Podcasts about s lewis

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Best podcasts about s lewis

Latest podcast episodes about s lewis

Parousia Podcast
Finding Faith in Fiction. Joseph Pearce talks J.R Tolkein, C.S Lewis, G.K Chesterton and Shakespeare

Parousia Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 72:32


In this episode Charbel sits down with author Joseph Pearce to discuss his journey from agnostic to Catholic through the literary works of authors such as J.R Tolkein, C.S Lewis, G.K Chesterton and Shakespeare. He is an internationally acclaimed bestselling author, speaker, teacher, esteemed biographer and scholar of great books from the classical to the modern. Links from episode: Joseph's website: jpearce.co Hartford College website: hartfordcollege.nsw.edu.au Joseph Pearce Books at Parousia: Tolkien Man and Myth https://store.parousiamedia.com/tolkien-man-and-myth-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce Classic Literature Made Simple https://store.parousiamedia.com/classic-literature-made-simple-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce The Good The Bad and The Beautiful: History in Three Dimensions https://store.parousiamedia.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-beautiful-history-in-three-dimensions-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce Faith of our Fathers: A History of True England https://store.parousiamedia.com/faith-of-our-fathers-a-history-of-true-england-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce Twelve Great Books: Going Deeper into Classic Literature https://store.parousiamedia.com/twelve-great-books-going-deeper-into-classic-literature-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearce Catholic Literary Giants https://store.parousiamedia.com/catholic-literary-giants-joseph-pearce-ignatius-press-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=Joseph+pearceL International purchases: https://jpearce.co/books/ Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/ Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute.

Communion & Shalom
#62 - Evangelicals' Gender Ideas Came from C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy - with Robin Harris and Kathryn Wagner

Communion & Shalom

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 108:23


I mean, I don't know you. Maybe you didn't grow up in an evangelical Christian subculture. But if you did, there's a high likelihood that the ideas you absorbed about how men and women behave—and what it even means to be masculine or feminine—were influenced heavily by C.S Lewis' famous Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength.On this fascinating episode, Kathryn Wagner (returning guest and medieval lit scholar) and Robin Harris (writer and incoming seminarian) stopped by to evaluate Lewis' takes on gender against both more modern feminist sensibilities and much older writers and theologians in the Christian tradition.You should absolutely join us.★ About Our Guests:Robin Harris is a North Carolina based freelance writer and editor who specializes in Bible curriculum. She is on the board of the Davenant Institute. Her writing has appeared in Mere Orthodoxy, Ad Fontes, and the Theopolis Institute. As of Fall 2025, she will be a student at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (MATS, 2027). She writes at robinjeanharris.substack.com/ and can be reached at robinjeanharris [at] gmail.com.Kathryn Wagner is the Director of Academic Programming at the Center for Christianity and Scholarship at Duke University. She studies the literature and religious culture of the late Middle Ages and teaches courses that aim to form students in virtue through the practices of the liberal arts. She can be reached at kathryn [at] mogkwagner.net.—★ Timestamps(00:00) #62 - Evangelicals' Gender Ideas Came from C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy - with Robin Harris and Kathryn Wagner(04:20) Evangelicals who leaned on C.S. Lewis and the Space Trilogy(13:12) The Space Trilogy tackles gender(24:46) But can archetypes live in the real world?(38:44) God does not have a body: Metaphors in Christian scripture(53:28) Confusion and contraception are tied together(01:00:58) God as our mother?(01:06:39) Lewis's thinking evolution: widening the gender box(01:24:44) Replacing theoretical masculinity and femininity with real friendships(01:33:24) What would Lewis think of today's transgender conversation?(01:40:31) In the Christian tradition on gender, Lewis is the test run—★ Links and ReferencesThese well-read people dropped a lot of names and references. For your ease of Google searching, here are the ones we caught:John and Stasi Eldridge (books: Wild at Heart, Captivating), Jordan Peterson Jungian thinking, Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Elisabeth Elliot (book: Let Me Be a Woman), complementarianism and egalitarianism, Michael Ward (book: Planet Narnia), apophatic theology, platonic forms and Aristotle's hylomorphism, Thomistic/ Thomas=Thomas Aquinas, Pope John Paul II (book/writings: Theology of the Body), Anselm of Canterbury talked about God as our mother, Julian of Norwich said a similar thing; Joy Davidman, Dorothy Sayers, philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe, Sister Penelope Lawson, Ruth Pitter, C. S. Lewis (books: The Four Loves, A Grief Observed), Kevin Vanhoozer (theologian).—★ Send us feedback, questions, comments, and support!Email: communionandshalom@gmail.com | Instagram: @newkinship | Substack: @newkinship | Patreon: @newkinship —★ CreditsCreators and Hosts: David Frank, TJ Espinoza | Audio Engineer: Carl Swenson, carlswensonmusic.com | Podcast Manager: Elena F. | Graphic Designer: Gavin Popken, gavinpopkenart.com ★ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newkinship.substack.com

Parousia Podcast
We need more lay saints. G.K Chesterton was a door for people into the Catholic Faith. #GKChesterton #daleahlquist

Parousia Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 56:32


In this episode, Charbel sits down with Dale Ahlquist, Author and president of the G.K. Chesterton Society. They discuss who G.K Chesterton was, his connection to C.S Lewis and the profound impact Chesterton has had in the conversion of many to Catholicism, including Ahlquist himself. Gilbert Keith Chesterton was an English author, philosopher, Christian apologist, and literary and art critic. Chesterton created the fictional priest-detective Father Brown, and wrote on apologetics, such as his works Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man. Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/ Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute.

Christ Redeemer Church » Sermons
Seeing Jesus in Our Troubles

Christ Redeemer Church » Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 37:30


QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”~Psalm 23:4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”~Ephesians 1:3-6 “Have we trials and temptations?Is there trouble anywhere?We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer.Can we find a friend so faithful,Who will all our sorrows share?Jesus knows our every weakness;Take it to the Lord in prayer.”~ “What a Friend we have in Jesus” by Joseph Scrivener, 1855 “I must add, too, that the only purpose of the book is to solve the intellectual problem raised by suffering; for the far higher task of teaching fortitude and patience I was never fool enough to suppose myself qualified, nor have I anything to offer my readers except my conviction that when pain is to be borne, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all.”  ~C.S Lewis, The Problem of PainSERMON PASSAGEHebrews 2:5-18 (ESV) 5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,  “What is man, that you are mindful of him,    or the son of man, that you care for him? 7  You made him for a little while lower than the angels;    you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8  putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,   “I will tell of your name to my brothers;     in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13  And again,    “I will put my trust in him.”    And again,    “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Parousia Podcast
Bill Donaghy - The Gift of Theology of The Body. Parousia Podcast

Parousia Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 35:26


In this episode Charbel sits down with Bill Donaghy from the Theology of the Body Institute. Bill discusses his life, family, faith, devotion to Our Lady and the inspiration of John Paul II. In this telling interview, Charbel and Bill discuss Theology of the Body, Natural Family Planning, C.S Lewis, J.R Tolkien and more. Philosophy Of Tolkien USA LINK: https://parousiausa.com/the-philosophy-of-tolkien-the-worldview-behind-the-lord-of-the-rings-peter-kreeft-paperback/ Philosophy Of Tolkien AUSTRALIA LINK: https://store.parousiamedia.com/the-philosophy-of-tolkien-the-worldview-behind-the-lord-of-the-rings-peter-j-kreeft-ignatius-press-paperback/ God Is Beauty AUSTRALIA LINK: https://store.parousiamedia.com/god-is-beauty-a-retreat-on-the-gospel-and-art-karol-wojtila-pope-john-paul-ii-paperback/ Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/ Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute.

The Christian Outlook | Topics for Today's Believers
Special Edition: An In-Depth Look at the Mastery of C. S. Lewis in “Perelandra”

The Christian Outlook | Topics for Today's Believers

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 41:20


The Christian Outlook – January 4, 2025 Eric Metaxas talks with James Como, of the New York C.S. Lewis Society, about his book, Mystical Perelandra: My Lifelong Reading of C.S. Lewis and His Favorite Book. Metaxas and Como discuss how Perelandra represents some of the very best prose ever penned and how it stands out from the many other masterful works C.S Lewis wrote. Como shares the personal impact C.S. Lewis' writings made on his mind and soul and how his hope was rekindled because of the vision C.S. Lewis had to see what was awaiting those who trust in Christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OBS
Utan leken är konsten inte fri

OBS

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 10:36


Vad söker vi i konsten: en spegelbild av världen eller ett redskap att förändra den med? Kulturredaktionens Mårten Arndtzén ser hur aktivism och idealism riskerar att tränga ut leken ur kulturen. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radio Play. ESSÄ: Detta är en text där skribenten reflekterar över ett ämne eller ett verk. Åsikter som uttrycks är skribentens egna. Ursprungligen publicerad den december 2019. I filmen Shadowlands (1993) finns en scen som aldrig släppt taget om mig. Den amerikanska poeten Joy Gresham är på besök hos sin litterära idol och blivande make, C.S Lewis, i Oxford. Med sig har hon sonen Douglas, en pojke i bokslukaråldern som förtrollats av den brittiske författarens berättelser om det magiska landet Narnia. I den här scenen hittar Lewis pojken på vinden i sitt hus. Han har just sökt igenom ett gammalt klädskåp - precis ett sådant som bildar porten till Narnia i den första boken, Häxan och lejonet. Det här skåpet är förstås bara ett skåp. Och för Douglas, en besvikelse av metafysiska proportioner. Passagen mellan världar är en arketyp med djupa och vitt förgrenade, kulturella rötter. Dess förutsättning är förstås gränsen, den klara åtskillnaden mellan en ordning och en annan. Verklighetens och fantasins, det heligas och det profanas, vardagens och festens. Utan gränsen är också varje form av lek omöjlig. Det slår den nederländske kulturhistorikern Johan Huizinga (1872–1945) fast i sin klassiska essä "Homo ludens", den lekande människan, från 1938: "Arenan, spelbordet, trollkretsen, templet, scenen, filmduken" - ja, till och med domstolen pekar han ut som en lekplats, otänkbar utan sin ram, "avgränsat, inhägnat, heligt område där särskilda regler gäller". Regler som inte tål något tvivel, för då störtar lekvärlden samman. Man kan tänka sig en fotbollsmatch där någon rullar in en andra boll på planen, eller ett schackparti där oenighet uppstår kring vilken regel som helst. Ändå är leken motsatsen till byråkrati. Dess väsen ligger i förmågan att entusiasmera, det roliga är dess mening. Dess första kännetecken är att den är fri, ja t.o.m frihet, skriver Huizinga. Hur går det ihop? Huizinga återger en anekdot, där en far försöker närma sig sin fyraårige son, som sitter på den främsta av en rad stolar och leker tåg. "Pappa", säger pojken "du får inte pussa lokomotivet, för då tror vagnarna att det inte är riktigt". Här finns alltså, redan hos ett litet barn, en ganska avancerad, dubbel blick på världen: pojken vet mycket väl att stolarna inte är tågvagnar. Och samtidigt är de det, så länge lekens rum kan fredas. Gränsen upprätthållas. Jag vet inte om pojken i Shadowlands, Douglas, hade låtit sig tröstas av detta - men ur lekens perspektiv fungerar klädskåpet verkligen som en passage till andra världar, så länge man accepterar att det bara är ett vanligt skåp. Också. Leken är, menar Huizinga, äldre än kulturen. Ja än själva mänskligheten, eftersom även djur leker. Men just den där dubbla blicken tycks gå förlorad i den civilisatoriska utvecklingen, på åtminstone ett av lekens områden: kultens. Inom antropologin finner Huizinga belägg för att den är verksam inom det man på hans tid kallar primitiva kulter. Den gamla tidens tro på andeväsen tycks inte vara helt igenom bokstavlig utan mer likna just leken, med dess dubbla blick på världen. I de moderna, monoteistiska religionerna krymper det förhandlingsutrymmet. Hashem, Allah och Kristus kan inte både finnas och inte. I konsten ser Huizinga också en nedgång, även om den kommer betydligt senare: sedan 1700-talet har konsten "förlorat mer än den vunnit av lekkvalitet", skriver han. Orsaken är inte minst dess allt högre, kulturella status: "Något av dess eviga barnslighet gick förlorat i den självsäkra kännedomen om egna benådade uppgifter". Homo Ludens kommer alltså ut 1938. Året innan har Berthold Brecht för första gången prövat sin "verfremdungseffekt" på scen: det dramaturgiska greppet att slå hål på illusionen och bryta igenom den så kallade fjärde väggen, till exempel genom att skådespelarna vänder sig ut mot salongen och talar direkt till publiken. Det här är bara ett av den konstnärliga modernismens oräkneliga angrepp på gränsen mellan konst och liv. Just den gräns förutan vilken ingen lek, i Huizingas mening, är möjlig. Men så är konsten inte heller någon lek, för Brecht. Inte ens en spegelbild av världen, utan en hammare att forma den med. Så här en dryg mansålder senare tycks det inte längre vara konstnären som håller i hammaren, utan publiken. Det är i varje fall den bild som förmedlas i den tyske konstkritikern Hanno Rauterbergs uppmärksammade essä "Hur fri är konsten? Den nya kulturstriden och liberalismens kris". Som så många gånger förr står striden om konstens frihet, det nya är varifrån attackerna mot den kommer. Inte längre, i första hand, från konservativa opinioner eller klåfingriga makthavare. Utan från de delar av publiken som kan åberopa någon form av utsatthet eller underordning. Rauterbergs essä är uppbyggd kring ett pärlband av exempel på, ofta framgångsrika, censurkrav som rests av eller för ursprungsbefolkningar, afroamerikaner, känsliga studenter, kränkta kvinnor och plågade djur. Upplösningen av gränsen mellan konst och liv har, menar Rauterberg, lett till en förväntan att konsten ska representera livet - men inte som spegel, alltså som det är - utan istället som det borde vara. Konsten blir en kompensatorisk inrättning, museerna ett slags "rena" platser i en smutsig värld. En liknande förväntan kan man se på litteraturen, i debatter kring prestigefulla priser och bokmässor. Liksom på teatern och inom televisionen, när övergreppsanklagade skådespelare ersätts eller klipps bort. Konstens frihet krymper som en följd av förväntningarna på dess förmåga som hammare - utan att livet för den skull verkar låta sig formas i någon större utsträckning. När modernisterna gav sig på gränsen mellan konst och liv var syftet inte alltid så instrumentellt. Tag Marcel Duchamp och hans ready-mades; cykelhjulet, flasktorkaren och urinoaren. Föremål som leker med konstens gräns mot livet, som - snarare än att försöka forma världen i någon bestämd riktning - tycks vilja öppna den för något av konstens frihet. Först efter kriget får de sin ikonstatus som konstbegreppets nemesis - beviset för att allt kan vara konst, att gränsen bara är en konvention. Vilket inte alls verkar ha varit Duchamps avsikt: intervjuad av konstkritikern Pierre Cabanne säger Duchamp att han aldrig avsåg att upphöja cykelhjulet och flasktorkaren till konst. "Det skedde bara i distraktion", säger han, "som förströelse". Den här intervjun görs i mitten av 1960-talet, när Duchamp för länge sedan lagt konsten på hyllan och istället gjort sig en semi-professionell karriär som schackspelare - en verksamhet som till punkt och pricka stämmer in på Johan Huizingas lekbegrepp: tydligt avgränsat från livet och absolut regelstyrt. Det var vad alla trodde - fram till året efter hans död. 1969 invigs det verk Duchamp i hemlighet arbetat på i över två decennier, Étant donnés, på konstmuseet i Philadelphia, USA. För att se det måste man först passera igenom den särskilda sal museet har för Duchamps arbeten; ett slags initiation, där vi träder in i just den här konstnärens speciella värld. Längst in i hörnet öppnar sig salen mot ett litet rum. Det är tomt, men i ena änden avslutat med en kraftig port i trä. Hårt väderbiten, uppenbart uråldrig, tycks den utlova passage till någon helt annan slags plats. Vi kan se den genom två små titthål i dörren: ett märkligt landskap badande i krispigt ljus, och med detaljer som kan oroa eller attrahera eller både och - som en naken kvinnokropp på en bädd av kvistar. Men närmare än så kommer vi inte: dörren saknar handtag. Vi kan förstås slå in den, och tvinga oss in. Men då skulle illusionen brytas, och istället för en värld skulle vi få en konstruktion; istället för ett mysterium: en atrapp. Vi skulle ha brutit mot reglerna, och överskridit gränsen. Och "så snart reglerna sättas åsido", konstaterar Johan Huizinga, "störtar lekvärlden samman. Då är leken förbi". Precis intill titthålen har träet i dörren en annan nyans, kanske är det spår av besökarna? Ett halvt sekels slitage från lekande människor. Mårten Arndtzénmarten.arndtzen@sr.se

