Podcasts about rbc

On a teaching trip to Moscow, I decided to take the subway to get lunch. Standing in the subway car, I started whistling simply because I felt good after an enjoyable morning teaching and the day was pleasant. The passengers stared at me like I was insane.

One of my favorite books of optical illusions always astounds me as the pictures deceive my eyes—like one with two lines of the same length appearing to be different sizes, or the famous “impossible staircase” in which four flights of stairs seem to link in a continuous loop. It can also be a little disconcerting to realize we don't always see things as they truly are.

Che partita quella tra Roma e Inter, du squadre che si son dati battaglia fino al fischio finale. Oggi gli altri match attesi anche per il nostro RBC.

When a father learned his five-year-old daughter had fallen overboard from the fourth deck of the cruise ship they were on, he plunged into the ocean forty feet below to rescue her. He held on to his daughter while treading water for more than ten minutes before the ship's rescue team brought them safely back on board. As soon as the father heard his daughter was in trouble, he risked everything to save her.

This week we look at the best travel rewards points that Canadians can collect and use, we give you a first look at the new YYC Aspire Amex Lounge and discuss how you'll be able to earn WestJet points at Tim Hortons. You'll find all this and more in our weekly loyalty rewards and credit card newscast for Canadians

My young grandson was spending the night in our new home, in a bed unfamiliar to him. He giggled with excitement as we read books under the dinosaur tent I'd pitched atop his cozy comforter, but when it was time to sleep, his eyes widened with worry. “How will I find you if I need you?”

Elise felt the panic rising. The book layout was due the next day, but the printer had rejected the photos. It could take days to sort it out.

Stocks dropping after the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates for the first time in 3 years. The persistent inflation warning from Chairman Kevin Warsh, and the areas of the market that could see the biggest impact from the rate change. Plus, Lennar reports results, semi stocks make some moves, and the crude climb cools off; where RBC's Helima Croft sees WTI heading next after the recent energy spike. Fast Money Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Tank Talks, host Matt Cohen sits down with Anthony Mouchantaf, co-founder and CEO of Biossil, a biotech company on a mission to resurrect orphaned drugs using AI and a hedge fund–inspired operating model. Anthony takes us through his unconventional journey: from a law school student obsessed with Alexander Hamilton, to founding his first startup, Rthm (acquired), to investing at OMERS and RBC, and finally returning to the founder seat with Biossil.They dive into the mindset shift required to leave a stable legal career for the uncertainty of startups, why Anthony views entrepreneurship as a “drug,” and how his time as an LP shaped his view of what separates great VCs from mediocre ones. Anthony opens up about the early days of Biossil, the “too cute” capital-efficient strategy, and how a serendipitous dinner intro to Founders Fund changed everything.He also breaks down the real-world mechanics of acquiring off-the-shelf drugs, the brutal reality of biotech timelines, and why regulatory reform is the hidden bottleneck to AI-driven medicine. From the partnership with OpenAI to the company's operating philosophy (hedging beta, maximizing catalyst density, and isolating alpha), Anthony offers a blueprint for building a resilient, mission-driven biotech for the AI era.Whether you're a founder, investor, or just someone curious about the intersection of AI and life sciences, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom on risk, identity, and the art of controlling what you can control.From Law School to Startup Life (02:24)* Growing up in Toronto as the child of immigrant parents, chasing constitutional law* The Alexander Hamilton obsession that started in high school* Teaching a course at U of T law without ever practicing* How a late-night conversation at Massey College with co-founder Alex led to RthmWhat Founding Rthm Taught Him About Himself (06:14)* Getting comfortable with structural uncertainty as almost “a drug”* Why you can take the individual out of the startup, but never the startup out of the individual* The itch that never fully goes away after founding somethingFrom Founder to Investor: OMERS and RBCX (07:11)* What separates great investors from destructive ones* “Extremely hard to kill”: what he saw early in Matt and Ripple Ventures* Why most VCs cluster around mediocrity, and what the outliers do differently* The poker-chip analogy: how capital position shapes VC risk appetite* Why good LPs need to “thumb the scale” for good VCs, just as good VCs do for foundersThe Idea Behind Biossil (15:05)* Reuniting with Alex, an MD-PhD, after years on separate paths* The core problem: drug development should be recursive, but biotechs can't afford to make it so* Why promising drugs get stranded in “regulatory limbo” when the data is equivocal, not failed* The insight: using technology to systematize what was historically a relationship-driven, human-scale rescue effortBiossil 1.0 vs. the Bigger Vision (20:43)* Launching in 2023 on a lean seed round with no capital to acquire drugs outright* Getting “too cute” trying to solve the problem at a fraction of the necessary cost* Why most VCs evaluate founders cross-sectionally instead of longitudinallyHunting for Orphaned Drugs (26:03)* Why data is a cost of admission in biotech, not a moat like in tech* How Biossil structures deals to share economics with original rights holders* Why inbound interest rarely meets their barRunning Biossil Like an Operating Hedge Fund (30:50)* Isolating alpha, or execution, from beta, or market and biotech cycle risk* Why traditional biotech investing is “binary risk you can't underwrite” without a portfolio* Building resilience through catalyst density instead of just runway* The “epsilon” factor: surviving long enough for unexplained outcomes to work in your favorBuilding Lean with AI (34:12)* Running a hyper-efficient, eight-person core team* Why Biossil takes on regulatory and commercial risk, not manufacturing risk* The pipeline today: $70M raised, 11 drugs, 5 open clinical trials across the US, Canada, and Europe* What makes manufacturing the most underestimated cost in biotechThe Next 5-10 Years for Biossil (49:47)* The long-term vision: an approved-drug pipeline, deeper trials, more disease areas* Bringing new mechanisms of action to market as a category-defining goalAdvice to His Past Self (51:15)* Why he's hesitant to just tell people to “go do entrepreneurship”* Motivation matters more than the identity of being a founder* The Steve Jobs commencement speech that reframed how he thinks about riskAbout Anthony MouchantafAnthony Mouchantaf is the co-founder and CEO of Biossil, a biotech company that uses AI to systematically identify, acquire, and advance orphaned drugs left behind by failed clinical trials. With a background in law (U of T), startup founding (Rthm, acquired), and venture investing (OMERS, RBC), Anthony brings a rare blend of legal, financial, and operational discipline to the high-stakes world of drug development. Biossil is backed by Founders Fund and OpenAI, and is on a mission to turn industrial-scale drug resurrection into a new category of biotech innovation.Connect with Anthony Mouchantaf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-mouchantaf-508442113/Learn more about Biossil: https://www.biossil.co/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

