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June 7, 2026. Sunday Bible study with Pastor Cason Kelly.
Broken Promises Hosea 1-2:13 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. 2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.” 3 So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. 4 And the LORD said to him, “Call his name Jezreel, for in just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. 5 And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6 She conceived again and bore a daughter. And the LORD said to him, “Call her name No Mercy, for I will no more have mercy on the house of Israel, to forgive them at all. 7 But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the LORD their God. I will not save them by bow or by sword or by war or by horses or by horsemen.” 8 When she had weaned No Mercy, she conceived and bore a son. 9 And the LORD said, “Call his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God.” 10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” 11 And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up from the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel. -- 2 Say to your brothers, “You are my people,” and to your sisters, “You have received mercy.” 2 “Plead with your mother, plead— for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband— that she put away her whoring from her face, and her adultery from between her breasts; 3 lest I strip her naked and make her as in the day she was born, and make her like a wilderness, and make her like a parched land, and kill her with thirst. 4 Upon her children also I will have no mercy, because they are children of whoredom. 5 For their mother has played the whore; she who conceived them has acted shamefully. For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.' 6 Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths. 7 She shall pursue her lovers but not overtake them, and she shall seek them but shall not find them. Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now.' 8 And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. 9 Therefore I will take back my grain in its time, and my wine in its season, and I will take away my wool and my flax, which were to cover her nakedness. 10 Now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one shall rescue her out of my hand. 11 And I will put an end to all her mirth, her feasts, her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her appointed feasts. 12 And I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees, of which she said, ‘These are my wages, which my lovers have given me.' I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall devour them. 13 And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry, and went after her lovers and forgot me, declares the LORD. I. To obey God we must surrender to God. II. One must obey God to understand the things of God. III. To obey God we must be honest with God and with ourselves. If every member of my church were just like me, what would we be like?
We delve into the Sinai Covenant and the laws and teachings it encompasses. We discuss the fear of God and how it should motivate a pure and righteous life. The complexity of the Israelites' relationship with God is examined, along with an exploration of the regulations given by God, including slavery, restitution, and Sabbaths. We reflect on the importance of the Sabbath as the primary sign of the Sinai Covenant and conclude with the formal establishment of the Sinai Covenant with blood. Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...
What does it truly mean to welcome others the way Christ welcomed us? This powerful exploration of Romans 15 challenges us to examine how we receive people into our faith communities. We discover that the 'strong' believers aren't necessarily those who've been Christians the longest, but those who understand their freedom in Christ without the baggage of religious tradition. The early church faced a profound struggle: Jewish believers steeped in 1,500 years of ceremonial law had to embrace Gentile believers who came with no religious background whatsoever. The message is clear—when Jesus said 'It is finished' on the cross, He wasn't just paying for our sins; He was tearing down every barrier that separates us from God and from each other. The beautiful Greek word 'proslambano' paints a vivid picture of taking someone by the arm, walking shoulder to shoulder through their journey. This isn't casual acquaintance—it's intimate, intentional discipleship. We're reminded of Jesus washing His disciples' feet after receiving all authority in heaven and earth, choosing humility over power. The three parables in Luke 15—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son—all culminate in the same response: rejoicing and celebration. Heaven throws a party over every single person who comes home to God. When we fail to welcome others with the same joy and grace that Christ showed us, we're not just being unfriendly—we're sinning against the very heart of the Gospel.**SERMON NOTES – Romans 15:1–13****1. Strong & Weak Believers (Rom 15:1–3)** - In Romans, “strong” = mainly Gentile believers who understand they are free from OT ceremonial law (Sabbaths, food laws, feasts). - “Weak” = mainly Jewish believers still bound in conscience to OT ceremonies; they lack faith to enjoy their freedom. - Obligation of the strong: bear with the weak, not please themselves; build others up. - Christ is the example: He did not please Himself but bore reproach for others (Ps 69).**2. Scripture, Endurance, and Hope (Rom 15:4–6)** - OT was written “for our instruction” so that through endurance and encouragement of Scripture we might have hope. - Old Testament stories (e.g., Israel in wilderness, Shadrach/Meshach/Abednego, Balaam) show God's faithfulness despite human failure. - Goal: harmony, accord, one voice glorifying God—hence corporate worship and unified praise.**3. Welcoming Like Christ (Rom 15:7)** - Command: “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” - Greek *proslambanō*: to take by the arm, draw close, walk with; intimate, committed welcome. - Seen in: - Peter taking Jesus aside (Mt 16:22), - Priscilla & Aquila taking Apollos aside to teach more accurately (Acts 18), - The people of Malta welcoming shipwrecked Paul (Acts 28). - To add extra requirements for belonging (like Pharisees' added laws) is near blasphemy.**4. God's Heart for Sinners (Luke 15)** - Three parables (lost sheep, coin, son): all end in rejoicing. - Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents; God receives sinners with joy. - If we refuse to welcome those Christ welcomes, we sin against His heart.**5. Dispensations & “It Is Finished”** - Jesus lived and obeyed under the Law to fulfill it perfectly, then declared, “It is finished.” - Veil torn: access to God opened; we now live in the age of grace. - We approach God by faith, not ceremony; no more sacrifices—just bold access.**6. The God of Hope (Rom 15:13)** - God of hope fills us with joy and peace in believing. - By the Spirit we “abound in hope”: assurance that sin's penalty is paid and God is not angry with us. - Our assignment: carry this hope to our generation; God placed us in this time and place (Acts 17:24–27).---**PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS**1. Identify where you're “strong” and tempted to look down on “weaker” believers. Choose to bear with and build up instead. 2. Practice *proslambanō*: literally take someone new or struggling by the arm—sit with them, listen to them, walk with them. 3. Repent of any “extra rules” you expect from others that Jesus did not. 4. Use your testimony as your primary evangelism tool: “I was… but Christ…” 5. This week, ask God for one open door to share the hope you have and step through it in dependence on the Spirit.---**DISCUSSION QUESTIONS**1. In what areas of Christian freedom do you see yourself as “strong”? Where might that make you impatient with others? 2. Have you ever felt like a “weak” believer bound by conscience? What helped you grow? 3. What does “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you” practically look like in our church? 4. Where have you added expectations for people that Jesus doesn't require? 5. Which OT story especially encourages your hope right now, and why? 6. Who is one person God may be asking you to “proslambanō” this month? What's your next step with them?
Exodus 16:21-30 // Stand Alone: Sabbaths and Sabbaticals // Anthony Jones // May 24, 2026
Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Get your Hosea Scripture Journal now. Our shout-out today goes to Jonathan Santiago from Ocala, FL. Thanks for your partnership in Project23. Listen to our text today, Hosea 2:11-13 And I will put an end to all her mirth, her feasts, her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her appointed feasts. And I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees, of which she said, 'These are my wages, which my lovers have given me.' I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall devour them. And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry, and went after her lovers and forgot me, declares the Lord.— Hosea 2:11-13 Count the words in this passage. Her. Her. Her. Her. Ten times. God is describing Israel the way a wounded husband would describe an unfaithful wife. The language is deliberate. The metaphor is unmistakable. This is spiritual adultery. The feasts are her feasts. The celebrations are her celebrations. The prosperity is her prosperity. And the lovers? Also hers. At some point, the worship that once belonged to God had become something else entirely. Israel still had the festivals. They still had the Sabbaths. They still had the religious calendar. But their devotion had shifted. They had blended loyalty to Yahweh with loyalty to Baal. The prophets called this syncretism—mixing the worship of God with devotion to other gods. The result was religion that looked right on the outside but was corrupted at the center. Israel was celebrating feasts while trusting Baal for provision. They were honoring rituals while chasing other lovers. And God exposes the truth in one devastating sentence: "She went after her lovers… and forgot me." That is the heart of spiritual adultery. Not abandoning religion. Forgetting God while pretending you haven't. And this is where the text turns toward you. If you are going to church for the appearance of faith, but you never open God's Word during the week… you may be practicing religion while forgetting God. If you sing worship songs on Sunday but your security rests in money, status, or political power… your heart may be trusting another lover. If you talk about God publicly but privately live as if your life belongs to you… that is exactly the kind of divided devotion Hosea is exposing. God will not share his bride with idols. He does not want your rituals if he does not have your heart. Because the real question is not whether you attend worship. The real question is this: Does God actually have your devotion? DO THIS: Take ten minutes today to sit quietly with God and honestly ask him to reveal anything competing for your loyalty. ASK THIS: Where is it easiest for you to substitute religious activity for real devotion to God? What "lovers" does our culture tempt believers to trust instead of God? What would wholehearted devotion to God look like in your life right now? PRAY THIS: Father, expose anything in my heart that competes with my devotion to you. Teach me to worship you with sincerity and undivided loyalty. Amen. PLAY THIS: "The Heart of Worship"
ANGELA'S SYMPOSIUM 📖 Academic Study on Witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, magick and the Occult
What if everything you think you know about the Witches' Sabbath is wrong?The broomsticks, the Devil, the midnight orgies on remote mountaintops: this image has haunted the Western imagination for nearly six hundred years. But where did it actually come from? Was it an inquisitorial fantasy imposed from above? A distortion of real folk traditions of spirit-flight and nocturnal procession? A recycled conspiracy theory older than Christianity itself? Or something stranger than any of those?In this video I trace the Sabbath from its origins in a handful of Alpine witch trials in the 1430s, through the great demonological texts of the early modern period, to its reinvention by romantics, feminists, and modern practitioners who know the image was constructed and use it anyway. I cover the Cohn vs Ginzburg debate that still organises the field, the Friulian benandanti who fought witches in their sleep, the antisemitic roots of the word "sabbath" itself, Margaret Murray's influential and almost entirely wrong witch-cult hypothesis, and why the Wheel of the Year is a twentieth-century invention. I also look at where the term "esbat" actually comes from (spoiler: not where you think), the connection between the Sabbath and the Wild Hunt, and what contemporary Italian folk practitioners make of all this today.This is serious historiography made accessible, not dumbed down. If you want the real story behind one of the most persistent and misunderstood images in Western culture, this is it.CONNECT & SUPPORT
7 takeaways from this study Take sin's consequences seriously, but not hopelessly. The study shows that sin always carries real liability before God. Yet God also provides a concrete, legal way for that liability to be transferred and paid, ultimately in Messiah's sacrifice. See forgiveness as removing penalty, not erasing history. Forgiveness does not make the past unhappen. It removes the ongoing penalty and relational barrier. That frees you to walk in restored fellowship without denying what actually occurred. Let the cross shape how you forgive others. When you forgive someone, you are choosing to absorb or release the consequence instead of demanding repayment. That mirrors how God transfers and resolves guilt through sacrifice, rather than pretending there was no offense. Treat holiness as contagious in both directions. In Torah, impurity can contaminate, but consecrated blood can also sanctify what it touches. Your choices and habits either defile or “set apart” spaces, relationships, and communities. Live as someone whose presence should make things cleaner, not dirtier. Recognize there are sins with lasting vocational impact. Ezekiel 44 shows that some betrayals of trust permanently limit a person's role, even if God spares their life. Practically, guard positions of spiritual influence and leadership with extra caution; some lines, once crossed, cannot be fully “undone.” Rely on a living Mediator, not a past event alone. Messiah's death was once-for-all, but His ongoing intercession is present-tense. In prayer and repentance, think of coming to a living High Priest who actively applies His already-finished work to you now. Connect atonement with real-life change. If Messiah carried your penalty, then persisting in the same sin ignores the cost paid. Let gratitude for that legal-cleansing drive concrete changes in behavior — how you use your time, your body, your money, your words. The Torah does not hide the failures of its central human figures. Moses killed an Egyptian. Aaron participated in the sin of the Golden Calf. Israel repeatedly defiled itself through rebellion and idolatry. Yet Scripture consistently presents HaShem1Hebrew for “The Name,” a circumlocution for the ineffable name of the Holy One of Israel as the One who provides the means by which imperfect people may draw near to Him. From the consecration of Aaron in Leviticus, to Ezekiel's vision of purified worship, to the priesthood of Messiah in Hebrews, the same pattern emerges repeatedly: judgment, atonement, sanctification, covenant relationship, and ongoing mediation through God's appointed means. We’ll focus especially on how guilt transfers in sacrificial law, why blood is central to atonement, how priestly authority functions, and why resurrection becomes essential to the eternal priesthood of Yeshua. Moses as surrogate priest in Aaron's inauguration Leviticus 8 records the actual inauguration of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. Exodus 29 had already outlined the ceremony in advance. In Leviticus 8:1–3, HaShem commands Moses: “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams and the basket of unleavened bread, and assemble all the congregation at the doorway of the tent of meeting.” Leviticus 8:1–3 NASB95 Something unusual immediately appears in the text: Moses functions as the officiant for the consecration ceremony. He washes Aaron and his sons, clothes them, anoints the tabernacle and altar, offers sacrifices, applies blood, and even receives portions normally associated with priestly service. Yet Moses himself is not formally part of the Aaronic priesthood. Scripture identifies him primarily as a prophet and covenant mediator (Deuteronomy 18:15). He belongs to Levi, but God did not appoint him to serve as an ongoing priest within the normal Levitical structure. This creates an important theological tension. Exodus 2:11–12 records that Moses killed an Egyptian and hid the body. Later Torah legislation prescribes death for murder (Numbers 