Podcasts about spiritual life

The Suffering of Daniel      Daniel's story begins in the shadow of national tragedy. As a young man, likely in his mid-to-late teens, he was taken captive when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carried many of Judah's nobility to Babylon (Dan 1:1–4). Torn from his homeland, stripped of freedom, and thrust into the heart of a pagan empire, Daniel entered a culture saturated with idolatry, sorcery, and political scheming. Babylon sought not only to enslave his body but to reprogram his mind, to erase his identity as a servant of the Lord and remake him into a loyal functionary of the empire. The king ordered that his name be changed, his education redirected, and his diet replaced with food from the royal table (Dan 1:5–7). Yet from the very beginning, “Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself” (Dan 1:8). Daniel was resolved to stand firm in his faith. He understood that his real allegiance was not to Babylon's king but to the God of heaven. In a foreign land, he refused to lose his spiritual identity.      Daniel's discipline, humility, and doctrinal integrity made him a standout in Babylon. He did not protest his captivity, rebel against authority, or seek escape through human means. Instead, he accepted his circumstances as part of God's sovereign plan and chose to function as an ambassador for the Lord in enemy territory. God rewarded his faithfulness by granting him “knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom,” and Daniel himself was given “understanding of all kinds of visions and dreams” (Dan 1:17). Through divine promotion, Daniel rose to positions of high influence under successive kings and empires, yet he never compromised his loyalty to God. Living in the center of a hostile, idolatrous culture, Daniel demonstrated that it is possible to maintain spiritual stability and grace orientation even when surrounded by corruption and pressure. Daniel understood that divine viewpoint, not environment, determines stability.      Suffering intensified with the passing years. Daniel's three companions—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—faced the fiery furnace when they refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar's golden image (Dan 3:12–18). They told Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… but even if He does not, let it be known… that we are not going to serve your gods” (Dan 3:17–18). They were willing to die rather than dishonor God. Their deliverance from the furnace demonstrated divine power, but more importantly, it vindicated their faith and revealed God's glory before a watching pagan world. Thieme notes, “This historical event illustrates a tremendous principle in the doctrine of suffering. God has designed human suffering for the blessing of the believer. Blessing is only possible when there is a consistent daily intake of Bible doctrine, which leads to spiritual maturity and occupation with Christ.”[1] Likewise, Daniel himself faced the lions' den when he refused to alter his prayer life under Darius' decree (Dan 6:10). He understood that prayer was a lifeline to the God who sustained him.      Daniel's long exile, spanning roughly seventy years, was marked by pressure, promotion, and persecution. He served under multiple kings, from Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus, and in each administration he maintained the same spiritual consistency. Though elevated to positions of immense political power, he remained humble before God, recognizing that all authority is delegated by the Sovereign of heaven (Dan 2:21). His prophetic visions and intercessory prayers reveal a man whose heart was never seduced by Babylon's wealth or wisdom but fixed on God's promises to Israel. Through testing, isolation, and exposure to pagan corruption, Daniel became the living embodiment of grace under pressure, a believer functioning in the devil's world without being conformed to it (Rom 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-16).      Daniel's captivity demonstrates the divine principle that adversity is God's classroom for spiritual advance. Like Joseph in Egypt and David in the wilderness, Daniel learned that promotion comes not from human favor but from the Lord (Psa 75:6–7). His entire life illustrates that faith is most often tested in crisis, and that true stability is the result of divine viewpoint thinking applied under pressure. Through exile and affliction, God transformed a Hebrew captive into a statesman-prophet, refining his faith through suffering and using his life as a witness to Gentile rulers. Daniel's story proves that spiritual victory does not require favorable circumstances, only a heart anchored in divine truth. In every generation, his life stands as a model of how to live faithfully in a pagan world without losing one's spiritual integrity: “The people who know their God will display strength and take action” (Dan 11:32). Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] R. B. Thieme, Jr., Daniel: Chapters One Through Six (Houston: R. B. Thieme, Jr. Bible Ministries, 2003), 83.