In the summer of 1972, a group of young, largely unknown performers gathered in Toronto to stage Godspell. The cast included Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber, Dave Thomas and Jayne Eastwood, with Paul Shaffer at the piano. What happened in that rehearsal room would help shape comedy for generations. I sit down with director Nick Davis and writer Jane Mendelsohn about their documentary, *You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (in a Canadian Kind of Way). We explore how an ensemble built on friendship, trust and joyful experimentation became an incubator for extraordinary talent and how Martin Short's hidden audio recordings helped preserve a production for which no film footage exists. The conversation also honours Gilda Radner's enduring spirit, reflects on Avril Chown's more painful experience in show business, and asks whether such an unguarded creative community could emerge in today's era of personal brands and constant cameras. It's a moving story about collaboration, risk, memory and the rare moments that change culture before anyone realizes history is being made. CHATTER THAT MATTERS is live at TIFF with ODIENCE, an exciting and immersive content platform created by Montreal-based Summit Tech.   To learn more about: The documentary: https://tiff.net/films/you-had-to-be-there RBC and TIFF: https://www.rbctiff.com Odience360:  https://www.odience.com    

On England's south coast, two women who are both named Kate run the Coffin Club. They created this place for people to prepare for their eventual death through selecting and decorating their coffins. Kate's dad died when she was thirteen, and she said, “It was horrendous.

Major averages trade between gains and losses as investors react to the Fed's decision to raise interest rates by a quarter percentage point, bringing the target range to between 3.75% and 4%.Kelly Evans and Brian Sullivan host the show live from Washington D.C., and are joined by Harris Financial Group's Jamie Cox, Raymond James' Larry Adam, JPMorgan's David Kelly, and RBC's Frances Donald to provide their initial takes and first reactions to the decision.CNBC's Steve Liesman, Rick Santelli, and Matt Peterson also join the program to provide their insight and reporting ahead of Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's live press conference during the second half of the hour. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shiro Oguni once visited a group home for adults with dementia. Heartbroken at their isolation from the hum of society, he felt there ought to be a better way. Oguni's creative genius led to what is known as the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders, an actual restaurant with this added twist—all the wait staff struggle with memory loss.

