Podcasts about spiritual discernment

Ep. 202 (Part 1 of 2) | In this rich, delightful, and profound conversation, integralist Father David McCallum, SJ, currently serving the Vatican as executive director of the Program for Discerning Leadership, leads us into a world filled with mission, purpose, and service, foundational to which is the practice of discernment. David describes discernment as the capacity to exercise good judgment, hold complexity, and wait for clarity. This is not only a practice for individuals, he explains, but also a communal one, providing a way for communities to discern and design together the future they want to create—through listening, dialoguing, participating. Discernment is a way of knowing and making sense of reality, David continues, and especially important now in this era of changes and choices to be made.David enlightens us as to the beautiful and far-sighted reforms proposed by the late Pope Francis, who was all for changing the balance of authority and participation in the Church; for people to have direct experience of Presence and the capacity to practice discernment; who also advocated for taking swift action on behalf of our planet, even calling out the part in the Bible that says man has dominion over the Earth. From David's description of “the journey worth making”—surrendering, opening, accepting divine grace and love—to using Otto Scharmer's U Process to help find the courage to change and simplify our lives for the benefit of all, to the Church's relationship with A.I., David provides us with an extraordinarily mind-broadening, motivating, and spiritually fulfilling perspective. Recorded July 10, 2025.“No secular, material, and empirical path is going to satisfy the longing we have for a transcendent purpose, for meaning, for existential belonging, in the ways that a healthy spirituality can.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1Introducing Fr. David McCallum, integrally informed Jesuit priest currently serving the Vatican as the executive director of the Program for Discerning Leadership (00:48)How did David come to devote his life to the Catholic Church? (01:48)The journey worth making: surrendering, opening, accepting grace (09:42)So many are disconnected from the deeper wellspring of spirituality (13:07)Pope Francis was a reformer, focused on changing the balance of authority and participation (16:46)Pope Francis also focused on the process of synodality, real dialogue, the importance of discernment & following where the spirit wants to lead us (19:31)Pope Leo XIV, self-effacing, generous, hard working, introspective, bringing balance and discipline (22:27)How does David's understanding of developmental stages inform his work? (25:28)Using metatheories as a map to make sense of the change in era we are living through now (28:09)The rise of secularism; also burgeoning fundamentalism (31:26)Without faith, how can we make sense of suffering? (33:25)The temptation of ideology in these anxiety-producing times (36:07)What is discernment?Communal discernment: What is the future we want to create together? (40:39)Resources & References – Part 1Father David McCallum, SJ, The Program for Discerning LeadershipGraham Greene,...

Questions? Comments? Text Us!In this What's On Our Mind episode, we ask: how do you know when a task has your name on it? In a noisy world full of choices, it can be hard to discern your true path. Is it just hard work, or a sign you're on the wrong road? We explore stories of callings, intuition, and spiritual discernment, and how energy, peace, and prayer become signposts for purpose.Through everyday examples — from saying no with clarity, to receiving encouragement from others, to God-centered prayer — we highlight how guidance shows up in radically personal ways. The conversation also introduces new podcast series: From God to Jerry to You, Intimate Dialogue, Radically Personal, and What's Your Spiritual Story?For anyone seeking everyday spirituality, practical discernment, and a deeper sense of purpose, this episode offers encouragement to listen, trust, and follow the path that already has your name on it.Related Episodes:250. Special Episode: Suffering, Growth & Divine Love | Celebrating 250 Episodes249. Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – The Summons of Love and Life's True Calling248. From God to Jerry to You- God on the Bhagavad Gita: Moral Complexity, Swadharma, and Your True CallingOther Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.What's Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.What's On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.What's On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. Stay ConnectedShare your thoughts or questions at questions@godandautobiography.com

In this inspiring sermon, Associate Pastor Jeff Stemple steps in for Senior Pastor Karl, who is currently on a mission trip in Ukraine with the Excel Leadership Network, planting churches in a war-torn region. Pastor Jeff shares a heartfelt message about the importance of guarding your heart, drawing from Proverbs 4:23, which describes the heart as the wellspring of life. Reflecting on a personal story from his childhood in 1983, when his prized BMX bike was stolen, Pastor Jeff illustrates how unguarded decisions can lead to regret and loss. He emphasizes that the heart is both valuable and prone to deception, urging listeners to protect it by renewing their minds with God's Word and discerning what influences they allow in. Through practical steps, like setting a daily reminder to reflect on “What has my heart?” and engaging in upcoming church workshops, Pastor Jeff encourages the congregation to cultivate a peaceful, discerning heart rooted in faith. This message offers timeless wisdom for making decisions that align with God's will and lead to a life of purpose.Watch all our sermons on our YouTube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

I joined Sana on Cosmic Confluence for a deep and expansive conversation on healing beyond the physical world. In this episode, I share how connecting with galactic guides, star ancestors, and higher-dimensional beings can support trauma release, ancestral healing, and the reclamation of authentic power. We explore how unseen allies and cosmic energies can guide us through life challenges, help us break free from old cycles, and reconnect us with our soul gifts.Throughout our dialogue, I highlight why discernment is so important on the spiritual path—how to recognize the difference between supportive guidance and false light influences, and how asking clear, empowered questions of your spirit guides can shape the quality of the answers you receive. We also discuss why inner work must come first before seeking higher wisdom, so we don't bypass the very lessons that anchor us in self-trust and true empowerment.Practical tools are woven into the conversation, from meditation and breathwork to synchronicities and vibrational alignment. We talk about simple but powerful ways to raise your vibration every day—through kindness to yourself, creating safe energetic boundaries, choosing compassionate community, and surrounding yourself with supportive, like-minded souls. As an empath and healer, I share insights on protecting your energy field, clearing trauma imprints, and learning to align with your higher self without absorbing the pain of others.This episode invites listeners to embrace both healthy skepticism and open-hearted curiosity. It explores how dreams, intuitive downloads, and repeated synchronicities can serve as validation for spiritual connections, and how galactic guides such as the Arcturians reflect higher aspects of who we truly are. Rather than creating dependency, true guidance strengthens your capacity to trust yourself, align with higher frequencies, and embody your authentic light.If you've ever wondered whether unseen helpers exist, how to protect your energy, or how to raise your vibration while staying grounded, this conversation offers both inspiration and actionable steps. It's a reminder that spiritual awakening is not about escaping life but about engaging it more fully—with clarity, discernment, and the support of cosmic allies who walk with us on the journey home.Support the showStay Connected with Vandana Light Healing :✨ Website: vandanalighthealing.com YouTube: @VandanaLightHealing Facebook: VandanaLightHealing Podcast: Hope & Healing LinkedIn: Vandana Atara Noorah Instagram: @vandana_light_healing Amazon Author: Vandana Atara Noorah

In this 50 minute transmission we take a deeper look at awakening the third eye center at the head and how to utilize this in spiritual discernment.  The transmission helps to fully awaken the third eye tunnel and cleanse the energetic lenses that make up this energy structure.  The transmission also enhances the ability to discern and track various spiritual input into our system and into the system of others such as clients, friends, family members, spaces, and even internet websites.  This is a much needed ability as we learn to navigate the new energy and information age.

How to Identify False Prophets and Lead a Loving LifeShirah Chante, Relationship Coach and Artist, shares her journey of understanding true love through God's teachings. She presents her original song 'False Prophet' and discusses the importance of discerning true prophets from false ones, citing biblical references from Matthew and 1 John. Shirah Chante emphasizes the significance of love, genuine actions, and following God's commandments in recognizing true believers. She concludes with a prayer for listeners' discernment and provides resources for setting relationship goals and deepening their spiritual connection by downloading her Relationship Rescue Plan at hearmygod.com.00:00 Introduction and Purpose of Relationship Rock01:18 Shirah Chante's Background and Mission03:42 Introduction to the Song 'False Prophet'04:47 Performing 'False Prophet'06:28 The Story Behind 'False Prophet'09:01 Understanding False Prophets11:01 Biblical Warnings and Signs of False Prophets17:33 Identifying True Prophets by Their Fruits31:49 Concluding Thoughts and Prayer32:40 Relationship Rescue Plan and Final Message

We are not living in the same timeline anymore — and you can feel it. Some are awake to God's truth and the battle unfolding, while others remain blind to it. In this episode of The Sacred Rebel Sisterhood, I'm diving deep into the spiritual war we're facing, what the eclipse portal reveals about good and evil, and how we can stay grounded as women of faith in a world unraveling. I'll share: What it means to live on a higher timeline in this season. How scripture and astrology both reveal the spiritual war we're in. Why masculine and feminine energy are under attack, and how trauma distorts both. Practical tools for cleansing your home, protecting your space, and staying rooted in God's truth. This isn't about fear. This is about discernment, healing, and rising in bold faith as God's daughters.

This episode contains sensitive topics, including addiction and pornography. Listener discretion is advised.Chaos often feels like it's pulling us in a thousand directions. But what if, at its core, it was actually a master class — an invitation to learn discernment and return to our inner truth?In this week's episode of A Psychic's Story, spiritual teacher and content creator Taylor Perkins joins Nichole to share his personal journey of awakening and the lessons he's learned about navigating illusion and reclaiming power.Taylor opens up about growing up in a strict religious household and the cognitive dissonance that shaped his early years. He recounts the powerful moment as a teenager when he felt consumed by divine love — a turning point that awakened him to the reality that Source energy has always been within.Taylor and Nichole also explore:Reality as a mirror — how our beliefs, energy, and patterns reflect back to us in the physical world.Chaos as curriculum — why contrast and confusion are essential for spiritual evolution and why discernment matters more now than ever.Breaking loops — understanding repetitive patterns in our lives and how to shift them with awareness and compassion.Expansion over perfection — why striving for flawlessness keeps us stuck, and how embracing expansion allows for real freedom and growth.Integration — remembering that the answers aren't outside of us. The spiritual path is about self-sourcing truth and reclaiming sovereignty.Taylor's message is that discernment is not just a skill — it's a way of remembering who you truly are in the middle of a chaotic world.You can reach Taylor by following him on Instagram @iamtaylorperkins or on TikTok @mrcultdaddyIf you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, know you're not alone. Free, confidential help is available:SAMHSA Helpline (U.S.) – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)SMART Recovery – smartrecovery.orgSAA (Sex Addicts Anonymous) – saa-recovery.orgFor listeners outside the U.S., please check local hotlines and support services in your area.To connect with Nichole or join The Psychic Club, visit apsychicsstory.com.If you'd like to further support the podcast, please subscribe to it and/or:FOLLOW @apsychicsstory on Instagram. BOOK a session with Nichole.SIGN-UP to the newsletter for updates.JOIN Patreon for exclusive, ad-free content. BECOME A MEMBER of The Psychic Club.This podcast is intended to inspire you on your personal journey to inner peace. The podcast host, co-hosts or guests are not psychologists or medical doctors and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any psychological or medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional. Support the show

In this teaching, Pastor Daniel Stevens emphasizes that hearing from God requires more than head knowledge. It calls for spiritual discernment. The Bible gives us the foundation, but the Holy Spirit enables us to truly grasp the things of God. We aren't just bodies and minds; we are spirits, and through the Spirit of God, we can draw closer to Him than any human relationship allows.Pastor Daniel reminds us that spiritual truths can't be fully understood with intellect alone. As we grow in our walk with God, our spiritual maturity allows us to receive deeper truths. God speaks to those who are ready to hear, and our job is to keep growing, listening, and discerning His voice.#HearingFromGod #SpiritualGrowth #GoodHopeChurch #PastorDanielStevens #HolySpiritPower #BibleTruth #ChristianLivingSermon Notes: https://link.goodhope.ag/hearing-from-god-2-dsGiving Information: https://goodhope.ag/givingSTAY CONNECTEDYoutube: https://youtube.com/GoodHopeChurchInstagram: http://instagram.com/goodhopemnFacebook: http://fb.com/goodhopemn 

Hearing from God begins with Scripture as the foundation, but it doesn't stop there. In this message, Pastor Mike Stevens unpacks the next step: learning spiritual discernment. God created us as spiritual beings, and through the Holy Spirit, we can commune directly with Him. Hearing His voice isn't about straining. It's about recognizing His presence within us.Pastor Mike explains that the things of God are spiritually discerned, not just understood with our minds. As we grow in maturity, our spirits become more capable of receiving what God wants to reveal. Just as a child can't grasp advanced lessons until they grow, we too must nourish and develop our spirits to better understand His voice.#HearingFromGod #SpiritualDiscernment #GoodHopeChurch #PastorMikeStevens #HolySpirit #FaithJourney #BibleTeachingSermon Notes: https://link.goodhope.ag/hearing-from-god-2-msGiving Information: https://goodhope.ag/givingSTAY CONNECTEDYoutube: https://youtube.com/GoodHopeChurchInstagram: http://instagram.com/goodhopemnFacebook: http://fb.com/goodhopemn 