35:16–21). Moses never undergoes a formal legal execution for that act. From a strict covenantal standpoint, he carries unresolved death liability. Aaron likewise carries severe covenant guilt. In Exodus 32, he fashions the Golden Calf, builds an altar before it, and participates in Israel's idolatrous worship (Exodus 32:1–6). Torah law later prescribes death for idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:6–10; 17:2–5). Deuteronomy 9:20 notes that Moses interceded specifically for Aaron so that HaShem would not destroy him. Thus, the two central human figures involved in inaugurating Israel's priesthood are themselves compromised sinners. From a human perspective, this seems paradoxical. Ordinarily, the greater consecrates the lesser. Yet Moses—the younger brother, a man with bloodguilt in his past—is appointed to consecrate Aaron, who himself had led Israel into idolatry. The Torah intentionally forces the reader to ask a deeper question: how can flawed mediators stand before the Holy One at all? The answer is not human worthiness. The answer is divine appointment, covenant mercy, and sacrificial atonement. The bull, the laying on of hands and the transfer of guilt The consecration ceremony begins with a חַטָּאת khatat — a sin offering. Before priestly ministry could begin, there first had to be cleansing and atonement. Leviticus 8 describes three primary sacrificial animals: A bull for the sin offering A ram for the burnt offering A second ram for ordination The bull receives particular emphasis. Aaron and his sons lay their hands upon the bull's head: Then he presented the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering. Leviticus 8:14 NASB95 This act reflects a broader Torah pattern found throughout Leviticus (Leviticus 4:4, 15, 24, 29; 16:21). The Hebrew verb used is סָמַךְ sāmakh, meaning “to lean upon,” “support,” or “lay upon.” The gesture symbolizes identification and transfer. Importantly, the Torah does not present this as a transfer of the historical act itself. The sin remains a real event in the past. Murder still occurred. Idolatry still occurred. The act cannot be undone. Rather, what transfers is the liability, consequence, or judicial penalty associated with the offense. The sinner does not cease to have committed the sin. Instead, the sacrificial victim symbolically bears the consequence that justice demands. This pattern resembles interpersonal forgiveness. When one person forgives another, the offense remains historically real, but the offended party relinquishes the ongoing claim of vengeance, estrangement, or penalty. In the sacrificial system, the animal becomes the substitute bearer of covenant liability. The Torah therefore demonstrates that reconciliation with God requires more than sentiment. Sin carries objective consequences, and those consequences must be addressed through God's appointed means. Aaron could not simply enter the priesthood while ignoring the guilt associated with the Golden Calf. Moses could not sanctify the altar apart from atonement. Before sacred service could begin, sacrifice had to intervene. Perfected blood and the purification of the altar After the laying on of hands, Moses slaughters the bull and applies its blood to the altar: Next Moses slaughtered it and took the blood and with his finger put some of it around on the horns of the altar, and purified the altar. Then he poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it, to make atonement for it. Leviticus 8:15 NASB95 The Torah uses terms such as: כִּפֶּר kipper — “to make atonement,” “to cover” טָהֵר ṭāhēr — “to cleanse,” “to purify” קֹדֶשׁ qōdesh — “holiness,” “set-apartness” At first glance, the logic appears paradoxical. The animal becomes associated with guilt through the laying on of hands. Yet after death, its blood becomes the means by which the altar is purified and sanctified. The key lies in the completion of penalty. Before death, the bull bears covenant liability. But once the animal dies, the penalty has been executed. Justice has been carried out against the substitute. The liability cannot be demanded a second time. In that sense, the blood now stands in a “perfected” or “guiltless” relation to the offense. The claim of judgment has been exhausted. Because the penalty has been fully discharged, the blood becomes the cleansing agent within the ceremonial system. The altar — which beforehand was merely common material — becomes sanctified through contact with blood associated with completed atonement. Exodus 29:36–37 explains that the altar itself required consecration before it could function as the meeting place between Israel and the Holy One. The sacrificial system therefore teaches a profound covenant principle: death terminates liability. Yet the Torah simultaneously reveals the limitation of the earthly system. The animal dies once. Its blood is applied once. The effects remain temporary within history. Israel sins again. Priests continue to fail. New impurity accumulates. The process repeats continually. Hebrews later reflects upon this limitation: For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never… make perfect those who draw near. Hebrews 10:1 NASB95 The problem is not that Torah's sacrificial system fails on its own terms. Rather, the problem is mortality, repetition, and the ongoing weakness of human mediators. The burnt offering and the ram of ordination Following the bull comes the עֹלָה ‘olah, the burnt offering. Unlike other sacrifices in which portions are retained for priestly use, the burnt offering ascends wholly upon the altar as a symbol of complete surrender and devotion to God. Then comes the second ram, the ram of ordination: Moses then had Aaron and his sons come near and lay their hands on the head of the ram. Leviticus 8:22 NASB95 Moses applies the ram's blood to Aaron's right ear, right thumb, and right big toe, and then to those of Aaron's sons (Leviticus 8:23–24). These actions symbolize total consecration: The ear sanctified for hearing and obeying The hand sanctified for service and work The foot sanctified for walking in covenant faithfulness Leviticus then describes the wave offering and heave offering. The Hebrew term for wave offering is תְּנוּפָה tenūfāh, referring to a side-to-side motion. For heave offering, it’s תְּרוּמָה terūmāh, referring to lifting upward. The wave offering symbolizes transfer or presentation before HaShem. The heave offering symbolizes something lifted upward and dedicated to God. Normally, in peace offerings, both the breast and right thigh become priestly portions (Leviticus 7:30–34). Yet in this ordination ceremony, the arrangement differs. Moses receives the breast as his portion: Moses also took the breast and presented it for a wave offering before the Lord; it was Moses' portion of the ram of ordination. Leviticus 8:29 NASB95 Other portions ordinarily associated with priestly consumption instead ascend upon the altar. This unusual distribution further emphasizes Moses' temporary and derivative priestly role. He functions as HaShem's appointed mediator for the inauguration, but he does not become the enduring high priest of Israel. Ezekiel 44: Idolatry, priesthood and restricted service The themes of priesthood and covenant faithfulness continue in Ezekiel 44. Here the prophet addresses Levites who previously participated in idolatrous worship: “Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel… they shall not come near to Me to serve as a priest to Me.” Ezekiel 44:12–13 NASB95 These Levites are not executed or entirely cut off from temple service. They continue serving in subordinate functions such as gatekeeping and slaughtering sacrifices for the people (Ezekiel 44:10–14). Yet they may not approach the inner sanctuary or handle the most sacred priestly duties. In contrast, the sons of Zadok — who remained faithful when others went astray — retain the privilege of drawing near to minister directly before HaShem: “But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok… shall come near to Me to minister to Me.” Ezekiel 44:15 NASB95 Ezekiel therefore introduces an important covenant principle. Some sins carry lasting vocational consequences. Forgiveness and covenant mercy do not always erase every earthly effect of prior unfaithfulness. Certain breaches of sacred trust permanently alter one's role and authority. The corrupt Levites could not simply offer sacrifices on their own behalf to erase the consequences of their priestly corruption. This reveals that the sacrificial system does not function mechanically. Sacrifice is not a ritual loophole that nullifies every covenant consequence. Sacred office requires faithfulness, trustworthiness, and holiness. The prince in Ezekiel and partial priestly authority Ezekiel 44–46 also introduces a mysterious figure called “the prince” (הַנָּשִׂיא hannāśī'). The prince occupies a unique middle ground. He is not identical with the Zadokite priests, yet he possesses privileges beyond those of an ordinary Israelite. He offers sacrifices on Sabbaths and appointed feasts (Ezekiel 46:2–8), receives a designated inheritance in the land (Ezekiel 45:7), and possesses authority involving worship and temple administration. Yet the prince also appears fully human, with sons and inheritance concerns (Ezekiel 46:16–18). Interpreters have long debated the prince's identity. Rather than forcing a single interpretation, the broader biblical pattern may be more important: Scripture occasionally presents figures who exercise limited or derivative priestly authority without fully occupying the high-priestly office. Moses in Leviticus 8 and the prince in Ezekiel both function in this intermediate category. These patterns prepare the reader for the Apostolic Writings' presentation of a priesthood fundamentally different from the Aaronic order. The Melchizedek pattern and a different order of priesthood Hebrews 7 turns to the figure of Melchizedek (מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק Malkî-ṣeḏeq), first introduced in Genesis 14:18–20. Melchizedek appears suddenly as both king of Salem and “priest of God Most High.” Scripture records no genealogy, no ordination ritual, and no priestly succession. Psalm 110:4 declares: “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'” Hebrews identifies this as a messianic prophecy fulfilled in Yeshua. The Greek word translated “order” is τάξις taxis, meaning arrangement, order or succession. Yeshua does not belong to the tribe of Levi. Hebrews explicitly states: For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah. Hebrews 7:14 NASB95 Yet God appoints Him priest according to a different priestly order. This does not abolish Torah. Rather, it introduces a parallel and superior priesthood grounded in divine oath and eternal life rather than hereditary descent. Hebrews explains the weakness of the earthly priesthood: The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing. Hebrews 7:23 NASB95 But Messiah: holds His priesthood permanently. Hebrews 7:24 NASB95 The Greek term translated “permanently” is ἀπαράβατος aparabatos, meaning untransferable or unchangeable. The central issue is not that Torah itself was defective. The problem lies with mortal, sinful priests who continually die and require replacement. Yeshua as both priest and sacrificial victim The sacrificial patterns established in Leviticus reach their fullest expression in Yeshua. Throughout His earthly ministry, Yeshua forgives sins: “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 NASB95 His opponents immediately recognize the theological implication: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mark 2:7 NASB95 The Apostolic Writings present Yeshua as acting under divine authority to remove the penalty associated with sin. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2Corinthians 5:21 NASB95 The Greek term ἁμαρτία hamartia can refer both to sin itself and to a sin offering. Yeshua does not become morally sinful. Rather, He bears covenant liability on behalf of others. Here the pattern from Leviticus intensifies.In the earthly system, the priest transfers guilt to the sacrificial victim. The victim dies, and its blood becomes the means of atonement. Yet the priest himself remains mortal and imperfect. In Messiah, priest and victim become united in one person. Yeshua bears the penalty associated with human sin and then offers His own blood before the heavenly sanctuary: Not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12 NASB95 The Greek term λύτρωσις lutrōsis refers to ransom, release or redemption through payment. Unlike the blood of bulls and goats, Messiah's offering is not external to the priest offering it. He presents Himself. Resurrection and the eternal application of atonement The resurrection becomes the decisive difference between Messiah and every previous priest. If Yeshua merely died, His sacrifice would resemble the earthly sacrifices in Leviticus — powerful, meaningful, but historically limited. The resurrection transforms the priesthood into a perpetual ministry. Romans 1:3–4 declares that Yeshua was publicly identified as the Son of God in power through resurrection from the dead. Hebrews 7:25 explains the practical consequence: Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. NASB95 The Greek verb ἐντυγχάνω entynchano means “to intercede,” “to petition,” or “to mediate on behalf of another.” This is the critical distinction. Levitical priests died. Their ministry ended. Their sacrifices required continual repetition. Messiah lives permanently. Therefore His once-offered sacrifice can be continually applied across generations and throughout history. His blood does not “run out.” His priesthood does not terminate. The sacrifice occurred once in history, but its efficacy remains continually active through the living High Priest. Hebrews 9:24 describes Messiah entering the heavenly sanctuary itself: For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands … but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. NASB1995 Without resurrection, Yeshua would be remembered only as a righteous martyr. With resurrection, He becomes the eternal mediator who continually applies the benefits of His completed atonement. Sanctification, obedience, and continuing sacrifices The removal of covenant penalty does not eliminate moral responsibility. Throughout Scripture, forgiveness is linked with transformed behavior. Yeshua repeatedly instructs healed or forgiven individuals to turn away from sin: “Do not sin anymore.” John 5:14 NASB95 Apostle Ya’akov likewise insists: Faith without works is dead. James 2:17 NASB95 Hebrews 10:14 states: For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. NASB95 The Greek verb ἁγιάζω hagiazō means “to sanctify,” “to make holy,” or “to set apart.” Believers are perfected covenantally through Messiah's sacrifice, yet sanctification continues progressively in daily life. The Apostolic Writings also maintain the broader biblical concept of sacrifice. The Torah included not only sin offerings, but also peace offerings, thanksgiving offerings, and offerings of worship and fellowship. Hebrews 13:15–16 therefore exhorts believers: Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God … and do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. NASB95 The Greek term θυσία thysia continues to describe offerings presented before God. Messiah's once-for-all atonement fulfills and surpasses the sin-offering system, but worship, thanksgiving, obedience, generosity, and praise remain covenant sacrifices offered through Him. The Holy One uses broken men The Holy One uses flawed human beings while simultaneously providing the means by which they may approach Him. Moses was a man with blood on his hands. Aaron participated in idolatry. Israel repeatedly failed. Even the priests themselves required sacrifice and cleansing. Yet HaShem established priesthood, altar, sacrifice and covenant mediation anyway. The Torah does not minimize sin. Instead, it magnifies the holiness, justice, and mercy of God. Leviticus demonstrates that sacred service requires atonement. Ezekiel demonstrates that covenant unfaithfulness carries real consequences. Hebrews demonstrates that Yeshua fulfills and surpasses the sacrificial patterns established in Torah. He is the priest of a different order — the order of Melchizedek. He is both sacrificial victim and eternal High Priest. He bears covenant liability on behalf of others. He offers His own blood before the heavenly sanctuary. And because He lives forever through resurrection, He continually intercedes for those who draw near to God through Him. The result is a priesthood that fulfills Torah's patterns while surpassing the limitations of mortal mediators. Through Messiah, flawed human beings may receive forgiveness of penalty, ongoing cleansing, covenant access to the Holy One, and a calling into lives increasingly marked by holiness, obedience, faithfulness and grateful worship before the God of Israel. 1 Hebrew for “The Name,” a circumlocution for the ineffable name of the Holy One of IsraelThe post Shadows of Messiah in the consecration of Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8; Ezekiel 44; Hebrews 7) appeared first on Hallel Fellowship.
