Podcasts about Springfield

0:00 - Iran wants peace?! 13:08 - Rise Up, Sing Out 32:54 - Migrant crimes 54:34 - Michael Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute discusses whether the peace in Iran will last 1:12:41 - Frank's History Minute 1:14:46 - Illinois' contribution to the America250 time capsule 1:32:32 - Ted Dabrowski discusses Spencer Pratt's mayoral campaign, Springfield trying to keep the Bears in Illinois, and more 1:51:28 - Mark P. Mills of the National Center for Energy Analytics discusses the data center resistance and the true cost of green energy to taxpayers 2:16:25 - DuPage GOP chair Kevin Coyne discusses the upcoming summer kickoffSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Thank you for tuning in to Episode 322 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week's segments included:   Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins From the Armchair KAL News Events On a Happy Note Quote of the Week   Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Miles' Dump Truck Pattern: Dump Truck by by AnvisionCrochet (crochet pattern for sale on Ravelry & Etsy) Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page   Merry Christmas Kevin Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz, Steel Toes in the Merry Christmas, Kevin colorway Ravelry Project Page   Midnight Orchid Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway Ravelry Project Page   On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Goldwing Sweater Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I'm working on the colorwork yoke   Pollen Party Socks Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Pollen Party colorway + 20g mini (I think it's Legacy Fiber Artz mini) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I'm well into the foot of the second sock.   Mine! Socks Yarn:  Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Fingering (90 SW Targhee, 10% Nylon)  in the colorway- Mine! aka A Gull Takes Off with Bluberry Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page About the Colorway: Nemo Reference- thin white stripes with wider colorful stripes in between Orange, aqua, yellow, navy, light gray. May 2025 Club Colorway. Navy mini Almost to heel of sock 1   From the Armchair   Books Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. Amazon Affiliate Link. (You may enjoy this- Beautyland Review) Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Amazon Affiliate Link. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden. Amazon Affiliate Link. Check out this link to a Guardian article about the book. John of John by Douglas Stewart. Amazon Affiliate Link.   Musical: Black Swan at American Repertory Theater   Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.   KAL News Splash Pad Party '26 Details Event runs 5/22-7/31 Splash Pad Party Registration is open as of 5/1 View Stats and/or Verify Registration here. Check out our Sponsor List Splash Pad '26 Official Rules Enter your FOs using the Summer Celebration Form. Then come over to this Ravelry Thread to share pics and let us ooh and ahh with you! Submit something incorrectly? Need help? Fill out this Support Form & we'll be in touch. Find official SPP'26 images you can use on social media in this Google folder.   Splash Pad RAVELRY Links Start Here Thread Pro Shop Exclusive Items Thread Coupon Codes Thread Questions Thread   A few fun highlights from the June Poolside Chat Broken Jack socks knit up by Ravelry user KBamr- Check out the Ravelry Project Page here. PAKnitWit shared a handy video for the Tubular Cast On using scrap yarn in this Ravelry Post. SammichStitches is working on a Persian Tiles Blanket and got all of the pieces done- ready to seam up and wow is it beautiful. Check out this Ravelry Post. Lmecoll shared a test knit sock for Chit Chat Knits- check it out in this Ravelry Post. They're called the Summer Sizzle Socks.   Events July 31-August 1: Flock Fiber Festival in Seattle, WA August 8- FIber Revival in Newbury, MA September 12 & 13: Boston Fiber Festival in Boston, MA (full or half day passes, or 2 day passes) September 19 & 20: Adirondack Wool & Arts Festival in Greenwich, NY October 17 & 18: NY State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY November 7: Fiber Festival of New England in Springfield, MA   On a Happy Note Seeing Riley off to Prom and attending her high school graduation! Visiting with Vikki, in from Las Vegas. Miles' second birthday party. Aila's voice recital and then a girls shopping trip to follow with Megg, Kris, Riley and Aila. An absolutely splendid birthday! Seeing all the kids in their recitals this weekend. My brother did the father/daughter dance with Riley in her last recital. I blubbered through most of it. We then danced the night away at our twin friends' 50th birthday party. Brunch before Black Swan with Megg and Rose. $18 bottomless brunch (food- not alcohol) at The Painted Burro in Harvard Square is so delicious! Great conversions.   Quote of the Week   "Heroes didn't leap tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand; they didn't wear boots and capes. They bled, and they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening, or loving. Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else's. And maybe that one act could lead someone to rescue you right back."   ― Jodi Picoult, Second Glance   ------   Thank you for tuning in!   Contact Information: Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon! Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group Instagram: BostonJen1 YouTube: Down Cellar Studio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel Knit Picks Affiliate Link Bookshop Affiliate Link Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link FearLESS Living Fund to benefit the Blind Center of Nevada Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/ Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.  

This episode is packed. We start our chainsaws, drop a few trees and then Greg Roberts starts dropping knowledge. We talk weather, wolves, juniper removal, the 30-06, the 22-250, deer, bears and elk and whether or not IP28 has a chance at transforming the West. Roberts has over 40 years of weather forecasting experience, specializing in severe weather events. A big game hunter and a consummate observer, Greg has spent many hours chasing storms. Greg was a charter member of, and the original chairman of the Jackson County Oregon Wolf Committee. Visit https://www.rogueweather.com/If you want to support free speech and good hunting content on the Information Superhighway, look for our coffee and books and wildlife forage blends at https://www.garylewisoutdoors.com/Shop/This episode is sponsored by West Coast Floats, of Philomath, Oregon, made in the USA since 1982 for steelhead and salmon fishermen. Visit https://westcoastfloats.com/Our TV sponsors include: Nosler, Warne Scope Mounts, Carson, Pro-Cure Bait Scents, Spring Pilot, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, TS&S Madras Ford, Bailey Seed and Smartz.Watch select episodes of Frontier Unlimited on our network of affiliates around the U.S. or click https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gary+lewis+outdoors+frontier+unlimited

Romans 15:14-16

Join Bryan and Marie on this powerful episode of Coffee Talk as they sit down with Brian Townsend — a retired Supervisory Special Agent and Resident Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). With 28 years in law enforcement, including 23 years with the DEA, Brian brings unmatched insight into drug trafficking, leadership development, and the evolving opioid crisis.Brian served in multiple leadership roles across Corpus Christi, Little Rock, and Springfield, managing teams, operations, and major investigations. His work at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico helped shape the agency's leadership development programs, which continue to train more than 10,000 personnel today.Now serving as a Law Enforcement Training Coordinator for MOCIC and founder of Eagle 6 Training, Brian provides world‑class instruction on leadership, cryptocurrency investigations, dark web threats, and organizational readiness. He also leads Only 2mg Inc., a 501(c)(3) dedicated to fentanyl awareness and education, speaking nationwide about the opioid epidemic and its devastating impact.Brian sits on the Board of Directors for the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents (DEAFNA) and is frequently featured by major news outlets including FOX and CNN.This episode dives deep into:Brian's 28‑year law enforcement journeyThe realities of drug trafficking and fentanyl's riseLeadership inside one of the nation's most demanding federal agenciesHow digital crime, cryptocurrency, and the dark web are reshaping investigationsHis mission to educate communities and save livesA must‑listen for anyone passionate about public safety, leadership, and the fight against the opioid crisis.

Check out this week's message from Pastor Ryan Goeden as he shares a message from Exodus 10:1-20. #newlifechurch #psalm #helpingpeopleknowjesusbetter #2026sermon #sermon #onlinechurch #churchonlineSubscribe to receive our latest messages: https://bit.ly/3jqEZ1gTo support this ministry and help us continue to help people know Jesus better click here: https://www.nlspringfield.com/give/ Helping People Know Jesus Better - This is the vision of New Life Church, led by Pastor Ryan Goeden and based in Springfield, MOSupport the show

Farm chores have been a tad bit limited doe to the weather, namely rain...  And more rain...  And if not rain at the farm then a toad-strangler in Springfield and had water from the yard find its way under the house.  Gutter drain extensions (the black 4" x10 long sections) should noodle the water on away.Acorn got her application FedEx'd to The Great White North...  Project completed.  Now to wait 12-15 months...Goats are doing their thing, Lil Honker got sold and will have his own little goosey girlfriend.  Can't beat that!Garden is really growing- need to mow the paths weekly and if Acorn does not, she pays for it with knee high grass.Ain't farming fun???