Daryl Beachy - Sunday morning opening devotional

Let us lay aside the weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Our mission is to assist parents in the intellectual, moral, physical, and spiritual formation of their sons… At The Heights, we repeat these words often, including a paraphrase at the beginning of every HeightsCast episode. But what constitutes intellectual formation? What does educating the intellect look like? Co-founder of the Hillbilly Thomists and Rector Magnificus at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome, Fr. Thomas Joseph White, joins us for a deep-dive into the rich Catholic understanding of intellectus, habitus, ratio, and what it means to "form" these God-given faculties. Chapters: 1:35 Intellectus: to read into reality 7:41 Modern challenges to intellectus 13:35 Habitus: a stable disposition towards excellence 17:59 Modern challenges to habitus 21:22 Ratio vs. intellectus 27:07 Intuitive "sight" as a function of intellect 32:27 Developing clear "sight" in the young 34:35 Forming the heart alongside intellect 38:47 Whether the heart and intellect fully integrate 44:01 Beauty reveals the life of the mind to itself Links: The Hillbilly Thomists, co-founded by Fr. Thomas Joseph White Contemplation and the Cross: A Catholic Introduction to the Spiritual Life by Fr. Thomas Joseph White Wisdom in the Face of Modernity by Fr. Thomas Joseph White Full catalog of books by Fr. Thomas Joseph White The Regensburg Address by Pope Benedict XVI Beauty for Truth's Sake: On the Re-enchantment of Education by Stratford Caldecott Only the Lover Sings: Art and Contemplation by Josef Pieper Also on the Forum: Why Beauty Matters: The Postmodern Pressure on Our Interior Life featuring Dr. Jason Baxter Teaching Sovereign Knowers, essay series by Michael Moynihan "Fact or Opinion?": Roots of Relativism in an Ethical Dilemma by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: The Art of Teaching Boys Conference at The Heights School (May 6-8, 2026)

Closing our journey through the Living Steps we explored the principles of all the 12 steps and how they are  expressions of the fundamental foundations of Pnimius HaTorah and Chassidus.Closing out step 12 and this year long series, Menachem explores how the 12 steps inform living a spiritual life in all facets, a concept that is quite obviously reflected in the inner teachings of Torah. Website: TheLightRevealed.orgEmail: TheLightRevealed@TLRFamily.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelightrevealed/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelightrevealed/

Sometimes our problem isn't the external, obvious thing. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE | DR DAVID OGBUELI

Hebrews 12:1 talks about "the weight." ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

I have taken apart machines thinking I can fix the problem, only to realize that the problem is much deeper. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Fr. Gregory Pine highlights the importance of the incarnation, showcasing God's generosity and the need to recognize His work in our lives. Fr. Pine encourages all to a deeper understanding of how God's love and grace are evident in our experiences, urging a response of gratitude and acknowledgment of His presence in our lives.

There have been times in my life when there was a struggle going on deep in my soul. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Dr. Jordan Stone preached on Romans 12:1–2.

I. God's power in Jesus over death is God's power for Christians, v20. II. God's power in Jesus over the demonic is God's power for Christians, vv20-21. III. God's power in giving Jesus dominion is God's power for Christians, vv22-23.

