Podcasts about psalmist

Morning Offering, September 1, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4qL4ImhJesus didn't merely announce freedom for the oppressed; His ministry of healing and deliverance revealed that the promised work of God was already breaking into the world.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 31, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/459D8oUFather Brad reflects on St. Paul's words to the Corinthians and warns that powerful rhetoric and emotional persuasion should never replace the truth of Jesus Christ crucified.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 30, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4q0cOHnIf you're experiencing spiritual dryness, loneliness, or opposition, Psalm 63 shows us how to turn our suffering outward toward God instead of becoming trapped within ourselves.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 29, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4wJ6XZCYou don't need status, power, intelligence, or influence to be useful to God, because Scripture repeatedly shows Him working through ordinary people.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 28, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4gg4oYYAre rest and recreation really wasted time? Josef Pieper argues that true leisure frees us from constant productivity and opens us to beauty, culture, and God.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 27, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/3THacSDIf someone you love has walked away from the faith, St. Monica's prayers for St. Augustine remind us never to give up hope in God's power to bring a soul back to life.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 26, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4hOxFevFather Brad explores the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes before showing how the Dead Sea Scrolls transformed our understanding of Judaism, Scripture, and the world of Jesus.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Is life just unrelenting drudgery? Sure, the Psalmist describes it as a "vale of tears". But that bitterness is routinely alleviated by sweet music, good food, tenderness, friendship, the delight of a clever plan coming together (thanks, George Peppard), tears of joy as well as of sorrow. Or at least there is in real life and in Homer's Odyssey. But there doesn't seem to be much (any?) of those things in Christopher Nolan's unrealistic screen adaptation of the famous epic. Jeff and Dave devoted three hours of their lives to seeing the movie, now they ask you to surrender one hour of yours to listen to their screed. Bottom line? Nolan's Odysseus is a flattened, unimaginative, perpetually depressed character. His Calypso is dull, unappealing, merely therapeutic. His Penelope merely regal, not her husband's witty match as in Homer. And the gods? Though frequently mentioned and referenced, and in the case of Zendaya's Athena occasionally seen, the movie would have been pretty much the same without them. In conclusion, despite the stunning visuals, despite the beautiful scenery, give us the shampoo commercial of Wolfgang Peterson's Troy. And don't even get us started on the music. Back to School coupon code for Dr. Noe's Greek and Latin classes : AUTUMN15.

Morning Offering, August 25, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4595teYFather Brad reflects on Jesus' warning to the Pharisees about obsessing over small religious details while neglecting the weightier demands of mercy, morality, and love.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 24, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4wHRIzRYour spiritual life may not have started perfectly, but St. Bartholomew reminds us that what ultimately matters is whether we faithfully finish the race.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Have you ever experienced a season of absolute despair? A time when you wondered, “Will life ever get better?”Many of the writers of the Psalms of lament wondered the very same thing. They wrote from places of deep pain and despair—and maybe some of you can relate.This Sunday, we'll take a look at two Psalms: Psalm 88 and Psalm 89, read by Kelly Manker. At first glance, these Psalms can seem almost bipolar, but together, they represent the tension of the Christian life.We all go through chapters of life that feel like Psalm 88—chapters marked by absolute despair. Yet those moments don't invalidate the unfailing love and faithfulness of God that we see in Psalm 89.Join us as the Psalmist shows us that we can be honest with God about the struggles of life while also reminding us that His unfailing love meets us right there in the middle of them.After the message, we'll celebrate the unfailing love of God together through communion.--WebsiteFacebookInstagramSunday SetlistSunnybrook App (ios)Sunnybrook App (Google)Connect with us!How can we pray for you? Let us know.Giving