We are closing out April with the most fun episode of the month. Today I am sharing 10 ways for play. 10 ways I love to play. I hope by the end of this one, you're inspired to protect more space for play in your own life too. Resources from this episode: Work & Play Episode 306 : 1,000 Hours Outside : The Hard Parts No One Talks About Timeless Series by Gabrielle Meyer : Book 1 Flip 7 Card Game Skyjo Card Game Work & Play Episode 173 : How We Sabbath Work & Play Episode 232 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 1 Work & Play Episode 233 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2 Work & Play Episode 308 : You're In Good Company with Ashlee Gadd Work & Play Episode 311 : 10 Things That Are Growing My Faith Work & Play Episode 312 : 10 Things I'm Loving in My Home Work & Play Episode 313 : 10 Things Helping Me in My Work The Contentment Challenge Send Nancy an audio message! Dwell Bible App Discount Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Join my email list! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Jesus ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 36:17–21 - Therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or aged. He gave them all into his hand. [18] And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his princes, all these he brought to Babylon. [19] And they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burned all its palaces with fire and destroyed all its precious vessels. [20] He took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of Persia, [21] to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years. (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: https://venmo.com/CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ NON-ENGLISH VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/
This sermon reflects on the Resurrection account in St. Matthew, drawing attention to the plural “Sabbaths” in the Greek to reveal the profound transition from the old covenant of rest under the Law to the new and eternal rest inaugurated by Christ. While Christ's body lay in the tomb, His soul descended into Hades, as described by St. Epiphanius of Cyprus, to liberate Adam, Eve, and all the righteous, proclaiming victory over sin and death and calling humanity to rise with Him into new life. This moment marks not only the defeat of death and the devil, but the fulfillment of the Law and the beginning of a restored creation, where God's commandments are no longer external but written on the hearts of His people. Living now in this “age after the Sabbaths,” believers are invited to enter into the eternal day of the Resurrection, where Christ, the Life Himself, leads humanity out of darkness and into the fullness of divine communion.
This week the message is with Pastor Travis from April 12 2026 and the title is Don't Mix Jesus With....These are some notes and Scriptures that were referenced during the Sermon:Gnosticism: Taught Jesus was not fully God and fully man but merely one of thesemidivine beings that bridged the Gap between God and the World.. God for harvest. God for weather. God for fertility….. Jesus is the god of forgivenessColossians 2:1-3 (NLT)2 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea and for many other believers who have never met me personally. 2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.Colossians 2:7 (NLT)7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then yourfaith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow withthankfulness.Colossians 2:8 (NLT)8 Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers[a] of this world, rather than from Christ.Colossians 2:12-14 (NLT) 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.Colossians 2:15 (NLT)15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.Colossians 2:16-17 (NLT)16 So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.Colossians 2:18-23 (NLT)18 Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, 19 and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. 20 You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!”? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires.. In Jesus are Hidden all the treasures of wisdom. Let your roots Go deep into Christ. Your faith will grow strong. You are complete through your union with Christ. Your sinful nature has been cut away. Continue growing in Faith, Rules provide no help in Conquering evil.Thank you for listening and join us next time for more great teachings from The Word. If you feel to give towards this podcast ministry you can do so through the same ways that you give your tithes & offerings by writing Podcast ministry.
Preached in 2024. For more resources for knowing and loving God's word, visit bcnewton.coResourcesExodus: Saved for God's Glory // Philip Graham RykenExodus // Douglas StuartGleanings in Exodus // A. W. PinkThe Pentateuch as Narrative // John H. SailhamerExodus // John CalvinIf you have benefitted from this episode, consider sharing with others. You can also support my work financially at this link.
* You can get the sermon note sheet at: https://family-bible-church.org/2026Messages/26Apr05.pdf Last Sunday, we began to look at Christ's fulfillment of the three spring feasts of Israel - Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits. * In that message, we saw that YHWH had declared a specific order of events that would occur in the celebration of these feasts beginning with the Selection of the Lamb on the 10th day of Nisan. That lamb was then supposed to sacrificed at twilight on the 14th day. The Feast of Unleavened Bread would then begin on the 15th day (which begins at sundown) with the eating of the lamb which was roasted. The first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread was also to be considered a Holy Convocation (a Special Sabbath) to YHWH. * The Feast of Firstfruits fell on the 1st day of the week which followed the weekly Sabbath of the Passover celebration. That would be day when Jesus rose from the dead! The women came to the tomb while it was yet dark and found the stone rolled away with the tomb empty! As recorded in the original Greek of Matthew 28:1, there were actually more than one "Sabbaths" between the time that Jesus died and rose from the dead (those would have been the 1st day of Unleavened Bread and the weekly Sabbath). * Jesus sacrificial death on the cross fulfilled the Passover sacrifice and became the basis for the fellowship of the church, and a desire for us to live "unleavened" (sinless) lives. * Today, we will see the importance of His fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits to the Completion of the Good News, the Confirmation of your Faith, and the Consummation of Future Events! * This message was presented by Bob Corbin on April 5, 2026 at Family Bible Church in Martinez, Georgia.
The Holy Week Series theme is: Look UpIn the world's first week, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The pattern was set. In the world's greatest week, God redeemed the world in six days. And on the seventh day, the Son of God rested in the tomb, the Sabbath of all Sabbaths. When you see the suffering of our Savior on your behalf this week, you may be tempted to look down, hanging your head in shame. You may be tempted to look around at everything disappointing in this world and shake your head. But God encourages you to look up. Your redemption is near!The Palm Sunday Service theme is: LOOK UP TO SEE YOUR KINGYou are going about your daily business. There is a crowd. You are easily distracted by all the activity. It is a holiday, and there are extra things to prepare. It is easy to focus on your personal task at hand and lose sight of the bigger picture. Focus! Look Up! There is a King who presents himself so hymbly that you might miss the importance of his arrival. Hail the King who humbly comes to save us!Support the showMessages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.To find out more about King of Kings...Please visit VisitKoK.comLike us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/visitkok)Email us @ info@visitkok.comRemember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!
The Prophetic Rhythm of Rest and Redemption In this insightful teaching, Servant Marcia Carty explores the biblical concept of Jubilee and the Sabbath of the Land. Drawing from Leviticus and the prophetic visions of Daniel, she explains that the Earth belongs to God and requires its own periods of rest. When we ignore these divine cycles, the consequences manifest in the physical and spiritual realms. -- The Jubilee is the 50th year following seven cycles of Sabbatical years, representing a total reset for the land and the people. -- Key elements of the Jubilee include the release of debts, the freeing of slaves, and the restoration of property to its original family owners. -- The 70-week prophecy in Daniel reveals that the Babylonian captivity and the timing of the Messiah were directly tied to Israel's failure to give the land its required Sabbaths. -- True restoration is found in Christ, who came to bring everlasting righteousness and redeem us from the curse of the law. -- As we see signs in the earth and hear "trumpets" sounding globally, we are reminded that we are living in days similar to the time of Noah. Scriptures for Further Study -- Leviticus 25:1-23 -- Judges 2:10-19 -- Judges 3:12-30 -- Daniel 9:10-27 -- Matthew 24:1-37 -- Galatians 3:13-14 +++++++ We have begun building a new website which you can see here: https://www.noahdays.org/
"My offering, my food for my food offerings." God establishes the rhythm of Israel's worship through daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices. Each day, morning and evening, is framed with the aroma of burnt offerings. Sabbaths bring double portions and new moons mark the turning of months. In this chapter, we see that Israel's entire calendar was oriented around the worship of God. While these sacrifices could never fully satisfy for sin, they pointed forward to Christ, the Lamb of God who offered Himself once for all people. The Rev. Mark Duerr, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Numbers 28. To learn more about Trinity in Monroe, visit tlcmonroe.org. The Book of Numbers is far more than an ancient census report. It is the story of a people learning to trust God in the wilderness, and failing, and finding grace anyway. In this series, host Pastor Phil Booe and guest pastors walk through the Old Testament book of Numbers chapter by chapter. We follow Israel from Sinai toward the Promised Land, through grumbling and rebellion, fiery serpents and a talking donkey, faithless spies and faithful priests. The journey is hard, the failures are many, and God remains faithful to a faithless people. These ancient accounts point us to Christ. The bronze serpent lifted on a pole points to the cross. The rock struck for water points to the one struck for us. The high priest whose death frees the manslayer points to the Great High Priest whose death sets us free forever. Join us as we discover that the wilderness has more to teach us than we ever expected. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Over this short series we've been learning about the freedom and liberty we have in Christ regarding food, Sabbaths, festivals and other celebrations but sometimes our liberty and freedom can be concerning for others. Paul dealt with this issue with the Corinthian church and that's what we'll be learning about in this program. Your support sends the gospel to every corner of Australia through broadcast, online and print media: https://www.vision.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reverend Steve Johnson - Scripture: Isaiah 58
By Brian Shaw - God's Sabbaths and Holy Days have meaning through Jesus Christ, especially the Passover and Unleavened Bread as symbols of His sacrifice and removing sin. Israel often kept them without understanding, but true Christians keep them with spiritual meaning, obedience, and unity with God.
Moses continues to receive instructions from the Lord, and today's episode begins with instructions for the priests in eating their portion of the sacrifices to the Lord. Recall that the Levites will not be given large portions of land when they enter the Promised Land; instead, the Lord will be their portion. For their service in the tabernacle, they will receive portions of food from the offerings given to the Lord, and thereby be sustained. Or reading continues by considering which sacrifices are acceptable, which days are to be set aside for Sabbaths, and which days are to be set aside for worship, celebration, and remembrance. Leviticus 22 - 1:01 . Leviticus 23 - 7:57 . Psalm 47 - 16:38 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
Moses continues to receive instructions from the Lord, and today's episode begins with instructions on keeping the sacrifices pure and acceptable before the Lord. Consider that Lord does not want Israel to present anything that is second best or impure in anyway, thereby communicating indifference or irreverence for God in His perfection. We'll also consider days set aside for celebration include Sabbaths and feasts, the nature of punishment for violent crimes, the instructions for the bread of the presence, and the steps for executing the death penalty in a case of blaspheming against the Lord. Leviticus 22 – 1:07 . Leviticus 23 – 7:25 . Leviticus 24 – 15:44 . Proverbs 19 – 19:19 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org
Winter can feel long and slow and February especially can feel like an eternity sometimes. Today I am sharing the daily and weekly rhythms that are working for me right now and how I'm making the most of this season before transitioning into spring. Resources from this episode: Claude AI Trello Dwell Bible App Discount 1,000 Hours Outside Nourish Move Love on YouTube We Heart Nutrition (Use code: NANCYRAY for a discount!) My Favorite Natural Supplements for Pregnancy and Postpartum Blog Post Episode 173 - How We Sabbath A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 1 A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2 Rhythms Reset Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Send Nancy an audio message! Work and Play Survey Join my email list! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
In this special Q&A episode of The Celebrate Kids Podcast, Wayne and Dr. Kathy answer real questions from Christian school leaders and teachers at Linville Hill Christian School in Paradise, Pennsylvania and Hillcrest Academy in Minnesota. These questions aren't theoretical. They come from classrooms, dorm rooms, and dinner tables. Here's what they tackle: How do we teach empathy, especially toward students who are hard to love? Dr. Kathy explains that empathy begins with self-awareness. If children can't identify and manage their own feelings, they will struggle to recognize others' emotions. Discernment matters. Service matters. Prayer matters. And sometimes empathy grows not by fixing someone's pain, but by simply acknowledging it. Are we fooling ourselves about technology addiction? Screens are addictive. The dopamine cycle is real. But the deeper issue isn't just devices, it's the lies we attach to them: "I deserve to be happy all the time." "I need constant choice." "I'm the center." Technology amplifies those lies. The solution is formation. Sabbaths. Boundaries. Stewardship. Teaching children that they are created on purpose and cannot afford to waste their time. What about kids using AI to write their papers? This isn't just about cheating. It continues our conversation about formation. Writing is not simply information transfer; it is character development. Wrestling with ideas, revising drafts, struggling through clarity, that's where growth happens. AI might save time. But what if the point wasn't speed? The question becomes: What kind of human are we forming in our writing? How do we help perfectionist students who freeze under pressure? Perfectionism often grows from home culture. It can reflect unrealistic expectations, fear of mistakes, or conditional approval. Dr. Kathy reminds us: Perfect has already been done. His name is Jesus. Progress matters more than flawlessness. Struggle builds endurance, character, and hope. Perfectionism paralyzes. Grace frees. Why should we let kids struggle? Because resilience only grows through recovery. James 1 and Romans 5 remind us that perseverance produces character. If we rescue children too quickly, we risk raising fragile adults. Victory after struggle builds deep confidence. Struggle isn't failure. It's formation. So, this episode is packed with practical wisdom to guide kids and parents to deeper faith and stronger conviction. If you'd like to bring Dr. Kathy to your school, church, or community, visit CelebrateKids.com and click "Book Dr. Kathy." Have a question you'd like answered in a future Q&A episode? Email Wayne at wayne@celebratekids.com. We're grateful you're here. And we're honored to help you celebrate kids well.
The Sabbath is Yahweh's unique sign of covenant, established as a day of sacred rest and collective worship that profoundly impacts spiritual, mental, and physical well-being when honored according to His unchanging commands.