Pastor Mike Jurek shares that hearing from God is rooted in the Bible, but it flourishes through spiritual discernment. As spiritual beings, we are invited to commune daily with the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. This closeness to God means His thoughts and guidance are never far away. It's up to us to tune in.He also highlights that the deeper things of God are spiritually discerned, not simply figured out with our minds. Growth in the Spirit takes time, nourishment, and practice, much like developing strength or wisdom in life. As we grow, God reveals more of His truth, leading us into a closer walk with Him.#HearingFromGod #Discernment #GoodHopeChurch #PastorMikeJurek #SpiritLed #ChristianFaith #HolySpiritSermon Notes: https://link.goodhope.ag/hearing-from-god-2-mjGiving Information: https://goodhope.ag/givingSTAY CONNECTEDYoutube: https://youtube.com/GoodHopeChurchInstagram: http://instagram.com/goodhopemnFacebook: http://fb.com/goodhopemn 

In this introductory episode to their new series on the Parables of Jesus, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb explore the profound theological significance of Christ's parables. Far from being mere teaching tools to simplify complex ideas, parables serve a dual purpose in God's redemptive plan: revealing spiritual truth to those with "ears to hear" while concealing these same truths from those without spiritual illumination. This episode lays the groundwork for understanding how parables function as divine teaching devices that embody core Reformed doctrines like election and illumination. As the hosts prepare to journey through all the parables in the Gospels, they invite listeners to consider the blessing of being granted spiritual understanding and the privilege of receiving the "secrets of the kingdom" through Christ's distinctive teaching method. Key Takeaways Parables are more than illustrations—they are comparisons that reveal kingdom truths to those with spiritual ears to hear while concealing truth from those without spiritual illumination. Jesus intentionally taught in parables not to simplify his teaching but partly to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy about those who hear but do not understand, confirming the spiritual condition of his hearers. The ability to understand parables is itself evidence of God's sovereign grace and election, as Jesus states in Matthew 13:16: "Blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear." Parables vary in form and function—some are clearly allegorical while others make a single point, requiring each to be approached on its own terms. Proper interpretation requires context—understanding both the original audience and the question or situation that prompted Jesus to use a particular parable. Parables function like Nathan's confrontation of David—they draw hearers in through narrative before revealing uncomfortable truths about themselves. Studying parables requires spiritual humility—recognizing that our understanding comes not from intellectual capacity but from the Spirit's illumination. Understanding Parables as Revelation, Not Just Illustration The hosts emphasize that parables are fundamentally different from mere illustrations or fables. While modern readers often assume Jesus used parables to simplify complex spiritual truths, the opposite is frequently true. As Tony explains, "A parable fundamentally is a comparison between two things... The word parable comes from the Greek of casting alongside." This distinction is crucial because it changes how we approach interpretation. Rather than breaking down each element as an allegorical component, we should first understand what reality Jesus is comparing the parable to. The parables function as a form of divine revelation—showing us kingdom realities through narrative comparison, but only those with spiritual insight can truly grasp their meaning. This is why Jesus quotes Isaiah and explains that he speaks in parables partly because "seeing they do not see and hearing they do not hear nor do they understand" (Matthew 13:13). The Doctrine of Election Embedded in Parabolic Teaching Perhaps the most profound insight from this episode is how the very form of Jesus' teaching—not just its content—embodies the doctrine of election. Jesse notes that "every parable then implicitly teaches a doctrine of election," because they reveal spiritual truth to some while concealing it from others. This isn't arbitrary but reflects spiritual realities. The hosts connect this to Jesus' words in Matthew 13:16: "Blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear." This blessing comes not from intellectual capacity or moral superiority but from God's sovereign grace. Tony describes this as "the blessing in our salvation and in our election that we are enabled to hear and perceive and receive the very voice and word of God into our spirit unto our salvation." The parables thus become a "microcosm" of Reformed doctrines like election, regeneration, and illumination. When believers understand Jesus' parables, they're experiencing the practical outworking of these doctrines in real time. Memorable Quotes "The parables are not just to illustrate a point, they're to reveal a spiritual point or spiritual points to those who have ears to hear, to those who've been illuminated by the spirit." - Tony Arsenal "Jesus is giving this message essentially to all who will listen to him... And so this is like, I love the way that he uses that quote in a slightly different way, but still to express the same root cause, which is some of you here because of your depravity will not be able to hear what I'm saying. But for those to whom it has been granted to come in who are ushered into the kingdom, this kingdom language will make sense." - Jesse Schwamb "But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. There's a blessing in our salvation and in our election that we are enabled to hear and perceive and receive the very voice and word of God into our spirit unto our salvation." - Tony Arsenal About the Hosts Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb are the regular hosts of The Reformed Brotherhood podcast, where they explore Reformed theology and its application to Christian living. With a conversational style that balances depth and accessibility, they seek to make complex theological concepts understandable without sacrificing nuance or biblical fidelity. Transcript [00:00:45] Introduction and New Series Announcement [00:00:45] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 460 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse. [00:00:54] Tony Arsenal: And I'm Tony. And this is the podcast with ears to hear. Hey brother. [00:00:59] Jesse Schwamb: Hey brother. New series Time, new series. Time for the next seven years that, that's probably correct. It's gonna be a long one. New beginnings are so great, aren't they? And it is. [00:01:10] Jesse Schwamb: We've been hopefully this, well, it's definitely gonna live up to all the hype that we've been presenting about this. It's gonna be good. Everybody's gonna love it. And like I said, it's a topic we haven't done before. It's certainly not in this format. [00:01:23] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And you know what, just, um, as a side note, if you are a listener, which you must be, if you're hearing this, uh, this is a great time to introduce someone to the podcast. [00:01:33] Tony Arsenal: True. Uh, one, because this series is gonna be lit as the kids say, and, uh, it's a new series, so you don't have to have any background. You don't have to have any previous knowledge of the show or of who these two weird guys are to jump in and we're gonna. [00:01:53] Tony Arsenal: Talk about the Bible, which is amazing and awesome. And who doesn't love to talk about the Bible. [00:01:58] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's correct. That's what makes these so good. That's how I know, and I could say confidently that this is gonna be all the hype and more. All right, so before we get to affirmations and denials, all the good ProGo, that's part and parcel of our normal episode content. [00:02:12] Jesse Schwamb: Do you want to tell everybody what we're gonna be talking about? [00:02:16] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, I'm excited. [00:02:17] Introducing the Parables Series [00:02:17] Tony Arsenal: So we are gonna work our way through, and this is why I say it's gonna take seven years. We are gonna work our way through all of the parables. Parables, [00:02:25] Jesse Schwamb: the [00:02:25] Tony Arsenal: gospels and just so, um, the Gospel of John doesn't feel left out. [00:02:30] Tony Arsenal: We're gonna talk through some of the I am statements and some of that stuff when we get to John. 'cause John doesn't have a lot of parables. Uh, so we're gonna spend time in the synoptic gospels. We're gonna just walk through the parables one by one. We're taking an episode, sometimes maybe two, sometimes 10, depending on how long the parable is and how deep we get into it. [00:02:47] Tony Arsenal: We're just gonna work our way through. We're gonna take our time. We're gonna enjoy it. So again, this is a great time to start. It's kinda the ground floor on this and you thing. This could really be its own podcast all by itself, right? Uh, so invite a friend, invite some whole bunch of friends. Start a Sunday school class listening to this. [00:03:04] Tony Arsenal: No, don't do that. But people have done that before. But, uh, grab your bibles, get a decent commentary to help prep for the next episode, and, uh, let's, let's do it. I'm super excited. [00:03:14] Jesse Schwamb: When I say para, you say Abel Para, is that how it works? Para? Yeah. I don't know. You can't really divide it. Pairable. If you jam it together, yes. [00:03:24] Jesse Schwamb: You get some of that. You can say, when I say pair, you say Abel p [00:03:27] Tony Arsenal: Abel. [00:03:31] Jesse Schwamb: And you can expect a lot more of that in this series. But before we get into all this good juicy stuff about parables, and by the way, this is like an introductory episode, that doesn't mean that you can just skip it, doesn't mean it's not gonna be good. We gotta set some things up. We wanna talk about parables general generally, but before we have that good general conversation, let's get into our own tradition, which is either affirming with something or denying against something. [00:03:54] Affirmations and Denials [00:03:54] Jesse Schwamb: And so, Tony, what do you got for all of us? [00:03:58] Tony Arsenal: Mine is kind of a, an ecclesial, ecclesiastical denial. Mm-hmm. Um, this is sort of niche, but I feel like our audience may have heard about it. And there's this dust up that I, I noticed online, uh, really just this last week. Um, it's kind of a specific thing. There is a church, uh, I'm not sure where the church is. [00:04:18] Tony Arsenal: It's a PCA church, I believe it's called Mosaic. The pastor of the church, the teaching elder, one of the teaching elders just announced that he was, uh, leaving his ministry to, uh, join the Roman Catholic Church, which, yes, there's its own denial built into that. We are good old Protestant reformed folks, and I personally would, would stick with the original Westminster on the, the Pope being antichrist. [00:04:45] Tony Arsenal: But, um, that's not the denial. The denial is that in this particular church. For some unknown reason. Uh, the pastor who has now since a announced that he was leaving to, uh, to convert to Roman Catholicism, continued to preach the sermon and then administered the Lord's supper, even though he in the eyes, I think of most. [00:05:08] Tony Arsenal: Reformed folk and certainly historically in the eyes of the reformed position was basically apostate, uh, right in front of the congregation's eyes. Now, I don't know that I would necessarily put it that strongly. I think there are plenty of genuine born again Christians who find themselves in, in the Roman Catholic, uh, church. [00:05:27] Tony Arsenal: Uh, but to allow someone who is one resigning the ministry right in front of your eyes. Um, and then resigning to basically leave for another tradition that, that the PCA would not recognize, would not share ecclesiastical, uh, credentials with or accept their ordination or any of those things. Um, to then just allow him to admit, you know, to administer the Lord's Supper, I think is just a drastic miscarriage of, uh, ecclesiastical justice. [00:05:54] Tony Arsenal: I dunno if that's the right word. So I'm just denying this like. It shows that on a couple things like this, this. Church this session, who obviously knew this was coming. Um, this session does either, does not take seriously the differences between Roman Catholic theology and Protestant theology, particularly reformed theology, or they don't take seriously the, the gravity of the Lord's supper and who should and shouldn't be administering it. [00:06:22] Tony Arsenal: They can't take both of those things seriously and have a fully or biblical position on it. So there's a good opportunity for us to think through our ecclesiology, to think through our sacrament and how this applies. It just really doesn't sit well and it's not sitting well with a lot of people online, obviously. [00:06:37] Tony Arsenal: Um, and I'm sure there'll be all sorts of, like letters of concern sent to presbytery and, and all that stuff, and, and it'll all shake out in the wash eventually, but just, it just wasn't good. Just doesn't sit right. [00:06:48] Jesse Schwamb: You know, it strikes me of all the denominations. I'm not saying this pejoratively. I just think it is kind of interesting and funny to me that the Presbyterians love a letter writing campaign. [00:06:56] Jesse Schwamb: Like that's kind of the jam, the love, a good letter writing campaign. [00:07:00] Tony Arsenal: It's true, although it's, it's actually functional in Presbyterianism because That's right. That's how you voice your concern. It's not a, not a, a rage letter into the void. It actually goes somewhere and gets recorded and has to be addressed at presbytery if you have standing. [00:07:17] Tony Arsenal: So there's, there's a good reason to do that, and I'm sure that that will be done. I'm sure there are many. Probably ministers in the PCA who are aware of this, who are either actually considering filing charges or um, or writing such letters of complaints. And there's all sorts of mechanisms in the PCA to, to adjudicate and resolve and to investigate these kinds of things. [00:07:37] Jesse Schwamb: And I'd like to, if you're, if you're a true Presbyterian and, and in this instance, I'm not making light of this instance, but this instance are others, you. Feel compelled by a strong conviction to write such a letter that really you should do it with a quill, an ink. Like that's the ultimate way. I think handwritten with like a nice fountain pen. [00:07:54] Jesse Schwamb: There's not, yeah. I mean, you know what I'm saying? Like that's, that is a weighty letter right there. Like it's cut to Paul being like, I write this postscript in my own hand with these big letters. Yeah, it's like, you know, some original Presbyterian letter writing right there. [00:08:07] Tony Arsenal: And then you gotta seal it with wax with your signe ring. [00:08:10] Tony Arsenal: So, and send it by a carrier, by a messenger series of me messengers. [00:08:14] Jesse Schwamb: Think if you receive any letter in the mail, handwritten to you. Like for real, somebody painstakingly going through in script like spencerian script, you know, if you're using English characters writing up and then sealing that bad boy with wax, you're gonna be like, this is important. [00:08:30] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, this, even if it's just like, Hey, what's up? Yeah, you're gonna be like, look at this incredible, weighty document I've received. [00:08:36] Tony Arsenal: It's true. It's very true. I love it. Well, that's all I have to say about that to channel a little Forrest Gump there. Uh, Jesse, what are you affirming or denying tonight? [00:08:44] Jesse Schwamb: I'm also going to deny against, so this denial is like classic. [00:08:49] Jesse Schwamb: It's routine, but I got a different spin on it this time, so I'm denying against. The full corruption of sin, how it appears everywhere, how even unbelievers speak of it, almost unwittingly, but very commonly with great acceptance. And the particularity of this denial comes in the form of allergies, which you and I are talking