Everybody in senior living is talking about the growth wave. Far fewer people are talking about how it actually gets paid for.Rachel Lynch leads the long term care division at First American Equipment Finance, a bank-owned equipment lessor and subsidiary of RBC. She spends her days inside capital budgets — which means she sees where the money is really going before most of the industry does.In this conversation, Rachel breaks down the three buckets absorbing senior living capital right now, why days cash on hand has suddenly become the metric boards keep circling, and how bond financing and equipment financing complement each other instead of competing. Plus the analogy that reframes the whole thing: would you finance your groceries into your mortgage?If you've ever watched a capital budget quietly disappear into "stuff" — the IT refresh, the furniture, the generator on a rainy day — this one's for you.Resources Mentioned:First American Equipment Finance (a subsidiary of RBC)Rachel Lynch on LinkedInLeadingAge events and conferences Guest Bio:Rachel Lynch leads the long term care division at First American Equipment Finance, a bank-owned equipment lessor and subsidiary of RBC that provides CapEx financing to organizations nationally. Like a lot of people in this field, Rachel will tell you senior living found her rather than the other way around. First American's healthcare team has served hospitals, health systems, and long-term care organizations for more than 25 years, and by 2023 there was a growing consensus internally that senior living had become a niche deserving its own dedicated focus. In the spring of 2024, Rachel said yes to building that practice alongside her colleague Brooke Prieston — and hasn't looked back since.Based in Western New York, Rachel spends much of the year on the road at industry conferences and LeadingAge events, working with nonprofit and for-profit organizations alike. Her favorite part of the job is the conversation before the financing: where is an organization's cash position today, where does it need to be in a few years, and which tools in the capital stack will actually get them there. Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.

While driving her nine-year-old son to camp, a mother got lost after taking a wrong turn and getting the car stuck on a rural forest road in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Her GPS and phone quit working because of the remote area, so they were unable to retrace their way back. In desperation after being stranded for more than twenty-four hours and sleeping in their car overnight, they began to walk.

The recent Lindsay Clancy murder trial and its mistrial result brought shockwaves across the country. This podcast in its first section focuses on this and the potential for a horrible precedent that could soon be coming in the future. The second part deals with the NFL's Buffalo Bills decision to play the Canadian national anthem in addition to the Star Spangled Banner at its upcoming game with the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football. As the NFL has no Canadian teams, along Buffalo not playing its game in Canada, it appears to be a senseless and useless activity because of the recent trade conflict between both nations' governments. It's not unlike the NFL to pull stunts like this, given the recent debacle at the game held in Australia.The final section deals more with entertainer Jelly Roll in coverage from the first podcast from the week before. Do keep him in your prayers as his actions appeared to have brought many serious consequences since his spot on the Jimmy Kimmel show. Correction: Regarding the number of male and female jurors on the Lindsay Clancy case, there were actually 9 females and 3 men, not 11 females and 1 male.The sudden ending was due to a camera clip failure. Also, iOS updates affected the function of my recording app. 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.

A loud thump came from a window in the classroom where I was teaching and startled the students. Then another thump! A bird had flown headlong into the glass and bounced off, only to make another run for yet another crash.

Nestled in a corner of the brick steps leading up to our front door is a hardy little scarlet begonia. We didn't plant it—it must have grown there from a seed that fell out of a hanging basket. But we've let it remain.

Canada's housing market is becoming more affordable, but just as buyers are getting some relief, a new set of risks is emerging.The latest RBC affordability data shows condo affordability nationally has improved all the way back to late-2019 levels, reversing much of the deterioration that followed the pandemic. Toronto and Victoria are now even more affordable than they were in 2019, while Vancouver is only a few percentage points away.Renters are also gaining ground. Average Canadian rents have fallen 4.8% year-over-year to $2,035, marking the 23rd consecutive month of annual declines. Vancouver rents are down 2.4% to $2,729, while record levels of purpose-built rental construction continue adding competition for tenants.But affordability is only one side of the equation.Canada unexpectedly lost 41,700 jobs in August, compared with expectations for a 15,000 gain. Unemployment remained at 6.4%, but wage growth slowed to just 2%, its weakest pace since 2017. The question now is whether this was simply one weak month or the beginning of tariffs and slowing growth showing up in employment.Meanwhile, mortgage borrowers face a very different problem.Canada's five-year government bond yield reached 3.63%, a 27-month high, as bond yields surge globally amid inflation concerns, enormous government borrowing and geopolitical instability. Because five-year Canadian bond yields heavily influence fixed mortgage pricing, mortgage rates can rise even while the Bank of Canada keeps its overnight rate unchanged.Markets are also increasingly contemplating Bank of Canada rate hikes. At the time of recording, market pricing implied a 42% probability of an October hike and 78% by December, with additional increases being priced into 2027. Those probabilities can change rapidly, but the dramatic shift illustrates how quickly the interest-rate narrative has reversed.Development is providing equally dramatic examples of the market reset.CURV, the proposed 60-storey luxury Vancouver tower once marketed as the world's tallest Passive House and famous for offering a Porsche promotion, entered receivership after selling only 41 units. Presale contracts have now been terminated, and the 1075 Nelson Street development site is back on the market. The land had reportedly been appraised between $169 million and $183 million in 2024, illustrating just how dramatically development economics have changed.And even completed projects aren't immune to problems. Owners at Coquitlam's 567 Clarke + Como have filed a lawsuit alleging defects involving waterproofing, windows, HVAC, concrete, balconies and elevators. None of the allegations have been proven in court, and the developer disputes the claim, but the case provides an important reminder for condo buyers: new does not automatically mean risk-free.Finally, Vancouver's fall market is beginning under a cloud of uncertainty. Only 447 homes sold during the first nine days of September, compared with 539 during the same period last year, a roughly 20% decline. It's far too early to call the month, but the initial numbers point toward an unusually slow start.The contradiction is becoming impossible to ignore: housing and rents are becoming more affordable, but employment is weakening and borrowing costs threaten to rise again.For Vancouver real estate, the next phase may be determined by which of those forces wins._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

