POPULARITY
Categories
Barry and Abigail discuss Rockin' From the Grave and sample Pumpkin Shandy from Penn Brewery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (in collaboration with Soergel Orchards in Wexford, Pennsylvania), Jack from Urban Artifact in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Mind Over Matter from Magnify Brewing Company in Fairfield, New Jersey.We have gone zero episodes without mentioning the White Album or Abigail's personal White Album, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Both Black Magic Woman and a cover of The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Steve Ouimette appear on GHIII: LoR, but Abigail was mistaken about (Don't Fear) The Reaper's inclusion; in fact, Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll is the Blue Öyster Cult representation on GHIII: LoR, and (Don't Fear) The Reaper is actually on Rock Band, which Abigail has played, but the Hummels have never owned.Listen to our exploration of The Munsters Theme's many different iterations in last year's Halloween episode, New Belgium Halloween (New Wave Halloween & New Belgium Brewing)! Today, we also listened to the version with lyrics and briefly discussed Far Out Munsters, the episode where the Munsters rent their home to a Beatles-inspired rock group.Edgar Winter's justification of naming his song Frankenstein because of its “monster-like, lumbering beat” reminded Abigail of Flight of the Cosmic Hippo by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.Watch the music video for Addams Groove by MC Hammer.Barry educated Abigail about the famous “More Cowbell” sketch from SNL, which centers around the studio recording of (Don't Fear) The Reaper!In looking deeper into the fun fact from Carlo's Corner about salt killing yeast, we stumbled upon this article on the history and science of Goses written by the brewmaster of Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, California, a brewery known for their Goses. Per the article, some Goses from the early 20th century had between 130 and 280 ppm of salt. Anderson Valley typically adds about 800 ppm of salt - but only after fermentation. It is thought that as little as 100-150 ppm of salt can cause osmotic stress to the yeast and therefore decrease fermentation rates, but the salt concentration required to completely inhibit fermentation or cause death for the yeast are much higher than humans would tolerate as palatable in a beverage.Santana's Black Magic Woman is a mash-up cover of Black Magic Woman by Fleetwood Mac and Gypsy Queen by Gábor Szabó. Abigail would much rather listen to Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas).While Abigail believes Johnny clearly won the fiddle battle in The Devil Went Down to Georgia, John Oliver strongly disagrees. Watch the boss battle against the devil from GHIII: LoR.We previously discussed the word “pompatous” (found in Clap For the Wolfman by The Guess Who) during our discussion of Steve Miller Band's The Joker in our episode Cans (k.d.lang and Cigar City Brewing).Read more about Paracelsus and the absolutely nauseatingly eye-rollingly annoying reason he took the name Paracelsus.Barry made Abigail play a little bit of Grandmaster Dee's Haunted Scratch, the original B-side to Freaks Come Out at Night by Whodini.Twilight Zone by Golden Earring was inspired by The Bourne Identity novel, and you may be able to tell this from the music video. The other song from two-hit wonder Golden Earring you may have heard of would be Radar Love.(Ghost) Riders in the Sky is a cover originally written and performed by Stan Jones. Prior to The Outlaws' version, Johnny Cash's version was the most well-known.Up next… Brothers in Arms by Dire StraitsJingles are by our friend Pete Coe.Visit Anosmia Awareness for more information on Barry's condition.Follow Barry or Abigail on Untappd to see what we're drinking when we're not on mic!Leave us a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTube | Substack | Website | Email us | Virtual Jukebox | Beer Media Group
We gather again to talk about some hot button topics that we find fascinating, or that simply get our GOAT. It's mainly the latter though,as we talk about bringing new hobby bros into the hobby, and also about the phenomenon know as ‘last comp'.Much food for thought and general wisdom somewhere within the musings. We hope you enjoy and please do comment or DM your thoughts.Our links are all here; https://linktr.ee/ThatCCPod========Music;I Got a Stick Arr Bryan Teoh Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Intro;Smooth vocals by Greg McLaughlin of The Rebel Base CardPodcast – find his show here; https://open.spotify.com/show/2T5nysLpxbK2ZpRrgcCO8I
Thelema Mountain Red is a smooth and vibrant blend from Thelema Mountain Vineyards in Stellenbosch, crafted from Shiraz, Petit Verdot, and Grenache grapes grown on the cool slopes of the Simonsberg. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, it reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, mulberries, plums, and warm spice, with a soft, juicy palate and well-rounded tannins. This 2021 vintage, awarded 92 points at the International Wine Challenge, offers an easy-drinking yet elegant red that pairs beautifully with pizza, braai dishes, or light to medium-flavoured meals. Radio Life & Style on Facebook · The Morning Show Sponsor: Excellerate Security
Our featured interview tonight is with pipe maker Garret Woo. He has an undergraduate degree in Classics from UC Santa Barbara. He was a teacher for a while, and then a private investigator working with his dad that is a former FBI agent. Now he is a durometer technician and pipemaker living in West LA. He started smoking pipes when he was 18 years old. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian answers a listener's question on how to smooth down a blend.
In this episode, we unpack another leadership principle from the Navy Seal Community - Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Leola Anifowoshe.
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Leola Anifowoshe.
Smooth Groovers Licensed Jazz Funk Soul and Smooth Jazz Podcast
Licensed Episode BTGSeriesEp272 - In-between the regular shows featuring the Radio Issue.
The Nebbiolo journey continues in Barbaresco as your Wine Guides pour Cantine Povero's take on this iconic grape and explore what sets the region apart from Langhe and Barolo. The crew dives into how the Tanaro River shapes the wine's character, the strict aging laws that define Barbaresco, and the legacy of Domizio Cavazza, the man who helped put the region on the map. Things wrap up with a round of their new trivia game, Great Minds Drink Alike, and plenty of laughs about who actually paid attention during the learning segment. Learn More About Cantine Poverohttps://cantinepovero.com/en/Connect with Cantine Povero on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cantinepovero/Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWineThe Stop Wasting Your Wine Websitehttps://stopwastingyourwine.com/Chapters00:00 – Episode Intro02:20 – Comparing Langhe and Barbaresco06:21 – Intro to the Wine08:15 – First Pour Reactions10:45 – Smooth but Structured16:28 – Wine Drops: The Barbaresco Story19:10 – Aging Rules That Shape Style23:00 – Tasting Notes in Focus27:13 – Final Review: Must Share Moments29:55 – A Wine Worth Hunting Down31:19 – Great Minds Drink Alike36:30 – Wrap-Up and Barolo Teaser
Allen and RD try Oktoberfest by Erdinger Weissbrau. From Untappd:"As hearty as a Bavarian beer festival: our ERDINGER Oktoberfest. This masterpiece of the brewer's art is ideal for parties! ERDINGER Oktoberfest expertly combines smooth malt aromas with a pronounced hop bitterness. This well-balanced flavour is complemented by gently sparkling carbonic acid to give it the typical liveliness of a genuine wheat beer. Smooth, strong and irresistible – brewing tradition at its finest.As a full-bodied specialty for the festival season, it whets the appetite for Bavaria's famous drinking song “Prosit der Gemütlichkeit”.“Bayerische Edelreifung” – for perfect enjoyment. Brewed according to the Bavarian Purity Law."5.7% ABV10 IBUThanks for watching! Prost!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/strikeout-beer--2992189/support.
Dua Lipa, en la recta final de Radical Optimism Tour en América: ¿y en 2026 qué? Duki aterriza en Madrid para ofrecer tres shows consecutivos. Rosalía desmiente su colaboración con Guitarricadelafuente… más o menos. 10 canciones que fueron prohibidas o censuradas por su letra (y su verdadero significado). En LOS40 Classic: La revolución de Michael Jackson con sus zapatos mágicos de ‘Smooth criminal'.
Since AJ was visiting Johnny for the 2025 Sun Valley Jazz Festival, we thought we'd take advantage of being in the same room and record an update for all of you Same Difference fans. For this episode, we've combined two loosely related episodes from our old Patreon library, and added some new commentary to aid in the continuity. It felt good to do it again; we hope you enjoy it!
Here Is How to Stop Stuttering and Say What You Want with Michael Williams
Satan and his minions are not passive in temptation; Believers must consciously walk in the victory of Christ.
Justification is a finished act with present fruits: peace with God, access to grace, and unshakable hope—all through our Lord Jesus Christ.Peace (v.1): “Having been justified by faith” = past, once-for-all. The cosmic war with God is over; the treaty is permanent in Christ.Access (v.2a): The torn veil means real audience with God. We now stand in grace—boldly, never flippantly (cf. Heb. 12:22–24).Hope (v.2b): Not wishful thinking but a Spirit-given anchor. We “glory now in glory”—faith looks back to the cross; hope looks forward to completed redemption.Because we're justified, we don't beg for peace, access, or hope—we already have them in Christ.