about a lot of times. [00:09:09] Jesse Schwamb: But I was just thinking about this week because I had to do some allergy testing, which is a, a super fun experience. But it just got me think again, like very plainly about what allergies are. And how an allergy occurs when your immune system, like the part of your body responsible for protecting your body that God has made when your immune system mistakes like a non-harmful substance like pollen or a food or some kind of animal dander for a threat, and then reacts by producing these antibodies like primarily the immunoglobulin E. [00:09:36] Jesse Schwamb: So here's what strikes me as so funny about this in a, in a way that we must laugh. Because of our, our parents, our first parents who made a horrible decision and we like them, would make the same decision every day and twice in the Lord's day. And that is that this seems like, of course, such a clear sign of the corruption of sin impounded in our created order because it seems a really distasteful and suboptimal for human beings to have this kind of response to pollen. [00:10:03] Jesse Schwamb: When they were intended to work and care in a garden. So obviously I think we can say, Hey, like the fact that allergies exist and that it's your body making a mistake. [00:10:13] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. [00:10:13] Jesse Schwamb: It's like the ultimate, like cellular level of the ubiquity of sin. And so as I was speaking with my doctor and going through the, the testing, it's just so funny how like we all talk about this. [00:10:25] Jesse Schwamb: It's like, yeah, it's, it's a really over-indexed reaction. It doesn't make any sense. It's not the way the world is supposed to be, but nobody's saying how is the world supposed to be? Do you know what I mean? Like, but we just take it for granted that that kind of inflammation that comes from like your dog or like these particles in the air of plants, just trying to do a plant stew and reproduce and pollinate that, that could cause like really dramatic and debilitating. [00:10:49] Jesse Schwamb: Responses is just exceptional to me, and I think it's exceptional and exceptional to all of us because at some deep level we recognize that, as Paul says, like the earth, the entire world is groaning. It's groaning for that eschatological release and redemption that can only come from Christ. And our runny noses in our hay fever all prove that to some degree. [00:11:09] Jesse Schwamb: So denying against allergies, but denying against as well that ubiquity of corruption and sin in our world. [00:11:15] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, I just have this image in my head of Adam and Eve, you know, they're expelled outta the garden and they, they're working the ground. And then Adam sneezes. Yes. And Eve is like, did your head just explode? [00:11:28] Tony Arsenal: And he's like, I don't know. That would've been a, probably a pretty terrifying experience actually. [00:11:33] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, that's that's true. So imagine like you and I have talked about this before, because you have young children, adorable. Young children, and we've talked about like the first of everything, like when you're a child, you get sick for the first time, or you get the flu or you vomit for the first time. [00:11:45] Jesse Schwamb: Like you have no idea what's going on in your body, but imagine that. But being an adult. [00:11:49] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, where you can process what's going on, but don't have a framework for it. [00:11:52] Jesse Schwamb: Yes, exactly. So like [00:11:54] Tony Arsenal: that's like, that's like my worst nightmare I think. [00:11:55] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. It's like, to your point, 'cause there, there are a lot of experiences you have as an adults, even health wise that are still super strange and weird. [00:12:01] Jesse Schwamb: But [00:12:02] Tony Arsenal: yeah, [00:12:02] Jesse Schwamb: you have some rubric for them, but that's kind of exactly what I was thinking. What if this toiling over your labor is partly because it's horrible now because you have itchy, watery eyes or you get hives. Yeah. And before you were like, I could just lay in the grass and be totally fine. And now I can't even walk by ragweed without getting a headache or having some kind of weird fatigue. [00:12:23] Jesse Schwamb: Like I have to believe that that was, that part of this transition was all of these things. Like, now your body's gonna overreact to stuff where I, I, God put us in a place where that wouldn't be the case at all. [00:12:35] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Sometimes I think about like the first. Time that Adam was like sore or like hurt himself. [00:12:42] Tony Arsenal: True. Like the, just the, just the terror and fear that must have come with it. And sin is serious stuff. Like it's serious effects and sad, sad, sad stuff. But yeah, allergies are the worst. I, uh, I suffered really badly with, uh, seasonal allergies. When I was a a kid I had to do allergy shots and everything and it's makes no sense. [00:13:03] Tony Arsenal: There's no rhyme or reason to it, and your allergies change. So like you could be going your whole life, being able to eat strawberries and then all of a sudden you can't. Right? And it's, and you don't know until it happens. So [00:13:14] Jesse Schwamb: what's up with that? [00:13:15] Tony Arsenal: No good. [00:13:16] Jesse Schwamb: What's up with that? So again, imagine that little experience is a microcosmic example of what happens to Adam and Eve. [00:13:24] Jesse Schwamb: You know, like all these things change. Like you're, you're right. Suddenly your body isn't the same. It's not just because you're growing older, but because guess what? Sins everywhere. And guess what, where sin is, even in the midst of who you are as physically constructed and the environment in which you live, all, all totally change. [00:13:40] Jesse Schwamb: So that, that's enough of my rants on allergies. I know the, I know the loved ones out there hear me. It's also remarkable to me that almost everybody has an allergy of some kind. It's very, it's very rare if you don't have any allergies whatsoever. And probably those times when you think you're sick and you don't have allergies could be that you actually have them. [00:13:57] Jesse Schwamb: So it's just wild. Wild. [00:14:02] Tony Arsenal: Agreed. Agreed. [00:14:03] Theological Discussion on Parables [00:14:03] Tony Arsenal: Well, Jesse, without further ado, I'm not, I, maybe we should have further ado, but let's get into it. Let's talk about some parable stuff. [00:14:13] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, let's do it again. When I say pair, you say able pair. [00:14:17] Tony Arsenal: Able. [00:14:20] Jesse Schwamb: When I say [00:14:21] Tony Arsenal: para you say bowl. [00:14:24] Jesse Schwamb: That's what I was trying to go with before. [00:14:26] Jesse Schwamb: It's a little bit more, yeah, but you gotta like cross over like we both gotta say like that middle syllable kind of. Otherwise it's, it sounds like I'm just saying bowl. And [00:14:34] Tony Arsenal: yeah, there's no good way to chant that. Yeah, we're work. This is why Jesse and I are not cheerleaders. [00:14:39] Jesse Schwamb: We're, we're work shopping everybody. [00:14:40] Jesse Schwamb: But I agree with you. Enough of us talking about affirmations, the denials in this case, the double double denial. Let's talk about parables. So the beauty of this whole series is there's gonna be so much great stuff to talk about, and I think this is a decent topic for us to cover because. Really, if you think about it, the parables of Jesus have captivated people for the entirety of the scriptures. [00:15:06] Jesse Schwamb: As long, as long as they were recorded and have been read and processed and studied together. And, uh, you know, there's stuff I'm sure that we will just gloss over. We don't need to get into in terms of like, is it pure allegory? Is it always allegory? Is it, there's lots of interpretation here. I think this is gonna be our way of processing together and moving through some of these and speaking them out and trying to learn principally. [00:15:28] Jesse Schwamb: Predominantly what they're teaching us. But I say all that because characters like the prodigal son, like Good Samaritan, Pharisees, and tax collector, those actually have become well known even outside the church. [00:15:40] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. And [00:15:40] Jesse Schwamb: then sometimes inside the church there's over familiarity with all of these, and that leads to its own kind of misunderstanding. [00:15:46] Jesse Schwamb: So, and I think as well. I'm hoping that myself, you and our listeners will be able to hear them in a new way, and maybe if we can try to do this without again, being parabolic, is that we can kind of recreate some of the trauma. In these stories. 'cause Jesus is, is pressing upon very certain things and there's certainly a lot of trauma that his original audiences would've taken away from what he was saying here. [00:16:13] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah. Even just starting with what is a parable and why is Jesus telling them? So I presume that's actually the best place for us to begin is what's the deal with the parables and why is this? Is this Jesus preferred way of teaching about the kingdom of God. [00:16:30] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and I think, you know, it bears saying too that like not all the parables are alike. [00:16:35] Tony Arsenal: Like true. We can't, this is why I'm excited about this series. You know, it's always good to talk through the bible and, and or to talk through systematic theology, but what really excites me is when we do a series like this, kind of like the Scott's Confession series, like it gives us a reason. To think through a lot of different disciplines and flex like exercise and stretch and flex a lot of different kinds of intellectual muscles. [00:17:00] Tony Arsenal: So there's gonna be some exegetical work we have to do. There's gonna be some hermeneutical work we're gonna have to do, probably have to do some historical work about how the parables have been interpreted in different ways. Yes, and and I think, so, I think it's important to say like, not every parable is exactly the same. [00:17:14] Tony Arsenal: And this is where I think like when you read, sometimes you read books about the, the parables of Christ. Like you, you'll hear one guy say. Well, a parable is not an allegory. Then you'll hear another guy say like, well, parables might have allegorical elements to it. Right. Now if one guy say like, well, a parable has one main point, and you'll have another guy say like, well, no, actually, like parables can have multiple points and multiple shades of meaning. [00:17:37] Tony Arsenal: And I think the answer to why you have this variance in the commentaries is 'cause sometimes the parables are alleg. [00:17:44] Jesse Schwamb: Right. And [00:17:44] Tony Arsenal: sometimes they're not allegorical. Sometimes they have one main point. Sometimes there's multiple points. So I think it's important for us to just acknowledge like we're gonna have to come to each parable, um, on its own and on its own terms. [00:17:57] Tony Arsenal: But there are some general principles that I think we can talk about what parables are. So parables in general are. Figurative stories or figurative accounts that are used to illustrate, I think primarily used to illustrate a single main point. And there may be some subpoints, but they, they're generally intended to, uh, to illustrate something by way of a, of a narrative, a fictional narrative that, uh, helps the reader. [00:18:27] Tony Arsenal: Uh, or the hearer is just, it's also important that these were primarily heard, these are heard parables, so there are even times where the phrasing of the language is important in the parable. Um, they're helping the, the hearer to understand spiritual truth. And this is where I think it's it's key, is that this is not just. [00:18:48] Tony Arsenal: When we're talking about the parables of Christ, right? There's people tell parables, there's all sorts of different teachers that have used parables. Um, I, I do parables on the show from time to time where I'll tell like a little made up story about a, you know, a situation. I'll say like, pretend, you know, let's imagine you have this guy and he's doing this thing that's a form of a parable when I'm using. [00:19:08] Tony Arsenal: I'm not, it's not like a makeup made up story. It's not asaps fables. We're not talking about like talking foxes and hens and stuff, but it's illustrating a point. But the parables of Christ are not just to illustrate a point, they're to reveal a spiritual point or spiritual points to those who have ears to hear, to those who've been illuminated by the spirit. [00:19:29] Tony Arsenal: And I just wanna read this. Uh, this is just God's providence, um, in action. I, um, I've fallen behind on my reading in The Daily Dad, which is a Ryan Holiday book. This was the reading that came up today, even though it's not the correct reading for the day. Uh, it's, it's for September 2nd. We're recording this on September, uh, sixth. [00:19:48] Tony Arsenal: Uh, and the title is, this is How You Teach Them. And the first line says, if the Bible has any indication, Jesus rarely seemed to come out and say what he meant. He preferred instead to employ parables and stories and little anecdotes that make you think. He tells stories of the servants and the talents. [00:20:03] Tony Arsenal: He tells stories of the prodigal son and the Good Samaritan. Turns out it's pretty effective to get a point across and make it stick. What what we're gonna learn. Actually that Jesus tells these stories in parables, in part to teach those who have spiritual ears to hear, but in part to mask the truth That's right. [00:20:24] Tony Arsenal: From those who don't have spiritual ears to hear, oh, online [00:20:26] Jesse Schwamb: holiday. [00:20:27] Tony Arsenal: So it's not as simple as like Jesus, using illustration to help make something complicated, clearer, right? Yes. But also, no. So I'm super excited to kind of get into this stuff and talk through it and to, to really dig into the parables themselves. [00:20:42] Tony Arsenal: It's just gonna be a really good exercise at sort of sitting at the feet of our master in his really, his preferred mode of teaching. Um, you know, other than the sermon on the Mount. There's not a lot of like long form, straightforward, didactic teaching like that most of Christ's teaching as recorded in the gospels, comes in the form of these parables in one way or another. [00:21:03] Tony Arsenal: Right. And that's pretty exciting to me. [00:21:05] Jesse Schwamb: Right. And there's so many more parables I think, than we often understand there to be, or at least then that we see in like the headings are Bible, which of course have been put there by our own construction. So anytime you get that. Nice short, metaphorical narrative is really Jesus speaking in a kind of parable form, and I think you're right on. [00:21:25] Jesse Schwamb: For me, it's always highlighting some kind of aspect of the kingdom of God. And I'd say there is generally a hierarchy. There doesn't have to be like a single point, like you said. There could be other points around that. But if you get into this place where like everything has some kind of allegory representation, then the parable seems to die of the death of like a million paper cuts, right? [00:21:40] Jesse Schwamb: Because you're trying to figure out all the things and if you have to represent something, everything he says with some kind of. Heavy spiritual principle gets kind of weird very quickly. But in each of these, as you said, what's common in my understanding is it's presenting like a series of events involving like a small number of characters. [00:21:57] Jesse Schwamb: It is bite-sized and sometimes those are people or plants or even like inanimate objects. So like the, yeah, like you said, the breadth and scope of how Jesus uses the metaphor is brilliant teaching, and it's even more brilliant when you get to that level, like you're saying, where it's meant both to illuminate. [00:22:13] Jesse Schwamb: To obfuscate. That is like, to me, the parable is a manifestation of election because it's clear that Jesus is using this. Those who have the ears to hear are