Podcasts about repay

South Side Jake from South Side Plumbing and Heating comes on The Fan Hotline to address the recent issue involving "Harry" Callas and some deer meat.

The U.S. and Mexico reached an understanding on meeting the current water obligations of American farmers and ranchers and for Mexico to repay the water deficit in Texas as part of the 1944 Water Treaty, and November sales of ag tractors in the U.S. dropped almost 20%, while combine sales fell 35% compared to last November.

The Day the “Emergency Fund” Met Real Life Rachel here. Many tell us the same story: “I saved the emergency fund, but I'm worried I'm losing ground to inflation and missed opportunities.” https://www.youtube.com/live/T7O8abZDKw8 Because for most people, the “emergency fund” is a lonely pile of cash—stuck in a corner doing next to nothing. It feels safe, until inflation and opportunity cost quietly erode it. Today Bruce and I want to reframe that pile into something far better: emergency fund alternatives that give you liquidity and momentum. What You'll Get From This Guide If you've ever wondered how to stay liquid for the unknown without parking money in low-yield accounts, this is for you. We'll show you how to: Design liquidity that protects your family and keeps compounding intact Think “emergency and opportunity,” not either/or Decide how much liquidity you actually need Compare storage options (banks, brokerage, HELOCs, and emergency fund alternatives like cash value life insurance) Understand policy loans, interest, IRR, and why control and flexibility often beat chasing the “best rate” By the end, you'll have a practical blueprint to keep cash ready for life's surprises—without stalling your long-term growth. The Day the “Emergency Fund” Met Real LifeWhat You'll Get From This Guide1) Why Most People Misunderstand “Emergency Funds”Emergency Fund Alternatives vs. Cash-in-the-Bank2) How Much Liquidity Do You Actually Need?Emergency Fund Alternatives for Real Estate Investors3) Liquidity from Cash-Flowing Assets4) Where to Store Liquidity: A Practical Comparison5) Cash Value as an Emergency–Opportunity FundEmergency Fund Alternatives Using Whole Life Insurance6) “But What About Loan Rates vs. Policy IRR?”7) Real Estate, HELOCs, and Policy Loans—How They Compare8) Early-Year Liquidity & Design Reality9) The Two Big Mindset ShiftsEmergency Fund Alternatives That Keep You in Control10) Implementation Steps You Can Start This WeekWhy This MattersListen In and Go DeeperFAQWhat's the best place to keep an emergency fund?Are whole life policies good emergency fund alternatives?How much liquidity should real estate investors keep?Do whole life policy loans hurt compounding?Policy loan rate vs. policy IRR—what matters most?HELOC or whole life policy loan for emergencies?Book A Strategy Call 1) Why Most People Misunderstand “Emergency Funds” Most picture a rainy-day stash: a fixed dollar amount “just in case.” The problem? That mindset narrows your field of vision to only bad events. You end up over-saving in idle cash, under-preparing for real opportunities, and missing compound growth. The better frame is liquidity for emergencies and opportunities—capital that can pivot quickly, without losing momentum. Emergency Fund Alternatives vs. Cash-in-the-Bank Savings accounts provide easy access but pay little, expose you to inflation, and interrupt compounding when you withdraw. Emergency fund alternatives aim to keep liquidity and let your money continue working. 2) How Much Liquidity Do You Actually Need? Rules of thumb (3–6 months) don't account for your real situation: expenses, income volatility, business ownership, real estate cycles, and your emotional comfort. Bruce and I coach clients to answer three questions: Cash flow cushion: If your income paused, how long until you're back on track? Asset mix & access: Where is your capital now, and how liquid is it (including taxes/penalties)? Personal margin: What amount helps you sleep at night without freezing progress? The right number blends math and emotion. Peace of mind matters because you'll only stick with a plan you believe in. Emergency Fund Alternatives for Real Estate Investors Great operators earmark a percent of rents for vacancies, repairs, and cap-ex—plus a broader, flexible reserve. Emergency fund alternatives make that reserve productive while keeping it accessible. 3) Liquidity from Cash-Flowing Assets One overlooked “emergency fund” is consistent cash flow. If assets deposit $5K–$20K/mo. into your checking account regardless of your job, you may need less static cash. Let the monthly stream cover life's bumps—while your capital base keeps compounding. Cash flow accumulates → periodically deploy to premium (more on that next) Short-term bank buffer exists, but money doesn't linger there You stay positioned for both emergencies and deals 4) Where to Store Liquidity: A Practical Comparison VehicleLiquidityGrowth/DragTaxes on AccessProsConsBank savings/HYSAInstantLow; inflation dragNo capital gains on principalSimplicity, FDICOpportunity cost; interrupts compoundingBrokerage (cash/short-term)High–moderateVariesPossible gains taxesOptional yieldMarket risk; sale can trigger taxesHELOCOn-demand (if open)House appreciates regardlessLoan (not income)Flexible; common for investorsBank approval; can be frozenCash Value Whole Life3–5 days via policy loansUninterrupted compoundingLoan (not income)Control, guarantees, death benefitMust qualify; early-year liquidity is lower Bottom line: Banks are fine for swipe-ready cash. But for meaningful reserves, emergency fund alternatives that preserve compounding and add optionality often fit better. 5) Cash Value as an Emergency–Opportunity Fund This is where Infinite Banking principles shine. Premium dollars build cash value (guaranteed growth + potential dividends) and a rising death benefit. When you need liquidity, you borrow against cash value. Your cash value keeps compounding uninterrupted while the insurer's general fund provides the loan. Result: Capital keeps working; you gain flexibility Mindset: Be both the producer and the banker in your life Governance: Treat loans like a bank would—repay with intention to restore capacity Emergency Fund Alternatives Using Whole Life Insurance Liquidity in days (not months) Access via loan documents—not a bank underwriter If you pass away with a loan outstanding, it's simply deducted from the death benefit; your heirs still receive the net 6) “But What About Loan Rates vs. Policy IRR?” Bruce said it well: I care less about a single rate and more about the system—control, flexibility, and volume of interest over time. IRR reflects long-term, policywide performance. Loan rate is what you pay while capital continues compounding inside the policy. Volume matters: The faster you repay, the less interest volume you pay—at the same rate. Meanwhile, rising death benefits and dividends work in your favor. Chasing the perfect spread can stop you from using a system designed to keep your compounding intact and your options open. 7) Real Estate, HELOCs, and Policy Loans—How They Compare A helpful analogy: a policy loan works like a HELOC on your house—the property can keep appreciating whether a lien exists or not. With cash value, your “property” is the policy: growth continues by contract, and you place a lien to access cash. Differences: Access: Policy loans are paperwork-simple; HELOCs require bank re-approval and can be frozen. Speed: Policies often fund in 3–5 business days; HELOC timing varies. Control: With a policy, you set repayment terms; with banks, they do. For investors, combining a small bank buffer, a HELOC, and cash value creates layers of redundancy—plus uninterrupted compounding. 8) Early-Year Liquidity & Design Reality Honest trade-off: in the first year(s), you won't have access to 100% of premium dollars. That early drag buys you guarantees, long-term compounding, and a growing death benefit. Design matters (base + paid-up additions) and expectations matter. Ask: Do I really need every dollar back in 30 days? Most don't. By years 3–4, well-designed policies are commonly close to dollar-for-dollar access on new premium—and rising. 9) The Two Big Mindset Shifts From Emergency to Emergency–OpportunityStop saving only for the worst. Start storing capital that can respond to anything—repairs, vacancies, investments, giving, tuition, tithing, trips. From Saver to BankerDon't just hold capital; govern it. Design rules. Repay loans. Value your capital at least as much as a bank would. This shifts you from scarcity to stewardship. Emergency Fund Alternatives That Keep You in Control The aim isn't a magic product; it's a governed system that preserves compounding, widens options, and serves your family for decades. 10) Implementation Steps You Can Start This Week Clarify your true liquidity need. Calculate 90–180 days of net cash flow needs, not just expenses. Segment reserves: Keep a thin swipe-ready bank buffer; move the rest to emergency fund alternatives (e.g., cash value). Document loan rules: When you borrow, how will you repay? From what cash flow? On what rhythm? Automate funding: Set recurring transfers to build capital consistently. Review quarterly: Check buffer size, upcoming premiums/PUAs, deal pipeline, and family needs. Think generationally: Policies on multiple family members expand access, diversify insurability, and strengthen your long-term plan. Why This Matters Your “emergency fund” shouldn't be a deadweight expense. With emergency fund alternatives, you can keep liquidity, protect your family, and maintain uninterrupted compounding. Cash-flowing assets provide monthly cushion. Cash value provides controlled access, contractual growth, and a rising death benefit. Together, they create a resilient system that handles storms and seizes sunshine. Listen In and Go Deeper Want the full conversation—including examples, loan mechanics, and our candid takes on rates, IRR, and real-world trade-offs? Listen to the podcast episode on Emergency Fund Alternatives to hear how we actually apply this with clients and in our own families.