Morning Offering, August 23, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4fSIBFjAre Church teachings restrictions on freedom? Discover how boundaries, like the walls around a playground, can create the security we need to truly flourish.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“The deepest problems of modern life derive from the claim of the individual to preserve the autonomy and individuality of his existence.” ~Georg Simmel (1858-1918), German sociologist, philosopher, and critic “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.”~Elizabeth Elliot (1926-2015), missionary, author, and speaker “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”~Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983), Dutch survivor of a Nazi death camp “The condition of the Psalmist's mind was complex—he feared, but that fear did not fill the whole area of his mind.... It is possible, then, for fear and faith to occupy the mind at the same moment. We are strange beings, and our experience in the divine life is stranger still. We are often in a twilight, where light and darkness are both present and it is hard to tell which predominates. It is a blessed fear which drives us to trust. Unregenerate fear drives from God, gracious fear drives to him.”~Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), famed London pastor “Stand fast in the faith, and love one another, all of you, and be not offended at my sufferings.”~Reported to be the last words of Perpetua (c.182-c.203), a 22-year-old noblewoman and new mother, killed for her Christian faith in Carthage (modern-day Tunisia) “Loving God—really loving Him—means living out His commands no matter what the cost.”~Charles Colson (1931-2012), attorney, political advisor, convicted felon, advocate for prison reform, and midlife convert to Christ “…reason is not king in human beings, the heart is. Therefore, to change your actions, you must change your desires. But your desires will change, only if the Holy Spirit who wrote the Bible also writes his laws on your heart.”~John Ashley Null, theologian at Humboldt University Berlin and North African Bishop “The faith of the church must be tried by God's word, and not God's word by the church; neither yet my faith.”~Jane Grey (1537-1554), English noblewoman and very brief de facto monarch of EnglandSERMON PASSAGEPsalm 56 (ESV)To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;  all day long an attacker oppresses me;2 my enemies trample on me all day long,   for many attack me proudly.3 When I am afraid,   I put my trust in you.4 In God, whose word I praise,   in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.   What can flesh do to me? 5 All day long they injure my cause;   all their thoughts are against me for evil.6 They stir up strife, they lurk;   they watch my steps,   as they have waited for my life.7 For their crime will they escape?   In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! 8 You have kept count of my tossings;   put my tears in your bottle.   Are they not in your book?9 Then my enemies will turn back    in the day when I call.   This I know, that God is for me.10 In God, whose word I praise,   in the Lord, whose word I praise,11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.   What can man do to me? 12 I must perform my vows to you, O God;   I will render thank offerings to you.13 For you have delivered my soul from death,   yes, my feet from falling,  that I may walk before God   in the light of life.1 Samuel 21 10 And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances,         ‘Saul has struck down his thousands,          and David his ten thousands'?” 12 And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? 15 Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

Morning Offering, August 22, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.comhttps://bit.ly/4coXzSyWhy do Catholics call Mary the Queen of Heaven? The answer begins with Isaiah's prophecy, Jesus as the promised King, and the biblical role of the queen mother.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 21, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.comhttps://bit.ly/4q1dEUiFather Brad reflects on Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones to explain why Christianity sees the human person as a profound unity of body and soul.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 20, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.comhttps://bit.ly/4pZYRsLBefore we can enter deeply into the love of God, St. Bernard teaches that we must confront false promises, overcome excessive self-love, and learn the way of virtue.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Transcript:Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective. God is a god of overflowing abundance and generosity. He gives liberally to all without discrimination. Now, if we struggle when we see the wicked prospering, we're not alone; the Psalmist also struggled with this at times (cf. Psalm 73). Of course, just because God causes the wicked to prosper for a time does not speak to how lightly He takes sin. Rather it speaks to how liberally He dispenses His grace. God is not a bitter god, constantly fuming to get His way and settle the score. Oh, God is just, and you can count on His justice being thorough and perfect (Exodus 34:7). But He is also patient and kind, longing for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). So, the kindness that He showers on the wicked does not speak to a failure of God's justice, but to the abounding nature of His grace (Romans 2:4-5). Jesus put it this way: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”~Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV) You see, such generosity of spirit is rare, because it generated only by the Spirit of God. Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective. Psalm 73 (ESV) 1 Truly God is good to Israel,    to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,    my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death;    their bodies are fat and sleek.5 They are not in trouble as others are;    they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6 Therefore pride is their necklace;    violence covers them as a garment.7 Their eyes swell out through fatness;    their hearts overflow with follies.8 They scoff and speak with malice;    loftily they threaten oppression.9  They set their mouths against the heavens,    and their tongue struts through the earth.10 Therefore his people turn back to them,    and find no fault in them.11 And they say, “How can God know?    Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the wicked;    always at ease, they increase in riches.13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean    and washed my hands in innocence.14 For all the day long I have been stricken    and rebuked every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”    I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this,    it seemed to me a wearisome task,17 until I went into the sanctuary of God;    then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places;    you make them fall to ruin.19 How they are destroyed in a moment,    swept away utterly by terrors!20 Like a dream when one awakes,    O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered,    when I was pricked in heart,22 I was brutish and ignorant;    I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;    you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel,    and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you?    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail,    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God;    I have made the Lord God my refuge,    that I may tell of all your works.