RUF at the University of Tennessee
"Relating to Friends"

RUF at the University of Tennessee

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 38:02


Indebted to Matt Howell's sermon on friendship here; so much of this is his work! Also reference the work of C.S Lewis in "The Four Loves" and Andy Crouch's thought on friendship.

Brother Dunford
CS Lewis 02: The Chronicles of Narnia: All Get What They Want

Brother Dunford

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 60:59


The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that all get what they truly desire. C.S Lewis powerfully illustrated this in the Chronicles of Narnia.

Lesser Known Lewis
S4E3 "On the Transmission of Christianity" with Daniel from the Lamp-Post Listener

Lesser Known Lewis

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 74:03


In C. S Lewis' "On the Transmission of Christianity" from 1946, he explains why he thinks Christianity appears on the decline in future generations. Spoiler alert: It's not because humans are outgrowing religion or becoming too enlightened to believe in such silly things. It's because the next generation is no longer being taught a compelling view of the faith in their education. We are joined by Daniel from the Lamp-Post Listener, himself a teacher in a classical Christian school, to discuss Lewis robust and challenging solution to the problem.

PODDEIO
182 • A sensação de infertilidade na vida.

PODDEIO

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 7:39


A partir de Ana + Jesus + Provérbios + C.S Lewis, vamos refletir sobre os momentos ontem sentimos que as coisas simplesmente não dão certo para nós.

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS
Apologetics 101 - Mere Christianity Book 1

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 55:01


C.S Lewis,  Mere Christianity Book 1

The Christian Outlook | Topics for Today's Believers
An In-Depth Look at the Mastery of C. S. Lewis in “Perelandra”

The Christian Outlook | Topics for Today's Believers

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 41:49


The Christian Outlook – July 6, 2024 Eric Metaxas talks with James Como, of the New York C.S. Lewis Society, about his book, Mystical Perelandra: My Lifelong Reading of C.S. Lewis and His Favorite Book. Metaxas and Como discuss how Perelandra represents some of the very best prose ever penned and how it stands out from the many other masterful works C.S Lewis wrote. Como shares the personal impact C.S. Lewis' writings made on his mind and soul and how his hope was rekindled because of the vision C.S. Lewis had to see what was awaiting those who trust in Christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ecclesia Houston | Weekend Podcast and Liturgy

Pastor Chris launches our new series around Friendship with a look at what the Scriptures and C.S Lewis say about the value of true friends.

The Pro-Life Guys
Bonus Episode!!!! (Join my Narnia Book Club)

The Pro-Life Guys

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 5:53


I'm super excited to announce that I'm launching a Narnia Book Club, and I want to invite you to be a part of it! Whether you've read one of the books, all of the books, or none of the books, I'd love to have you as a part of this journey through C.S Lewis's fantastical world of Narnia. We'll read one book each month and talk about what we liked, what we may not have liked, and if there's any life take aways. We won't get too intense ( I don't think, at least!), so please sign up regardless of where you're at on your literary journey! https://forms.gle/h7TGRYSQn3W369Wh9 Contact Cam with questions at email@prolifeguys.com #books #bookclub #prolifepodcast

Authentic Men's Group podcast
Authentic Grief - Finding Meaning in Your After (Part 3)

Authentic Men's Group podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 27:15


Authentic Grief: Finding Meaning In Your After In this series of podcasts we want to address the topic of grief. Grief is something we all experience so we want to take an authentic look at this shared experience. David Kessler wrote a book as a 6th stage of grieving titled Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. We will be recording this podcast series as an overview to this book and be inviting you to a conversation about grief and how we can approach it through meaning.  What is Grief? Grief is the response to the loss of something deemed important or essential, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond or affection has been formed. Chapter #4 The First Step in Finding Meaning: In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer. Albert Camus pg. 67 On retreats on day #1 – write a letter to your past.  Day #2 write a letter to your future self.  It starts with a blank piece of paper but your future isn't written yet. You are the writer. Not your past, not your losses, not death. But you are the creator of your future… Don't let your past dictate your future. Pg 70 The story you tell yourself repeatedly becomes your meaning.  Pg 71 Original Meaning  Transformed vs. New Meaning: The death happened to me. vs. Death happens. I'm a victim. vs. I am a victor because I have survived a loss. This death was a punishment. vs. Death is usually random. Why did this happen to me? vs. Everyone gets something this lifetime.  It happened because of something vs. There was nothing I could have done. My story is the saddest one vs. My story had very sad parts. Your life will never be the same but happiness again is still possible. Never being happy again is a statement about the future and no one can predict the future. All they can know for sure is that they are unhappy today. It helps to say, “I'm unhappy today.” and leave it at that. Pg 72 Whatever thoughts you water are thoughts that will grow. Pg 73 Perhaps it is time to put down the mirror and pick up the binoculars. (Telescope, microscope) * MVVP book reference  I look at the meaning the person is giving the event and then I help them change the meaning, not the event. The event is not going to be any different, but the meaning can be, and this can help them to deal with the loss. Pg 76 The reality is that no two people will ever react to an event in the same way.  How you respond will depend upon the meaning you see in it. And like all perceptions of meaning, this will be influenced not just by the event itself, but also by your cultural background, your family, religion, temperament and life experience. Meaning comes from all that has made you who you are. Pg 77 Where is your loved on now?  Is a good question but also “When are they?” They are no longer in the moment. They are past suffering pg. 77 Allowing yourself only to focus on the past, however miserably, can seem easier, more comfortable, than deciding to live fully in the world without your loved one. Pg 79 Underneath the reluctance to live or love again is fear. Pg 79 A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for” John A. Shield. When we are grieving, we want to stay in the harbor. It's a good place to be for a while. It's where we refuel, rebuild and repair. But we are meant to find new adventures… Pg 80 As the Buddha says, “if you are a lamp for someone else, it will brighten your path.” The parable of the long spoons: A person is ushered into a banquet hall There are rows of tables laden with platters of sumptuous food, but the people seated around the tables are pale and emaciated, moaning in hunger. As he gets closer, he sees that each person is holding a spoon. But the spoon is so long he can't get the food to his mouth. Everyone is starving in agony. The person is then taken to another banqueting area where he encounters the same feasting  arrangement he encountered in the first hall. There is again a cornucopia of food but here the people seated at the tables are cheerfully talking and eating because the long spoons are being used to feed each other. Taking the challenges, impairments and predicaments that we have been given (the long spoons of our lives) and using them to help others can really give meaning to those challenges, impairments and predicaments and can help nourish and nurture others while we receive the same for ourselves Chapter #5 The Decision Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?   Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver Pg 83 Not making a decision is a decision. Healing does not allow for neutrality. It's an active process, not a passive one.  We have to participate in our own healing not just expect it to happen.  Living is different from being alive.  Pg 83 The decision to live fully is about being present for life, no matter how hard life is at the moment. It's about what you are made of, not what happens to you. Pg 84 C.S Lewis said in his book The Problem with Pain, “Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself.” Make a conscious decision to live, not just be alive. Pg 85 When an elephant grows up, it'll clearly be strong enough to break the rope, but because by then it has learned that struggling is useless, and it will no longer attempt to pull up the small peg or break the rope. Pg 88 “Till death do us part” The marriage contract ends at death. It is done. No one's vow includes the afterlife. Pg 90 Sometimes we need help making the decision to say our goodbyes to them in life and move our loved ones into our hearts in death. Pg 92 No matter how long you were together, it's not enough time but the love you shared is not gone. It lives within you as a part of you. The experience of love that you had can never be destroyed or changed by a new love. That love will exist forever in its own time, in its own way in your heart. But more love can be available to you if you desire. Your heart can have many loves in its lifetime.  A new love can grow out of the same soil without diminishing a past love. You still have life.  Pg 94 At times, our challenge is a new love; other times it is a new life. Pg 94 We often don't realize that the decision to live is an active one that requires our participation.  Pg 95 We are capable of more love throughout our life than we realize. “95 Make the decision to do so Broken crayons still color.  Pg 96   Part II  The Challenges in Grieving  Chapter #6 Finding Meaning in Why New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings. Lao-tzu Pg 99 You woke up for a reason this morning, and that reason is for the purpose of finding meaning in your life. P102 Small moments can have big meaning. Everything you do has the potential for meaning.  P103 We affect others in ways we will never know, often by simply being ourselves. Pg104 Whatever the reason, when there's guilt, there's a demand for punishment, so survivors will often punish themselves or attract people who will do it for them. Pg 104 You will always be connected to your son but you don't have to be connected to the pain. You can connect in love. Pg 107 When we don't have a why we tend to jump in and play God. We tell ourselves, “ I could have prevented his death,” or “It should have been me.” This means we are attributing to ourselves the power that we don't have. Pg. 108 To begin to heal you must give the power back to God, the universe, fate, or whatever you believe in. That might mean you begin to acknowledge your anger at God. I believe God is big enough to handle your anger and rage. Pg 109 The why you must answer is not why your loved one died, but why you lived. Why are you here?  Turn the why into how or what. How can I move on from here? What meaning can I find for living? Why's build walls and we can bump into the wall time and time again and not have the answer to the why. As a matter of fact it can even seems that every time we ask why we put another brick on the wall..  If that is the case change the question to how. Where why questions build walls how questions build bridges. How can I move on from here? If I give up answering the why I can then accept the way things are in the present and move on from there. The how question helps me to move on. How can I move on from here even if I don't know the why.  The life that was lost was precious. If we have been granted more time, shouldn't we believe that our life is also precious? Pg111

Life In Christ Church
Pastor Joe Spence | Humility Part 1

Life In Christ Church

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 45:18


"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less,” C.S Lewis

Life In Christ Church
Pastor Joe Spence | Humility Part 2

Life In Christ Church

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 43:29


"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less,” C.S Lewis

Mornings with Carmen
Moses laws and a child saved – Carmen LaBerge | Resisting the pull away from God's design for you – Daniel DeWitt

Mornings with Carmen

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 49:04


Carmen LaBerge talks about the story of baby Samuel, who was dropped of at a Save Haven baby box at a fire station who was recently adopted and how that ties us to the story of baby Moses in the book of Exodus. Apologist Daniel DeWitt of the Theolatte blog reflects on some thought inspired by C.S Lewis about being who God made you and called you to be, as opposed to a photo-copy of another person. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Brother Dunford
CS Lewis 02: The Chronicles of Narnia: All Get What They Want; They Do Not Always Like It

Brother Dunford

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 50:47


The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that all get what they truly desire. C.S Lewis powerfully illustrated this in the Chronicles of Narnia.