Recapping Cy-Hawk basketball with Eugene Repay & Tom Kakert

Friday Hour 1: Recapping Cy-Hawk basketball with Eugene Repay & Tom Kakert

Former President Jacob Zuma has lost his bid to overturn a court order to repay nearly R29 million in legal fees. Justice Anthony Millar ruled that Zuma must settle the amount within 60 days or face asset seizure, including his presidential pension. Elvis Presslin spoke to Legal analyst, Melusi Xulu

A practitioner in Taiwan shares how she improved in cultivation through memorizing the Fa, how she overcame a severe bout of illness karma by identifying attachments to resentment, and how she learned to use computers to help in truth clarifying activities. This and other experience-sharing from the Minghui website.Original Articles:1. [Fahui] Cultivating Diligently to Repay Master for His Compassionate Salvation2. [Fahui] My Cultivation Journey3. Thoughts on Eliminating Modern Deviated Notions To provide feedback on this podcast, please email us at feedback@minghuiradio.org

Auto-generated transcript: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Alhamdulillah, Rabbil Alameen, wassalatu wassalamu ala al-sharafi al-anbiya wal-mursaleen. Muhammad Rasulullah, sallallahu alayhi wa ala alihi wa sallam, tasliman kathiran kathiran. Firmabadu, my brothers and sisters. Alhamdulillah, bi-zinillahi ta’ala. My wife and I, we are going for Umrah just now. We ask… Continue reading You can never repay anyone

"For you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise, and there will be healing in its wings. You will go out and jump around like calves from the stall" (Malachi 4:2). Amen.Last Sunday afternoon, Matt and I took young Trapper to Casper Mountain to ride our side-by-sides. I'm blessed to have Bluetooth speakers in my side-by-side. So, I had him listening to my eclectic choice of music – Swing, Celtic, Home Free, Tophouse, Bodeans, and so on. One of the first songs that came on was "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond. We both sang loudly to the song, especially the "ba ba ba" and "so good so good" parts. Later, Trapper asked, "Did we just listen to AC/DC followed by Johnny Cash?""Yes. Yes, we did."One of the last songs that Johnny Cash released was a song that reflected his Christianity and his reverence for God's Word. The title of the song is, "When the Man Comes Around." It's a song about Jesus' return on Judgment Day. It is filled with biblical references and pictures that Jesus will return, time is short, and the moment for serious reflection is right now. Here are some of the lyrics:Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still. Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still. Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still. Listen to the words long-written down, When the man comes around. Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers. One hundred million angels singin'. Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettle drum. Voices callin', voices cryin'. Some are born and some are dyin'. It's Alpha and Omega's Kingdom come.Jesus is returning. St. Paul encourages the Christians in Thessalonica with this news. Paul had only been able to stay in Thessalonica for about three weeks before he was chased out of the city by the extreme persecution to the gospel of Christ. The Thessalonian citizens stayed and endured this persecution. Paul encourages them that their faith is growing more and more (2 Thessalonians 1:3), despite – and perhaps because of – this persecution. He writes, "This is evidence of God's righteous verdict that resulted in your being counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also suffer" (2 Thessalonians 1:5). How was their persecution evidence of God's righteous verdict?Paul assured the Thessalonians that God loved them, had forgiven them, and would continue to be with them. That was how God judged them. If they had caved in and not gone through the trials and persecutions they were called on to endure, God could not judge them worthy of eternal life. But because they had endured, God's judgment was right, and his judgment would be made public on the Last Day.How about you? Are you being persecuted for your faith in Jesus Christ? At work, at home, at school, in public, on social media? Are you bold and unapologetic about your faith? Do you wear your faith symbolically on your sleeve or physically on your T-shirt? Do people know you're a Christian with every move you make and every word you speak? When you face persecution – which you should because the world hates us because they hate Christ – that is evidence that you, too, are being counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you suffer.Paul says that God makes a "righteous verdict". There are two things that God will do on Judgment Day because he is just and his verdict is righteous. First, God will judge us as worthy of eternal life because we held to Christ by faith. This verdict is ours, not because of anything we have done, but only because the Holy Spirit brought us to faith and kept us in the one, true faith. The only thing we "did" was not say "no" to this gift of faith. Second, God will punish the enemies of the gospel for all they've done to his chosen people throughout the history of the world. God will undo all the pain that sin inflicts on us, including the pain of persecution.St. Paul then goes on to explain how God's justice will come upon those who oppose his Son and the followers of his Son. "Certainly, it is right for God to repay trouble to those who trouble you, and to give relief to you, who are troubled along with us. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his powerful angels, he will exercise vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Such people will receive a just penalty: eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious strength" (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).Paul says clearly that God will repay trouble to those who trouble you for your Christian faith. Why is God's justice important for Christians to remember as we suffer at the hands of tyrannical governments, demonic despots, unbelievers, pagans, social media bullies, and so on? As individual Christians, we don't take revenge. We follow Paul's advice to the Christians in Rome who were also being persecuted, "Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written, 'vengeance is mine; I will repay,' says the Lord" (Romans 12:19-20).The Lord Jesus will bring his righteous wrath upon those who persecuted his people. We leave room for God's vengeance. Until then, we turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39); forgive 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:22); pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44); live as Christian salt to season a decaying world; and live as light in the pagan darkness (Matthew 5:13-16). God will bring trouble on those who trouble us. But we cannot be weak Christians, either. We put on the gospel armor, and we take the fight to the devil and his followers. Every day, I am sharing images on social media reminding Christians that we are in a war. Christ has called us to be his warriors, Christian soldiers, marching off to war, with the blood of Jesus going on before. This is a war Christ has already won for us. But it's one where we'll get hurt and bloodied in. We're going to be in trouble!What kind of trouble will those who trouble us receive? "Vengeance in flaming fire." Malachi describes this vengeance in a similar way: "The day is coming, burning like a blast furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble. The day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord of Armies, a day that will not leave behind a root or branch for them" (Malachi 4:1). "Eternal destruction." That seems like a contradiction, for how can destruction be everlasting? But there's no other way to describe the endless pain and torment there. "Away from the presence of the Lord." The worst part about God's justice is that unbelievers will be removed from God's presence. They will be outside, unwanted, and uncomforted.American culture has attempted to neuter God by taking away his justice. They imagine he's a divine grandfather sitting in heaven handing out candy and sweets to those on earth. He looks the other way when people sin. He tolerates all kinds of false religions. Society has attempted to emasculate God by emptying him of his authority. They have mutilated the God of the Bible by removing his wrath and only emphasizing his mercy.When the wrath of God is removed, then the central act in all human history has been emptied of its power and meaning. If God is not all that angry with sinners, then Christianity is nothing more than feeble moralism where we urge people to be a little nicer to each other. If Christ's death did not pay the terrible price for a world of human sin, then his death was nothing but a pathetic and weak act that can do nothing to change our lives. If Christ did not bear in his sacred body the wrath and punishment we deserve, then we are still in our sins and will endure God's wrath and punishment on the Last Day.The Bible balances the wrath of God with the mercy of God. If people accept God's mercy through Christ Jesus, they escape his wrath. However, if people refuse to receive the mercy of God for Christ's sake, then they will receive the wrath of God coming from the Lord Jesus in blazing fire.Take the time to bow your head and confess to God your sin of taking God's wrath upon your sin lightly.Private confession.Are you a Christian? Have you received and believe in Christ's mercy? Has God counted you worthy of his kingdom because of your faith in his Son?If you answered "yes" to those questions, then Judgment Day has already taken place for you. It took place when the ever-living Son of God hung dead on the cross. It took place when the guilty verdict was placed on him. When God the Father poured out his wrath on his Son. When God declared his righteous verdict of guilty upon Jesus. When the Father forsook, turned his back on, and abandoned his only begotten Son. When the punishment for humanity's rebellion was placed upon the thorn-crowned head, the scourged back, and the nailed hands and feet of Jesus Christ.All the judgment of God against humanity's sin took place on that one day, in that one place, on that One Man. On the cross. In the tomb. Under God's wrath. Your Servant took your place. Your King took your place. Your God took your place – as your Substitute – to set you free. And you are free. It is finished! God's judgment has been endured by Jesus so that you as Christians might receive God's pardon and forgiveness. God's wrath was poured out in history's past instead of being poured out in our eternal future.This verdict of freedom and this pronouncement of forgiveness is what you need to hear in church every week. For every week, as we gather in church, we have a small dress rehearsal for Judgment Day. Every week in worship is like a little Judgment Day as the King comes to us and tells us his judgment. He announces in the absolution, "I have forgiven your sins by my sacrifice." He reveals, "You are mine," every time we see the pastor make the sign of the cross reminding us of the cross that was placed over our hearts and heads at our baptism – the date when we became God's. In the Scripture lessons, sermons, and hymns Jesus declares, "I will either be your unrelenting Judge or your all-merciful Savior." When we taste his body and drink his blood in the Lord's Supper he proclaims, "I am giving myself to you."You will suffer for believing all this. The theme from the Scripture readings today is don't despair. God declares over and over again that there will come a time when those who have rebelled against him and brought trouble to his people will themselves have trouble, and God's believers will have relief. God will carry out his justice. We Christians may suffer temporally here on earth at the hands of unbelievers for our faith, but the unbelievers will suffer eternally in hell at the hands of a just God for their lack of faith. "Such people will receive a just penalty: eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious strength, on that day when he comes to be glorified among his saints, and to be marveled at among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed" (2 Thessalonians 1:9-10).Because of God's wrath there will be justice. And relief. What is the relief that all Christians are looking forward to? Eternal life in heaven where we'll be marveling at our Christ.Failing to recognize God's wrath can effectively trivialize God's power. Singing about God's wrath upon sinners serves as a direct reminder of God's mercy to forgiven sinners. That's why we sang of God's wrath and relief that comes on Judgment Day. Songs like "Great God, What Do I See and Hear," "The Day is Surely Drawing Near," and "Day of Wrath, Oh, Day of Mourning." Or even country songs like, "When the Man Comes Around."Last Sunday evening, I texted Ashley, Trapper's mom. I asked if Trapper enjoyed the ride. She said he did. I then wrote, "Great! I don't fault him if he said, 'I'll go with Pastor again. Just don't let him sing anymore!" She assured me he didn't say anything like that.When you suffer for your Christian faith, you might wonder, "Where is God's justice?" Just wait. It's coming. Maybe not now. Maybe not soon. But eventually. Eternally. The final justice will be on the Great Day of Judgment. God's justice will be our relief. Then God will repay trouble on those who trouble you. Amen."You will trample the wicked. They will surely be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I take action, says the Lord of Armies" (Malachi 4:3). Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/god-will-repay-trouble-to-those-who-trouble-you/