The sound of the cascading water confirmed that I'd arrived at the 9/11 Memorial Pools in New York City, a place I'd avoided visiting for fear of being overwhelmed by sadness and grief from what took place there that tragic day in 2001. I walked around the two large reflection pools located where the Twin Towers once stood. It was deeply moving to see all the names of those who died etched on the walls—some with roses placed on them by loved ones.

Though we didn't live in the same state as my maternal grandparents, I'm grateful to have known them as well as I did. They traveled regularly to Colorado to see us, and we enjoyed visits with them in California. As my sister and I became adults, our conversations with our grandparents expanded from playful childhood topics to include more serious discussion of finances.

Before my close friend's wedding, we meticulously set the table for two hundred guests at the reception. With joyful anticipation we spent hours folding napkins, aligning cutlery, straightening tablecloths, and arranging flowers. After putting in all that work, we couldn't wait for guests to arrive and enjoy it!

Samantha Fowlds is an authority on change and knowledge management. We discuss the numerous disruptions in which we are living and working. Listen to her advice about how to support employees in this environment by helping them feel psychologically safe in order to perform.Samantha is a Principal Consultant, Executive Coach, and Change Leadership Advisor who partners with senior leaders in Financial Services and Technology to lead complex human capital development and enterprise transformation initiatives.Her work connects psychology, leadership, and change to help organizations build real capability in their people. Samantha holds a Master of Science in Knowledge Management and Consultancy with graduate studies in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, and has worked inside organizations like Oracle, DXC, KPMG, Deloitte, RBC, TD Bank, Scotiabank, Toronto Stock Exchange, Sunnybrook Hospital, and Cadillac Fairview.

Rachel “church hopped” for three years before finding a Bible study group that provided what she couldn't find in a traditional church—community. Rachel is Deaf.

My wife, Sue, and I had just finished walking five miles across the Mackinac Bridge, which links Michigan's two peninsulas. This annual Labor Day event in the United States is a tradition in our state dating back to 1958. We grabbed a seat on a park bench to rest.

A twenty-seven-year-old student studying in Japan had to be rescued from Mount Fuji twice in one week! After being airlifted during his first climb due to dangerous conditions, he realized he'd left his phone and other belongings behind. Four days later, ignoring warnings, he returned to the mountain, only to need to be rescued again—this time suffering from altitude sickness.

In thirteenth-century France, legend has it that a knight left his baby boy at home guarded by his greyhound dog Guinefort. The knight returned to find chaos—the crib overturned, his son nowhere to be seen, and his hound's mouth covered in blood. Assuming the dog had harmed his son, he killed it.

My smartphone occasionally reminds me I'm not good at digital housekeeping. “Junk files are taking up space,” the message reads.

“I killed people in the past,” Tanitan said, “but ever since I chose to believe in Jesus Christ, He will not allow me to commit such practices anymore.” Tanitan, a member of the Ilongot tribe from the Sierra Madre mountains in the Philippines, came from a culture of head-hunting—the practice of hunting humans and severing their heads.

Before our trip to Switzerland, my mental snapshot was of snowy Alps, goats grazing, and mountain farmers blowing alpine horns. However, as we drove south from Zurich, the landscape was the same drab tangle of highways we saw in any city. When we got close to our lodging, we had to drive up a precarious one-lane dirt road.

In Monterey Bay, California, a boat captain saw fifteen Pacific white-sided dolphins join a super pod of more than two thousand dolphins. Various types and ages of dolphins gather in pods to fend off predators, feed, and socialize. Still, the size and diversity of this super pod was a rare sight to behold.

Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer became famous for his talent at age twenty. The art critics of his day called him “the greatest mind that ever expressed itself in line.” As his fame spread, influential people tried to hire him with promises of luxury and ease. Even other acclaimed artists such as Giovanni Bellini and Raphael revered his work. In what experts consider to be his best self-portrait, Dürer mingled his physical characteristics with what he thought Jesus might have looked like. He painted himself with long wavy hair, a beard, and eyes that seemed to convey a sense of divine purpose. Many assumed this piece was a prideful statement about the artist’s opinion of himself. Others who were familiar with his virtuous character believed the painting wasn’t blasphemous or big-headed but aspirational. They believed Dürer wanted to live a life that would allow people to see Jesus in him. If we truly know Christ, this is our desire as well. Believing in Him and accepting His death and resurrection as the basis for our relationship with God means we should now live for Jesus—not for ourselves (Galatians 2:19). We live for Him and He lives in us and works through us. The apostle Paul said this about his spiritual transformation: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (v. 20). May the glory of Christ shine through our lives today so that the world sees Him in us.

