Podcasts about rbc

Kazuto and his wife Migiwa waited with trepidation for the ultrasound exam results. Migiwa’s liver had been failing for more than nine months, and she urgently needed a liver transplant. Kazuto could donate a portion of his liver to his wife, but there was one condition: Migiwa’s heart had to be strong. The last ultrasound had shown slight improvement to her heart. Would it show more this time? To their disappointment, the results were the worst yet. Kazuto shared: “After I comforted my crying wife, I also cried by myself. But . . . waiting isn’t a waste of time because God is nurturing something wonderful . . . while we wait, even though we can’t see anything on the surface.” Kazuto’s confidence in God paralleled that of King David, who wrote, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). Because God is our “light”, “salvation”, and “stronghold” (v. 1), we can trust Him to offer hope amid darkness (v. 3), comfort us during our trials (v. 13), and secure us safely in “his dwelling” (v. 5). When God seems to delay in answering our prayers, we can still put our complete trust in His unchanging attributes. As we bring our heartaches to Him, let’s also instruct our hearts: “Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (v. 14). He is with us and always working for our good.

An Uber driver named Esbon Kamau picked up a sixteen-year-old rider who was on his way to purchase a motorcycle—a gift from his father. After Kamau dropped the passenger off, he noticed the teen had left a bag in the back seat. There was $8,000 inside—the cash needed for the purchase of the motorcycle. Kamau quickly contacted Uber to try and locate the passenger. Soon Kamau delivered the cash back to the grateful, relieved young man. “Do the right thing at the right time,” Kamau said, “and don’t let selfishness overpower [you]." Kamau displayed integrity. He resisted making a fast buck or taking advantage of someone’s mistake. Instead, he chose to simply do the right thing. “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,” Proverbs says (10:9). When we practice integrity, we never have to worry about remembering what we said to whom, because truth is our only concern. When we practice integrity, we don’t have to fear for our reputation or that our schemes will catch up with us. We don’t have to be concerned about being a person whose “crooked paths will be found out” (v. 9). We simply live true—displaying wisdom (v. 13) that comes from God. We’re secure and free in Him. We face numerous temptations to lie or manipulate in life, but God calls us to walk with Him. And as we do, we can lead “blameless” (v. 29) lives of integrity.

Michele experienced a mixture of emotions as her father neared the end of his life. She grieved when he said, “Honey, I won’t be here to walk you down the aisle.” But she assured him of her love, clinging to the hope she found in Hebrews 11 as she said: “You’re heading for a better country, a country in heaven.” Michele believed that her dad, when he died, would be with God forever. She reflected, “Heaven will be that good!” The letter to the Hebrews was aimed at the Jewish believers experiencing persecution by state and religious opponents. Although it was written before the destruction of the temple in ad 70, the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans may have occurred soon after. In this climate of fear, the author urged the believers to hold firm to their faith as he highlighted a great “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). Each “did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance” (Hebrews 11:13). They lived by faith, “longing for a better country—a heavenly one.” God was pleased to be called their God, and He “prepared a city for them” (v. 16). Although Michele ached with sadness when her father died, she embraced the promises of her heavenly Father. We too can welcome these same promises “from a distance” (v. 13), trusting in God.

Though she enjoyed befriending and helping folks in her church’s seniors ministry, Carol found herself being picked on by its domineering leader. She felt so bothered by it that she had to seek counseling. She was advised to quit the ministry, but she didn’t want to “abandon” the seniors. Feeling caught in between, she prayed to God for guidance, and He gave her comfort and assurance as she submitted her fears to Him. He showed her that she should talk to the leader but trust Him to resolve the issue. When King Jehoshaphat heard of a powerful enemy approaching Jerusalem, his first response was to pray. Appealing to God’s sovereignty, he said: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Instead of relying on their own strength, the king and people of Judah submitted themselves and their troubles to God. God’s answer was heartening: “Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . . For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v. 15). God commanded Judah to march out, but to trust Him with the result. They did so in faith, praising God as if the prayer was already answered—and found a battle already won (vv. 20-21, 24). Whenever we face difficult situations, let’s pray and look to God for help. We may not always see victory, but whatever happens, we need not be afraid, for the battle is His.

Women are often told to work harder, do more and never let an opportunity pass them by. But what if some of the most important career lessons come from learning your limits? In this episode of The Honest Talk Podcast, Michelle Waite reflects on a 25-year career at RBC and the lessons that shaped her along the way – from finding her voice in leadership to letting go of perfectionism, building confidence and making sure your money is working as hard as you are.

Heartwood is the central supporting pillar of certain trees. Although dead, it won’t decay or lose strength while the outer, living layers are intact. Composed of fibers bound together by a chemical glue called lignin, heartwood can be as strong as steel. This element of a tree’s structure enables it to survive nature’s travails. When Paul encouraged the Colossians to live a resurrected life, he could have used the metaphor of heartwood to express how those who have been saved, are transformed. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). While Paul’s reference to us as “dead” might seem discouraging, when understood from the perspective of the resurrection we grasp the hope of such a statement. God transforms the dead core of our beings, strengthening us in the power of the resurrected Jesus to endure the trials of this life. Our prior inner beings are as dead as the heartwood of a tree. Yet we still exist as the unique people God created us to be—and more. We’re made new (Revelation 21:5). We’re new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Jesus “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). We see a living example of how the structure of trees represents our life in Christ. Thanks be to God for transforming us from death to life!

A scientific study revealed that watching TV programs featuring mean characters can actually lead people to be mean. Various forms of aggression—whether outright fighting or subtle gossip—primes viewers’ brains for similar behavior. This connection is often subconscious, meaning that even shows with seemingly “harmless” jokes at others’ expense can subtly influence how we treat others. So too, the people we choose to spend our time with will affect our behavior. Solomon provides timeless wisdom on this important subject: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). He implies that individuals may not achieve this wisdom alone, so they should associate with wise, God-honoring people—teachers and friends—instead of those who are foolish. Surrounding oneself with wise individuals fosters “good judgment” and helps us steer clear of “destruction” (v. 15). One scholar calls this “education by friendship.” Regular companions inevitably influence each other, for better or worse. Solomon urges us to be aware of the company we keep, recognizing that “the teaching of the wise is a fountain of life” (v. 14). As God helps us, let’s consistently surround ourselves with people who will encourage us to revere Him, love others, and grow in wisdom.

In today's podcast I talk about: Track workout. Working on my RBC count. Automation system is ready.