the ones whom the Holy Spirit has unstopped, has opened the eyes, has illuminated the hearts and the mind to such a degree that can receive these, and that now these words are resonant. [00:22:32] Jesse Schwamb: So like what a blessing that we can understand them, that God has essentially. Use this parabolic teaching in such a way to bring forward his concept of election in the minds and the hearts of those who are his children. And it's kind of a way, this is kind of like the secret Christian handshake. It's the speakeasy of salvation. [00:22:52] Jesse Schwamb: It's, it's coming into the fold because God has invited you in and given you. The knowledge and ability of which to really understand these things. And so most of these little characters seemed realistic and resonant in Jesus' world, and that's why sometimes we do need a little bit of studying and understanding the proper context for all those things. [00:23:12] Jesse Schwamb: I would say as well, like at least one element in those parables is a push. It's in, it's kind of taking it and hyping it up. It's pushing the boundaries of what's plausible, and so you'll find that all of this is made again to illuminate some principle of the kingdom of God. And we should probably go to the thing that you intimated, because when you read that quote from, from Ryan Holiday, I was like, yes, my man. [00:23:34] Jesse Schwamb: Like he's on the right track. Right? There's something about what he's saying that is partially correct, but like you said, a lot of times people mistake the fact that, well, Jesus. Is using this language and these metaphors, these similes, he speaks in parables because they were the best way to get like these uneducated people to understand him. [00:23:57] Jesse Schwamb: Right? But it's actually the exact opposite. And we know this because of perhaps the most famous dialogue and expression and explanation of parables, which comes to us in Matthew 13, 10 through 17, where Jesus explains to his disciples exactly why he uses this mode of teaching. And what he says is. This is why I speak to them of parables because seeing they do not see and hearing, they do not hear they nor do they understand. [00:24:24] Jesse Schwamb: So, so that's perplexing. We should probably camp there for just a second and talk about that. Right, and, and like really unpack like, what is Jesus after here? Then if, like, before we get into like, what do all these things mean, it's almost like saying. We need to understand why they're even set before us and why these in some ways are like a kind of a small stumbling block to others, but then this great stone of appreciation and one to stand on for for others. [00:24:47] Tony Arsenal: Yeah, and I think you know, before we, before we cover that, which I think is a good next spot. A parable is not just an illustration. Like I think that's where a lot of people go a little bit sideways, is they think that this is effectively, like it's a fable. It's like a made up story primarily to like illustrate a point right. [00:25:09] Tony Arsenal: Or an allegory where you know, you're taking individual components and they represent something else. A parable fundamentally is a, is a, a comparison between two things, right? The word parable comes from the Greek of casting alongside, and so the idea is like you're, you're taking. The reality that you're trying to articulate and you're setting up this parable next to it and you're comparing them to it. [00:25:33] Tony Arsenal: And so I like to use the word simile, like that's why Christ says like the kingdom of God is like this. Yes. It's not like I'm gonna explain the kingdom of God to you by using this made up story. Right on. It's I'm gonna compare the kingdom of God to this thing or this story that I'm having, and so we should be. [00:25:49] Tony Arsenal: Rather than trying to like find the principles of the parable, we should be looking at it and going, how does this parable reflect? Or how is this a, um, how is this an explanation? Not in the, like, I, I'm struggling to even explain this here. It's not that the cer, the parable is just illustrating a principle. [00:26:10] Tony Arsenal: It's that the kingdom of God is one thing and the parable reveals that same one thing by way of comparison. Yes. So like. Uh, we'll get into the specifics, obviously, but when the, when the, um, lawyer says, who is my neighbor? Well, it's not just like, well, let's look at the Good Samaritan. And the Good Samaritan represents this, and the Levite represents this, and the priest represents this. [00:26:32] Tony Arsenal: It's a good neighbor, is this thing. It's this story. Compared to whatever you have in your mind of what a good neighbor is. And we're gonna bounce those things up against each other, and that's gonna somehow show us what the, what the reality is. And that's why I think to get back to where we were, that's why I think sometimes the parables actually obscure the truth. [00:26:53] Tony Arsenal: Because if we're not comparing the parable to the reality of something, then we're gonna get the parable wrong. So if we think that, um, the Good Samaritan. Is a parable about social justice and we're, we're looking at it to try to understand how do we treat, you know, the, the poor people in Africa who don't have food or the war torn refugees, you know, coming out of Ukraine. [00:27:19] Tony Arsenal: If we're looking at it primarily as like, I need to learn to be a good neighbor to those who are destitute. Uh, we're not comparing it against what Jesus was comparing it against, right? So, so we have to understand, we have to start in a lot of cases with the question that the parable is a response to, which oftentimes the parable is a response to a question or it's a, it's a principle that's being, um, compare it against if we get that first step wrong, uh, or if we start with our own presuppositions, which is why. [00:27:50] Tony Arsenal: Partially why I think Christ is saying like, the only those who have ears to hear. Like if you don't have a spiritual presupposition, I, I mean that, that might not be the right word, but like if you're not starting from the place of spiritual illumination, not in the weird gnostic sense, but in the, the. [00:28:07] Tony Arsenal: Genuinely Christian illumination of the Holy Spirit and inward testimony of the Holy Spirit. If you're not starting from that perspective, you almost can't get the parables right. So that's why we see like the opponents of Christ in the Bible, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, constantly. They're constantly confused and they're getting it wrong. [00:28:26] Tony Arsenal: And, and even sometimes the disciples, they have to go and ask sometimes too, what is this parable? Wow, that's right. What is, what does this mean? So it's never as simple as, as what's directly on the surface, but it's also not usually as complicated as we would make it be if we were trying to over-interpret the parable, which I think is another risk. [00:28:44] Jesse Schwamb: That's the genius, isn't it? Is that I I like what you're saying. It's that spiritual predisposition that allows us to receive the word and, and when we receive that word, it is a simple word. It's not as if like, we have to elevate ourselves in place of this high learning or education or philosophizing, and that's the beauty of it. [00:29:03] Jesse Schwamb: So it is, again, God's setting apart for himself A, a people a teaching. So. But I think this is, it is a little bit perplexing at first, like that statement from Jesus because it's a bit like somebody coming to you, like your place of work or anywhere else in your family life and asking you explicitly for instruction and, and then you saying something like, listen, I, I'm gonna show you, but you're not gonna be able to see it. [00:29:22] Jesse Schwamb: And you're gonna, I'm gonna tell you, but you're not gonna be able to hear it, and I'm gonna explain it to you, but you're not gonna be able to understand. And you're like, okay. So yeah, what's the point of you talking to me then? So it's clear, like you said that Jesus. Is teaching that the secrets, and that's really, really what these are. [00:29:37] The Secrets of the Kingdom of God [00:29:37] Jesse Schwamb: It's brilliant and beautiful that Jesus would, that the, the son of God and God himself would tell us the secrets of his kingdom. But that again, first of all by saying it's a secret, means it's, it's for somebody to guard and to hold knowledge closely and that it is protected. So he says, teaching like the secrets of the kingdom of God are unknowable through mere human reasoning and intuition. [00:29:56] Jesse Schwamb: Interestingly here though, Jesus is also saying that. He's, it's not like he's saying no one can ever understand the parables, right, or that he intends to hide their truth from all people. [00:30:07] Understanding Parables and God's Sovereign Grace [00:30:07] Jesse Schwamb: Instead, he just explains that in order to highlight God's sovereign grace, God in his mercy has enlightened some to whom it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. [00:30:17] Jesse Schwamb: That's verse 11. So. All of us as his children who have been illuminated can understand the truth of God's kingdom. That is wild and and that is amazing. So that this knowledge goes out and just like we talk about the scripture going out and never returning void, here's a prime example of that very thing that there is a condemnation and not being able to understand. [00:30:37] Jesse Schwamb: That condemnation comes not because you're not intelligent enough, but because as you said, you do not have that predisposition. You do not have that changed heart into the ability to understand these things. [00:30:47] Doctrine of Election and Spiritual Insight [00:30:47] Jesse Schwamb: This is what leads me here to say like every parable then implicitly teaches a doctrine of election. [00:30:53] Jesse Schwamb: Yeah, because all people are outside the kingdom until they enter the Lord's teaching. How do we enter the Lord's teaching by being given ears to hear. How are we understanding that? We have been given ears to hear when these parables speak to us in the spiritual reality as well as in just like you said, like this general kind of like in the way that I presume Ryan Holiday means it. [00:31:12] Jesse Schwamb: The, this is like, he might be exemplifying the fact that these stories. Are a really great form of the ability to communicate complex information or to make you think. [00:31:21] The Power and Purpose of Parables [00:31:21] Jesse Schwamb: So when Jesus says something like The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, wow, we, you and I will probably spend like two episodes just unpacking that, or we could spend a lot more, that's beautiful that that's how his teaching takes place. [00:31:34] Jesse Schwamb: But of course it's, it's so much. More than that, that those in whom the teaching is effective on a salvation somehow understand it, and their understanding of it becomes first because Christ is implanted within them. Salvation. [00:31:46] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. [00:31:48] Parables as More Than Simple Teaching Tools [00:31:48] Tony Arsenal: I think people, and this is what I think like Ryan Holiday's statement reflects, is people think of the parables as a simple teaching tool to break down a complicated subject. [00:32:00] Tony Arsenal: Yes. And so, like if I was trying to explain podcasting to a, like a five-year-old, I would say something like, well, you know. You know how your teacher teaches you during class while a podcast is like if your teacher lived on the internet and you could access your teacher anytime. Like, that might be a weird explanation, but like that's taking a very complicated thing about recording and and RSS feeds and you know, all of these different elements that go into what podcasting is and breaking it down to a simple sub that is not what a parable is. [00:32:30] Tony Arsenal: Right? Right. A parable is not. Just breaking a simple subject down and illustrating it by way of like a, a clever comparison. Um, you know, it's not like someone trying to explain the doctrine of, of the Trinity by using clever analogies or something like that. Even if that were reasonable and impossible. [00:32:50] Tony Arsenal: It's, it's not like that a parable. I like what you're saying about it being kind of like a mini doctrine of election. It's also a mini doctrine of the Bible. Yes. Right. It, it's right on. [00:33:00] The Doctrine of Illumination [00:33:00] Tony Arsenal: It's, it's the doctrine of revelation. In. Preached form in the Ministry of Christ, right? As Christians, we have this text and we affirm that at the same time, uh, what can be known of it and what is necessary for salvation can be known. [00:33:19] Tony Arsenal: By ordinary means like Bart Iman, an avowed atheist who I, I think like all atheists, whether they recognize it or not, hates God. He can read the Bible and understand that what it means is that if you trust Jesus, you'll be saved. You don't need special spiritual insight to understand that that is what the Bible teaches, where the special spiritual. [00:33:42] Tony Arsenal: Insight might not be the right word, but the special spiritual appropriation is that the spirit enables you to receive that unto your salvation. Right? To put your trust in. The reality of that, and we call that doctrine, the doctrine of illumination. And so in, in the sense of parables in Christ's ministry, and this is, this is if you, you know, like what do I always say is just read a little bit more, um, the portion Jesse read it leads way into this prophecy or in this comment, Christ. [00:34:10] Tony Arsenal: Saying he teaches in parable in order to fulfill this prophecy of Isaiah. Basically that like those who are, uh, ate and are apart from God and are resistant to God, these parables there are there in order to confirm that they are. And then it says in verse 16, and this is, this is. [00:34:27] The Blessing of Spiritual Understanding [00:34:27] Tony Arsenal: It always seems like the series that we do ends up with like a theme verse, and this is probably the one verse 16 here, Matthew 1316 says, but blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear. [00:34:40] Tony Arsenal: And so like there's a blessing. In our salvation and in our election that we are enabled to hear and perceive and re receive the very voice and word of God into our spirit unto our salvation. That is the doctrine of of election. It's also the doctrine of regeneration, the doctrine of sanctification, the doctrine. [00:35:03] Tony Arsenal: I mean, there's all of these different classic reformed doctrines that the parables really are these mic this microcosm of that. Almost like applied in the Ministry of Christ. Right. Which I, I, you know, I've, I've never really thought of it in depth in that way before, but it's absolutely true and it's super exciting to be able to sort of embark on this, uh, on this series journey with, with this group. [00:35:28] Tony Arsenal: I think it's gonna be so good to just dig into these and really, really hear the gospel preached to ourselves through these parables. That's what I'm looking forward to. [00:35:38] Jesse Schwamb: And we're used to being very. Close with the idea that like the message contains the doctrine, the message contains the power. Here we're saying, I think it's both. [00:35:47] Jesse Schwamb: And the mode of that message also contains, the doctrine also contains the power. And I like where you're going with this because I think what we should be reminding ourselves. Is what a blessing it is to have this kind of information conferred to us. [00:36:01] The Role of Parables in Revealing and Concealing Truth [00:36:01] Jesse Schwamb: That again, God has taken, what is the secrets that is his to disclose and his to keep and his to hold, and he's made it available to his children. [00:36:08] Jesse Schwamb: And part of that is for, as you said, like the strengthening of our own faith. It's also for condemnation. So notice that. The hiding of the kingdom through parables is not a consequence of the teaching itself. Again, this goes back to like the mode being as equally important here as the message itself that Christ's teaching is not too difficult to comprehend as an intellectual matter. [00:36:27] Jesse Schwamb: The thing is, like even today, many unbelievers read the gospels and they technically understand what Jesus means in his teaching, especially these