Amid the SaaSpocalypse panic, fintech companies remain relatively resilient, protected by the specialized and highly-regulated nature of the financial market. But investors are looking for strong retention and growth, including AI-driven revenues. Jason Gurandiano, Head of U.S. Technology Banking and Global Head of Fintech Banking, is joined by colleagues Matt Thomas and Asif Ahsan to analyze what will set the winners apart from the competition.Key PointsPublic and private markets in fintech remain robust.While affected by AI disruption, the sector has been more resilient than the broader software market.Investors are looking for high retention and growth, including AI-driven revenues.Wealthtech and Insurtech are attracting most interest and are set to see strong M&A.Opening and introductions [00:06]Jason Gurandiano, Head of U.S. Technology Banking and Global Head of Fintech Banking, summarizes RBC's 11th annual fintech conference. It attracted the biggest engagement of the past five years: 430 delegates and 740 investor interactions. He introduces Matt Thomas, Managing Director in Technology Investment Banking, and Asif Ahsan, Managing Director in M&A.Hunt for investments [02:15]Fintech innovation is accelerating. Private investors are actively seeking new investments; public investors are striving to understand the impact of AI on current investments. The winners will be companies demonstrating high gross retention as well as growth that is at least partly driven by AI features.Fintech's resilience [7:37]The specialized and highly-regulated nature of finance is providing fintech with some protection from the disruption affecting software more broadly. But there is a bifurcation, with successful companies achieving robust trading multiples and perceived losers trading near cyclical lows.Embedding offers insulation [9:10]Fintechs that are strongly embedded with their end customers have most protection, and have the opportunity to go on the offense with new products.Areas of opportunity [11:36]Wealthtech and Insurtech are attracting most interest: M&A is likely to remain strong in these subverticals over the next 12 to 18 months. Capital markets software has strong interest, but incumbents face threats from customers with their own AI budgets.

Biotech has delivered one of its strongest rallies in years, fueled by a resurgence in M&A activity, improving sentiment and continued innovation. But as valuations rise and competition intensifies, investors are becoming increasingly selective. RBC's biotech analysts explore the key drivers behind the rally, the outlook for M&A, the growing role of China and what could determine whether the sector sustains momentum through the second half of the year.Key PointsM&A activity, improving regulatory sentiment and strong clinical data have helped drive a significant re-rating across biotech. Higher valuations have boosted investor confidence but may leave less room for error in the second half. Innovation continues to underpin long-term growth opportunities, although competition is increasing.China's growing role in drug development is reshaping competitive dynamics and business development strategies. Investors are becoming increasingly selective, with a greater focus on company-specific catalysts and fundamentals.Chapter MarkersWhat's driving biotech's rally? [00:52) Brian Abrahams explores the key factors behind biotech's resurgence..Why selectivity matters more now [2:30] Rising valuations have strengthened confidence across biotech, but investors may need to become more discerning about where they allocate capital in the second half.The outlook for biotech M&A [4:02] M&A remains a leading catalyst for biotech investors, with deal activity continuing to shape sentiment and sector performance. What the biotech investor survey revealed [7:11] Lisa Walter discusses investor positioning, valuation expectations and why enthusiasm remains constructive despite a more neutral stance following the rally. Innovation, drug launches and competitive advantage [11:02] Leonid Timashev explores how innovation, commercial execution and emerging modalities are shaping competitive advantage in biotech, and why successful launches remain critical to long-term value creation.China's growing influence in biotech [17:44] China's emergence as a leading source of innovation and business development activity is reshaping competitive dynamics across the biotech sector.What could drive the second half? [20:15] RBC analysts discuss the factors most likely to determine whether biotech can sustain its momentum.

After Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters nearly destroyed his small North Carolina town in 2024, a pastor noticed an inspiring pattern. As he struggled to answer the persistent question, “What do you need?” donations kept showing up exactly when he needed them. Phone chargers? Out of the blue, a man drove up with a generator, creating a charging station at the church. Drinking water? Suddenly, pallets of water bottles arrived. Coincidence? The Bible points us to God, not mere happenstance. “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). The promise might seem empty to a town nearly demolished by a thirty-foot wall of raging water. But Paul, who was in prison when he offered this encouragement, was no stranger to hardship. Paul was writing to the church in Philippi to thank them for badly needed financial gifts. Except for them, he’d been neglected (v. 15). But God used them to meet his needs. So, His words shined a bright light on God who provided the “riches of His glory” found in Christ Jesus our Savior, in whom we have “every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3). Joy, peace, truth, salvation are among the needs He richly provides. In kindness as well, He’ll provide a drink of water too, if that’s what we need. What a loving, generous God.