This month on Theonomoney, Jeremy continues looking at the Fourth Commandment, the Commandment on the Sabbath. He talks about how the Fourth Commandment relates to work and laziness, land Sabbaths and how they related to the Old Testament Exile, and more. Subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher, tell your friends about Theonomoney, and follow Theonomoney on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Check out great theonomic shirts and hoodies here: bonfire.com/store/theonomoney/ Catechism link: www.reformedreader.org/ccc/keachcat.htm
282. Family Sabbath: Pause and Delight with Eryn Lynum Mark 2:27 NIV “Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” *Transcription Below* Eryn Lynum is a certified Master Naturalist, Bible teacher, national speaker, and author. Eryn lives in Northern Colorado with her husband, Grayson, and their four children, whom they homeschool—mainly in the great outdoors. Eryn has has been featured on FamilyLife Today, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Christian Parenting, MOPS International, Bible Gateway, Her View From Home, and For Every Mom. Every opportunity she gets, she is out exploring God's creation with her family and sharing the adventures. To learn more about Eryn, visit ErynLynum.com. Eryn's Books Eryn's Free Resources Mentioned Nat Theo Podcast Topics and Questions We Cover: What can this look like to daily align our activities with our deepest values? What do people actually do on this day of rest and what do you recommend for families? Are there any other practical benefits we're missing out on if we neglect rest? Thank You to Our Sponsor: Leman Property Management Company Related Savvy Sauce Episodes: 81 Rest with Doctor, Author, and Speaker, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith 99 Sabbath Rest with Sandy Feit 175 Practicing Sabbath with Shireen Eldridge Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook, Instagram or Our Website Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.” Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“ Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“ Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” *Transcription* Music: (0:00 – 0:09) Laura Dugger: (0:11 - 1:34) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here. Leman Property Management Company has the apartment you will be able to call home, with over 1,700 apartment units available in Central Illinois. Visit them today at lemanproperties.com or connect with them on Facebook. Eryn Lynum is my wonderful guest for today, and she's the author of this beautiful book, The Nature of Rest. We're going to discuss all things related to rest, ways that we can prepare for it, how we can enjoy and delight in it, what good gifts God has for us with rest, and then how to reflect well on the rhythms in our life, and so much more. Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Eryn. Eryn Lynum: (1:34 - 4:03) Thank you. Thanks so much for having me. Laura Dugger: Well, I'd love for you to start us off by sharing your personal journey and tell why you are so uniquely qualified to teach and write about rest, as stress can literally kill you. Eryn Lynum: Yeah, that's correct. So, when I was 14 years old, I was diagnosed with a potentially fatal autoimmune disorder. And kind of the context of that season, I was preparing to go overseas for the first time on a missions trip. So, I was going to be in Africa for two months. And so, before you go do something like that, you have to go to the doctor and get a checkup and vaccine recommendations, all the things. And so, my parents took me in. Again, I was 14 at the time, and we had no reason to believe that there was anything wrong. There were no red flags. Besides, I had been a little tired, a little dizzy once in a while, but really, we just thought, okay, well, I'm growing up, my body's changing. But when the nurse took my blood pressure that day, it was 56 over 48, which is deathly low. And so, immediately, that's a red flag. And I undergo more testing and hospital visits and seeing specialists. And they diagnosed me with something called Addison's disease. And Addison's disease, it's where your adrenal glands no longer function. So, maybe you've heard of adrenal fatigue, where someone is so taxed out that their adrenal glands can't keep up because they're meant to produce cortisol, which is our stress hormone. Well, Addison's disease is the worst-case scenario where you can't come back from it, barring a miracle. Like, my adrenal glands don't work, and they haven't for over 20 years now. And so, you know, this system that God has given us meant to cope with stress, and it's that fight-or-flight response. At that young age, I no longer had that. And so, stress became quite literally deadly to me. And at that point, my parents, they began coaching me in biblical stress management, so identifying stressors in my life. You know, when your shoulders start creeping up, and you can feel that tension in your neck, and knowing that those are signs that, okay, you need to step back, you need to calm yourself. Like the Psalms talk about, “I have calmed and quieted my soul,” and to bring everything to the Lord and cast all your anxieties upon Him. And this is really where I can see, in my life, I developed a very consistent prayer pattern in my life where just all day long, like conversing with the Lord. And so, that's been a big part of this. But yeah, that's really what began leading me into this deeply restful lifestyle was out of necessity. But really what I've seen since then is God designed all of us to live and thrive through rest. Like this is His original design. Laura Dugger: (4:04 - 4:27) I love that so much. And you articulate this so well in your book. But before I ever encountered you, I had never heard of the term master naturalist before. So, if you want to share anything about that, it would be great. And as a master naturalist, where do you see these rhythms of rest in nature? Eryn Lynum: (4:28 - 6:54) So, a master naturalist, it's really a fancy term for nature teacher. And I pursued this because my degree and my passion are in biblical theology. And I've always been passionate about rightly handling God's word of truth from 2 Timothy 2:15. And I began to see as my own family, my husband and I, we have three boys and a daughter, and now they're 14 down to seven. But when they were younger and we started spending more time outdoors, I started to see, okay, God has given us so many visuals and materials in nature with which we can teach about Him. Coming from Romans 1:20, that His invisible attributes, those things we can't see about God, are clearly perceived through what He has made. And I saw that also Jesus in the gospels, He used nature all the time to teach. And God throughout scripture, like it's not just Genesis 1, nature narratives are strong throughout scripture. And so, I thought if God and Jesus use this methodology to teach, then certainly we can. And so, that's why I went through this training and taught, teach with this method is because, you know, the more we understand these materials, the more we see of God and the more we can communicate about Him. And so, I was working as a master naturalist in our city and teaching my own programs. And I started to incorporate it more and more into my book and then later on in my podcast. And at the same time, God was leading my family into celebrating Sabbath. We had come into this season where we were just exhausted, like running businesses and raising and homeschooling kids, like all of us, no matter our circumstances, face this very real human existence of fatigue. And so, we came to a place where rest was no longer optional. It was critical and vital. And so, I'm living in these two realms of learning about nature while I'm learning about scripture. And then God is bringing us into deep rest. So, I started to ask the question, where do we see rest in scripture? And I found that it is everywhere. The roots of rest run deep and wide throughout scripture. And also asking, where do we see rest in creation in nature? And it's also everywhere there that God designed all these cycles and these rhythms and all of his plants and creatures, even the ones that we think of as so frenetic and busy that God designed them to thrive through rest. Laura Dugger: (6:55 - 7:04) And will you give a specific example then of something in nature as it's so apparent that it's designed for rest? Eryn Lynum: (7:04 - 8:28) Definitely. Let's focus on one of those ones that we often think of as really busy, the hummingbird. I opened the book with the analogy of a hummingbird because when you think about a hummingbird, what do you picture in your mind? Laura Dugger: (7:17 - 7:19) Busy, constant movement in and out. Eryn Lynum: (7:20 - 8:28) Yeah, exactly. Like they have to visit between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers every day to get all the nectar that they need. And so, they are always like here and there in the next place. And they look like this little thing just zipping through the air and you can't even see their wings beating because they can be up to 70 times a second. It's this blur of motion. And we think about that little hummingbird, and we can sometimes feel like that little hummingbird just zipping from one thing to the next, thinking there's no time to stop. But the hummingbird does stop. It has a very strategic method of rest called torpor. And torpor is kind of like a mini hibernation where the little bird is going to go into this deep state of rest. It lowers its body temperature by around 50 degrees and becomes completely unresponsive. And this is a regular thing that the hummingbird does, and it enables it to continue its God-given, good, busy, fruitful work. So, it's this picture of, you know, busyness is not bad. God created us for fruitful work, but it's all meant to be sustained through deep, rhythmic, intentional rest. Laura Dugger: (8:28 - 9:06) I mean, immediately that makes me think of the weeks, even that I'm most productive, I've probably prioritized my sleep the best of it. And if I get great sleep, even if it's extra hours, that doesn't take away from the rest of the day. That probably makes my time even multiplied. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. And I love, you point out so many times how God just clearly designed his creation to enjoy this gift of rest. So, you mentioned some of the nature parts. What about some of the foundational scriptural truths on this topic? Eryn Lynum: (9:07 - 11:52) Yeah, well, of course, where's the first place that we get the idea of rest in the scripture? Yeah, exactly. So, God completes his work of creation and then he rests and he didn't need to rest. Isaiah 40:28 tells us that he, the creator of the world does not grow weary or tired. I believe that one reason, and I talk about a couple of them in the book, but I believe that one main reason God rested was to stop and delight. That word Sabbath, it comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, which can mean to both stop and delight. Like think about God finishing his creative work, bringing, bringing everything from nothing. Ex nihilo is that theological term, everything from nothing. Creating not only the animals and the plants, but the textures and the math and the shapes and the like everything he needed to make these things. And I imagine he just wanted to stop and enjoy it. I can even picture him going through creation and listening to the birds and taking in the colors and the shapes of the clouds. What a beautiful reminder to us, because I know for myself, I'm so prone to just run from one thing to the next, like check it off the list. What's next? But here God is modeling for us. Stop delight, praise him for what he just allowed us to accomplish, to create, to do before rushing on to the next thing. And so, we get that first mentioned there at creation, but then think about when Sabbath was actually established, there's a framework, there's a structure it's Exodus 16. And the context here is the Israelites. They're doing what they do. They're wandering and grumbling. They're hangry and God shows mercy to them in the form of quail and manna, but he has very specific instructions for them. He says for six days, you shall gather it, but not on the seventh day. Don't go out. It is a solemn day, a Holy Sabbath to the Lord. That's the first mention of Sabbath, that word in scripture, but consider the Israelites. They had no context for what God was calling them to do. Surely they could think back to the creation story. Okay. God worked and then rested, but they had very little idea of what he was asking them to do. This was an act of faith. God was saying, stop gathering, trust me. And this is so hard for us because like we are so prone to gather, gather, gather, do produce work more out of this scarcity mindset. But this picture is showing God is a God of abundance and his math works. When we trust him to be the provider, not ourselves. And we take that risk on rest. He provides abundantly through it. Laura Dugger: (11:53 - 12:05) Absolutely. And within this gift then of rest, how can rest actually reorder and re-energize our lives? Eryn Lynum: (12:05 - 14:03) I love this question because throughout the book, we talk a lot about reordering and creating margins. So, we can rest and reprioritizing. You know, it's so interesting when we look at the creation narrative, where we get that first mention of rest, because it's backwards to what we normally think. Think about this. God created for six days and then he rested. Adam, the first human was created on that sixth day. So, Adam's first full day was a day of arrest, dedicated to rest. And in this, we see that God worked and then rested. But we, humanity, we were always meant to begin from rest. And you see that even in the Hebrew tradition of a day, their day begins at evening. Their day doesn't start with, let's get up and get to work. Their day starts with, let me go to rest to get ready for the work. So, first we have to reorder our concept of rest, not see it as a reward. Oh, I'm going to work, work, work, get all the things done so that maybe I can rest this weekend or on vacation, or when the kids are out of the house or in retirement, that's backwards to the biblical framework. We are meant to begin from rest. So, starting there. And as we do that, my family has found after sabbathing for three and a half years now, everything else kind of falls into place. And that happens when you operate by God's design. You know, rest allows us to tend to the most important things. Those deep values, whether like that should be of course, faith and family. So, getting clear on your values is really important. Like what is most important to your family faith? Maybe it's community generosity. Maybe it's physical health, mental health, all these things do better. And we have more time to tend to them when we first make room and space for rest. Laura Dugger: (14:04 - 16:28) And now a brief message from our sponsor. With over 1,700 apartment units available throughout Pekin, Peoria, Peoria Heights, Morton and Washington. And with every price range covered, you will have plenty of options when you rent through Leman Property Management Company. They have townhomes, duplexes, studios, and garden style options located in many areas throughout Pekin. And make sure you check out their newest offering, the McKinley located in Pekin is a new construction addition to their platinum collection featuring nine foot ceilings, large spacious layouts, beautiful finishes, such as courts, countertops, and garages. You won't want to miss this outstanding new property in Peoria, a historic downtown location and apartments adjacent to OSF Medical Center provide excellent choices. 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Sometimes upside down from ours, but I feel like when you're speaking, it reminds me of Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” So, if we actually obey, I think there are so many blessings that we can enjoy from this gift of rest. So, you're talking about our values. Then what can this look like to daily align our activities with our deepest values? Eryn Lynum: (16:30 - 18:30) Yes, this is an ongoing practice because the enemy is always trying to distract us from what is most important. And that word there is key distract. And so, first we have to learn to identify those distractions, the things that are pulling us away from what is most important, but you know, getting to those core values and on my website, I have, my husband and I developed a family values guide that helps you step by step to really figure out what are our deepest values. So, that's erinlynum.com/values. But really what it is, is this practice of getting clear on God's best for, for us and for our families and for those around us and, and making sure that we are aligning and realigning because it's going to get out of alignment, those values with God's agenda. You know, a lot of days I just start my day with a restful pause. I call them in the book, Selah pauses. And I am quite literally, I am sitting before the Lord, my eyes closed and my hands just up in this posture of surrender and receiving. And I will say, Lord, I am surrendering my own agenda, my own expectations for this day. And I want to receive your power, your presence, your peace. And then throughout the day, just taking those checks. Like I practice these daily Selah pauses and moments of rest because think about Selah in the Psalms. It can mean to pause, to contemplate, to redirect. And we need to do that often because as a day goes on, I think we lose energy and focus. You know, at the beginning of the day, we might feel really like focused. And this is what I'm getting done today. And that can waver like that can wane out as the day goes on. And so, constantly just checking back in. Okay, Lord, what is it you have for me to do today? And how do I tend to those most important things? But you have to take that restful pause to be able to do that. Laura Dugger: (18:31 - 18:46) That's good reminder. Okay. So, to check back in with the Lord and then can you give another example of one family and what their value is and how they live that out in their daily life. And maybe even what requires us to say no to. Eryn Lynum: (18:47 - 20:15) Ooh, that's a fantastic question. Hmm. Can it be for my own family or do you want me to give them love it from your own family? Okay. I was asked this question recently. Someone asked me, how do you make time to be outside as a family? One of our core family values is to be out exploring in God's creation. And this has been harder in different seasons. And we have two middle schoolers now, you know, we are, we have a lot going on. And so, it can very quickly happen where at the end of the day, we're like, wow, we really