The Suffering of King David      David's fugitive years under Saul (1 Sam 22–24) were not wasted time but a period of divine training and refinement. Though anointed king by Samuel (1 Sam 16:13), David was not yet ready to rule. God enrolled him in the school of suffering, isolation, and rejection to develop the inner character necessary for kingship. In the cave of Adullam, David found himself surrounded not by Israel's elite but by society's outcasts, “everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented” (1 Sam 22:2). These men became his first followers, and God used them to teach David grace, compassion, and leadership under pressure. In the desert, David learned to live by divine viewpoint, to lean on God's sufficiency instead of human resources. His classroom was the wilderness; his lessons were hardship, endurance, and faith. Like Israel's desert testing, David's adversity exposed the contents of his soul and taught him to rest in God's perfect timing and immutable faithfulness (Deut 8:2).      During this season, David composed two psalms that record the anguish and growth of his soul (Psa 57; 142). Psalm 57 was written “when he fled from Saul in the cave” (Psa 57:1a), likely at Adullam (1 Sam 22:1). Here, David's faith triumphed over fear. Surrounded by danger, David prayed, “Be gracious to me, O God… for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by” (Psa 57:1b). Though hunted, he chose praise over panic, saying, “My heart is steadfast, O God… I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples” (Psa 57:7, 9). Adversity was used as a vehicle to expedite his growth, and David learned that security rests not in circumstances but in divine stability. Psalm 142, written later “when he was in the cave,” probably at En-gedi (1 Sam 24:1–3), reveals a soul exhausted by prolonged pressure. David wrote, “No one cares for my soul” (Psa 142:4), capturing the loneliness of exile and the silence of isolation. Yet even there, David refocused on the Lord, saying, “I cried out to You, O Lord; I said, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living'” (Psa 142:5). According to Ross, “The faithful must depend on the LORD completely when they are in grave difficulties because there is no one else who truly cares for them.”[1] When human support failed, divine grace sustained him. Through these psalms, we see David's soul pressed, purified, and reshaped into a man of faith.      The results of that refinement soon became evident. Twice David was providentially placed in a position to kill Saul, first in the cave at En-gedi (1 Sam 24:1–7) and later at the hill of Hachilah (1 Sam 26:7–11). Both times David restrained himself, refusing to violate divine authority. David said, “The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed” (1 Sam 24:6). This statement reveals a soul stabilized by Bible doctrine and governed by reverence for God's sovereignty. David refused to advance through human manipulation or self-promotion. His patience demonstrated that he had learned to wait for the Lord's vindication, as he said to Saul, “May the Lord judge between you and me… but my hand shall not be against you” (1 Sam 24:12). His restraint was the strength of humility developed through divine viewpoint thinking and prolonged testing (faith in action).      These wilderness years, likely spanning seven to ten years, formed the core of David's divine preparation. Every deprivation was a test; every trial was a lesson in grace orientation, faith-rest, and obedience under pressure. When David finally ascended to the throne, he ruled as a man whose soul had been tempered by adversity. The Lord had fulfilled His purpose, confirming the principle He'd spoken to Israel, “He humbled you and let you be hungry… that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deut 8:3). Thus, David's wilderness experience was a means of spiritual sanctification. The very afflictions that threatened his life became the instruments of his spiritual growth. By waiting on the Lord and trusting His timing, David demonstrated genuine humility and teachability, which are marks of a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). The Suffering of Daniel      Daniel's story begins in the shadow of national tragedy. As a young man, likely in his mid-to-late teens, he was taken captive when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carried many of Judah's nobility to Babylon (Dan 1:1–4). Torn from his homeland, stripped of freedom, and thrust into the heart of a pagan empire, Daniel entered a culture saturated with idolatry, sorcery, and political scheming. Babylon sought not only to enslave his body but to reprogram his mind, to erase his identity as a servant of the Lord and remake him into a loyal functionary of the empire. The king ordered that his name be changed, his education redirected, and his diet replaced with food from the royal table (Dan 1:5–7). Yet from the very beginning, “Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself” (Dan 1:8). Daniel was resolved to stand firm in his faith. He understood that his real allegiance was not to Babylon's king but to the God of heaven. In a foreign land, he refused to lose his spiritual identity. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms (90–150), vol.3, 875.