Trump To Repay National Debt By Giving Everyone $2,000! (gold & silver rally most likely unrelated:) On one hand, we've all learned to take anything a politician says with a grain of salt. As anyone who's been following our political system knows it's usually more likely that a politician is lying than telling the truth. But lately, things are getting a little bit out of control with some of the statements coming out of the Trump administration, which we dig into in today's live show. So join us at 2 p.m. Eastern and prepared to be shocked by what you hear! - To find out more about the latest earnings results from Fortuna Mining go to: https://fortunamining.com/news/fortuna-reports-results-for-the-third-quarter-of-2025/ - To get Arcadia's Gold and Silver Daily go to: https://goldandsilverdaily.substack.com/ - To hear the sounds of Arcadia Music go to: https://goldandsilverdaily.substack.com/p/gold-and-silver-surge-again-as-powell - Listen to Arcadia Economics on your favorite Podcast platforms: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/75OH2PpgUpriBA5mYf5kyY Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arcadia-economics/id1505398976 Google-https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9teXNvdW5kd2lzZS5jb20vcnNzLzE2MTg5NTk1MjMzNDVz Anchor - https://anchor.fm/arcadiaeconomics Amazon - https://podcasters.amazon.com/podcasts Follow Arcadia Economics on these social platforms Twitter - https://twitter.com/ArcadiaEconomic This video was sponsored by Fortuna Mining, and Arcadia Economics does receive compensation. For our full disclaimer go to: https://arcadiaeconomics.com/disclaimer-fortuna-silver-mines/Subscribe to Arcadia Economics on Soundwise

Jesus challenges us to welcome to our table those who cannot repay us, for heaven smiles when share our blessings with one another. (Lectionary #485) November 3, 2025 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Matthew 116   1 Peter 2:23-24 ESV   23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.       Romans 12:17-21 ESV   17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.       Matthew 27:46 ESV   46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"       Psalm 22:1a ESV   My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?       Matthew 20:17-19 ESV   17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."       Matthew 16:21-23 ESV   21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." 23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."       Matthew 17:22-23 ESV   22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed.       Matthew 20:20-21 ESV   20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom."       1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV   14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.      

