Podcasts about rayah

La storia di Rachid Taha, uno dei più grandi musicisti Raï di sempre, in grado di fondere il rock con questo straordinario genereSul sito, una lista in continuo aggiornamento in cui troverete tutti gli eventi di luglio a Milano legati alle tematiche di Medio Oriente e DintorniIscrivetevi al canale Telegram per guardare tutta la lista di quelli (ad oggi) confermati ed avvisatemi se ne conoscete altri Qui trovi Medio Oriente e Dintorni Music, un mio podcast uscito 2 anni fa solo per Spotify in cui scoprirai la storia e le canzoni di artisti e band che hanno fatto (o stanno facendo) la storiaMentre qui trovate tutti i link di Medio Oriente e Dintorni: Linktree, ma, andando un po' nel dettaglio: -Tutti gli aggiornamenti sulla pagina instagram @medioorienteedintorni -Per articoli visitate il sito https://mediorientedintorni.com/ trovate anche la "versione articolo" di questo podcast. - Qui il link al canale Youtube- Podcast su tutte le principali piattaforme in Italia e del mondo-Vuoi tutte le uscite in tempo reale? Iscriviti al gruppo Telegram: https://t.me/mediorientedintorniOgni like, condivisione o supporto è ben accetto e mi aiuta a dedicarmi sempre di più alla mia passione: raccontare il Medio Oriente ed il "mondo islamico"

durée : 00:04:21 - Tubes N' Co - par : Rebecca Manzoni - Tandis qu'après la remise du rapport de Benjamin Stora, la mémoire entre la France et l'Algérie continue de faire débat, votre Tubes N'Co met à l'honneur un artiste qui se disait, je cite “Français tous les jours et Algérien pour toujours”. Voici Rachid Taha et sa version de “Ya Rayah”.

Patrick answers listener questions about what is the proper title for a Protestant Minister, how did God “get made”, why was the Tree of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden, and is it sacrilegious to receive in the hand? Rudy (email) – Is it okay to call a Protestant Minister a Pastor? Rayah 7-years-old - How did God “get made” and how did he get the power to make this world? Gale - I came from a Church of Christ Background and they debated about things like wine or grape juice. Jesse - I am protestant. How do Catholics oversee the local veneration of saints? The ship sank. Or did it? Titanic misinformation swirls Sue - My son in law asked why did God put the Tree of Good and Evil in the Garden to begin with? Barbara - Can a bottle of hand sanitizer be on the alter? Rocco - Do you know why we kneel during the consecration but then stand, say the Our Father, and then kneel again? Jason - Can we dissent to recent Canonizations in the past 50 years or so based on moral certainty? Jeanine - Is it sacrilegious to receive on the hand and when did that start? Is it okay to have non-priests distribute Communion?