parables. The problem is. I would say like moral hardness. It's that lack of spiritual predilection or predisposition. They know what Jesus teaches, but they do not believe. [00:36:47] Jesse Schwamb: And so the challenge before us is as all scripture reading, that we would go before the Holy Spirit and say, holy Spirit, help me to believe. Help me to understand what to believe. And it so doing, do the work of God, which is to believe in him and to believe in His son Jesus Christ and what he's accomplished. [00:37:02] Jesse Schwamb: So the parables are not like creating. Fresh unbelief and sinners instead, like they're confirming the opposition that's already present and apart from Grace, unregenerate perversely use our Lord's teaching to increase their resistance. That's how it's set up. That's how it works. That's why to be on the inside, as it were, not again, because like we've done the right handshake or met all the right standards, but because of the blood of Christ means that the disciples, the first disciples and all the disciples who will follow after them on the other hand. [00:37:33] The Complexity and Nuances of Parables [00:37:33] Jesse Schwamb: We've been granted these eyes to see, and ears to hear Jesus. And then we've been given the secrets of the kingdom. I mean, that's literally what we've been given. And God's mercy has been extended to the disciples who like many in the crowds, once ignorantly and stubbornly rejected God and us just like them as well in both accounts. [00:37:49] Jesse Schwamb: So this is, I think we need to settle on that. You're right, throughout this series, what a blessing. It's not meant to be a great labor or an effort for the child of God. Instead, it's meant to be a way of exploring these fe. Fantastic truths of who God is and what he's done in such a way that draw us in. [00:38:07] Jesse Schwamb: So that whether we're analyzing again, like the the lost coin or the lost sheep, or. Any number of these amazing parables, you'll notice that they draw us in because they don't give us answers in the explicit sense that we're used to. Like didactically instead. Yeah. They cause us to consider, as you've already said, Tony, like what does it mean to be lost? [00:38:26] Jesse Schwamb: What does it mean that the father comes running for this prodigal son? What does it mean that the older brother has a beef with the whole situation? What does it mean when Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed? How much do we know about mustard seeds? And why would he say that? Again, this is a kind of interesting teaching, but that illumination in the midst of it being, I don't wanna say ambiguous, but open-ended to a degree means that the Holy Spirit must come in and give us that kind of grand knowledge. [00:38:55] Jesse Schwamb: But more than that, believe upon what Jesus is saying. I think that's the critical thing, is somebody will say, well, aren't the teaching simple and therefore easy to understand. In a sense, yes. Like factually yes, but in a much greater sense. Absolutely not. And that's why I think it's so beautiful that he quotes Isaiah there because in that original context, you the, you know, you have God delivering a message through Isaiah. [00:39:17] Jesse Schwamb: Uh. The people are very clear. Like, we just don't believe you're a prophet of God. And like what you're saying is ridiculous, right? And we just don't wanna hear you. This is very different than that. This is, Jesus is giving this message essentially to all who will listen to him, not necessarily hear, but all, all who are hear Him, I guess rather, but not necessarily all who are listening with those spiritual ears. [00:39:33] Jesse Schwamb: And so this is like, I love the way that he, he uses that quote in a slightly different way, but still to express the same root cause, which is some of you here. Because of your depravity will not be able to hear what I'm saying. But for those to whom it has been granted to come in who are ushered into the kingdom, this kingdom language will make sense. [00:39:54] Jesse Schwamb: It's like, I'm going to be speaking to you in code and half of you have the key for all the code because the Holy Spirit is your cipher and half of you don't. And you're gonna, you're gonna listen to the same thing, but you will hear very different things. [00:40:06] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And you know, the other thing I think is, is interesting to ponder on this, um. [00:40:12] The Importance of Context in Interpreting Parables [00:40:12] Tony Arsenal: God always accommodates his revelation to his people. And the parables are, are, are like the. Accommodated accommodation. Yeah. Like God accommodates himself to those he chooses to reveal himself to. And in some ways this is, this is, um, the human ministry of Christ is him accommodating himself to those. [00:40:38] Tony Arsenal: What I mean is in the human ministry of the Son, the parables are a way of the son accommodating himself to those he chooses to reveal himself to. So there, there are instances. Where the parable is said, and it is, uh, it's seems to be more or less understood by everybody. Nobody asks the question about like, what does this mean? [00:40:57] Tony Arsenal: Right? And then there are instances where the parable is said, and even the apostles are, or the disciples are like, what does this parable mean? And then there's some interesting ones where like. Christ's enemies understand the parable and, and can understand that the parable is told against them. About them. [00:41:13] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. So there, there's all these different nuances to why Christ used these parables, how simple they were, how complicated they were. Yes. And again, I think that underscores what I said at the top of the show here. It's like you can't treat every parable exactly the same. And that's where you run into trouble. [00:41:28] Tony Arsenal: Like if you're, if you're coming at them, like they're all just simple allegory. Again, like some of them have allegorical elements. I think it's fair to look at the, the prodigal son or the, the prodigal father, however you want to title that. And remember, the titles are not, generally, the titles are not, um, baked into the text itself. [00:41:46] Tony Arsenal: I think it's fair to come to that and look at and go, okay, well, who's the father in this? Who's the son? You know, what does it mean that the older son is this? Is, is there relevance to the fact that there's a party and that the, you know, the older, older, uh, son is not a part of it? There's, there's some legitimacy to that. [00:42:02] Tony Arsenal: And when we look at Christ's own explanation of some of his parables, he uses those kinds, right? The, the good seed is this, the, the seed that fell on the, the side of the road is this, right? The seed that got choked out by the, the, um, thorns is this, but then there are others where it doesn't make sense to pull it apart, element by element. [00:42:21] Tony Arsenal: Mm-hmm. Um, and, and the other thing is there are some things that we're gonna look at that are, um. We're gonna treat as parables that the text doesn't call a parable. And then there are some that you might even look at that sometimes the text calls a parable that we might not even think of as a normal parable, right? [00:42:38] Tony Arsenal: So there's lots of elements. This is gonna be really fun to just dig stuff in and, and sort of pick it, like pull it apart and look at its component parts and constituent parts. Um, so I really do mean it if you, if you're the kind of person who has never picked up a Bible commentary. This would be a good time to, to start because these can get difficult. [00:42:59] Tony Arsenal: They can get complicated. You want to have a trusted guide, and Jesse and I are gonna do our, our work and our research on this. Um, but you want someone who's more of a trusted guide than us. This is gonna be the one time that I might actually say Calvin's commentaries are not the most helpful. And the reason for that is not because Calvin's not clear on this stuff. [00:43:17] Tony Arsenal: Calvin Calvin's commentaries on the gospel is, is a harmony of the gospels, right? So sometimes it's tricky when you're reading it to try to find like a specific, uh, passage in Matthew because you're, you, everything's interwoven. So something like Matthew Henry, um, or something like, um, Matthew Poole. Uh, might be helpful if you're willing to spend a little bit of money. [00:43:38] Tony Arsenal: The ESV expository commentary that I've referenced before is a good option. Um, but try to find something that's approachable and usable that is reasonable for you to work through the commentary alongside of us, because you are gonna want to spend time reading these on your own, and you're gonna want to, like I said, you're gonna want to have a trust guide with you. [00:43:55] Tony Arsenal: Even just a good study bible, something like. The Reformation Study Bible or something along those lines would help you work your way through these parables, and I think it's valuable to do that. [00:44:06] Jesse Schwamb: Something you just said sparked this idea in me that the power, or one of the powers maybe of good fiction is that it grabs your attention. [00:44:15] The Impact of Parables on Listeners [00:44:15] Jesse Schwamb: It like brings you into the plot maybe even more than just what I said before about it being resonant, that it actually pulls you into the storyline and it makes you think that it's about other people until it's too late. Yeah. And Jesus has a way of doing this that really only maybe the parable can allow. [00:44:30] Jesse Schwamb: So like in other words, by the time you realize. A parable is like metaphorical, or even in a limited case, it's allegorical form you've already identified with one or more of the characters and you're caught in the trap. So what comes to my mind there is like the one Old Testament narrative, virtually identical, informed to those Jesus told is Nathan's parable of the You lamb. [00:44:52] Jesse Schwamb: So that's in like second Samuel 12, and I was just looking this up as you were, as you were speaking. So in this potentially life and death move for the prophet Nathan confronts King David. Over his adultery with, or depending on how you see it, rape of Bathsheba, and then his subsequent murder of her husband Uriah, by sending him to the front lines of battle. [00:45:10] Jesse Schwamb: So he's killed. And so in this parable that Nathan tells Uriah is like the poor man. Bathsheba is like the Yu a and the rich man obviously represents David. If you, you know what I'm talking about, go back and look at second Samuel 12. And so what's interesting is once David is hooked into that story, he cannot deny that his behavior was unjust as that of the rich man in the story who takes this UAM for himself and he, which he openly. [00:45:38] Jesse Schwamb: Then David openly condemns of course, like the amazing climax of this. And as the reader who has. Of course, like omniscient knowledge in the story, you know, the plot of things, right? You're, you're already crying out, like you're throwing something, you know, across the room saying like, how can you not see this about you? [00:45:53] Jesse Schwamb: And of course the climax comes in when Nathan points the finger at David and declares, you are the man. And that's kind of what. The parables due to us. Yes. They're not always like the same in accusatory toward us, but they do call us out. This is where, again, when we talk about like the scripture reading us, the parable is particularly good at that because sometimes we tend to identify, you know, again, with like one of the particular characters whom we probably shouldn't identify with, or like you said, the parable, the sower. [00:46:22] Jesse Schwamb: Isn't the Christian always quick to be like, I am the virtual grounds? Yeah. You still have to ask like, you know, there is not like a Paul washer way of doing this, but there is like a way of saying like, checking yourself before you wreck yourself there. And so when Jesus's parables have lost some of that shock value in today's world, we maybe need to contemporize them a little bit. [00:46:43] Jesse Schwamb: I, and I think we'll talk about that as we go through it. We're not rewriting them for any reason that that would be completely inappropriate. Think about this though. Like the Jew robbed and left for dead. And you know the story of the Grace Samaritan may need to become like the white evangelical man who is helped by like the black Muslim woman after the senior pastor and the worship leader from the local reformed church passed by like that. [00:47:05] Jesse Schwamb: That might be the frame, which we should put it to try to understand it whenever we face a hostile audience that this indirect rhetoric of compelling stories may help at least some people hear God's world more favorably, and I think that's why you get both like a soft. And a sharp edge with these stories. [00:47:20] Jesse Schwamb: But it's the ability to, to kind of come in on the sneak attack. It's to make you feel welcomed in and to identify with somebody. And then sometimes to find that you're identifying entirely with a character whom Jesus is gonna say, listen, don't be this way, or This is what the kingdom of God is, is not like this. [00:47:35] Jesse Schwamb: Or again, to give you shock value, not for the sake of telling like a good tale that somehow has a twist where it's like everybody was actually. All Dead at the end. Another movie, by the way, I have not seen, but I just know that that's like, I'll never see that movie because, can we say it that the spoiler is, is out on that, right? [00:47:54] Tony Arsenal: Are we, what are we talking about? What movie are we talking about? [00:47:56] Jesse Schwamb: Well, I don't, I don't wanna say it. I didn't [00:47:57] Tony Arsenal: even get it from your description. Oh. [00:47:59] Jesse Schwamb: Like that, that movie where like, he was dead the whole time. [00:48:02] Tony Arsenal: Oh, this, that, that, that movie came out like 30 years ago, Jesse. Oh, seriously? [00:48:06] Jesse Schwamb: Okay. All right. [00:48:06] Tony Arsenal: So Six Sense. [00:48:07] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. That movie came out a long time ago. [00:48:10] Jesse Schwamb: So it's not like the parables are the sixth sense, and it's like, let me get you like a really cool twist. Right. Or like hook at the end. I, and I think in part it is to disarm you and to draw you in in such a way that we might honestly consider what's happening there. [00:48:22] Jesse Schwamb: And that's how it reads us. [00:48:24] Tony Arsenal: Yeah. Yeah. And I, I think that's a good point. And, and. It bears saying there are all sorts of parables all throughout the Bible. It's not just Jesus that teaches these, and they do have this similar effect that they, they draw you in. Um, oftentimes you identify it preliminarily, you identify with the wrong person, and it's not until you. [00:48:45] Tony Arsenal: Or you don't identify with anyone when you should. Right. Right. And it's not until the sort of punchline or I think that account with Nathan is so spot on because it's the same kind of thing. David did not have ears to hear. [00:48:58] Jesse Schwamb: Right. Until he had That's good point. Ears [00:49:00] Tony Arsenal: to hear. [00:49:00] Jesse Schwamb: Good point. [00:49:01] Tony Arsenal: And he heard the point of the parable. [00:49:03] Tony Arsenal: He understood the point of the parable and he didn't understand that the parable was about him, right? It's like the ultimate, I don't know why you're clapping David, I'm talking about you moment. Um, I'm just have this picture of Paul washer in like a biblical era robe. Um, so I think that's a enough progam to the series. [00:49:20] Preparing for the Series on Parables [00:49:20] Tony Arsenal: We're super excited we're, we'll cover some of these principles again, because again, different parables have to be interpreted different ways, and some of these principles apply to one and don't to others, and so we'll, we'll tease that out when we get there next week. We're gonna just jump right in. [00:49:34] Tony Arsenal: We're gonna get started with, I think, um, I actually think, you know, in the, the providence of, of the Holy Spirit and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and then obviously the providence of God in Christ's ministry, the, the parable that kind of like frames all of the other parables,