In one of her novels, Toni Morrison tells the story of Nel and Sula, girlfriends since childhood. But the friendship frays as Sula’s self-centeredness grows, culminating in her seducing Nel’s husband. “Why didn’t you think about me?” Nel asks Sula. “Didn’t I count?” Sadly, Sula doesn’t even care enough to answer. As anyone who’s experienced it knows, the pain of a friend’s betrayal is hard to rival. King David felt such “malice and abuse” when a political conspiracy of “threats and lies” engulfed him (Psalm 55:10-11). The worst part was who was behind it. “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it,” he says. “But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend” (vv. 12-13). How should we respond to such betrayal? While David takes his turmoil to God (vv. 16, 20), he prays retribution will fall on his betraying friend (v. 15). We see a different approach taken by Jesus. Faced with Judas’ betrayal, he says, “Do what you came for, friend,” refusing to retaliate in kind (Matthew 26:49-50). Can a friendship recover from betrayal? Only if the offended can stay open to reconciliation and the offender proves their repentance over time. Sula’s lack of remorse means Nel must walk away. May God empower us to treasure our friendships and swiftly make amends for any hurt we cause.

Buying a house or condo is becoming harder for many people in Minnesota. The math is simple. Home costs are rising and most people's incomes aren't keeping up. But solutions are more complicated. Communities need to build more low-cost homes, help buyers with down payment assistance and lower-interest loans, and help current homeowners maintain and stay in their homes. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's CEO Chris Coleman about how the nonprofit organization is working on all these fronts to tackle the housing affordability crisis. Guest: Chris Coleman became president and CEO of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in 2018 after serving as mayor of St. Paul from 2006 to 2018. He worked previously as an investment advisor for RBC and served for six years on the St. Paul City Council.Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity uses thousands of volunteers every year. Learn more on their website's volunteer page.

The US earnings season suggests companies are successfully defending profits against a difficult macro backdrop, even as weaker revenue beats and deteriorating estimate revisions point to lingering pressure beneath the surface, according to RBC strategists Lori Calvasina and Amy Wu Silverman. They speak with Bloomberg's Tom Keene and Paul Sweeney. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

当越来越多工作交给 AI，一次权限配置、一份数据调用、一个看似便利的自动化流程，都可能成为安全与合规的新考题。AI 能让防护更快、更聪明；但它也带来了新的风险边界、监管要求与责任问题。本期 Startup4Chinese 邀请网络安全合规专家 Kat，从基础出发，聊清楚网络安全到底在保护什么，AI 又能如何真正为安全防护赋能。Speaker 介绍｜KatKat 是一位网络安全合规专家，拥有六年多跨行业经验，先后在 RBC、埃森哲、苹果和加拿大政府任职。她专注于 GRC（治理、风险与合规）领域，擅长将复杂的监管要求转化为技术团队能够理解、执行并持续落地的方案。你将了解：• 网络安全的核心概念，以及它为何与每个人、每个团队息息相关• AI 在安全检测、风险管理与合规工作中的实际应用• AI 带来的新型监管挑战，以及组织该如何提前准备• 如何在创新速度与安全责任之间，建立更长远的平衡技术在往前走，规则也在变化。我们不必因为未知而停下脚步，但应当带着更清醒的判断、更扎实的准备，一起走向 AI 驱动的未来。活动信息：2026 年 7 月 26 日，2:00–4:00 PM（EDT），205 Torbay Rd unit 1，Markham, ON。Meetup：https://www.meetup.com/startup4chinese/events/315634129/

We zijn weer terug van weggeweest! In aflevering 1 van seizoen 8 geen traditionele Aftrap aflevering (die komt volgende week), maar wel Bjorn en Rob die onze nieuwe trainer Rob Penders al begin juli aan de tand voelden. Thema's zijn Rob's veelbesproken tactiek voor komend seizoen, de kwaliteit van de huidige selectie, zijn achtergrond, Joey Slegers, zijn connectie met RBC, Rob als speler, wat mist er nog in deze selectie, zijn persoonlijke ambitie en de ambities voor dit seizoen, vragen van luisteraars en nog heel veel meer. Een lang, maar buitengewoon interessant gesprek met een zeer nuchtere en sympathieke Rob Penders dat een mooie inkijk geeft in zijn doen en denken. Definitieve luistertip! Geproduceerd en gepresenteerd door: www.southxvi.com www.unive.nl Gesponsord door: Unive: www.unive.nl Jegers Advocaten: www.jegersadvocaten.nl Next Door Hair Kapsalon, nagel- en beautysalon: www.facebook.com/Hairenmore Hotel Restaurant Vijlerhof: www.vijlerhof.nl Bernardushoeve: www.bernardushoeve.nl Van Ooyen Glashandel: vanooyen.com Ask Felix: www.askfelix.nl PC Data: www.pcdata-logistics.com Wullenweber Keukens: wullenweberkeukens.jouwweb.nl Stock Grondverzet: www.facebook.com/stockgrondverzet Stichting Vrienden van Roda: www.rodajcbusiness.nl/hospitality/vrienden-van-roda-jc/ Voetbaltrips.com: www.voetbaltrips.com Sportcafe De Aftrap: www.aftrap-kerkrade.nl Larento VVE Beheer: www.larento.nl Eetcafe De Pintelier: www.eetcafedepintelier.nl Aspro Brews: www.asprobrews.nl Cafe D'r Koffereck: www.instagram.com/koffereck.vols Kwik Consulting

My friend, Alex, a book editor, checked his inbox, anticipating an angry email from an author. He’d been working with a prominent business leader on his manuscript for months. Unexpectedly, the publisher had decided to halt the publication of the book due to company problems. After emailing the author the bad news, Alex braced himself. A week later a reply came. “I didn’t answer right away because I wanted to think first about my words and how to respond,” the author wrote. He expressed disappointment, then calmly stated how he thought the publisher could’ve handled the issue. The author’s wise, measured response left a deep impression on me. His behavior reflected what the Bible says our communication should be like, especially when we’re angry. The apostle James tells us to keep “a tight rein on [our] tongues” because it’s easy to sin with our words (James 1:26; 3:5−6). We’re to prioritize listening to others so we can understand them, choose our words, and consider whether it’s necessary to get angry (1:19). Not only does restraint in speech help us to avoid sin and allow the Scriptures to change us (v. 21) but it also reflects who God is to others: “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8). Let’s model our loving God with our words—and our silences.