Josh and Rayah explore Exodus 17:1-7, a passage about a newly freed Israel thirsting while wandering the wilderness. They discuss what that scene may have looked like and the class difference between Moses and the Israelites. They also wonder if ‘striking the rock' for water might have been a metaphor for breaking down the hardness of their hearts and finding a life-giving source of water.    Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Stori and Rayah talk about the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17:1-9. In this passage, Jesus takes the disciples up on a mountain and Elijah and Moses appear while God once again speaks over Jesus and calls Jesus his beloved son. Stori and Rayah discuss the disciples' response and their desire to stay up on the mountaintop with their leaders instead of going back down the mountain and to the people. They also explore Jesus's possible frustration with the disciples' resistance to taking him at his word and how he may have felt about having to show so many signs to them.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Pourquoi le tube de Rachid Taha raconte l'histoire de France "Viens danser, c'est ta chanson !" : c'est ce qu'entendent Hassen et Mehdi à chaque fois que résonne en soirée l'intro de "Ya Rayah", le tube de Rachid Taha.C'est le point de départ d'une enquête documentaire et décontractée sur cette chanson qui fut deux fois un succès. Créée par le chanteur algérien Dahmane El Harrachi en 1971, “Ya Rayah” raconte la douleur de l'exil en France et le regret du pays natal. Sa reprise par Rachid Taha en 1998 triomphe sur les dancefloors du monde entier et unit la France lors du concert "1, 2, 3 Soleil" à Bercy.Dans les deux cas, ce tube chanté en arabe est aussi une chanson française, car produite et enregistrée en France. Elle appartient désormais à notre patrimoine commun. C'est l'une des mille histoires racontées à deux grands documentaristes, Hassen Ferhani (143, rue du Désert) et Mehdi Ahoudig (Poudreuse dans la Meuse). On les suit dans les bars de Noailles (Marseille) et de Barbès (Paris) ; chez l'historienne et musicologue Naïma Huber-Yahi ; chez le musicien Hakim Hamadouche dont la mandole porte la version de Taha ; avec le musicien Sofiane Saïdi ; avec les coiffeurs et les vendeurs de Marlboro. À l'aide d'analyses brillantes et de punchlines, de témoignages et de confidences, ce documentaire questionne ce que la chanson "Ya Rayah" dit de l'histoire des Français d'origine maghrébine et de leurs exils intimes. Avec Naïma Huber-Yahi (historienne et musicologue), Hakim Hamadouche (musicien et mandoliste de Rachid Taha), Slimane Dazi (comédien et ami de Rachid), Sofiane Saïdi (chanteur, musicien), Rafik (coiffeur à Barbès), Toufik Baalache (ami de Rachid), Farid Diaz (rappeur), Mohamed Kably (musicien), Tahar Kessi (cinéaste), Sofiane Allaoua (musicien), des voix diverses de Noailles et de Barbès.  Hassen Ferhani Réalisateur, chef-opérateur et photographe né en 1986 à Alger, Hassen Ferhani a nourri sa passion au ciné-club Chrysalide dont il est co-animateur de 2003 à 2008. Les Baies d'Alger (2006), court-métrage de fiction, est repéré dans plusieurs compétitions internationales. S'ensuivent Le vol du 140 (2008, Fémis d'été), Afric Hotel (2010, coréalisation) et Tarzan, Don Quichotte et nous (2013). Il forge ainsi sa démarche – un travail sur le réel imprégné de fiction – dont il donne la pleine mesure avec ses deux longs-métrages multi-primés. Dans ma tête un rond-point (2015) est, entre autres, lauréat du Grand Prix FID et du McMillan-Stewart Fellowship (Harvard) et devient le premier film à recevoir deux Tanit d'Or au Festival de Carthage. Parmi une vingtaine de distinctions (Alger, Nantes, Séoul, Toronto, Turin, Valdivia…), 143 rue du Désert (2019) lui vaut le Léopard du meilleur réalisateur émergent au Festival de Locarno.   Mehdi AhoudigMehdi Ahoudig est un réalisateur sonore et audiovisuel multi-primé, né à Pantin en 1967. Il réalise des bandes-son pour le spectacle vivant de 1995 à 2015. Depuis 2004, il réalise des podcasts documentaires pour ARTE Radio dont « Wilfried », « Poudreuse dans la Meuse » (Prix Europa 2015, Prix grandes ondes 2016), « Qui a connu Lolita ? » (Prix Europa 2010), ainsi que pour France Culture. Il réalise aussi des documentaires pour le web, dont « A l'abri de rien » (Prix Europa 2011). Il a réalisé plusieurs films documentaires dont  « Une caravane en hiver » produit par Squawk (prix de la diffusion Raï au Primed en 2020). Le film « La parade » co-réalisé avec Samuel Bollendorff, reçoit une étoile de la SCAM en 2018. En 2022, tous deux ont proposé le film "Il était une fois dans l'Est" et une exposition multimédia, « Frontaliers, des vies en stéréo », pour la capitale européenne de la culture Esch-Sur-Alzette au Luxembourg.   Entretiens et prises de son : Hassen Ferhani, Mehdi Ahoudig - Réalisation : Mehdi Ahoudig et Samuel Hirsch - Guitare basse et mix : Samuel Hirsch - Illustration : Zaven Najjar - Production : ARTE Radio  - Samuel Hirsch