A lawyer asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life, and the answer is “love.” Love God and love neighbor. But because the lawyer is practiced in manipulating the law, he follows this up with a question we all secretly ask: who can I exclude from my love? Jesus answers with a story that inverts everything. Not only is the Samaritan the neighbor, he is the very one who does the heart of the law by loving the neighbor, and by virtue of this fact, it is assumed that he is the one to inherit eternal life. Jesus' point is this: if you want to walk the path of abundant life now and eternal life in the future, you must learn to love. Dr. Eric J. Gilchrest | June 14, 2026 The Good Samaritan Download Check out the weekly sermon here or on our SRBC podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. While you're at it, check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. What We'll CoverWhy eternal life begins now, not in the next lifeWhy "Who is my neighbor?" is really a question about exclusion and why Jesus refuses to answer it on those termsHow you can tell whether you actually love God (hint: it's not about your feelings on Sunday morning; its about how you love your neighbor)Why love is a verb, and the difference between the right words and the right worksWhat the Samaritan teaches us about empathy and compassionWhy self-giving love isn't a rule we're forced to keep but the design we were made to live Like what you hear? We'd love to know.At South Run, we read every message personally. Whether you have a question, want to share how God is moving in your life, or are thinking about visiting in person, this is the place to start. If you click the link below, Pastor Eric will personally reach out to you. Listening online? Let us know. Sermon Transcript The Good Samaritan and the Age of Life: Love, Eternal Life, and the Narrow Road of Luke 10 — Sermon TranscriptSouth Run Baptist Church | Springfield, VARev. Dr. Eric GilchrestLuke 10:25–37June 14, 2026 This is a full sermon transcript from South Run Baptist Church in Springfield, Virginia. In this message, Rev. Dr. Eric Gilchrest preaches on the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25–37. This sermon is part of the ongoing "The Jesus Way" transformation series and addresses what eternal life actually means in the original Greek, why love and life are inseparable in Jesus' teaching, and how the Good Samaritan parable reveals that walking the narrow road means active, costly, others-centered love. Opening Prayer: A Church on MissionHeavenly Father, we come today offering you thanksgiving for Ian and for Emma, the great work that they're doing at GW, but also for this church and for the work that those who are in these walls do for those who are outside of these walls. We, Lord, desire to be a church on mission, and we need to keep that front and center. And so, Lord, plant it in each of our hearts that as we go where we go throughout the week on Monday and Thursday and random points on a Saturday afternoon, that we be reminded that we bear your image, we bring your word to the world, and we make new disciples. And so, God, we pray all of this in Christ's holy name. Amen. Where We Are in The Jesus Way SeriesWe are in a series on two ways, right? There is the narrow way that leads to abundant life, and this morning we are talking about that way, and the way that Jesus teaches us to walk — a way that leads to abundance and to life eternal. And then the other way we'll get back to next week, and that's the broad way. It's the easy way, frankly, and it's the way that leads to death and destruction. On Father's Day next week, we will cover the lovely topic of gluttony, so you definitely won't want to miss that, dads. You're welcome. For today, though, we are in a parable that you are probably familiar with. Whether you've been around the church much or not, you definitely know what a Good Samaritan is. We even have like Good Samaritan laws, right? Well, I want to dive down deep, and I'll say this whole framing for me — the whole like two ways, the life, death — has become clarifying, we'll say, in ways that I've not anticipated and I have quite enjoyed as we've gone throughout this series. And I almost think of it as like this lens that I take and then I put it over top of the scripture that we're reading and then I kind of see what pops out, like what's new. And so here we are in a very familiar passage and it is, well, it came as a little bit of a surprise to me, exactly how Jesus frames this. So I hope you have a Bible with you. If you don't, go ahead and grab the one that's in front of you — we definitely want to turn to Luke 10 together. Luke 10:25–28: A Lawyer Asks About Eternal LifeSo again, Luke chapter 10, starting in verse 25. It starts this way as you're turning there. "Behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test." Here we have lawyers doing what lawyers do, right? A lawyer, though, you should know in this day and age is not what you're thinking of as a lawyer. He does not work for the IRS. He does not do like tax law or something like this. He is a lawyer of the Torah, the Jewish law, right? And so this is a man who knows his law well, but very specifically the first five books of our Bible. And this is going to become important because Jesus is going to say to him, like, what does the law say? Like, what does our Bible say, the one you and I share together, right? And so this lawyer, he has spent lots of time in the law, as we'll see, as good lawyers often do. They know the law in order to kind of skirt through it, and he's trying to do this in this passage, but he actually knows what he's talking about. So the passage goes on, and he says, "Teacher" — rabbi, this is Jesus here, our rabbi, the one we should be listening to and following — "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And as I'm pulling that lens, remember, and I'm putting it on and I see this phrase, eternal life, I think to myself, well, here it is. This is part of what we're trying to do for this season of our church history — looking at ways that lead to life and ways that lead to death. And here Jesus is being asked like the exact question I'm asking you and I'm trying to get us all talking about, and that I think is of utmost importance. We might even say a matter of life and death. And he says, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Now, if you were asked this question, if somebody on the street came to you, it's worth asking, like, what would you say? How would you answer that question? What "Eternal Life" Actually Means in the Greek: The Age of Life vs. The Age of Death Backing up just a minute, this phrase eternal life needs just a little bit of clarification. The word for eternal here is not exactly the platonic, like, eternal sense that you and I often use it. Now, it might mean that to a degree, but only in like a secondary sense. It actually comes from a Greek word, eon — or the English version is eon. Eon is an age, right? There's one eon, and then there's the next eon, there's one age, and then there's the next age. And he's asking him, well, how do I get myself into the age of life? It's important that you know that there is an age of death — or as Paul calls it, the evil age, right? This age actually is that, right? It's the age that ultimately we all know is hovered over by these two things of sin and death and evil, and it lurks about, and none of us get out of here alive, right? That's why this age is the age of death. And this is why the Bible speaks to this matter over and over and over again. And this is the final enemy, death. And so the man is asking a very good question, which is, how do we make it out of the age of death and then make it into the age of life? And he has in mind — he thinks like a good first century Jew — and I need you to think this way for a second so that we can maybe make it a little more complicated. His timeline goes like this. There's the age in which we live, the age of death. There's then an ending to that, and there is a resurrection that happens of all people, good and bad. And then there's a judgment that happens, and the people are either judged good or bad. And then there is the age of life. That might be how you're thinking of things right now, in fact. But here's the important wrinkle. A resurrection has already happened. A resurrection has already happened. And so when Jesus is resurrected, the timeline gets shoved into the present. And then also, with that happening, there is a real sense in which judgment has also happened, and yet is also going to happen. It's a both-and. And Paul, if we had time, he gives us both of these. But the point is actually this — what Jesus does is he drags eternal life and he puts it smack dab into this life. And this life is where eternal life begins. And he'll say things like, "the kingdom of God is in your midst, is among you." He's referring to himself. He's saying, through me starts this eternal life. It's here and it's now. And so when Jesus is being asked this question — what must I do to enter into this age of life? — he doesn't say it out loud, but he is saying, well, it starts right now. It's not something we're pushing off to the future. We don't just kind of do all the right things now and then punch a ticket and then we get into the thing. No, you're in it right now. Jesus Tosses the Question Back: How Do You Read the Law?And so he says to this lawyer — well, he refuses to answer his question, actually. What does he do? He tosses it right back to him. And he says to him, well, you tell me, you lawyer, you know the law. What's written in the law and how do you read it? I actually love that last question — the "how do you read it" — that is so important. I don't have time to dig down deep here, but just know that we should all be asking, like, how do we read this scripture? Like, how do you read it? We all read it slightly differently, but Jesus wants to teach us how we read our scripture. And so the man says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." And Jesus, maybe to his shock, certainly to my shock, says, wow, you're correct. You got it right. Like, that is the answer. And in fact, in the other Gospels, Jesus is the one to say these things. Who knows? Maybe this lawyer got it from Jesus. And he says, you're supposed to love God. And by the way, all of those categories — that just simply means your whole being, everything you are. You're just supposed to love God with like every last ounce of who you are. And then love your neighbor as yourself. And this is the simplification of all things. It's the simplification of the law, the scriptures, what God is trying to do with the world. It is just love, right? Love God, love your neighbor. Now, I'd add this. When we talk about loving our neighbor, the Bible breaks down for us to love God with our souls and our minds and our strength and all these various aspects of who we are. And I would say, well, that's just a description of how to love. And we should do the same with the people in our lives. We should love them in similar kinds of ways, with our whole being. "He said to him, you have answered correctly. Do this and you will live." Again, there's our word — life, right? Well, how do we live a life? And how do we do it right? And how do we stay on that narrow path? He says, well, do this. The guy gets it. "Who Is My Neighbor?" — The Question Jesus Refuses to Answer DirectlyAnd if we stopped there, we would feel really good about this passage and it'd all be done. But the man, remember, he's a lawyer and he knows his law. And the job of the lawyer is to get around the law and to kind of sneak through it. And so he says the follow-up. He wants to justify himself and says to Jesus, well, excuse me, who is my neighbor? Jesus does not answer this question. I'll just go ahead and say that very clearly here. Jesus does not answer who the neighbor is. He pulls up the example of somebody being a good neighbor — that is the Samaritan — treats the robbed man that we're going to meet here as the neighbor, but the Samaritan is not actually technically the neighbor here. He's the one who's doing it right, who is loving his neighbor well. All of this explodes the boxes that this lawyer no doubt has, and it should explode ours too. And I can't go into exactly what a Samaritan is, but I assure you, the lawyer is thinking the Samaritan is not one of us. Whoever the "us" is for you — not one of us. He's over there. He's one of