Our Seema Mody recaps the wild session while Eunice Yoon reports on CXMT's soaring market debut and what it means for China's semiconductor ambitions. Lori Calvasina of RBC assesses the broader market outlook and explains where investors should look as leadership continues to evolve. John Belton of Gabelli discusses whether technology spending can continue at its current pace as companies race to expand AI infrastructure. CME is launching of single-stock futures. CME's Tim McCourt explains how the new products could change the way investors trade individual companies. Willy Walker, CEO of Walker & Dunlop, discusses the AI-driven data center boom and why REITs tied to digital infrastructure continue to attract investor interest. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode of 2Days Denarius focuses on the spiritual goal of FELLOWSHIP for our 2026 mid year goals check up. Yes, it's time to take a look at our devotion to being part of a local New Testament Bible believing church. Also, we must look at how we can improve up our church attendance and ministries that we are, or should be, supporting. There are various other considerations to be looked at, along with some encouragement for listeners to increase participation and looking God's calling in their lives. A goal not refined may not be a good goal at all or neglected far to much to begin with. Let's not run that route! Let's be strongly devoted to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Great Commission! Theme song “Holy Is the Lord” is used by permission of songwriter/performing artist Pastor Steve Hereford of the Changed By Grace Church in Jacksonville, FL. His inspirational Scripture songs may be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and many other web streaming services. Search “Steve Hereford.”Your comments are welcome! Send a text my way!2Days Denarius is a Bible believing teaching ministry devoted to the inerrancy, infallibility, and authority of Scripture as our only rule of faith and practice. It also holds to the doctrinal tenets of the London Baptist confession of 1689. This ministry may be reached at 2daysdenarius@gmail.comRon Thomas (MDiv, RBC) is an ordained minister with 25-plus years of ministry experience, 22 serving as an active duty chaplain in our armed services.Material used in this podcast are provided under the educational and commentary provisions of Section 207 of the Fair Use Act of 1976.

As I gazed at the intricate etching Christ and the Woman of Samaria by Dutch artist Rembrandt, two interesting details caught my eye. The first was Jesus’ humble pose—leaning over, with His hand over His heart—as he addressed the Samaritan woman. By depicting Jesus this way, Rembrandt captured a significant aspect of the biblical story. Due to centuries of hostilities between the two groups, Jews typically did not associate with Samaritans (John 4:9). Yet Jesus reached out with respect and dignity to a woman considered an outcast, not only because of her ethnicity but also because of her checkered past (vv. 17–18). Jesus knew the woman’s struggles and offered “living water” (v. 10) to satisfy her deepest need—the gift of cleansing and life-giving grace available through a restored relationship with God. The second detail that caught my eye was the dark shadow covering the woman’s face, symbolizing her initial struggle to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, or Israel’s promised rescuer. When the woman told Jesus, “I know that Messiah is coming” (v. 25) and He responded, “I am he” (v. 26), her eyes and heart were opened (v. 29). As we encounter people who are spiritually thirsty, Jesus’ example reminds me to speak with humility and kindness, praying for God to remove the shadow that “has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4) so that they can fully understand Jesus’ life-changing offer of living water.

The ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II thought so much of himself that he had numerous structures served up in his honor, including many monuments that captured his physical features. One, the colossal statue of Ramesses II, stands thirty-six feet tall and weighs eighty-three tons in all its red-granite glory. Age wasn’t kind to the proud ruler, however. In fact, when he died he was suffering from bad teeth, arthritis, and chronic heart problems. Some of his monuments might last for a while, but—like all mortals—he himself passed. Absalom, one of King David’s sons, also built “a monument to himself” (2 Samuel 18:18). Fueled by rage from past tragedy (see ch. 13) and selfish ambition, this younger man worked to steal “the hearts of all the people of Israel” (15:6) from his father. When Absalom attempted to pilfer the throne, however, God did not allow him to overpower David, His anointed king (1 Samuel 16:12-13), and David's fighting men (2 Samuel 18:6). In the end, Absalom was killed for his treachery. Although his monument still stood (v. 18), he died humbled and defeated. Building monuments to ourselves and serving our own pride and desires won’t end well. But as we humbly serve God and love Him well (Philippians 2:3-8), we’ll find true meaning and fulfillment in His presence.

It’s morning, so my husband clicks open his phone to his favorite gospel song, “My Soul Is Anchored.” The lyrics express hope in God in turbulent times. Dan sings along, the words warning of billows rolling and breakers dashing. But we don’t sway, the song says, because God holds us fast. The words perfectly describe the work of a ship’s anchor. An anchor steadies a vessel by sinking its “arms” into the seabed, keeping the ship from drifting or getting tossed about during a violent squall. The anchor has become a classic symbol of the Christian faith—reflecting our hope in Christ in whom we hold tightly, even in life’s most blustery, chaotic circumstances. As the writer of Hebrews said, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). This hope is Jesus whose “unchanging nature” is a trusted “holding ground” for His followers. “For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe,” wrote David (Psalm 61:3). It is “impossible for God to lie,” so we who hold onto His promises “may be greatly encouraged” indeed (Hebrews 6:18). Some may anchor in unreliable things—their own ambition, unhealthy friends, or negative habits. How much better it is to anchor in the One in whom we know we can trust and depend on. When the waves crash around us, we’ll be held fast. Our soul is anchored in God.

My friend needed to practice parallel parking before her driving test that was coming up soon. I was praying about and looking for a safe place to teach her when the idea came to go to a neighborhood church with an ample parking lot. After we set up what turned out to be a less-than-ideal practice parking space using folding chairs, she made her first attempt to back into the spot and park between the chairs. The pastor came out with orange cones in hand, which would be similar to the ones used in a driving test, and he introduced himself. He asked, “Could you use these cones?” He continued, “Just last week our church family was talking about ways to help neighbors who are new to our community. And we discussed letting people use these cones in our parking lot for parking practice.” They had prepared to help others, and what a blessing they were for my friend. Prepared to help others. That’s what God did for us and in us. He “prepared in advance” for us to do good works and care for others (Ephesians 2:10). The apostle Paul says, “We are God’s handiwork” so we serve under His direction and for His purposes. Salvation is a gift from God, who is “rich in mercy” (vv. 4, 8). Our good works are a work of God through us. We have been prepared by God, and He will give us compassion and wisdom to prepare to reach out to others.

Has your podcast become a long-form ad instead of audience-first content, making it harder to earn attention, trust, and measurable business results? Join Brad Friedman and Roger Nairn as they explore how brands can build audience-first podcasts, measure ROI, choose the right audio/video strategy, repurpose episodes across the funnel, and grow loyal audiences so you can turn your podcast into strategic content that drives thought leadership, loyalty, and results. Roger Nairn is the Co-Founder and CEO of JAR Podcast Solutions, a global branded podcast agency that helps brands create high-performing shows built for real audience engagement. Roger and his team have built podcasts for organizations including Amazon, lululemon, RBC, Cirque du Soleil, Deloitte, and The Wharton School, along with many other brands looking to make podcasting a meaningful part of their content strategy. Visit thedigitalslicepodcast.com for complete show notes of every podcast episode. The Digital Slice Podcast is brought to you by Magai. Up your AI game at https://friedmansocialmedia.com/magai And, if it's your first time purchasing, use BRAD30 at checkout to get 30% off your first 3 months.