Five hosts on a Return to Gilead episode. Woah. Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock are joined by Michael's three best friends: Jack Cashion (returning guest), Rayah Smith (AIO Audio News co-host), and Allie Barrett (cover artist and AIOWiki Podcast co-host) to review the special episode that kicks off Era 3 of Beyond Gilead, episode 110 (S-12), “The Hope That Heals.” Stay tuned for a lively discussion on Hope Turner and Lori Twichell's best episode yet. Our site: https://returntogilead.com Credits Hosts: Michael LaFaver, Ryan Matlock, Jack Cashion, Rayah Smith, and Allie Barrett Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver Music post-production: Ryan Matlock and Israel Ownbey Cover artwork: Allie Barrett and Bethany Burnett Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produced for and with permission from Keys for Kids Ministries.

Anna and Rayah talk about the visit of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12. They explore this well known story and go over the traditional interpretations of the story and what parts are assumed. These “Three Kings” have a lot of unknowns about them and the dominant traditional theology around them has given us a very specific narrative that is built on a lot of presumptions. They invite us to look at the story with curiosity and reimagine some of our long held beliefs about this story and all stories we come into contact with.  Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today's reading is Luke 2:1-14 (or any of the Gospels!). Stori and Rayah talk about Christmas in a more general way - their personal christmas histories, The War on Christmas™, capitalism, and traditions. Stori reads an excerpt from “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson. They ask us to think about what the phrase “Jesus is the reason for the season” means and consider whether the way we celebrate Christmas reflects the life and love of Jesus Christ. Not to shame, but to breathe life and creativity into a season in which many of us feel pressured to celebrate a certain way.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today Dez and Rayah take a walk through Psalm 46 - a Psalm with strong visuals about a chaotic earth and the refuge we can find in God. They are both struck by the connection to climate change and the increasingly violent response of nature and how we might contend with nature and find hope in these times. The other scripture on the lectionary for today was Jeremiah 23:1-6 which we encourage you to check out! ( a little bit on Psalm 94: https://medium.com/cbuworship/psalm-46-762d0b3f4556 ) Dez Valdez is a Seminary Student at Claremont School of Theology and the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Rayah and Josh dig through Luke 18:1-8 - the story of the persistent widow seeking justice from an unjust judge. They talk about what this scripture might mean and how it might be explained to an atheist. They both feel this passage is a little odd and it almost comes off as God being an afterthought so they flesh that out a bit.  Josh Kingsley is Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

This week Anna and Rayah dig into Luke 14:25-33 where Jesus urges his followers to count the cost of following him into his next steps. This passage is often read as a test of loyalty - those who don't give up everything aren't the true believers. But is that really the point Jesus was attempting to make here? Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Today, Sara and Rayah talk about Luke 13:10-17. In this story, Jesus breaks the Sabbath and heals a woman of a decades-long affliction and that really seems to make some of the church leadership angry. The discussion centers on rules and systems - why are some rules okay to break and how do we identify when those times come up? When do we uphold the system and when do we abolish it? Sara Gross Samuelson is a Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

In today's episode Dez and Rayah talk about Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23. Dez shares a bit about the background of the book and the author, Kohelet (who is NOT King Solomon). They both find comfort and affirmation in the feelings the writer expresses - he seems angsty and frustrated, two emotions many christian churches discourage people from acknowledging.  Dez and Rayah talk about this passage especially in light of the many civil rights that are directly under attack by the Right and how it feels like all that work to get them was meaningless. They talk about how often framing things in the here and now vs the legacy mindset can help re-insert meaning - knowing that people are fighting for you when you're under attack is meaningful, even if a victory doesn't feel like it's in sight.    Dez Valdez is a Seminary Student at Claremont School of Theology and the Youth Ministry Coordinator at Prince of Life Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Jaarrekeningen, cashflow, liquiditeit, reserves, … het zijn termen die misschien ook jouw oren doen fluiten.

