in favor of 80-year-old pro-life activist A High Court judge in the United Kingdom ruled in favor of a pro-life activist last month. The case began in 2023 when David Skinner sent an email to public authorities in Dorset in South West England. The pro-lifer expressed his opposition to a new buffer zone law that restricted speech near abortion mills. He also included images of babies that had been killed in abortion.  Authorities responded by charging Skinner under communications legislation. However, the recent ruling overturned that conviction.  Eighty-year-old Skinner commented, “This prosecution should never have been brought. It has taken a heavy toll on me, but I hope this ruling will protect others who wish to speak out peacefully on matters of conscience without fear of being criminalized.” Proverbs 24:11 says, “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.” 75th anniversary of National Day of Prayer on May 7th Tomorrow, Thursday, May 7th, is the 75th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer in the United States. Christians are hosting tens of thousands of prayer events across the country. The day culminates in a prayer service broadcast from Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Many leaders are attending the event, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. Kathy Branzell, president of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, told CBN News about the theme of this year's event. Listen. BRANZELL: “Our theme this year is glorify God among the nations, seeking Him in all generations, in this 75th year and the 250th of America, even though to other nations, we might still seem like a baby. That's been a long 250 for us. But all glory to God before we get too puffed up in our patriotism and all of that we want to make sure we say, Thank You Lord, it is only by him shedding His grace on us.” The theme verse for the event is 1 Chronicles 16:24. It says, “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.” Find a prayer event near you by typing in your zip code in the linked page. America owes more debt than it produces The Wall Street Journal reports the United States. now owes more than it produces. The national debt reached $31.265 trillion last week. Meanwhile, the country's gross domestic product, the total of the country's products and services, was $31.216 trillion over the last year. That means U.S. debt now exceeds 100% of GDP. The debt-to-GDP ratio has not been this high since the 1940s. First religious charter school in America A Christian school in Tennessee received approval for what could become the first religious charter school in the U.S. Last week, the Jackson-Madison County School Board approved a charter school application from Union University, a private Christian college. A similar attempt to create the first religious charter school failed in Oklahoma. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court last year. Southern Baptist Convention membership dropped by 3% And finally, Lifeway Research released analysis on the Southern Baptist Convention yesterday. Their membership fell by over three percent from 2024 to 2025. Total membership stands at about 12.3 million. Weekly attendance at Southern Baptist Convention churches averages nearly 4.5 million people each week. That figure is up by over three percent compared to 2024. The number of baptisms also increased last year by five percent.  Jeff Iorg, President and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, said, “We are grateful Southern Baptists continue to show growth in key metrics like baptisms, worship attendance and Bible study participation.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, May 6th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.