Morning Offering, August 19, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.comhttps://bit.ly/4pVWbfLAuthority isn't about serving yourself. Scripture warns that every shepherd is responsible for strengthening the weak, healing the wounded, and seeking those who are lost.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 18, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.comhttps://bit.ly/4fFC8inFrom humanity's desire to "be like God" to Mary's humble surrender, Scripture reveals what happens when we exalt ourselves versus allowing God to lift us up.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, August 17, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.comhttps://bit.ly/4w5XtGJWhy do Christians disagree about Scripture? Discover how Church history and apostolic tradition help us understand the Bible as it was meant to be read.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

There is a danger in reading passages such as this one from St. Isaac and hearing primarily a warning: Do not become negligent. Do not allow yourself to grow lax. Guard your solitude. Avoid unnecessary conversation. Do not permit the mind to become scattered. Certainly Isaac is warning us. His language is deliberately severe because he knows how fragile the beginnings of prayer can be. A heart newly awakened to God is like the tender blossom of a fruit tree. It possesses within itself the promise of fruit, but it can still be injured by a sudden frost. The mind that has begun to discover stillness can quickly become dispersed again. The heart that has tasted the sweetness of prayer can become strangely cold. But if we hear only the warning, we may miss something much more beautiful in Isaac's words. The great concern of Homily 19 is not simply that we avoid negligence. It is that we recognize what has been given to us and take hold of it. Isaac is speaking to men and women who have tasted something. They have tasted God. “If fiery thoughts arise in you,” he writes, “through the consuming flame of divine things,” and you “enjoy a taste of God,” then guard what has been given to you. That changes everything. The ascetical life is not primarily the anxious preservation of spiritual discipline. It is the response of the heart to a gift. We guard prayer because we have discovered Someone in prayer. We seek stillness because within stillness we have begun to hear the voice of the Beloved. We withdraw from unnecessary occupations not because created things are evil, but because something infinitely more precious has begun to draw the heart. This is why Isaac can speak so dramatically about the loss of fervor. “Only the man who drinks deeply of this wine, and afterward is deprived of it, only he knows to what misery he has been abandoned.” One cannot miss the language of desire here. The tragedy is not simply that the monk has broken his rule. The tragedy is that he has allowed himself to become separated from something he has tasted and loved. He knows the wine. He remembers its sweetness. And now he thirsts. This is the deeper meaning of vigilance. Negligence Is Forgetfulness Negligence in the spiritual life is rarely simply laziness. At its deepest level it is forgetfulness. The heart forgets what it desires. Isaac tells us that through excessive conversation, unnecessary occupations, sensory dispersion, and involvement in countless affairs, “the object of her desire is blotted out from her mind.” That sentence may be the key to the entire passage. The object of her desire is blotted out. The danger of distraction is not merely that it wastes time. It obscures desire. We begin to forget why we are alive. We may continue doing many good things. We may remain religious. We may fulfill responsibilities. We may even continue praying. Yet somewhere beneath all this activity, the memory of God can grow faint. And once that memory fades, lesser desires begin to fill the empty space. The Fathers understood this with extraordinary psychological depth. The heart cannot remain without desire. If it ceases to be gathered toward God, it will inevitably become scattered among countless lesser things. This is why Isaac says: “Do not multiply your occupations, and you will not find turmoil in your mind, or in your prayer.” He is not preaching inactivity. He is teaching simplicity of heart. The question becomes: What possesses my attention because it possesses my desire? Take Hold of Grace There is another danger, however, subtler than negligence. We may imagine that because everything depends upon grace, we need only wait passively for God to act. Isaac knows nothing of such passivity. When grace visits the heart, take hold of it. When prayer becomes warm, remain there. When tears come, do not hurry away from them. When desire for God awakens, feed it. When silence begins to gather the mind, protect that silence. When the Name of Jesus descends even slightly from the lips toward the heart, treasure it. Not because grace can be possessed or controlled, but because love asks for a response. There is a holy cooperation between divine grace and human freedom. God awakens the heart, and the heart turns toward Him. God gives the thirst, and we begin to drink. God lights the flame, and we cease throwing cold water upon it through negligence. This is why the Fathers can sound simultaneously so uncompromising about asceticism and so utterly dependent upon grace. There is no