Some conversations stay with you long after they are over. This is one of them. Kim Mason is someone I deeply admire for her intelligence, her humanity and the way she makes everyone in her presence feel heard and seen. She dreamed of becoming an anthropologist and journalist, but a summer job at RBC changed everything. Almost four decades later, she holds one of Canada's most senior banking positions. But our conversation isn't really about her career. It's about the paths we walk in life—some we choose and others that seem to choose us. Kim opens up about saying yes to the unexpected, balancing work and family, and how the people closest to her encouraged her to embrace a career-defining move. We explore why empathy can't be performed, what listening reveals that numbers can't, and how thoughtful advice can change lives. I close with the advice I give anyone seeking direction in their career: how to find your passion and pursue it. It begins with the four rewards we seek from our work—and why some matter more than others.

A scientific study—which sought to explore how much of people’s musical sensitivity is cultural and how much of it is instinctual—played drum rhythms for newborn babies while monitoring their brain wave activity. Occasionally, the researchers would omit a beat from the rhythm. Amazingly, they found the infants’ brain waves spiked right when the note was left out—showing their young minds were already anticipating that beat and reacting to its absence. The study brings to mind the amazing way that God has created us. He’s even wired us to embrace the wonderful gift of music and respond to it with joy. And, as the psalmist David writes in Psalm 30, to respond to God’s grace with music of our own—songs of “praise to his holy name” (v. 4). Yet pain, exhaustion, regret, or grief can sometimes weigh our hearts down and threaten to silence our songs of praise. Experiencing despair, even fearing death, David pleaded with God to deliver, asking “What is gained if I am silenced? . . . Will the dust praise you?” (v. 9). David did experience God’s faithfulness as joy was restored once more, as God turned his “wailing into dancing” and “clothed [him] with joy” (v. 11). As God heals our hearts and fills them with the rhythms of joy we were born to dance to, we too can testify: “Lord my God, I will praise you forever” (v. 12).

Michael Saylor's "never sell" era is OVER. Strategy sold 3,588 BTC (~$216M) at a 20% loss to cover $1.8B in dividend obligations — and Canadian pensions are holding close to $1B of MSTR stock. On June 29, Strategy's board adopted its "Digital Credit Capital Framework": $1B stock buybacks, a 12% STRC dividend, and a $1.25B "BTC Monetization Program" authorizing Bitcoin sales "when strategic." CEO Phong Le calls it "evolving from one-way capital issuance to active capital management." The mNAV premium that financed five years of buying has collapsed from 2.66x to around 1x — and one in three Bitcoin treasury companies now trades below the value of its coins. In this episode of the Canadian Bitcoiners Podcast:- Strategy's pivot: the mNAV death spiral, coins sold at a 20% realized loss, insider selling, and JPMorgan's $2.8B-$11.6B index-exclusion warning- The Canada connection: CPPIB, AIMCo, National Bank, RBC and HOOPP hold ~$1B of MSTR — your pension bought the wrapper trade- A quantum-proof recovery tool that works for everyone except Satoshi's 1.1M BTC- OkoBot: malware that fakes your Ledger/Trezor recovery screen- Global hashrate is shrinking — but Pakistan is up 733%- CleanSpark signs a $6.6B, 20-year AI data center lease- Canada bans crypto political donations under Bill C-25- Clown World North: Stan Cho's $16,203 hotel bill, Canada Post's $30.8M in bonuses against a $1.57B loss, and $159,800 in flight catering- The BIS confirms Canada's housing crash is the biggest on record as 56,400 Canadians leave in a year The leverage cycle is unwinding — the conviction cohort isn't. Long-term holders just hit a record 14.85M BTC. ETF outflows and treasury-company stress are paper Bitcoin changing hands; the base layer doesn't care. Hold your own keys. — Canadian Bitcoiners Podcast- Website: https://canadianbitcoiners.com- X: @CanadianBTCPod- Subscribe & turn on notifications ————————————————————————————————SPONSORS

Ben had bought pirated computer software for years, simply because it was cheaper. Even though it was illegal and broke copyright laws, he didn’t fell that it was morally wrong. After all, everyone did it, and why should he buy expensive original software? Who would check? After hearing a talk on daily examples of living by God’s standards, however, Ben, a new believer growing in the faith, began to wonder, What does it mean to do the right thing? Ben decided to replace all his software with original versions. It cost a lot more, but, as he explained to his friends, “God knows. And He calls us to do what’s right, right?” In Amos 7, God reminded the Israelites that His standards were impartial and absolute. There was to be no compromise: they applied to all, including His favored nation. His laws and moral standards were like “a plumb line” (v. 8)—a weighted line used by builders to ensure structural integrity by showing if a wall wasn’t being built perfectly vertical. While He may extend mercy, God can’t compromise His justice—which is why He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place as payment for our sin. The Bible shows us whether we’re walking in His way or not. By His grace, God helps those who believe in Jesus to live in a way that pleases Him and brings honor to Him—to do what’s right.

Michael Saylor's "never sell" era is OVER. Strategy sold 3,588 BTC (~$216M) at a 20% loss to cover $1.8B in dividend obligations — and Canadian pensions are holding close to $1B of MSTR stock. On June 29, Strategy's board adopted its "Digital Credit Capital Framework": $1B stock buybacks, a 12% STRC dividend, and a $1.25B "BTC Monetization Program" authorizing Bitcoin sales "when strategic." CEO Phong Le calls it "evolving from one-way capital issuance to active capital management." The mNAV premium that financed five years of buying has collapsed from 2.66x to around 1x — and one in three Bitcoin treasury companies now trades below the value of its coins. In this episode of the Canadian Bitcoiners Podcast:- Strategy's pivot: the mNAV death spiral, coins sold at a 20% realized loss, insider selling, and JPMorgan's $2.8B-$11.6B index-exclusion warning- The Canada connection: CPPIB, AIMCo, National Bank, RBC and HOOPP hold ~$1B of MSTR — your pension bought the wrapper trade- A quantum-proof recovery tool that works for everyone except Satoshi's 1.1M BTC- OkoBot: malware that fakes your Ledger/Trezor recovery screen- Global hashrate is shrinking — but Pakistan is up 733%- CleanSpark signs a $6.6B, 20-year AI data center lease- Canada bans crypto political donations under Bill C-25- Clown World North: Stan Cho's $16,203 hotel bill, Canada Post's $30.8M in bonuses against a $1.57B loss, and $159,800 in flight catering- The BIS confirms Canada's housing crash is the biggest on record as 56,400 Canadians leave in a year The leverage cycle is unwinding — the conviction cohort isn't. Long-term holders just hit a record 14.85M BTC. ETF outflows and treasury-company stress are paper Bitcoin changing hands; the base layer doesn't care. Hold your own keys. — Canadian Bitcoiners Podcast- Website: https://canadianbitcoiners.com- X: @CanadianBTCPod- Subscribe & turn on notifications ————————————————————————————————SPONSORS