them. And Jesus is saying, well, look at the them. Whoever your "them" is, they're doing it right. They're the one who's loving well. And it should cause us to stop in our tracks and to ask, well, if they're able to love well, and they're finding what Jesus is calling eternal life or abundant life in this life that's leading to this eternal life, well, maybe I've got some work to do. Jesus replies to the question that the lawyer asks. He doesn't answer it. He, of course, does what Jesus does, which is to either ask a question — which is what he did the first time — or to tell a story, which is what he does this time. Luke 10:30–32: The Priest and the Levite Pass ByAnd so he says, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance, there was a priest going down the road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Well then likewise, a Levite came to the place, saw him, passed by on the other side." I assure you, the Levite knows the law too, right? And the priest, well, he knows the law too. And Jesus is saying, do the priest or the Levite do the law? That is, do they love their neighbor? And the answer is very clearly no, right? They do not. Luke 10:33–35: The Samaritan and the Meaning of CompassionNow the Samaritan, whether or not he knows the law is actually not exactly clear, and in some ways not even to the point. The Samaritan does the law. He does the thing that should be done here, which is he sees the man half dead, and he goes to help him. I would stop here for just one minute and point out this word to you — compassion, at the end of verse 33. Compassion. This word shows up only three times in your gospel of Luke. It shows up in the following ways. The widow of Nain — Jesus encounters this woman who already is a widow. She's lost her husband. She then loses her son in the story that is being told. And Jesus looks at this woman who has lost her husband and her son, and he has compassion. Which is to say, the word itself means like his insides are like turning outside, and he's like physically in pain watching this woman and is feeling her pain, right? It also shows up in the passage we're going to talk about next week as you join us for gluttony, which is the story of the prodigal son, actually. When the prodigal son returns home from his gluttonous encounters, the father is there and he looks at him from afar and he has compassion on him. His insides are turned outside. And then here, the Samaritan — he looks at this man and he has compassion on him. I would say if we are going to love at all, we need compassion. If we are going to love our neighbor as ourselves, it is going to require us to put ourselves into the very shoes of the neighbor, to walk the mile with them, to see ourselves as the dead man on the side of the road who needs help, and to ask the question, if I were that dead man, what would I want this priest to do for me? If I were that dead man, what should that Levite do? I'm crying out for him, and he walks right on by. That is not keeping the law. But the Samaritan — the Samaritan sees him and is able to put himself into his place and to see the position that he's in, which is helpless, and he has the ability to do something, and he does. Interestingly, this idea of love is then here for the next few verses explained not as a feeling the Samaritan has — because we all have the feeling when we see something bad happen, and we're like, oh, that's awful, oh man, I feel so bad for this person — love requires action. It requires actually doing something, which is precisely what the Samaritan does in the verses that follow. In verse 34, "He went to him, to the man dying on the side of the road, and he bound up his wounds, he poured on oil and wine to heal them, and then he set him on his own animal, and he brought him to an inn, and he took care of him." This doesn't even account for the fact that he took time out of his own, no doubt, busy schedule to stop and to help this man and to assist him to a place. And he probably missed a really important meeting. And I'm sure some friends and some family were probably upset with the Samaritan who was supposed to be home for dinner. And he missed the kid's soccer game. But he did this very important thing that was in front of him. But it doesn't even stop there. "The next day, he took out two denarii. And he gave it to the innkeeper. And he said, take care of him. And if you spend more, keep track of that, because I will repay you when I come back." This is a man who loves in a way that goes above and beyond, and it is active. It's not just a man who walks and says, oh, there's a person that is almost dead over here, and that's tragic, as he keeps walking on by. This is the kind of love that God is calling us into as well, and this is the narrow road that leads to life. You might understand why now it's a narrow road, because it's difficult to walk. It's the road less traveled. It's the one that requires something of you. "Go and Do Likewise": Love and Life Are InseparableAnd then Jesus finishes up. He says, "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" And the lawyer has to confess, well, I guess it's the one who showed mercy. And then Jesus says again, well, you got it right. "Go and do likewise." Go and do likewise. When I think about this passage and this idea that we are to walk down this narrow road that leads to life — life and love, in my mind, are almost like one in the same. They all come together, these two come together in ways that are almost impossible to pull apart as you dig down deeper and deeper and deeper into what a full life is. I was trying to wrestle with the question, why does this road lead to life? Like, why does loving someone lead to life? And here's what I think Jesus is doing. Remember, Jesus has pulled eternal life into this life. The very one that you're in now, listening to me speak. And love in this life, this eternal life we're hopefully, prayerfully in — it is the substance of it all. Love is the design of humanity. It is what we were made for. In Eden, when we were created, we were created to love God. And then it was not good for man to be alone. So he creates Eve, and we were meant to love one another. And then he looks at the first couple and he says, multiply, make more of you, and then love them too. And this is what it's all for and all about. The God who made us is in himself self-giving love — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If the Trinity means one thing, it means pouring out love one to the other to the other. And we are made in that kind of image, which means the great commandment — love God and love neighbor — this is not a rule that gets bolted onto the side of life, as if it's like some sort of external hope that you might do this at some point. It is the manufacturer's description of how this whole thing runs. Withholding love doesn't keep you safe, and spending love doesn't drain your life. Jesus, in fact, says, do these things and you will have life. Jesus Is the Good Samaritan: He Crosses the Road to Find Us Half DeadWe see this love most clearly in the person of Jesus. When he pours himself out on the cross, he redeems us. He snatches us out of death and delivers us into an age of life, eternal life. If Jesus has done this for me, well, then he must love me, right? And if Jesus has done this for you — and he has — then he must love you. But Jesus has loved the whole world and God has sent his son that we all might have eternal life, that we all might be entered into the age of life. And why love? Because God loves you, and he wants us to love one another and to love him as we were intended to do. Communion: The Table as the Place Where Love and Life MeetAs we come to the table this morning, it is important that we recognize that this two-fold command of love — to love God and love our neighbor — it is kind of one thing. I would suggest to you that when God says to us that we are to love him, what he does not mean is that we have like a really nice worship service together and I have all the feels and it's just me and God and I'm loving every minute of it. And I don't even think he means like, well, I love God and therefore I pray every day and I love God and I'm reading my Bible every day. These are all very good things and they actually do lead you to God. So don't misunderstand me. But what I think he means is he pairs that with love your neighbor, because that is the ultimate understanding of whether or not you love God well. Because every person in this room around you right now and every person you've ever met in your life is bearing the image of God. And if you can't love them well, it is worth asking whether you're loving God. And so this morning as we come to the table, we are reminded that Jesus has poured himself out for us. He has shown us what love looks like. He literally puts his hands on the cross like this, and he opens himself up for humanity. And he takes the penalty that was due to us, and he offers us a way to God. I find Jesus directly in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In fact, many interpreters have. It turns out he's not the priest, he's not the Levite, he is the Samaritan, though. He is the outsider, the despised one, yet the one who actually does the law of love. And he comes to our roads where we are lying half dead and he has compassion on us. He looks at us in our estate and he is moved. His insides turn outside. He says, I want something better for this child of mine. I want them to live a full life now, and eternal life forever. This is what I want for them. And so what does he do? He binds up our wounds. He pours the oil and the wine on them. He pays the price. And he promises he will come back to pay the rest of it. And this is what the table is. On the night before Jesus died, he took bread and a cup and he said, this is my body and this is my blood. And it is poured out for the forgiveness of your sins. We have all been robbed by the age of death. But we have also participated in the age of death. And we need forgiveness from that. So Christ, he crosses the road and he offers us a hand up and out of it. And this morning we get to participate in the forgiveness of sins that he offers to each and to every one of us. Our Call: To Be the Samaritan for OthersHe then expects something of us. As people who are walking down that road with him, the dust of the rabbi getting all over us — you remember that? — as we walk that way of love, we then too must take up the role of the Samaritan for the others who are around us. Our job in this world is to bandage those who are hurt and broken and to pour whatever oil and wine Jesus has given to us onto their wounds too. And we're to lift them up out of their estate. And this, this is what it means to be a follower of Christ. Let's pray together. Heavenly Father, Holy Son, and Holy Spirit, you are self-giving love, perfected. God, we have fallen short of your glory, no doubt. We have sinned and are in need of a Savior. And so, Jesus, this morning, we come asking one more time for your salvation. Some of us, this might be the first time, saying, I need a Savior. I need someone to bandage up the wounds that are just too deep. I can't do it myself. Or somebody is lying there saying, I am half dead. I can't do this by myself. And Jesus, we know you are saying to them right now, I am here for you. I am here to bind those wounds and to raise you back to life again. So God, as we prepare our hearts for the communion table, we ask that we do so with sincerity and with gravity, knowing the cost that you have paid — your very life. And that out of this should flow for all of us gratitude, a thanksgiving. And for all this and more, we give you thanks and praise. In Christ's holy name we pray. Amen.‍ ‍South Run Baptist Church | 8712 Selger Drive, Springfield, VA 22153 | Sunday Worship at 11am Serving Springfield, Burke, West Springfield, Lorton, Alexandria, Fort Belvoir, and Franconia, Virginia. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Topic: In this episode, we revisit my conversation with former NFL superstar and current NFL analyst Rob Gronkowski from the Boys and Girls Club Steak & Steak fundraiser in Springfield, Missouri. He shares stories from his playing days, insights on the state of football today, and why giving back to the community is so important to him. This was a wonderful conversation, and Rob was incredibly gracious with his time. Share your thoughts at acoachsperspective@gmail.com! Guests: Rob Gronkowski