contradiction. Asceticism is what love looks like when freedom responds to grace. The Stronger Attraction And here we reach something even deeper. Isaac does not ultimately believe that the Christian life is sustained by fear of distraction. It is sustained by attraction. The lesser things of life pull upon us. Conversation pulls upon us. Curiosity pulls upon us. Responsibilities pull upon us. Memories, anxieties, pleasures, opinions, news, recognition, work—all of these exert a gravitational force upon the heart. But there is another gravity. Divine love. And it is stronger. The spiritual life matures when we discover that holiness is not primarily a heroic attempt to tear ourselves away from the world. It is allowing ourselves to be drawn increasingly by the beauty of God. The Psalmist does not cry: My soul has disciplined itself for Thee. He cries: “My soul thirsted for Thee.” Thirst is attraction. Desire is attraction. Love is attraction. The heart has glimpsed the Face for which it was created, and suddenly everything else begins to reveal its proper measure. This is why the saints sometimes appear almost incomprehensible to us. Their detachment can look severe from the outside. But from within, something very different is happening. They are being drawn. Christ has become more beautiful than everything they have relinquished. The Memory of the Wine Perhaps this is why God sometimes permits us to experience the loss Isaac describes. We have known moments when prayer was alive. Moments when the Name of Jesus seemed to contain everything. Moments when silence was not empty but filled with Presence. Moments when tears came without effort. Moments when we knew—not merely intellectually, but existentially—that God was near. And then the heart became cold. We became distracted. We multiplied our occupations. We returned to noise. The temptation is to despair over this. Isaac gives us another way. Remember the wine. The memory of grace itself can become a summons. Not nostalgia for a spiritual experience, but remembrance of the One who gave Himself within it. The coldness reveals the thirst. The absence reveals the desire. And the heart begins again: Where are You? Why have I wandered so far from what my soul desires? When shall I come and appear before Your face? Even our sorrow over having lost the sweetness of prayer can become prayer. “If You Will” There is something here that echoes the great saying of Abba Joseph: “If you will, you can become all flame.” Not because we manufacture the fire. The fire is God. The desire is awakened by God. The grace is given by God. The attraction originates in God. But the human will must consent to being consumed. This is the dignity and trembling mystery of our freedom. Grace comes and says: Remain. And we must choose whether to remain. Love draws and says: Come. And we must choose whether to follow. The flame rises and says: Give yourself. And we must decide whether we will continue protecting the thousand little things that keep us divided, or allow ourselves finally to belong to the One who desires the whole heart. Isaac's severity therefore conceals extraordinary tenderness. He is not telling us merely: Be careful what you lose. He is telling us: Look at what you have found. You have tasted something more precious than everything that distracts you. You have discovered the hidden wine. You have felt the beginnings of the fire. You have heard within yourself the ancient cry: “My soul thirsted for Thee, the mighty, the living God.” Do not be afraid merely of negligence. Be afraid of forgetting what your heart has discovered. And then turn again. Take hold of the grace that has taken hold of you. For beneath all our seeking is a greater seeking. Beneath our thirst is a deeper thirst. Beneath our desire for God is the immeasurably greater desire of God for us. In the end, it is not our weak attraction toward Him that will carry us home. It is the stronger pull of His love. Our task is to cease resisting it. To remain. To consent. And, if we will, to become all flame. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:03:04 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 219, paragraph 2 00:10:34 Janine: Oh great Miles is back! 00:12:04 James Hickman: I came across this today. It's from April 10, so the group might already be familiar. Professor Matthew Minerd a Ruthenian Catholic scholar offers positive reasons for following the approach of The Evergetinos and the Apophthegmata among others as great models of theology for the dialectics and holy anecdotes. https://www.athomist.com/articles/monastic-stories-casuistry 00:12:16 Alan Henderson: Which work is Myles discussing 00:12:40 James Hickman: “Monastic Stories as a Method of Ascetical Casuistry” 00:13:25 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Oh great Miles is ba..." with ❤️ 00:13:37 Janine: Oh that looks great! Thx James 00:13:38 Myles Davidson: Replying to "Which work is Myles ..." The Brothers Karamazov 00:14:46 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 219, paragraph 2 00:29:41 James Hickman: Driving is stillness lol 00:29:45 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Matthew Kelly's new book is THE CONTENT DIET 00:30:04 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Lots of practical helps... 00:30:18 Anna: No TV in my house for over a decade 00:30:35 Jesssica Imanaka: Reacted to "No TV in my house fo..." with