Killerhertz take control of Viper radio episode 053 delivering big energy throughout with brand new music from Smooth, Grafix, Danny Byrd, Circadian, Hoax and many more and to celebrate the launch of Future Fire Volume.8 Spain's finest Jrace & Albert White deliver an awesome 30 minute mix. 1. RIGSY Rhoue - In My Head2. Skrillex - Recovery (Bootleg)3. Smooth - Dying Of The Light4. Lexed Melic - Burn It Up5. Killer Hertz - Gigantic6. Grafix - Telling Me7. 1991 - Get a Good Feeling8. Skrillex - While You Were Sleeping VIP (Bootleg)9. Mania JJL - Breath In10. Jrace Albert White - Cant Stop11. Circadian - Flamethrower ft. Cody Frost12. Smooth - Staying Awake13. Killer Hertz - Rock That Body14. Skillex - Andy (Bootleg)15. Grafix - Concentration16. Killer Hertz - Ruckus17. Subsonic & shadxwgirl - Where You Are18. Bensley - Pinger19. T95 Branzh - Stand Deliver ft. Sweetie Irie20. Jauz & Tynan - Bring Em Back [Killer Hertz Bootleg] - MASTER21. Danny Byrd & Exile - Higher22. Metrik - Setting Sun23. Sub Focus, Irah, Fireboy DML - Original Don24. Killer Hertz - Kill Them All (Live Dub)25. Hoax - Genesis26. Dirty Phonics & Ivory - On Lock
When nonprofits tackle a major platform shift, the tech is only half the story. JMT Consulting pros Brady Haslebacher (Director of Program Management) and Dagmar “Dagi” Stanton (Manager of Education Services) map out the human and operational moves that make change stick. This informative episode breaks down why big projects stall—no top-down buy-in, poor internal communication, and late user inclusion—and then shows how to reverse it with a clear cadence, a requirements doc everyone can point to, and training that respects different learning styles. You'll also hear how to build champions: start with pain points, practice real workflows, revisit what was decided four weeks ago, and connect dashboards to daily tasks so executives and staff share one view of success.Brady puts it plainly: “Without communication, missions fail.” From day one, he presses leaders to create a real pre-decision phase—document requirements, prioritize reporting needs, and establish ownership from the C-suite through front-line users. His data points are clear: a typical engagement runs ~90 days to go-live, ~60 days of hypercare, and one to two working sessions per week—about six months end-to-end.Dagi brings the trainer's lens, focusing on behavior and confidence. She works with teams who didn't even choose the new system, flipping reluctance into momentum by making sessions unexpectedly fun and practical. Her mantra cuts through inertia: “The right answer isn't ‘because we've always done it that way.'” She intentionally sets up safe mistakes so users learn how fast they can correct entries—lowering stress and building mastery. The result is less dread and more people who actually enjoy using the tools.In closing, you'll get details on JMT's Innovate 2026 (Washington, D.C., May 4–6): a pre-conference day for deep skill building, followed by multi-track sessions that span software, finance, management, and sector trends—plus the chance to meet your people in person.If you're planning a system change—or sitting in one right now—this conversation gives you timelines, team roles, and a playbook to move from anxiety to adoption without the hair-on-fire moments.#ChangeManagement #NonprofitTechFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show
Sit tight and brace yourselves, because in this episode Trog leads us into a realm of true terror. See what the people of reddit have to say of their nightmare experiences, as well as some of our own. Also we talk more about Jimmy Neutron for some goddam reason. If we talk about show for one more episode please slap us. Send your emails to: podcast@radiotv.solutions Music By Justin Wabs
The words of the wicked deceive and destroy.
Watch Here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dky7Yzj9iSg Website: https://vigoroussteve.com/ Consultations: https://vigoroussteve.com/consultations/ eBooks: https://vigoroussteve.com/shop/ YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/VigorousSteve/ Workout Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWi2zZJwmQ6Mqg92FW2JbiA Instagram: https://instagram.com/vigoroussteve/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vigoroussteve Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/VigorousSteve/ PodBean: https://vigoroussteve.podbean.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wR0XWY00qLq9K7tlvJ000 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vigoroussteve
Watch Here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIIMw9XyZI0 Website: https://vigoroussteve.com/ Consultations: https://vigoroussteve.com/consultations/ eBooks: https://vigoroussteve.com/shop/ YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/VigorousSteve/ Workout Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWi2zZJwmQ6Mqg92FW2JbiA Instagram: https://instagram.com/vigoroussteve/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vigoroussteve Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/VigorousSteve/ PodBean: https://vigoroussteve.podbean.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wR0XWY00qLq9K7tlvJ000 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vigoroussteve
Watch Here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsoML0DrZ8Q Website: https://vigoroussteve.com/ Consultations: https://vigoroussteve.com/consultations/ eBooks: https://vigoroussteve.com/shop/ YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/VigorousSteve/ Workout Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWi2zZJwmQ6Mqg92FW2JbiA Instagram: https://instagram.com/vigoroussteve/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vigoroussteve Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/VigorousSteve/ PodBean: https://vigoroussteve.podbean.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wR0XWY00qLq9K7tlvJ000 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vigoroussteve
Marisa Adesman (b. 1991, Roslyn, NY) received her MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI in 2018 and her BFA from Washington University, St. Louis, MO in 2013. Adesman had her first museum solo exhibition, The Birth of Flowers, at KMAC Contemporary Art Museum, Louisville, KY in 2023. She has exhibited work widely including at the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), St. Louis, MO; Black Mountain College Museum, Ashville, NC; Mead Art Museum, Amherst College; Amherst, MA; Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles / New York; and Mrs. Gallery, Queens, NY. Adesman's work is in public collections including Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, San Diego, CA; Deji Museum, Nanjing, China; and Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna (MAMbo), Bologna, Italy. Adesman lives and works in Chicago, IL. Marisa Adesman's surreal and thought-provoking paintings often depict ordinary objects in bizarre contexts and striking states of mystical transformation. She composes tableware, candles, houseplants, flowers, linens, kitchen utensils, and furniture into strange and unusual arrangements that destabilize our notions about the proper order of a house and home. These settings are often centered around the female form and are guided by Adesman's visionary poetics of interior space. She examines the art historical meaning of the female figure as a pliable body designed for amorous desire and protection, but also sinister and capable of deception and corruption. Adesman's compositions mingle ethereal and phantasmagoric imagery of the surrealist period with Dutch still life and vanitas paintings from 16th and 17th century Europe. Likewise, she retains all the attendant technical mastery which defined those artistic styles. Smooth and luminous surfaces combined with a masterful use of chiaroscuro, the skillful contrastingof extreme light and dark, reveals the hand of a remarkably detailed painter whose work demands to be viewed in person. Marisa Adesman: Tug of War, Courtesy the artists and Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles / New York. Photos by: Marisa Adesman Marisa Adesman: Deadheading, 2025, Courtesy the artists and Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles / New York. Photos by: Marisa Adesman Marisa Adesman: The Turn, 2025, Courtesy the artists and Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles / New York. Photos by: Marisa Adesman
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Leola Anifowoshe.
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Leola Anifowoshe.
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Leola Anifowoshe.
This is the BSJ 15th Birthday show celebrating 15 years of Best Smooth Jazz radio & TV.. Host Rod Lucas playing all instrumental Smooth Jazz from London UK. (Ref:4225) Fun & Smooth Jazz.Watch the TV version from the studio at https://Youtube.com/BestSmoothJazz https://BestSmoothJazz.com
Enjoy this earworm of coughs, raw throats and another jump around of topics! Sit back and enjoy! CHEERS! DISCORD https://discord.gg/p63Da7w RUSSELL: Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjex0725 EGGMAN54: (1) EggTheEggiest - Twitch ELMMERFUDD Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/elmmerfuddgames YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/elmmerfuddgames
Smooth Groovers Licensed Jazz Funk Soul and Smooth Jazz Podcast
Season 17 - Licensed Episode S17-6-featuring Soul, Funk, Jazz, SmoothJazz, fusion, Disco and Chill.
Date: October 10, 2025 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Sergey Motov is an Emergency Physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center in New York City. He is also one of the world's leading researchers on pain management in the emergency department. Case: A 37-year-old man presents to the emergency department (ED) with severe right-sided flank pain. […] The post SGEM#489: Smooth Muscle Relaxator – But does Magnesium Work for Renal Colic? first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.