A young woman's body is found in a remote, rural area with little to go on and no way to identify her. Captain Chris and his team do the only thing they can and start going through the trash around her. A single receipt changes everything. It leads them to a man named William and a complex love triangle involving his current girlfriend and his former fiancée. When Chris puts the pieces together, the identity of the woman in the woods becomes heartbreakingly clear. Captain Chris grew up in Springfield, OR, and has been working in Law Enforcement for about 18 yearsHe started his career at the Lane County Sheriff's Office in 2007, and was hired by the Benton County Sheriff's Office in 2008, where he has worked ever since. Chris has worked as a patrol deputy, detective, sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant, and captain in the patrol division. He is married and the father of three sons. 

Episode 999 of The Professional Left takes a detour through the smoke-filled back rooms of mid-century Chicago machine politics to explain something essential about the moment we're living in right now — because it turns out that Mike Royko had the whole Trump era figured out decades before Trump came along, he just called it by a different name. Driftglass and Blue Gal walk through how patronage systems work, why people stay loyal to them, and most importantly, what happens when the patron stops delivering the goods — both the material kind and the emotional kind. The cultural patronage Trump has been selling his base — the endorphin hits, the permission to be cruel, the promise that the right people would be hurt — is starting to curdle in ways that are impossible to ignore. And with rural white voters, MAGA young men, and even the faithful starting to ask the one question every patronage machine dreads — "Where's mine?" — episode 999 sets the table perfectly for what's coming next Thursday.Stay in Touch! Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com Website: proleftpod.com Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod or Donate in the Venmo App @proleftpodMail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791Support the show

This week on Rick's Rambles, we're celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with 10 fascinating facts about Springfield, Missouri—widely recognized as the birthplace of the Mother Road. We'll also explore an important mental health lesson about pruning the things that no longer serve us, take a look behind the scenes of Sammy Davis Jr.'s biggest hit, "The Candy Man," and finish with a week full of fun and quirky holidays. Whether you love travel, history, mental wellness, classic music, Americana, Route 66, or unusual holidays, there's something here for you.   If you'd like to support the Rick's Rambles Podcast, you can simply share it on your own social media and let folks know what you are listeening to.   If you'd like to buy me a cup of coffee, you can do that here.

Mark's Birthday Surprise at the Ballpark Mark celebrates a milestone birthday with a surprise family reunion organized by his wife Karen. The whole family attended a Tampa Bay Rays vs. Miami Marlins game at LoanDepot Park (Marlins Park), where Mark got a "Grand Slam" scoreboard shoutout, a birthday button, and a slice of chocolate cake delivered to his seat  behind the dugout. Special thanks to Lou Schiff for his help with this nightTampa Bay Rays RecapThe Rays are 5-5 in their last 10 games but have swept all AL East opponents.Drew Rasmussen delivered back-to-back dominant starts: 9 Ks in 7 innings (87 pitches) vs. the Marlins, followed by 13 Ks in 7 innings (97 pitches) vs. the Red Sox  - 22 strikeouts over two games.The Rays beat Boston 7 - 5, overcoming a shaky eighth inning.Yandy Díaz is on fire in June: .444 AVG, .475 OBP, 1.058 OPS -  the hosts discuss Yandy's impact on younger hitters like Junior CamineroAaron Judge's injury opens a window for the Rays to take the AL East division crown outright, potentially reducing playoff risk.Mat breaks down how the Yankees' and Blue Jays' health issues shift the competitive landscape.Mike Trout's FutureWill Trout pull a "Ray Bourque" & join a contender to chase a World Series ring?Mat predicts he lands with the Dodgers; Mark dreams of Trout joining Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez on the Seattle Mariners.Softball's "River" Rule Mark shares a curiosity from John Boy Media's YouTube channel: a women's softball rule where a batter crowding the plate in a certain zone (the "river") is NOT awarded first base after being hit by a pitch.Ken Babby & the Rays in the Community Mark attended an Embarc Tampa quarterly leadership meeting featuring Rays CEO Ken Babby. Highlights include Babby's background at The Washington Post's digital division (working alongside Steve Jobs on iPad rollout), his ownership of the Akron RubberDucks and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and his commitment to diversity - the Jumbo Shrimp were the only minor league team with a black general manager. That GM is now joining the Rays organization. The team also has upcoming community events including an Evan Longoria tribute night and a Juneteenth celebration.Sports, Community & Belonging Mat reflects on how championship runs — like the Blue Jays' World Series wins and the Montreal Canadiens' recent playoff run — unite cities across all cultures and backgrounds. The hosts discuss the undervalued economic and social impact of sports franchises on their communities.Women's Baseball in the SpotlightThe hosts preview a busy summer for women's baseball in Illinois.Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage — Coming to Rivet Stadium in Rockford, IL (capacity ~4,000). Six teams, three games per day, USA plays the night game. Finals are set for 2027, also in Rockford.All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) reunion events.Baseball For All (founded by Dr. Justine Siegel) — grassroots tournaments and camps that have become pipelines to the Women's Pro Baseball League.Women's Pro Baseball League — launching in August in Springfield, IL.Guest interview with Ryan Woodward of the International Women's Baseball Center, discussing the Women's Baseball Heritage Trail (historic stops across the US and Canada) and the World Cup group stage.Tampa-Area Baseball ShoutoutsSt. Leo University wins the NCAA Division II Softball Championship.University of Tampa Spartans win the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship — a three-peat! Mark gives a special tribute to the late Tony Saladino, whose grandson Nico Saladino played on the previous UT championship team.Remember to like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. You may also find BaseballBiz on Deck, on YouTube at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com. Also you can find Mat @matgermain.bsky.social  or Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com and BaseballBiz On Deck with Facebook social 

The guys visit the Kerasotes YMCA for the Y Ninja obstacle course weekend beginning with today's Corporate Challenge as Woody, Zach and Abby from Levi, Ray and Shoup and Nick Patton of Bank of Springfield preview their participation, and Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher talks about the city's relationship with the Y as well as the city's response to this week's storms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Mormon Stories News, John Dehlin along with Julia, and Brooklyn of the OSF team, break down some of the biggest stories making headlines in Mormonism.President Nelson announced the Springfield, Missouri temple on April 2, 2023, yet ground was just broken for it on June 6, 2026. Why the delay? Have other temples been delayed? What is the average amount of time for a temple to be finished between its first announcement to dedication? What are the membership numbers that will fill these temples?On June 7, 2026 General Authority Seventy Kyle S. McKay spoke at a Stake Conference in Yukon, Oklahoma. Shortly after the video was posted, however, Mormon church leaders quickly removed it. Join us as we go over the most controversial parts of his talk!June has been dubbed “Fidelity Month” by Governor Cox. Cox did not announce the declaration with a news release, nor did he post it on social media as he has done at the beginning of June in the past years. But does Utah WANT this change? Is Cox trying to replace Pride Month?On June 4th the Department of Defense made some changes to the recognized list of religions. The list included several “Christian” denominations such as Lutheran, Jehovah's Witnesses, Methodists, etc. However, The LDS Church was not listed among the “Christian” denominations.On June 6th Edward Smart, the father of well-known Elizabeth Smart, shared a public Instagram Post about his current status with the LDS Church. The LDS Church is making changes to the Sacrament Meeting rooms! This story first broke with Rebecca Bibliotheca of Mormonish Podcast who shared that architectural plans for two LDS meeting house remodels reveal that the sacrament altar is now to be placed front and center under the pulpit. The plans will be in place by 2028 and this will be the new structure going forward. In 2026, BYU Football player Parker Kingston was charged with first-degree felony rape in Utah. The incident was reported by a 20-year-old woman in February 2025. Kingston has pleaded not guilty and the case is proceeding through the Utah court system. News has been released concerning the request for a new judge for the case.An invested citizen was able to attend a Utah City Council Meeting in which someone shared their concerns about the American Fork Police department in their handling of Reckless Ben (previously covered on Mormon Stories). This insider video gives a closer look at the concerned citizens of American Fork.The Great Salt Lake is in critical condition with historically low water levels due to long-term drought and heavy water diversion for agriculture and urban use. These changes threaten key ecosystems and create toxic dust storms that impact air quality across the Wasatch Front. Governor Cox said he discussed with President Trump a potential federal funding around $1 billion.___________________YouTubeShow NotesAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Chris Kerber discusses the Steve Ott extension in Springfield, the Stanley Cup Final, and much more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join family therapists Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share Krislynn's story about her beloved cat, Alastair.Reach Ken at kenddv@gmail.com, Nancy at nancysaxtonlopez@gmail.com.The Pet Loss Companion (book) on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Loss-Companion-Healing-Therapists/dp/1484918266/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=pet+loss+companion&qid=1612535894&sr=8-3mpa...The Pet Loss Companion (Audiobook) on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Pet-Loss-Companion-Audiobook/B0FTPWPX8S?qid=1762457765&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=Y83TQXYM4VG4HKFZEX8X&plink=2mxV7mztbrGx4xEO&pageLoadId=v9F4M87SEHMsdyyw&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1To read our email correspondence with listeners and view photos of their beloved animal companions subscribe at https://petlosscompanionconversations.substack.com(A $5/month subscription fee applies.)To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)To support this podcast with a monthly subscription: https://anchor.fm/kenneth-dolan-del-vecchio/supportWe are happy to announce our affiliation with Bereave, a company that offers beautifully crafted granite pet memorial plaques. When you purchase one of their plaques using the link that follows you are also supporting our podcast. https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2399618&u=3798931&m=141340&urllink=&afftrack=⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@thepetlosscompanion6602 (and hit the "subscribe" button)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To RSVP for the next cost-free zoom pet loss support group facilitated by Ken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.dakinhumane.org/petlossThis program is a friend of Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Mass. Dakin is a 501 (c) (3) community-supported animal welfare organization that provides shelter, medical care, spay/neuter services, and behavioral rehabilitation for more than 20,000 animals and people each year. Since its inception in 1969, Dakin has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in central Massachusetts and a national leader in animal welfare. You can learn more about Dakin and make a donation at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dakinhumane.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.For a list of financial resources to help with payment for veterinary care visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠community tab on our YouTube channel.Additional resources/friends of the program:Kate LaSala, Multi-Credentialed Canine Behavior consultant and Companion Animal Death Doula, https://rescuedbytraining.comAngela Shook, End-of-Life Support, Companion Animal Doula Support, Pet Loss Grief Support, https://angelashook.com/Crystal Soucy, Pet Loss Grief Coach and Certified Grief Educator, https://www.getcrystalclear.com

Fran Spielman interviews Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza about her renewed bid for Chicago mayor, revisiting her 2019 loss and associations with Ed Burke and Mike Madigan, which she says she condemned. Mendoza calls Mayor Brandon Johnson's tenure a “blizzard of incompetence,” citing credit downgrades, heavy borrowing, TIF “raids,” staffing vacancies, and strained Springfield relations, and says she'd impose fiscal discipline, consider workforce reductions, stop using TIFs for operations, hire more police, restore ShotSpotter, and improve police-community trust. 