Cornelius was a man who loved God, loved to pray, and loved to give. Then an angel came to him. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

The angel delivered a very interesting message to Cornelius. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Cornelius was a centurion. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Have you ever wondered if your prayers were even getting past the ceiling? ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Send one way text to Rev Rachel The holidays have a way of bringing everything to the surface - the joy, the love, the tenderness, and also the old stories, the anxieties, and the patterns we thought we were done with. Being around family gives us a front-row seat to our operating system, the parts of us that still tighten, protect, or try to keep the peace.In this episode of Recover Your Soul, I talk about the real spiritual work of being with family while staying connected to yourself. We explore how to actually feel your feelings rather than suppress them, how to listen to the information they carry, and how to recognize when you've slipped into old roles of managing, pleasing, or fixing.This is the heart of the Recover Your Soul Process - learning to turn inward with curiosity and compassion, letting the emotions arise without judgment, and allowing others to be exactly who they are.My hope is that these reflections help you stay rooted in yourself through the holiday season - not armored, not shut down, but present, awake, and open to the deeper healing that is always happening beneath the surface.You are allowed to feel what you feel. You are allowed to honor your needs. And you areJoin us December 1st from 6-7PM Mountain Time for the next FREE Recover Your Soul Community Support Group. Register on the website, or look in your promotions folder the day of the meeting for the link if you have registered in the past.  Start your journey with the FREE Recover Your Soul™ 9-Step Mini-Workbook- A gentle spiritual path to healing, letting go, and awakening. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not allied or representative of any organizations or religions, but is based on the opinions and experience of Rev. Rachel Harrison or guests. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein. Take what you need and leave the rest.Support the showRev Rachel & Recover Your Soul www.recoveryoursoul.net FREE Support Group on Zoom 6-7PM MT on the 1st Monday of the Month Work the Process with Rev Rachel TRYASESSION for 40% off 1st session Working the Steps Program WORKSTEPS%50 Instagram, Insight Timer, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook private Facebook group RYS Bonus Podcast Patreon Member or subscribing on Apple Podcasts. Transcripts

In today's episode, Debi dives into the deeper, more spiritual side of gratitude. This isn't about forcing positivity or writing a list of things you're “supposed” to be thankful for. It's about slowing down, noticing, and reshaping the way you see life, and reconnecting spiritually. In this episode, Debi explores:What gratitude truly means beyond the clichesWhy it matters How it can shift your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being How gratitude can become a prayerful practice in our lives.Simple, realistic gratitude practices for everyday life Gratitude shifts the atmosphere, it moves Heaven, it activates blessings, and it aligns your heart with God. CONNECT WITH DEBIDo you feel stuck?  Do you sense it's time for a change, but are unsure where to start or how to move forward? Schedule a clarity call!Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/debironca/free-clarity-callWebsite – https://www.debironca.comInstagram - @debironcaEmail – info@debironca.com Check out my online course!Your Story's Changing, Finding Purpose in Life's Transitionshttps://course.sequoiatransitioncoaching.com/8-week-programThe Family Letter by Debi Ronca – International Best Sellerhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SSJFXBD

Cornelius encountered an angel. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

New York Times writer Jonathan Zwickel discussed his recent article about tours that uncover the political and economic forces that are shaping life in Athens, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and other important cities. Then Hiroko Yoda discussed her illuminating book about Japanese traditions, religious practices and life "Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan.Takeaways: Zwickel recounts his experience of wandering through an Athens neighborhood, revealing the urban decay and struggles faced by locals. We discuss the importance of ethical tourism, emphasizing the need for respectful engagement with local communities and their histories. The podcast highlights the emergence of social and political walking tours as a means to provide deeper insights into the realities of city life and its challenges. Additionally, we examine how these tours can serve as an antidote to overtourism by redistributing visitor traffic to underappreciated areas. In the second half Yoda discusses the interplay between different religious traditions in the temples of Japan; how she came to find Shinto teachings helpful while grieving the loss of her parents; and a the story behind a famous mound in Tokyo, that has a surprising history.Links referenced in this episode:newyorktimes.comairbnb.complanetwonk.com

What does it mean to live a spiritual life? Our spiritual paths may vary, but we all strive to focus on something greater than the day-to-day concerns which can easily overwhelm us. Today Kris outlines a holistic framework for working with our body, mind, and soul.