0:00 – Intro02:14 – Gamescast starts02:34 – Reach NDREAMS03:29 – Port the back-catalog06:08 – NDREAMS risk talk06:31 – Shooty Fruity nostalgia07:46 – REACH Impressions24:09 – Puzzle room fatigue26:27 – Reviews need nuance27:21 – Quest vs PSVR2 version27:48 – Reprojection and pop-in28:45 – Prince of Persia vibes30:36 – Call of the Mountain comparison31:12 – Scoring framework clarify33:57 – Fracked vs Reach35:24 – Miles' provisional score36:40 – AAA label rant38:07 – PS6 rumor timing41:10 – Most-wanted PSVR1 ports46:48 – Membership gifting chat47:48 – Puzzling Places Halloween DLC51:31 – Beat Saber support gripe53:12 – “Wait to buy” stance54:53 – Fortnite Halloween chat56:27 – Spooky stream plans57:04 – Wanderer patch hopes58:38 – Supermarket CEO obsession59:34 – Duck Hunt VR disappointment01:02:06 – Smooth turning tip01:04:10 – SkyLeap parkour reveal01:06:07 – Shovelware suspicion talk01:11:58 – Sunday Multiplayer 01:12:35 – “What happened” games list01:14:08 – Heartfelt VR stories01:18:27 – Four-minute challenge01:25:06 – Retronica impressions01:31:45 – Review keys and budgets01:32:17 – Game grading discussion01:37:45 – Outro
Suspension forks on gravel bikes is a dividing line in the cycling world. For many, they are a tool that expands the use of the bike and reduces the stress associated with the rugged terrain that gravel biking revolves around. Others dismiss the tech as reinventing mountain bikes from the 1990s. We've been wanting to dig into this topic for a while because Rodeo Labs bikes could be well-suited for a little suspension, if that is your thing. This summer, Logan finally got enough time on two different fork options to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of gravel suspension. Stephen, who has been trying suspension forks for the last year, joined in on the podcast to add his two cents. Nevertheless, we wanted this podcast to be more than simply Stephen and Logan breaking down their experiences. So, we called up Will Hart, the product marketing manager at Cane Creek, to get into the gritty details of their Invert gravel fork and muse on the philosophy behind building specific gravel tech. If you are interested in investigating this further, Logan tested the Cane Creek Invert SL and the Rock Shox Rudy Ultimate XPLR. Both options had 30mm of travel, with the Rock Shox priced at $929 compared to the Cane Creek Invert SL at $1,099. Stephen tested the Cane Creek Invert CS and Fox 32 TC – Grip SL. Both forks had 40mm of travel, with the Fox priced at $999 and the Cane Creek at $1,199. Host: Logan Jones-Wilkins and Stephen Fitzgerald Guest: Will Hart Producer: Logan Jones-Wilkins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
AOC and Bernie Sanders took part in a CNN Town Hall, and it got very interesting, entertaining, and sad all rolled into one. The Supreme Court had a hearing to decide the future of gerrymandering as it refers to the Voting Rights Act. Are the Dems in trouble? Well, if they have Justice KJB continuing to defend gerrymandering by comparing black voters to disabled America, they sure are. Plus, Pelosi loses it, Katie Hobbs is like unsure to um like debate next year, Mamdani goes on Fox News and comes off smooth but still doesn't answer questions directly, Turning Point Super Bowl, football, and American Revival. Take a listen.
You've signed the papers, the wire hit your account, and you're ready to celebrate, but your work isn't done yet. In this episode, Victoria Collier uncovers the often forgotten post-sale details that can create real problems if they are ignored. From websites that go dark to phones that stop ringing and trust accounts that are not properly transferred, these “little things” can quickly turn a smooth sale into a stressful mess. Victoria shares real examples from law firm transitions to help you avoid costly mistakes and protect your firm's reputation, clients, and cash flow. In this episode, you will learn • Why closing day is not the finish line, but the start of your transition • The most overlooked post-sale tasks that can disrupt your firm's operations • How to correctly transfer your website domain, phone numbers, and trust accounts • What to do if your firm owns its office building, including utility changes that are easy to miss • How to keep your team and clients reassured during the handoff so business continues without interruption If you are preparing to sell or buy a law firm, this episode will help you handle the small details that make a big difference once the ink dries. Victoria Collier is a seasoned attorney, entrepreneur, and expert in law firm sales and valuations. With a background in law and accounting, including her prior military service and CPA training, she brings a unique perspective on the financial intricacies of business valuations. Victoria helps transform law firms into more valuable and sellable businesses, guiding attorneys through life after law. We want to hear from you! You can leave us a rating and review in Apple Podcasts. Click here and then scroll down the page to the rating and review section. You can also leave us a rating in Spotify by clicking here. Connect with Victoria Collier https://quidproquolaw.com/ Private Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1284225722042602 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/victoria-collier-coaching/
Cabin Cousins: Part 2 A Quest for family acceptance. Based on a post by NewMountain80, in 6 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connections. Chapter Six. Walking up into the cabin yard, we could see that we had missed dinner. My mom and older sisters were busy bringing the leftovers and supplies back into the cabin. "You two were gone all day, where did you go?" My mom asked. "We went all the way out to the pine grove." I said sheepishly, forgetting for a moment that I was an adult now, and not a little kid that adults needed to look after. "That's a long ways! We were getting worried." "We had a picnic in the clearing, and we lost track of time. Sorry." Said Melissa. Which I guess was an accurate, if vague and incomplete, account of what happened. "Well, if you're hungry; there's hot dogs and brats, potato salad, and baked beans in the crock pot." Giving Melissa a quick glance, I said. "I'm starving." Managing to do so with a straight face. We roasted hot dogs over the fire, and both of us had several servings of beans. The 'baked beans' were really a meal in themselves. My mom would make this stuff for just about every family gathering, and it never got old. There was no less than four different types of beans, chunks of bacon, and ground beef. Between Chili and stew, there was this, and it was one of my favorite foods. Melissa was enjoying it as much as I was; apparently, because neither of us said a word until we had thrown our empty paper plates into the fire, and were carrying the uneaten food back into the cabin. "That was so good. My mom never cooked anything like that. The limit of her skills was frozen pizza and hamburger helper." "I'm sure mom would be happy to give you the recipe." I said. "There's no way I could make anything taste this good." Melissa said with a snort of self-derisive laughter. "You can do anything you put your mind to. I have faith in you." She was quiet for a few seconds, and when she looked at me to respond, her eyes were positively glowing with love. "Thank you. That really means a lot." "Anytime." I said softly, before lurching forward to open the screen door for her. Dinner put away, we went back to the benches around the fire pit, where most everyone was gathered. In an unspoken agreement, Melissa and I did not sit next to each other, both of us having independently come to the conclusion that it would be far too easy to betray our ruse of mere friendship, by being just a bit too touchy-feely. As a compromise, we sat on opposite sides of the fire, so we could look at each other with impunity under the guise of watching the flames. We occasionally joined in on discussing whatever gossip or topic was going around, but neither of us were as involved as we otherwise might have been. Will the Vikings beat the Packers? Even if the Monday night game was in Lambeau field? Will Denis Green make good on his threat that the Vikings will leave the state if the govt. doesn't build another stadium? Uncle Bert warned us that if the Vikings leave, all our kids will grow up as Packer fans, since they were the closest franchise to Minnesota. The relatives all groaned at that notion, and they concurred that a stadium must get built. Melissa and I just smiled and winked to each other as everyone else was in rapt attention to Bert's ominous prophesy. I was entranced by the firelight reflected in her eyes, eyes that very rarely looked away from me. The light danced and sparkled in her eyes, and made her honey-blond hair glow red and orange. Her cheeks were flushed by the heat, that same adorable rosy color I had seen on her face for a very different reason, earlier today. My body reacted to these thoughts, and I had to shift my seating position slightly to conceal my 'excitement'. Across the fire, Melissa gave me that smile, the one she kept just for me, and in her eyes, I saw the need, burning hot. Again, at the end of the night, we were the last two people at the fire. She stood and walked around to join me on my metal glider bench. I scooted over a little bit, so when she sat, it wouldn't be on a cold piece of bench. I wondered if she realized what I did, and why. Not that it mattered to me if I got recognition for that tiny act of kindness. I would do a thousand such acts, never once needing anything more than the satisfaction that I made her just the tiniest bit more comfortable. She leaned against me and sighed. I could tell that she was genuinely tired. I was too. "I think I will remember this day for the rest of my life." She said quietly, while staring into the fire. "Agreed." I said, in like fashion; then looked at her. "But the day's not over yet." She looked at me with a huge smile. "I'd tell you to behave, but I don't want you to." After that, we sat for a long time in comfortable silence, watching the fire slowly die down. The last few lights inside of the cabin and each RV had gone out, and the world was silent, save for an occasional pop or crackle from the dying fire. Far enough away that it was barely audible, a wolf howled from deep within the forest to the west. Another wolf answered from across the lake water, to the east, it's mournful howl echoing up and down the lake, and sending shivers up my spine. I loved hearing the wolves howl; and looking at Melissa, so did she. In the busier times of the year, the wolves stayed farther away from the more populated areas, preferring to keep their distance from the noisy tourists and weekend warriors that invaded their territory. But here in the fall, as less and less people came up to their cabins, they would return, and let their presence be known to anyone lucky enough to hear. I stood, and after taking a good look around, made sure no one was watching us. I led Melissa by the hand to my tent. Chapter Seven. She entered first, and when I turned after zipping the tent closed after myself, Melissa had already pulled off the hoodie and tee shirt she had been wearing, and was working on taking her pants off. “ I remember that I wore jeans