Episode 998 of The Professional Left opens with a game of "Who's This Jagoff?" — a quiz that turns out to be a master class in how the Both Sides Do It lie gets laundered through the media, repeated without evidence, and rewarded with radio shows and television bookings no matter how many times it's been proven false. Driftglass and Blue Gal dig into the deep roots of that lie, traveling back twenty years to a single Neal Conan moment on NPR that perfectly captures how "to be fair" became a reflex that has nothing to do with fairness and everything to do with appeasement. The Scott Pelley firing gets a second look too, revealing a layer of the story that didn't get nearly enough attention the first time around — because it turns out that even the hero of the story had already made his peace with the Both Sides gods before Bari Weiss came along. And while a very well-funded gathering of self-described centrists in Washington, DC, was busy congratulating itself for finding the middle ground between democracy and fascism, Illinois Democrats were over here quietly governing like they actually mean it.Stay in Touch! Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com Website: proleftpod.com Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod or Donate in the Venmo App @proleftpodMail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791Support the show

"As long as two people love each other, I don't think god cares whether they both have the same hoo-hoo or ha-ha." - Marge Simpson When tourism starts declining thanks to several of Bart's famous pranks, the city of Springfield legalizes gay marriage—and Homer cashes in as a hastily ordained minister. But when Patty comes out of the closet to marry her newly revealed fiance, the truth is revealed in a shocking twist that'll definitely make you happy it's not 2005 anymore. Support this podcast and get over 200 ad-free bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod, not to mention Bluesky and Instagram!

Pastor Josh delves deeper into the book of Ephesians, exploring the blessings of God, the riches of Christ, and the prayer for revelation. It emphasizes the importance of the spirit of wisdom and revelation, the power of revelation, and the hope of His calling. In Ephesians, we explore the links with Isaiah 11, the return of Jesus and new creation and the inheritance we have through Christ. TakeawaysThe importance of knowing the hope to which we are calledThe transformative power of revelation and the spirit of wisdom The future hope of Isaiah 11 points to the return of Jesus and new creation.Understanding the purpose of God's kingdom and the riches of His glorious inheritance is essential for living.The immeasurable greatness of His power is available to believers and is a source of victory and hope.This message was recorded live at Hope Church in Springfield, MO.#ephesians #inheritance #kingdomofGod #revelation #victory #perspective

Fresh off agreeing to a contract extension, Springfield head coach Steve Ott reflects on the Thunderbirds' 2025-26 season and previews assorted challenges ahead.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Delighting in God is not another task for your spiritual to-do list—it is a dynamic, relational response to His presence and beauty. Author, Bible teacher and Conference host Jennifer Rothschild joins Stephanie to talk about true delight as awakened by God Himself within us, rather than achieved through personal effort or performance.Jennifer has kindly written the foreword to Stephanie's new book, Awaken Delight: Satisfying your soul's longing for God (IVP, July 2026).Ready to order Stephanie's book? Order here: https://a.co/d/0hss5sDt More about the book at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth. In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in Godreshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.We have chosen to celebrate the message of Awaken Delight by partnering with a private donor to donate up to $7,000 to Christian organizations that fight human trafficking (see list on our partners page). The final amount depends, among others, on Sales. Because delighting in God is also hands-on action.https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Order here: https://a.co/d/0hss5sDt MORE ABOUT THIS CONVERSATIONDelighting in God is not another task for your spiritual to-do list—it is a dynamic, relational response to His presence and beauty. Author, Bible teacher and Conference host Jennifer Rothschild joins Stephanie to talk about true delight as awakened by God Himself within us, rather than achieved through personal effort or performance. Together today they explore:the difference between delighting in God as duty versus delight as Spirit-awakened response.how experiencing God's presence turns ordinary moments into opportunities for delight.practical ways to cultivate awareness of God's activity in everyday life.the role of suffering in awakening deeper delight and intimacy with God.how worship, community, and nature reflect God's delight and invite our response.Delighting in God is both the fruit and evidence of a heart attuned to His presence and beauty. It's not manufactured, but awakened by the Spirit, often through worship, community, and even suffering. The invitation is to participate in this “sing along” of relationship, responding to God's delight over us—not because we are perfect, but because we are His.Jennifer Rothschild emphasizes moving delight in God off the "to-do list" and seeing it as a response—“it's not a duty, it's a response.” Authentic delight arises from an “awareness of His presence,” not from striving to manufacture feelings or perform. Recognizing that God's nearness itself is the catalyst for delight.Examples such as listening to birdsong became moments of delight for Jennifer because she trained her mind and heart to recognize God as the giver of all beauty. This “mental paradigm and heart posture” means seeing evidence of God in everyday experiences—a child's laughter, the taste of good food, or the beauty of creation.Delight in God can only be truly awakened by God's own Spirit in us—not conjured by human effort. Stephanie explains why her new book is titled “Awaken Delight,” highlighting that Christians delight in God because God births that desire in us through the Holy Spirit.God delights to partner with us—not as servants under command, but as beloved children invited into relationship. Our small acts of trust and faith, like a grandchild's shy art offering, delight God the way a grandparent delights in a child's offering.Jesus embodies God's delight—at His baptism, before any miracles or ministry, the Father declared delight in Him simply because He was His Son. Our delight is rooted in being “in Christ,” not in achievements.Surprisingly, suffering can be the crucible that awakens delight. Jennifer unpacks Paul's words about “delighting in weakness”, explaining that it means recognizing God's good even in hardship—a perspective shift empowered by Christ.Practical Steps to Awaken Your Delight of God todayMeditate on a single verse all day to listen for God's living word in everyday reality.Attribute every beautiful or joyful experience back to God as the source.Engage worship by savoring every word as a direct offering to God.When struggling, turn “worship” into prayer—ask God to awaken the truth of the words in your hear.FIND OUT MORE ABOUT “AWAKEN DELIGHT” BY STEPHANIE ROUSSELLE“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This is God's promise to you in Psalm 37:4. But many believers quietly assume it's just a poetic suggestion, or it doesn't really work here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God. It's not emotional hype or religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how delighting in Godreshapes sufferingquiets restless strivinganchors your identity in God's unshakable delight of youLearning to delight in God is the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own hearts.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.We have chosen to celebrate the message of Awaken Delight by partnering with a private donor to donate up to $7,000 to Christian organizations that fight human trafficking (see list on our partners page). The final amount depends, among others, on Sales. Because delighting in God is also hands-on action.https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Order here: https://a.co/d/0hss5sDt FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JENNIFER ROTHSCHILD“It is well with my soul.” For Jennifer Rothschild, these words are much more than the lyrics from a familiar hymn; they describe how she lives her life … in the dark.At the age of fifteen, Jennifer was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative eye disease that would eventually steal her sight. It was more than a turning point for the Miami, Florida native. Her dreams of becoming an artist and cartoonist faded. Words and music have replaced her canvas and palette for more than 30 years.As an author and speaker, Jennifer is known for her substance, signature wit, and down-to-earth style.  A unique mix of profound and playful, she weaves biblical truth with relatable stories, making God's Word accessible to those just starting out in Scripture and endearing to those who have walked with Christ for years.Jennifer has been a featured speaker for the nation's largest conference for women, Women of Faith.  She's also been on the platform with Women of Joy, Lifeway Women Live, and Extraordinary Women. Since 2018, She's hosted the popular 4:13 Podcast where she provides weekly biblical wisdom and practical encouragement to help women live the “I Can” life of Philippians 4:13.She is the author of 20 books and Bible studies with combined sales over one million units, including the latest video-based Bible study, Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight and the best-selling book, Lessons I Learned in the Dark.Jennifer has been featured on The Today Show, Dr. Phil, ABC's Good Morning America, and the Billy Graham Television Special, plus other national TV and radio programs including Hour of Power, Life Today, Family Life Radio, and others. Her life story and message has been the cover story of numerous national publications including Today's Christian Woman, Virtue magazine, Becoming Family magazine, HomeLife magazine, and others.Jennifer is also the founder and host of Fresh Grounded Faith events and the womensministry.net Leadership Library, which equips women in ministry to lead well. She lives in Springfield, Missouri with her husband of over 35 years, Dr. Philip Rothschild. Jennifer is a boy mom, C.S. Lewis junkie, an obsessive audio book listener, a dark chocolate lover, a strong coffee drinker, and an avid encourager.https://www.jenniferrothschild.com/ "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn't really work, or it's not really possible here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable.Delighting in God isn't sentimental optimism. It's deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus.It's the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JKind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith:“Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God's delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you'll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content"I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie's joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky"Stephanie's love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways." More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

En diciembre de 1891, el instructor de educación física James Naismith necesitaba una actividad interior para sus alumnos durante el invierno en Springfield, Massachusetts. Clavó dos cestas de melocotones en el balcón del gimnasio a diez pies del suelo y escribió trece reglas en una hoja. Ese día nació el baloncesto. No buscó revolucionar el deporte global; resolvió un problema inmediato con lo que tenía a la mano. El apóstol Pablo escribió que los creyentes son hechura de Dios, creados en Cristo Jesús para buenas obras que fueron preparadas de antemano. Eso significa que el propósito no se improvisa; fue diseñado antes. La pregunta no es si tienes un propósito; es si estás siendo fiel al que ya fue puesto delante de ti. Con frecuencia, el propósito no llega en revelación dramática; llega en la necesidad inmediata que Dios pone en tu camino. Lo que tienes en las manos hoy puede ser exactamente el punto de partida del propósito que Dios diseñó para ti. La Biblia dice en Efesios 2:10: "Porque somos hechura suya, creados en Cristo Jesús para buenas obras, las cuales Dios preparó de antemano para que anduviésemos en ellas". (RV1960).