didn't spend much time outdoors today, but how we prioritize this is you do have to say no to other things. So, we're a homeschooling family. And just as an example, it can be very tempting to feel like, am I doing enough? Am I teaching them enough? We need to check off all these boxes and get the lessons done. And it's constantly surrendering that and realizing, you know, I know that our value of being outdoors is important to God. I know that he is meeting my children there. He is meeting me there. He is giving us rest and rejuvenation there. So, trusting with that, again, going back to the Israelites, stop gathering, stop checking off all the boxes, stop trying to provide and meet your own expectations. And instead stay super focused on what God has called you to and ruthlessly get rid of the rest, anything that's keeping you from that. Laura Dugger: (20:16 - 20:36) I love that personal example. Thank you for sharing. And how can we also in our own families or in our own life, how can we distinguish which activities are vital for the abundant life in Christ that he offers so that we don't settle for less? Eryn Lynum: (20:38 - 22:46) I love that you bring up that, that term, the abundant life. In John 10:10, that Christ came, that we might have life and life abundantly overflowing to the fullest, like brimming over is what that word means. And that scripture also says the enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy. And I believe that one of the enemy's biggest schemes and methods for that is to send us into hurry and hustle mode. And he does that through distraction and discontent. And so, so much of this is pressing back against distraction and discontent and getting back to how God created us to thrive. And again, I believe that that is through this, this gift of rest. You know, you talk about, you asked about settling for less. The enemy is going to put a million things in our life that would cause us to want to settle for less. Let me give you an example of him trying to distract us. There was a recent weekend where we were coming up on the weekend, and I had several friends reach out and ask about me doing these things like these different opportunities coming our way. Like, do you want to do this? Do you want to do this? And each of them were for on Saturday and that's usually when our family Sabbaths. And so, I had this tension because these were good things. It's hard to say no to a good thing, but I kept feeling again and again, the Lord saying, no, rest with your family, rest with your family. And it was so sweet because come Saturday morning, I was out on our back deck sipping coffee with my husband for hours, having incredible conversations, reading great books. The kids are playing in the yard. Several times I caught myself thinking, I almost said no to this by saying yes to other things. And again, they were good things. This life is full of good things, but God's rest is one of the best things for our families. So, it's learning to be okay with saying no to those good things. So, you can say yes to that better thing. Laura Dugger: (22:48 - 23:17) Examples are so helpful. And that requires a level of discernment and going to the Lord to ask him, but I'm wondering if you even have a system in place for how you discern that, or is it a gut piece that you follow or any practical ways that each of us can discern what's the right kind of busy that's good. And what's the wrong kind of busy and the things that we want to say no to. Eryn Lynum: (23:18 - 25:05) Yeah. Going back to, again, busy is not bad. God created us for fruitful work, but I think, you know, when we are following Christ and God's spirit is within us, he's going to give us that sense of this is the right kind of busy. This is the wrong kind of busy. And practically, you know, if it has any notion of distraction, like if you're doing this thing to just distract you or to procrastinate on better things, if it has a note of busyness, you know, some people will be like, well, some people, the enemy makes us want to think that sitting on our phones can be restful because you're not technically doing much of anything, but that distraction is stealing God's true gift of rest for us. And so, you know, our family, as we practice Sabbath throughout the week, I know that come Saturday, we have a full day of rest. And sometimes it's tempting to add a little work into there, to let it seep out of those edges of the work week and kind of into our Sabbath. And as you practice this more and more and begin just ruthlessly protecting that time, whether it's a full day, whether you start with a half day, God is going to make you more sensitive to those things. Because sometimes I'll like work it out in my mind, like, oh, this isn't work. And really like it's definitely, it's definitely trying to serve my work during the work week. And God is saying, no, like step away from that and allow me to refresh and rejuvenate your spirit so that when you go back to the work, you do so much more powerfully energized, restful, and ready to do that work to the very best of your ability with God's power. Laura Dugger: (25:07 - 25:36) That reminds me of a previous guest I'll link to. He did two episodes, but Jeff Henderson just said he's a pastor too. And he said, sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap. I would agree on that, which you've kind of been sharing a little glimpses of your family's experience with Sabbath, but let's just zero in on Sabbath and I'll just try and go through a series of questions. But first what's the importance of Sabbath? Eryn Lynum: (25:37 - 26:55) Well, first God commands it. Like if God commanded it, then surely it's important, but that can also sometimes cause us to get a little legalistic about it. What is it? What isn't it? Well, it is meant to be a gift, meant to be a blessing. It's meant to empower us and what God created us for and calls us to. And so, keeping that just center, this is meant to be a gift, but we see it all throughout scripture, the importance of rest and rest in God's design. It's celebration. Like it's not idleness. It's not doing nothing. Although sometimes like that's the most beneficial way that we can rest. Like you talked about a nap. I love a good nap on Sabbath, but also it can be energizing activities, inspiring activities. I also love a good long walk on Sabbath. Sometimes I love cooking with fresh ingredients and working on a meal during Sabbath because I don't get much opportunity to do that during the week. Sometimes I love going out and working in the garden because that's life giving and I don't have time to do that throughout the week. And so, getting back to this concept, this idea of Sabbath and rest are celebratory. Like when we do it well as a family, it feels like a mini vacation every week. Laura Dugger: (26:56 - 27:15) Ooh, I love that. My husband said that before about date night and I connect with that, that it's a little mini reprieve, a mini vacation each week. But then that leads me to the question because I bet so many people share their Sabbath activities with you. What do families actually do on this day of rest? Eryn Lynum: (27:16 - 31:46) Yeah, that's a great question. And first I'll say that it should look different from family to family. We are all in unique seasons. We have different stories, different scenarios. Again, if you can't start with the full day, now I strongly believe strive and work toward that full day. That's God's design. And we've seen the most blessing from that. But if you have to start smaller with a half day with four hours, start there. So, it's going to look different. If you have newborns, like a newborn child, it's going to look different and that's okay. No going into it, that it's going to be messy. Hebrews says strive toward rest, work toward rest. It's so counter-cultural. We have to work toward it. So, just going in, knowing these things is very helpful. It's also going to grow, adapt, and change throughout the seasons. Our family has seen that. But a typical Sabbath for our family right now is we follow the traditional Friday evening to Saturday evening for the most part. Some people ask me, why not Sunday? Isn't Sunday the Sabbath? Well, for us, Sunday is set aside for church community and fellowship and corporate worship. And that's so life-giving to our souls. But by the time I get home from church and I'm making lunch for the family, like I'm not rested physically. So, we needed a separate day set aside for rest. And so, Friday afternoon, we start preparing where we're going to band together and just pick up the house, get it ready, wash all the dishes and just start preparing our hearts, our minds, our bodies, our home for rest. And then we start Friday evening with communion as a family, just breaking bread and celebrating what Christ did on our behalf. And again, that, that idea of celebrate, and this marks it as special. Okay. We're heading into Sabbath. Some families will like light a white candle for Sabbath, just really marking it. And then we have, we toast to the week. So, we'll pour sparkling juice and just toast and say, “Hey, what did we see God do this week?” Like going back to that idea of stop and delight, we are setting a hard stop to the week. We are delighting. What did we see God do? What did he help us overcome? What can we thank Him for from this past week? And then we'll do an easy dinner. Think tacos, take and bake pizza spaghetti. We use paperware, which is a bit controversial since I work as a master naturalist, but it has been an easy button for Sabbath that I'm not worried about like dishes piling up on the counter. And then we'll, we'll wrap it up with a sweet treat like ice cream and then our kids go to bed, or they'll listen to audio books. Audio books have been massive for our Sabbath because they're screen-free because we do put away all screens and work like devices on Sabbath, but they can listen to good books. And my husband and I, we read, like people ask me, when do you find time to read? You don't find time to read. You have to make time to read. And for us, that's on the Sabbath mostly. And then Saturday we sleep in, we get up pretty early during the week and the kids just know like you don't wake mom and dad on the Sabbath. Like that's their day to sleep in. Again, if you have a newborn or young children, that's gonna look different and that's okay. But for us, that's the season that we're in and our kids, they'll make themselves first breakfast and then eventually we'll get up and we'll join them for a second breakfast or some Sabbath. I don't want to cook at all. And so, it's just take and forage. And you know, I usually have a grocery delivery the day before or go to the grocery store and make sure we just have a ton of good stuff in the house. So, no one's, you know, everyone has what they need. Then the rest of the day, it is just a day of delight. Reading books, playing games, being out in creation, visiting with neighbors, having great conversations together. Sabbath is this space where you get to do all those things during the week that you're like, oh, I wish I had time for that and you just don't get to them. Like recently my daughter during the week, she really wanted me, she's seven. She wanted me to sit down and watercolor paint with her, which I love doing, but it was a really busy week. And I just didn't have the space. And so, I told her like, “Hey, I would love to do that. Can we do that on Sabbath?” And she was so happy with that answer. And come that Sabbath a few days later, she remembered, she came up to me. She's like, mom, it's time to paint. And she got all the supplies, and we went and sat outside at our picnic table and painted for the afternoon. You know, Sabbath does so much for me as a mom to remove that guilt of the things I don't feel like I have time for because I know, and my kids know, Sabbath is coming and that's our day to be together and do those things. Laura Dugger: (31:47 - 31:57) Hmm. Okay. That makes me curious. Then to how much of a vote does everyone in the family get for what Sabbath will look like? Eryn Lynum: (31:57 - 34:02) Oh, that is a great question. No one's ever phrased it to me like that before. I love that. What we found that's been important to keep in mind is that we all individually find different things, restful and inspiring. I'll give you an example. One Sabbath, my husband, especially in the spring, he loves to work in the yard on Sabbath because he spends most of his week. He runs a construction company on the computer or on the phone. And so, in the spring, he wants to be out in the yard and trimming his fruit trees and just working with God's creation. And so, one Sabbath he comes and he has like the clippers in his hand and he's like, “Hey, let's go work on the yard.” And I was like, that's great. You do that. I'm going to go read my book in the hammock. And I fell asleep for two hours while he worked on the yard. And so, a lot of this is being okay that yes, a lot of it's going to be together. Like I talked about, we did, we do communion together and we do meals together. And a lot of times we'll be out on a hike together. That's a favorite Sabbath activity. But a lot of times we're also doing separate activities. The kids are enjoying their books or their audio books or their painting or their, uh, visiting the neighbor kids. And my husband and I are reading books on the back deck. And so, it's okay that there's going to be some together time and some separate time, you know, just being flexible with it. Like our first year of Sabbath, we went, we had to go like hardcore. We had to learn to stay. I think about in the book, I talk about the word abide meno in the Greek and it can mean to stay, to dwell, to remain. So, we've spent our first year of Sabbath, not getting in the car. We stayed home and learned to just be home together. And after that year, we started to miss our time. We live in Colorado, missing our time hiking in the mountains. And so, we changed it. We said, okay, well, toward the end of Sabbath Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, let's go hike or let's go have a picnic in the wilderness. And just being open to that, that God's going to change you as a family and change you individually. And just growing up in a Sabbath practice together. Laura Dugger: (34:03 - 34:20) I like the freedom that you're communicating there. And then when you mentioned the neighborhood kids, it makes me curious. Do you encourage community for some of those who recharge with other people? Would you recommend Sabbath thing with others or just keeping it your family? Eryn Lynum: (34:21 - 36:16) Absolutely. We love inviting others into Sabbath. And it actually started with, we started our Sabbath practice. It was so sweet because God convinced us to do this. And then our first Sabbath was on January 1st. That happened to be the first Saturday that we did it. So, it was like this fresh start. And right around that time, we had moved to a new neighborhood. And our neighbors near us are Messianic Jews. And they follow Shabbat, the traditional Shabbat. And they invited us into that. It was the sweetest evening, and they have children, young children, like we do. So, like there's chaos and there's mess. And then there's sweet times of singing together and scripture reading. And they follow it much more the traditional method than our family has. But it was so sweet to be invited into that and to get a picture for how to invite others into this rest. And so, absolutely, we encourage, especially our kids having friends over. And we do usually ask parents, hey, can you drop them off? And then we can bring them back maybe like later that day toward the end of our Sabbath. Or if you want to come pick them up. Because again, we like to just stay home if we can. But our kids are to the point now too where they can ride their bikes over to friends' houses. And we're fine with that. They might not be home on Sabbath once in a while. It's not a regular thing. But they're getting fed. And we know that the people they're with are people who share our values, people that we do life together. We love having bonfires in the backyard on Sabbath. Now one thing I have to be careful of is I don't want to invite people over and feel like I need to host or clean up first. And so, for one, we don't have full families over a whole lot on Sabbath because I just don't want any sort of self-induced, self-imposed pressure. But sometimes it's so much fun to just be like, hey, let's go meet at a park and have a picnic dinner. Or let's have a family over and do a bonfire. Just making sure that you're keeping it really, really simple if you are going to incorporate community. Laura Dugger: (36:17 - 37:54) Guess what? We are no longer an audio-only podcast. We now have video included as well. If you want to view the conversation each week, make sure you watch our videos. We're on YouTube, and you can access videos or find answers to any of your other questions about the podcast when you visit thesavvysauce.com. Some of these things, like you said, “They do require forethought where you have the groceries coming or certain things in place. And I think you even refer to it as a sacred striving.” So, it's important for us to learn more about that. And here's a quick story. I just remember we've moved states quite a few times in marriage. But when I was a young mom, there was a mom in the next season of life, and she had more kids than we did. And we went to church together, and she was just like, “Oh, we learned about Sabbath. That's not a thing for moms with multiples.” And I always wrestled with that, and I love her. She's a wonderful person. Maybe she's even changed her stance on that, so it's not to speak ill of her. But I do think that we can struggle with that because that's not an actual truth. I do think that's a message from the enemy. So, I guess this is a two-part question. How do we protect ourselves from buying into a storyline that is not true that may hold us back from Sabbath? And then also, what is kind of the both and? It's both restful, and it requires a lot of work up front to make this a reality. Eryn Lynum: (37:55 - 41:19) It does, and knowing that, that it is going to take work, but God's going to bless it. Think about Isaiah 55:10-11, that says, “Just like the rain and the snow go forth and produce life and bring forth life from the land, so my work goes out and does not return void or empty. It produces that which I sent it out for.”