Researchers discovered that the water anole can stay underwater for twenty minutes without a fresh gulp of air. The tiny lizard has water-repelling skin, and after taking a deep dive it exhales a bubble of air that sticks to its snout. The clever creature then rebreathes the bubble again and again—something scientists believe is the recycling of the trapped air supply. Although water anoles possess this special ability, like many creatures, they must breathe to live. In Genesis we read that God “breathed into [Adam’s] nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (2:7). As He created all things in “the heavens and the earth” (v. 4), He also created man from “the dust of the ground” (v. 7). But it took God’s breath of life to make His creation fully alive. He transformed the first human into a living being—a living soul. Later, He formed Eve from Adam’s rib (v. 22). As spiritual beings, we’re able to serve God and enjoy fellowship with Him by belief in Christ. Jesus “breathed on” the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 12:20). One commentator writes that this “ ‘inbreathing’ of the Holy Spirit is essential in order for people to enjoy fellowship with God.” Each breath we take is God’s gift of physical life. As believers in Jesus, it’s also a reflection of our eternal life and being indwelt by the life-giving Spirit (Romans 8:11).

The CEO was hurting employees with his sharp tongue. No one dared confront him. Everyone was afraid of him, including Gene. But one day the CEO berated a new employee, reducing her to tears. When Gene saw how everyone in the room stayed silent, he spoke up. “I told him the way he was treating people was wrong,” Gene recalls. “He was astonished; it was the first time someone stood up to him. He didn’t change, but I’m glad I spoke up.” Scripture tells us of another man who stood up to a challenge many were afraid of. Shammah, a military warrior of David, came from difficult circumstances (see 1 Samuel 22:1-2), but God used him to defeat the Philistines, a formidable enemy of the Israelites. “When the Philistines banded together at . . . a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them” (2 Samuel 23:11). Only Shammah had the courage to defend Israel’s food supply. Being the lone man against the Philistine army meant death, but Shammah “took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it” (v. 12). God helped Shammah defeat the Philistines (v. 12). He may have been the only Israelite in the field, but he wasn’t alone－God was with him, giving him great victory that day. There may be times when we’re called to stand up to a challenge that everyone else is avoiding. Like Shammah, let’s take our stand, relying on God’s presence and help.

In 2018, a man checked into a room at New York hotel for a one-night stay. Remarkably, he used the room for five years without paying another cent—exploiting obscure rent laws to hold on to it. His refusal to leave, however, eventually led to potential prison time for him. Like an unwelcome tenant who overstays, James warns us that the devil lingers in our lives when left unchecked. “Resist the devil,” James writes, “and he will flee from you” (4:7). The apostle emphasizes that our struggles often come from impure “desires” and “wrong motives” (vv. 1, 3)—things like pride, divided loyalties, and impure thoughts residing in our hearts. To counter such temptation, James offers two commands: “submit . . . to God” and “resist the devil” (v. 7). To submit means surrendering every part of our lives to God. Resisting the devil is equally active, requiring prayer, vigilance, and the wisdom of Scripture. Like a landlord evicting an unlawful tenant, in God’s strength we can refuse to let the temptation of the devil overtake us. As we resist him, God promises victory as James asserts: “He will flee from you” (v. 7). When we evict sin and the devil’s influence and “come near to God” (v. 8), we allow His peace, joy, and purpose to dwell more fully in us. The enemy can’t stay where God reigns!

Speaking to a group of young actors, Academy-Award-winning actor Denzel Washington encouraged them to begin each day with prayer, suggesting they “put your shoes way under the bed at night” to ensure they "gotta get on your knees in the morning.” Developing a regular habit of prayer might take some thoughtful and even creative planning, but it’s a practice that has sustained God’s people throughout history—especially in difficult times. We see this in the life of Daniel, who was served in King Darius’ administration. He quickly distinguished himself as the top government advisor, which angered local officials. Out of jealously they plotted to oust the prophet, but they quickly realized the only charge that would stick was related to Daniel’s well-known habit of prayer. Even after the officials tricked the king into making it illegal for Daniel to pray, Daniel still “got down on his knees, and prayed . . . just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10). A consistent prayer life was essential for Daniel to experience God’s sustaining strength and peace (Psalm 29:11). It helped him to triumph over the forces seeking to destroy him. In the same way, establishing a regular time to meet with God in prayer and making it a daily priority can help cultivate our relationship with Him. During each difficulty we face, it’s His strength that will sustain us.