Have you ever been hurt or discouraged in your faith? Discover why the Canaanite woman's unwavering trust teaches us to keep seeking Jesus above all else.Morning Offering, August 16, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com https://bit.ly/4xrntNOEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Why does the Catholic Church believe Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven? Discover how the New Eve points to Christ's victory over sin and death.Morning Offering, August 15, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4wdNWxoEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

What is the difference between divorce and an annulment? Discover how Scripture and the Church understand the lifelong covenant of marriage.Morning Offering, August 14, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/3UgfqVuEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

What if the goal today isn't to make your life extraordinary?What if it's to learn how to see the extraordinary gift hidden inside the ordinary?In this reflection on Psalm 104, John Ortberg explores how modern life has changed the way we see the world around us. We know more than ever about how nature works, yet we may have lost something along the way: our ability to experience creation as filled with meaning, wonder, and the presence of God.Drawing on Charles Taylor and Dallas Willard, John invites us to recover the eyes of "saints, poets, and artists" and rediscover what Willard called "the well-kept secret of the ordinary."Birds sing.Trees grow.Wild animals drink.Leviathan frolics.People go to work.And apparently God really likes hyraxes.Psalm 104 invites us to look again and recognize that ordinary creation is overflowing with the generosity, creativity, and goodness of God.In this episode:Psalm 104 and the wonder of creationCharles Taylor and the "immanent frame"Recovering the enchantment of realityDallas Willard and the secret of ordinary lifeWhy God made the hyraxSeeing creation as more than something to useThe love-letter analogyReceiving your life as a giftFinding God in everyday momentsScriptures:Psalm 104Genesis 1:26–27#Psalm104 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #CharlesTaylor #Psalms #Creation #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Wonder

Forgiveness isn't weakness—it's the evidence that God's mercy has truly changed our hearts and made us more like Christ.Morning Offering, August 13, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4gc1XGNEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 13th of August, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in Psalm 23:6:”Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” Then we go to John 19:30:'…“It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” The Lord has done it all. He completed the task. He has done the work. He ran His race, and He said at the end, ”It is finished!” And with that He bowed His head and He went home to Heaven where He is waiting for you and for me.How are you feeling about that this morning? Well, I want to use an illustration for you which used to be so wonderful for me. When you plant a crop of maize or wheat or barley, it takes a lot of preparation. You have to prepare the land. You have to get the right seed. You have to calibrate your planting machine. You have to wait for the right time, and then you start planting, and depending on the size of your crop, some men have to plant night and day for weeks on end, and eventually you get the crop planted completely. In between times, you have to stop maybe for a while because the rain is coming down so heavily you cannot get in with your tractors, but the rain stops, the sun comes out, and then you continue and it is critical you get your crop in by a certain time otherwise you start losing the yield when you reap the crop. There is a proper time. There is a special time to get that crop in. So you are working night and day, literally with lights at night, not getting much sleep. Eventually you finish the crop. It's done, it's completed, that's exactly what Jesus has done for you and me! He has finished the job, and the Psalmist said, ”Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” Once we've done the job, stop fretting. Stop being afraid. Do your best, do what God's called you to do and then leave it to Him to do the rest, to grow the crop and to bring in the bumper harvest.Jesus Christ bless you as you rest in Him today, knowing that it is mission accomplished.Goodbye