. That is true for Sabbath and rest because, again, we find it all throughout scripture. So, know that it's going to take hard work, but God will not allow it to return void. He will bless our efforts as we step into His design that He created us for. I talk about in the book a few ways that you have to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually. So, mentally, for me, I have to just totally remove anything mentally that's going to distract me from rest. So, I own a business, and so a lot of my work is on the computer and on the phone. I will answer, so this is like Friday, I'll answer any lingering emails, those ones that are going to be on my mind if I don't get to them. And then I put an away message on my email. So, if anyone emails me on our Sabbath, it sends an automatic reply that says, hey, thanks for your message. My family's resting. It has a little blurb in there about Sabbath. I'll get back to you in the new week. That gives me permission to not even look at my email. In fact, people expect that I'm not looking at my email if I'm keeping my word. And so, this has just freed me up mentally to step away, and then I literally put my laptop in my closet. With my phone, I set it to a Sabbath mode, and you can create these different focus modes if you have a smartphone, so that I can only receive messages from my mom in case of emergency. And our people, our friends, they all know this now. Like, oh, I'm not going to hear back from Erin because it's Saturday for the most part. And so, these little things that you might just need to mentally prepare yourself. And then physically, that goes back to preparing our home. So, this is not a deep clean that we do prior to Sabbath. It's just tending to the things that are going to distract me if we don't get to them beforehand. So, again, washing all the dishes and having the kitchen clean, vacuuming. Like, that's like just a hack to make the house feel clean is I feel like it's clean if it's vacuumed. So, just these little things, and then physically also doing that grocery order. And I have a free Sabbath guide on my website, erinlynum.com/family-sabbath. And it walks you through creating your Sabbath grocery list so that every week you have what you need in the house. These little things that truly make it, Sabbath easier and more successful. And then preparing spiritually, going into this, like a lot of times I'll know, okay, I'm going to study this on Sabbath. For our first year, I just had like this stack of books on Sabbath that I would work through on our Sabbath. Right now, I am parked in Genesis 1 and have been for weeks. And so, just preparing spiritually, you know, this is a time of communion with our creator, with our heavenly father. And so, just having an idea of, you know, this is how I want to spend time delighting in God on the Sabbath. That might be a long walk. That might be time in the word or time of worship but making sure that that is a keystone part of your Sabbath practice. Laura Dugger: (41:20 - 41:45) And, you know, it really is possible. I just think so many of us celebrate holidays and we do the same thing where we plan, prepare, prioritize ahead of time so that we can delight in that day. And what a gift to get to do that weekly. So, with all of these amazing benefits, why do we still resist God's design for rest? Eryn Lynum: (41:46 - 43:00) Because we live in a fallen world, broken by sin, and the enemy wants to do everything he can to keep us from this. This is God's design and our faith, and our souls and our families flourish in this design. And so, the enemy is going to do whatever he can to keep us from it. He's going to insert fear. He's going to insert distraction. He's going to insert doubt. You know, when we started this practice coming up to it, I was thinking, there's no way, like how are we going to get everything done in one last day a week, all these doubts. And yet what we found so quickly is that as we took this step of faith, we quickly became so much more productive and effective and creative during the work week, because we were starting from rest and following God's design. We resist this because it is counter-cultural. Everything in society is set up against us doing this and succeeding in this. So, again, going and knowing that our war is not against flesh and blood. It is against the powers of the spheres, like things unseen. The enemy is against us, but God is on our side. And as we step into his design, he's going to make much of it. Laura Dugger: (43:01 - 43:12) Okay. So, if we are convinced and we want to give this a try, what is a practical first step to just obeying this and receiving this gift of rest? Eryn Lynum: (43:13 - 45:23) Yeah, super practical here. Two first steps. The first is to set a day and time. Now you're not committing to this forever. And again, if you, if a big hesitancy here is I can't do a full day. Okay. Work and pray toward that but start smaller. If it's four hours on a Wednesday, guard that time. Ruthlessly guard it. Don't let anything be written on the schedule besides that. So, set a day in time and then write two lists. This is going back to the idea of stop and delight, right? Your stop list. These are things that send you into hurry and hustle mode, things that are related to normal work, things that feel heavy. Some of them are so important. Again, our work is important, but this is going to be things like devices, media, regular work, answering emails, phone calls. It might be driving in traffic. It might be spending money. Write down those things that feel heavy. That's your stop list. The things you're not going to entertain on that day or that time. And then write your delight list. This might be hard at first because what I've found with myself, with many of us is that we forget what we delight in but causes that childlike sense of play and wonder. This is learning to be human again, coming back to those things. So, it might be playing music or listening to music, working with fresh ingredients, reading a good book, writing by hand, watercolor painting, going for a walk. What we find is that a lot of people who spend time during the week in front of a computer want to be outdoors on the Sabbath, but people who run a landscaping company might want to be inside with a great book. So, just writing down those things that are, again, those things that you think during the week, oh, I really wish I could get to that. Only we don't. Those are your delight list. So, now you have a day and a time. You know what you're not going to do, what you're setting aside, even physically, that should probably most definitely be your phone. Stick it in a drawer. I have my Sabbath drawer where I put my phone, and then you know what you're going to do and spend that day on. Laura Dugger: (45:24 - 45:47) That's so good. And for those who have been listening for a while, they could even put their phone in their RO box, and I could link to that episode as well with Joey Odom. That's incredible about where our phone could be in its right place. But Eryn, are there any other practical benefits that we might be missing out on that you've seen as a result of this Sabbath rest? Eryn Lynum: (45:48 - 49:44) One of my favorite benefits is how it unlocks our creativity. Whether you work in a career or position that you consider creative or not, God designed all of us to be creative, to produce. And so, what I have found is that my work, my work is very in that creative sphere, writing books, creating podcast lessons for children. It's very creative work. And I've found that Sabbath is this day where God gives my mind rest. It's so incredible thinking about how he wired our brains to thrive through rest, and science points to that that a restful mind is better at problem-solving, connecting ideas, remembering details. And so, as my mind is allowed to rest on Sabbath, and I'm out on a walk in nature, or I'm reading a good book, or I'm writing by hand, when it comes time to sit down at the computer Monday morning, I am ready. I am flowing with ideas. They are there. And I'll give you an example. This one isn't from Sabbath. It's from one of my daily rest rhythms that I call Selah Pause, and that's a walk in the morning. And this might be a little controversial, but this is not an easy stroll. I have my rucking pack on, and I'm trekking up a hill, which is not physically restful, of course, but it's mentally restful for me. I love it. And so, it was in January, so it's frigid out, and everything's covered in snow, and I'm in all my snow gear, and I'm trudging up this hill. And at the time, I was dealing with a problem in my podcast where it was a good problem. We had spent the month teaching about God's designs in the human body. So, we had taught kids about God's designs in cells and DNA and the heart and the brain, but I didn't want to just let this series end. I wanted to wrap it up in some powerful way, and I didn't know how. So, I could have stayed home that morning and hashed this out and been at the computer, and how should I end this thing? Instead, I went on this walk, and God just dropped this idea in my mind. And it was this idea. He said, ask the kids how they are wonderfully made. And that was the top. The theme was wonderfully made. And so, I put it out there to my email list. When I got back from that walk, I said, hey, I would love to hear how you kids believe you are wonderfully made by the creator. And I opened up this little voice mailbox on our website, and I didn't know if anyone would respond. And then I'm like, what if they don't? And then I don't know what to do because I said I'm going to do this thing. I tell you, message after message came in from children from ages. I think it was three or four up to 14 from all over the world. And I was weeping as I edited that episode. I had planned to add something at the beginning and the end to build out this episode. I didn't do that because it was, I believe it's 22 minutes straight of children saying, this is my name. I'm five years old. I live in England and I'm wonderfully made because God made me to read well or God made me fast. Or one little boy shared, he said, I know I'm wonderfully made because my mama lost a baby before me. And I'm here and I'm wonderfully made. And I'm weeping. And this idea that God gave me, I would have missed it if I hadn't taken that pause to be out in his creation walking that day. And so, that's a very roundabout way to get back to your question of what are the other benefits? We hear from God when we make time for rest. And if we keep just rushing and hurrying, I'm concerned that we are walking by so many opportunities to hear from his spirit and to let him unlock that potential within us. Laura Dugger: (49:45 - 50:22) Oh, I love that. And I'm even reminded of one other thing that you write in your book that today, one way we can practically experience his original design of rest is by stepping outside. And you're full of tips and ideas like that, but I so appreciate those stories. So, you've equipped us with this foundation of rest and ways that we can prepare for it, how we can enjoy and delight in it. And so now, Eryn, how can we reflect well on our rhythms of work and rest? Eryn Lynum: (50:25 - 53:19) So, much of this is reflection. So, much of this is stopping to consider where God is at work in our lives, where we need to recalibrate, where we need to realign, where we need to step back into his pace because we're trying to run ahead of him. And one way that we can see it, you know, like you might ask the question, am I at rest? Even me sometimes on Sabbath, I'm like, am I doing this right? Like, is this actually restful? Is this what I'm supposed to be doing? I think we can answer that question by the fruit in our lives, the fruit inside of us that God is producing and the fruit that we are producing. So, one thing I kind of sum up the book on is this question of, are you growing in truth and love? Because the enemy, when he gets us away from God's rest and into hustle, into distraction and hurry, we are not fully experiencing God. And so, our levels of experiencing his love and offering it to others is going to suffer. Our experience of hearing his truth and living that truth out in our lives is going to suffer. And so, the opposite is true that as we live at rest, this whole concept of abide, that is living at rest, not just these rest practices, but living at rest in God's restful presence, we are going to be producing more love and more truth. So, that's like a key visual. And then I love on that idea of abide. We spent a whole week on abide in the book and, you know, John chapter 15 being the abide passage. And what we see there is there's these 11 mentions of that word abide. And they all refer to us abiding in Christ, Christ abiding in us, God's word abiding in us. So, all this connectivity between Christ and God and us and his word. But then it's, I think it's verse 16. There's a different mention of meno, abide. And it says that he wants us to go out and produce fruit that abides. So, this is different. It relates to our fruit and that word abide. Yes, it can mean dwell, remain, stay, but it can also mean continue and endure. God created us to produce fruit and fruit that endures. Doesn't rot, doesn't fade, but continues into eternity. So, we can look at, okay, am I personally in my spirit? Am I growing in truth and love? Because God's spirit actually has the space to minister to me when I rest. And is that rest directly affecting the fruit of my life? These are key things that we can look at and ask to see. Are we truly living from God's rest? Laura Dugger: (53:19 - 53:53) I love questions so much. And that's so good to reflect then on the fruit that's being produced. And a mentor many years ago said, you never reap what you sow in the same season. So, that's a great place to even begin just reflecting. What did we do in the past season and what fruit are we reaping now? And where do we want to go then from here? And one place we could go from here after this chat is to follow you. And you've mentioned your podcast. Do you want to elaborate on all the places that you're available? Eryn Lynum: (53:54 - 55:03) Yes, thank you. So, the new book, The Nature of Rest is available wherever you get your books, along with my second book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation. And that's all about taking our kids or grandkids, the next generation outside and reconnecting the dots between creation and creator. Really returning nature study and time outdoors to its proper place as theology and the study of God. So, those are available anywhere, including Amazon or my website, which is my name, erynlynum.com. And then my podcast is Nat Theo, short for Natural Theology. It's nature lessons rooted in the Bible. It's a podcast for kids and families where we dive deep into science and all the design and intelligence we see in creatures and plants. And we tie it all back to biblical truth so that our kids are learning science and theology at the same time. And that's available on any podcast platform, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, right on my website, erinlynum.com, as well as YouTube. We actually provide visuals so you can watch what you're learning about as well. Laura Dugger: (55:04 - 55:22) So, incredible. We will add links to that in the show notes for today's episode. And Eryn, you may already be familiar. We're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, what is your savvy sauce? Eryn Lynum: (55:24 - 56:34) I love this question. And this is one that actually I was like, oh, I'm not asked this much. I'm going to have to really think deeply on this one. It's get outside every day. That seems so simple, even though it's not really simple in practicality. But one thing I've learned through rest and through time outdoors is that 10 minutes matters. Like if you think I don't have time for this, but you have a 10 minute slot, go for a walk and see how God just communes with your spirit. Even in the dead of winter, if you live somewhere cold, like if it's safe to do so. For me, I had to buy like the best pair of snow pants I could find because I used to really dislike the winter. And I would just become like really down in those winter months. And so, God just convinced me, don't go outside every single day if it's for 10 minutes. And then pretty often he just extends that. Like I think I'm going out for 10 minutes. And sure enough, I'm like playing with my kids outside. It's much longer. But yeah, as best as you can, just prioritize that. If you have to do it first thing in the morning to make sure it happens, go for a walk and watch the sunrise. And God is going to minister to your soul through his creation. Laura Dugger: (56:35 - 56:54) Amen. Amen. That is so good. And this conversation has been so rich. Eryn, it is just very clear you have filled up on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you have just poured out goodness and love and truth for all of us, all over all of us today. So, thank you for all that you shared. And thank you for being my guest. Eryn Lynum: (56:55 - 57:03) Thank you. Thank you so much for that encouragement. That means a whole lot to me. So, thank you. And for the opportunity for a great conversation. Laura Dugger: (57:03 - 1:03:10) I really enjoyed it. One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news. Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved. We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him. That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin. This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you. Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him. And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started. First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it. You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you. We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process. And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today. And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.
In recent years, the Hebrew Roots Movement has gained attention by calling Christians “back” to Torah observance—Sabbaths, feast days, dietary laws, and Mosaic commands—as necessary for faithfulness to God. But is this a recovery of biblical Christianity, or a departure from the gospel once delivered to the saints? In this episode of G220 Radio, we carefully examine the teachings of the Hebrew Roots Movement in light of Scripture. Join us as we contend for the sufficiency of Christ, the finished work of the cross, and the freedom believers have in the new covenant—not lawlessness, but gospel-shaped obedience flowing from grace. G220 Radio — Standing firm on Scripture, exposing error, and proclaiming Christ alone.
In Acts 17:1-11, Paul reasons from the Scriptures in the Thessalonica synagogue over three Sabbaths, showing that Christ must suffer and rise again (referencing Isaiah 53:10), leading some Jews, Greeks, and women to believe. Envious unbelieving Jews stir up a mob against Jason and accuse the believers of proclaiming another king, Jesus. Paul and Silas flee to Berea, where the Bereans are called more noble for eagerly receiving the word and searching the Scriptures daily to verify the teachings.