After a fifty-five year wait, England’s soccer team finally made it to the European Football Championship Cup finals. Locked in a tie with Italy, the game was decided by a penalty shootout. England’s last chance fell to a young player named Bukayo Saka. But as Saka kicked the penalty shot, Italy’s goalkeeper deflected it. England fans wept; the Cup was lost. Few will forget what happened next, though. England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, walked over to the devastated Saka and embraced him. Southgate knew how Saka felt. In 1996 it was he, as a young player, who had missed the penalty shot that cost England a place in the semi-finals, and England’s then-manager Terry Venables had comforted him in the very same way. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Paul says, “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). Just as Southgate passed on to Saka what he’d received from Venables, Paul discovered that God’s comfort in his distress enabled him to comfort others in theirs, building their endurance (v. 6). Nothing is wasted with our “God of all comfort” (v. 3). He can use our disappointment for good. One day Bukayo Saka will probably comfort a young player the way Southgate comforted him. Let’s do the same, passing on God’s comfort to create an endless chain of encouragement.

What if becoming a better leader has less to do with learning new management techniques and more to do with becoming more yourself?In this episode, former RBC executive and HomeEquity Bank CEO Katherine Dudtschak shares a deeply personal journey that transformed not only her life, but also her philosophy of leadership. After publicly affirming her gender while leading thousands of employees, Katherine discovered that vulnerability, compassion, and authenticity weren't leadership liabilities. In fact, they became her greatest strengths.In this episode, you'll learn:Why success and fulfillment aren't always the same thingHow fear-based leadership limits both people and performanceWhy vulnerability builds trust faster than authorityHow curiosity and compassion can outperform command-and-control managementWhy doing the inner work is one of the most important responsibilities of a leaderPractical ways to lead with greater authenticity without sacrificing resultsWhether you're leading a team, navigating your own career, or simply questioning whether the life you've built truly reflects who you are, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership and yourself.If you're interested in the impact of capitalism on leadership and innovation, make sure you tune in.Subscribe to Career Sessions on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts for weekly episodes like this. Check out the full series of “Career Sessions, Career Lessons” podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/katherine-dudtschak/.For more career guidance and resources, subscribe to my member community at https://community/pathwise.io

Sentenced to life in prison, Vic shared with friends his sense of longing. When they said that Jesus would fill the empty spaces in Vic’s life, he mocked their statements. To Vic, Jesus being a man who died yet still lived today seemed fantastical. Although skeptical, sometime later he began listening to a Christian radio station and even reading the Bible. Eventually, he asked God to reveal Himself to him. Vic’s anxieties and fears began to fade. He reflected, “Physically, I was incarcerated in a prison with two massive cage-like fences keeping me in, but mentally I was free and protected like Daniel when he was in the den with the lions.” Shortly thereafter, he received Jesus as his Savior. Vic read the Old Testament story of Daniel, an exile from Judah who was thrown into a den with lions. Daniel had refused to stop praying to God three times a day, even when the king signed an edict disallowing all prayer for thirty days except to himself (Daniel 6:6–10). The king was “greatly distressed” and regretted having to punish him with a certain death by the lions (vv. 14, 16). But God, revealing His power and authority, kept Daniel safe, and “the king was overjoyed” (v. 23). Whatever our circumstances, including great hardship, God never leaves us. We need only to turn to Him.

After a lengthy journey, my wife and I finally neared our street, but a large road closed to thru traffic sign blocked our path. I felt the urge to drive around it because home was just ahead, and I didn’t like being rerouted. But then I saw why the road was closed: A downed power line lay across the road. Had I ignored the warning, I could have driven into danger. In Acts 16:6-10, Paul and his companions were eager to preach the gospel in the province of Asia, but the Holy Spirit closed that door. Detours aren’t always rejection, however. They can be divine redirections. Like the roadblock on our street, God rerouted Paul from entering the province of Bithynia. It must have been frustrating to be blocked, especially while Paul was striving to do his best. But then he received a vision in which a man said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (v. 9). God said “no” to something good because He was preparing them for something greater—taking the gospel to the people of another continent (v. 10). Rather than seeing “no” as punishment and rejection, we can see it as His Spirit-led redirection. His detours are often pathways to divine appointments. Let’s not simply trust His direction when the roads are open, let’s follow when He closes them too.

Dragonflies are dainty insects with some of the most amazing flight and endurance capabilities. Their aerial abilities have been studied to improve flight technology. Scientists recently found that with its wings beating thirty times a second, a dragonfly that has fallen upside-down can right itself in just 0.2 seconds. Its eyes process an incredible two hundred images per second to determine which way is up and the tiny adjustments needed to get back on track. God’s creativity and wisdom are on display all throughout our natural world, particularly when we’re able to observe creation closely. In the book of Job, the main character struggles to reconcile his suffering with God’s goodness and righteousness. God responds by asking Job, “Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” (38:33). God begins to describe many animals from birds and goats to the world’s largest predators. He knows what each animal needs for survival and is aware of the hungry cries of their young (38:39–41). God has given each of them distinct characteristics, such as the speed of an ostrich or the strength of an ox, so they can thrive. How exactly does a dragonfly maneuver so incredibly? We have a lot to learn. In the meantime, we can trust that the all-knowing God who designed these creatures is the same One who knows how to bring us from the darkest night into the light and joy of His presence.

China's electric vehicle leadership is reshaping the global audio industry. In this episode, host Joe Coletti speaks with Tom Narayan, Lead Equity Analyst in Global Autos at RBC Capital Markets, to explore how China built its EV advantage, why its OEMs are expanding into Europe and eyeing the U.S., and what this means for Western automakers, suppliers, and consumers.Key points:China's EV advantage is rooted in battery supply chains, subsidies, labor costs and domestic market scale.Chinese OEMs are expanding beyond their home market through exports and localization in Europe.European OEMs may lose share, but Western suppliers could benefit if Chinese OEMs rely on them abroad.Chinese OEMs are technically ready for the U.S. market, but policy volatility and tariffs remain major barriers.Chinese consumers are shaping the next phase of electric vehicle technology through demand for autonomy and tech-forward features.Listen and subscribe to Strategic Alternatives on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share the podcast with others.To learn more about RBC Imagine, access the flagship report, or continue the conversation, contact your RBC representative or visit rbccm.com/imagine.