The key metrics to watch in Nvidia's earnings—and why a guidance hike could be on the way. As oil prices continue to fluctuate amid Middle East tensions, RBC's Helima Croft is concerned about a different commodity ahead of cooling temperatures. Plus, unsealed court documents reveal the Fed, the Senate, the Deptartment of Justice, and NASA were just some of the federal agencies hacked by a Chinese state-sponsored group. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael couldn’t help laughing as Grace hid behind a menu. They were playing a game of hide-and-seek at the table in a café while waiting for the food. The five-year-old thought that if she couldn’t see her father, then he couldn’t see her. It seemed silly at the time, but as Michael reflected on the incident later, he realized it contained an important lesson: Do we believe we can hide our sins from God? Do we think that if we can’t see Him, then He can’t see us? In Amos 9, this same point is made when God, speaking through the prophet, warns Israel not to think they can escape judgment for their sins. “Though they hide themselves . . . I will hunt them down.” He said, “I will keep my eye on them” (vv. 3-4). Nothing escapes the eyes of the all-seeing, all-knowing God. But the warning also came with a message of hope. In verses 11-15, God promises restoration: “I will restore David’s fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls” (v. 11). After suffering the consequences of their sin, God’s people would be restored and given bountiful blessings (vv. 13-15). Just as God sees our failings, He also sees our repentance, and He is ready to forgive and restore. As we draw comfort from this truth, let’s hold on tightly to the holy and righteous God who is full of mercy and grace.

Professional boxer Jim Braddock was known as someone who fought not for riches and fame, but to put food on the table for his family. The movie Cinderella Man chronicles his fairytale-like comeback from a past-his-prime boxer to the world heavyweight champion. While facing extreme poverty during the Great Depression, Jim repeatedly sacrifices his own resources, health, and pride to provide for his children. He’s never intimidated by an opponent and courageously endures pummeling in the ring to keep his family safe. Jim’s legacy is one of passionate defense of his family. We too, have a passionate defender who has promised to take our place in the ring. When the Israelites faced Pharaoh’s mighty army after their escape from slavery in Egypt, they were terrified and cried out to God. “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than die in the desert!” they foolishly said (Exodus 14:12). But Moses replied in faith: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (v. 14). And without any action from the Israelites, their enemies were literally swept away by the sea as God supernaturally ended the battle before it even began. Sometimes it feels like we’re facing the trials of life or arrows from the enemy, Satan, on our own. But God has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He fights for us; we need only to be still.

A recent photography contest featured images created by artificial intelligence (AI). People from around the world submitted pictures they had fabricated by AI text prompts on computers. Only AI-generated images were allowed. One winner was a surreal depiction: against a sandy landscape, something that looked like a pink flamingo curled into a feathery ball. There was only one problem. The winning image was a real photograph of a real flamingo. The photographer had entered an authentic photo in an AI-contest. His picture, “Flamingone,” was disqualified. That’s right—the authentic photo was rejected for being the real thing. The prophet Isaiah vividly foretells a similar irony about the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ: “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). Christ was taken to court for claiming to be the Jewish Messiah. Yet he did not offer a defense: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth” (v. 7). Isaiah points to the ultimate contradiction: “He was despised and rejected by mankind” (v. 3). That’s right—the authentic Messiah, the true Son of God, was rejected as being fake. Today, you and I are judges in that court of decision. Do we accept Jesus as the authentic Son of God? Or do we reject Him as something less? Even if we believe in Him, does our daily living sometimes reject Him as the real deal?

Of all United States presidents, Jimmy Carter had the longest marriage. He and his wife Rosalyn were married for seventy-seven years. When Carter was asked the secret to his long, successful marriage, he replied, “Choose the right person to marry.” Beyond that, he named three other concepts for marital success: reconciliation, communication, and devotion to faith. We see the idea of reconciliation in Ephesians 4:26: “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” The Carters took this seriously. “Every night, we try to make sure we’re completely reconciled from all the arguments during the day,” Jimmy once said. We can see the secret to Christlike communication in Ephesians 4. Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (v. 32). God ordained marriage as something good—something established by Him (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4). Proverbs 18:22 says that marriage is a divine blessing: “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” And the way we treat one another, in marriage and in the entire body of Christ, can encourage and positively affect others. Whether we’re single or married, our words and actions can truly reflect the loving, forgiving heart of Christ.