December 3, 2025 - Wednesday PM Bible Class In this episode we finish our quarter by working through Colossians chapter 1 and beginning chapter 2, part of the New Testament prison epistles. The speaker situates Colossae geographically and historically, explains the city's relationship to nearby Laodicea and Hierapolis, and explores the background of false teachings infiltrating the church there — including Judaizing legalism, Greek philosophical influences, and early elements of Gnostic thought. Chapter 1 is examined in depth as a doctrinally rich celebration of Christ's supremacy: his deity, role in creation, relationship to the church, victory over death, and the fullness of the Godhead dwelling in him (verses 15–20). The episode highlights key themes such as the preeminence, authority, and all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ (with verse 18 as the chapter's bellwether), and explains reconciliation through Christ's blood (verses 20–23), stressing the conditional nature of remaining reconciled — continuing steadfastly in the faith. The teacher draws parallels to Ephesians and Matthew 24, emphasizing how the gospel had spread to “every creature under heaven” by Paul's day, and explains Paul's role as a steward of the revealed “mystery” that Gentiles are fellow heirs in Christ. Practical preaching principles from Colossians (warning and teaching) are outlined, and the episode concludes with an overview of chapter 2 warnings against deceptive philosophy, legalistic observance of festivals and Sabbaths, and angelic worship. Listeners can expect a mix of historical context, careful exposition of key verses, doctrinal clarification, and pastoral application aimed at helping Christians recognize and resist false teaching while remaining rooted, built up, and steadfast in Christ. The episode encourages listeners to read the short book of Colossians (four chapters) and Philemon to complete the study of the prison epistles. Duration 35:51
Pastor Jeff teaches today that God's commands aren't meant to stop our fun—they're meant to help us live the best life He designed for us. The Fourth Commandment reminds us to worship God, and the Fifth teaches us to love and honor our parents. Leviticus 19:3 "Each of you is to respect his mother and father. You are to keep my Sabbaths; I am the LORD your God."
Joshua Pauling, author, “Are We All Cyborgs Now?” Are We All Cyborgs Now? Reclaiming Our Humanity from the MachineThe post Digital Sabbaths – Joshua Pauling, 1/8/26 (0083) first appeared on Issues, Etc..
Well friend, I've made it all the way to episode 300 and today's episode is a Q&A with my listeners. I'm so excited! Resources from this episode: Dwell Bible App Discount Episode 223 : I Read the Bible in a Month Episode 232 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 1 Episode 233 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2 Made for People by Justin Whitmel Earley A'Del Cosmetics Timeless Book Series by Gabrielle Meyer Kindle Paperwhite Trello Midliners The Contentment Challenge Episode 003 : The Contentment Challenge Episode 004 : Seasons of Business Episode 286 : 3 Lessons from Charlie Kirk Psalm 73:25-26 Shepherd's Way Farms Too Good by Jess Ray Positive Parenting Solutions Brick Device Meeting with Jesus by David Murray Rhythms Reset Send Nancy an audio message! Join my email list! Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
By Ben Light - The rhythm of the weekly and annual Sabbaths of God safeguard against human forgetfulness. They represent a sacred summons that is rooted in both creation and redemption. The contrast between “remembering” and “keeping” highlights the call to actively guard its holiness, protect it from encroachment
This month on Theonomoney, Jeremy begins looking at the Fourth Commandment, the Commandment on the Sabbath. He goes into various types of Sabbaths in the Old Testament and describes a focus on the Sabbath we should have to combat legalism concerning it. Subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher, tell your friends about Theonomoney, and follow Theonomoney on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Check out great theonomic shirts and hoodies here: bonfire.com/store/theonomoney/ Catechism link: www.reformedreader.org/ccc/keachcat.htm
The day before Thanksgiving, we hit pause together for a short "FaceTime-style" heart-to-heart. Whether you're bracing for tricky family dynamics or you're the holiday superfan, this mini-episode gives you a simple, grace-filled plan to enter the day grounded, intentional, and at peace—without pretending or performing. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." — Proverbs 3:5–6 What We Talk About Two honest camps we tend to fall into for Thanksgiving (dreaded & pressured vs. excited & overamped) — and how intention bridges both. The 2023 burnout story that led to boundaries, fewer yeses, and clearer expectations. A 5–10 minute grounding ritual you can do today (journal-optional) to shape tomorrow. Why your presence > performance — and how to carry peace into complicated rooms. Gratitude as an anchor, not a performance — practical ways to spot "small gifts." Navigating family roles, old wounds, and people-pleasing without losing your growth. "Touch grass" breaks and mini-Sabbaths that reset your nervous system mid-chaos. Scripture Anchors Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust > understanding; acknowledge > control. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 — "Rejoice… pray… give thanks… for this is God's will." Philippians 4:6–7 — Prayer + thanksgiving → peace that guards your heart. Colossians 3:15 — "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… and be thankful." The 5–10 Minute "Pre-Game" (Do this today) Name it honestly. Write how you actually feel about tomorrow (the good, the hard, the mixed). No bypassing. Three clarifying questions: What do I want to carry into tomorrow? What do I need to leave behind? What kind of presence do I want to bring? (peace, presence, wholeness, gentleness, curiosity, simplicity) Gratitude that isn't performative. List 3–5 specifics: Where has God sustained me lately? What tiny gift have I been overlooking? Where can I choose wonder over worry today? Pray it in. "Jesus, I acknowledge You here. Set my pace. Guard my tone. Keep me rooted." "Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10 Day-Of Rhythm (Quick Guide) Before you step in: step outside, touch grass, breathe, pray a verse (Prov. 3:5–6). Alarms as mini-Sabbaths: try 11:45 / 2:30 / 6:00 — step out, breathe, reset. Protect your growth: You can show up as who you are now, not who you used to be or who they expect. Boundaries are love: You're not responsible for others' perceptions; you are responsible for your presence. Gentle Prompts for the Table (or your journal) Where did I see a small mercy today? What pressure can I lower by 20% without harming the moment? If peace walked into this room, what would it sound like from me? Sponsor Messages PreBorn An ultrasound can double the chance a mom chooses life. This year alone, more than 38,000 babies were rescued through PreBorn's work, with moms supported through counseling and tangible help for up to two years after birth. $28 sponsors one ultrasound. Be the first voice of hope: PreBorn.com/Speakeasy CrowdHealth Open enrollment got you stressed? CrowdHealth is an alternative: pay a monthly advocacy fee for bill negotiation, affordable labs/prescriptions, and a trusted network of low-cost, high-quality doctors. If something big happens, you pay the first $500; the crowd helps with the rest. Start for $99 for your first 3 months with code speakeasy at joincrowdhealth.com. Disclaimer: CrowdHealth is not insurance.
Send us a textIn this Bible study, we take a close look at Colossians 2:16–17—one of the most misunderstood passages among Hebrew Roots teachers. Paul's words about festivals, new moons, Sabbaths, and the “shadow vs. substance” point us straight to the sufficiency of Christ and the freedom of the New Covenant.If you've been confused by Torah-keeping claims or you're trying to help a friend caught in Hebrew Roots theology, this walkthrough of Colossians 2 will give you the clarity and biblical grounding you need.The Biblical Roots MinistriesOur websiteOur YouTube ChannelProf. Solberg's BlogSupport our Ministry (Thank you!)00:00 Intro02:43 Colossians 2:16-1714:47 Claim 1: How We Keep the Rituals22:32 Claim 2: Things to Come26:34 Claim 3: The Body of Christ28:51 Bonus Claim: Special Sabbaths30:52 Wrap it up, Solberg.
Custom Mary I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone say, "It's just man's tradition. It's just a custom." At its worst misunderstanding, the tradition or custom is seen adversarial to Torah obedience and as evil. As a simply uninformed understanding, it's a lack of research or direction into how Yeshua taught and lived customs and traditions...of men. For instance, the letter of the Torah does not say to go to a synagogue every Shabbat. But how should one "hear" the Word, which is a commandment? Synagogues were an answer to that question. The Torah was read every Shabbat, so Scripture tells us that Yeshua went to synagogue every Shabbat: • And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. (Lk 4:16) Yeshua wouldn't do something evil, so this was a good custom even if the Torah does not say, "Thou shalt enter the synagogue every Sabbath." How to differentiate among the direct mitzvah (commandment), the custom or tradition that helps one to do the mitzvah, and an outright tare? The answer comes from knowing that the Word is the seed from which we grow fruit and that the heart's intent is a vital indicator of the fruit grown from it. My offer to help with a Biblically sound way to look at customs and traditions for believers was to write the booklet: Truth, Tradition, or Tare: Growing in the Word. This brings us back to our topic of hospitality over the last several weeks. Hospitality is how we invite the very Presence of Adonai into our homes, towns, and gatherings. In the following account of hospitality, the hostess is a woman named Martha, and she had a sister named Mary (Miriam). Custom dictated that a host or hostess like Abraham and Sarah provide a safe refuge, water for washing, and food and drink for their guests. It was customary. Traditional. Martha busied herself providing these customary things for Yeshua and his disciples, but Mary was more, well, I'm going to say it...not Custom Mary: • Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Lk 10:38-42) Martha was missing something in her hospitality, just as we can miss it in any custom or tradition we practice: why do we do it? To strengthen our relationship to the Holy One and His Word? Or to earn righteousness or the esteem of others through our own efforts? Yeshua gently pointed out to Martha the important aspect of customary hospitality: it is to strengthen the relationship between the ministry of the Word and the recipients of the Word. To make it come alive. In this case, the Word was literally alive in Martha's home! In fact, Yeshua would have greeted the home with peace when he entered, just as he instructed his disciples to do. Instead of receiving the peace, Martha remained in a state of worry and bother. She did not receive the blessing. Mary, however, was eating and drinking it in, getting to know what the Living Word should be in her life. The custom of hospitality is to enable Kingdom ministry, to provide a temporary little Temple sanctuary for the minister. Martha was not wrong if she wanted to continue preparing food to serve the disciples, but she was wrong if it became contentious and destroyed the very relationships she should be strengthening with other believers. Yeshua was well able to perform a miracle of bread, oil, wine, fish, or any other meal she was serving. He'd certainly done it for others who offered what little they had, and so had Elijah. And I'm sure he was prepared to wait if her meal took longer. After all, he was there to grace her with his Presence, not to grade or promote her on culinary skills. He wanted her to drink him in! To Martha, however, the customary, traditional way a woman of the First Century was viewed as valuable was in her domestic skills. To Yeshua, his custom was to invite all to sit and learn at his feet. Male, female, Jew, non-Jew, slave, free...all could learn and grow in the ministry of the Word. It was the better part of hospitality. It didn't negate the need to feed and house the visiting ministers, the other part, but it was the better part of the whole equation. Perhaps, Yeshua is saying, the point of the serving is forging peace with people and Heaven. Hospitality is the designated vehicle for it. Yeshua didn't pick Martha's home so she could become righteous through serving; he picked her because she believed in him; she already was righteous. She just needed some extra training like he had to correct his other disciples on things like fighting over higher positions, water-walking, and poor demon management. A righteous guest seeks a righteous home for hospitality, and he/she has the authority to bless that sanctuary home with peace: • “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house* is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.” (Mt 10:9-15) *”The House” is a euphemism for The Temple Yeshua clarified hospitality: it is receiving by 1) providing refuge, food and drink, and water for washing as well as 2) receiving his Word. Yeshua had to remind Martha to receive the Word, too. The heart of the Temple was in the hidden place of the ark, the Word of the Torah emplaced between the two cheruvim where the Voice would speak. Out loud. Hospitality is how the average person enters the holy Sanctuary to experience the Voice and Presence of Adonai through His designated ministers of the Word. • “You shall keep My sabbaths and revere My sanctuary; I am the LORD.” (Le 19:30) What did First Century Jews understand about this commandment? And why did Yeshua instruct his disciples so specifically about hospitality as they ministered in his name and authority? Rashi explains it in his comments to Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:30: • “'And revere my Sanctuary.' He should not enter the grounds of the Temple neither with his staff, nor with shoes on his feet, nor with his moneybelt, nor with the dust that is on his feet, i.e., he should not enter with dirty feet. And although I enjoin you to have reverence with regard to the Beit HaMikdash [Temple], nonetheless, ‘you shall observe my Sabbaths; the construction of the Beit HaMikdash does not override the Sabbath.” Contextually, Rashi's point is that Sabbath will occur in every place for all time, and so commandments specific to the Temple services will be overridden by commands specific to Shabbat. As Yeshua understood about the magificent Temple, it would not long endure. Instead, the righteous of the earth would have to function as little sanctuaries in the nations where they lived and were sent. He would continue to build the Temple through them and to send the Presence, the Ruach HaKodesh. In practice, Yeshua sent his disciples to continue his work; in order to do that work, they would need holy homes to provide Temple hospitality. For this, the home would need to be a “worthy” one. The family would need to conduct its daily life toward the preservation of holiness of Shabbat. Such a family was fit for Kingdom ministers, and those minister-guests were obligated to treat it with the same courtesies as they would enter the Temple itself. Yeshua's requirements were identical to the customary Temple protocols for entry. A home that provided water to wash the feet was a prepared holy temple. As the repentant sinful woman washed Yeshua's feet with her tears, receiving his forgiveness, so a righteous home signaled receiving the guest with physical water as well as receiving the Word of shalom he or she brought to the house...and House. The reverence of Shabbat is linked to entering the Temple itself, placing that home in a very high spiritual status, worthy of blessing for its hospitality. The disciples would bless the homes of Custom Marys the same as they would proclaim blessings in the Temple, for the host was standing in to bless them as the priests would bless the tribes coming up to worship, and all, even those "night watcher" servants of exile from among the nations, offered blessings to YHVH.