By-The-Bywater: A Tolkien Podcast
58. What an Absolute Nightmare This Man Would Have Been to Work With.

By-The-Bywater: A Tolkien Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2024 58:55


Jared, Oriana and Ned discuss Ned's choice of topic: The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. Following the publication of his official biography of Tolkien, Humphrey Carpenter worked with Christopher Tolkien to edit and present a selection of Tolkien's letters across the decades, originally appearing in 1981. Containing both a large swathe of personal detail about his life as an aspiring academic and young father, then an established professor and finally an increasingly popular author, it also presented a large amount of background information on Middle-earth via his exchanges with publishers, writers and readers, including some long letters that have remained touchstones of information on his creative process since. In late 2023, a new edition was published, which featured the entirety of the original selection that Carpenter and Christopher had created but had to trim down for initial publication, revealing various new facets of interest in particular about his own personal beliefs and philosophies across time. What areas of Tolkien's life remain relatively undiscussed or absent from the presented letters, and what can we deduce from the estate's choices to possibly not let that material be shared out? How do the ‘new' letters in particular fill out our understanding of Tolkien's Catholic beliefs, especially in the context of mass and creative culture? Is there something to be said in how Tolkien may have changed or otherwise introduced more nuance into some of his more sweeping statements about women in his private correspondence as he aged, especially in contrast to his fellow Inklings? And finally, who wouldn't want to be the fly on the wall for that conversation between Tolkien, Robert Graves and Ava Gardner?Show Notes.Jared's doodle. Something about a lovely start to a letter…Remember, join the Megaphonic Patreon! Listen to us and everyone else talk about the movie musical Scrooge! (Spoiler: we were not pleased.)Did we mention preordering Jared's book? Let's mention it again.Here's preorder info for that British Library talk on Twenty First Century Tolkien. Looks like it could be good!In which writing an unauthorized sequel to The Lord of the Rings further goes askew. Demetrious Polychron really, really does try. But.Our Dennis McKiernan/Silver Call duology episode. It really is better in comparison!Ah, cotillions. Look, you want them, have them, but maybe not around the Shire?AO3…waits.The letters! (New edition that is!) It is a very, very thick book.Letter 131 is a doozy! These days it's most often seen appended to the more recent edition of The Silmarillion.That withdrawn article on Edith Bratt, as much as remains in the journal listing. Who knows?Zero inbox, the blessed and unachievable state.Worth briefly noting The Tolkien Family Album, written and presented by John (the younger) and Priscilla Tolkien.Vatican II's impact is still very much with us…The Power Broker once again. (Consider our episode on evil.)Yeahhhhhh the Spanish Civil War. Not pretty at all.Tolkien and anarchism, there's a lot of talk about that out there. (Tolkien balancing out anarchism and monarchism? Somehow he did it…) As for the Shire as society and what it does or doesn't have, consider our episode (and the Gollum one with the murder mystery!)The Song of Bernadette! It really hit Tolkien hard, this film. (Vincent Price in fact played “Vital Dutour, Imperial Prosecutor” but he would have been a great Mary.) And hey if you ever want to visit Lourdes…Milton and Tolkien would have been at total odds in terms of religion but they absolutely agreed on the joy of sex. (Do a search for the line “This said unanimous, and other rites” and read further.)Our episode on Aldarion and Erendis. Still a remarkable story.Gloria Steinem as a Tolkien correspondent, that's a vision.C.S Lewis and women…well THAT'S a subject.The 1955 radio version of The Lord of the Rings is lost as noted but as the Wikipedia entry notes, the script itself survives at least. As for the 1968 radio Hobbit adaptation, indeed curious that there's nothing from Tolkien about it…Robert Graves! Was he a snack in his youth, Sigurd-like? Hey, you be the judge.Ava Gardner! Pretty awesome, really. (And she did live in the UK for the last decades of her life so why not attend an Oxford lecture?)One of John Scalzi's various posts talking about the idea of ‘convention famous.' Makes total sense!Again, consider supporting our network, Megaphonic, to help us make the show, and to join us on a friendly little Discord! Thank you if you do.

Unbelievable?
Is there an expiry date on CS Lewis 60 years after his death? With Rev. Prof. Alister McGrath and Ruth Jackson, host of Unbelievable

Unbelievable?

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 47:10


Ruth Jackson hosts this special edition of Premier Unbelievable? with Oxford scholar and C. S Lewis expert Dr. Alister McGrath. Lewis - Jack to his friends - was a 20th Century British writer and lay theologian who is arguably one of the most influential voices in modern Christianity. On November 22nd 1963, Clive Staples Lewis died in Oxford, England. Ten years ago, McGrath's definitive biography C.S.Lewis A Life - Eccentric Genius Reluctant Prophet was published giving readers a glimpse of McGrath's extensive research and a thorough chronological examination of Lewis' correspondence and archival materials to present a new picture of Lewis's life. The book paints a portrait of an eccentric thinker who became a compelling, though reluctant, prophet for our times. Writing in the London Telegraph, Philip Womach described Dr. McGrath as a clear-eyed, and learned companion in exploring Lewis the man, and described his analysis of the Narnia books is illuminating. Dr. McGrath continues to share his insights on Lewis weekly in The C.S. Lewis Podcast hosted by Ruth Jackson. 60 years after his death, Ruth Jackson puts a variety of listener's questions to Dr. McGrath including is there an expiry date on C.S. Lewis' relevance sixty years after his death? • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Pony Tales Podcast
#231 Lee McCroskey, RAMBO

Pony Tales Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2023 108:01


Recorded in Lee's attic, this episode is full of favorite stories. Lee McCroskey has been a key member of the Sales School experience for 25 years, and in this episode with Andres, he shares from his list of favorite and memorable moments; from a student joining in on stage for a door demo during his Dirt Pile story, to a German Measles outbreak, to hilarious moments with fellow presenters. Lee gives us a behind the scenes look at his famous Dirt Pile story - be sure to check out the video version of the episode on YouTube or Spotify.  Lee has been a tremendous supporter of the show, and co-hosts with Andres our sister podcast, Executive Exercises where key business leadership topics are shared amongst Southwestern Alumni. You can find EE in all of the podcast places.  Chapters and Key moments 00:00:00 - Start 00:05:35 - 25 Years of Sales School 00:24:01 - GRS Speakers  00:36:26 - Developing Public Speaking Skills 00:46:14 - Deep Dive into C.S Lewis  01:02:00 - The Guard Ram  01:11:40 - The Special Edition “Dirt Pile” Story 01:39:50 - Continued Perspective --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pony-tales/support

Avoiding Babylon
REPLAY - Addressing Catholic Misunderstandings: A Candid Discussion with a Protestant Cousin

Avoiding Babylon

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 72:47 Transcription Available


Could everything non-Catholics have been told about the Catholic faith be just a misunderstanding? Join me as we unravel the enigmatic beliefs and practices of Catholicism in an enlightening conversation with my cousin Keely, a non-denominational Christian. We take a deep dive into the heart of our religious traditions, highlighting not just the contrasts but also the commonalities. Our dialogue navigates through the essence of our beliefs, the vital role of community in our spiritual lives, and the contemporary issues grappling with the Catholic Church and the Pope.Our discourse extends from understanding the unique Catholic interpretation of the commandment given to Moses to exploring the symbolism of statues and images. We delve into the profound concept of original sin and how it shapes the Catholic faith. We then journey through Jewish history and prophecies, linking the past to the present and the Old Testament figures to Jesus. Misunderstood aspects of Catholicism also unravel as we lay bare the differences between Protestant and Catholic viewpoints.Towards the end, we shed light on the intricate history and meaning of various Christian traditions. The idea of creation from nothing, C.S Lewis's compelling arguments for God, and Christianity's profound influence on society and gender all find a place in our discussion. Through the lens of the Chivalry Movement, the feminist movement, and the role of Mary in the Catholic faith, we inspect the shape and structure of Christian society. The conversation concludes with a comparison of idol worship in the Old Testament to modern pornography, underscoring the importance of reading books outside of the canon. Join us on this enlightening journey as we explore faith, religion, and tradition.********************************************************https://www.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community:  https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comStore:  https://avoiding-babylon.sellfy.store/RSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV:  https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-1626455Odysee:  https://odysee.com/@AvoidingBabylonSupport the showCheck out our new store!

Nerd heaven
Star Trek Continues ”To Boldly Go Part 1” - Detailed Analysis & Review