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, grief, childhood trauma, and homelessness. Listener discretion is advised.What does it look like when a single act of kindness, a sandwich handed to a stranger outside Grand Central Station, becomes the seed of a national movement? In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Karen Olson, founder of Family Promise, in her home in Springfield, New Jersey, to trace the remarkable arc of a life shaped by early loss, quiet resilience, and an unshakeable urge to help.Karen shares the story of losing her mother to suicide at age 12, a wound that redirected the course of her life toward service. She recounts how a chance encounter with a homeless woman named Millie awakened her to the invisible crisis of family homelessness; and how that awakening, through years of grassroots organizing, faith community partnership, and sheer instinct, grew into Family Promise: a national nonprofit with over 200 affiliates, one million volunteers mobilized, and nearly a million families served.She and Jennifer also talk about what happened after Karen's retirement - a cryotherapy accident in 2019 that left her with a spinal cord injury - and how she continues to paint, reflect, and live with the same purposeful spirit that built everything she created.

Trump continues to make accusations of vote fraud. A former 60 Minutes anchor warns of political bias at the show and residents of Springfield, Ohio, defend Haitian immigrants.

Romans 15:7-13

Check out this week's message from Pastor Ryan Goeden shares a message from Exodus 9:13-35.#newlifechurch #pslam #helpingpeopleknowjesusbetter #2026sermon #sermon #onlinechurch #churchonlineSubscribe to receive our latest messages: https://bit.ly/3jqEZ1gTo support this ministry and help us continue to help people know Jesus better click here: https://www.nlspringfield.com/give/ Helping People Know Jesus Better - This is the vision of New Life Church, led by Pastor Ryan Goeden and based in Springfield, MOSupport the show