Into your life and mine the sowing God has come and His economy is not based on how the world works. In the Sower's world wastefulness gives way to hope, inefficiency to love, failure to faith and profitability to generosity. According to the scripture every part of your life has been sown with the seeds of God... ‘where can I hide from your presence..' the Psalmist proclaims. The seeds of God in the sunrise, in the flower bursting with color, in winter giving way to spring...the seeds birthing a revelation of a mystery that says God loves you - seeds giving way to love, compassion, forgiveness, change and new life. This is the gospel of the Kingdom and it is good news.

When relationships become difficult, the Gospel offers a better way: speak the truth, seek reconciliation, and never stop loving the person.Morning Offering, August 12, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4hNUGhEEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Today's Promise: Psalm 16:11 Joy is not something we have to manufacture. It comes from being in God's presence. The closer we draw to Him, the more His joy fills our lives. Jesus was not a gloomy, pious person walking around with a frown on His face. There was joy in His life, and as His followers, joy should be a natural expression of our relationship with Him.   The Psalmist says, "In Your presence is fullness of joy." Notice he didn't simply say joy. He said the fullness of joy. That means overflowing joy. Joy that is more than enough.   Maybe your joy has been running a little low lately. If so, don't look for joy in the things this world offers. Take a few quiet moments and get alone with God. Open His Word. Talk to Him. Rest in His presence. As you draw near to Him, allow His joy to fill you and overflow into every part of your life.

The Cross is more than a symbol of suffering. It is God's declaration that our humanity is worth redeeming and His invitation to eternal communion.Morning Offering, August 11, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4gcUIhREvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Earthly success is temporary, but God's reward is everlasting. Discover how self-control and faithful perseverance prepare us for an imperishable crown.Morning Offering, August 10, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4hgjYFaEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Through the story of Elijah and the wisdom of the Old Testament, learn how quiet faith and attentive prayer lead us into a deeper relationship with the Lord.Morning Offering, August 9, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company https://bit.ly/4pTh8baEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

We worship and praise an incredible God! And we see his glory all around us. Join Pastors Mike and Tyler as they dive into Psalm 148 and see why the Psalmist says we should praise the Lord!Support the show

Prayer and sacrifice are essential, but they're meant to transform us into people who reflect Christ's joy and compassion every day.Morning Offering, August 8, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4wFJwAdEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Have you ever looked around and wondered why bad things happen to good people? You are not alone. In this sermon, we dive into Psalm 73 to look at what happens when our faith begins to slip. Watch to discover how the Psalmist found peace, shifted his perspective, and anchored his trust back in God's presence.Speaker: Tim HarmsMain Text Psalm 73

What did Jesus mean when He said some would not taste death before seeing His kingdom? Discover how this passage reveals the lasting hope of the Body of Christ.Morning Offering, August 7, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4bp693rEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Through Scripture, sacred music, and the beauty of the Transfiguration, learn how moments of God's glory strengthen us for life's greatest trials.Morning Offering, August 6, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4vVebbLEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Series: Summer Series 2026 - Life of DavidService: Other SeriesType: Special SeriesSpeaker: Brent Hunter

It hurts to watch our kids suffer. In a youth culture pervaded by bullying, our kids may sometimes suffer injustice at the hands of others. Sometimes, their suffering is brought on by choices they've made. At other times, circumstances related to illness or accidents are the cause of their suffering. The Scriptures teach us that because of the flawed nature of ourselves and our world, we should not be surprised by difficulty and suffering. In fact, times of difficulty, pain, and suffering are what God uses to draw us to Himself, to conform us to His likeness, and to whittle off all that extra “fluff” that keeps us from maturing in our faith. The Psalmist knew this to be the case. In Psalm 119:71 we read, “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.” When our teens suffer, it might actually be good for the simple reason that God is at work in their lives. While we want to see them thrive in a life free of hurt and pain, suffering can be good.