Nerd heaven

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2023 27:50


Today, we're looking at "To Boldly Go Part 1", the first half of the Star Trek Continues grant finale. See how this episode ties back to the Star Trek pilot "Where No Man Has Gone Before", how it sets up everything for the exciting conclusion, and hear some fascinating new insights into the episode from director James Kerwin. Player at bottom of page http://AdamDavidCollings.com/books ----more---- Transcript Welcome to Nerd Heaven. I'm Adam David Collings, the author of Jewel of The Stars. And I am a nerd   This is episode 106 of the podcast. Today, we're talking about the first part of the Star Trek Continues grand finale, “To Boldly Go, Part 1”.   I got an email a few weeks ago. It was from James Kerwin. Yes, that James Kerin. Writer, producer and director for Star Trek Continues, including director of today's episode.   He reached out to me to say he'd been listening to the podcast and enjoying it. This was a huge thrill. It's very humbling to find that one of the creators of the show has been listening to the podcast, so I want to give a big shout out and thank you to him, not only for his work on the show, but for his encouragement.   And he pointed out a few fascinating things that I'd missed. Remember in episode three, I talked about how good the shuttlecraft exterior looked. It turns out, they didn't build that from scratch that was the real shuttlecraft Galileo from Star Trek The Original Series. How awesome is that?   I've made mention of Nurse Chapel a couple of times, but that wasn't actually Chapel. They made a conscious decision not to have Chapel appear on screen in this show because she should be off at Starfleet Medical getting her doctorate at this point in time, which makes a lot of sense. So it was always Nurse Burke, a character who had appeared in Star Trek comics and novels.   And Lieutenant Smith has not actually been on the Enterprise the whole time. But we'll learn more about that in the next episode.   But here's a big one I missed. The actress who plays her, Kipleigh Brown, was the writer of episode 9 “What Ships are For” I didn't put that together, but I think that's really cool.   The description on IMDB for today's episode reads To solve the utmost mystery, the Enterprise must return to where Kirk's five-year mission began. The teleplay was by Roberty J. Sawyer based on a story by Vic Mignongna, James Kerwin, and Robert J. Sawyer. It was directed by James Kerwin, And it first aired on the 18th of October 2017.   Robert J. Sawyer was the primary writer of this two-parter. He is a very famous Canadian author who wrote FlashForward, which was adapted for TV by Star Trek's Branon Braga, and Man of Steel's David S. Goyer.   When Star Trek The Next Generation was preparing to wrap and move to the big screen, they gave it a two-hour finale. This idea was pretty unheard of at the time. Lots of shows in the 90s had movie-length pilots, but not finales. TV shows tended to pitter out and end with a bit of a whimper. TNG changed all that.   But the original Star Trek never got a proper finale, like TNG, DS9, and Voyager.  Even Enterprise got a finale of sorts, which I will partially defend, though not the feature length extravaganza that others got. But things were different in the 60s. TOS had no ending. It was cancelled. Turnabout Intruder wasn't intended to be the end of the story, it was just an episode.   One of the greatest things about Star Trek Continues is that it rectifies this. It gives TOS the ending it always deserved. And it's done so well.   Much like “All Good Things”, it calls back to a lot of things from the past, but it specifically links us back to the very first episode, “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” Even the titles relate, each is part of Kirk's iconic phrase. The symmetry is beautiful.   But hold on, I hear you say. “What about the Cage? Isn't that the pilot of TOS?” Well, yes it is. Star Trek had an unprecedented  two pilots. But The Cage never actually aired in its original form during the run of the show. These days, I tend to think of The Cage as the pilot for Strange New Worlds. So in my mind, it makes a lot of sense for this episode to tie in with “Where No Man has Gone Before.”   Director James Kerwin gave me some interesting insight into the production of these episodes. They actually filmed this two-parter before they filmed the last episode “What Ships are For.” CBS/Paramount had implemented their fan-film guidelines, guidelines.    Now a show like this would have needed some substantial changes to fit with these guidelines. They were required to be less than 15 minutes or no more than 2 30 minute parts in total with no additional seasons, episodes or sequels.   CBS didn't require the show to shut down, but with these guidelines in place, and Discovery about to release, out of respect, they decided to wind down Star Trek Continues. They did a final fundraiser to complete episodes 8, 10 and 11, but there was no money to make episode 9.   But at the last minute, a generous donor gave them the money for episode 9. They shot the finale first to get it out of the way, and went back several months later to film “What Ships are For.” I'm glad that generous donor made it possible, because that last episode was pretty amazing.   The episode opens with Spock & McKenna meditating together. This is normally a very private affair, but Spock considers it an honour to teach a willing student.    Meditation is the one time that Vulcans truly acknowledge their emotions. You can see why it's so private.   McKenna's inclusion in this moment shows the level of intimacy that has grown between these two.   They will both miss these sessions when the mission is over.   We learn here about a vulcan discipline, the Dulhutnar, an alternative to the Kolinahr.  Rather than the purging of emotions, the Dulhutna is about accepting the wisdom of vestigial emotions. Spock considers there to be No chance of him pursuing either. Of course, we know that shortly after this finale, he will return to Vulcan and pursue the Kolinahr.   Spock and McKenna's relationship is special. They share private things they wouldn't share with others. Time with humans has taught Spock to value his human side. And then they hold hands. That's a huge deal. Vulcans are not comfortable with physical contact. And even for humans, holding hands is a sign of affection and physical intimacy.   The Enterprise is scheduled to return home soon. Their 5 year mission is coming to an end. The loss of The Hood crew still weighs on him. You'll remember that back in “Embracing the Winds” a mysterious life support failure cost the lives of the entire crew. A failure that Scotty was unable to explain.    I remember commenting at the time that I hoped the show would follow up on that. I couldn't remember if it did. We'll see in this episode that it is definitely followed up.   The Yorktown and the Republic were both damaged while investigating The Hood's loss. The Enterprise is being sent to the Federation colony on Aldebran III which went completely silent shortly afterward.   Admiral Thesp, a very cool looking Andorian, admits that the Federation had a secret laboratory on the planet. A supply vessel sent to investigate never returned. They detected anti-proton residue. That means Romulans.   The colony has been destroyed. The central reactor suffered a containment failure. Scotty thinks that should be impossible. He installed the safeguards himself 5 years ago, which, I suppose, gives us a glimpse of what Scotty's job was before the Enterprise's 5 year mission began.   Interestingly, Vic pronounces the word Sabotage the same way Shatner does. Sabotage. I don't know how common that is in America, or Canada for that matter, but here in Australia, we definitely say Sabotage. Anyway, I love these little bits of attention to detail. It's really cool.   The underground pandora research lab is intact but it has a scattering field so Scotty will have to beam them down outside.   The set for the planet looks very reminiscent of what we might have seen on The Original Series, and yet, kind of better, in my opinion. It's a real work of art.   I like the little elevator shaft to gain entrance to the lab. The only sign of habitation nearby. Presumably, the colony was elsewhere on the planet.   A drone appears and attacks them. The effects here are a good match for the original series. Again, better quality, but recognisable.   There's a good sense of danger to this action scene.   After they've dealt with it, a human woman, Lana, appears out of the turbolift. She's surprised to see a Vulcan. The sensors detected him as Romulan.   Lana is played by actress Nichola Bryant who famously portrayed the Doctor Who companion Peri, a character I've been known to refer to as “the whinging yank”. But in fairness to her, Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor was a bit of a prickly guy to be around.   James Kerwin was a big Doctor Who fan growing up. Colin Baker and Nichola Bryant were the doctor/companion pairing that he most remembered as a child. It was a big honour for him to work with both of them on Star Trek Continues. Colin Baker appeared in Episode 4, The White Iris, as Amphidamas. And Nichola Bryant appeared in this two-parter.  How cool is it that he got to work with them both on this show?    Lana is wearing a visor. To me, it looks similar to the one that Spock and Miranda Jones had to wear when viewing the Medusans back in “Is There No Truth in Beauty.”   But as she removes the visor, we see her eyes. The same metallic colour we saw in Gary Mitchell after he was uplifted by passage through the galactic barrier, back in the pilot episode.   Ever since this phenomenon was discovered, after “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, Starfleet have been gathering people with high psi-quotients and experimenting with them. Trying to uplift them. There are 25 of them.   This sounds like a REALLY BAD IDEA   My first thought is, are section 31 involved? This woman is part of a first trial. They have already gone through the barrier. They are weaponised humans - to serve as a last resort in case the Federation is invaded by a superior force.   When Kirk questions the legitimacy of such an action, she refers to the starfleet charter. Article 14 Section 31. And there it is.   Lana makes the statement “Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely. It corrupts selectively.”   I don't believe that all power will always corrupt. I don't buy into the old adage. Lana makes a fair point - of the two espers that were uplifted in the pilot, one became a megalomaniac. The other retained her humanity. We don't really know why. Did Gary already have elements of megalomania in his personality? Was he somehow more susceptible to it than Denher was? There could have been all sorts of factors.   And that uncertainty makes this whole thing a very risky endeavour. Lana claims that psychologically unstable espers were excluded from the operation.   But they can't know for certain what might cause another Gary Mitchell. That, in my opinion, makes what they're doing too dangerous.   Kirk asks which she is, and she answers by saying she follows “Sas-tar-po-harn” This is a human spiritual movement that follows the pacifict teachings of Surak and T'Mord of Vulcan. I think this is a very interesting idea. And a logical one. In Babylon 5, when humans made first contact, there was a growing interest in alien religions among humans, the theory being that races that are more technologically advanced than we are, must be closer to God.   I can see some people thinking that way. It seems a similar thing may have happened in the Star Trek universe. After first contact with Vulcans, it's only logical that some humans may have chosen to adopt Vulcan philosophy. So this is a nice touch.   Lana explains that a cloaked ship came here and attacked the lab. It destroyed the Hallifax. The other espers have been kidnapped by the Romulans. Lana played dead with her powers so they didn't find her.   Spock surmises that Vulcans cannot be uplifted, based on his prior experience at the barrier. He was not uplifted despite his psi-abilities. If Vulcans cannot be uplifted, then neither can Romulans. But this raises a question. Do Romulans have the same telepathic abilities as Vulcans? I've never heard of a Romulan conducting a mind meld. The Romulan ancestors left Vulcan during a time of barbarism. The TNG episode “Gambit” suggests that ancient Vulcans had telepathic abilities because they constructed a telepathic weapon called The Stone of Gol. That suggests the Romulans may indeed have similar telepathic abilities to Vulcans, even though we've never really seen it. Unless there's some example I'm forgetting.   The Romulans want to use the kidnapped human espers because they can't create their own. Seems logical. The interesting thing is, they don't want to use the force against the Federation, but to overthrow their own Praetor. Apparently, the Romulan Klingon alliance has ended, and this group of Romulans oppose the end of the alliance.   Spock raises concern over taking Lana with them. Better to leave her here. Stranded. As they had intended for Mitchell.   A Romulan appears. Sentek. He is played by Cas Anvar, who played Alex Kamal on The Expanse. The Expanse had already aired a season or two by this point. I continue to be impressed with the actors that Star Trek Continues is able to get. Lana disarms Sentek. They beam out (with the prisoner) just before the explosion.   They're pursuing the Romulan ship but it'll enter the neutral zone before they catch up. Admiral Thesp orders him to enter the zone and pursue all the way to Romulus if necessary. Just get the espers back.   Kirk doesn't look too impressed with this. Among other reasons that he probably realises, this is a suicide mission, but in addition to that, it could provoke a war.   Spock asks Uhura to transmit an encrypted message. It's all a bit mysterious.   Kirk has some hard questions for Lana. Why was that one romulan left on the planet? Why didn't she use her powers to overcome him? She theorises that he is a praetorian spy hidden among the dissidents. He fled to the hills. None of her answers sound particularly convincing.   The Enterprise officially crosses the border. They are now in violation of treaty. Of course, so were the Romulans, but it seems they didn't represent the Romulan government so that will be a very weak excuse as far as they are concerned.   A bird of prey decloaks. It's not the marauder. When Spock identifies the ship, Kirk shakes his head. He knows what Spock is up to.   They are hailed by the Romulan commander from The Enterprise Incident. Played wonderfully by Amy Rydell, the daughter of the original actor to play the part in the TOS episode. She does a fantastic job, and almost convinces me she's the time-travelling original actor.   She is referred to Charvanek in this episode but was never named on screen in The Enterprise Incident. She does whisper her name to Spock but we never learn what it is. The Name Charvanek was used in a number of non-canon sources. But she's also given other names in various novels and games. She doesn't attack but her words make it clear she considers a formal declaration of war is all but inevitable due to the Enterprise's entry into the zone.   Kirk isn't impressed that Spock contacted her of his own volition. Spock admits the reason he didn't ask is because he knew Kirk wouldn't agree. How human you are becoming, Mister Spock.   Spock believes he can convince her to assist them in pursuing the dissidents, due to their previous rapport. Kirk gives him 30 minutes.   At the end of The Enterprise Incident, Charvanek was taken into Federation space and released on a world on our side of the border. It seems that Sarak was the one who negotiated the treaty that led to her return to Romulan space. It seems she was able to get her old command back. That must have taken some convincing on her part.   Spock appeals to her loyalty to the Praetor. It doesn't take much to convince her to help stop the dissidents.   The twist happens when she meets the prisoner. He is no Romulan commander that she knows, and she knows her fleet. She knows her fellow commanders. As he is discovered, Sentek beams out, apparently at Kirk's command, according to the transporter chief.   Sentek tries to sabotage engineering. In the battle, Charvanek  is rendered unconscious by something similar to a Vulcan nerve pinch.   It's nice to see Doctor M'Benga again.   McCoy has found that Sentek is actually a Vulcan who lived on the colony, and he's married to Lana. He had unusually high natural psionic ability, even for a Vulcan. They speculate that he wanted an equal for a mate. A human who could be uplifted to be his equal. They also speculate that Lana's trip through the barrier may not have been approved by Starfleet.   When Kirk confronts Lana, she explains that she sees her uplifting as a way to accelerate human evolution, which she considers to have stalled.   We get some very interesting worldbuilding. Apparently the barrier around our galaxy was artificially constructed and placed there by the preservers. I love this. It makes sense of what was a bit of a silly idea in TOS, and adds to the mystique and mythology of the Star Trek universe. It's a shame that Star Trek never explored the preservers more than it did.   When she asks why the preservers did it, McCoy speculates that “it was probably to keep us in, to prevent our violence from spreading”. This reminds me somewhat of C.S Lewis's space trilogy, which suggests that the vast interstellar distances between stars are God's natural quarantine to keep sinful humanity confined.   Lana has a different theory, that it was so that naturally superior lifeforms could be uplifted when they devised the technology to leave the galaxy. McCoy pushes back “you don't know what gods think.” It's very chilling when she replies “Yes. I do.”   The implication, of course, being that she is a god. When humans start thinking of themselves as gods, you're probably in for trouble.   It turns out, the ship the Enterprise has been following was just an illusion. Created, presumably, by Lana. But why does she want to start a war between the Romulans and the Federation? Uplifted espers seem to have very similar powers of illusion to the Talosians.   It's nice to see Sulu taking command on the bridge. He's showing a good aptitude for the job he'll eventually have.   Charvanek is still working with her old first officer, Tal. He doesn't seem interested in apologies. He's planning to destroy the Enterprise. This raises the question of where Charvanek is. If she's still on the Enterprise, he'll be killing her. More likely, she's on her ship, but left the bridge in the hands of her first office, much like Kirk has with Sulu.   We get some interesting insight into Romulan religion when the commander says he hopes that Spock's katra finds its way to Vol-to-vor. We know from Star Trek 5, that vol-to-vor is the romulan's equivalent of Eden. So it seems in their religion, it is both a place of origin as well as a destination. This is somewhat different to Christianity, where Eden and heaven are distinct.   The Romulans can't fire. They think they're pressing the button, but they're not. Lana's influence, no doubt.   When Charvanek returns to the bridge we see that Tal has been overstepping his authority. She orders that they will assist the Enterprise with their mission. I smell a potential mutiny in their future.   Kirk figures out the truth behind Lana's deception. There never were any dissidents. The espers weren't kidnapped by Romulans. There never were any Romulans on the planet. The espers stole the Halifax. The deception was to buy time for the espers to make it to the galactic barrier.   This is what happened to the Hood. The espers convinced the crew to shut off their own life support. Just to see if they could. That's horrifically cold. These people truly see themselves as above humankind. Of more value. They have no regard for human life. Given that, it seems believable that Lana would be willing to start this war just as a distraction.   There is no doubt now. Lana is a full villain   Kirk is now questioning his judgement   He calls those who were present at the events of “Where no man has gone before” which includes Smith, who is back on the ship now.   Plus others who were not there.   Spock asks Smith if there's anything she can share of her experience. She was holding Mitchell's hand when they crossed. She has nothing to add that wasn't in her report. But her demeanour suggests maybe she's holding something back.   Scotty is keenly aware of what they're up against. Gary was difficult enough to defeat on his own. They're going to face an entire ship full of uplifted espers.  Kirk takes solace in the fact that despite his powers, Gary was still just as susceptible to human frailty. Then he adds “he couldn't even remember my middle name” which is an amusing little nod to the “James R Kirk” tombstone in that episode. Canon fixed.   Charvanek's  takes the practical approach. Strike first, before they have the ability to grow in their power. Similar to Spock's recommendation all those years ago.   Kirk won't have that. These are still Federation citizens. This is a rescue mission.   I get it. I'm all for idealism, and I'd side with Kirk on this. You can't just shoot to kill while they're still human. But calling it a rescue mission? I believe that's a little naive. These people know what they're doing. They're actively trying to undergo this transformation. I guess the difference is that their egoes, their ambitions, will be increased along with their powers. (much like Khan with his genetically engineered nature)   Sulu comes up with an ingenious way to catch up with the espers. Combine a traditional warp field with the space-folding singularity used by the Romulan ship, reminding us of his background in natural sciences, back in Where No Man Has Gone before. There's a lot of physics to flying a starship so it makes a lot of sense to me that a good helmsman would have a background in science.   Lana decides it's time to escape captivity. She flings the forcefield away and then forces Drake to kill the other guard, and then slowly commit suicide. This is a very chilling scene, and again demonstrates how little regard she has for human life. Can you imagine the horror of that moment, feeling your arm moving, knowing you're about to disintegrate your body, and having no power to prevent it. It's horrifying.   This moment is better than any other redshirt death that has ever happened in TOS, and possibly Star Trek in general.  Firstly because we've gotten to know this character. He's been developed of a number of episodes. He's not just a nameless face. We know he's a person with a life, people who love him. In addition to that, it treats the moment with the gravity it deserves.   I'm left feeling something very deeply, and that would probably even be the case even if we hadn't been introduced to him earlier in the season. Farewell, Drake. You will be missed.   The Enterprise and the Romulan ship have made it to the galactic barrier. The Hallifax is at the border. But have they gone through yet or not?   Kirk hails them. He offers aid, to be a go-between for them with Starfleet Command. He doesn't give the impression of a neutral party, though. They do, after all, work for Starfleet Command.   But it's a trap. The Halifax is empty. Another ship appears behind them. A constitution class ship, The USS Kongo emerges from the barrier. It's too late. There are only around 12 people on board. We get a view of their bridge, and they all have silver eyes. If that wasn't bad enough, Lana and Sentek enter the Enterprise bridge. “Relinquish command or the Enterprise will suffer the same fate as the Hood.”   To be concluded.   This is a fantastic cliffhanger. Not quite up there with Best of Both Worlds, but better than most.   This episode was a great set-up for the finale. I love how it pulled together so many threads, both from TOS and from Star Trek Continues itself.   Only one left to go. It's been a wild ride.   Don't forget to check out my original science fiction at AdamDavidCollings.com/books   And I'll see you next time to discuss To Boldly Go, Part 2. Until then,  Live Long and Prosper Make it so.