to bed last night. In Girl Scouts they told us to always take off sweaty clothes before trying to sleep. The moisture cools and can cause your body to lose a lot of heat.” I quickly pulled my hoody off over my head, then paused a moment to stare. Melissa, clad only in a white bra and pale blue panties, was scrambling to get inside my big flannel-lined sleeping bag. My God, was she gorgeous. Feeling my cock instantly become hard as iron, I started fumbling with the laces to my boots. She had pulled the sleeping bag up over her head, and as I got my first boot off, I saw her reach a hand out and toss her bra onto her pile of clothes. I attacked the other boot with renewed urgency. I got it undone, and was undoing my belt when she poked her head out and smiled as she watched me. My attention wavered again, when she grinned at me and tossed her panties on top of her bra. I hooked my thumbs inside my pants, and pulled them off, taking my underwear with them. In situations like these, when time is critical, efficiency is key. Melissa eyed me up and down, her need for me clear on her face. She opened the sleeping bag slightly, and I quickly crawled inside. She was laying on her side, and I slid into her awaiting arms. As our mouths met, our limbs intertwined. She wrapped a leg around me, and used it to pull me close. I moved a knee up, and could feel the wetness of her pussy as I pressed my thigh against her. She moaned as we kissed, tongues exploring each other's mouths. I put a hand on her firm ass, and pulled her hips even closer to mine. My cock was now pressed tightly against her belly. She ran a hand down my back to my ass, giving it a squeeze. We kissed for a long time, exploring each other's naked flesh with our hands. She adjusted slightly, and kissed my neck, then whispered into my ear. "I need you inside of me." “My fingers are pleased to accept your invitation, my dear Melissa.” “You know what I mean, mister. I need cock! Hard cock. Thick cock, your cock!” she sternly whispered in my ear. It was already getting pretty hot and stuffy inside the sleeping bag, so I pulled the edge down, exposing our heads. Outside, the moon had risen above the trees, and was shining bright in the clear autumn sky. Enough light made it through the tent that I could see her somewhat clearly. She had an anxious expression on her angelic face. "Charles; This is my first time." She whispered. "Oh yeah? Mine too." I replied. "Well, okay; I'm not physically a virgin anymore." She said tentatively. "I've got this toy at home" She said, obviously expecting me to be upset or disappointed. I cut her off with a kiss, then said. "That doesn't matter. Does a tampon make you not a virgin? Does a pelvic exam cost you your virginity?" It didn't. In fact, it was a huge relief. I had always been so worried that if and when I took a girl's virginity, that it would hurt her. Well, problem solved. "You're not disappointed?" She asked. I kissed her again, and smiled. "I never want to hurt you, even the slightest bit. Now I don't have to worry about first-time painful issues." Her own relief was evident in the passion with which she kissed me. We untangled our legs, and she gently pushed me flat on my back. She climbed on top of me; her knees straddling my chest. She reached a hand between her legs, and found my cock, positioning it beneath her. Our eyes locked as she slowly lowered herself onto me. In unison, we let out gasps of pleasure as I slid deep within her silky wetness. Her pussy felt tight around my, happy turgid cock. The sensation of being inside of her was unlike anything I had imagined, and being an eighteen-year-old guy, I had imagined a lot. I grabbed her ass with both hands and pulled her farther down, while pushing my hips up, desperate to get just a little bit deeper. Melissa leaned in and I began sucking one tit while fondling the other. Then she rested her chest on mine, putting her weight on me. She buried her face against my neck, and made a low moan of satisfaction. “I just want to hold you forever, like this!” she added. We stayed still, both of us content to savor this first act of ultimate intimacy. I was glad for it, because I was already perilously close to cumming, and I didn't want it to be over this quickly. I wanted to last as long as it took, to completely satisfy her. She raised her chest up just enough so that we could look in each other's eyes. I saw her need for me, burning hotter than any camp fire, matching my own need for her. Maintaining eye contact, she raised her hips slowly, drawing me almost fully out of herself. When just the head of my cock remained inside her, she reversed direction, and eased me back inside. Again, with hands on her ass, I pushed upwards to get that extra bit more. Her hips also flexed in a slow twerk motion, to swallow all of my happy cock. We repeated this several more times, and I could feel that I was sliding in and out more freely. I surmised that it was because her body had relaxed and become accustomed to me, and that I had become well lubricated by her juices. I started to pull down on her ass with more force, and pulling back with my hips when she rose hers up, increasing the speed that I was being thrust inside of her. Faster and faster we went, the need for each other finally, and completely set loose. I could feel her body begin to tense, and her knees squeezed hard against the sides of my chest. She started to let out a moan with every breath. Watching the heat escalate in her eyes, and feeling her body build to orgasm, from inside of her, was ecstasy, and I was quickly past the point of no return. I grunted as I pushed myself deep inside her one last time, holding her down on me tightly. My cock pulsed over and over, seemingly emptying my balls inside of her. As she explained to me later, feeling my cum spurt inside of her is what tipped her over the edge, and as my cock was still spasming, I felt her pussy clamp tightly around me as she came. She tensed and shivered, and her eyes rolled back slightly. She let out her held breath with a long shaky sigh, and her mouth fell to mine. We kissed slowly and deeply, reveling in the glow of our mutual orgasm. I had dreamed of my first time, and fantasized about it more times than I could remember, but nothing in my teenage hormone-fueled imagination compared to this. All of my fantasies had completely missed the point. As I kissed Melissa, with my cock still deep inside her, I marveled at the discovery that the greatest thing about sex wasn't the physical pleasure of the act. Don't get me wrong, it felt amazing, but the connection to another person was exceedingly more profound. I struggled to find appropriate words to describe the sensation of merging your entire essence with another person; To need, and be needed. To accept, and be accepted. To love, and be loved. The mind, body, and soul of two people, fusing together to become something far greater than the sum of their individuality. We were both sweaty, and still panting. Melissa rested her weight fully on my chest, and nuzzled my neck. I began massaging her back, and she groaned, her body relaxing further. After a little while, I felt my cock going soft. Melissa made the cutest sound of disappointment when it inevitably slipped out of her. I felt the same way. I wanted to be inside her forever, to feel that connection, forever. Melissa rolled off of me, and we lay face to face. As we looked in each other's eyes once more, I was reassured. The connection we made couldn't end just because my cock wasn't inside of her anymore. It was eternal. We both felt it, both knew it as a fundamental truth of our existence. "I love you." I whispered. "I love you." She whispered back. We both smiled, and kissed softly, caressing each other's cheeks. "I saw it in your eyes." I said. "When did you first see it?" "I figured it out when we got to the clearing. But I'm pretty sure I saw it before that." She looked at me with mock pity, and patted my cheek with her hand. "Silly boy. Didn't you know?" "Know what?" I asked. She shook her head. "I've loved you my entire life. You never knew?" I didn't know what to say. She giggled. "I used to tell my friends that I had a boyfriend. I'd lie and say that he was the neighbor boy who lived in the cabin next door to the one my family took me to." I snorted a laugh. "It was a big deal for a teenage girl, to have this mysterious boyfriend that no one had ever met. I'd tell them stories about our adventures exploring the woods, all true. Mostly." "Mostly?" "Well yeah, I had to embellish a few details about our relationship." I laughed, and kissed her. "I'm sorry I never realized, but you were, like, my best friend. It never even occurred to me to think about you like that." "It's okay, really. I wouldn't change our times together." She got a far-away look in her eyes, as she thought of the past. "It was never sexual, you know, just naive little girl dreams of the storybook happily ever after, without any concept of what that actually entails." She giggled again. "Most of the time I thought the idea of kissing a boy was gross." I laughed with her, and kissed her. She made a face and said. "Uh, boy germs." In response, I kissed her deeply. When we broke off the kiss she said. "Yum, boy germs." Exhausted, we drifted off to sleep in each other's arms. Chapter Eight. I awoke again sometime before dawn. The moon had set, and it was so dark that I couldn't see anything at all. Melissa was still cuddled up in my arms, and I could feel her shallow breath on my face. I imagined the look of her face, as I had seen it the previous morning, serene, content, stunningly beautiful. I very gently ran my hand along her perfect skin, over her back, across her deliciously firm ass, and down the thigh that was still wrapped around me, holding us tightly together. My hand roved slowly, studying every inch of her that I could reach. She had two shallow dimples at the base of her back, that in my mind's eye, were absolutely adorable. I ran my fingertips down, along the curve of her ass crack, to the tender skin where her ass met the back of her thigh. Her breath changed, and she seemed to sigh with pleasure. I stopped what I was doing, not wanting to wake her. "Don't stop. I like that." I heard her whisper, barely louder than her light breathing. My hand continued its explorations, running down the inside curve of the back of her thigh to the back of her knee, then back up to where her legs met, and up through her ass crack. From there, I did the same with the other leg, moving my fingertips gently, caressing, down and back up. I explored the complex curves where her legs came together, and she sighed with pleasure once again when I ran my fingertips along that most sensitive area alongside her pussy. I trailed my fingers along one side, back to alongside her asshole, then did the same on the other side. Her breath would hitch slightly when I brushed against her labia. I decided to tease her with the prospect of that particular contact, letting my fingers caress ever closer, without actually touching her lips. Her breathing had increased, and I felt the wetness seeping out of her. I pushed gently on the leg she had around me, prompting her to lay flat on her back with her arms at her sides. She seemed perfectly content to lay still and let me continue. I sat up next