The disciples had just performed many miraculous works, then Jesus said this... ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

I'm about to reveal to you a tremendous point that Jesus made. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Jesus said to His disciples, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see." ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Stories of ghosts and hauntings have frightened us since the beginning of time. Until recently, few have dared to contact the deceased and discover the true nature of earthbound spirits and the phenomena they create. Our understanding of the afterlife has evolved, and with it the reality that ghosts are just like us, facing many of the same problems we face every day. Spirit rescue mediums are "psychologists for the deceased," helping them peacefully transition to the other side.Toward the Light is the first guide dedicated solely to spirit rescue and its role in saving earthbound spirits from their self-imposed exile on earth. It is a guide to rescue mediumship, a form of spirit communication used to counsel and aid the deceased in crossing over. It is the first book that will help you understand things from a ghost's perspective, and will cover such diverse topics as: Why spirits remain earthbound and the emotions associated with this decision Places of interest for earthbound spirits and the reasoning behind their residency Techniques and tools used by rescue mediums Psychic protection tools and techniques for all levels of spirit activity The different vibrational levels of spirit attachments Residual energy and the techniques used to clear it away.BioAmy Major is a psychic, empath, psychic medium, and rescue medium who has helped many people with her abilities. At a young age, she learned she had the ability to communicate with her spiritual and animal guides. Throughout her childhood, she developed astral projection as well as the ability to see auras and energy surrounding people. In her early 20s, Amy was told by her guides that she was able to communicate with spirits. While exploring her ability of mediumship, she quickly learned that she had very strong rescue mediumship skills.Amy now dedicates her time to rescue work and educating people about spirit rescue. Amy has been a successful spirit rescue medium since 2002. She was a lead medium in the Psychic Ghostbusters Team through the New Millennium Psychic Center in Derry, New Hampshire. She works alongside other mediums and spirit rescue specialists to aid spirits in their transition to the “other side.” Amy has studied and worked at the New Millennium Psychic Center in Derry, New Hampshire for many years and 188 Toward the Light is an active member of the Church of Spiritual Life in Methuen, Massachusetts. She is currently enrolled in Morris Pratt courses, specializing in mediumship and healing.https://www.amymajor.com/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J1L4XPV? https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlifeMy book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The title of this week's teachings is "Eyes That See." ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

How spiritual life & material life can be complementary | Studio108 | London | Chaitanya Charan by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

Stories of ghosts and hauntings have frightened us since the beginning of time. Until recently, few have dared to contact the deceased and discover the true nature of earthbound spirits and the phenomena they create. Our understanding of the afterlife has evolved, and with it the reality that ghosts are just like us, facing many of the same problems we face every day. Spirit rescue mediums are "psychologists for the deceased," helping them peacefully transition to the other side.Toward the Light is the first guide dedicated solely to spirit rescue and its role in saving earthbound spirits from their self-imposed exile on earth. It is a guide to rescue mediumship, a form of spirit communication used to counsel and aid the deceased in crossing over. It is the first book that will help you understand things from a ghost's perspective, and will cover such diverse topics as: Why spirits remain earthbound and the emotions associated with this decision Places of interest for earthbound spirits and the reasoning behind their residency Techniques and tools used by rescue mediums Psychic protection tools and techniques for all levels of spirit activity The different vibrational levels of spirit attachments Residual energy and the techniques used to clear it away.BioAmy Major is a psychic, empath, psychic medium, and rescue medium who has helped many people with her abilities. At a young age, she learned she had the ability to communicate with her spiritual and animal guides. Throughout her childhood, she developed astral projection as well as the ability to see auras and energy surrounding people. In her early 20s, Amy was told by her guides that she was able to communicate with spirits. While exploring her ability of mediumship, she quickly learned that she had very strong rescue mediumship skills.Amy now dedicates her time to rescue work and educating people about spirit rescue. Amy has been a successful spirit rescue medium since 2002. She was a lead medium in the Psychic Ghostbusters Team through the New Millennium Psychic Center in Derry, New Hampshire. She works alongside other mediums and spirit rescue specialists to aid spirits in their transition to the “other side.” Amy has studied and worked at the New Millennium Psychic Center in Derry, New Hampshire for many years and 188 Toward the Light is an active member of the Church of Spiritual Life in Methuen, Massachusetts. She is currently enrolled in Morris Pratt courses, specializing in mediumship and healing.https://www.amymajor.com/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J1L4XPV? https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlifeMy book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I love the Gospels, and I read them over and over again. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