Sara and Rayah talk about their beefs with Paul in general and in the passage for today: Galatians 3:23-29. Paul has been used to cause great harm and oppression, but can also be a voice of liberation. Sara gives some background about Paul and the letters he is writing to the churches and Rayah talks about how this passage has been used in anti-semitic ways in previous churches they have been a part of. They both find good news in being able to look at people like Paul with a different perspective.  Sara Gross Samuelson is a Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Rayah and Anna talk about John 21:1-19 - a story about fishing that culminates in the fairly well known exchange with Jesus and Peter where Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him. Anna relates the exchange to a scene in Good Will Hunting (if you havent see it, here's a link to the scene. TW: discussion and photos of abuse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQht2yOX9Js). A lot of the conversation this week centers around why we feel shame when we fail, how to repair that harm, and restore ourselves and each other back to the community.    Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon. Anna Hoesly is a Co-Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon.

This week Stori and Rayah talk about Palm Sunday and Luke 19:28-40. Rayah talks a bit about the specificity of the colt vs a horse. Stori gives us a taste of the womanist interpretation of the palm branch rally in the streets.  Rayah goes off a little bit about a recent christian hate rally in Salem which you can read more about here: http://www.teachergorman.com/blog/2022/4/2/open-letter-to-christians-in-the-united-states  Stori invites us to step outside the arena of respectability politics when the time is right - raise your voice or the rocks will cry out! Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

This week Stori and Rayah dive into the 2nd week of Lent with Luke 31-35. In this passage, Jesus talks about Jerusalem being the place where prophets go to die. Stori explores the way prophets are often looked at as simply critics, but they also must have an incredible amount of love to stay in a place where they see the flaws and still stay there with the hope that truth can change it for the better.  Rayah draws some parallels between Jesus wanting to care for the people like a hen cares for her chicks and those in power not being willing, to the way the government ties the hands of those that want to help care for their neighbors who are houseless and/or in mental health crisis. Stori sends us off with a beautiful quote from Cole Arthur Riley in This Here Flesh.   Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah is a local community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Dit jaar nodig ik enkele gasten uit op de Business Dad Podcast. De 26-jarige Rayah Van Nieuwkerke van GraydonGo mag de spits afbijten! Hoe drukt zij haar stempel in een groot internationaal bedrijf? En hoe gaat zij om met alle corona-uitdagingen? Ik legde haar het vuur aan de schenen in podcastaflevering 59.Alles even nalezen? Je vindt de samenvatting op https://www.businessdad.be/59.PS Wil je je relaties verbeteren, zowel privé als professioneel? Download dan de gratis 7 principes menselijke relaties www.businessdad.be/7principes

Anna and Rayah talk about Luke 5:1-11. After a night of crappy fishing, Jesus has his disciples lower their nets one more time and they bring in a large haul. Then he tells them it's time to be fishers of men.  Rayah talks about the context of the fishing economy and the way that economy exploited marginalized workers like the disciples before they left to follow Jesus and how radical it was for them to change their role. Anna talks about how sometimes hoping after such a long time in a hopeless situation is a vulnerable thing to do, but it is okay to give those hidden hopes some air and bring them to life again. They also look at how this story shifts from the more individualistic “fish to provide for myself” to something much bigger and more focused on building community and relying on each other.    Anna Hoesly is a Pastor and Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah Dickerson is a community member and theology nerd in Milwaukie, Oregon.

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This week Stori and Rayah talk about 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and the gifts of the Spirit. Rayah comes from traditions that often overspiritualized everything while Stori's faith background included a more concrete and "under spiritualized" lens. When coming to a scripture that details healing, tongues, and prophesy, that can mean very different things! They go over some of the ways that certain gifts tend to sit higher up on a hierarchy and be glorified more than others and how harmful that can be. They found good news in there being an important place and role for each of us and that there is room for seeing things through news lenses.  Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah Dickerson is a community member and activist in Milwaukie, Oregon.