to her, and used both hands to explore her body. I began at her face, caressing her cheeks, and moving across her temples, around her ears, and under her jawline. I leaned over and kissed her cheek. Though it was still pitch black darkness, I could feel her smile, and could see it clearly in my mind. My hands moved down her neck, and briefly massaged her shoulders, before easing towards her chest. I found her tits, and brushed my palms across her erect nipples before cupping them with a gentle squeeze. As I noted before, her tits weren't overly large, and certainly not comically large like most of the women in the porno mags and videos I've seen. I thought they were perfect. My caressing fingers roamed up to her shoulders, then slowly down the inside of her arms. I brushed her wrists as delicately as possible, soliciting a sigh. I ran my fingers across her palms, and down each of her fingers, which she seemed to like a lot. I added to her enjoyment of having her fingers caressed, to a growing mental list of ways she particularly liked being touched. Correctly guessing on the location of her belly button in the dark, I leaned over and planted a kiss on her belly, just below her waistline. She made another non-distinct sound of pleasure under her breath. I made a trail of kisses up to her belly button, adding soft licks with the tip of my tongue. I licked in a circle around her belly button, and noted the lack of a positive, or negative, response from Melissa. I trailed my tongue and lips slowly up her chest, to between her tits. I cupped her tits, and licked a nipple, which got a very positive result. I licked little circles around her very erect nipple, then closed my mouth over it, sucking gently. Her chest rose with a deep intake of breath. I moved over to the other nipple, and did the same. Melissa was starting to get really worked up, and I again felt great joy that I was able to give her so much pleasure. I moved up to her face, and kissed her softly on the lips. She wrapped her arms around me, kissing me with passionate enthusiasm. Finally the broke off the kiss, and as she caught her breath, she whispered into my ear. "That was wonderful. I get to explore you now." She gently pushed me onto my back. She leaned over me and kissed me once on the lips, then moved to my neck, kissing softly, and teasing my skin with the tip of her tongue. I closed my eyes and sighed, relaxing fully. She massaged my shoulders and upper arms, then trailed her fingertips down to my hands like I had done to her. Instead of caressing my hand with her fingers, she picked it up, and brought it to her mouth. I felt her tongue slowly lick the length of each finger. She repeated this a couple times, then took a finger into her mouth, sucking gently. I found this to be particularly pleasurable, and let her know with a quiet moan. She did this to each of my fingers in turn, and it was really getting me turned on. Not only did it feel great, but it was very suggestive of something else I found I desperately wanted her to do with her mouth. She took her time, performing the same thing with the other hand, and I loved every second of it. She ran her hands up my arms, and onto my chest, massaging my pecs, and finding my nipples, which she pinched lightly. I had never thought that guys would like their nipples played with too, and maybe I'm just strange, but I really liked it. She bent down, and licked a nipple, before closing her mouth on it and sucking. I moaned with pleasure, and she sucked a little harder, flicking it with the tip of her tongue. I gasped as she stopped and moved to the other one, immediately sucking hard on it. She gave each nipple one last lick before moving on. He hands slid down my chest, and she followed them with a trail of kisses. My cock was extremely erect, and pointing up over my lower belly. Her hands brushed it on either side, as they slid down to my thighs. If she didn't already know how badly I wanted her to touch it, the sharp intake of breath I made at the slightest contact was a huge give away. She spread my legs apart, and knelt between my knees. Her hands roved down my legs, all the way to my toes, and back up. She lifted my knees up, and spread my legs farther, running her fingers from my calves, up the backs of my thighs. Her fingers traced a line up the edge of my ass cheeks, and onto my taint, then around my balls. I was breathing very heavily now. Feeling her hands on me like this was heavenly, but I needed more. I silently willed her to- She cupped my balls in her hands, gently rolling my testicles around, feeling the shape of them, and no doubt paying close attention to my reaction. My moan turned into a needy whimper as her hands moved from my balls, to my shaft. She caressed it slowly, taking the time to study every bit of me. She ran a finger around the edge of my head, and through the slit of my urethra, finding a drop of pre-cum there. That hand left my cock, and I realized she had brought the finger to her mouth to taste what she had just found. She moved close, and I gasped loudly as she licked my perineum with her whole tongue. In one long lick, she slid her tongue up between my balls, and up my shaft, giving my glans a little flick with the tip of her tongue at the last, causing my whole body to shudder. She wrapped a hand around my shaft, and cupped my balls with the other. I felt her lips wrap around the head of my cock as she took me into her mouth. I let out a low moan as she began bobbing her head up and down, swirling her tongue along the underside of my glans every time she took me in. Her hand wrapped around my shaft moved up and down in time. She wasn't taking me very deep into her mouth, not like in the porno videos, but my God did it feel amazing. I was squirming in ecstasy, and very quickly, far far too quickly, she had me on the verge of climax. I managed to whisper to her that I was going to cum, and instead of slowing down, or stopping, she redoubled her efforts. She started massaging my balls, and gripped a little tighter with the hand that was pumping up and down my shaft. Only when my hips bucked, and I filled her mouth with cum, did she stop. She gave my, now ultra-sensitive head one last little suck before taking her mouth off me. She must have been figuring out what to do with her mouthful of my hot cum, because she stayed still for a moment. Melissa moved up and lay next to me, I faced towards her, and we kissed. I was very surprised to find that her mouth was still full of cum. After the sensual experience she had given me, my desire to kiss her overruled any initial shock or disgust I might have had. Her tongue seemed to push a lot of it into my mouth, so I used my own tongue to push it back. I had tasted my own cum before, any guy who says he hasn't even once, is probably lying. I didn't really care for the taste of it, and before this moment, the thought of having a mouthful of my own cum would have been a turn off. But, what was happening now with Melissa, this was hot. We kissed with passion, sharing my cum back and forth. Little by little, as we each swallowed saliva, the cum was swallowed too. This act seemed almost dirty, and maybe it was because of that, and because I enjoyed it so much, that I found that it was a real turn on. I broke off the kiss and caught my breath. I caressed her cheeks and gave her a short kiss on the lips. "That was amazing." I whispered. I could feel her smile under my hands. "I'm glad." She seemed to frown a little bit. "I was afraid you wouldn't like that last part." I kissed her softly again. "Melissa, you can do anything you want to me, and I'll love it because it's you doing it." "I'll remember that." She said mischievously. "I love you." "I love you." She whispered back. I was musing that my statement about 'anything she wants' might come back and bite me in the ass one day, when I felt her hand wrap around my cock again. I was still very hard, and the high sensitivity that comes right after an orgasm has passed. I sighed, as she gave my cock a little squeeze. She leaned in close and whispered into my ear. "I need you inside of me." She did not have to ask twice. I rolled her onto her back, and climbed between her legs. I slid my hands down her chest and belly, straight down to her very wet pussy. She squirmed as I ran my fingers along either side her slit. I grabbed my cock, and guided myself in. I had just the tip inside, when her legs came up around me and pulled hard. In one swift movement, my cock was buried to the base. We both let out a grunt of pleasure. I laid my chest down onto hers, and we kissed. After just a few seconds, she broke off the kiss and whispered into my ear. "Fuck me." I started slowly, pulling out until just my head was inside her, then sliding myself back in. Every couple of strokes, I did it a little faster. Every time I reached full penetration, the lower part of my abdomen, just above my cock, would press against her, and she would give out a little moan. "Faster." She whispered, wrapping her arms around my back, and burying her face against my neck. I obliged, and soon was slamming my cock into her, as deep and hard and fast as I could. With each thrust, our bodies met with a wet slapping sound. I was almost afraid that I was hurting her until she whispered. "Yes! Don't stop!" Having cum so recently, I was nowhere near cumming again so soon. I could feel it building though. Melissa, however, was very close. As I continued to pound deep into her, her breathing became more ragged, and her arms gripped me tighter. I felt it when she came, her vagina pulsed tightly around my cock, and her whole body shuddered as the waves of her orgasm washed through her. I had slowed my thrusting when she came, but I hadn't stopped. We kissed, and she moaned into my mouth as I continued to slide slowly in and out of her. She ran her fingers through my shaggy hair, and down my back. Every time I pulled my hips back, she would inhale, then I would slide deep inside, and she would exhale with a moan. As I relentlessly continued at a slow pace, her moans slowly became louder. The feeling of making her cum had brought me closer to my own orgasm, and now as she was building up to another one, I could feel myself getting very close. I tried to hold out as long as I could, to keep her in this state of bliss for a little while longer, but it was no use. With one last deep thrust, I came, filling her with my seed once again. Gasping, Melissa came, the sensation of my cum spurting inside her having pushed her over the edge once again. We kissed deeply, then both of us had to stop as we tried to catch our breath. We were so joyous in our mutual ecstasy, that we were giggling. We caressed each other's faces, and showered each other in kisses. I realized that it wasn't pitch black darkness anymore, the first faint hint of morning sunlight was enough that I could see the outline of her face. "So much for getting much sleep tonight." "Sleep is over rated." Melissa kissed me softly, and ran a finger along my jaw. "Besides, I needed as much of you as I could get before..." I completed her sentence. "Before we have to say goodbye." She nodded slowly, then asked a moment later. "Can we really make this work?" "I said earlier, that life without you is not an option. I meant that." She was quiet for another moment, then