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptWell, good morning. My name is Chet. I'm one of the pastors here. We are working our way through our membership commitment. It's different for us. We're normally working our way through books of the Bible, but we've taken the fall to just kind of go, hey, we collectively are following Jesus together as a church family. And what are the things that we've committed to? What are the things that we believe? And then kind of, what, how have we designed how we're going to live life together? So we, we are on commitment number 11 out of 14. It's just a one sheet piece of paper that we say, yes, this is what we're trying to do here. It's kind of our outline for discipleship. I want to begin by showing you this tweet that kind of made the rounds a while back. I think it's a good intro to what we're talking about today. It says, nobody talks about Jesus. Miracle of having 12 close friends in his 30s. The point of that tweet is it's hard to have relationships. Being friends with people is difficult. You're doing well if you've got one. But this idea that you'd have a lot and that they would stay together and you'd be able to keep working things out. And the reality is in the church, Jesus says that they'll know you're my disciples by the way, you love one another. So that it is supposed to look different for us, that the church is supposed to put this picture of what love and relationships are, are meant to look like and be able to walk things out together. So this is actually a miracle that we're all supposed to get to participate in as Christians. But it is difficult to do. We understand that. So that's what number 11, our commitment is for us. I want to read it as we begin. It says, I expect relational difficulty as I seek genuine relationships with other sinners saved by grace. I will actively fight against gossip, drama, bitterness and relational weirdness. I will work toward reconciliation in all conflict, seeking always to live at peace, unified with others in the mill city family. So we're going to take that line by line. We're going to show you where that comes from in the scriptures, what we're talking about, what we're committing to. Let's pray. Lord, we ask for your help. We ask for your grace. We ask in the name of Jesus that this would be true for us, that we would work towards reconciliation and all conflict, seeking always to live at peace and be unified as your people. In Jesus name, Amen.All right, so that first line, if you're going to commit to membership here, and if you have committed to membership here, you have announced, I expect this to be difficult. You're like, I looked around, I saw you guys. And I'm pretty sure this is going to be hard. Yeah, that's how it works. I expect relational difficulty as I seek genuine relationships with other sinners saved by grace. And in some ways, this is commitment. 9, 10, and 11 follow a logical flow. 9 is, I'm going to pursue deep, genuine relationships. I'm going to do that by being here on Sundays and by committing to belong to a community group and that we're going to pursue these types of relationships. And then 10 says, and I'm well aware that I'm a sinner, so I won't be surprised if someone comes to me and says that I've sinned, I'm aware of that. I'll walk through that with them. And then 11 says, and I'm also well aware that they're sinners. And so this is going to be hard. What we're saying is that we expect. It makes sense that if what brought us here is sin and the need for forgiveness, Christianity is the people who raised their hand and said, I need help. The people who said, if the Lord doesn't have mercy, I'm in trouble. If he doesn't forgive sin, I'm in trouble. I want this to be about Christ. I want it to be about his goodness. I want my hope to be in Him. And if we all get together, the assumption that we would somehow not have conflict, that we're coming from different backgrounds, different economic places, we speak different languages at times, that we're coming from all these different places and we sinful. The idea that that wouldn't cause conflict is crazy. So we're saying, no, I expect that I'm a sinner who needs grace, and I expect that you're a sinner who needs grace. And I'm pretty sure if we try to have a real relationship, that's gonna. There's gonna be some problems. A lot of times we don't have conflict with people because we don't have relationships with people. The reason there's no frustration, the reason there's no difficulty, the reason there's no conflict is because you're not around each other enough for that to have even come up. We're saying, we want to be around each other enough to grow in these deep, genuine relationships, which means we expect there's going to be Some difficulty. So we say, I will actively fight against gossip, drama, bitterness, and relational weirdness. So we're saying, okay, it makes sense that we would have some problems, but I'm going to commit to fighting against these things. And this isn't just I won't participate. It's I'm going to try to stop them. I'm going to fight against it in myself and in others. We're going to. We're going to police this. We're going to defend something that is good together. Okay? Gossip. It's listed several times in the New Testament as a sin. What it is, is me and you talking about someone else. Be true. Slander would be if it was untrue. We're not going to do that either. But gossip is like, hey, did you hear this? Hey, I got something to say. People will say, I don't know if I should say this. And I've practiced. If you say that to me, I'll go, then don't. I'll try to wet blanket that as fast as I can. Because I know if you say it, I'm probably going to like hearing it. Proverbs says they're delicious morsels. Whispering like, this is a delicious morsel. And it's like, you know, don't even open the donut box. Like, I don't want to have to choose whether I'm eating two or three. Like, I just get it out of here. So when you're like, I don't know if I should say this, then you probably shouldn't. Don't say it. I don't know if you're the right person to talk to. I'm probably not. Leave me out of this. But we're going to fight against the gossip Is me and you talking about someone else. Did you hear that this was going on? One of the things I found personally that I love doing is telling you why someone did something. I don't know, but I have good negative guesses. So I. For a long time ago, I can tell you why they said that. I can tell you exactly what they're trying to do. And I had to learn, no, I can't. And even if I was right, I should keep my mouth shut. But we're going to fight against that. This is not going to be something we're going to participate in, which means that it's not just you're not going to say these things, but you're going to be an unsafe person for someone else to say them to. We're not going to get together to spill the tea? No, we're going to keep it all well contained, Highly good contained tea in our church. Family. Drama, not a Bible word. The Bible word that most often is used is we're going to pursue peace and we're going to see that a lot. Drama would be the opposite of that, would be you making things worse, making things bigger than they are, overreacting to things. The Bible talks about stirring things up. So Romans 16:17 and Titus 3:10. We've on the screen together, it says,> I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.>> As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.There are obstacles to following Jesus. There shouldn't be other ones that we add in. There shouldn't be other things that we go, well, you know, this is a problem. And this is a problem. And this is. Have you noticed this? I've noticed this. This is a problem for me. Is it a problem for you? We're not supposed to do that and to stir up division. He says, avoid them. Watch out for that. That's bad for you. You know, there are people who can. Their joy is contagious, and there are people who. Their bitterness and frustration and dislike is contagious. I have. I have a friend who can make you dislike a movie. You watch it with him and he can talk you out of it. I'm a little bit like that. I have to watch. So I don't dislike it when he does that. I'm like, yeah, tell me how stupid this movie is. But I heard two other friends talking, and one of them, they're friends with that guy. And one of them said, yeah, I didn't like that movie. And the third friend said, did you actually not like that movie or did you just see it with this person? And later that friend said to me, I don't know. I don't know if I actually didn't like it or if they just so affected my ability. And it's like, y', all, you've got to be aware that that's a thing. Someone can come poison something for you, and they can poison your church family, they can poison your community group. They can poison things for you. They can get in your head and talk you out of joy and forgiveness and. And life and grace. And he says, watch out. You may have someone who comes and says, hey, you know, I need to talk to you about something. And all they're doing is this.Titus 3:10. For a person who stirs up division makes it worse. That's drama. It's stirring things up after warning him once and then twice have nothing more to do with him. Or as Proverbs 16:28 says,> A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.I love the way 26:20 says it, for the lack of wood, a fire goes out. And where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. There's nobody actively stirring it up. A lot of times things will stop, we say drama, bitterness and relational weirdness. Bitterness is. You're not talking about it, you're just seething over it. It's internal. It's not gossip. It's just as something that you're working out internally. You're going, yeah, I know what they were doing. I know. No, that's fine. This is just be how. Okay, yeah, you're just working it out in your head. They were rude to me. I know they were rude to me, whatever. And it just starts changing your relationship. We're not going to do that. We're going to be on guard against that in our heart. Relational weirdness is not a Bible term. It's a catch all. We're trying to grab a concept when we talk about relational weirdness. It. It's one of those things where it's like, you know, it's developed where we used to be okay, or we had this thing and we talked about it, but now I just don't really know how to talk to him anymore. I don't really want to talk to him anymore. If I find out they're going somewhere, I don't want to be there. It's like, oh, well, that's relational weirdness. And we just kind of sometimes will consign ourselves to that and go, yeah, I don't know, I don't like them, they don't like me. It's fine, we're fine. We're not in a group together anymore. So it's fine. I'm fine, we're fine, it's fine. I'm telling you a little bit something personal about myself. When I wake up in the morning, my left heel hurts so much that it's hard for me to walk. But I'm coming up on 40. So what I thought was, well, I'll just have that be true about me until I die. I'll limp around my house in the morning and then at some point it'll stop hurting and I'll move on because I have no intention of seeing a doctor about this. That's what relational weirdness is. It's just relationships. It's where you're going. This is fine. I'm fine. No, it's okay. No, this isn't a problem. I don't need to talk about it. I'm okay. And it's like, yeah, you have this. Like, something's painful, something's weird. You feel this twinge. You don't want to talk. I don't. Nah. And you just go, it's fine, though. As long as we ignore it, it's fine. And then someday I'll die. And it's like, no, we're going to fight against that. I'm allowed to do that with my heel. But you're not allowed to do that with your relationships. But I want you to see something first. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 says this.> Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.He's talking about conflict. He's talking about forgiveness and unforgiveness. And he says, no, I forgive them if you're forgiving them, we're going to walk in forgiveness. And he says, so that Satan doesn't trick us. And one of the reasons we commit to fighting this stuff is because Satan wants us to walk in unforgiveness, wants us to walk in fractured relationships, wants us to have relational difficulty and drama all over the place, wants that to be true for us where we don't enjoy and participate in what Christ has purchased for us. And we just have all these little fractures and broken relationships and frustrations because we're trying to walk together. And if we're going to do that, it's going to be difficult. And he says, no, we're going to walk in forgiveness so that we won't be outwitted by Satan. This is one of the reasons we're fighting against it, because this stuff is cancer for a church. Most people who have church hurt, and they'll talk about it. It's them, this. So it's unacceptable here. It's unacceptable in any church. But we're. We're not going to practice it. We're going to sort things out. But how are we going to do that? And that's what we say. Next. I will work toward reconciliation in all conflict, seeking always to live at peace, unified with others. In the mill city family, reconciliation is. There's a broken relationship and we're going to fix that. There's something between us and we're going to get rid of it. We're not going to let it develop. We're not going to let it grow. We're not going to let it see. We're not going to talk about other people about it. We're not going to let bitterness develop. We're going to try to sort this out. We're going to get to where we can be at peace with one another. And this is commanded over and over again in the Scriptures. So we're about to look at a lot of verses together. 2 Corinthians 13:11 says,> Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.I said, I love that. That's a command. Agree. It's like something you'd say to your kids, hey, get along, be friends. That's what he's doing. He's saying, aim for restoration, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Our God is a God of love and peace. We actually get to participate in that. We get to have love and peace. And that gets to define the relationships here. And so we aim for restoration. That's what we're seeking to do. That's what the whole point of this is. So that's what you're committing to is, I'm going to do that. I'm going to commit to aim for restoration when there's conflict, when there's frustration, when there's difficulty. Romans 14:19 and Hebrews 12:14 says,> So then let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.>> Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.I love these verses. The reason I have them next to each other. Pursue and strive. Pursue what makes for peace. Strive for peace. It means it takes work. This is something that's going to call out effort in us. You know, this is the reason this is all over the place in the New Testament is because they were like us. They became Christians and then found the other Christians kind of annoying. They had problems, they had difficulties, they had hurt feelings, they had sin. And he keeps going, y' all gotta work that out. You gotta work that out. You gotta pursue this stuff. I think sometimes we think about peace as, like, a byproduct. Like, it should just be there. It's just something you have or you don't have. When it's there, it's nice. When it's not there, it's, you know, whatever. And he's like, no, it takes work. We think of it as like a musical or something. Like they're in a barbershop and somebody's sweeping and somebody's cutting hair. Somebody's buzzing, and then they just start singing. It's magic. And that's what peace is like in a church. Imagine like we're monkeys in a Disney cartoon or something. That's not what it's like. That's not even what it's like in the thing you're watching. Where did that piano come from? Like, they've practiced this, obviously, and there's now instruments that aren't in this barbershop. But we act like that, and it's like, no, it's something that's going to take work. If you're going to be at peace with someone, it's going to take effort. It's going to take striving, it's going to take pursuit. And we're not going to want to do it. But it's worth it. And we're commanded to. So Romans 12:16-18 says,> Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.>> Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.>> If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.So this idea of living in harmony, living peaceably with all. And in the middle there, he says, do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. I've been a part of a community group in this church for 12 years. One of the things that I have found is part of the problem is that I'm right and good and they're stupid and bad. You ever feel that, you ever want to say, if they would just quit being wrong, then we wouldn't have a problem? Some of you married people know what I'm talking about. I've explained it to them twice. I don't know why they're so dumb. But you just feel that, you feel like I'm right. If you just see what I see, if you just know what I know. If you would just get on board now, you're like, yeah, and I got a Bible verse now, agree with me. Where is it at? It's like, that's not. There's a level of humility needed when we approach this and we're coming in and going, I'm aware of my own sin. I'm aware of my own self righteousness. I'm aware of my own haughtiness. I'm aware that I'm so wise in my own eyes constantly. I think I'm the smartest person who's ever existed. I just feel right about everything. My opinions feel like facts. And it's like that robs us of getting to do this. We're to live in harmony with one another. This isn't a solo. You have to work at it. Repay no one evil for evil. I want you to hear this. They actually did the thing that you're upset about most of the time. Sometimes we're like, yeah, but they really did sin. It's like, right? Yeah. Nobody's arguing that. We actually started with that we expected them to sin. They're a sinner who needs Jesus. We are not nobody's. We're not scandalized. Yeah, they really did it. They really. No, but they really. But it was really hurtful. It was really mean. No, they actually said it. No, they actually did. Yeah. Yeah, they did. And it's bad. Nobody's saying it's. It's not bad. Nobody's saying it's not sin. Nobody's saying it's okay. But we are saying we're not going to repay evil for evil. We've got to give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Then verse 18, he says, if possible, and he's clarifying so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all meaning that there are some people that you can't be at peace with, but it has to be on their side, not yours. So you can't say, well, this person's just impossible to be at peace with. And it's like, only if it's on their side, not yours. You have to be holding out, going to be peaceable as far as it's up to me. All the parts that I can handle, I'm going to handle, and I'm going to live at peace.Okay, so what does pursuing reconciliation look like? We committing to do it? We're going to pursue reconciliation in all conflict. What does that look like? Well, first thing we can do is forbearance. Bearing with one another is just a way that you are going to absorb some of their sin in a way that you're going to offer forgiveness, offer love, and you don't have to have a conversation about it. Proverbs 10:12 says,> Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.Proverbs 17:9,> Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.There's a way for us to just by love forgive one another. And I think those proverbs can apply to, you've had a conversation, you've sorted things out. But I also think it's just one of those things that we get to do. We get to delight in to do someone is rude to you in your group, or they planned a time to meet with you and then they showed up late, and that drives you particularly crazy. The most offensive thing someone could ever do, they should hang up the phone on their mom and come show up on time to meet you. It's unacceptable. But you have these different things where it's like this, no, it was really rude. It was really offensive. They said that and it really hurt my feelings. We celebrated this birthday and then they acted like I didn't exist. And I told them it was my birthday. This stuff happens and it hurts. There's times where you go, yeah, but I've offended other people. I've been rude before. And I'm just gonna offer grace and forgiveness and love so that we get to have it. If I offer you grace and forgiveness and love, then our relationship gets to have grace and forgiveness and love. I just get to pour it in. Some of you people who live, have roommates and are married or whatever, you need to learn some of this. Like some of your relationships, you get to just add grace and forgiveness and love to your house on your own, from your side, and then it gets to be there. I'm pretty sure my wife does this with me 75 times a week where she's just going to make sure there's Love and kindness in our house. I know for a fact that I do things that she's asked me not to do. I noticed it this week as I was thinking about this. She tells me all the time when we're on