Deen Salami | Guest Pastor Standing Firm: A Look at Stephen Check out the weekly sermon here or on our SRBC podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. While you're at it, check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. Like what you hear? We'd love to know.At South Run, we read every message personally. Whether you have a question, want to share how God is moving in your life, or are thinking about visiting in person, this is the place to start. If you click the link below, Pastor Eric will personally reach out to you. Listening online? Let us know. Sermon Transcript Standing Firm: What Stephen's Martyrdom in Acts 6–7 Teaches Us About Faith Under Fire — Sermon TranscriptSouth Run Baptist Church | Springfield, VA Guest Preacher: Deen SalamiActs 6:8–7:60June 7, 2026This is a full sermon transcript from South Run Baptist Church in Springfield, Virginia. In this message, guest preacher Deen Salami preaches on the martyrdom of Stephen from Acts 6–7. This sermon addresses how Stephen — an ordinary believer full of faith and the Holy Spirit — stood firm against hate and persecution before the Sanhedrin, what his conduct, his defense, and his death reveal about the cost of following Jesus, and why the church's first martyr was not a tragic accident but a catalyst for the spread of the gospel. Opening: A Passage That Can Almost Preach ItselfI am a little excited today about the message. We've got a lot of ground to cover. There's a large section of scripture that I want us to go through. I'm going to act as your guide. It's not very often that there are passages of scripture that actually can preach themselves. This passage just might be one of them. So what I'd like to do is just to act as your guide. I'll read through big chunks of scripture and I'll just make a couple of observations for us to consider as we do. To do that, though, I'll only need about another hour. Are you guys good with that? I know better than to get in the way of lunch, so I'll make sure that I'll get through this thing in a reasonable amount of time, and I promise we'll survive the experience, all right? All right, why don't you join me in prayer? Gracious God and Father, behold this time. It is you who have called all these people here. None are here by accident. You have assigned me to this task for this day and this hour, and I just pray, Lord God, that you would act and move. Empower now your servant to be able to bring forth this majesty for your people's benefit and for the glory of your great name. May everything that be said and done would be pleasing to you. We pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. Context: Who Was Stephen, and Why Does He Matter?Now, we've already had the first section of our passage read to us. We're going to look at the first martyr of the early church. If you guys know, that is a follower by the name of Stephen. Before he was crucified, Jesus warned the disciples that the world would hate them because of him, and as a result, they would suffer persecution. So how do we stand firm against the hate and persecution? Well, Stephen is going to help us answer that question because he experienced exactly what Jesus said he would. How he handles the hate is a great example for us to follow. Now, again, we've already read that first section in Acts 6:1–8, but as we go into the commentary of it, I want you to consider three simple things: the charges brought before Stephen, his conduct throughout this whole trial, and what it costs him at the end. Three things — charges, his conduct, and the cost. The gospel was being preached early on. It's the early part of the church's existence. The gospel was being preached, and after an early reception by the masses, opposition began to rise, specifically from the religious leaders. Stephen was a Hellenistic Jew, which means that his native tongue was not Aramaic, but it was Greek. He was also a Diaspora Jew, meaning that he was not born and raised inside Israel proper. He was born and raised outside of Israel. He came to Jerusalem, heard the gospel, and became a believer. He was not one of the original 12. He had no special place of prominence. In fact, when we first learn of Stephen a few verses earlier, he was in charge of food distribution for the church. In other words, Stephen was a simple, normal person, just like any one of us. His only desire was to serve and to be used by God. Now look at how he was described in this section. It says that he was full of God's grace and power, and he performed great signs and wonders. Up until this point, that description was only made of the apostles. But he ran into his fellow Diaspora Jews, and they could not withstand him in debate, because the Spirit of God had given him great wisdom. Since they were unable to defeat Stephen in debate, they slandered him, brought him up on trumped-up charges, and dragged him before the Sanhedrin. And this, by the way, is the third time that a follower of Jesus was dragged before the Sanhedrin. The first time it was Peter and John for healing a lame man. But because the crowds were praising God, they let them go. The second time was with all 12 apostles. They were beaten and sternly warned no longer to preach the gospel. This time, the Diaspora Jews were mobilized as a mob against Stephen, and if you were hearing properly and paying attention, you noticed that Stephen is alone. Incidentally, this is the same council that sentenced Jesus to death. The Charges Against Stephen: Disrespecting Moses and the TempleSo let's hear the charges brought against Stephen. It was the disrespect of the law — which is referred to as Moses — and the disrespect of God, the temple, because they believed that God's presence was in the temple. But Stephen is going to take these two charges and turn them on his accusers. But for now, I want to draw your attention to how Luke describes Stephen as he stands before the Sanhedrin. He says that he has the face of an angel. Now, I doubt very much that the Sanhedrin thought Stephen was hot, right? But what is it that made his appearance unmistakable? The question I want us to consider is, how is it possible that a normal person like Stephen — who was not part of the inner circle of Jesus — is able to do the things that Stephen had done and was described the way Luke describes him? Acts 6:5 — Full of Faith and the Holy Spirit: What That Actually MeansAnd I believe that the answer is found in verse 5 of chapter 6. This is the very first description we have of Stephen: he's a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. But the question is, what does that mean exactly? Let me start with full of faith. Because there are three aspects of faith that we see in Stephen. First, there's an intellectual determination. What do I mean by that? It simply means that he's asking himself, is the gospel true, and do I believe it? Am I a sinner, like the gospel says, and do I need a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ? Stephen's answer is yes. The second is, do I trust Jesus? Will I submit my life to him and proclaim him as my Lord? Again, Stephen answers, yes. But finally, will I commit everything to him, even if it means my death? And as we will see, Stephen will answer that question yes as well. But let me ask us all a question here. How are we doing in these three aspects? For most Christians, they're okay intellectually up here. Do I need a Savior? Yes. But it's the other two that they stumble at. Is he actually Lord? Am I running my own life? Do I just need Jesus as an advisor — I'll call on him when I need to? Or is he actually Lord? Do we actually commit our lives to him, willing to die? Because Stephen was all in with Jesus, it gave the Holy Spirit free reign to use Stephen any way he wanted. Not like a puppet, but as an active and willing partner in the work of advancing the kingdom. It's like the Fellowship of the Ring. Do you guys remember the Fellowship of the Ring? Remember when Frodo said he was going to go and take the ring to Mordor? Aragorn said to him, if by my life or death I can protect you, I will. Why? Because the fate of Middle Earth hung in the balance, right? But for us today, it's the souls — the eternal souls of people — that hang in the balance. And the only hope for them is Jesus Christ. Amen? If by our life or death, if we have the opportunity to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ, will we? Are we all in like Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit? What the Sanhedrin saw in Stephen was the very presence of the divine emanating from him. But let's move on and see what happens next. Acts 7:1–16: Stephen's Defense Begins — Summarizing Genesis 12 Through Exodus 1 from Memory I'm going to read from chapter 7, verse 1. "Then the high priest asked Stephen, are these charges true? To this he replied, brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran. Leave your country and your people, God said, and go to the land I will show you. So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. He gave him no inheritance here, not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no children. God spoke to him in this way, for 400 years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, God said, and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place. Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later, Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. Then a famine struck all of Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food. When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit. On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was. And Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family. After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, 75 in all. Then Jacob went down to Egypt where he and our ancestors died. Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. And as the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die." Now, for those of you who may have picked up on it, Stephen just summarized Genesis 12 all the way through Exodus 1. Genesis 12 is where we have God's promise to bless the world through Abram. Stephen starts there and ends in Exodus chapter 1. That is approximately 39 chapters that he summarized from memory under pressure. Now, if you were on the Sanhedrin, what would you be thinking right now about the charge of disrespecting the law? At least at this point, it looks like that charge is on kind of shaky ground. In fact, some of the Sanhedrin might be looking at Stephen and secretly giving him a thumbs up. Way to go, bro. Good job, all right? Why Stephen Uses Geography and the Stories of Joseph and Moses StrategicallyWhat I don't want you to miss, though, is how Stephen is telling this story. I want you to notice the way Stephen is making use of geography — Mesopotamia, Haran, Israel, Egypt. He is summarizing what God did in those places, but why is he doing this? Also, I want you to keep in mind what he says about Joseph and his brothers. I'm going to develop that here in a minute. Just be patient, okay? Now, before we move on, I want to highlight how Stephen addresses his adversaries. To the mob, he refers to them as brothers. To the Sanhedrin, he refers to them as fathers. This mob who dragged him forcefully before the Sanhedrin, and this council that not only sentenced Jesus to death but beat the 12 apostles — the question on the table is, why is Stephen so cordial? A few observations. First, he does not seem to be taking their behavior toward him personally. The moment is not lost on Stephen. He's acutely aware of the danger he is in, but he remembers his mission, which was the same as Jesus. He does not want to condemn them. He wants them to know the truth. So he speaks to them in a way fitting that purpose. He does not retaliate against them for mistreating him. Second, Stephen understands that their behavior is symptomatic of a bigger issue. He knows what the Apostle Paul will later go on to understand and share with Timothy. As we read in 2 Timothy 2:25–26, Paul says this: "Opponents must be gently instructed in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will." Stephen understands that these people have been taken captive by the devil so that they would do his will. But Stephen hopes that they will come to their senses. So he begins by instructing them gently. And in his approach, Stephen is reflecting the very heart of God. Back in Ezekiel 33:11, we hear God say this: "As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways. Why will you die, people of Israel?" Stephen does not clap back at them. Third, he is gentle because he is focused. He knows it's not about him. This encounter is much bigger than Stephen, and he is keenly aware of it, and we can tell by the way he conducts himself. It's a powerful lesson for us today, isn't it? If we're going to stand firm against hate and persecution, we will resist the urge to take people's behavior toward us personally. We remember that their behavior is symptomatic of a bigger issue. They are captives of the devil, and what we want to stay focused on is our mission to be active agents in freeing them through spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now one last point before we move on. We are 19 verses into Stephen's speech and in all his words, Stephen is not trying to defend himself. He has not yet answered the question that was put before him: are these charges true? He hasn't quite answered that question, at least not directly. Acts 7:20–43: Moses, the Burning Bush, and the Pattern of Rejected MessengersBut let's get back to the rest of Stephen's speech, because I think we'll find some more for us to consider. "Now at that time, Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months, he was cared for by his family. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. When Moses was 40 years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day, Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, men, you are brothers. Why do you want to hurt each other? But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday? When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. After 40 years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say, I am the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt. This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, who made you ruler and judge. He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for 40 years in the wilderness." Once again, Stephen has done an excellent job in summarizing that next section. He pretty accurately brings the story to the lawgiver himself, the man Moses. But let me begin to tie some pieces of this puzzle together for us. Stephen brings up Joseph and Moses very strategically. Joseph, with his dreams, and Moses, even at his birth, were both marked by God for God's use and for the good of his people. But in both cases, they were originally rejected. In other words, our ancestors, says Stephen, missed God's messengers the first time. Even though the signs were there, they rejected their God-appointed leaders the first time. And Stephen is about to be very clear about the implications of this for them. He mentions God being with Moses in Midian and in Egypt. All the geographical references that Stephen has made is the point he's taking aim at — the misunderstanding of the temple. They refer to the temple as this holy place. But yet Stephen reminds the Sanhedrin that when Moses was in Midian on Mount Sinai, Moses was commanded to remove his sandals because where he was standing was holy ground. So which is it? Is it the holy ground that Moses was standing on in Mount Sinai in Midian? Or is it this holy place, the temple in Jerusalem? Wherever the presence of God touches down becomes holy. What Stephen is saying is that God is not bound by any single location. This is what the Sanhedrin failed to see in their attempt to defend the temple. And it is a pattern that Stephen is pointing out for them. In addition, Jesus sternly rebuked the religious leaders when he turned over the tables of the money changers and called the temple a den of thieves, because they were keeping people from God. God had left the building, and they were completely oblivious. Let me highlight the wisdom Stephen is using here. First, he knows the word and how to apply it to the situation he is presently in. Second, he understands the charges brought against him and how to use those same charges to highlight the error of his accusers. And finally, he does not lose focus of his mission. And the question on the table for us is, if we were under this pressure, could we do the same? Acts 7:44–53: Stephen Flips the Script — You Are the Ones Who Violated the LawNow Stephen is about to end his time with the Sanhedrin, and it's going to be a colossal end. Let's finish reading. "This is the Moses who told the Israelites, God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people. He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our ancestors, and he received living words to pass on to us. But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him, and their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him. That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in it in what their own hands had made. But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon, and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: did you bring me sacrifices and offerings 40 years in the wilderness, people of Israel? You have taken up the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your God Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore, I will send you into exile beyond Babylon. Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says, heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build me, says the Lord? Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things? You stiff-necked people, your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You were just like your ancestors. You always resist the Holy Spirit. Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him. You who have received the law that was given through angels, but have not yet obeyed it." Stephen ends his speech with a powerful rebuke of the Sanhedrin and this mob. The history of the Jewish people had been one of rebellion, culminating in the murder of Jesus, their long-awaited Messiah. Just as they did with Joseph and Moses, they missed Jesus the first time. I want you to underline verse 53. Stephen courageously tells the truth and provides a proper diagnosis of their problem. In so doing, he flips the script. So you accuse me of violating the law and desecrating the temple? I'm not guilty of either one of these, but you are. The evidence he provides is rightly in the law of Moses, and he records the embarrassing incident with the golden calf. This was abject idolatry, which got them exiled, and it's clear that their stubborn rebellion continued to blind them. Making the Means the End: The Sanhedrin's Fatal Error with the Law and the TempleThe inherent problem the Sanhedrin and the mob suffered from was that they made the means the end and did away with the end itself. What do I mean by that? Well, in Galatians 3:24–25, Paul says this: "So the law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." The law was the means by which we would be ready for Christ, who was literally the end of the law — he was what the law was preparing us for. But they made the means, the law, the end, and did away with the end itself, Jesus. Jesus says the same thing about the temple. In Mark 11:17, Jesus says this: "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." The temple was the means by which all the nations would come to know who God is and pray to him. They turned the temple into a money-making machine, and they did away with God altogether. It's the same pattern. Acts 7:54–60: The Stoning of Stephen — Dying Like His LordLike all who stubbornly live in rebellion and refuse to hear the truth, they go after Stephen. "When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Look, he said, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of the young man named Saul. And while they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing." Stephen took a bold stand and it cost him his life. But here's the beauty of this passage. Stephen died in the same way his Lord did. He dies praying for the forgiveness of the people stoning him, just like Jesus. And because Stephen was so faithful to his call, the heavens opened so that Stephen sees the Lord Jesus rise from his throne to welcome his faithful servant home. How to Stand Firm Against Hate and Persecution: Look Up, Not AroundHow do we stand firm in the face of hate and persecution? First and foremost, we look up, not around. We look to Jesus. We need to be focused on Jesus because he is all he's asking us to be, and he has done all he's asking us to do. That includes suffering for his sake. Second, we need to remember one important thing. We're not simply spectators or victims. We are active agents of change. In other words, we do not lose sight of the mission, because this is why we are here. You know, I know some people — I've spoken to some people about this passage — and they seem to think that it's unfair for Stephen to have died. After all, why couldn't God have saved him? He saved the apostles. He saved John and Peter. Why couldn't he have saved Stephen? But if we read Acts 1:8, where Jesus told the disciples that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and in the uttermost parts of the world, we begin to realize one important thing. Up until this point, guess where the church was localized? Jerusalem. Guess where they had their small groups? Jerusalem. Guess where they had their worship time? Jerusalem. But where were they supposed to go? But after Stephen was killed, we read this: "On that day, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." Stephen's death was the catalyst for the advancement of the gospel outside of Jerusalem. Remember, our faith is not a faith that we simply talk about. Our faith is a full contact sport. If by my life or death I can advance the gospel, I will. Stephen did it by his death. Closing: Active Agents of God's Redemptive WorkLet me read you one quote as I close. It says, "Suffering becomes the ongoing evidence that creation awaits restoration. And believers, bearing God's image and indwelt by the Spirit, participate in that redemptive work. Rather than passive victims of evil, they become agents through whom God's original creative intention progressively reasserts itself against the disorder introduced by sin." Will you be a part of that? Because this is our purpose. And once we understand our purpose and totally embrace it, then we look at the world very differently. We can stop asking why the world is the way it is. Because that's really the wrong question. The right question is, what are we going to do about it? Because we are supposed to be the active and willing participants in God's redemptive work. Is this work dangerous? Yeah. Stephen found that out very clearly. Remember, Jesus died for us first. So it is not like God is asking us to throw away our lives cavalierly. Far from it. Stephen understood the stakes and was keenly aware of the moment. But he determined that his life was worthy of sacrificing for the gospel. He stood firm. Can we? Let me pray. Our gracious God and Father, we thank you for this time that we can be in your word. We are reminded, Lord, that it's you who preserved your word, lo, these 2,000 years for us, this generation of believers, to learn and glean from. I pray, Father, for whatever lessons that may have been brought out here, that those seeds would be scattered in the hearts of your people and that they would grow into folks that would stand firm for the advancement of the gospel. Our only desire, Lord God, is like Stephen. We ask humbly that you would use us as we serve, and that you would be glorified. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. South Run Baptist Church | 8712 Selger Drive, Springfield, VA 22153 | Sunday Worship at 11am Serving Springfield, Burke, West Springfield, Lorton, Alexandria, Fort Belvoir, and Franconia, Virginia. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

From our editorial board: The Bears have now advanced a “site TBD” in Hammond, Indiana. The phrasing matters. It is not a plan. It is not a commitment. It is not even a fully described proposal. It is a directional signal carefully calibrated to do two things at onceBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shaw-local-s-bears-insider-podcast--3098936/support.