This episode explores the necessity of spiritual discernment in an age of deception, revealing how trauma, false light, AI, and hyperdimensional forces distort perception — and how to recognize the subtle hijacking of truth on the path of awakening.

Christine Darg discusses the signs of the times and the urgency of preparing for eternity in this episode of Exploits. As global tensions rise and biblical prophecies unfold, Darg emphasizes the importance of living with an eternal perspective. She delves into scriptural insights from Revelation, 1 Corinthians, and other biblical texts, urging believers to discern truth, avoid deception, and cling to the hope found in Jesus Christ. This episode is a call to awaken to the realities of spiritual warfare and the promise of a future beyond this world.

Relationships That Reflect Christ: A Conversation with Natalie RunionIn this special episode of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane welcome Natalie Runion—author, speaker, and founder of Raised to Stay—for a heartfelt conversation about relationships. Together, they discuss what it means to cultivate Christ-centered connections, navigate conflict with grace, and build communities rooted in love and authenticity. Natalie shares wisdom from her own journey and offers encouragement for anyone longing to strengthen their relationships with God and others.____________________________________Connect with Natalie Runion:Website: https://natalierunion.com/____________________________________Connect with Jamie:Website: www.jamieklusacek.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacekConnect with Jane:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams____________________________________ Get Jamie's Newest Book:Living Loved: An 8-week Journey to Living Fully Loved

Have you ever wondered if a thought came from you—or was it actually God, spirit, or a loved one on the other side?Sometimes our guides “airdrop” thoughts into our minds—and other times, it may simply be our own thought.In this episode of The Constance Messmer Podcast, I'll give a couple of tips to explain how to recognize the subtle differences between your own inner voice and messages from the Divine.Learn how to tune into your heart, work with intention, and use your Soul Senses to strengthen your communication with higher guidance. All of this with a little reminder of how you can always be of help in troubling times.

On this episode of Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we confront the horrific attack at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The shooter, Robert “Robin” Westman, once walked those same halls as a student. Years of unchecked mental illness and spiritual rebellion ended in bloodshed.America is in denial. We refuse to face the truth: the transgender movement is built on a Satanic lie. No one can change the sex God gave them. Pretending otherwise doesn't heal broken souls, it destroys them and puts others in danger.Christians must speak plainly. Love does not mean affirming sin or confusion. Love means pointing people back to Christ, who alone gives us our identity. Until our nation repents and turns back to God, tragedies like this will only increase.Pray for the victims and their families.--https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

Crystal Rivers | Open Book | Aug 26, 2025 You are living in what many consider a season of unique spiritual opportunity for financial breakthrough and provision. This perspective draws from biblical accounts where God provided supernaturally during economic hardship - like the widow of Zarephath whose small amounts of flour and oil never ran dry during a severe famine, or the widow whose debts were paid through miraculous multiplication of oil. The central principle is that God has given believers "power to get wealth" to establish His covenant purposes. However, this requires careful spiritual discernment and cannot be approached through conventional worldly methods. Your relationship with divine provision operates differently than secular wealth-building strategies. Here's what you need to understand: **Seek Specific Divine Direction** Rather than following generic formulas, invest significant time in prayer and fasting to receive personalized guidance. What works for others may not be your path. God's provision often comes through unexpected channels that require spiritual sensitivity to recognize and follow. **Distinguish Between Opportunities and Traps** Not every financial opportunity comes from God. Some are designed to drain your resources. Develop discernment to recognize the difference between divine doors and deceptive traps that promise quick returns but lead to loss. **Embrace Your Portion** Not everyone will become wealthy in this season. Some will receive supernatural business ideas or generational wealth, while others will have their basic needs met through different means. Contentment with your allocated portion prevents dangerous covetousness while remaining open to increase. **Practice Wise Stewardship** Any resources that come through divine channels require careful management. Avoid waste, seek guidance before major investments, and resist pressure to give beyond what you're specifically directed to give. **Understand the Process** True divine provision often involves preparation, patience, and gradual development rather than instant transformation. Be prepared for a journey that develops character alongside financial increase. The underlying belief is that your Heavenly Father knows your needs and has made provision, but accessing this requires spiritual maturity, consistent seeking, and careful obedience to specific guidance rather than presumptuous action. Zoom every weekday : http://www.caveadullam.org/zoom

How did the American Church become so far off mission and dangerous? Join us as Pastor Frank unpacks the loss of Spiritual Discernment and the impact on the gospel message.

Feeling behind? This episode unpacks why spiritual slowness is not weakness — it's wisdom. Discover how the Sovereign's timing brings identity-rooted clarity without pressure.You're not behind- You're being built.This faith-forward episode of the Identity-Level Recalibration podcast speaks directly to high-capacity humans wrestling with spiritual shame around “waiting too long” to decide. If you've been taught that clarity must come fast — this is your recalibration.Julie Holly opens up about her own season of slowing down — from pressing pause on speaking opportunities to trusting God for provision while building ILR from a place of peace, not pressure. She explains how slowness isn't a detour — it's development. And when you walk at God's pace, clarity is deeper, steadier, and actually sustainable.You'll hear how Dallas Willard, philosopher and author of The Divine Conspiracy, modeled a life of sacred slowness — and why rushing often causes us to miss not only what God is saying, but who He's shaping us to become.This episode is for you if you've been:Feeling ashamed for not having clarity “yet”Questioning if you're being disobedient by slowing downTrying to “push through” spiritual discernment seasonsLonging for peace in your decision-making processWondering if the path you're on is still alignedInside this episode:The neuroscience behind why we equate speed with safetyWhat Scripture reveals about God's pace in identity formationWhy rushing sabotages long-term alignmentHow one slow decision can lead to the deepest recalibrationToday's Micro Recalibration:Ask the Sovereign, “What's Your pace for me in this decision?” Then listen — don't push.Leadership Prompt:Invite your team or family into this reflection:“Where do we feel rushed — and what would it look like to lead from peace instead of pressure?”If this episode gave you language you've been missing, please rate and review the show so more high-capacity humans can find it. Explore Identity-Level Recalibration→ Follow Julie Holly on LinkedIn for more recalibration insights → Schedule a conversation with Julie to see if The Recalibration is a fit for you → Download the Misalignment Audit → Subscribe to the weekly newsletter → Join the waitlist for the next Recalibration cohort This isn't therapy. This isn't coaching. This is identity recalibration — and it changes everything.

In this episode of Exploits, Christine Darg explores the prophetic significance of Israel in end-times narratives. With emphasis on biblical prophecies, she discusses the transition from the Church Age to the Messianic Kingdom and the restoration of Israel. The episode highlights the fulfillment of biblical promises, the resurgence of anti-Semitism, and the spiritual importance of supporting Israel. Christine also addresses viewers to understand the times through the lens of scripture.