the phone, say bye. Yeah, seems pretty simple. I'm constantly like, sounds good. Click. Alright. Yeah. It works for me. Click. I did that a couple times this week and I thought, I wonder if she's on the other side of the phone being like, I'll get texts every once in a while that say say bye. Because it's become evident to her that I've already hung up. I don't know if she's still talking. I don't know. I hung up the phone, you guys. I don't know how she finds out that I'm not on the phone anymore because apparently I don't say bye. But there's times where I just do that. She's told me a thousand times. I know for a fact I hung up on her twice without saying bye this week. She didn't say a word about it. I don't know if she didn't notice or if she just is like, he can't help it, something wrong with him and just chooses to love me and covers an offense, something that legitimately offends her. It bothers her, but she's just showing grace and kindness so that our house just gets to have love and we get to do this because we belong to Jesus. We just get to love each other. And so there's a whole lot of things that you can just go, you know what? I'm just going to forget. I'm just going to love. This is just going to be okay and I'm not going to hold on to it. 1 Peter 4:8 says,> Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.This applies in situations where we have to have multiple conversations. This applies to situations where we're having to work some stuff out. This applies all the time that we're seeking to love one another earnestly. But I'm just letting you know that forbearance lets you do this sometimes where you just go, I'm just going to choose on my side to not be offended by that. To be offended, but then to just choose to forgive and move on. And you can do that until it starts to grow. Because sometimes I think people say that's what they're doing and they're really just avoiding conflict because they don't want to have to have the conversation that makes them Uncomfortable. So they go, I'll just forgive. They were rude to me. That's fine. They're just a rude person. And then you see them and you say in your head, well, hello, Rudy. And it's like, okay, if you're doing that, I don't know if you've done the forbearance thing where you're choosing to forgive and show love. Like you, something else is happening. And so it's like, you can choose to do that, but you also can't sit and seize and have resentment and bitterness and difficulty. And if you start realizing, I'm trying, and I've done this for a while, but now it's still growing and it's still happening, and they're still offending me, and I'm going to have to have a conversation, which is the next thing that happens. So we can bear with one another, we can forbear, we can forgive without conversations. But then there are times where Matthew 18:15 says,> If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.You're trying to aim for restoration. You're trying to gain your brother. There's something between us, and this is what I think we sometimes miss. There'd be something between us. And someone will go, just. Well, it's just what it is. And it's like, you don't care about your brother. You're okay with just losing a sister. If you're going to hold on to that, or you'll be like, well, I just don't want to. I don't want. Sometimes people have in their mind peace just means the absence of conflict. But if I know about the conflict and you don't, conflict is still there. That's not peace. That's like, we see a hole and we put a blanket over it that didn't fix the hole. It actually increases the likelihood someone will fall into it. And so sometimes we're doing that in our relationships where we're just going, well, I just. I'm not gonna say anything. And it's like, yeah, but you're gonna hold on to it. That's still there. It's gonna affect the relationship. They won't know exactly why, but they'll feel it. And so he says, now you go talk to him. Because we're trying to aim for restoration. We're trying to gain our brother. And there are some baseline assumptions. If you sin against me and I come to you and I tell you or if I sin against you and you come and tell me we're making some assumptions. I love you. I want good for you and for us. I believe the spirit's at work in you so that this can work, so that you can repent, I can forgive. Like, I'm assuming good things about you if I come and talk to you. You're assuming good things about me. Now you're telling me I've sinned. I don't like that part. But you're making some baseline assumptions that are like, but if someone sins and I just go, yeah, not worth talking to them. Well, all my baseline assumptions are bad. Don't really care that much about them. Or you'll say things like, yeah, but I would talk to them, but I know what they're gonna say. And it's like, okay, so you're just gonna condemn them from here. Judge and condemn them from here, Lock them in that. And even if you are right and that's what they say or that's how they act, still supposed to do that for their good. God has you in this position in this relationship to see this thing and to have this conversation for their good, for their joy, and for yah's restoration. And it goes the other way, too. Matthew 5:23-24 says,> So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.You say, they didn't sin against me, they're mad at me. Okay, well, go talk to them. You can go have a conversation with someone where you say, it seems like you're mad at me, but I don't know what about, and I don't want to guess. You can go and say, hey, I know I did this, and I know that we hadn't quite been right since, and we need to talk about it. Matthew 18:16 says,> But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.That every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. We talked about this last week, but it's. If someone sins against me or if there's hurt, if there's conflict between us, I'm going to go talk to him privately. If that doesn't work, I'm going to get some other people to come help, and maybe that's because they don't see it. It's very clear that it's sin, but they don't see it. They're just denying it. Or maybe it's not clear that it's sin. We just aren't having a good conversation. It's hard for us to sort this out. Or they're, they said that I'm wrong, and so now I got to get somebody else and say, hey, maybe I'm wrong here, but can you come help us sort this out? But this is why if someone comes and talks to you about someone else, you are supposed to ask, what did they say when you told them? Because you're assuming we're on step two. If you're talking to me about it, you've already talked to them between you and them alone, and it didn't go well. That's my assumption. So how did that conversation go? And if you say, I haven't talked to them, then I'm supposed to say, well, go do that first. Now, I have had a lot of people ask, can't I come and talk to someone just to try to get some wisdom on how to have that conversation? Can I come and ask and say, am I wrong about this? Like, should I even be upset about this? And the answer to that is, yes, you can do that in limited circumstances with wise people who are actually helpful. You can come and say, hey, I'm trying to have this conversation with them. I'm really angry and I don't think I'm going to do it well. And you help me think about how to word this, how to structure this. You can also do that. You can say, I'm in conflict with a person. They don't have to know who it is. They don't have to know all the details. As a pastor, I do this all the time. Someone will say, hey, I'm having a hard time with someone. Can I tell you about it? And I'm like, yeah, maybe. But you can also, like, you can redact it. You can give me some of the details and not all the details. And I can try to be helpful on how to go have that conversation or how to approach this. You can go ask someone, am I wrong about this? And they might tell you, yeah, you're wrong. And then you may still have to go have a conversation with someone that says, I've been mad at you for bad reasons and it's affected our relationship, but we're ultimately going to be having conversations with the people that there's conflict between us. But this is the thing that happens, Philippians 4:2-3 says,> I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.So there are times where you just need somebody else to be in the room to help you have the conversation. I want to have the conversation. We don't communicate well. We need help. We've tried this two times, three times. I've already brought this up. They don't understand what I'm saying. I don't understand what they're saying. We need somebody else to come sit in the room and try to help us out. That's okay. You can get help. You're not trying to build a co if it's just conflict, frustration, difficulty, not addressing someone in sin. You're not trying to build a coalition of people on your team. You're trying to have someone who's wise and helpful to help you hear both sides sorted out, working towards peace, someone who's going to help make peace. Okay. Ephesians 4 says,> I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.He's saying, the church should look like Christians, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. Oh, what if that's what it looked like? What if someone sat you down and said, hey, I love you and I need to talk to you about something. But they had humility, gentleness, patience. They said, hey, I want to talk to you because I belong to Jesus and I love you and you belong to Jesus. And we need to sort this out because there's some difficulty between us being eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I think we need to be real about the fact that a lot of times we're most eager to maintain our own comfort, more eager to maintain that than we are to maintain unity in the spirit. That I really just want you to get on my side so you'll quit getting on my nerves. And I'm not really wanting to sort this out in a way that gives grace and helps us both grow. But we should be eager to maintain that. We should dislike conflict between us to the point that we're wanting to overcome it. We should be like my sons, when there's a tag in their shirt, they will come to me like they're being attacked. Like a four year old will come like, and it's like, what is going on? This tag, let's burn this shirt. But it should be like that. It should be like there's something between us or something causing problems, and I can't stand it. I'm eager to maintain unity. So let's have a conversation. Let's get together, let's sort this out. And if we all have this, then it becomes easier. You should expect that this is going to be hard and you should expect other people to come do it. And when they come do it, you should feel loved, not attacked. You should go, oh, good, they want to maintain unity with me. They love me enough to try to sort this out. The reality is, if we clip off years where there's aren't conversations like this, if we go through your group never, then maybe y' all just aren't around each other enough or don't love each other enough because the idea that I'm around you and haven't seen things, that maybe, maybe we just aren't sorting things out like we should. Maybe we're not eager to maintain unity when we start telling ourselves, well, I just might. I might just go somewhere else. I think this happens so often in churches, especially in the south, where there's so many churches. You reach the place where now I'm going to have to have a conversation. I'm going to have to forgive, I'm going to have to repent, I'm going to have to go through conflict. No, I'm just going to go somewhere else. And you tell yourself that this shouldn't happen. There must be something wrong here. Because our assumption is that peace is a byproduct, not something we have to strive for as we just go somewhere else. And you're there for three years or four years or five years, really just long enough for these people to start really getting on your nerves or sinning against you or hurting you or for them. And then you go somewhere else. When we've reached the moment where we could grow and we could walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and actually step in the things the gospel empowers us to do and walk with the God of love and peace and have him be with us in these moments. Let's do that. Colossians 3:12-14 says,> Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.>> And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.Saying the same kind of things. He says, put on then as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved. He's saying, this is who you are. You're chosen, you're holy, you're beloved. And he says, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience bearing with one another. That warms my soul that that's in the. It's in the Bible. Why does he have to write to every church and say, please put up with each other. And you're in a church and you're like, I'm having to put up with these people. There's something wrong with this church. And it's like, no, we look like we're in the New Testament. We're Bible people who are having a hard time sorting some of this stuff out. That's fine. It's normal. It's what it looks like for us to walk in life together. So he says, bearing with one another, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. But I want you to see that bearing with one another if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, so you also must forgive. This is a command. This is why we commit to it. This is why we say, this is what we're going to do here. This is how we're going to handle this here. Because we're commanded to. I was talking to a pastor one time. He had been a pastor. He was doing some stuff in kind of church, the church world. And we were talking about something when the first church had just started, our church had just started a church plant, and we only had a couple of groups. And I said we had some people that were at odds with one another. And he said, man, that's tough, because you can't, you know, what are you gonna do? You can't make them talk to each other. And I said, oh, we're gonna make them talk to each other because of this, because we're commanded to do this. So we're going to expect of each other that we're going to do this. We're going to expect that we're going to try to sort things out, and it's good for us. I need that expectation on me from you. And you need that expectation on you from me that we're. No, we're going to have the conversation. We're going to sort these things out because we can. And the reason we can. And the reason why you won't do this. You will not do this unless you understand what's in the middle of that highlighted section as the Lord has forgiven you. If we don't know the grace and the mercy and the depth of the love and the forgiveness of Christ, then we won't do this. We won't want to, and we won't have the ability to. We just will refuse. But if we're walking in this if we understand the depth of our sin and the grace of Christ. And then we can. And we delight to do it because we're participating in something that Jesus bought for us, that he claimed for us, that he gave us. This is what Jesus. What Paul says when he's talking about Jesus and he's talking to the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers and the hostility that was between them. He says in Ephesians 2,> But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.>> For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.He's talking to Jews and Gentiles there, and he's saying that we get to all belong to the Lord. And that's true for us in these other situations. He's our peace, and he bought reconciliation between us and God, which means the reconciliation between me and you is so narrow. We're drowning in the mercy and the forgiveness of Christ. So we delight to walk it out with each other, to participate in it tangibly in a real way in our lives. I love Matthew 18. So this is. He walks through the stuff we've been reading about, addressing your brother in sin. He gets through it. And I love that Jesus has disciples who follow him around and ask questions, because they ask the questions that we ask. Then Peter came up and said to him, lord, how often will my brother sin against me? And I forgive him as many as seven times. Don't you just love the disciples? Sometimes Jesus is like, this is how you forgive your brother? This is how you go get your brother back. This is what it looks like. Peter's like, mm, that's so good. Quick question, though. When can I stop? And y', all, he says, seven. Ain't none of us saying seven. We're Americans. The most we go on things is three. Because of baseball. Been trained in us. You get three, some of us lop off that third one. Fool me once, fool me twice. Fool me, can't fool me again. Sorry. That's just how some presidents say it. But I love this. Peter asks. Jesus says,> I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.Just means all the times. What's so wonderful about this? We'll talk about us. We'll talk about what Peter's asking in a second. But I want you all to see this. You ever have that moment with the Lord and you think how Long before you're done with me. How many times am I going to do this before you're just done with me? How many times am I going to fail and come back and say, I need you and I need mercy and I need grace. How many times is this going to happen before you're done with me? And the Lord Christ expects us to Forgive each other 77 times in a day, because that's the type of grace and mercy that he has for us. When will he be done with you? Never. If you belong to Christ and are covered by his blood. He has paid everything to keep you. He will keep you. So how much mercy and forgiveness do we get? All of it. And how much mercy and forgiveness do we give? All of it. Because we're the only ones who have access to all of it. That's why the church is known by their love. Because we have so much love and so much mercy and so much forgiveness that we don't run out giving it to each other. And you say, they've sinned against me and they've done it again. Right. But I'll never run out of the forgiveness that Christ gives. So I never run out of my ability to share. And I get to participate in a real way. When I feel the pain of forgiveness, I get to know that he was actually dripping blood on that cross because it hurts to forgive, but it's so good because everything breaks down without it. And so we get blood bought reconciliation and we get forgiveness and we get peace and we get joy and we get those handed to us by the God of love and peace, who loved us so much that he died for us. And we absolutely will not settle for not sharing that with each other and not participating. As people who belong to this type of God, we get to delight to share it with one another, even as it is hard, because it reminds us of the goodness of Christ and the mercy and the forgiveness that he's offered. And we get to walk what it looks like to belong to Him. If you're going to commit to a church, how many times are you going to have to forgive? All the times. And how many times are you going to be empowered by Christ to forgive? All the times. Because that's how many times he forgives us.Let's pray. Oh Lord, may you bless this church by your spirit, that we would aim for restoration and that we would be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit. Lord, you have forgiven us so much. You have had endless mercy granted to us. May we share it with each other. May we not see the sins committed against me as higher and more egregious than my sins committed against you. May I not think so highly of myself. May we not be outwitted by Satan, but may we be people of forgiveness and mercy and kindness and goodness. And may we have the conversations that we need to have and share the love that we need to share, which is given to us endlessly by you. So God of love and peace be with us in Jesus name, Amen.The band's gonna come back up, and here's what we're gonna do. Jesus says if you have something against someone, you need to go talk to them. He says if someone has something against you, you need to leave your gift at the altar and you need to go talk to them. So they're gonna play and we're gonna have a moment. I want you to humbly walk to the Lord and just say, help me to see my sin. Help me to not think so highly of myself. Help me not to be wise in my own sight. And if there's someone I need to talk to, if there's somebody that the spirit's convicting you, that you need to have a conversation with, then go have a conversation with them. You don't have to have the whole conversation now. You can get up and go grab and say, how many. Let's plan a time. We need to talk. You can shoot somebody a text message. Some of you need to step outside and make a phone call as an act of worship. You don't need to sing. You need to go call somebody. We need to be people who are eager to maintain peace. We want people to commit to this. But some of you have come over here from another church because you're in the middle of this exact thing and you need to go back and sort some things out. But we want to be people who look like we belong to Christ. So take a moment, pray, listen, and do as the Spirit leads, and then we'll stand and sing together.