For the 4th week of Advent Stori and Rayah host the conversation around Luke 1:46-55 - The Magnificat or Song of Mary. Stori and Rayah reflect on a shared church history of sidelining or downplaying Mary. Rayah talks about how Mary's song isnt just a quoting of the prophets or learned scriptures, but an embodied song of hope in her own words. Stori talks about the beauty and heartbreak of Mary's resilient, enduring presence throughout the entire gospel story.    Stori Long is a Pastor and Social Media Organizer at Storyline Community in Milwaukie, Oregon. Rayah Dickerson is a community member and activist in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Welcome back y'all! I'm Amira. In today's episode Rayah and I have the pleasure of speaking with THE Rabbi Ariel Stone, Brandy Daniels, and Heather Hawkins. Rayah and I listened as we heard about the beginning of Portland Interfaith Clergy Resistance (PICR). How Brandy stepped in on behalf of PICR for my first event, which […]

Hey Friends! Welcome back. In today's mini episode Rayah talks about some of the stuff they've been going through recently in relation to meds, depression, diet culture, fat phobia, and body shame. Hope you find this helpful and know that you are not alone. The Body is Not an Apology Sources: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa/news/20110711/deadliest-psychiatric-disorder-anorexia  https://integrativelifecenter.com/wellness-blog/how-diet-culture-influences-eating-disorders/  https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106268439 https://www.npr.org/transcripts/893006538 […]

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Hello beautiful humans! I'm Amira, welcome back to another mini episode.  I was just telling my bestie Rayah that our podcast is literally my Diary. It has been healing to have a space where I can speak my truths, hurts, growth pains and experiences within my activism world through the eyes of an Anti-Racist Student.  […]

Stori (Storyline Pastor) and Rayah (community activist) host today's discussion of Mark 13:1-8. In this passage, Jesus talks about the destruction of buildings and the temple. Stori paints the scene and gives details about the days and weeks leading up to this conversation. Rayah talks about the parallels of the systems of injustice in Jesus's day and today with policing in America and the exploitation inherent in capitalism. They also talk about their shared history of being youth in the days that the “Left Behind” books were popular and how that affected their worldview. In the end, the encouragement is to link arms with your neighbors and usher in the end of Empire and the birth of a new story.

Hey all! Welcome to another episode of Advocate Activism!  Rayah and I had the opportunity to chat with Julianne Jackson, founder of Black Joy Oregon-Salem. We talk politics, her faith, motherhood, and more. We hope you find something new about the woman with many hats & most of all, we thank you, Julianne for sharing […]

Hey Friends! Welcome back. Recently a twitter conversation Rayah had with a mutual led to an invitation to come to a Torah study at Shir Tikvah in Portland. In today's episode, Rayah talks about why they were interested in going and what that was like for a former evangelical christian kid. Spoiler alert – it […]

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Welcome back to Advocate Activism! This week Amira and Rayah take a deep dive into some of the things that have been going on in the Salem-Keizer School District. Local youth have been busy getting rid of SROs, pushing for the appropriate reallocation of those funds, and demanding violent and racist school staff and board […]

Stori (Storyline Pastor) and Rayah (community activist) host today's discussion of Mark 10:35-45 and Isaiah 53:4-12. In Mark, James and John decide they want to secure their positions at Jesus's sides. This story often feels like some power-hungry punks moving in to secure their spots. Flipping over to Isaiah, an oft quoted passage seems to point directly to the future suffering of Jesus. But maybe there is some room to imagine these stories differently and stretch our understanding. 