Melchizedek School of Priesthood | Aug 14, 2025 You must understand that God operates by the principle of not giving holy things to dogs or casting pearls before swine. This is not God being cruel, but rather His wisdom in recognizing that your ability to receive and treasure spiritual realities depends entirely on your level of spiritual maturity and development. Recognize that your spiritual journey can be understood through the structure of the tabernacle, which represents three distinct stages of growth. In the outer court, you are governed by natural thinking, where the sun and moon (representing worldly systems and carnal perspectives) influence your decisions and values. Here, even though you may have received God's life, you still struggle to properly value spiritual treasures because you judge everything through fleshly, natural eyes that see spiritual things as foolishness. As you progress to the holy place, your perspective begins to change because you are no longer illuminated by worldly systems but by the lampstand (God's Word) and showbread (the Spirit). In this place, your understanding becomes enlightened, and you begin to see the true value of what God has placed within you. The ultimate goal is reaching the most holy place, where complete sonship is realized and you can fully steward the Father's inheritance. Understand that you already possess an invaluable treasure—Christ Himself dwelling within you. However, your ability to recognize, lay hold of, and properly steward this treasure depends on your willingness to exercise yourself spiritually. Just as physical muscles require consistent exercise to develop, your spiritual capacity requires deliberate, ongoing discipline and practice. The key difference between spiritual children and spiritual sons lies not in what they possess, but in their level of development and responsibility. A child may inherit everything but lacks the maturity to handle it properly, while a son has been trained and proven capable of stewarding the father's estate. This development happens through spiritual exercise—deliberately replacing worldly pursuits with God-focused activities. You must create structures in your life that promote spiritual growth. This means establishing consistent times for prayer, worship, and meditation on God's Word. Start small but be consistent—even five minutes of genuine engagement with God daily will begin building spiritual muscle that enables you to receive more. Replace time spent on worldly entertainment with activities that stir your desire for God and build your spiritual capacity. Recognize that being carnally minded places you in enmity against God, even if you're unaware of it. In areas where you haven't exercised yourself spiritually, you will find resistance to God's ways and an inability to receive what He wants to give you. The natural man cannot receive the things of God because they are spiritually discerned, and spiritual discernment comes only through exercise and practice. Do not expect to receive holy things or pearls while maintaining a dog-like or swine-like nature in your spiritual life. Dogs return to their vomit, and swine return to wallowing in mire—these represent patterns of returning to worldly values and priorities after encountering spiritual truth. Break these cycles by building new patterns of engagement with God. Understand that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. This leading doesn't mean hearing God's voice about trivial decisions, but rather being so influenced and intoxicated by God's Spirit that your very nature begins to mirror His character. This transformation requires you to mortify the deeds of the flesh through the Spirit's power. Build desire for God through consistent practice. Your appetite for spiritual things can be cultivated and increased through regular engagement with worship, prayer, and God's Word. Make these encounters as meaningful and enjoyable as possible so that your soul develops a genuine hunger for more of God's presence. Take responsibility for your spiritual development. God has poured Himself into you, but if you remain naturally minded, you will not be able to receive or benefit from what He has given. The issue is not God's willingness to give, but your capacity to receive and steward what you've been entrusted with. Recognize that spiritual growth is not automatic—it requires intentional effort, consistent practice, and a willingness to prioritize God's kingdom over worldly pursuits. The goal is not merely to have spiritual experiences, but to live in the realities you touch during those experiences, making the supernatural your everyday normal rather than occasional highlights. Your spiritual maturity determines what level of revelation, responsibility, and inheritance you can handle. God rewards those who diligently seek Him, but this seeking must be accompanied by corresponding changes in how you live, what you value, and where you invest your time and energy. every weekday : http://www.caveadullam.org/zoom Crystal Rivers | Kingdom Mysteries | Aug 13, 2025 Learn more : http://caveadullam.org/ Subscribe to our Podcast on iTunes : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cave-adullam/id1473967577 Check us out on Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/02wUJ3WYccOFWDtQq486EJ or download the Podcast episodes for free : https://hearthis.at/caveadullam-hl/#tracks Follow us on Facebook & Instagram Facebook Cave Adullam : https://www.facebook.com/caveadullam.org Ministers Rest : https://www.facebook.com/ministersrest/ Preparing His bride : https://web.facebook.com/phbfellowship/ #STNG : https://www.facebook.com/securingthenextgeneration/ Instagram Cave Adullam: https://www.instagram.com/caveadullam/ #STNG : https://www.instagram.com/securingthenextgeneration/

Episode #126 - In this episode of the Awakened Heart Podcast, Nancy Walters sits down with Victoria Pippo, a former child actor turned spiritual disruptor whose personal healing journey ignited her psychic gifts and a mission to help others reclaim their power.She's a living embodiment of energy mastery. From child actor to addiction survivor, queer woman to soul strategist, Victoria has walked through it all. Now, as a psychic gatekeeper and disruptor of the spiritual norm, she teaches high-level entrepreneurs, healers, and public figures how to protect their energy and reclaim their divine power. As the founder of the world's leading psychic development school, her teachings go beyond surface-level spirituality. Victoria helps her clients develop true discernment, dismantle New Age illusions, and connect with their soul in a real, raw way. No fluff. No fakery.This conversation is a deep dive into what it really means to live with spiritual sovereignty in a world full of noise and distortion. Victoria shares how her awakening sharpened her vision, what it takes to lead with integrity, and how to cut through spiritual performance to stay rooted in truth. Together, we explore the importance of discernment, energy protection, and the role of self-love and intuition in a grounded spiritual practice.We also touch on “The Great Merge,” a collective healing initiative Victoria is part of, and reflect on the importance of maintaining childlike wonder as we navigate adulthood.Victoria's work isn't just about spiritual mastery—it's about survival, embodiment, and truth. She's not here to entertain you. She's here to wake you up.TakeawaysGrounded spirituality is essential in today's chaotic world.Sovereignty and discernment are crucial for spiritual seekers.Meditation can unlock psychic abilities and connect with spirit guides.Addiction can stem from a lack of understanding of one's gifts.The Great Merge is a movement for collective healing and support.Cleansing your energy is vital for maintaining spiritual health.Intuition should guide decisions, not impulse or emotion.Childlike wonder can coexist with adult responsibilities.Living with an awakened heart means embracing life fully.Soul-led leadership requires blind faith and trust in the process.Sound Bites"Trust your intuition.""You can grow up and grow in.""I'm dying to live."Connect with VictoriaWebsiteInstagramYoutubeLet's Connect!⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠Rumble⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠Linktree⁠Keywordsspirituality, psychic gifts, meditation, energy healing, discernment, sovereignty, awakened heart, soul-led leadership, intuition, collective healing

On this episode of Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we're addressing the troubling reality of the Epstein list and Donald Trump's failure to bring it to light, holding it up to the standard of biblical justice. God's Word commands that evil be exposed, not hidden in the darkness. I also take time to answer a variety of questions from you, my beloved audience.--https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

Spiritual Discernment

This inspirational sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual discernment and the necessity of hearing God's voice in our lives. It draws from Biblical stories, such as Samuel's, to illustrate the power of listening to the Lord's voice and encourages believers to foster a deeper relationship with God through prayer. Date of service June 18th, 2025 www.houseofglorychurch.org www.cathycoppola.org

This inspirational sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual discernment and the necessity of hearing God's voice in our lives. It draws from Biblical stories, such as Samuel's, to illustrate the power of listening to the Lord's voice and encourages believers to foster a deeper relationship with God through prayer. Date of service June 18th, 2025 www.houseofglorychurch.org www.cathycoppola.org

Spiritual Discernment in a Deceptive World

Spiritual Discernment in a Deceptive World

Holiness and Intimacy with God: Hebrews 9 with Jeannie CunnionIn this special episode of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane welcome author and speaker Jeannie Cunnion to dive into the rich truths of Hebrews 9. Together, they explore how Jesus' perfect sacrifice opens the way to true holiness and deeper intimacy with God. Jeannie shares her heart for understanding grace, letting go of striving, and embracing the closeness God offers through Christ. Join us for an honest, encouraging conversation that will help you see holiness not as distance from God—but as an invitation to draw near.____________________________________Connect with Jeannie Cunnion:Website: https://www.jeanniecunnion.com/____________________________________Connect with Jamie:Website: www.jamieklusacek.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacekConnect with Jane:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams____________________________________ Get Jamie's Newest Book:Living Loved: An 8-week Journey to Living Fully Loved

On this episode of Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we are joined with Juliette Bryant, a courageous survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's vile sex trafficking operation. Lured by the promise of a modeling career, Juliette was instead ensnared in a web of calculated evil. She was abused, exploited, and flown to Epstein's private island where countless others suffered the same fate.This is more than a scandal. It is a moral reckoning. And yet, the full, unredacted Epstein list, containing the names of powerful men who enabled or participated in this wickedness, remains sealed. Why is that?Donald Trump promised the American people he would release it. Now, he mocks those demanding it, calling us “bad people” and “weaklings.” Well, it's actually bad and weak to fail to release the Epstein list, Mr. President. But we will not be intimidated. The righteous are commanded to expose darkness, not negotiate with it. Trump's evasiveness increasingly resembles guilt. It's certainly not strong leadership.We will not be silenced. Not by politicians, not by media, and not by fear. We demand the truth.--https://www.thebrandsunday.com/products/the-bible-study-physical?srsltid=AfmBOoq6zS6i2LVAaJq4sRAuJqL9WZWgV03ccH9c4dufm2XMD0ozmV5S

This is another message in the series, "A Tale of Two Kings". King Saul has died, and a man comes to King David with news in II Samuel 1. We can see David's discernment of this man very clearly, and we can learn great lessons from David in this story.

In this episode, we explore how to navigate a world full of noise, urgency, and emotional intensity through the lens of spiritual discernment. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world ,this episode will help you pause, get clear, and reconnect with what's truly yours to carry.

In this episode, Pastor Jeff Reynolds is joined by Lauren Parish, David Tooley, Alex Watkins, Keith Christopher, and TJ Renfro for a meaningful conversation on faith, community, and spiritual discernment. They share how Vacation Bible School is happening right now—how kids are learning to follow Jesus and how the church is coming together to make it a powerful experience. You'll also hear about the launch of our new Adventurer Podcast, which highlights mission trips and stories of how God is moving through outreach near and far. Finally, the group reflects on how Christians can wisely discern sin in today's culture—responding with both conviction and compassion. Whether you're serving, seeking, or growing in faith, this episode offers timely encouragement and direction.   --   This episode of The Beyond Sunday Podcast unpacks the sermon “Discern Appropriately | Matthew 7:1–6.” In these verses, Jesus teaches about the importance of humility, self-awareness, and discernment when confronting sin—in ourselves and others. We'll explore what it means to judge without hypocrisy, to remove the “log” from our own eyes first, and to approach others with grace and truth. These challenging but powerful words help us reflect Christ in how we engage with the world around us.   Give to The Great Pursuit Missions Offering - https://firstbaptistbg.org/give Submit a question - bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions VBS 2025 - https://firstbaptistbg.org/vbs-2025

When is it time to speak up and when is it wiser to stay silent? In this episode of Ordinary Discipleship, Chris, Jacob, and Jessie dive into the tension we all feel in relationships, ministry, and daily life: knowing when and how to bring something up. Jessie shares a powerful framework rooted in four key questions - Do I have God's eyes, heart, tone, and timing? - and how it radically reshaped her leadership and interactions. Together, they explore how to align with the Holy Spirit, navigate conflict with grace, and avoid becoming the self-appointed “fixer” in someone else's story.ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church. ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

The Old and New Covenant: A Conversation with Dr. David MathewsonIn this insightful episode of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane sit down with Dr. David Mathewson to unpack the profound differences—and connections—between the Old and New Covenants. Dr. Mathewson, a respected biblical scholar, brings clarity and depth to understanding why the new covenant, promised in Scripture and fulfilled in Christ, changes everything about how we relate to God. Join us for a rich conversation full of biblical wisdom, practical insight, and encouragement to embrace the better promises found in Jesus.____________________________________Connect with Dr. David Mathewson:Website: https://denverseminary.edu/directory/mathewson-phd-david-lEmail David: EMAILConnect with Jamie:Website: www.jamieklusacek.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacekConnect with Jane:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams____________________________________ Get Jamie's Newest Book:Living Loved: An 8-week Journey to Living Fully Loved

Today on Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we're hitting a hot topic: America jumping into the Israel-Iran war. And I'm just going to say it—I don't think we should've gotten involved. I've supported Donald Trump for years, but I think he got this wrong.Israel just said they didn't need us. This was their fight. Then suddenly, we're bombing a nuclear site and opening doors that didn't need to be opened. And of course, anyone who questions it gets labeled a “panican.” But guess what? The “panicans” are starting to look more and more like prophets, because now, sleeper cells are stirring, and American churches are already under attack.We don't need to be scared, we need to be wise. The Bible calls us to test the spirits, stay watchful, and seek peace when we can. (1 John 4:1, Romans 12:18). So let's talk about it honestly. Because loving your country (and even loving your favorite president) doesn't mean checking your discernment at the door and always being a yes-man.--https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