A famous athlete sat tall in his seat as he prepared to fly to the championship bout he knew he’d win. A flight attendant walked by and said, “Sir, please fasten your seat belt.” The man smiled, “Superman don’t need no seat belt.” She replied without missing a beat, “Superman don’t need no airplane. Buckle up.” And he did. Success can swell our heads. We don’t need a seatbelt or a flight attendant telling us what to do. We can take care of ourselves. If we bring this attitude to church, we’re like an eye that says to the hand, “I don’t need you!” or a head that says to the feet, “I don’t need you!” (v. 21). The truth is, every part of the body is needed, and “those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (v. 22). We are made in the image of the triune God, the Father, Son, and Spirit who thrive in an interdependent community of love. The God who exists in perfect relationship within Himself made us to be in relationship with others in life and in the church. We’re not all the same, and that’s a good thing. “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be?” (v. 17). We’re not all the same but we’re all “indispensable” (v. 22). Who helps you at your local body of Christ? Tell them you notice, that you see them, and thank them for their service. And ask God to show you where you can serve other believers.

Coach Dylan Evans shares his journey from growing up in Owego, New York to becoming the Associate Head Coach at Richard Bland College.He attended St. Bonaventure and was a Student Manager under Coach Mark Schmidt. During his first two seasons at St. Bonaventure he also coached at Owego Free Academy [his alma mater]. The Bonnies made a NCAA Tournament appearance, a NIT appearance, won an Atlantic 10 Regular Season and won an Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship.After graduating Coach Evans accepted a Graduate Assistant position at Keuka College on the women's side. He received his Master's Degree and then joined the men's basketball staff at Richard Bland College (NCJAA D1).Coach Evans was promoted from Assistant Coach to Associate Head Coach after two seasons at RBC under Coach Will Cabrera.

A fifty-ton female humpback whale swam into a web of crab lines off the coast of California, trapping her in a tangled mess. Hundreds of feet of line and hundreds of pounds of traps wrapped around her body as she struggled to stay afloat. Four divers came to her rescue, swimming under her belly. For an hour, they cut rope—dangerous work since one flap of her tail could have killed them. After they freed her, rather than immediately escaping, she swam to and gently nudged each diver. “It felt to me like she was thanking us,” one rescuer said. Whether or not whales are able to express gratitude, being thankful is truly an important part of being human. It’s vital for our life with God. Many of us thank Him for larger blessings (the birth of a child or healing from a disease). However, Paul tells us to offer gratitude for every gift we receive, for every bit of goodness we encounter. We’re to be “always giving thanks to God,” the apostle writes (Ephesians 5:20). Not sometimes. Not only for exceptional moments. Always. And to make sure he’s made his point, Paul adds a bit more. “[Make] the most over every opportunity“ and give thanks “for everything,” he says (vv. 16, 20). Genuine gratitude is more than an occasional word we offer; it’s the posture of our lives. Gratitude turns us to God over and again, always giving thanks in celebration.

Signal vs Noise: Jackson Mikalic, Michael Tanguma, Liam Nelson, and Brian Cubellis debate whether June's cooler-than-expected 3.5% CPI print is signal or noise, break down oil's surge on Middle East tensions, unpack the ultra-wealthy land-maxing trend reshaping Palm Beach real estate, react to New York's first-in-the-nation data center moratorium, and dig into Strategy's new Bitcoin Bank Adoption Index, where Fidelity leads at 71% and RBC trails at just 13%.---

Welcome to RealAg Radio with your host Shaun Haney, brought to you by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture! For today’s edition of the show, Haney is broadcasting from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s summer meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For today’s discussion, Haney is joined by Marvin Slingerland of MNP, Lorna McKercher of RBC, Tyler... Read More

Welcome to RealAg Radio with your host Shaun Haney, brought to you by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture! For today’s edition of the show, Haney is broadcasting from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s summer meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For today’s discussion, Haney is joined by Marvin Slingerland of MNP, Lorna McKercher of RBC, Tyler... Read More

Jay owned a Gideon’s Bible, yet his analytical mind didn’t permit him to accept its miracles. One thing haunted him though: the genuine faith of his friend. So Jay offered a strange prayer. He told God, “If you want me to believe in You, then do something I can’t explain.” One day, something drew Jay to look for his Bible. It was gone. How could that be? He never lost track of things. He drove in the rain to his teaching job at the University of Zurich. Stepping out of his car, he spotted a Gideon’s Bible on the wet pavement. That’s strange, he thought. Picking it up, he noticed the Bible was totally dry despite the rain. Something he couldn’t explain! Gideon Bibles are named for an Old Testament hero of Israel. When God chose Gideon to lead Israel into battle against a vast army, Gideon had huge doubts. He told God, “I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece . . . , then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand” (Judges 6:37). God answered Gideon’s challenge not once but twice (vv. 39–40). Doubt-filled prayers aren’t a pattern for us to follow. They can, however, reveal God’s character. Gideon led a tiny army to a smashing victory (Judges 7). Jay put his faith in Jesus, recognizing that his prayer had been answered by a loving God who does things we can’t explain.

Daniel was born into a Romanian orphanage. For seven years, he only left his crib to go to the bathroom. When he turned eight, a family from another country adopted him. They knew about attachment disorders—that Daniel could have difficulty attaching to them as his parents. Slowly, Daniel started to trust them. Over time, though, he began to rage to the point his parents hired a bodyguard to protect them from Daniel’s outbursts. They decided on a controversial therapy: for the next five years they were never away from Daniel even if he had a meltdown. On his thirteenth birthday Daniel broke down and for the first time told his parents he loved them very much. His mother summarized the experience: “Creating love is not for the soft and sentimental. Love is a battlefield.” We’re all born knowing that something or someone is missing. Like Daniel, we have an attachment disorder. But God “so loved the world” so much that he took drastic action—“he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16), meeting us on earth’s battlefield in what we call the incarnation. “Light has come into the world” (v. 19). God took drastic measures to demonstrate His great love for the world. For you. His strong, determined Father-heart beats to hear from us the words Daniel’s parents finally heard: “I love you very much.”