Episode 997 of The Professional Left uses the sudden, very public firing of Scott Pelley from 60 Minutes as a jumping-off point to ask a much bigger question — why do the people with the biggest megaphones still have absolutely no idea what Democrats actually want, or who they actually are? Driftglass and Blue Gal trace the long, embarrassing history of elite pundits who spent decades inventing a fictional Democratic party, got everything catastrophically wrong about the Republican one, and are now loudly demanding that Democrats take their advice anyway. A deep dive into the 2027 Illinois state budget — passed by an actual Democratic majority serving actual Democratic voters — turns out to be a surprisingly clear and satisfying answer to the question the title asks. If you want to know what Democrats want, it turns out you don't need a pundit — you just need to pay attention to what Democrats do when they're actually in charge.Stay in Touch! Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com Website: proleftpod.com Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod or Donate in the Venmo App @proleftpodMail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791Support the show

Giants catching prospect Drew Cavanaugh talks about his 2026 breakout season at Double-A and Triple-A, and Sam and Tyler look at new alternate identities in Springfield and Augusta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Crain's Chicago Business reporter Justin Laurence to discuss the proposed Bears stadium bill recently stalling in Springfield and to detail how the organization misrepresented the conversations it had with the city of Chicago in recent months.

In the final hour, Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Crain's Chicago Business reporter Justin Laurence to discuss the proposed Bears stadium bill recently stalling in Springfield and to detail how the organization misrepresented the conversations it had with the city of Chicago in recent months. Later, Mully and Haugh reacted to their interview with Laurence.

Hunter and I are back with LFM Show EP #6 – pizza nostalgia, zombie movies, epic gun talk, and more! This week we break down why Masters of the Universe is actually looking good, a guy who bought 80 Pizza Huts to bring back real dine-in restaurants (pizza nostalgia is real!), and whether atmosphere makes or breaks the experience. Dark & moody lighting vs bright & white – what do you prefer? We also dive into zombie classics: 28 Days Later, Bone Temple, and George Romero's Return of the Living Dead. Gun segment is fire: Suppressed .38 Special on the MadPig Marlin lever action – this thing KICKS ASS Savage 110 PCS Bolt-Action Pistol vs Springfield 2020 Heatseeker Revomag – the smartest way to carry extra rounds for your revolver? (Check it out: https://getrevomag.com/) What's your take on bringing back real dine-in pizza joints? Favorite zombie flick? Let us know in the comments!

Join family therapists Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share Sharin's story about her beloved Yorkie.Reach Ken at kenddv@gmail.com, Nancy at nancysaxtonlopez@gmail.com.The Pet Loss Companion (book) on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Loss-Companion-Healing-Therapists/dp/1484918266/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=pet+loss+companion&qid=1612535894&sr=8-3mpa...The Pet Loss Companion (Audiobook) on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Pet-Loss-Companion-Audiobook/B0FTPWPX8S?qid=1762457765&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=Y83TQXYM4VG4HKFZEX8X&plink=2mxV7mztbrGx4xEO&pageLoadId=v9F4M87SEHMsdyyw&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1To read our email correspondence with listeners and view photos of their beloved animal companions subscribe at https://petlosscompanionconversations.substack.com(A $5/month subscription fee applies.)To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)To support this podcast with a monthly subscription: https://anchor.fm/kenneth-dolan-del-vecchio/supportWe are happy to announce our affiliation with Bereave, a company that offers beautifully crafted granite pet memorial plaques. When you purchase one of their plaques using the link that follows you are also supporting our podcast. https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2399618&u=3798931&m=141340&urllink=&afftrack=⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@thepetlosscompanion6602 (and hit the "subscribe" button)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To RSVP for the next cost-free zoom pet loss support group facilitated by Ken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.dakinhumane.org/petlossThis program is a friend of Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Mass. Dakin is a 501 (c) (3) community-supported animal welfare organization that provides shelter, medical care, spay/neuter services, and behavioral rehabilitation for more than 20,000 animals and people each year. Since its inception in 1969, Dakin has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in central Massachusetts and a national leader in animal welfare. You can learn more about Dakin and make a donation at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dakinhumane.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.For a list of financial resources to help with payment for veterinary care visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠community tab on our YouTube channel.Additional resources/friends of the program:Kate LaSala, Multi-Credentialed Canine Behavior consultant and Companion Animal Death Doula, https://rescuedbytraining.comAngela Shook, End-of-Life Support, Companion Animal Doula Support, Pet Loss Grief Support, https://angelashook.com/Crystal Soucy, Pet Loss Grief Coach and Certified Grief Educator, https://www.getcrystalclear.com

Episode 996 of The Professional Left takes a hard look at the media circus surrounding the Maine Democratic Senate primary, asking who is actually stirring the pot, why they're stirring it, and who benefits when a private matter between a married couple drowns out every important conversation about the Republican incumbent's actual record. Driftglass and Blue Gal walk through a long and inglorious history of political sex scandals — from FDR to Gary Hart to Newt Gingrich — to put the whole thing in perspective and make the case that the bar for Democratic candidates is being set in a very different place than it is for Republicans. The New York Times, The Bulwark, and the usual cast of Both Sides Do It pundits all make 'but the Democrats' appearances, right on cue. And a deeply revealing New York F-ing Times piece about young men who get their political opinions from Joe Rogan and still somehow blame Both Sides equally turns out to be less a portrait of a generation in search of answers and more a masterclass in how conservative propaganda and legacy media complicity get permanently bonded together.Stay in Touch! Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com Website: proleftpod.com Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod or Donate in the Venmo App @proleftpodMail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791Support the show

What did lawmakers get done in Springfield? A $56 billion budget, a cellphone ban in schools, relief for those who lost SNAP benefits, and so much more. However, they didn't pass a Bears stadium plan. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down lawmakers' early morning sprint across the spring session finish line. Plus, school is out for CPS this week, and we're dreaming up our ideal Chicago summer vacations. Good News: From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85 Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, June 2 episode: Enjoy Illinois American Writers Museum Chicago Public Library Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Matt Spiegel and Laurence Holmes reacted to a Bears stadium bill stalling in Springfield as Illinois lawmakers adjourned the spring legislative session without passing it. After that, they listened to Gov. JB Pritzker's latest comments on the Bears stadium legislation failing to pass in this session.

In the Best of the Bears, NBC 5 reporter Paris Schutz joined the Mully & Haugh Show to outline how and why a stadium bill stalled in Springfield as Illinois lawmakers adjourned the spring legislative session; Leila Rahimi, Marshall Harris and Mark Grote discussed how both the Bears and state lawmakers have had a hand in creating this stadium mess; and Rahimi, Harris and Grote opened up the phone lines for Score listeners to sound off on the Bears' stadium saga.

Just before the legislation session wrapped in Springfield this week, Illinois lawmakers passed landmark legislation regulating artificial intelligence. Senate Bill 315 requires developers to publish reports explaining the capabilities and risks associated with its technology. It also mandates third-party audits. Illinois is one of just a handful of states pushing through laws that regulate AI. But in the absence of federal governance, the growing patchwork of state laws may not be enough to protect consumers as AI technologies rapidly evolve and expand. For more on the growth of A.I. and what enforcement of regulation could look like in Illinois, we hear from Illinois State Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) and AI expert Michael Bennett, associate vice chancellor for data science and AI strategy at University of Illinois Chicago.

Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris reacted to Illinois state senator Bill Cunningham's notable comments on the Mully & Haugh Show about a Bears stadium bill stalling in Springfield.

Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris took calls from Score listeners about the Bears' pursuit of a new stadium in Arlington Heights hitting another roadblock in Springfield.

In the Best of the Bears, NBC 5 reporter Paris Schutz joined the Mully & Haugh Show to outline how and why a stadium bill stalled in Springfield as Illinois lawmakers adjourned the spring legislative session; Leila Rahimi, Marshall Harris and Mark Grote discussed how both the Bears and state lawmakers have had a hand in creating this stadium mess; and Rahimi, Harris and Grote opened up the phone lines for Score listeners to sound off on the Bears' stadium saga.

Despite a Hail Mary heave from the Illinois Senate in the final hours of the spring legislative session, state lawmakers ultimately failed to reach the end zone on a bill incentivizing the Chicago Bears to build a new stadium in Illinois. Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Ben Szalisnki, Capitol News Illinois Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we areBlock Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way.We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media.Ground-level coverageOur neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a neighborhood.Stories that matter to you — every daySince our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans. We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them. Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

Matt Spiegel and Laurence Holmes reacted to a Bears stadium bill stalling in Springfield as Illinois lawmakers adjourned the spring legislative session.

Matt Spiegel and Laurence Holmes reacted to Gov. JB Pritzker's latest comments on Bears stadium legislation stalling in Springfield as legislators adjourned the spring session.

Home prices in Chicago are rising at more than five times the national average, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's BUILD plan — aimed to streamline housing development — didn't pass during Springfield's spring legislative session. So what will it take to make housing more affordable and homeownership more attainable in Chicago? In the Loop checks in with Lissette Castañeda, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Housing. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.