Discover why St. Mary Major has been a place of Marian devotion for centuries and why Pope Francis chose it as his final resting place.Morning Offering, August 5, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4fICQdcEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

The Courage to Meet the Storm #RTTBROS #Nightlight"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep... Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." — Psalm 107:23-24, 28-29I was walking the seawall in Depoe Bay, Oregon yesterday, watching the waves do what they have done to those rocks for longer than anybody can count, and I came across a bronze plaque I wasn't expecting. It was dedicated to the sons and daughters of Depoe Bay, and it carried words attributed to the old explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The sea is dangerous and its storms terrible, it read, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to remain ashore. It is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors, to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown.Underneath those words was a name. Richard Taunton, 1954 to 2006. I don't know his story. I don't know if he was a fisherman who never came home from a bad squall, or just a man who loved that town and the sea it sits on. But somebody who loved him thought those words fit his life well enough to cast them in bronze.I stood there a good while thinking about that phrase, iron will. Because here's the truth, none of us gets a vote on whether storms come. The fishermen of Depoe Bay didn't get to decide whether the Pacific would turn ugly that day. And you and I don't get to decide whether the diagnosis comes back bad, or the marriage falls apart, or the job disappears out from under us. Storms are not optional in this life.What is optional is whether we stay ashore.The Psalmist knew something about sailors and storms. He wrote about men who go down to the sea in ships and see the wonders of the Lord in the deep. Then the wind rises, the waves mount up, and the sailors stagger like a drunk man, at their wit's end. And what do they do? They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distresses. He makes the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.That's not a story about tough men gritting their teeth alone. That's a story about desperate men crying out, and a God who answers.I think that's the real difference between the courage the world sells us and the courage the Bible offers. The world says, summon your iron will and conquer the unknown by yourself. The Bible says, you were never meant to face the unknown by yourself to begin with. The same God who commands the wind and the waves is the one you cry out to when the storm hits.So if you're staring down some shadowy future tonight, some unknown you'd rather not sail into, take courage. Not the white knuckled kind that pretends the sea isn't dangerous. The kind that cries out to the One who can make the storm a calm and bring you to the harbor He has already prepared.Let's pray. Father, thank You that You are never surprised by our storms and never far off when they hit. Give us courage to leave the shore when You call us, and give us the wisdom to cry out to You the moment the wind rises. Bring us safely to the harbor You have prepared for us. In Jesus name, amen.#RTTBROS #Nightlight #Courage #Faith #TrustGod #DepoeBay #Oregon #BibleWisdomDaily #ChristianWisdom #PracticalBiblicalWisdomBe sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe, it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbrosReflection Questions:1. What shadowy future or unknown are you facing right now that tempts you to stay ashore?2. Where is the line for you between white knuckled self reliance and genuinely crying out to God?3. Can you recall a time God made a storm calm in your life? How does remembering that shape how you face the next one?Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe, it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Whether you're a priest, parent, teacher, or friend, learn how speaking the truth with compassion can lead others closer to Christ.Morning Offering, August 4, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/4wqzumqEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Episode Synopsis:I have good news and bad news.  Which do you want first?  I gave you a hint about the good news in the previous episode, in which we took a look at the thesis statement of Romans—Romans 1:16–17.  The next time you'll hear good news from Paul—and it is really good news—is when we get to Romans 3:21, which is still a number of episodes down the road. As will become clear, the good news of the gospel must be seen against the backdrop of human sin and guilt before the holy God.  Since the vast majority of our contemporaries think that people are basically good and have the ability, if not the desire, to find favor with God, it is important to notice that Paul sees things much differently.Which is why the bad news is really bad, and why the good news makes no sense apart from the bad.  The entire human race is estranged from God by nature and by choice.  When Paul is finished with his indictment of the human race—both Jew and Gentile—there is no one left standing.  The wrath of God is being revealed against all those who suppress the truth about God in unrighteousness.  Because unbelievers inevitably engage in this act of suppressing the truth about God, he gives them over to their lusts and passions so that things run their course and leave such people without excuse.  Because all people know that there is a God, but refuse to worship and serve him, they demonstrate that their thinking is futile and their hearts are hardened.  And they dare not stand before him on judgment day and make appeal to their goodness, character, good works, or ignorance of the truth.Paul is clear that the Psalmist is absolutely right to affirm, “The fool has said in their heart, `There is no God.'”  As those made in the image of God, he has made us to be creatures well fitted for the world which he also created.  We are designed for this world and all of its beauties, joys, and pleasures.  This is what makes the suppression of the truth about him so foolish.  God has revealed himself to all people—that he is, that he is holy, and that we owe him our every breath.  So, when our race fell in Adam, we became a race of rebels who worship and serve created things rather than the Creator.  And as Paul is about to explain, the wrath of God is being revealed—not against the innocent who don't know better, but against a race of rebels who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.  We live as though none of this were true, or we create a god who blesses our rebellion.  But there is a tsunami on the horizon, and it is heading our way.For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here:  https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the waves, they witnessed more than a miracle—they encountered the God who rules over chaos and fear.Morning Offering, August 3, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee https://bit.ly/3RNe3NcEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Most people know that the most important molecule in our bodies is DNA. But another large molecule called ATP is what keeps you and your DNA alive. ATP is the primary energy system within your body. It generates the electricity in your nerves, making it possible to move your muscles. ATP's operation should remove any doubt that it is a product of a wise and intelligent Creator.ATP converts the energy in the food you eat to just the right level needed most of the time by your cells. When ATP delivers its energy within your cell, it loses a group of phosphate atoms and becomes ADP. ADP is immediately recycled back into ATP within your mitochondria to again deliver its energy. On the average, each ATP is recycled like this three times per second. Despite the fact that each of your one hundred trillion cells have one billion ATP molecules, you would die within a few minutes if anything interfered with this recycling. During the course of a day, your body will recycle 400 pounds of ATP! Within your mitochondria are what have been described as molecular "water wheels." When working at its peak, this "water wheel" spins as fast as 200 revolutions per second, generating 600 ATP molecules during that second!The Psalmist was right when he praised God because he recognized that he was fearfully and wonderfully made.Psalm 139:14"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”Prayer: Lord, I thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Amen.Ref: Jerry Bergman,” ATP: The Perfect Energy Currency for the Cell,” Creation Research Society Quarterly. Image: Cell division, Envato. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