In this special episode of Tank Talks, recorded live during Toronto Tech Week at Moomoo Canada's flagship store in Yorkville, Matt Cohen sits down with two of venture's sharpest data and investment minds for an unfiltered conversation on the state of private markets.Peter Walker, Senior Director of Insights at Carta, brings the hard numbers from 60,000+ companies and 3,000+ US venture funds, revealing the stark reality behind valuation markups, unicorn deterioration, and the widening dispersion between top-tier and median deals.John Rikhtegar, Vice President at Northleaf Capital Partners and former RBC investor, offers the LP perspective on why trust matters more than ever, why emerging managers are bearing the brunt of capital allocation challenges, and how disciplined pacing and vintage diversification separate winning funds from the rest.Together, they tackle the 4.3 trillion-dollar NAV overhang, the brutal graduation rates for 2021 vintage funds, whether valuations have permanently shifted, and why the ATM analogy might be the best way to understand AI's impact on venture careers.If you're a GP raising capital, an LP sorting through manager pitches, or just trying to make sense of where venture is headed, this episode is a must-listen.The Great LP Reset: Trust Over Performance (08:05)* Why LPs are letting go of newer relationships while sticking with 15-year partners.* The COVID furlough analogy: why junior and newer team members are the first to go.* How trust became the ultimate table stakes in today's fundraising environment.The 4.3 Trillion Dollar NAV Problem (12:33)* Why SpaceX's IPO would return only 10% of capital deployed over the last decade.* The staggering number of unicorns still sitting on stale marks from 2021.* What happens when 50% of unicorn down rounds become the new normal.Valuation Dispersion Is Breaking the Model (17:38)* Seed valuations jumped from $15M post-money (2022) to $24M (2025).* Series A went from $46M to nearly $80M in the same period.* Why the gap between the top decile and the median has never been wider.* How GPs must adapt ownership expectations or get priced out of deals.The Unicorn Graveyard: Stale Marks and Deteriorating Assets (19:28)* December 2021: 640 unicorns on Carta; 85% of current US unicorns.* 30% have raised new up-rounds; of the rest, half raised down rounds of 50% or more.* How GPs are forced to tell LPs that their “trophy assets” are no longer real.Pacing, Reserves, and Portfolio Construction (22:53)* Why disciplined 3-4 year deployment beats 18-month “firehose” strategies.* The 80/20 reserve debate: why leading rounds can become a net negative.* How “deal 13” is just as likely to succeed as “deal 12”, and why slightly larger portfolios make sense.LP Diligence: It's Not About the Marks (31:55)* Why TDPI and DPI are just 2 of 100 mosaic factors in LP decision-making.* How LPs now go company-by-company, not fund-by-fund.* The importance of founder references, especially from failed companies.Canada vs. The US: A Fractal Problem (40:44)* Why every market (Toronto, Sydney, London, Seattle) faces the same “Silicon Valley problem.”* The importance of domestic liquidity and secondary markets over chasing US LPs.* Why returns, not international capital, will ultimately scale Canadian firms.AI and the Future of Venture Careers (44:44)* The ATM analogy: AI will eliminate tasks, not jobs.* Why the role of the investor becomes more important as noise and froth increase.* How family offices are shifting their mix between fund investing and direct deals.Retail Access to Private Markets: Feature or Bug? (53:27)* Why illiquidity in private markets is a feature, not a bug.* The absurdity of allowing crypto “shitcoins” but blocking friends from investing in startups.* Why “401k-entrance” to private equity is a bigger story than retail venture access.About the GuestsPeter Walker is the Senior Director of Insights at Carta, where he leads the team responsible for analyzing data from over 60,000 companies and 3,000+ venture funds. His work on valuations, liquidity, and fundraising trends is widely cited across the venture ecosystem. He is a regular speaker at industry events and writes extensively on LinkedIn about the intersection of data and venture capital.Connect with Peter Walker on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peterjameswalkerLearn more about Carta: carta.comJohn Rikhtegar is a Vice President at Northleaf Capital Partners, joining in early 2026 after a distinguished career at RBC and as an operator at Shopify and in the UK. He brings a unique blend of LP and operational perspectives, with deep expertise in due diligence, portfolio construction, and the dynamics of emerging manager investing.Connect with John Rikhtegar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrikhtegar/Learn more about Northleaf Capital Partners: https://www.northleafcapital.com/Connect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

Pieter kisses a framed picture of his elderly parents every night. It’s been many years since he was last with them. As a young adult, when he became a follower of Jesus, his family and community pressured him to give up his newfound belief. When he didn’t, his parents disowned him. “In the Bible, God promised He’d help His children in difficult times, and I believed Him,” Pieter said. “Choosing to follow Him brought suffering, but He has helped me endure.” Pieter has the assurance from God that He keeps His word, so Pieter is able to trustingly act on God’s promises. We read in Genesis that Joseph, at the end of his life, was also confident in the promises of God. He told his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Genesis 50:24). Joseph was sure that God would keep His promise to take His people to Canaan. So he instructed the Israelites, “You must carry my bones up from [Egypt]” (v. 25). Four hundred years later, during the exodus from Egypt, “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him” (Exodus 13:19). Eventually, “Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem [in Canaan]” (Joshua 24:32). Let’s follow Joseph’s example of faith (Hebrews 11:22), showing our faith in God’s promises by acting on them.

Bulgarian lifeguard Yane Petkov won a world record for swimming with his hands and feet tied together. He swam 3,380 meters through the water, but added something to intensify the challenge—he wrapped his body in a sack. The patience and strength required to keep moving despite being so “tied up” amazes me. The apostle Paul also displayed rugged resistance to obstacles as he served God in the days of the early church. He faced many physical challenges—fatigue, hunger, sleeplessness, and beatings. Through it all, Paul continued to preach and write letters of encouragement and instruction to his fellow believers. Paul penned his last letter to Timothy when he was isolated in a Roman prison, awaiting execution. Although shackles restricted his body, he noted that the good news could not be chained (2 Timothy 2:9). Nothing could stop the spread of the good news or make it ineffective. “Therefore,” Paul said, “I endure everything” to give others the chance to hear and accept the truth about Jesus Christ (v.10). God can help us endure any kind of difficulty that stands in the way of serving Him. Physical limitations such as illness, injuries, and disabilities require care and attention, but they can’t ultimately surpass God’s power, which is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Let’s give God the glory when He works through us to do things we cannot do on our own.