The Suffering of Job      Job's suffering began abruptly, without warning and without explanation, when God permitted Satan to test his integrity. Though Job was “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1), divine sovereignty allowed undeserved suffering as a means of glorifying God and refining Job's soul. Zuck wisely states, “The Book of Job addresses the mystery of unmerited misery, showing that in adversity God may have other purposes besides retribution for wrongdoing.”[1] Satan challenged Job's motives, accusing him of serving God only because of prosperity (Job 1:9–11). To silence the accusation, God removed the hedge of protection and permitted adversity to strip Job of his possessions, children, and health. Job's wealth, family, and comfort were gone in a day, and his body was reduced to pain and decay. Yet even in shock and sorrow, Job responded with doctrinal stability: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). His reaction reveals that spiritual maturity is measured not by prosperity but by the capacity to think divine viewpoint under pressure. Zuck states: "It is truly remarkable that Job followed adversity with adoration, woe with worship. Unlike so many people, he did not give in to bitterness; he refused to blame God for wrongdoing (cf. Job 2:10). Job's amazing response showed Satan was utterly wrong in predicting that Job would curse God. Devotion is possible without dollars received in return; people can be godly apart from material gain. Job's saintly worship at the moment of extreme loss and intense grief verified God's words about Job's godly character."[2]      As the suffering prolonged, Job's emotional and physical agony intensified. The silence of heaven pressed upon him, and his so-called friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) added psychological torment through their false theology of retribution. They insisted that Job's suffering was punishment for secret sin, reflecting human viewpoint reasoning divorced from grace. Job defended his innocence, yet his soul wavered between confusion and faith. His lamentations revealed an inner struggle between human viewpoint self-pity and divine viewpoint trust. The conflict of the soul is where doctrine must move from theory to reality. Job learned that faith must rest on who and what God is, not on temporal blessings or human understanding. Suffering exposed the inadequacy of human rationalization and forced Job to focus on the immutable character of God. It was a suffering for purification.      When God finally answered from the whirlwind, He did not explain the reasons for Job's suffering; He revealed His own infinite wisdom and sovereign control. Confronted with God's majesty, Job recognized the smallness of his finite perspective and confessed, “I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me” (Job 42:3). This was a display of humility. Job's faith had matured from knowledge about God to experiential confidence in Him. Job said, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5). According to Zuck, “This thrilling view of God, probably spiritual insight, not physical vision, deepened his perspective and appreciation of God. What Job now knew of God was incomparable to his former ideas, which were really ignorant.”[3] God restored Job's fortunes, but the true reward was not material, but spiritual transformation. Through suffering, Job became a trophy of grace, proving that mature faith endures not because of what it receives, but because of whom it knows. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Roy B. Zuck, “Job,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 714–715. [2] Ibid., 721. [3] Ibid., 774.