Christ Redeemer Church » Sermons
The Blessing of Forgiveness

Christ Redeemer Church » Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2023 37:03


QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“When the apostles preached, they could assume even in their Pagan hearers a real consciousness of deserving the Divine anger… It was against this background that the Gospel appeared as good news. It brought news of possible healing to men who knew they were mortally ill.”~C.S Lewis, Author & Theologian, in The Problem of Pain “I found a place where the past was forgivenWhere my mistakes met a grace I couldn't earnAnd so I piled up my excuses and defenses in the nightThen I lit a match, stepped back and watched them burn.”~“Carry Me” by NeedtoBreathe“God is so faithful. He says, ‘If you bring me your sin, if you uncover it before me, I will cover it. I will do the very thing that you're trying to do in your own strength and power.'”~Juan Sánchez, Pastor & Author“If one is not genuinely offended by one's sin, there is no repentance. Repentance is painful, but it is a sweet pain. It demands brokenness of heart but always with a view to healing and restoration and a renewed vision of the beauty of Christ and forgiving grace.”~Sam Storms, Pastor & AuthorSERMON PASSAGEPsalm 32 (ESV)1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,   whose sin is covered.2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,   and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away   through my groaning all day long.4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;   my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you,   and I did not cover my iniquity;   I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”   and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly   offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;   surely in the rush of great waters,   they shall not reach him.7 You are a hiding place for me;   you preserve me from trouble;   you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;   I will counsel you with my eye upon you.9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,   which must be curbed with bit and bridle,   or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,    but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,   and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Walnut Creek Pres
Jesus on Miracles

Walnut Creek Pres

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 14:44


Pastor Bart and Pastor Tommy give some additional thoughts on the sermon, "Jesus on Miracles," given at WCPC on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Watch the sermon Listen to the sermon Why Do People Lose Their Religion by Jessica Grose Questioning Christianity by Tim Keller The Ethics of Elfland by G.K. Chesterton Miracles by C.S Lewis

The NJ Podcast
Tell The Devil I've Changed My Mind #preaching

The NJ Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 7:08


Tell The Devil I've Changed My MindLet's start with a bit of humor. A little boy was looking at a painting of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He turned to his pastor and said, "Boy, they must have really loved apples. I can't even get through one without wanting a cookie instead!"Our sermon today is titled "Tell The Devil I've Changed My Mind," and our guiding verse is Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."The enemy wants to control your mind, because the mind is the battlefield of our spiritual journey. But the good news is, you have the power to renew your mind and align it with God's truth.Consider the life of Apostle Paul. Before his encounter with Christ, he was Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians. But after his encounter on the road to Damascus, he changed his mind, his life transformed completely, and he became one of the greatest Apostles in history.In the Book of Acts 9:5-6, Saul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," the Lord replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Saul's sudden change of mind led to a profound transformation that impacted the early Church and the entire course of Christian history.The devil will always try to keep us bound in old thinking, old habits, and old patterns. But like Paul, we can tell the devil, "I've changed my mind."A famous quote by C.S Lewis says, "You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." This is precisely what happens when we decide to change our minds and align with God's truth.Another powerful story of mind transformation is that of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Initially, he demanded his inheritance, left his father's house, and wasted his wealth in wild living. But in his lowest moment, he "came to his senses" (Luke 15:17). He changed his mind, returned to his father, and was warmly welcomed back. His story is a beautiful illustration of repentance and God's forgiving nature.The enemy might tell you that you're unworthy, that you can't change, that you're bound to your past. But you can say, "Devil, I've changed my mind." In Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). You have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), and the power to overcome (Romans 8:37).As we step into this week, let us keep renewing our minds with God's word. Let's embrace the freedom Christ has won for us and live transformed lives.Let's pray: "Dear God, thank You for the power to change our minds and align with Your truth. Help us to resist the enemy's lies and to hold onto Your promises. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."Remember, in any situation this week, you can declare, "Devil, I've changed my mind." With God's word as your weapon, stand firm in your faith. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and walk in victory!God bless you all!

Author Stories - Author Interviews, Writing Advice, Book Reviews
The Current State Of Fantasy With Stephen Aryan | SCC 87

Author Stories - Author Interviews, Writing Advice, Book Reviews

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 50:15


Stephen Aryan was born in Iran in 1977 and raised in Whitley Bay, on the north east coast of the UK. He has been reading fantasy since a very young age. It started with books by David Eddings, Tolkien, C.S Lewis, Terry Brooks, Ursula le Guin, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and later David Gemmell, who had a huge influence on his work. After graduating university in 1999 he started working in marketing. Around this time he also started submitting his first fantasy novel to agents. In 2013, he submitted his latest novel, Battlemage, to Juliet Mushens. It took Stephen a long time and many struggles to get this far. You can read the full story on a two part blog he wrote called How I Found an Agent Part 1, and How I Found an Agent Part 2. In 2014, Battlemage, was snatched up by Orbit books and subsequently published in 2015. It went on to be published in France, Germany and Russia and was a finalist for the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for best debut fantasy novel. Battlemage went on to win the inaugural Hellfest Inferno Award in France after a public vote. The sequels, Bloodmage, and Chaosmage were both published in 2016, completing the Age of Darkness trilogy. In 2017 he published Mageborn, the first in a new trilogy, the Age of Dread, with Orbit books. This followed on from his first trilogy, with the return of fan-favourite characters and many new faces. The sequels, Magefall and Magebane were published in 2018 and 2019 respectively, wrapping up his second trilogy. In 2018 he also published Of Gods and Men with Orbit, a digital and audio novella which served as a prequel to Battlemage. In 2020 Stephen was picked up for a new duology by Angry Robot Books. The story is set in a brand new world. The first novel, The Coward, was published in June 2021 and it received a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly. The sequel, The Warrior, was published in August 2022. In 2022, Angry Robot signed The Judas Blossom, the first instalment in a Persian inspired fantasy trilogy, from Stephen. The first book will be published on 11th July 2023. The Judas Blossom has been described as an “imaginative and sprawling reimagining of the Mongol Empire's invasion of Persia” following the lives of four characters at the centre of the war. It is an examination of Persian culture, family and war in a stunning, immersive world.  Stephen lives in the West Midlands with his partner and two cats. When he's not writing novels or podcasting, he can be found drinking real ale, reading books or watching TV. Stephen is represented by Juliet Mushens of the Mushens Entertainment agency. You can find him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. https://twitter.com/SteveAryan

Love City Church
Eternity is Real | Week 4 | News Heavens & New Earth | Ryan Iverson | May 29 2023

Love City Church

Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2023 47:18


00:00 Recap from previous weeks 02:27 Last week we talked about what happens when we die and the intermediate heaven and hell. 02:45 Today we are going to look at what happens when the world ends… what happens after that? 03:00 How will the world end? 03:45 What happens when the world ends? 04:45 We must understand that we are in the “last days”… 04:53 1 Peter 1:20 & Revelations 22:20 05:27 The last days or end times means this… 06:00 Acts 1:7a 06:13 We do know that the end will be quick and cataclysmic. 06:55 You cannot prepare yourself for the end of time. 07:16 2 Peter 3:10-12, 2 Peter 3:13 09:07 2 Peter 3:11, 14-15 10:54 The Judgement of works… 12:00 We all have a divine appointment with our Creator. 12:07 How have you stewarded the call of God on your life? 12:48 2 Corinthians 5:9b-10, Matthew 16:27, Romans 2:6-8 13:55 When the world ends, every single person on the planet will take account for what they have done. 14:24 You have to lay down your life and turn to Jesus. 14:37 God's way is so much better. 15:09 The Great White Throne: Revelations 20:11-15 15:55 The life we live on this planet will die with us, but our future life is impacted by how we live life on this earth. 17:08 This is the final judgment—the end of human history and the beginning of the eternal state. 17:45 What have you done with your life? 18:28 Judgement for believers 18:30 Hebrews 9:27-28 18:46 Isaiah 43:25, Ephesians 1:7-8 20:00 Christ's righteousness has been given to us and covers us and because our names are written in the Book of Life, we will be rewarded, not punished, according to our deeds. 20:56 Good job my good and faithful servant. 21:25 2 Timothy 4:8 22:40 Life a life that loves Jesus with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength: 1 John 4:17
23:00 Johnathan Edwards quote 23:27 Revelation 20:15 24:48 Let's talk about heaven! 24:55 Revelations 21:1, 4 25:14 The climax of everything that God invented will be when we inhabit the New Heaven and the New Earth. It is a place of God's dwelling. It is a place of enjoyment. There is no sin, sickness, disease or death. There is no tears, pain or suffering. It is a place of rejoicing in God's presence. It is a place of enjoying fulfilled promises. 26:06 Randy Alcorn, Heaven quotes. 28:36 Hebrews 11:14-16 29:18 Randy Alcorn quote 30:00 We will have human bodies. 30:05 Luke 24:39 30:18 Joni Eareckson Tada quote 31:12 Luke 16 31:14 C.S Lewis & Randy Alcorn 32:39 We will be highly emotional people… 33:40 We will have intimate, godly relationships with each other. 34:57 We will have many desires, just not unholy desires. 36:40 What will we do in Heaven? 38:14 We will rest! We will sleep! 38:48 We will work! 41:20 Narnia excerpt