The Real Power of Rest: Why Doing Less Helps You Do MoreThis episode unpacks the misunderstood art of rest—not just as a break from work but as a crucial practice for mental clarity, emotional balance, and true productivity. It explores why rest is not the opposite of work, but its most powerful ally. From neuroscience to spirituality, we uncover seven distinct types of rest and how each one revitalizes a different part of who we are.:Why Hustle Culture Is Failing Us:The myth of working yourself to the bone is debunked with research from top universities. More hours ≠ better output. Instead, diminishing returns kick in quickly.The 7 Types of Rest:Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith's framework breaks down rest into physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual. Each meets a different human need.The Science Behind Micro-Rest:Our brains are wired for 90-minute work cycles. Taking breaks isn't lazy—it's neuroscience. Tools like Welltory and heart rate variability data prove it.Rest as Sacred Practice:Exploring how rest ties into spiritual traditions, including the Sabbath and forest bathing. Rest is a divine invitation to stop and just be.Takeaways:Rest is not earned—it's essential. From daily “rest snacks” to monthly digital Sabbaths, you can start small. Even five quiet minutes matter. Whether you're a high-performing professional, a parent juggling chaos, or someone in recovery from burnout, intentional rest can restore clarity, renew energy, and bring joy back into your routine. Rest is not a weakness—it's a strength disguised as stillness.Jill's Linkshttp://jillfromthenorthwoods.comhttps://startwithsmallsteps.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@startwithsmallstepshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallstepshttps://twitter.com/schmernEmail the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.comBy choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.
Biblically, the sin of not resting is seen as disobedience to God's rhythm of creation and a rejection of trust in His provision. It leads to spiritual dryness, societal injustice, and even exile. Here's how Scripture frames this:
Because Christ has triumphed in the cross, no one can judge Christians based on those things that Jesus has fulfilled. The Old Testament regulations concerning food and drink and Sabbaths are a shadow of the body of Christ who has now been revealed. Although false preachers peddle practices that may look religious, any worship or piety that does not teach us to cling to Christ has no value. Only Christ, the Head of the Church, can hold His body together and cause it to grow and bear fruit. Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Colossians 2:16-23. To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit gracebrenham.org. “Letters from Prison” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Even when Paul was imprisoned for the sake of Christ, the Word of God remained unbound. The apostle's letters from prison still fill us with the same joy that his chains could never silence. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org
*Note: The Season of the Witch Replay episodes will only be available until Nov. 1st. Today on Day 3 of Season of the Witch, we're talking about rhythm - and how to find yours when life refuses to give you any.Here's the truth: we're all swimming upstream against our own energy. Doing things just to be busy. Doing things because we've always done them. Saying yes when our whole body screams no. And then wondering why we feel like square pegs in round holes all the time.Here's what we covered:We explored the lunar phases (that waxing/waning cycle) and the wheel of the year (those eight Sabbaths marking the seasons). Both follow the same pattern: growing energy → release moment → reflection energy → back to the beginning. New moon to full moon. Winter solstice to summer solstice.But here's the kicker: none of us can actually live fully aligned with these rhythms. You can't just hibernate from Samhain through Yule like nature intended. You've got graduations, weddings, holidays, 12-hour nursing shifts, kids' taekwondo, grandparents' appointments - life keeps happening regardless of what the moon or sun is doing.So what do we do?We create our own energetic rhythm wheel. Through the threshold of timing visualization, you explored:When you feel most energized (that "throw it at me, I'm good" energy)When you lose track of time because you're so engrossedWhen your energy naturally wants to plant seeds versus releaseWhen you're just done for the dayThen you mapped it on your own circle. To be a witch is to create energy, not respond to it.When you align with your natural rhythm instead of fighting it, you stop:Feeling like a failure for not keeping upShutting down your voice again and againDoing emotional labor for everyone else's scheduleLosing yourself in daily monotonyThis is how you reclaim your season. You become a season keeper for yourself.Your turn: Map your own energetic rhythm wheel. Notice where your energy naturally flows. See what your rhythm is actually creating for you right now.Join the conversation! Share your rhythm discoveries in our YouTube Community space and connect with fellow Enchanted Sisters navigating their own cycles.Want the full Season of the Witch experience? Register here to get all replays, your workbook, the potion quest (unlock your custom meditation!), and more delivered to your inbox. Plus - our annual Enchanted Journey membership is open this week only, and we've got an in-person event in Salem, Massachusetts happening in April! Check it out here.Tomorrow: Day 4, our final session before Sunday's wrap-up.Stay magic. ✨
By Steven Holladay - God gave the seven annual Holy Days to ancient Israel. But do they serve any useful purpose today? A review of each one reveals the answer.
It's Fuck Yeah Friday, and Lesley is back with wins and wisdom to brighten your week. She shares a surprising story about how time was once measured, highlights an inspiring Pilates win from listener Lisa MacDonald, and reflects on her 10th wedding anniversary with Brad. Along the way, she reminds us that noticing even the smallest victories—like making it through a tough day—can transform how habits take root.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:How ancient calendars connected women's cycles with timekeeping.The role of daily recognition in building lasting habits.Lisa MacDonald's Pilates win and how she reframed a setback.The significance of celebrating milestones like anniversaries.Why the mantra “I do not rise and fall for another” fosters self-trust.Episode References/Links:Submit your wins or questions - https://beitpod.com/questionsStella Porta's Instagram Post - https://beitpod.com/13month If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Lesley Logan 0:00 It's Fuck Yeah Friday. Brad Crowell 0:03 Fuck yeah. Lesley Logan 0:04 Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started. Lesley Logan 0:48 Hello, Happy FYF. Happy Friday. Happy Fuck Yeah Friday, where we get some inspiration, we have a little bit of fun, we celebrate your wins and mine, and we leave with a little affirmation or mantra or just something to kick our weekend off. Thank you so much for being here. If you're new to the Be It Till You See It Podcast, we do interviews on Tuesday, recaps on Thursday, and this is my time to share a win of yours. You can send your wins into beitpod.com/questions as we can send your questions as well, but you can also send your wins. And I want them. I want more wins from you. Lesley Logan 1:15 So something that inspired me, or like sometimes I feel like it can be educational. So they erased the 13th month because it was ruled by women. So this is from Stella Porta on Instagram. And this is interesting because I definitely had done some research and learned how, like, we got the Roman calendar, which is, like, makes no sense, and we have winter starting the new year off in the middle of winter, which makes zero sense. We should start the middle. We should start the year off at Spring, right? I just think so. But okay, here we go. Before the church ruled time, women followed a different calendar, one based not on the sun, but on the moon. It had 13 months of 28 days, mirroring the menstrual cycle. This wasn't just myth. It was math, 13 times 28 equals 364. Plus one holy day equals 365, Brad just walked in and I just blew his mind. So by the way, the Instagram has sources. So if you're like, this is baloney. No, it's not. There's like little sources. This lunar calendar shaped everything. It had four sacred weeks per month, New Waxing, Full and Waning. Sabbaths were tied to moon phases and a full year, called a year and a day, a phrase still found in spells and folklore. I have seen that in some stuff, and I was like, whoa, that's interesting. So a year and a day, right? Cultures around the world honored it. Maya, Maya women said that their calendar came from menstruation. Chinese women divided the sky into 28 lunar mansions, and in Gaelic words for menstruation and calendar are the same, miosach and miosachan. I don't know, M-I-O-S-A-C-H and M-I-O-S-A-C-H-A-N. So there you go. The Romans used the word menstruation for measuring time. It comes from mensura, measure, from the same root, we get mensis, month and the word menses, the monthly cycle. So one is mensis, maybe, and menses. A woman's body was the first clock, mind blown. But this body-based time was slowly erased. The church replaced the 13-moon year with a 12-month solar one. They called 13 unlucky, moon rites became witchcraft, even menstruation became taboo. Still the signs survived. Witch covens honor the number 13, The 13 Treasures of Britain. Sow with 13 teats in Malta's temples, Twelfth Night fires, 12 small flames, plus one large one to represent the 13th moon of the new year. So lots of little people, just like keeping that history around. I love it, generations, hundreds of years later, right? The church flipped time inside out. Pagans began their days at sunset. The Saxon word for day actually meant night. Good night was once good den or good moonday. Christianity didn't release the goddess calendar. It was rebranded. Christmas Eve equals the pagan night of the mother. Easter equals set by the first full moon after the spring equinox. May Eve, Midsummer Eve, Llamas Eve, All Hallow's Eve, all began as a lunar right. This is interesting. This source that's here I started on another podcast. Pretty much every amazing holiday used to be a pagan holiday, and then the church just rebranded it. So anyways, always good to know where these things came from because I just think you should know. I think you should know what things really are. Alright. They tried to rewrite time, to flatten her curves into straight lines, but the moon cycles never left. They pulse in the mirror of stories and the tides of women in the hush between full moons. And now she's being remembered, not as superstition, but as origin. So hopefully I can get this girl who posted this on the pod. I really. She was cool. And I thought this information is cool. And ladies, we need to know. Right? Time was actually all about us. And I just think that's amazing. Lesley Logan 5:08 So okay, a win of yours. Lisa MacDonald, had a summer cancelation hole on my schedule, but turned what could be considered a negative to a positive, and did Boom Boom Pow! with Lesley on the Reformer, finished with my boomerang on the mat, stood up and said awesome out loud, it felt great. Such a win. Coming off my duet session with Lesley and Melissa Hargrove last night, I felt strong, connected and fabulous. Thank you, Lesley, for inspiring me to look for a win and celebrate. Lisa MacDonald, of course, of course. Lisa is an OPC member. She's done my mentorship program, and so the Boom Boom Pow! was one of the OPC classes. And at OPC, we have a name for every class you have access to it for two weeks. And it's really fun when you get, if you're a teacher, you get a cancelation and you take class because then you get to have extra time with your Pilates practice, which I love. Lesley Logan 5:57 Okay, my win didn't get celebrated last week. We were out of town, and I wanted to make sure I told you, Brad and I celebrated 10 years of being married last week, which is insanity. It's so crazy. I don't know if you maybe this is maybe I'm not the only one, but please let me know if you feel like you are. Like, hold on, how long I've been with this person, or how long I've been doing any anniversary, right? Like, how long have I been doing this? Like it felt like we just got married, and actually, obviously we haven't, but, like, doesn't feel like it's been 10 years, which I guess is great, but then I look back and I'm like, wow, we have done so much in 10 years, like, an insane amount in 10 years. And it's really cool, because this is, like, the first time we have so much more to go and so much more to grow, but just really grateful that we got to celebrate that together, because sometimes our anniversaries line up where we are on a plane and we're together, but like, one of us probably sleeping, and also several times it's happened where we've, like, taken off on a flight on the second, we've landed on the fourth, because we lost today. So it's really nice that we were around together in the daylight hours, not on a plane, able to actually celebrate our 10 year anniversary, which is really, really great. So normally, the wins are something that you want to celebrate. Sometimes they're big, like a 10 year, you know, I'll celebrate 11 as well, but I think it's important that, you know, we celebrate wins, big or small. In the coming months, we're going to have a Habits Series on the program, and one of the biggest things you can start doing to big habits happen is start to notice the things that you actually are getting done, the wins that are actually happening in your life. All right, there's little ones every single day, and we are just not taking enough time to celebrate what we did do. And you know what? Maybe you've got a lot going on in your life, and the only thing to celebrate is that you took a shower and you put on a different change of clothes. That's a huge win. If that was the hardest thing you could do in the day. You know, like, I think you I think we have to start giving ourselves credit for what we have done. And I really, I interviewed someone to be on the pod, and I really like what they're saying. There's so many people who are doing outward actions to get outward affirmation, versus looking and glowing from within, and you can only do that if you're actually recognizing that you're doing really great stuff based in grace, babe. Lesley Logan 8:13 All right, your mantra. You ready for it? I do not rise and fall for another. I do not rise and fall for another. I do not rise and fall for another. No, you don't. You rise. You rise for you. Got it? So easy to do it for other people, and it hurts because it's hard that way. So I do not rise and fall for another. Lesley Logan 8:39 You guys, have an amazing week. We've got a great guest coming up next week. Can't wait for you to hear it and until then, Be It Till You See It. Lesley Logan 8:46 That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 9:28 It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 9:34 It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 9:38 Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 9:45 Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 9:49 Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
By Darris McNeely - Anticipation builds for the Feast of Tabernacles as Scripture paints a vivid hope: God lifting the shroud, swallowing up death, and gathering all things in Christ. In a world “stirring,” true renewal means returning to God's Sabbaths and Holy Days—so let's prepare our hearts to “go up to the
Because of the manner of his preaching over time, it is not unusual to find Spurgeon creating his own connections, contrasts, and counterpoints. You may find little sermon ‘runs' as he works through, for example, the stages of Christian maturity in 1 John 2. Sometimes he will say something like, “A few Sabbaths ago we looked at that, but today we must consider this so that we do not lose sight of either.” In this sermon, he is building on a previous sermon, seeking to lift up a particular aspect of truth already addressed and press it home in a particular direction. Is Christ the Beloved of the Father? Then what does it mean for us to accepted in the Beloved Son? Spurgeon suggests that this is more a matter for sweet meditation than for didactic instruction, and so proceeds to unpack his text in a series of thoughts which invariably focus on Christ the Beloved, and what it means for God to receive us for his sake. A note of joyful wonder permeates the sermon, as the preacher—ranging far and wide through Scripture and nature for illumination and illustration—digs ever deeper into the delight of being accepted by the Great Father for the sake of his Beloved Son. Read the sermon here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/accepted-of-the-great-father Check out the new From the Heart of Spurgeon Book! British: https://amzn.to/48rV1OR American: https://amzn.to/48oHjft Connect with the Reading Spurgeon Community on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ReadingSpurgeon Sign up to get the weekly readings emailed to you: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon. Check out other Media Gratiae podcasts at www.mediagratiae.org Download the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app #spurgeon #podcast #fyp #preacher #reformed #Christian #sermon #history #churchhistory #pastor