“A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered.” These words, uttered by a character in C. S. Lewis’ book Out of the Silent Planet, depict the joy one has in reminiscing over cherished experiences in life. Though we rightly delight in the breathtaking scenery along the path of a hike or in sharing an important milestone with a loved one, these might be merely the initial pleasure. Often, later reflection on such moments (and those like them) compound the joy of having experienced them. Perhaps this is another reason Jesus instructs His disciples to regularly share in what we call the Lord’s Supper. As He shared the Passover meal with them the night before His death, He infused it with a new layer of meaning. When partaking of the unleavened bread and “fruit of the vine,” Jesus described them as representing His body and His blood (Luke 22:18). His disciples were to share this meal regularly, doing so “in remembrance of [Him]” (v. 19). The Jewish people remember how God delivered them from Egypt through celebrating Passover (see Exodus 12:17). Those who trust in Jesus’ sacrifice retell God’s deliverance from the consequences of sin by partaking of the Lord’s Supper—a somber, yet joyful remembrance. By sharing in it regularly, we practice what it means to “remain” in fellowship with Jesus (see John 6:56) and savor the pleasure of our communion with Him.

After Lam Wai Chan moved from his native Singapore to pastor a church in Japan, he panicked. The church had barely twenty members. In a nation known as a “missionary graveyard,” where about one percent of the nation’s people are Christian and many churches sit empty, Lam felt “like I was taking over a sinking ship.” Crying out to God, he sensed the answer: Offer the church back to Me. Rather than “update” worship or music, Wai Chan asked members to pray—for their needs, family members, friends who didn’t know Jesus. Slowly, the church doubled in size. Their faithful praying is a living, biblical model of how to build a community in Jesus. First, pray. “In every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,” Paul wrote, “and do all of this without worry about anything” (Philippians 4:6). In this way, we offer our ministries, churches, and programs back to God. We may plant seeds and water them, but as Paul said, “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Corinthians 3:7). He was imploring believers at Corinth to stop quarrelling about which church leader they followed (v. 4). As Paul said, “No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (v. 11). Let’s prayerfully give our churches back to Him. Then, watch them grow.

As the US Civil War (1861-1865) dragged on, both sides resorted to conscription (the draft) to fill their ranks. Under the Confederate law, a draftee could dodge service by hiring a man who was exempt from the draft to replace him—in most cases someone under or over the conscription age. Generally, the “principal” (as one evading the draft was called), paid a fee to the government as well as a large sum to his substitute. Only the wealthy could afford substitutes. The apostle Paul writes of the cosmic spiritual war, where “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death” (6:23). There was no clause or loophole that gave those with “means” some way out. But what about a substitute for us all? The writer to the Hebrews praises God, who in His infinite mercy sent Jesus to be our substitute—to bear the punishment our sin deserved, to pay our debt by sacrificing “the body of Jesus Christ once for all” so that we would be “made holy” through His substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). We have “died with Christ,” and one day “we will also live with him” (Romans 6:8). That’s the good news right there. Christ died for you and for me; the substitute took our place. We’re now more than simply survivors of the war. We’ve become the sons and daughters of God.

If you want to bring a smile to Jarrett’s face, ask him about his bees. He’s an “apiarist”—a beekeeper. Though our meetings in his backyard are not about bees, it’s not uncommon for “apiculture” lessons to be a stimulating part of our conversations. But even better than “bee talk” is the nature-fresh, sweet taste of the golden-colored honey produced by Jarrett’s hardworking bees. Mm, mm, good! In Psalm 119:103, the psalmist exclaims, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Closer examination of verses 97-104 reveals that the “sweeter than honey” comparison is just one of several phrases the writer uses to accent the supreme value of Scripture: “Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts” (vv. 98-100). The bottom line is that wholeheartedly embracing what God has revealed through the words of the Bible situates us to live well in this world. Similarly, when Jesus, the Living Word (see John 1:1-14), is experienced and valued—His followers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are well-positioned to live in ways that honor God and serve His purposes.

Trees in cold climates prepare for winter through a process called “hardening.” Water drains from cells so they won’t freeze, expand, and burst the tree. The water that remains between the cells is too pure for ice crystals to attach. Its temperature may now drop to forty degrees below zero without cracking the tree. Trees harden at the same time each year because they take their cues from the fixed calendar of shortening days. They don't stake their lives on the weather, which may be unseasonably mild. They trust the sun, their one sure thing. The Son who made the sun is surer yet. He is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created,” and “in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17). Who tells trees when to harden each year? The same Son who makes the sun rise each morning and puts it to bed each night, pulls tides with the moon, whirls electrons in every cell, beats your heart and inflates your lungs, and holds you when your heart is broken. What holds the world together isn’t a force within nature but a Person outside it. A Person who entered the world He’d made so he could “reconcile to himself all things,” including you (v. 20). In this unpredictable world, you’ve got one sure thing. Jesus will “present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (v. 20).

An elderly woman lies unconscious on a hot sidewalk after a terrible fall. Several people stop to help. One calls 911, another gently places a coat under her head. Others put towels under her arms, and still another holds an umbrella over her head until paramedics arrive. As the person who posted the video writes, it’s an especially heartwarming scene because those who stopped included a wide range of age and ethnicities—all working together to help someone in distress. When an expert in God’s law asked Jesus who his neighbor was (Luke 10:29)—that is, who he was obligated to show love to—Jesus responded with a story of a man badly beaten by robbers, lying near death by the side of the road (vv. 30–31). A Levite and then a priest approached, but both passed by on the other side. Finally, a Samaritan stopped to help. What made this so unusual was that Jews and Samaritans had a history of scorn for the other. Yet it was the Samaritan who stopped (v. 33). After telling this parable, Jesus asked which was a neighbor to the fallen man. The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him” (v. 37). Jesus told him—and us, “Go and do likewise.” May God help us see that everyone we meet is our neighbor, another human created by Him and deserving of our aid.

Mary Slessor’s compassionate heart led her to open her arms to those in need. The Scottish missionary, born in 1848, served among the people of Okoyong in a distant land. Superstition led people of that region to believe that when twins were born, one was good and one was the child of a demon. This often led to both twins dying—being abandoned to starvation or other dangers. Reflecting the loving heart of God, in time Mary helped save hundreds of the at-risk children, adopting nine as her own! In his inspired words to the rebellious nation of Israel, the prophet Hosea offers a glimpse into God’s caring heart for children. The prophet said of Him, “In you the fatherless find compassion” (14:3). Hosea stated that God cared for His own and desired to “love them freely” (v. 4). But they needed to turn from their defiance of Him and embrace His ways. They were instructed to turn from pagan deities to the true God who cares for the most helpless, the orphans. And if they returned to God, they’d find forgiveness from the one who would “receive [them] graciously” (vv. 1-2). As we open our arms to those around us, including at-risk children, we reflect the love of God. Let’s embrace His compassionate heart and extend His care to those in need as He helps us.