whispered. "I'm scared." "Of getting caught?" I asked. "Of losing you. If other girls find out how amazing you are, I won't stand a chance." I gently held her face between my hands, and with the aid of the growing predawn light I looked her in the eyes. "You're smart, you're gorgeous, you're funny, and I have more in common with you than with anyone else I've ever met. You make my heart flutter with a glance. You know me better than anyone. Being with you makes me feel complete, in a way I didn't know was possible. I am yours, in all ways, forever." Tears welled up in her eyes, but they were tears of joy. "I love you." She said, and kissed me softly before hugging me tight. "I love you." I replied, then added. "And you make me cum really hard." We both laughed as quietly as we could. Chapter Nine. We had stayed in each other's arms for as long as we thought we could get away with, but decided that we should make sure that we were up and about before anyone would have the chance to see both of us leave my tent. We each attended to our morning needs, and were soon at the fire pit, where I skillfully started a small fire. The morning air was very cold, and frost covered the ground. Melissa smiled at me as I sat on the bench next to her. Her smile warmed me inside more than the fire ever could. "You have a cell phone, don't you?" She asked. "Yeah." I replied. I had left it in my truck all weekend. Any really important calls would have come from people who were here with me, so I didn't see the point of carrying it around. "Go get it." I did, and when I returned to the bench, I set it into her outstretched hand. She entered in a new contact, and handed it back. "That's my home phone number. I don't have a cell phone yet." I looked at the contact, labeled simply 'Melissa' with a 218 area code phone number. Despite it being in my phone, I committed myself to memorizing the number. "I should probably get one." She added. "I never had the money before. Then I did have the money, it didn't seem all that important." "I hardly ever use mine. Mostly, it's just for emergencies, like my mom checking up on me to see why I'm late for dinner." As we laughed, I saw my Mark, one of my older brothers, coming up the trail that led from the cabin down to Pelican lake. He had his arms full of tackle boxes and fishing rods, which he brought to his pickup. He lit up a smoke as he walked over to us. "Morning, kids." He said, tossing a spent match into the fire. Mark was older than me, but not that much older. "Good morning." Melissa replied sweetly. "I need your help today, Chuck." He said, using a version of my name that he knew I didn't like, as he almost always did. "I gotta pull Lilly and John's camper home for them, so you have to take the boat." Lilly and John were my sister and her husband. They owned a big fancy tow-behind camper, but didn't own anything that could tow it, instead relying on one of us to drag it up here in the spring, and back down in the fall, so it was no surprise that I was expected to use my truck to tow something back home. "Alright. When do you want to bring the boat to the landing?" I asked. "I wanna get home early today, so like, now." He turned and started back towards the path to the lake. "Can't I at least have breakfast first?" I called after him. "Don't make me wait." He called back. I looked at Melissa with a grimace. "Well, shit. Guess I better get moving." "I'll be here when you get back." She said with a smile. I was about to lean over and give her a kiss, but thought better of it. Getting up, I hitched the boat trailer to my truck, and started the drive into Breezy Point, where the boat launch was. When I pulled into the boat landing, I could see Mark in the fishing boat, slowing down as he piloted it closer to shore. I hurried and got the trailer backed into the water, just in time for Mark to send the boat coasting up into place. I got out and attached the winch line to the bow of the boat, giving the crank a few turns to draw it snug to the front. Mark grabbed a few last loose items from the boat and hopped out. We got into my truck at the same time, slamming the doors in unison. "Smooth." He said, offering me a fist bump, which I returned with a grin. He lit a smoke, and said. "Let's roll." I pulled out of the boat launch, and headed back towards the cabin. After about a minute of driving, I noticed that Mark was looking at me kinda strange. "What?" I asked. Mark actually looked a little uncomfortable. "So I, uh, know about you and Melissa." My heart sank. I didn't look at him, just kept driving. "I was up super early, and I heard you two going at it." People were going to find out eventually, Melissa had said as much, but so soon? I felt like bursting into tears. "Mark, please don't tell mom and dad!" "Hey!" He said defensively. "I ain't a snitch." "What do you want then?" I pleaded. "I just" He stopped what he was about to say and looked at me intently. "This thing between you two, it's more than just sex isn't it?" I nodded my head. "Much more." He took a drag off his smoke and looked out the window. "I don't want anything. You're my brother, I'll keep my mouth shut. Just. Be more careful, man. If dad knew, he would freak the fuck out, and if mom found out, she'd cry for a week, and then I'd have to kick your ass." I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing. Mark had always been kind of a bully to me, as older brothers always were. He could be mean at times, but he was never sadistic, and I knew that deep down, he loved me. Mark smacked my shoulder with the back of his hand. "Hey, I'm actually pretty happy for you. She's a wonderful girl." Another drag off the cigarette. "So is it like, serious serious?" This conversation was going way better than I feared it would, and my relief almost made me dizzy. "Yeah. We have a connection that neither of us thought was possible. We really do love each other." "That's cool, man. Good for you. Should've seen it coming though, you two were always joined at the hip." He cackled at his joke, and I couldn't help but join him. "So, you aren't grossed out that she's my cousin?" "She's your second cousin. That's barely related." He tossed his cigarette butt out the window, then grinned at me. "My little bro is a man now. Gonna have to start calling you Charles." Chapter Ten. It was getting to be mid-afternoon, and slowly the cabin yard was emptying out, with everyone packing up their things and saying their goodbyes. Melissa and I had spent the day just relaxing, lounging on camp chairs, and chatting about nothing in particular with whoever was around. The only things that might have given away our secret, were the occasional unwarranted smile, and the fact that we never strayed very far apart from each other. Which, I guess, actually was pretty normal behavior for the two of us. "I think we should take down our tents." I said. "Yeah." Melissa reluctantly agreed. We had both been putting this task off, because it meant that 'the goodbye' was soon to follow. We collapsed our tents. Then we were both working on rolling them up and stuffing them into their bags. I looked around to see if anyone was nearby. The only people I could see were my parents, both engrossed in books by the fire pit. I moved over and sat on the ground near Melissa. We hadn't had a chance to talk privately all day until now. "I had an interesting chat with my brother this morning." Melissa looked at me curiously, sensing that this wasn't going to be a conversation with a 'light' topic. "He knows about us." Her hands covered her mouth, and her eyes got wide and fearful. I put a calming hand on her arm. "Hey, hey, don't worry. He approves." She took her hands away from her face, but she still looked fearful. "Really?" "Yeah." I said reassuringly. "He's actually happy for us." "He doesn't have a problem with, you know," She gestured back and forth between us. "Cousins?" I shook my head. "It didn't seem to matter at all to him." "We need to be more careful." She said, somewhat relieved, but still worried. "He told me that too." "Wait, how did he find out?" Melissa asked. I scratched the back of my neck, and grimaced. "He said that he... heard us... this morning." "Heard us what... Oh. Oh my god." She said, her face instantly flushing red as she made the realization. "Yeah, so maybe no more sex when there's anyone close enough to overhear." She laughed, but still looked slightly horrified. "Yeah, that's a good idea." She glanced over to my parents, who were now packing things into their car, much too far away to be listening in. She looked back at me, with a familiar gleam in her eye. "Despite how much I want you to fuck my brains out right now." I gazed at her lovingly. I wanted to strip off her clothes and take her right here on the grass and dried leaves. But of course, the situation demanded that I remain content to merely be in her presence. Seemingly on-cue, My dad approached. "We're all packed and the cabin is locked. Did you have a good weekend, Melissa?" She smiled up at him. "It was wonderful. I really missed being here, thanks for having me." "You're always welcome." Then my dad turned to me, and dashed any hopes of staying behind for a while with Melissa after my parents left. "Nobody's used that boat trailer since spring, I'll follow you home just in case there's any trouble." "Okay." I said, trying my best not to sound disappointed. "As soon as your mother is ready, we'll go." As he turned to go, he paused and said. "We really do enjoy your company, Melissa. It's a shame what happened. If there's ever anything you need, all you have to do is ask." Melissa gave him a very sweet heartfelt smile. "Thanks." He nodded, and headed toward his car. "Well, it was really great seeing you again." I said to Melissa, knowing that my dad was probably still within earshot. Catching on immediately to the little show we needed to put on, she responded. "I'll have to try and come back next summer, I really love this place." I stood, and picked up my tent and backpack, holding them in front of my body to conceal an inconvenient bulge. "I'll probably be here." I looked in her eyes, and saw what she couldn't say, that she loved me, and it hurt to have to say goodbye, and there was no way in hell she was going to wait until next summer to see me again. "Cool." She said, picking up her own things. We carried our stuff to our vehicles, and I did a last walk around inspection of the boat and trailer. My mom and dad were in their car, waiting. Melissa walked up as I was getting ready to get in my truck. She gave me a quick, cousin-appropriate, hug. Before she let go, she whispered. "Call me when you get home." She flashed me a smile as she got into her car, and was the first of us to leave the cabin yard. I followed her, and my parents followed me. Melissa turned right at the end of the driveway, towards the road that would lead her home to Duluth. I looked in the rear view mirror, over the roof of my dad's car. The cabin looked lonely, as I always thought it did when everyone left. It would wait, nestled there among the towering pines and oaks, and elms, for people to return and give its existence meaning again. It would wait, patiently yearning, for joy and love to once again make itself whole. To be continued in part 3. Based on a post by NewMountain80, in 6 parts, for Literotica.