On a Thursday, just before lunch, the pastor passionately reminded the seventy senior saints gathered in his church’s cinder block auditorium about the promise of their resurrection. Meanwhile, in the fellowship hall sandwiches and watermelon slices were set out, waiting to be consumed by mourners sitting on metal folding chairs placed on stained carpet. It was a perfectly normal funeral, except for the preacher. He was a well-known speaker who has preached to stadiums full of thousands. Now he was speaking just as enthusiastically to this weekday gathering. Paul told his protégé, Timothy, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season . . . . discharge all the duties of your ministry” (4:2–5). All the duties. Not only the big ones performed on large stages with bright lights. Also ordinary, weekday duties. The speeches that won’t be recorded and broadcast for generations to come. The tasks that few will see. Do those well too. Because Someone is watching. Paul told Timothy he was serving “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead” (4:1). Your platform may be small, but your audience could not be more important. Jesus waits expectantly for your service. Do it for Him, relying on the power of His Spirit. He will be honored as you humbly, faithfully minister to others.

In the dimly lit restaurant, our waitress quietly took our orders with a solemn expression. But then a customer kindly gave her a writing pen that had a little flashlight built into it. He told her it was so she could “see in the dark.” Her face lit up and her demeanor changed to reflect joy. It was evident that she as delighted by the gift—clicking the light off and on. When she left our tables, the man smiled as he whispered to me: “I think she brightened up when I gave her the pen. It made her day!” The God-given gift of light certainly brightens our days. Jesus is the ultimate gift of light—“Light . . . come into the world” to save the world (John 3:16-19). God provided this Gift because He loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. When we receive Christ as our Savior, our sins are forgiven, and we experience fellowship with Him. Jesus brightens our lives for all eternity. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). As believers in Jesus, we’re also to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). When we receive the gift God gave us through Christ, we walk in His light and “shine [our] light before others” (v. 16). As He helps us, let’s shine for Him today!

As a landscape photographer, I’m drawn to photos I find online. Recently I came across “10 of the Most Breathtaking Places in the U.S.” A photo of a geothermal spring depicts a massive basin of multi-colored luminescence. A snapshot of the Hoh Rain Forest shows a dense mossy forest that looks like something straight out of “The Hobbit.” A stunning picture taken in Monument Valley, Arizona, could be a panorama of Mars. These awesome images make me think of our awesome God. In Psalm 68, David gushes about God’s majesty: “Sing to God . . . extol him who rides on the clouds” (v. 4). Vividly, the psalmist proclaims God’s power over enemies: “May you blow them away like smoke” (v. 2). Yet God’s sheer majesty and power are contrasted with His intimate love: “Praise be to the Lord . . . who daily bears our burdens” (v. 19). David’s epic psalm reaches a climax with his breathless praise: “You, God, are awesome” (v. 35). In landscape photographs, I find both immensity and intimacy. The sheer expanse of these vistas speaks personally to my soul. It makes me wonder if the landscapes of our world are really glimpses of God Himself— reflections of how He’s both awesomely immense and breathtakingly loving. In that light, maybe today we might look for His reflected beauty around us. Maybe today we might whisper to Him, “You, God, are awesome.”

All summer long, the children in the house behind ours spend hours swinging on their swing set. Their noisy swing set. Its creaky noise doesn’t bother the children who seem, some days, to swing endlessly. Complaining, I asked my husband why their parents don’t oil the swing. Praying about it, however, I noticed a change in my heart. I could see the children’s laughter and joy bursting from the trust they find in their family’s yard, and in having parents within calling distance nearby. Jesus spoke of such trust when speaking of children. People were bringing their children to Jesus so He could bless them, but His annoyed disciples scolded the parents, rebuking them (Mark 10:13). Seeing this, Jesus “was indignant” (v. 14). “Let the little children come to me,” He told them, “and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” He added, “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (vv. 14-15). He’d already taught His disciples this when they’d argued who among them was greatest. Taking a child in His arms, He said, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me” (9:37). Demonstrating the same idea, “He took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them” (10:16). What beautiful reminders to be childlike in our trust in Jesus.

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“What a cruel act to be untruthful,” German theologian and monk Meister Eckhart once wrote in a poem that contrasts relationships built on trust and honesty with those damaged by lies. He described truthful, loving words as “wonderful spices mixed into the days.” But lies, he emphasized, are like earthquakes in the mind and poison to the soul: “Havoc is created in the mind that can no longer trust someone once loved . . . . a plague is spread by one who cannot tell the truth.” The imagery of a plague spread by falsehoods might seem stark. But to take speech seriously resonates with how our words and their impact are described throughout Scripture. When Paul describes to new believers the difference between life before and after their union with Jesus, words take center stage. “Do not lie to each other,” the apostle emphasizes, “since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self” (Colossians 3:9-10). There are many reasons to be tempted to lie or distort the truth. Sometimes we might think it’s the best way to protect ourselves or others. But through Christ’s love, through His Spirit at work in our hearts, we learn a different way—one transformed by “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (3:12). And we learn how forgiveness and love can create the kind of trust and peace that brings rest to our souls (v. 15).