Welcome Back! For this week's mini episode, Rayah talks about the history of Samhain (pronounced “SAH-win”).  Halloween – Robert Burns Poem Video  Text FULL TRANSCRIPT If you want to support the work we are doing on the streets and in the community: Rayah Donation Links Amira Donation Links For one time gifts, send us an […]

RACHID TAHA - YA RAYAH (JULIEN FREJAVILLE REMIX)

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Email us at calm.creations21@gmail.com Audio message or email Rayah for the new title of Cookie Time! Tell us your birthday so we can put your birthday and international day in the episodes! Or do it at yourself nationalday.com! Have a great safe sun week! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/calm-creations/message

Please listen to our new episode of The Lebanese Physicians' Podcast with Rayah Touma Sawaya. In this episode, we discuss her book, Solace: A Legacy of Care, which is a collection of short stories discussing the importance of listening to patients because each one of them has their unique story to tell. Rayah's book shows that the field of Medicine is an art as much as it is a science. It is a must-read for all students going into their third year of medical school and for residents-in-training. You can find it on: amazon through the kindle app, and also buy it in paperback.   https://www.amazon.com/Solace-Rayah-I-Touma-Sawaya-ebook/dp/B08MTV6TCS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=solace+rayah&qid=1615937825&sr=8-1

Today we talk about being brave, learn about Rayah's knew favorite thing, glitter, and talk about a surprise. Website: calmcreations493799878.wordpress.com Email: calm.creations21@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/calm-creations/message

Have you ever been bullied before? Well today were going to be talking about them, along with some help from Mr. Muffin! (Rayah!). Please enjoy! Our email: calm.creations21@gmail.com Please email us! Were running out of topics! Even if you want to mention your own podcast, feel free to email! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/calm-creations/message

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+5%3A27-31&version=NIV (Luke 5:27-31) Grace and mercy and peace are always for you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Friendship is a true gift. Who is in your circle of friends? Would you consider Jesus to be one of your friends? The Bible begins with the assertion, it is not good for man to be alone. We were created for companionship, for love, for relationships. Someone has written, “A friend is one to whom you can pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.” Here are some other thoughts about friendship: • A friend is one who multiplies joy and divides grief. • A friend is one who understands my silence. • A friend is a volume of sympathy bound in flesh. • A friend is one who walks in when everybody else walks out. Helen Keller said, “I would rather walk with a friend in the dark than alone in the light.” Here is another quote: “I love you not only for what you are but for what I am when I am with you.” Perhaps my favorite . . . “A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” Profound thoughts about friendship. Friendship is truly a gift of God. The Old Testament Hebrews understood friendship. They had three words for friend. The first is Rayah. It means an associate. Somebody you keep company with, an acquaintance. It would be somebody you know fairly well. The relationship is perhaps superficial. Maybe you work alongside them or are back fence neighbors. The second word for friend in Hebrew is Alooth. It means to be gentle with, to be familiar with. This takes friendship a step further. These friends would be close, people you talk with about really significant, personal issues. You might take a vacation with these friends, go fishing, go to a game, go out to dinner, or perhaps study the Scriptures together. They are close friends. You might not see them for a year or two, but when you do see them again, you pick up the conversation right where it left off. The third Hebrew word for friend is Ahave. It means an intimate, close companion. Proverbs 18:24 uses the word “Ahave” when it says, “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” It is an intimate friend. Remember the Bible story in I Samuel 18 describing the relationship between David and King Saul's son, Jonathan? It reads, “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved David as his own soul.” Jonathan and David had a love that surpassed the love of a man for a woman. They enjoyed a deep, profound love – not a sexual love, but an intimate, devoted love. It also says in Proverbs 27:6, “Faithful are the wounds of an ‘Ahave' (a friend).” An intimate friend not only loves you, but would also speak the truth to you, even if it hurts. Another element in intimate friendship is found in John 15 where Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.” The truest-of-the-true friend is one with whom there is an intimacy holding love closer than a brother. It's a relationship with such honesty and devotion that the friend speaks the truth to the other, even if it wounds the person. Yet, for the truth spoken, it's for the good of the other. Intimate friendship holds such love, one would even die for the other. Do you have friends like this? If you do, you are blessed, very blessed. So against this backdrop of friendship's value, let's consider the story of Jesus calling Levi to be one of His disciples. Jesus came up to Levi, the tax collector, at his tax booth on the street and said simply, “Follow me.” Immediately Levi got up, left everything and followed Jesus. Now tax collectors were among the most hated people of Jesus's culture. They made their living by using their position of...