What if the greatest obstacle to experiencing God's best for our lives is not our circumstances, but our insistence on knowing the outcome before we obey? Rooted in the opening verses of Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, this message confronts us with a question that cuts to the heart of our faith: are we actually walking according to what God has said, or are we simply collecting knowledge about it? The Psalmist's focus on the word 'walk' reminds us that God's word was never meant to be a set of ideals we admire from a distance. It was always meant to be the living path beneath our feet. We are challenged to examine every corner of our lives, our relationships, our finances, our pursuit of purity, and ask honestly whether God's word is truly shaping those areas or whether we have quietly carved out spaces where we remain our own authority. The message is clear and convicting: knowledge of scripture must convert to obedience to scripture, and the evidence that we truly trust God is that we actually do what he says.Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@CelebrateChurchCelebrate Church is led by Pastor Noah Rollins. Our vision is for people to MEET JESUS so they can go out and BE JESUS.Stay Connected!Visit us at 1000 South Sycamore Avenue in Sioux Falls, SD.Website: https://www.celebrate.church/Celebrate Church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateSF/Celebrate Church Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebrate.church

From putting down your phone to changing unhealthy habits, this reflection offers timeless spiritual advice for protecting your heart and growing closer to Christ.Morning Offering, August 1, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com https://bit.ly/4pREyxMEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, July 31, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com https://bit.ly/4fglswlEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, July 30, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com https://bit.ly/4aMWKlQEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________