The warfare is after your ear. If the enemy can cut your ear off in the spirit, he cut you off from hearing what God wants to do.Bishop Victor Powell leads us through a powerful exploration of Matthew 26, focusing on the dramatic moment when Peter cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant. This isn't just a story of impulse and violence—it's full of profound symbolism about transition, obedience, and the voices that shape our spiritual journey.Bishop Powell unpacks how, as Jesus prepares his disciples for a major shift—the passing from the old order to the new—our ability to truly “hear” becomes more important than ever. Support the showText encounteratl to 94000 to stay up-to-date on all things Encounter.Worship with EncounterSundays at 9 AM ET | Wednesdays at 7:30 PM ETSupport EncounterText egive to 77977 Connect with EncounterFacebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | WebsiteConnect with Dr. GabeInstagram | YouTube | Website

Today on Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we're hitting a hot topic: America jumping into the Israel-Iran war. And I'm just going to say it—I don't think we should've gotten involved. I've supported Donald Trump for years, but I think he got this wrong.Israel just said they didn't need us. This was their fight. Then suddenly, we're bombing a nuclear site and opening doors that didn't need to be opened. And of course, anyone who questions it gets labeled a “panican.” But guess what? The “panicans” are starting to look more and more like prophets, because now, sleeper cells are stirring, and American churches are already under attack.We don't need to be scared, we need to be wise. The Bible calls us to test the spirits, stay watchful, and seek peace when we can. (1 John 4:1, Romans 12:18). So let's talk about it honestly. Because loving your country (and even loving your favorite president) doesn't mean checking your discernment at the door and always being a yes-man.--https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

Send us a textAre you being guided by intuition… or hijacked by ego?In this episode, Levi Kreis unpacks a real-life situation where his spiritual discernment was clouded by wounded ego — and how he finally found clarity. If you've ever second-guessed your gut, spiraled into overthinking, or talked yourself out of your own knowing, this one's for you.⚡ Inside this conversation: – How to tell the difference between ego and intuition – Why your body always knows the truth – The danger of over-curated “spiritual” leadership – What it means to trust your full-body yes

In a world overloaded with opinions, drama, and emotional triggers, spiritual discernment is your superpower. In this bold and eye-opening talk, Rev. Lee Wolak—Zen practitioner, teacher of Religious Science, and author of The Power in You—reveals how to cut through the noise of the world and access your inner clarity. Learn how to distinguish between truth and illusion, ego and soul, reaction and wisdom. Spiritual discernment isn't about judgment—it's about awareness. It's the art of recognizing what resonates with your highest self and what's simply programming, fear, or distraction. If you're tired of being pulled in a thousand directions by outside influences and want to develop unshakable clarity, this is for you. Discover how to trust your intuitive knowing and live from grounded inner truth. #Spirituality #Meditation #Healing #Selflove #Consciousness #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualAwakening #SelfWorth #Awareness #ScienceOfMind #RevLeeWolak #Zen #ThePowerInYou 

Warm Welcome to Shift Your Energy - by Meditation Jam with Maria Rinné. This part of my podcast is created to be your guide, your inspiration, and your companion moving through a time that is transformational where we are shifting our drive from mind to heart. I am so happy to share this inspiring talk with Canadian Spiritual Guide, Multidimensional Healer and Philanthropist Victoria Pippo. Victoria is an advocate for were Soul protection meets Spiritual power and how we can and should be responsible for our energy work and setting boundaries. In this episode, she shares her profound spiritual journey, detailing her awakening, the challenges she faced, and the importance of discernment in energy and the development of her Sovereign Healer School. Our dialogue emphasizes the need for responsibility and integrity in spiritual practices, as well as the significance of understanding one's energy and boundaries. Victoria also is also a lightworker on a global scale, with an emphasis of the importance of community and collective efforts to heal the planet through her the Great Merge events. Victoria's passion for helping others and her commitment to making a difference in the world shine through as she encourages listeners to embrace their own spiritual journeys. In the extended video on Substack, (se link below) we get to join Victoria in a lovely energy meditation. I hope this will inspire, maybe entertain, and shift your energy to realign with your true self, your life force and pure purpose. Thank you so much Victoria for joining Shift you Energy and the work you do! Links to Victoria : • Website: https://www.victoriapippoinc.com/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriapippo/ • Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@victoriapippo4455 Love and Light, Maria Pod music- Steen Thottrup - Balearic Bliss - Delux version -More music by Steen Thottrup at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6tPMvCqpjXjP9Iezu41j3E?si=TSCZPuvJR2uc6JoMZBdvZQ Maria Rinné - Pure Heart Ignition – Life Force Energy Guide www.mariarinne.com www.facebook.com/MariaRinneEnergy www.insighttimer.com/mariarinne www.instagram.com/mariarinneenergy/ https://substack.com/@mariarinne – Extended videos New book out - Pure, Raw and Happy – How to navigate a more joyful new way of life straight from the heart

In this episode of Uncommon Sense, we're talking about Tucker Carlson's highly discussed interview with Senator Ted Cruz. I'll be sharing my honest thoughts on how it went, why I think Tucker came out ahead, and what this kind of bold, unscripted, and unapologetically frank conversation means for the future of political discourse (spoiler: I'm all for it).We'll go into why I support constructive confrontation—yes, even when it gets "mean" and uncomfortable. The Founding Fathers didn't tiptoe around the truth, so why should we? They debated passionately because the stakes were high. The polite punditry act is wearing thin, and people are tired of political puppets mouthing safe lines. They're craving what we saw here: real conviction, real disagreement, and real questions.We'll cover why I believe Tucker won this exchange: from his biblical literacy to his serious concerns about foreign lobbying groups like AIPAC having a hand in U.S. policy. Ted got visibly nervous when pressed about Scripture, about Israel, and about U.S. involvement in a possible war with Iran. And the question still lingers: Why are we only now suddenly being pushed to act, when Trump was reportedly targeted by Iran two years ago?Most importantly, we'll reflect on Tucker's question—a theological one with deep political ramifications: Who is the real Israel according to God? Is it the modern state that does not believe Jesus is Lord and historically has required a denial of Christ for Jewish returnees? Or is it the true church—those who belong to Christ?I'll share my belief unapologetically: Israel is the body of believers in Jesus Christ. Not those who reject Him. Not those who crucified Him. That's a hard truth, but a necessary one in these last days when clarity very much matters.Faith shouldn't be a popularity contest.--https://www.thebrandsunday.com/products/the-bible-study-physical?srsltid=AfmBOorwAVEYslTlOGA-36_bHHjruNDOebEKWQ6M2115NZZwL8WG_ali

In this episode of Uncommon Sense, we're talking about Tucker Carlson's highly discussed interview with Senator Ted Cruz. I'll be sharing my honest thoughts on how it went, why I think Tucker came out ahead, and what this kind of bold, unscripted, and unapologetically frank conversation means for the future of political discourse (spoiler: I'm all for it).We'll go into why I support constructive confrontation—yes, even when it gets "mean" and uncomfortable. The Founding Fathers didn't tiptoe around the truth, so why should we? They debated passionately because the stakes were high. The polite punditry act is wearing thin, and people are tired of political puppets mouthing safe lines. They're craving what we saw here: real conviction, real disagreement, and real questions.We'll cover why I believe Tucker won this exchange: from his biblical literacy to his serious concerns about foreign lobbying groups like AIPAC having a hand in U.S. policy. Ted got visibly nervous when pressed about Scripture, about Israel, and about U.S. involvement in a possible war with Iran. And the question still lingers: Why are we only now suddenly being pushed to act, when Trump was reportedly targeted by Iran two years ago?Most importantly, we'll reflect on Tucker's question—a theological one with deep political ramifications: Who is the real Israel according to God? Is it the modern state that does not believe Jesus is Lord and historically has required a denial of Christ for Jewish returnees? Or is it the true church—those who belong to Christ?I'll share my belief unapologetically: Israel is the body of believers in Jesus Christ. Not those who reject Him. Not those who crucified Him. That's a hard truth, but a necessary one in these last days when clarity very much matters.Faith shouldn't be a popularity contest.--https://www.thebrandsunday.com/products/the-bible-study-physical?srsltid=AfmBOorwAVEYslTlOGA-36_bHHjruNDOebEKWQ6M2115NZZwL8WG_ali

What do you do when you don't know what to do? Angela Williams Gorrell joins Mark Labberton to discuss her latest book, Braving Difficult Decisions. With poignant storytelling and theological depth, Gorrell shares how this book was born out of personal crucibles and a yearning to make sense of liminal, paralyzing spaces we all encounter—individually and communally. Together they explore how discernment is not just about decision-making but also about cultivating a life of wisdom, attentiveness, and spiritual depth. Rooted in Christian tradition yet capacious across communities and contexts, Gorrell invites listeners to slow down, ask deeper questions, and consider the spiritual, emotional, and communal terrain that shapes every meaningful decision. Episode Highlights “To not make a decision is to make one as well.” “This journey is about an inward journey that says, how do I look at the state of my own soul?” “Sometimes good decisions don't feel good.” “What if the best idea isn't the good idea? And what if the data can't tell us that?” “Lady Wisdom invites us to dine—to sit at a table with God and others, and not rush the meal.” Helpful Links and Resources Braving Difficult Decisions, by Angela Williams Gorrell The Gravity of Joy, by Angela Williams Gorrell Life Worth Living course at Yale www.angelagorrell.com @angelagorrell on Instagram Show Notes The “liminal space” of facing a difficult decision, arriving at a crossroads Defining discernment as “a practice, not a single moment of choice” The book stems from her decision to leave a tenured-track faculty position, and a painful personal choice about marriage Perpetua and Felicity—early Christian martyrs Individual discernment and soul work Life Worth Living at Yale “Can I be suffering and my life still be good?” The deeply heartbreaking experience of grappling with the question of divorce “I really struggled to find a book that was like, you can be deeply Christian, deeply spiritual, and make this very difficult choice.” “You have to put them in your own heart and soul. You have to grapple with these ideas, and then you write them.” Should we avoid difficult decisions? Discerning, then acting “To not make a decision is to make one as well.” “I wanted to write a book that spoke to that liminal space where we feel paralyzed.” “Good decisions don't always feel good—they might still break your heart” Discusses difference between chronic pain and acute pain in decision-making Discernment helps identify not just what is “right,” but what leads toward peace Michaela O'Donnell and chronic pain Discernment is about “looking at the state of your own soul and becoming a steward of it” “This story that God is nurturing in the world—that story doesn't hinge on like this decision in your life.” Self-examination, and feeling alone in the decision Community-based decision-making “There are all these false binaries.” “What baggage do you have from the past? And how do you make sure that you're not seeing the present moment through the past?” Being as gracious as possible “ What is a way that we can create space to really hear from God?—to hear from each other, and to move forward in a way that we're doing change together and not to each other.” “They need to figure out something together that matters deeply.” The book offers a pathway for congregations and organizations discerning together “How do we do change with people?” Encourages communities to take time, name past wounds, and define who makes decisions Identifies the importance of setting clear expectations, timelines, and spiritual framing “Listening to everyone takes time, but it leads to deeper collective ownership.” Invites communities to ask: What values do we want to embody in this moment? “Sometimes the most valuable part of the process is the slowness.” Wisdom, complexity, and culture Decision-making in our polarized society must account for nuance, empathy, and complexity “What if the data tells us one thing, but the Spirit tells us something else?” Resist “data-driven” decisions as totalizing; discernment includes emotion, history, and spirituality. “Sometimes good decisions don't feel good, you know? Sometimes a life worth living is not about pursuing happiness.” “Lady Wisdom invites us to come and to dine at her house and to sit at a table together.” Names systemic fatigue: “Organizations optimize while their people starve.” Decision-making is affected by race, gender, trauma, context—“there is no one-size-fits-all path” Discernment as a practice, not a moment Braving Difficult Decisions includes exercises and frameworks, such as the “iceberg model” “Most big questions are like an iceberg. There's all this ice beneath the surface that you don't see. That's really the stuff that people are grappling with.” Encourages ongoing wisdom practices: surrender, self-reflection, value-alignment The book is not just a guide for one hard moment, but a long-term companion Ideal for pastors, therapists, educators, spiritual directors, and leaders About Angela Williams Gorrell Rev. Dr. Angela Williams Gorrell is an author, speaker, and consultant. Gorrell speaks and writes about finding the life worth living, joy, meaning, and purpose, and the intersection of spiritual and mental health. She is the author of Always On, The Gravity of Joy, and Braving Difficult Decisions: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do. Angela's research has been highlighted in media sources such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and NPR. Gorrell has taught at several schools including Yale University and Baylor University. She has provided thought leadership and consulting for numerous organizations including the US Army and the NBA. You can find her at her website www.angelagorrell.com or on instagram @angelagorrell. Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.