Rom. 12:17-19. 10/26/25.  An expositional sermon from the letter to the Romans.

Former President Jacob Zuma has been ordered to repay R28.9 million spent by the state on his personal legal fees related to the Arms Deal. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that Zuma must pay the amount, plus 20 years' interest, within 60 days. If he fails to pay, his assets or pension may be attached. Zuma's legal team is currently studying the judgment. But can Mr. Zuma successfully challenge the recent ruling? To answer this and more, Elvis Presslin spoke to Legal analyst, Melusi Xulu

The Public Servants Association, PSA has welcomed a Special Tribunal ruling ordering Nozihle Construction and Projects CC to repay R2.4 million unlawfully obtained through a COVID-19 personal protective equipment tender in Mpumalanga. The association applauds the Special Investigating Unit's efforts in ensuring accountability and deterring corruption in public procurement. The PSA is now calling for disciplinary action against officials involved and stronger oversight in procurement processes. Elvis Presslin spoke to PSA Provincial Organiser in Mpumalanga, Thandiwe Mziyako

You might have seen those viral articles promising a mysterious multi-thousand-dollar Social Security “bonus,” but are they actually legit? On the show this week, I separate fact from fiction, debunking the myths and sharing seven actionable strategies to help you get the most out of your Social Security over your lifetime.  Whether you're curious about how working longer, delaying your benefits, checking your earnings record, or understanding tax implications can impact your retirement paycheck, this episode is packed with valuable tips to help you make sure you're not leaving money on the table.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Retirement Planning Misconceptions Explained. [03:25] Filling in or replacing "zero" or low-earning years boosts benefits. [04:26] Reasons for and against early collection. [06:48] Repay benefits within one year of starting to “reset” your claim. [08:15] Eligibility requirements for spousal benefits. [12:28] How to check your Social Security earnings. [13:00] Strategies to delay taxable distributions and reduce Social Security taxation. Debunking the Social Security "Bonus" Myth Many retirees have seen headlines promising a massive Social Security “bonus" that most people don't collect. Let's be real, this so-called "bonus" isn't some sort of secret benefit; it's a reference to the cumulative value you could gain over your lifetime by paying a little attention to your Social Security strategy and reducing your tax liability. In other words, there's no one-time check or hidden program, just savvy planning that can add up to tens of thousands more in your pocket. 1. Work Longer, Maximize 35 Years of Earnings The Social Security Administration calculates your benefit using the highest 35 years of your working life. If you retire with fewer than 35 years of work, the missing years count as zero, lowering your benefit. Even for those with a full 35-year history, additional years of higher earnings (often later in your career) can replace lower-earning years, bumping up your monthly check. Working a little longer not only increases your benefit but may also put you in a better position for retirement overall. 2. Delay Claiming Benefits  While you are eligible to start at age 62, waiting until your full retirement age (typically 66 or 67), or even delaying to age 70, can significantly increase your monthly benefit. For every year you wait past full retirement age (up to age 70), you receive an 8% credit, on top of any cost-of-living adjustments. There are some exceptions where it may make sense to claim early, such as serious health issues or unique family situations.  3. Unwind an Early Claim with Repayment If you've already claimed Social Security but then realize you made a mistake, there is a potential do-over option. If you started benefits within the past year, you can repay the benefits received (without interest) and reset your claiming strategy to earn a higher benefit later. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and includes repayment of any Medicare premiums withheld, so be sure this move fits your broader financial plan. 4. Don't Miss Out on Spousal and Survivor Benefits If you're married, you can claim a spousal benefit up to 50% of your spouse's benefit at your full retirement age. This strategy can be a huge game-changer for non-working or lower-earning spouses. When a spouse passes away, the survivor can step up to the higher of the two benefits, which is why it's important to maximize the higher earner's benefit for long-term security. 5. Check Your Social Security Earnings Statement Regularly Mistakes happen, even with Social Security's generally high record-keeping accuracy. Reviewing your annual earnings statement ensures all your income is being counted, and thus, your benefit is maximized. Errors not caught early can seriously reduce your benefit down the road. 6. Be Tax-Smart About Social Security Benefits By smartly timing IRA distributions, capital gains, and part-time work, you can potentially reduce or even eliminate the tax owed on your benefits for several years. For couples with a combined income under $32,000, none of the benefit is taxable, while at higher incomes, up to 85% can be taxed. Knowing these thresholds is key to tax-efficient retirement income planning. 7. Get Advice When Needed Social Security may be just one piece of your retirement puzzle, but it's a critical one. Consulting with a financial advisor can help you coordinate claiming strategies, minimize taxes, and make the right decisions for your unique situation. While there's no hidden "Social Security bonus" waiting to be claimed, a thoughtful approach to your Social Security strategy can result in thousands, even tens of thousands, of dollars more in your retirement years. Resources Mentioned Retirement Readiness Review Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel Download my entire book for FREE  Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management  www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact   Subscribe to Retire With Ryan