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November 26, 2025

November 24, 2025

*Note: this is the Free Content version of my interview with Bastiaan van Rijn. To hear the entire interview, please consider joining my Patreon and becoming a member; alternately, this episode can be purchased for a one-time fee. More information at www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion.My guest this month is Dr. Bastiaan van Rijn.Bastiaan is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. During his PhD, he has investigated how practitioners of different movements in the nineteenth century tried to scientifically prove life after death exists. The outcome of this project is the book Afterlife Research (forthcoming), as well as several open-access articles. Beside this, he is also interested in playful approaches to religion and divination in the contemporary West. His newest project centers on spiritual tourism.This interview takes us into the fascinating world of Mesmerism—also known as animal magnetism—and its enduring influence on the boundaries between science, mysticism, and spiritual inquiry. Bastiaan gives a brief bio of Franz Anton Mesmer, who in the late 18th century proposed that an invisible fluid flowed through all living beings, capable of healing and revealing hidden truths. Though controversial and dismissed by many, Mesmer's ideas sparked a lineage of thought that continues to shape contemporary conversations about consciousness, healing, and the legitimacy of scientific inquiry.We discuss how Mesmerism blended science and mysticism, influenced public perception, and laid the groundwork for practices ranging from hypnotism and New Thought to modern-day energetic healing. Bastiaan's own research picks up this thread, tracing how the experimental impulse to make the invisible visible evolved into afterlife studies, somnambulism, and psychical research.From there, we dive into Bastiaan's dissertation, which examines the emergence of a “scientific culture” in afterlife research—one grappling with empirical inaccessibility, unreliable intermediaries, and skeptical resistance. Through case studies of three spiritual animal magnetizers, Bastiaan uncovers how different strategies were used to stabilize claims and navigate the tension between belief and method.Ultimately, this conversation invites us to rethink what counts as scientific, Bastiaan invites us to consider not just what these researchers claimed to find, but how they tried to find it, as well as how experimental practices in esoteric and spiritual domains contribute to broader dialogues about religion, and the unseen dimensions of human experience.What emerges is a rich, transhistorical culture of inquiry—one that challenges our assumptions about science, religion, and the boundaries of legitimate knowledge.PROGRAM NOTESFind Bastiaan:Bastiaan Benjamin Van Rijn - University of FribourgBastiaan van Rijn | LinkedInInstagramResearchGate – all research[PhD Diss.] The Experimental Culture of Afterlife Research: Attempts by Spiritual Animal Magnetizers to Prove Life after Death | Request PDF(PDF) Chapter 9 Building a Typology for Intentional Transformative Experiences: Louis- Alphonse Cahagnet's Experiments with Magnetic Somnambulism and HashishBastiaan van Rijn (0000-0003-4247-9198) - ORCIDOther Resources:1784: The Marquis de Puységur and the psychological turn in the west - PubMedThe seeress of Prevorst; being revelations concerning the inner-life of man, and the inter-diffusion of a world of spirits in the one we inhabit : Kerner, Justinus Andreas Christian, 1786-1862 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet ArchiveInvestigations of psychic/spiritual phenomena in the nineteenth century: somnambulism and spiritualism, 1811-1860A Republic of Mind and Spirit – Wonderful history of Metaphysics in the USA

The two great ministries of the church. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

What kind of person do you want to be? Or better, what kind of person does God want you to be? In 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4 the Apostle Paul speaks about four kinds of people: the natural person, the spiritual, the carnal, and the newborn. Charlie describes each from a spiritual perspective, then defines God's ideal, the spiritual person. But what does it mean to be spiritual? It has everything to do with the permanent indwelling Holy Spirit who Christians have today. While there is much written and spoken about making disciples, which is an emphasis in the Gospels, we cannot ignore the Epistles which tell us how to keep the commitments of discipleship. It seems there has been some neglect of the Epistles' view of spirituality. Hear this message and ask youself again, what kind of person does God want me to be and how do I become that person? #GraceLifeMinistries#Spirituality#CarnalChristian#ChristianLife#SimplybyGrace

Spiritual Life

The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

At Times, Are You Unrepentant in Your Spiritual Life and, Therefore, “storing up wrath for yourself on the {Judgement} day of wrath”? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Penitence is not a once in a lifetime occurrence. Penitence is a daily and moment by moment occurrence. None of us is perfect, and not one of us always does the will of God. Paul, in Romans 2:4-5, is unequivocal in establishing the need for your continuing penitence and the consequences of your not repenting of your sins on a real-time basis: “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.". Therefore, we all need to repent and return to the Lord. You can become cocky and arrogant in your spiritual life – “I am a Christian; God has done this for me.”. As the Psalmist tells us in Psalms 32:5 of his confession and his penitence: “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.". You can rest on our perceived laurels; but these perceptions, of personal goodness and righteousness, can lead you quickly to a need for your penitence.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Most merciful God I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.  TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mathew 3:8-11; Romans 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Psalms 140:1-13. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Thanks-Living”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Continuing our look at the rich young ruler. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