As global supply chains undergo transformation and investment patterns shift, China has taken on a dual role in the world economy — as both a magnet for foreign enterprises and an increasingly influential outbound investor, said experts and executives.专家与企业高管表示,在全球供应链深度调整、投资格局加速演变的背景下,中国在世界经济中扮演着双重角色——既是吸引外资企业的“磁石”,也是影响力持续提升的对外投资主体。This signals not only continuity in the country's opening-up policy, but also a deeper transformation — that China is no longer just a participant in global growth, but is becoming a co-architect of it, they said.他们指出,这不仅体现中国对外开放政策的连续性,更标志着深层次转型:中国已不再是全球经济增长的单纯参与者,正逐步成为全球经济发展的共同构建者。What draws foreign companies today is not the promise of low costs, but the chance to innovate, to test ideas in a vast and demanding market, and to use China as a springboard into global competition.如今吸引外资企业的,不再是低成本优势,而是创新机遇、在庞大且高要求市场中验证理念的可能,以及以中国为跳板参与全球竞争的广阔空间。"China remains the top target market for enterprises expanding their global trade layout, with 44 percent of global enterprises selecting China as their first choice for expansion," said David Liao, co-chief executive for Asia and the Middle East at HSBC.汇丰银行亚洲及中东联席首席执行官廖宜建表示:“中国仍是企业拓展全球贸易布局的首要目标市场,44%的全球企业将中国选为海外扩张的首选地。”Citing survey data, he added that 40 percent of global firms are either already increasing or planning to increase their manufacturing footprint in China over the next two years. "These findings highlight that China remains a hot spot for international investment and occupies a central position in the global trade landscape."他援引调研数据补充道,未来两年,40%的全球企业已在增加或计划增加在华制造业布局。“这些数据充分说明,中国仍是国际投资的热点地区,在全球贸易格局中占据核心地位。”That reality is reflected in the way executives describe the market. Many call it a touchstone for development.企业高管对中国市场的评价,也印证了这一现实——许多人将中国视为发展的“试金石”。ABB CEO Morten Wierod said China is the cornerstone of ABB's business, with Xiamen, Fujian province becoming its largest global manufacturing base and innovation center.ABB集团首席执行官史毕福称,中国是ABB业务发展的基石,其中福建省厦门市已成为ABB全球最大的制造基地与创新中心。The same pattern plays out in life sciences and healthcare. Anita Wei, vice-president of External Affairs at Danaher China, said her company's "Double Innovation Engine" strategy is built on deep localization.在生命科学与医疗健康领域,这一趋势同样显著。丹纳赫中国政府事务副总裁韦春艳表示,丹纳赫的“双创新引擎”战略根植于深度本土化。"We aim to achieve 80 percent of sales revenue from localized production and 80 percent of raw material sourcing from the Chinese market," she explained. "This allows our research and development teams to respond directly to clinical needs in China and then promote those solutions globally."“我们目标实现80%的销售收入来自本土化生产,80%的原材料采购源自中国市场,”她解释道,“这让我们的研发团队能够直接响应中国临床需求,并将这些解决方案推向全球市场。”Wei emphasized that the company's commitment is also about long-term trust. "China's continuous opening-up and improving business environment give us the confidence to keep investing. We are committed to building long-term, trusted partnerships that address global challenges together."韦春艳强调,企业的投入也源于对中国市场的长期信任。“中国持续扩大开放、不断优化营商环境,给了我们持续投资的信心。我们致力于构建长期互信的合作伙伴关系,共同应对全球挑战。”Other foreign companies have adopted similar strategies.其他外资企业也采取了类似策略。Zhao Bingdi, president of Panasonic China, described the shift by saying that China is not only a manufacturing center for Panasonic, but also an innovation hub, and that the Japanese firm is transitioning from "in China, for China" to "in China, for global" with the aim of leveraging the competitive edge honed in China for Southeast Asia and beyond.松下电器(中国)总裁赵炳弟这样描述战略转变:中国对松下而言,不仅是制造中心,更是创新枢纽。这家日本企业正从“在中国,为中国”向“在中国,为全球”转型,旨在将在中国市场打磨的竞争优势延伸至东南亚及更广泛地区。These strategies have been underpinned by policy.这些战略的落地,离不开政策的有力支撑。China has steadily opened doors wider, reducing national and free trade zone negative lists for foreign investment to 29 and 27 items, respectively. Restrictions on manufacturing investment have been removed, while pilot programs in cloud computing, biotechnology and wholly foreign-owned hospitals are underway. Procurement, IP protection, data flows and tax incentives are all being fine-tuned to create a more predictable business climate.中国持续扩大对外开放:全国和自由贸易试验区外资准入负面清单分别缩减至29项、27项;制造业领域外资限制全面取消;云计算、生物技术、外资独资医院等领域试点有序推进。与此同时,中国还在采购管理、知识产权保护、数据流动、税收优惠等方面不断优化,为市场营造更可预期的发展环境。If inbound investment illustrates how China strengthens multinationals, outbound investment shows how Chinese firms are reshaping international markets. In 2024, outward direct investment reached $192.2 billion, bringing cumulative stock above $3.14 trillion. For the 13th year in a row, China ranked among the world's top three investors, according to the 2024 statistical bulletin of outward foreign direct investment.如果说吸引外资体现了中国如何助力跨国企业发展壮大,那么对外投资则展现了中国企业如何重塑国际市场格局。《2024年中国对外直接投资统计公报》显示,2024年中国对外直接投资规模达1922亿美元,累计对外直接投资存量突破3.14万亿美元,连续13年位居全球对外投资前三行列。In total, by the end of 2024, 34,000 Chinese investors had established 52,000 overseas enterprises in 190 countries and regions, including 19,000 in Belt and Road Initiative partner countries.截至2024年底,中国3.4万家投资者在全球190个国家和地区设立了5.2万家境外企业,其中在“一带一路”合作伙伴国家设立企业1.9万家。Hungary illustrates China's new depth of global cooperation, particularly with countries participating in the BRI. From 2014 to 2024, Chinese enterprises invested close to $20 billion in Hungary, creating more than 30,000 local jobs in sectors such as automotive batteries and intelligent logistics. These projects have not only delivered advanced technologies, but also strengthened Hungary's position in Europe's industrial chain.匈牙利的案例,彰显了中国全球合作的新深度,尤其是与“一带一路”参与国的合作成果。2014年至2024年,中国企业在匈牙利投资近200亿美元,在汽车电池、智能物流等领域创造当地就业岗位超3万个。这些项目不仅带来了先进技术,更提升了匈牙利在欧洲产业链中的地位。In Egypt's TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, Chinese enterprises have built integrated clusters centered on high-end manufacturing and logistics — a "localized production+global sales" model that has spurred industrial upgrading and job creation, earning praise from the Egyptian government.在埃及泰达苏伊士经贸合作区,中国企业打造了以高端制造、物流为核心的产业综合体,形成“本土化生产+全球化销售”模式。这一模式推动当地产业升级、创造大量就业,得到埃及政府高度认可。The energy sector tells a similar story.能源领域亦呈现相似态势Wang Pengcheng, president of Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co, said, "The global energy storage market is experiencing rapid growth, and Hithium Energy is building a global full-chain capability from materials and product systems to system integration and full-station services, providing customized integrated solutions for global customers." The company's shipments have grown at a compound annual rate of 167 percent over the past three years, with demand rising fast in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.海辰储能科技股份有限公司总裁王鹏程表示:“全球储能市场正迎来快速增长,海辰储能正构建从材料、产品系统到系统集成、全站服务的全球全链条能力,为全球客户提供定制化综合解决方案。”过去三年,该公司出货量复合年增长率达167%,在美国、欧洲、中东等地区的市场需求增长迅猛。Smooth two-way capital flows depend on a robust financial system that can provide not only funding, but also risk protection and efficiency for cross-border activities.双向资本的顺畅流动,离不开健全的金融体系支撑——它不仅能提供资金支持,更能为跨境经贸活动提供风险保障与效率提升服务。"Outbound investment always involves the movement of capital across borders, and financial institutions are now participating in more diverse ways," said Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.中国国际贸易促进委员会国际贸易经济合作研究院高级研究员周密指出:“对外投资必然涉及跨境资本流动,当前金融机构的参与方式正日趋多元。”Zhou outlined three avenues of support. "First, banks can provide direct financing — loans that help enterprises participate in overseas projects or place large orders. Second, risk-protection products such as investment insurance reduce uncertainty for firms abroad. Last, trade-related financing tools, like buyer's credit, can lower the costs of running international operations."周密进一步阐述了金融支持的三大路径:“首先,银行可提供直接融资支持,通过贷款助力企业参与海外项目或承接大额订单;其次,投资保险等风险保障产品能降低企业海外经营的不确定性;最后,买方信贷等贸易融资工具可减少企业开展国际业务的成本。”Zhou believes that services will only grow more localized and innovative. "Many Chinese and international banks are expanding their global presence, which allows them to provide on-the-ground services. At the same time, new tools — such as stablecoins and faster cross-border payment systems — are emerging to make capital flows more efficient," he said. "Of course, cross-market risks remain, and the key will be ensuring that financial capital and real-economy capital complement each other to drive innovation. That balance requires constant adjustments."在周密看来,金融服务的本土化与创新化水平将持续提升。“众多中资银行与国际银行正加速拓展全球布局,以便提供在地化服务。与此同时,稳定币、高效跨境支付系统等新型工具不断涌现,推动资本流动效率提升,”他表示,“当然,跨市场风险依然存在,关键在于确保金融资本与实体经济资本相互补充、共同驱动创新。这一平衡需要持续调整优化。”The trend was clear at this year's China International Fair for Investment and Trade last month, where banks introduced instant transaction platforms and insurers offered tailored risk products for projects in politically complex regions.上月举办的本届中国国际投资贸易洽谈会(简称“投洽会”)上,这一趋势体现得尤为明显:银行机构推出即时交易平台,保险机构则针对政治环境复杂地区的项目定制专属风险保障产品。Liao of HSBC added that the Panda Bond market has become a vital channel for foreign companies raising capital in China. "Since 2005, the Panda Bond market had recorded an accumulated issuance size of over 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) as of July. The ready availability of domestic fundraising tools reduces financing costs and accelerates the expansion of the footprint of multinational companies in China," Liao said. "It also helps optimize their asset-liability structures and improve overall capital allocation efficiency."汇丰银行的廖宜建补充道,熊猫债市场已成为外资企业在华融资的重要渠道。“自2005年以来,截至今年7月,熊猫债市场累计发行规模已突破1万亿元人民币(约合1400亿美元)。便捷的在华融资工具不仅降低了融资成本,还助力跨国企业加速拓展在华业务布局,”廖宜建说,“这同时有助于企业优化资产负债结构,提升整体资金配置效率。”Finance is the bloodstream of two-way investment, but innovation is the heartbeat. Both inbound and outbound flows increasingly target high-tech fields, from artificial intelligence and robotics to green energy. That matches China's strategy of high-quality growth and the world's demand for greener, smarter solutions.金融是双向投资的“血脉”,而创新则是其“心跳”。无论是外资流入还是对外投资,均日益向人工智能、机器人、绿色能源等高科技领域集聚。这既契合中国高质量发展战略,也顺应了全球对更绿色、更智能解决方案的需求。That perspective is increasingly shared by foreign executives, who point to China's blend of policy support, market demand and industrial supply chains as a foundation for technological progress.越来越多外资企业高管认同这一观点,他们认为中国的政策支持、市场需求与产业供应链形成合力,为技术创新奠定了坚实基础。Events such as CIFIT showcase two-way investment results. More than 1,100 cooperation projects, with a combined value of 644 billion yuan, were signed at the fair this year.中国国际投资贸易洽谈会等平台,正是双向投资成果的重要展示窗口。本届投洽会共签约1100多个合作项目,总金额达6440亿元人民币。While China's dual role in global capital flows has already delivered results, challenges remain. Geopolitical frictions, divergent regulatory system, and rising protectionism all weigh on the investment outlook.尽管中国在全球资本流动中扮演的双重角色已成效初显,但挑战依然存在。地缘政治摩擦、监管体系差异、保护主义抬头等因素,均对投资前景构成压力。Even so, with its vast market, comprehensive supply chains, and growing financial and innovation ecosystems, China is well placed to deepen two-way cooperation.即便如此,凭借庞大的市场规模、完备的供应链体系,以及不断完善的金融与创新生态,中国具备深化双向合作的坚实基础,未来可期。cumulative/ˈkjuːmjələtɪv/adj.累积的;累计的honed/həʊnd/adj.经过磨练的;打磨robust/rəʊˈbʌst/adj.强健的;健全的;稳固的divergent/daɪˈvɜːdʒənt/adj.不同的;有分歧的;相异的