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump vowed to repay sailors who came out to Naval Station Norfolk for celebration of the Navy's 250 Birthday during the government shutdown Sunday. WHRO Military Reporter Steve Walsh has the story.

In this episode of the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast, Dan chats with David Graves, VP of Sales with REPAY to get the lowdown on payments. They talk about where the industry stands, some interesting consumer preference trends, new security requirements and the role that AI is playing in the space. You can read more about REPAY's take on payments on the AFSA Blog. Learn more about REPAY at repay.io. Speakers: David Graves, VP of Sales, REPAY Host: Dan Bucherer, Senior Director, Member Services & Engagement, AFSA ----------------------------- Don't forget to follow AFSA on Twitter @AFSA_DC and @AFSA_SGA and on Linkedin. The blog at afsaonline.org is also a great resource for the most up-to-date news. If you've got questions or you'd like to suggest a guest, please shoot us an email at membership@afsamail.org or tweet at us. Click to listen or find the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast anywhere you get your podcasts.

When you believe everything is given to you by God, when you recognize everything He's done for you and you love Him, you will naturally want to give back to Him in every way you can.

As growers rip up autumn cropping plans following another challenging season, we look at ways to get the best for your farm business.A new group of rural Labour MPs says it is backing British food producers – and launches its own action plan for the countryside. Will it make a difference?We look at the fallout after the Rural Payments Agency tries to reclaim Sustainable Farming Incentive funding from farmers.And how a new conference is helping more people carve a career in agriculture.Tickets are available for the AgriFuture Forum in London on Tuesday, 23 September.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

You can't give anything to God or do anything for God that he hasn't first given to you and done for you.

Recorded on Sunday, July 8, 2025. Other scripture cited: Luke 12:22-34; 1 Peter 1:3-6.Support the show

My husband, after bringing me to Germany, now demands that I either repay the money he spent to get me here or get ready to go back to Ghana, all because I have decided to save our children's German government support funds for a small business - Wife laments

Serving Those Who Cannot Repay: Scripture Reflection for August 31, 2025 by Priests for Life

Zacchaeus promised Jesus to repay four times what he had stolen from others. So how much did he have to repay? Let's find out together as we read Luke 19:1-10 and Numbers 5:5-10.

Seth and Sean discuss the Orioles helping out the Astros by beating the Mariners, and it now being up to the Astros to maintain their lead in the division by beating said Orioles.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” ‭‭- Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Sunday Evening, July 27, 2025Given by Trent Thomas | Assistant Pastor of Church PlantingChrist Covenant ChurchRepay Evil with Good - It's For Your Own GoodSermon Text: 1 Peter 3:8-17Watch on YouTubeDownload our mobile app

Pastor John Bothof - Scripture: Psalm 116 Text: Psalm 116

1 Peter 3:8-22 // 1 Peter: Suffering to the Glory of God // Anthony Jones // July 21, 2025

Policy loans are one of the most powerful tools in infinite banking, but they're not free money. In this episode, Hans and Brian dive deep into the strategic considerations around when to use policy loans, when to avoid them, and how to think through these decisions holistically.From philosophical approaches to practical examples, they explore the spectrum of policy loan usage in the infinite banking community, ranging from Nelson Nash's "cut out the snakes and dragons" philosophy to pure arbitrage-focused strategies. The hosts share real-world scenarios that illustrate the power of having control and optionality in your financial decisions.Through Brian's recent land purchase and various investment examples, they demonstrate why maintaining liquidity provides strategic advantages and how policy loans can be leveraged responsibly as part of a comprehensive wealth-building strategy.The Philosophy Spectrum of Policy Loans: The infinite banking community spans from Nelson Nash's "cut out the snakes and dragons" approach to pure arbitrage-focused strategies. Finding the middle ground means using policy loans strategically while maintaining core principles over the 17-20 year journey.You Finance Everything You Buy: Whether you pay cash or finance, you're always giving up opportunity cost. When you hand cash to a dealer, that money stops working for you and starts working for them. Understanding this helps frame policy loan decisions within your overall capital allocation.The Power of Having Options: Maintaining liquidity provides strategic advantages. Keeping cash reserves above emergency fund levels allows you to seize unexpected opportunities, while having multiple financing options creates optimal decision-making flexibility.When NOT to Use Policy Loans: Avoid using policy loans for daily expenses, laddering policies (using loans to fund new policies), and taking loans without a repayment plan. Policy loans require responsible banking practices despite their flexibility.Investment Arbitrage Considerations: A 10% minimum return threshold provides one framework for policy loan investments. Asset allocation models can guide decisions beyond simple interest rate arbitrage across real estate, private lending, and other investment categories.➡️ Chapters00:00 - The Power and Responsibility of Policy Loans01:00 - Current Economic Environment and Tax Policy05:00 - Policy Loan Decision Framework08:00 - The 17-20 Year Journey to Financial Independence12:00 - Car Dealership Financing vs Policy Loans16:00 - The Ability to Repay as a Position of Strength22:00 - Emergency vs Opportunity Funds29:00 - Invest to Live, Don't Live to Invest33:00 - Asset Allocation Over Pure Arbitrage39:00 - Personal Investment Thresholds and Strategies48:00 - What NOT to Use Policy Loans For52:00 - Future Windfalls and Repayment Planning54:00 -The Dangers of Policy LadderingGot Questions? Reach out to us at info@remnantfinance.com or book a call at www.remnantfinance.com/calendar!⁠Visit https://remnantfinance.com for more informationFOLLOW REMNANT FINANCEYoutube: @RemnantFinance (https://www.youtube.com/@RemnantFinance)Facebook: @remnantfinance (https://www.facebook.com/profile?id=61560694316588)Twitter: @remnantfinance (https://x.com/remnantfinance)TikTok: @RemnantFinance Don't forget to hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE

Questions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast!Episode SummaryIn this timely episode, Evon unpacks the Department of Education's recent surprise announcement that interest will resume accruing on the SAVE plan's current forbearance beginning August 1, 2025. We explore what this means for optometrists managing student loans - especially those approaching forgiveness eligibility or considering refinancing.What You'll LearnSurprise Announcement: Why SAVE's interest-free forbearance ends on August 1, 2025, and how to prepareOBBBA Overview: How this new legislation (effective July 2026) changes income-driven repayment plan options - removing SAVE, PAYE, ICR plans as available options for current optometristsRepayment Roadmap: How optometrists should evaluate refinancing, staying federal, or switching plans based on degree completion and loan timingIDR Plan Comparison: Breaking down olcd vs. new IBR, PAYE, and SAVE rules - including repayment terms like 20‑year repayment at 10% of discretionary incomeStrategic Tax Planning: Using filing status and extensions (especially important in community-property states) to lock in the lowest monthly paymentTimeline Guidance: When key deadlines hit (Aug 1, 2025; July 2026; July 2028) and how to reconcile existing loans within the new REPAY plan frameworkResources MentionedThe Optometry Money Podcast Ep 143: How the Final One Big Beautiful Bill Act Impacts Optometrists – Taxes, Student Loans, and More!Click here to Subscribe to the Eyes On The Money Newsletter for weekly financial insights tailored specifically to optometrists.Have Questions? CLICK HERE to schedule a short introductory callThe Optometry Money Podcast is dedicated to helping optometrists make better decisions around their money, careers, and practices. The show is hosted by Evon Mendrin, CFP®, CSLP®, owner of Optometry Wealth Advisors, a financial planning firm just for optometrists nationwide.