Love City Church
Eternity is Real | Week 2 | Earth – A taste of eternity | Ryan Iverson | May 14 2023

Love City Church

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2023 30:37


00:00 Introduction to Week 2 02:207 Listen to last weeks message: 03:48 Let's talk about this present life we are living right now: This planet was created by God. 04:24 Then, as you know, sin entered the world. 05:20 When SIN and DEATH entered this planet, it also cast a haze, a fog over all of creation… 06:43 Why? Because we are only seeing a glimpse of reality…only seeing part of the reality.
08:54 This haze of the fall causes us to feel as though we can't “see clearly” 09:23 1 Corinthians 13:12 10:15 We see things imperfectly…its puzzling…its obscure and unclear… 11:00 I can't quite make sense of life… 14:07 Frustration. 14:14 This leaves us asking the existential questions… 14:28 Life can feel like a hamster wheel. 15:00 It's deep in a longing in each of us this gnawing at our soul the sense that there's so much more than this. 17:30 Romans 8:20 18:55 Ecclesiastes 1:2 19:20 Ecclesiastes 3:1 21:48 Peter Kraft book quote We possess an innate knowledge that there is something more to life than what we can see and experience in the here and now. Ultimately, this world is not our home. 22:20 In the same way, we are here on earth, but this is NOT our home…we belong in heaven with Jesus. 23:54 This dissatisfaction in life is there because heaven is our home. The dissatisfaction and discontentment we all feel…its eternity calling us. Here is the issue… So many people are frustrated or discontent and do not know why…
24:47 It is the Holy Spirit trying to get your attention…reminding us to get our sights on the realities of heaven…
25:41 Romans 8:18-28 28:00 C.S Lewis quote 28:25 Colossians 3:1-4

The Messy Walk Podcast
106: Questions from a Rookie Pastor to a Veteran Pastor: What books have influenced your life most?

The Messy Walk Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023


Super short episode where Pastor Adam gives the rookie pastor a list of books that influenced his life. Other than the Bible, there are several books that have had and continue to have a profound impact. maybe these will help: Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning Henri Nouwen, In the name of Jesus; C.S Lewis, […]

When Belief Dies
The Great Divorce by C.S Lewis - A Book Review and Summary (with excerpts)

When Belief Dies

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2023 19:46


Today I give you my honest take on The Great Divorce by C.S Lewis, with a short summary of the book, a brief background of the author and some excerpts as we go. If you want to support me and be in with a chance to win the edition of The Great Divorce by C.S Lewis used in this video, please sign up on Patreon and become a monthly supporter. Once you've signed up, please DM me there with: 'The Great Divorce'. I will let the winner know after 30 days of this video going live Cheers, -Sam The Great Divorce by C.S Lewis ________Giving________ Patreon (monthly giving) PayPal (one-time gift) Bitcoin (one-time gift) As always - a massive ‘Thank You' to all the supporters of When Belief Dies! Without you, this wouldn't be possible. ________Social________ Twitter Website Email: whenbeliefdies@gmail.com ________Gear________ Camera (Sony A6400) Lens (Sigma 16mm F1.4) HDMI Adapter (Cam Link 4K) Microphone (RØDE PodMic) Audio Interface (Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 3rd gen) Microphone Amplifier (Cloudlifter CL-1) Recording & Interview Software (Riverside FM) #hell #heaven #bookreview

MoneyWise on Oneplace.com
Order of Operations With Chad Clark

MoneyWise on Oneplace.com

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 25:19


When in doubt, a great piece of advice is, Do the next right thing. But you need to know what that is. We'll talk about that today with Chad Clark. Chad Clark is our executive director here at Faith and Finance. On today's program, Chad explains that when we don't follow certain mathematical laws, which God designed, we get the wrong answer, even though we may be convinced we are right. When we don't follow those rules, even if we do part of the equation correctly, the answer is still wrong. Many of us unknowingly do this with our finances. Chad explains: We tend to focus so much on giving, saving, retirement, paying off debt, and our lifestyle, which are all great, but that's only the addition and subtraction side of the equation. These are simply the downstream outcomes of things we need to do first. It's possible for us to be giving 10%, saving 15%, out of debt, on track for retirement and having everything on track financially, but we're getting the wrong answer - even though we believe it's right. LOVE THE LORD Matthew 22:37-39 says, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.' Loving the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind has to come first! There is nothing we should treasure and love more than God. It's out of love for God that everything else flows. We grow in our love for the Lord by spending time with Him in His Word, in prayer, in fellowship with other believers. It may look different for each of us. We long for more of Him. When we by faith set our minds on those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God , then the things of earth lose their lustre and desirability in comparison John Owen How does this apply to our finances? In every way. When we set our heart and minds on Him our love for Him overflows into all of our financial decisions. Loving Him must be first and primary in our lives, and when we do that, our financial decisions may look very different from the world. Which leads us to the second part of the Great Commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR First, let's define neighbor. This can be literally the person next door, in your community, at your church, or on the other side of the world. Jesus answers the question of who is my neighbor in Luke 10 - the Parable of the Good Samaritan, where the Samaritan saw a man beaten on the side of the road and when he saw him it says he had compassion. C.S Lewis puts it this way: Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained. When we love our neighbor, we see them, and we're aware of their needs and we desire their ultimate good. 1 John 3:17 says, But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Pray and ask the Lord, God help me see the needs of others and help me to love them and to see how I can care for them through the power of your Holy Spirit. There are so many people in our world in need of material assistance, but let us not just look to the material needs of our neighbors but also their spiritual needs - regardless of whether you are helping some personally, or partnering with an organization to provide services around the world, let us not only meet their physical needs but their spiritual needs as well. On today's program, Rob also answers listener questions: ● What are the investment options for rolling over a TSP? ● What options do you have for managing investments with Christian values? Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Also, visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can connect with a FaithFi Coach, join the FaithFi Community, and even download the free FaithFi app. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29

Un Minuto Con Dios
011723 — Conoce Tu Valor

Un Minuto Con Dios

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 1:36


“Donde estés ahora en tu vida, no cambia lo que eres, debes conocer tu valor”. En otras palabras, no vales por donde estás o con quien estás, vales por lo que realmente eres. Vales porque Dios te ha dado valor. Hay personas que piensan que valen porque tienen una posición privilegiada, posesiones que muchos anhelan tener o por una preparación educativa digna de admirar. Sin embargo, siguen perdidos sin saber quiénes son y no saben para dónde van. Se les ha olvidado que el único valor que importa es aquel que te lleva de un lugar a otro. Es el valor que llevamos adentro. C.S Lewis lo dijo muy bien cuando expresó: “El valor no es una de las virtudes, es el punto de partida de todas las virtudes”. Los que carecen de valor interno mueren deambulando por la vida sin saberlo, pero los que tienen un valor interno se atreven a vivir todos los días en plenitud. Nuestro valor no depende de las circunstancias, situaciones o conceptos alrededor nuestro. Nuestro valor proviene de lo Alto. Así que, conoce tu valor y cambiará tu situación. La Biblia dice en Mateo 10:29-31: “¿No se venden dos pajarillos por un cuarto? Y sin embargo, ni uno de ellos caerá a tierra sin permitirlo vuestro Padre. 30 Y hasta los cabellos de vuestra cabeza están todos contados. 31 Así que no temáis; vosotros valéis más que muchos pajarillos”, (LBLA).

Podcast Noviembre Nocturno
"Mitopoeia", homenaje a J.R.R. Tolkien, con Miguel Salas Díaz

Podcast Noviembre Nocturno

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2023 42:49


Este es un relato en homenaje al maestro J.R.R. Tolkien y el poema mediante el cual trató de poner en valor el género fantástico, largo tiempo denostado por académicos e intelectuales de su tiempo. Tolkien se lo escribió a su a amigo C.S Lewis tras una conversación en la que Lewis ponía en duda el valor de los mitos y leyendas fantásticas más allá de unos meros principios estéticos. "Crear es penetrar en el reino objetivo y supra humano de la Fantasía, tras el cual “existen voluntades y poderes reales que no dependen de las mentes e intenciones de los hombres.” La visión de Tolkien coincide, por tanto, con la tradicional. No en vano, inventar proviene del latín, “invenire”, o venir hacia dentro, vocablo que originalmente significaba de hallar o descubrir. Por lo tanto, quien inventa solamente descubre algo que existe previamente en el mundo de la Fantasía, al que se accede ensimismándose: es decir, metiéndose dentro de uno mismo. Convencido de que la Fantasía existe por sí misma y es independiente de nuestra voluntad, nuestro querido profesor la consideraba un mundo secundario, frente a la vigilia, ese mundo primario que habitamos cuando estamos despiertos: otorga así a ambos la misma realidad". Miguel Salas Díaz. Podéis seguir a Miguel en su Instagram > @miguelsalasdiaz Si queréis formar parte de nuestro culto tentacular, no dudéis en haceros mecenas a través del botón de apoyar y seguirnos en nuestras redes! https://linktr.ee/noviembrenocturno Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

Dive into your Career
088: 8 inspiring quotes about goals and goal setting

Dive into your Career

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 21:02


Are you at a stage where you are looking to achieve something important? This episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast may be the boost you need. "8 inspiring quotes about goals and goal setting" delivers what it promises and features goal setting quotes from Oprah Winfrey, C.S Lewis, Jim Rohn, Michelle Obama and more. Which ones feel particularly relevant for and / or encouraging to you right now.?Let's discuss via socials.Also, don't forget these other episodes about goal setting:087: Are you for or against making New Year's resolutions? 062: 3 powerful ideas from James Clear to take your goal setting to the next level Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below: Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections) Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow) E-mail me on gina@yourcareerandfuture.com with any questions you have or suggestions for future podcast topics