Meet Alice Kapitein, an educator and bridal stylist (and one of my incredible former clients) known for clean, polished hair that photographs beautifully and lasts all day. We cover technique, client experience, and the backend pieces that make a bridal business feel effortless for both you and your brides.→ Clean and polished styling fundamentals that prevent frizz at every step→ The product layering Alice uses from prep to pinning→ Why ninety percent of her brides wear extensions and how that changes hold→ Trial process that reduces opinions and increases clarity→ What to send brides before the trial so the day runs smoothly→ On-location prep instructions that save time→ Booking systems that keep everything organized in one place→ Content and captions that build trust on instagram→ 2025 bridal hair trends brides are requesting nowWhat we coverAlice's path from office job to full bridal book and educatorChoosing a clear niche and why it made marketing easierHow consistent posting plus specific captions created demandBuilding trust with before and afters for thin, thick, and curly hairExtensions as a standard for loose styles and glam wavesTrial structure, boundaries, and clear expectationsOn-site workflow, prep from the night before, and using a crimper for gripKeeping buns modern and small with padding and ponytail strategyBusiness tools: using a dedicated bridal booking system for contracts, emails, and portalsTrends for 2025: soft glossy glam waves, smooth half-up twists, tight modern bunsTactical takeaways→ Smooth as you go: liquid hairspray, spray wax, comb or fork at each phase→ Layer products lightly and consistently instead of fixing frizz at the end→ For very heavy hair, anchor a center ponytail first, then build clean structure→ Include extensions for longevity on loose styles and waves→ Send a trial guide that covers hair prep, guests, timing, and limits→ Recommend brides come alone to the trial to avoid too many opinions→ Use a client portal to centralize contracts, timelines, and inspo photos→ Write captions that teach and build trust, not just pretty photosConnect with AliceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicekapitein_hairstyling/Education and online academy: see the link in her bio
Smooth Groovers Licensed Jazz Funk Soul and Smooth Jazz Podcast
Licensed Episode BTGSeriesEp271 - In-between the regular shows featuring the Radio Issue.
Host Eric Thompson sits down for a thoroughly enlightening conversation with the incredibly driven Adam Sobel, a top real estate professional from North Atlanta, in today's episode. Together, they dig into Adam's inspiring personal journey of achieving a full year's worth of real estate production in just six months, fueled by the impending arrival of his first child and the powerful desire to be fully present for his family. This episode is packed with tangible insights for anyone looking to supercharge their real estate business, integrate work-life balance, and align professional goals with deep personal values. In this deep dive, Adam reveals the three pivotal strategies that fueled his success, showcasing how he elevated his real estate game beyond traditional methods. He reveals his innovative approach to real estate reviews, leveraging technology for personalized video updates that surprise and delight clients, as well as his clever and budget-friendly client appreciation events, like a car wash concept that guarantees quality one-on-one engagement. Finally, Adam redefines how he manages his "warm list," transforming it from a passive contact list into a proactive pipeline by focusing on clients experiencing significant life changes. Be sure to take notes on this one, and get ready to integrate intentionality, consistent follow-up, and a strategic mindset into your own real estate business for unprecedented growth. Episode Highlights: A compelling "why" drives action. Transform your mindset to achieve goals. Use innovative video for personalized reviews. Host strategic client appreciation events. Proactively manage your warm list based on life changes. Consistent follow-up is non-negotiable. Focus on what works and double down. Smooth out business cycles with a consistent pipeline. Key Takeaways: "If you always do what you always did, you always get what you always got." "I need to be on the warm list because those are events that lead to moves." "The more intentional you get...is really transformative and the path to success." "I didn't know what I didn't know." "I really wanted more, especially for our first child, time at home and flexibility to be able to enjoy that time." "If I'm seeing those trends and active on social media or hear that someone, you know, has a job promotion or is expecting another child, like they need to be on the warm list." "You're never at a loss for, 'Well, what am I going to say when I reach out to them?' It's always about the event." "All of a sudden you see a bunch of opportunities sitting right in front of you." Links: Website: https://ninjaselling.com/ninja-podcast/ Email: TSW@NinjaSelling.com Phone: 1-800-254-1650 Podcast Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/TheNinjaSellingPodcast Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NinjaSelling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninjasellingofficial/# LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ninjaselling Upcoming Public Ninja Installations: https://NinjaSelling.com/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=183&tribe__ecp_custom_2%5B0%5D=Public Ninja Coaching: http://www.NinjaSelling.com/course/ninja-coaching/ Adam Sobel on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asobelr
“Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.” (1 Corinthians 15:43–44 NLT) When you get to Heaven, God will give you a brand-new body. But the blueprint for your glorified body is in the body you now possess. In other words, there will be a connection between the you of earth and the you of Heaven. The apostle Paul wrote, “Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies” (1 Corinthians 15:43–44 NLT). That means our new bodies will, in some ways, be the same as our old bodies, but at the same time, they will be different. Without question, they will be radically improved. No more physical disabilities. No signs of age. No sinful tendencies. Joni Eareckson Tada, who was left a quadriplegic after a diving accident, wrote a book called Heaven: Your Real Home. In it, she talked about the new bodies we will receive. “No more bulging middles or balding tops. No varicose veins or crow’s feet. No more cellulite or support hose. Forget the thunder thighs and the highway hips. Just a quick leapfrog over the tombstone and it is a body you have always dreamed of. Fit and trim. Smooth and sleek.” Our new resurrection bodies will resemble the resurrection body of Jesus Christ. Jesus appeared to His disciples in the flesh after He rose from the dead. He ate. He invited Thomas to touch the wounds from His crucifixion. Yet He could appear in a room without using the door. And He ascended to glory. The Bible doesn’t tell us whether we’ll be able to do the same things. But it does say, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is” (1 John 3:2 NLT). That’s an exciting prospect. And Paul wrote, “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life” (2 Corinthians 5:1–4 NLT). In other words, our heavenly body will be familiar, yet amazingly different from our current body. Reflection question: What do you look forward to most about your heavenly body? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Smooth Groovers Licensed Jazz Funk Soul and Smooth Jazz Podcast
Licensed Episode BTGSeriesEp269 - In-between the regular shows featuring the Radio Issue.
Smooth Groovers Licensed Jazz Funk Soul and Smooth Jazz Podcast
Licensed Episode BTGSeriesEp270 - In-between the regular shows featuring the Radio Issue.
Hey everyone,Fresh out of the reactor this week we've got big new heaters from Stonx & Sindicate ft. Sodie, Audio & AKOV, KROT, Current Value, Dezpot & Modefunk, Smooth, Donny & Katharsys Remix LP, Subminderz & JIROBASS, and System Wide.In Demo's Wips & Promos we've got fresh cuts from Kaizen Flow & Stonx, Zigi SC & Phenom & Discharge, Burr Oak, Direct Shift, TRCD & Kryptomedic, plus Receptor & Engage.Check out the track list below and let's dive in!Disciples Of Distortion Vol4cygnusmusic.link/ddjeo14TRACKLIST AND MORE INFO: www.stonxmusic.co.uk/stonxcast-ep160
Sponsor: Learn more about Zenith Health's Pregnancy Evidence Navigator -Penny- tool and their Pregnancy Evidence Project at www.zenithhealth.io The Birth Hour Links: Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course (code 100OFF for $100 OFF!) Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Access archived episodes and a private Facebook group via Patreon!
Jimmy Kimmel seeks to smooth tensions and takes aim at Trump in first show since ABC suspension Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.