JPMorgan Asset Management is seeking hedges against credit market losses as risks rise and spreads tighten. “There’s value in shorts and credit protection,” Oksana Aronov, the firm’s head of market strategy for alternative fixed income, tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jody Lurie in the latest Credit Edge podcast. “It is very undervalued today because of the complacency in the market,” says Aronov, referring to the high-grade credit default swap index. Aronov and Lurie also discuss the increasing amount of bond and loan interest being repaid with additional debt, dwindling recovery rates, private debt convergence and high-grade opportunities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raoul Pal welcomes Manuel Stotz, president of the TON Foundation, to discuss his journey from Goldman Sachs to TON, a blockchain built on Telegram's massive user base. Raoul and Manuel explore how TON aims to create a new digital financial ecosystem by leveraging Telegram's distribution and targeting real-world use cases, such as remittances, gaming, and stablecoins. Recorded on June 3, 2025

Whether to buy a house or go to college are major financial decisions, but so is deciding when to take Social Security.It's true—tens of thousands of dollars, if not more, are on the line when deciding when to start Social Security benefits. Eddie Holland joins us today to help make the decision easier.Eddie Holland is a Senior Private Wealth Advisor and partner of Blue Trust in Greenville, South Carolina. He's also a CPA, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®).A Common Recommendation—But Not a One-Size-Fits-AllWhen it comes to retirement, one of the most common questions people ask is: When should I start taking Social Security benefits? It's a vital decision that affects not only your income but also your long-term financial strategy and even your legacy.It's generally recommended to wait until at least full retirement age (66 or 67), but that doesn't mean it's the best choice for everyone. While delaying Social Security allows your benefits to grow up to 8% annually after full retirement age, thanks to what's called a delayed retirement credit, we must remember that each situation is unique.Six Key Factors to ConsiderHere are several factors that should guide your decision:1. Reduction vs. Growth of BenefitsTaking Social Security early reduces benefits. Delaying past full retirement age increases benefits. That tradeoff is foundational to your strategy.2. Cash Flow NeedsIf you retire before full retirement age and need income, you might begin drawing Social Security early to meet immediate needs. Some people may need to pay off debt or cover living expenses.3. Charitable Giving GoalsInterestingly, some retirees choose to take Social Security early in order to increase their generosity. Some people start taking benefits specifically to give more, either during retirement or as part of a legacy plan. 4. Health and LongevityYour health and family history play a significant role. If you don't expect to live well into your 80s or 90s, you might opt to draw earlier. But if you're healthy and expect a longer life, delaying could offer more value over time.5. Legacy and InheritanceYou can't leave your Social Security benefits to heirs, but you can leave your investment portfolio. This means some people opt to draw Social Security sooner in order to preserve their portfolio for giving or inheritance purposes.6. Tax PlanningSocial Security benefits can be taxable depending on your income. Some people delay benefits until a year they anticipate being in a lower tax bracket, strategically minimizing the tax impact.A Bonus Strategy: The “Mulligan”In some cases, there is a lesser-known but potentially powerful option: the withdrawal application.If you start taking Social Security before full retirement age and change your mind within the first 12 months, you can actually ‘undo' it.” You'll need to repay the benefits you received, but the Social Security Administration treats it as if you never started. You then have the option to restart at a later date, potentially at a higher benefit.This strategy can be especially useful during periods of market volatility when withdrawing from your investment portfolio might not be ideal.The Bottom LineThere's no universal right age at which to begin drawing Social Security. It really depends on your personal situation—your income needs, health, tax strategy, and goals for generosity and legacy.Wise financial planning starts with understanding your options and aligning those choices with your values and calling.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:How much is enough? My wife and I have 10 properties, including the one we live in. Because of COVID and a flood, I've been rehabbing them for the last few years. My wife is 71 and still working, and I'm wondering if we should continue fixing them up to maximize profit, or we should just hold them as they are, even if we get less money.I'm near retirement with $2 million saved and a good pension. Should I spend $3,300-$7,600 on a $20,000 term life policy, or is it unnecessary given my financial situation?I have assets but don't work. Can I gift my RMD to my church and not have it counted on my income tax for 2026?I'm taking early retirement from the government, and I'm wondering about what to do with my thrift savings.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Social Security Administration (SSA.gov)Blue TrustWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Why does the Torah treat hurtful words as worse than stolen money? What does it mean to fear God in our speech? And can every conversation really become a religious moment?

Srila Prabhupada How Can We Repay O! Srila Prabhupada, You crossed the rough seas during your life's twilight, To bring living entities out of their material plight. A spiritual formula you took to one and all, How can we repay this infinite debt, if at all ? O! Srila Prabhupada, You made the Jaladuta and […] The post Song: How Can We Repay You (If At All) appeared first on Radha Krishna Temple in Utah.

In an exclusive with Reuters, Greek officials said the country plans to pay off loans granted under the first of three debt-crisis bailouts by 2031, ten years ahead of schedule. This marks yet another milestone in the country's economic comeback, putting Greece on track to lose the label of the most indebted country in the EU. Yannis Palaiologos, a correspondent-at-large for Kathimerini and the author of “The Thirteenth Labour of Hercules”, a book on the Greek crisis, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this latest story, and see how it fits into the broader picture of Greece's economic comeback.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Exclusive: Greece to repay first bailout loans by 2031, 10 years earlyTrump Has Added Risk to the Surest Bet in Global FinanceCloser French-Greek defense ties seenCentral Asian states send envoys to Cyprus, accept UN resolutions on occupied north

On today's DNVR Buffs Podcast, Jake Schwanitz and Scott Procter discuss what Warren Sapp, Andre Gurode, George Hegamin and Michael Pollock said after Day 5 of spring practices for Coach Prime and Colorado. Coach Sapp shared how he wants to repay Coach Prime for bringing him onto Colorado's coaching staff, his impression of Colorado's defensive line and what it's like coaching alongside Domata Peko and George Hegamin. Coach Pollock shared who is in contention to return kicks this season and the field goal kicker competition. The offensive lineman who has stood out to George Hegamin and why he thinks Coach Prime is staying at Colorado. An update on 2026 Colorado quarterback target Oscar Rios, the latest NFL mock drafts and much more. 0:00 Start2:50 Sound from Coach Sapp18:30 Sound from Coach Sapp23:31 Sound from Coach Pollock32:00 Sound from Coach Pollock38:04 Sound from Coach Hegamin44:16 Recruiting updates55:23 Questions: New coaches, Taurean Carter, Big 12 Pro Day, Jace Feely, Spring game vs another team and Coach Prime. An ALLCITY Network ProductionPARTY WITH US: https://thednvr.com/eventsALL THINGS DNVR: https://linktr.ee/dnvrsportsMERCH: https://store.allcitynetwork.com/collections/dnvr-lockerSUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DNVR_SportsBreck Brew Ice Deck Giveaway: http://breckbrew.com/icedeckMonarch Money: Use Monarch Money to get control of your overall finances with 50% off your first year at https://www.monarchmoney.com/dnvrFanstake: Use code DNVR to stake your favorite athlete at https://fanstake.com/c/dnvrUC Health: Learn more about Living Like There's A Tomorrow at https://www.uchealth.org/tomorrow/?utm_source=DNVR&utm_medium=Audio&utm_campaign=Brand_LLTIAT_Null_JFMFY25_AW_NullSleeper: If you think you have what it takes, NEW USERS can download the Sleeper app and use the code BUFFS to get $55 in free entries when you place a $5 contest. Apply it to any contest - doesn't have to be your first! Terms and conditions apply. See Sleeper's Terms of Use for details. Currently operational in over 25 states. Check out Sleeper today!Elevations Credit Union: Sko Buffs With the Go Buffs® Visa® Signature Rewards Card, the only official credit card of CU athletics, only at Elevations Credit Union. Visit http://buffscreditcard.com to apply and see full card benefits and details.Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Instacart by going to https://coorslight.com/DNVR. Celebrate Responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code BUFFS for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.bet365: Go to https://www.bet365.com/hub/en-us/app-hero-banner-1?utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=usapp&utm_medium=affiliate&affiliate=365_03485318 or use code DNVR365 when you sign up. Must be 21+ and physically located in CO. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help call or TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER Check out FOCO merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/DNVR and use promo code “DNVR10” for 10% off your order!Get 10 FREE meals at https://hellofresh.com/freebuffs. Applied across 7 boxes, new subscribers only, varies by plan.Rugged Road: Gear up for your next adventure with Rugged Road Coolers - Your ultimate outdoor companion! Head to http://ruggedroadoutdoors.pxf.io/ALLCITY and use code DNVR for 10% off!When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions.Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

Host Christine Lee breaks down the latest news in the crypto industry as lenders believe that Bybit will be able to pay back $1.5 billion in bridge loans within a year.Crypto exchange Bybit will be able to pay back $1.5 billion in bridge loans within a year, according to an assessment by lenders who filled the gaping hole in funds stolen by North Korea's Lazarus hacking group. CoinDesk's Christine Lee hosts "CoinDesk Daily."-Friends, DeFi is having a moment — Uniswap Labs' web app and wallet connect you to the excitement. Swapping and bridging are simple, low cost, and lightning fast across 13 chains, including Base, Arbitrum and Unichain, the new Layer 2 network designed for DeFi.Thanks to deep liquidity on Uniswap Protocols, you get minimal price impact on every trade, now with even greater efficiency through Uniswap v4.Swap, send, on-ramp, off-ramp, and bridge into a bright future — get started at uniswap.org.-This episode was hosted by Christine Lee. “CoinDesk Daily” is produced by Christine Lee and edited by Victor Chen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you're curious about how to become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus (this is an EXTERNAL resource, not owned by the Morning Mindset. Please do not leave messages for Carey there. See below for contact info). ⇒ TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR: Anonymous listener - in memory and honor of those lost in the Potomac River Airplane and Helicopter Crash You can sponsor a daily episode of the Morning Mindset too, by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/DailySponsor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:17 - [17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. (ESV) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SUPPORT OUR WORK: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen _ Venmo: @CareyNGreen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTACT US AT: Carey@careygreen.com  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/