Aww Shift
How to Create a Life on Your Terms with Jeff Lerner

Aww Shift

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2022 49:03


In today's episode, our guest is Jeff Lerner. He is a former jazz musician turned 9-figure entrepreneur passionate about helping people unlock their potential and create their dream lives by believing and developing themselves.  [3:20] Why should I listen to you?  Because I don't want to sell you anything other than what is possible for your life.  [4:10] What do you frame for people regarding what is possible for their lives and their inability to see past the first branch?  Initially, it's about getting calibrated on the voice you are listening to. We're born without a voice, surrounded by people that have agents. We can wail and make sounds, but we can't articulate words. We can't form our ideas immediately when we are born, but we are immersed in other people's ideas. We develop the ability to formulate our ideas and our own vision for our lives but by then, we're probably on other people's programs. There is this concept that if you just hold on till you are 65 years old and you do all the things you're supposed to do, eventually, we will give you a few years where you get to live your own program.  [6:04] How does a person realize they're in this kind of matrix-ish program situation?  I don't think it takes that long. I think that everybody could probably discover a completely different version of themselves within probably 24 hours. Walking alone, you change your life. You just gotta create some stillness. If you look at the world we are living in right now, if there is a decrease in anything, I think it is stillness. Just create some intention in getting to know yourself. Also, reduce the external noise so that your voice can actually be heard.  [8:58] What was your journey? Before I say anything else, I'd like to encourage anyone tempted to jump to conclusions to at least suspend judgment. I grew up around a fair amount of money, and I'm an only child. My parents worked all day and I just had the house all to myself, reflecting on the prosperity and security I was surrounded by while also developing a relationship with myself. There is a lot more to it than that but what can I say that,out doing too much revisionist or retroactive? I will just for whatever reason by the time I was a teenager, I had decoupled the idea of money and happiness. Those two were not the same for me and I think that alone gave me a different truck in life.  [12:45] Where did the grit come from?  Everybody has got grit but they don't succeed. So I grew up with that orientation. For me, the harsh answer is that grit comes from pain. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Whatever we endure over time can transmute into grit. One of the books I come back to a lot is a book by C.S Lewis called the “Problem of pain” and it talks about why a just God would allow so much pain and suffering in the world. I don't presume to have that answer on a universal scale but I can say for myself, that I have suffered a lot. I suffered from bullying, weight problems, psychological abuse, and scorn for the choices that I made. I won't say the world turned against me but I think they quietly rooted for my failure and I could feel that. The Latin word for suffering is patio which is the root of the word passion and I think that for some people, suffering can transition into a passion and drive and it can also break a person. I am fortunate that it went the former way.  [16:18] What was one of the first things that you faced and overcame back then that was the catalyst for the rest of them? Probably the biggest one happened right around 18. I look back and it was a sort of out-of-body time form. I dropped out of high school around 16 and I was really my former declaration to myself and the world that I am not going to travel the ordinary path. I'm going to go the road less traveled. My very rational idea was to find something to do. Essentially, academic credentials play no part in one's success and as a dropout, it depends on my performance. I came up with the idea of playing the piano. My parents not only agreed but also bought me the piano to get started.  From age 18 to 20, I taught myself everything about music and I got 10 years of college paid for on a music scholarship as a high school dropout who was self-taught the piano for three years. I think from that, I proved to myself that if I bow down and don't let down, I can do some kinds of stuff and I have to ride on that ever since then.   [20:34] How do we get to the role of what you do now, What were some of the lily pad frog jumps that got you here?  Being a musician, you are at the bottom of the hill that rolls down. Then You learn to fight if you're ever going to get paid. Being in a band is like being an entrepreneur, where you're trying to create harmonious energy among a group of people, and there is a much larger group of people called the audience, that you're inviting into the energy that you as a tight-knit group are creating. That is a small business opening its doors to customers, and you learn about holding tension, managing energy, and keeping people aligned. If you can keep a group of musicians aligned in a way that draws thousands of people in, it's not that different than building a team in a business. There is another part of it where, as a jazz musician, I essentially had certain constraints that were like tempo, the tune we were playing, the key we were in, and a certain amount of collective problem-solving skill. So the catalyst then was creating a template for entrepreneurship and artistry and showing how they are kind of two sides of the same coin. They just have a different value of opposition, and that was when the seed was planted.   [27:39] What were the first couple of businesses?  I have them written in a book, I list them all and I identified 11 that was significant enough for me to write about. There were 11 failures. I just failed, but it's like when your currency isn't money, your currency is freedom. Is it a failure when you try your own thing and it doesn't work out? If I had been evaluating it through the traditional worldly lens, I probably would have quit. I tried being an estate investor; I tried promoting raves; I opened a sandwich shop. I had a bunch of different businesses; I was entrepreneurial, and I just didn't stop.   [30:16] What was the turning point that got you to the point where you got to a position financially where you are doing great and also helping other people?  The thing is, every time I start a business, I'm Convinced that it's the one. Let's say business number 11 which I was convinced was this franchise restaurant. I took on about $600,000 in debt to get those off the ground. The point is, I was screwed. My wife got fed up with me. I got evicted from my apartment, and I ended up living at my wife's parent's house. I will tell you that the great vexation of my life is that I can't figure out how to get people to shift without them having to suffer so much. I bottomed out,  and I was up in the middle of the night looking at my computer and how to make money on the internet. I started teaching myself digital marketing, and I realized that I had an internal confidence that was organized around sitting at a keyboard. I learned digital marketing, and in 18 months, I paid off half a million dollars in debt.  [35:23] Share with people what it is in your words that you do now.  In 2009, I started figuring out this digital marketing thing online. Attending events, meeting the right mentors, meeting people who had traveled the less privileged path—all of these things helped me see ordinary people who had done what I was trying to do. had what I had been seeking, which was freedom. In 2012, I started a digital agency and started selling my digital skills to small and medium-sized enterprises all around the country. In six years, that agency was able to reach over 11,000 small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. In the last two years, I also started a side business that was a direct sales business that was driven online through software and a network of affiliates, and I did well. In 2018, I sold the agency, and at that point, I had had three consecutive 8-figure businesses that were all powered by the internet to some degree. After that, I looked around at all the people around me who, whether or not they have more money than I do, do not have nearly the quality of life that I do. They do not own their time, and I started putting out videos on how to be of help.  [47:00] What promise did God make to the world when he created you?  When God gave me to the world, I think what he said was that I would be a case study of someone who transmutes hardship into service. Bear in mind that I'm not saying that as an absolute description of myself because that would be arrogant. I am stating that as a standard that I strive for every day.  Key Quotes [10:25-10:30] Most people think that there's a certain financial situation that will result in happiness. [29:33-29:37]  You can fail 70% of the time and still make the Hall of Fame.  How to connect with Jeff Lerner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefflernerofficial/?hl=en  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jefflernerofficial/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejefflerner?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor 

Blessed Momma Bosses
151 - How Having Couples Friends Can Make Your Marriage Stronger

Blessed Momma Bosses

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2022 15:10


Today we are talking about why friendships with other couples for you as a married couple is important.Do you have couple friends? I know it is so hard to find a couple you both like.I will never forget in Shadowlands the story about C.S Lewis's life where he says after his group of friends one of the 3 friends dies he says I mourn both my friends because Tolken will be the same person as he was with all 3 of us. The way he laughs at our friend who has passed jokes, etc. I love watching Ryan with our friends, the jokes he makes, the stories he tells, etc.Love this quote from Ibelieve magazine: “The truth is, your most important relationship should be your spouse. The idea of leaving people and possessions behind to cling to one another is biblical truth (Genesis 2:24). Yet, the Lord also created us to live amongst one another, often referring to relationships amongst our neighbors throughout the Scriptures.”Why is it important and how to find friends at our age is what we will share today.Why have couple friends:accountabilitysupportencouragementphyschcentral.com a great blog shared these reasons:Couples often benefit from seeing themselves in the eyes of their friends. Couple friends are in a unique position to affirm a couple's new connection or validate the love and life they have witnessed their friends share over many years.Couple friends remind each other of the good times shared and the hard times mastered together- a perspective that partners may have difficulty remembering on their own.Hearing other couples speak about family or child care issues is often a learning opportunity for a couple or a point of gratitude for what they don't have to face.Observing the affection shared by couple friends for each other often stimulates an increase in emotional connection in a couple themselves.Observing another couple disagree about what happened last summer without killing each other or getting stuck in eye witness testimony differences is an implicit lesson not to let the small stuff steal a good feeling or a good evening together.Many times couple friends become family to each other's families or become the second chance family that is always there when needed.Now where do we find friends at our age?Church - join a small group or a Sunday school class, find who you both seem to click with and ask them out.School events for your kids or sports events, find the couples you seem to find interesting or click with and invite them out.Host a game night at your house and invite a few couples overStart a pickleball group or tennis team or golf, something to do together.How do you find other couples to hang out with? Share with us this week in our free community:Blessed Momma Bosses | FacebookWant to grow with your spouse? Grab our book See You at the Table journal on Amazon and start a morning or night time routine of gratitude, prayer, and intention for you both to use daily and if you have kids with them too!See You at the Table: A Simple 3 Step Daily Routine to Grow Together as a Family

Honest To God
HTG – A Pacifier and a cigarette – Binge watching: how much is too much?

Honest To God

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2022 57:08


With the rise of streaming services, binge-watching has become part of daily vocabulary. Typically if you're watching something for more than an hour that's not a live sporting event, that would be considered binge-watching. While it is okay to need a break every now and then, it can be too much, too often, leading to dopamine overload. We often see binge-watch not just because we like the content, but because it is a pacifier.  If it's getting in the way of other responsibilities, especially spiritual ones, then it's a problem. It is robbing us of physical human interaction and getting to truly experience the world due to constant stimulation.   ------------------------------   Check out our parent network: thequestatlanta   Listen On Spotify   Lisen on the quest app: Android Apple   Follow us on Instagram:  @honest2god_ya   Stuff Mentioned: “The Spiritual Cost of Binge Watching” by panelist Justin Saviano - https://georgiabulletin.org/news/2022/06/the-spiritual-cost-of-binge-watching/   C.S. Lewis quote on masturbation that can be applied to binge-watching/tech obsession too: “I agree that that the stuff about ‘wastage of vital fluids' is rubbish. For me, the real evil of masturbation would be that it takes an appetite which, in lawful use, leads the individual out of himself to complete (and correct) his own personality in that of another (and finally in children and even grandchildren) and turns it back: sending the man back into the prison of himself, there to keep a harem of imaginary brides. And this harem, once admitted, works against his ever getting out and really uniting with a real woman. For the harem is always accessible, always subservient, calls for no sacrifice or adjustments, and can be endowed with erotic and psychological attractions which no real woman can rival. Among these shadowy brides he is always adored, always the perfect lover: no demand is made on his unselfishness, no mortification is ever imposed on his vanity. In the end, they become merely the medium through which he increasingly adores himself.” – C.S Lewis.   “The Social Dilemma” – Netflix documentary on social media, the dangers behind it, and the creators of the platforms showing their unintended consequences.   Zenith Ministries – Run by panelist Thomas Clement that works with people seeking to overcome addictions, life challenges, and grow in community. - https://zenithministries.com/   Guests Socials: Producer Ben: Website Thomas: @zenithministries

Mark Vernon - Talks and Thoughts
The Weirdness of Christianity. C.S. Lewis & Owen Barfield, with Jason Baxter & Mark Vernon

Mark Vernon - Talks and Thoughts

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2022 55:28


C.S Lewis is not the apologist and writer you might assume, if Jason Baxter is right. Plato, Boethius and Dante mattered immensely to a man who felt more at home in the medieval world, and longed to inspire the modern world with a half-forgotten theophany.His friend, Owen Barfield, also anticipated a transfigured today, one in which participation with divine life was known by ourselves and within the inside of the whole world.Christianity itself would recover its experiential, mystical core, the friends hoped, and be less  eclipsed by credal and moral formulations.In this conversation, Jason Baxter and Mark Vernon explore matters from Christian Platonism and the Incarnation, to the Eschaton and the strangeness of miracles. What might Lewis and Barfield have talked about in private? How closely are the soulmates' visions entwined? Why does Christianity need to recover its oddness and surprise, drawing on the past and being drawn by a renewed future?Jason Baxter's book's include The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis, full details here - https://www.ivpress.com/the-medieval-mind-of-c-s-lewis.Mark Vernon's books include A Secret History of Christianity on Owen Barfield, full details - here https://www.markvernon.com/books/a-secret-history-of-christianity

VAE Podcast
Hablemos del Infierno

VAE Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 28:01


¿CÓMO PUEDE UN DIOS DE AMOR ENVIAR GENTE AL INFIERNO? «Hay dos tipos de personas: los que le dicen a Dios: “Sea hecha tu voluntad”, y aquellos a quienes Dios les dice: “Muy bien, entonces, hágase tu voluntad”». C.S Lewis. En este episodio hablamos sobre uno de los temas menos hablados en la actualidad, cuando probablemente es uno de los más necesarios, incluso el no hablar de ello puede ser la estrategia más grande del enemigo. Acompañanos a estudiar sobre este tema.

Moriel Ministries
Apologetics by Sandy Simpson | Screwtape Legacy

Moriel Ministries

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2022 46:43


Apologetics teacher Sandy Simpson discusses the C.S Lewis book, "The Screwtape Letters," why the book was so apt for Christian life, and how it is still relevant today.

Fork Christian Church
Trials & Temptations

Fork Christian Church

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2022


DIG IN QUESTIONSIn light of this week's message, we encourage you to consider these questions and dig in a little deeper with your personal study, with your family, or with your small group.1. Have you ever been in a trial or in a season of suffering that made you question, “Where are you God?” Ever felt like all happiness and joy was just zapped out of your life? Briefly share what happened.2. How would you define joy? Give an example of what you think of when you think of being full of joy and the opposite of joy.3. Read James 1:1-4, 12. Look for Purpose, Promises, Perspective in Pain. What stood out to you? Do you think joy is possible in pain? Why or why not?4. C.S Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Do you believe that statement it true? Why would this possibly bring joy even in our pain?5. Read Hebrews 12:1-3. How would fixing your eyes on Jesus, focusing on purpose, promises, and perspective change how you are feeling in your trials right now or in the future? Spend some time praying for one another and whatever trials they are going through.