It is a commandment to the church that we reach out to people outside the church with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. ******* By the way, if you haven't bought a copy of my new book yet, check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Visions-Stories-Faith-Pastor/dp/161493536X

Craig Troxel talks about how ruling elders can help men consider a call to pastoral ministry.A call to pastoral ministry has several parts, one is the internal sense of call, another is the recognition of the church, the actual call to a congregation or mission work. Ruling elders help shepherd men in both and in this podcast we discuss the early stages of recognizing a call, or even encouraging men to consider if they are called.Discussion centers around Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry: With an Inquiry into the Causes of its Inefficiency, (Banner of Truth Trust). See especially Chapter VI, The Qualifications of the Christian Ministry, pp. 24-31.Craig quotes John Newton, "Beware, my friend, of mistaking the ready exercise of gifts for the exercise of grace." (Letter #5 - "On the Snares and Difficulties attending the Ministry of the Gospel") Works of John Newton, vol.1 (Banner of Truth Trust, 2015) p. 108. See also Newton's letter Marks of a Call to the Ministry.We highly recommend Craig's own book,A. Craig Troxel, With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will toward Christ, (Crossway, 2020).Craig's Recommended ReadingJohn Calvin, Institutes Of The Christian Religion, translated from the first French edition of 1541 by Robert White, Banner of Truth Trust. (Especially Chapter 17, The Christian Life)Campegius Vitringa, The Spiritual Life, trans. and ed. by Charles K. Tefler, Reformation Heritage Books. John Flavel, The Fountain of Life: A Display of Christ in His Essential and Mediatorial Glory, Vol. 1 of the Works of John Flavel, Banner of Truth Trust.John Flavel, The Method of Grace In the Gospel Redemption, Vol 2 of the Works of John Flavel, Banner of Truth Trust.

Father McTeigue completes his reflections from earlier in the week, explaining that most people don't realize what sin is, and don't understand the rupture that it causes. Until we grasp this, we cannot grow in the spiritual life. Father finishes with Weekend Readiness to prepare you for Sunday Mass.  Show Notes The Concept of Sin: Pieper, Josef Why does God care about 'little' sins?  Why Do You Repeat Your Sins?  Saint Thomas and the Problem of Evil: Maritain, Jacques Introduction to the Devout Life | St. Francis De Sales iCatholic Mobile The Station of the Cross Merchandise - Use Coupon Code 14STATIONS for 10% off | Catholic to the Max Read Fr. McTeigue's Written Works! "Let's Take A Closer Look" with Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J. | Full Series Playlist Listen to Fr. McTeigue's Preaching! | Herald of the Gospel Sermons Podcast on Spotify Visit Fr. McTeigue's Website | Herald of the Gospel Questions? Comments? Feedback? Ask Father!

This podcast is a short daily audio provided by the online recovery group Transitions Daily. The daily distribution consists of different recovery quotes from various resources, including; Twenty-Four Hours a Day, A.A. Thought for the Day, Daily Reflections, Big Book Quote, Just for Today, As Bill Sees It, plus more! Transitions Daily also distributes this same content in a daily email with a secret Facebook group for discussion. Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information.                   Do you want to stop drinking? Have you ever listened to sobriety podcasts? Does alcoholism or addiction run in your family? Have you tried Alcoholics Anonymous or the 12 Steps of A.A.? Are you considering how to get sober? Are you seriously thinking about sobriety for the first time? Is alcohol controlling your life as never before? If so, you will definitely want to check out this recovery podcast.

Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill's guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and musician, Kevin is also a man in long-term recovery from addiction with a powerful message to share.This series explores Kevin's book One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps. It's sure to be of interest to spiritual travelers of all stripes. This episode is focused on Steps 6 & 7 exploring how Buddhist meditation can help with the practice of letting go.Show notes:One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps by Kevin GriffinKevin's website: https://kevingriffin.net/A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life by Jack Kornfield