TheModernMoron podcast
Ep. 115 The Priest's Triple A League: Getting ready for the Majors Pt. 2

TheModernMoron podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2022 33:10


A lot more God talk in this one people, which you may or may not be into.  A lot of Philosophical and theological perspectives on God, with a capital G.  We continue our conversation with a very interesting Seminarian who has been studying not only theology but philosophy as well so he use big words, make brain thing hurtey.  This recording dates back to August of 2022 and I'm just now getting to it… my friend the Seminarian was in a summer program of Chaplaincy at the hospital where I do some volunteer work, we've had some interesting conversations and I finally connected with him to be on this show.   We start out with a simple question, that being: If God is all loving, how can there be so much hatred among us?  If you are looking for an answer to that question, you'll need to visit another podcast, but inevitably, the answer to all questions can be found in a podcast. A few glossary items referred to in this episode: The Eternal Now - It feels to me like I'm hearing more and more about this referred to as Mindfulness and mindfulness meditations, but to a Catholic Seminarian it is much more.  It is his desire to be as present to God as he is present to us.  This also sent me down a crazy rabbit hole that led me to a site called “faithhub.net”.  Faithhub!  Doesn't that sound tasty?  Like GrubHub only they deliver faith!  Right to your door! There is a post titled, “God's Eternal Now” it reads, “God, is present, here, and NOW. In each moment.  It is our greatest desire to be present to God as he is present to us.  It is we who are often missing from the moment and, therefore, are often out of touch with God.”  Even if you take God out of the equation, and please do if you have a negative association with that word for now.  Take God out of the equation, and most reasonable and thoughtful people would see the value of being in the moment and that, regardless of faith, we spend way too much time regretting or reliving the past and fretting about the future.  I know I do and there really isn't much value to it.  Other than the satisfaction I get out of having a winning drop the mic argument with a fictitious person I've never met in a situation that will never occur. Back to the article on Faithhub… and get ready for a rabbit hole because it led me to a previous rabbit hole, that being author C.S Lewis.  Remember I told you I thought he wrote Alice in Wonderland but it was actually Lewis Carroll?  Well, this time it IS C.S. Lewis I am interested in.  Lewis was an author of novels filled with Christian metaphor and before he wrote the Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, he wrote a novel called “The Screwtape Letters” which was dedicated to his friend J.R.R. Tolkien.  “The Screwtape Letters” was published as a list of letters from a senior demon or devil, named Screwtape, to a lower level Devil, named Wormwood… sounds like JK Rowling snatched and changed a couple of names there doesn't it?  Wormwood is actually the nephew of Screwtape, and Screwtape advises Wormwood on how to treat his patient, which is an earthly being, so as to get him over to the dark side.  Wormwood tells Screwtape, “Our business is to get them (meaning mortals) away from the eternal and from the present.” He also tells Wormwood that if the human “concerns himself with the Present because there, and there alone, all duty, all grace, all knowledge, and all pleasure dwell, his state is very undesirable and should be attacked at once.”  - Your affectionate uncle, SCREWTAPE.“ This all gets back to the Eternal Now our Seminarian tells us about in this episode.  Next glossary term...  Boethius - He was a Roman Senator and Christian Scholar in the Early Middle Ages, when Rome was embracing Christianity and wrote and translated a bunch of texts.  There's your moron definition.  next…. We talk about How to pray for someone and give them their money's worth. We learn the origin of the term scapegoat!  You guys probably know already but I haven't a clue.  He also tells us who THE all time scapegoat is.  Here's a hint… the GOAT is not Tom Brady. Also, a note: There is a graphic description of death and dying in this episode that you may not feel comfortable hearing, specifically involving a patient dying from cancer. With that same patient there is a discussion about the power of forgiveness, which leads me to bring up a professor I have mentioned before on the is podcast, Dr. Fred Luskin from Stanford University.  He has done extensive research on the training and measurement of forgiveness therapy. His research demonstrates that learning forgiveness leads to increased physical vitality, hope, enhanced optimism and conflict resolution skills. It also shows that forgiveness lessens the physical and emotional toll of stress, and decreases hurt, anger, depression and blood pressure. There is a link at the bottom of the description to a short talk by Dr. Luskin. We pick up our conversation right where we left off last time, in fact there's a slight overlap as our guest is talking about the literal versus figurative when trying to interpret the Bible.  It's my conversation with a seminarian and his chaplaincy work in a hospital and thank you for listening to The Modern Moron… CLOSE - I hope you enjoyed that conversation with my friend from the seminary and I will try to keep in touch with him and hopefully have him back. Since I have a couple of minutes I'd like to tell you about a recent visit I made to a patient.  I was on the floor walk along and came to the door that was closed and had a sign posted that before anyone entered they should check with the attending nurse.  I did and found out that it would be okay and that he seemed to be in a good mood that day, as he had been doing Elmo impressions earlier.  Not knowing exactly what that meant, I walk in and find a young man, probably in his 20's to early 30's, long hair with a gauze mesh over his entire left leg due to a burn, and not much clothing other than that.  His blanket was covering his kibbles and bits, and he had an incarceration geo-tracker on his left ankle.   Not much of a traditional conversation.  Even though I'm a moron, I'm feeling like not only am I observing someone who could possibly be a meth addict to the point of permanent damage, I also have the very unprofessional feeling that I'm observing someone who could be schizophrenic.  Also, he looked to be fairly healthy physically and lacked the gaunt look with accompanying sores and missing teeth.  He seemed to have all his teeth.  Yay!  They certainly were not dentures… and if they were, he got ripped off.   So which is it? Meth of schizophrenia?  I looked it up and gosh darn if there isn't some overlap between methamphetamine-Induced Psychosis and Schizophrenia.  How about that.  There is a link to a study of just that at the bottom of the description if you're interested. It can be difficult, with out the proper educational background, to make the distinction between someone who is suffering from addiction to Chrystal Meth and someone who is schizophrenic.  I was speaking with a new friend who is in one of my exclusive social clubs that has recovered from addiction to meth and heroin, and he told me based on his experience and not medical data or trials or anything professional, that someone on meth will hallucinate, see and interact with hallucinations, partially because the stimulant effect has kept them up for 4, 5 or even 6 days and they are literally trying to sleep while awake and it results in these hallucinations.  Again, that is the experience of one person, not a science based or clinically based conclusion.  He also said that in his experience, the withdrawal from heroine was more physical with an actual craving for the drug, while the withdrawal from meth was additionally psychological.  Again, his experience.   Also, I noticed he had rather long fingernails, which I was slightly concerned that if he got squirrely on me, I would not care to get scratched by this… um… person.  He did seem to respect that I was a Chaplain, he did have a bible with him and at one point asked me what was my favorite quote from the Bible.  I am not that familiar with the bible and you wanna know what this moron's answer was?  I said, “you know, the gospel of Matthew is the first thing that comes to mind.”  I mean, why limit myself to a favorite verse?  I'll take the whole book, thank you.   This patient was pretty cagey.  In fact that's a pretty good word to describe him.  Every couple seconds his eyes would shift as could his mood.  So I tried to wrap up my talk with him in some prayer.  He asked me to pray for him and just like our seminarian recommended, I asked him, “what would you like me to pray for?” His response was, “I would like you to pray that I will be back with my wives and that I never test positive for Chrystal Meth again.”  Not my wife, my wives and not to be released from the grips of Meth and it's addiction, just don't let me get caught.  And you know what?  That's exactly what I prayed for… “Heavenly Father, please let Bob heal from his injuries so he  can be reunited with his wives, and may he never test positive for Chrystal meth again.  And also God, please release him from the grips of it's addiction.”  I threw that last part in there so I would have a clean conscious.  He told me that prayer was very powerful, I bid him goodbye and as I left the room he continued a conversation with his imaginary friends.  Out of curiosity, if you have ever prayed for either of those things, to be reunited with your wives or to never test positive for meth again, would you please… PLEASE contact the Modern Moron because we would LOVE to hear your story… provided you can string two sentences together. You might think you yourself, “how can you be a chaplain and not know the bible?”  My answer is that so far, the patients I have sat with mostly want some one to just listen.  Listen to them, listen to their story, listen to their suffering and just be present.  Not to come up with my own fish story or my tall tale that one up's your story.  And, so far that has been acceptable… but I do have a lot to learn.  Thank you for listening to these last two episodes that have been a bit different than what we've had previously.  Hit like, and subscribe and write a glowing review and all the things people don't want to do when they listen to a podcast.  If fact, you know what?  Skip it, I wouldn't do it either.  We'll see you next time…  A Comparison of Methamphetamine-Induced Psychosis and Schizophrenia: A Review of Positive, Negative, and Cognitive Symptomatology - National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)  What Is Forgiveness? | Fred Luskin, PhD - YouTube   God's Eternal Now | FaithHub - Faithhub.net  

Leadership Lessons Podcast
S4.E17 - Who Can Rebuke You?

Leadership Lessons Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2022


In this week's episode from Nehemiah 5, Pastor Daniel talks about how Nehemiah responded when the people's behavior toward each other became sinful. He rebuked them and corrected their behavior. Every leader needs a trustworthy mentor or friend in the faith who can speak the truth to them boldly. Do you have people in your life who can rebuke you? This episode will tell you why it is truly important. In Pastor's Perspective, Pastor Joe Williams talks about how great leaders must learn to submit to authority. “Before you can be a good leader, you've got to be a good follower.” Submitting to authority keeps us accountable and humble. Pastor Joe shares his own experience with a great mentor in the faith. Quotes --- Quotes --- Quotes --- “Spoon feeding, in the long run, teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon.” - E.M. ForsterFaithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. - Proverbs 27:6“Mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow.” – George Lucas“When the enemy fails in his attacks from the outside, he then begins to attack from within; and one of his favorite weapons is selfishness.” -Warren Wiersbe C.S Lewis once said, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”“When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said ‘Repent,' he intended that the entire life of believers should be repentance.” - Martin Luther, First ThesisOpen rebuke is better than secret love. - Proverbs 27:5Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. - Proverbs 18:1

Ownit! Powercast
EP162 How to Become Free from What Has a Hold on You

Ownit! Powercast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 27:45


Welcome to Episode 162 where we explore wrap up the month about attachment, and how to learn to let go. In this episode we finish out this month which has been all about attachments we have to people, places, and things, and how the deeper we connect ourselves, and allow that person, thing or situation we are attached to influence our daily life, the unhealthier our relationships and we ourselves become. We look at what really needs to happen if we want to begin letting go of what has actually been controlling us and making us anxious and crazy on the inside if we got honest.  Then we explore how the components of detachment and grief work are key to letting go of control and refocusing on ourselves.    Key Elements: Talk about how detachment and grief work are necessary. Look at how to practice healthy detachment to become better at it. Dig deep into the stages of grief work necessary if we want to let go.   "No one ever told me that grief felt  so much like fear." -C.S Lewis     Resources:   Make sure you sign up for the bonus downloads at www.ownitpowercast.com.  Tribe members will receive them in their email each week. Thank you for tuning in to this podcast. Please remember to leave a positive review on your podcast platform and let us know how this episode has been helpful. Also don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Spotify so you don't miss a thing!

Raconteur Collection
Chapters: A book report podcast - Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Raconteur Collection

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2022 107:20


Hello and welcome back to Chapters! This week Jack and Charlie sail to the ends of the earth and beyond as they discuss the fantastic book Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S Lewis. The boys are blown away by the fantastic tales of adventure, strange islands, and mysterious solved and unsolved by this book. This episode marks out third in as we slowly make our way through the Chronicles of Narnia. Chapters is a podcast designed to bring back the joy of reading and discussion. By no means are we experts, but I firmly believe that exploration despite the lack of academia has a place in our world and can serve as a way to bring us together, rather than divide. Chapters is hosted by the Raconteur Collection. What is the Raconteur Collection, well... its a show about everything and nothing. A variety show that covers a menagerie of topics and ideas. Next week we will be talking all about Never Ending Story, we hope to see you there. Support us at patreon.com/raconteurcollection

The Christian Outlook | Topics for Today's Believers
Special Edition: An In-Depth Look at the Mastery of C. S. Lewis in “Perelandra”

The Christian Outlook | Topics for Today's Believers

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2022 41:45


The Christian Outlook – June 18, 2022 Eric Metaxas talks with James Como, of the New York C.S. Lewis Society, about his book, Mystical Perelandra: My Lifelong Reading of C.S. Lewis and His Favorite Book. Metaxas and Como discuss how Perelandra represents some of the very best prose ever penned and how it stands out from the many other masterful works C.S Lewis wrote. Como shares the personal impact C.S. Lewis' writings made on his mind and soul and how his hope was rekindled because of the vision C.S. Lewis had to see what was awaiting those who trust in Christ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Afternoons with Bill Arnold
Uncanny parallels – Kenneth Samples

Afternoons with Bill Arnold

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 49:32


Often our role models come out of places of brokenness. Their stories bring us hope in our own humanness. Ken Samples joins Bill to discuss two heroes of our faith, St. Augustine and C.S Lewis, through his article 12 Life Parallels between St. Augustin and C.S Lewis.