Podcasts about Suffering

A new MP3 sermon from Truth For Life - Alistair Begg is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Proclaiming Boldly, Suffering Bravely Subtitle: Messages from Truth For Life Speaker: Alistair Begg Broadcaster: Truth For Life - Alistair Begg Event: Conference Date: 2/7/2026 Bible: 2 Timothy 2:1-7 Length: 42 min.

Jesus' death was not accidental, symbolic, or merely emotional—it was real, brutal, and willingly embraced. In Mark 15, we see the physical, mental, and spiritual suffering Christ endured in order to ransom sinners. This episode reflects on the depth of His agony, the weight of His sacrifice, and the grace that keeps us from ever treating the cross casually.

Welcome back to the Sorry to Interrupt podcast! On a MEGA 3-part edition of College Hoops Corner, the guys get you set for your brackets. In Part 1, Sean is joined by Mike Phillips of the “Just End the Suffering” podcast for his thoughts on the selection committee's work to deliver this year's field of 68 and also runs through his bracket all the way through the Final Four and crowns his champion. In Part 2, Tom is joined by Will for their bracket picks as they work their way to Indianapolis and crown their champions. Finally in Part 3, Sean is back with Tom to give his bracket predictions all the way through his National Champion pick. Everyone enjoy the pod and embrace the madness!

On this episode, my guest is Hasan Kerim Güç. Kerim graduated from Istanbul High School in 1992 and from Yildiz Technical University in 1996. Between 1997-2004, he completed his master's degree in Information Systems and Business Administration in Baltimore, USA. He returned to Turkey in 2010. Realizing that the treasure he had been looking for for 14 years was right in his own home, he took the position of Chief Editor at Nefes Publishing House in 2014. Kerim nourishes his business life with Sufi studies and is pursuing a doctoral degree from the Usküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies. He has published four books.Show Notes* Rejecting the American Dream* Anatolian and Sufi Hospitality* Sufis and the Ottomans* Tanri misafiri (“God's guest”)* Togetherness, and the roots of Religion* When we welcome suffering, we make honey out of pain* Submission, servants and the prophet Mohammed* The Conference of the Birds / Stories from the Thirty Birds* Limits to hospitality in the Islamic world* Bereket / Baraka* Rumi's Guest HouseHomework* Kerim Vakfı* Stories from the Thirty Birds* Cemalnur Sargut: A Sufi Life of Love, Suffering, and Divine Union* Cemalnur Sargut Books* Kerim Guc - Instagram* Kyoto University Kenan Rifai Center for Sufi Studies* Ken'an Rifâî Chair of Islamic Studies at Peking University* University of North Carolina (UNC) Ken'an Rifâî Chair in Islamic StudiesTranscriptChris: [00:00:00] Welcome to the End of Tourism podcast, Kerim. Hoș geldiniz.Kerim: Thank you very much for having me.Chris: Yeah, it's my pleasure. Thank you for joining me today. Perhaps you could tell our listeners, where you find yourself and what the world looks like there for you.Kerim: Well, first of all, I'm an immigrant also. I was an immigrant. I lived in the US for a while, and then I came back to to my own country. And things are very different here than there, than it is in US. From the perspective of what I did... I was actually an engineer, and I was working in the IT fields, and I was living the American dream, and then I realized that there was some kind of an emptiness, and this whole thing, and I decided to go back to Turkey and [00:01:00] study Sufism, and since my mother was actually a Sufi teacher. She decided to actually move this whole Sufism into academia. So, she basically established an institute in Istanbul - Üsküdar Istanbul - at the University of Üsküdar. The difference between this institute and the other schools, the people like myself, like engineers, coming from different disciplines, including lawyers and whatnot, they were not able to do their masters or PhDs in Sufism, because in other universities, they require for you to actually have theology backgrounds. But with this new establishment, we were able to educate people from all different disciplines and, [00:02:00] so we basically concentrated on ethics rather than the religion itself.So, a lot of people coming from different areas, especially the white-collar people, living this, like - how do I say that? - it's a world of money and materialism and all kind of that stuff. They're coming to our institute and realizing that money or career is not the only goal for life.And we started to concentrating on things like spirituality more than the materialist world.Chris: Thank you. Well, I'm very much looking forward to exploring these themes with you and a little bit of the work that you do with Kerim Vakfı.Kerim: Sure.Chris: And so for the last season of the podcast, I'm very much interested in focusing on different hospitality traditions and practices from around the [00:03:00] world, as I mentioned to you. And, one of the key themes of the podcast is radical hospitality. Now, the word “radical” comes from Latin and it means “rooted,” or we might even say “local” or “living.”And so. I'm curious if there are any radical hospitality practices that you think are unique to your place, to Istanbul, or to the Sufi community that you might be willing to share with us today?Kerim: Well, Istanbul, actually, is a very metropolitan city. So like the other metropolitan cities, we kind of lost that - what we call the hospitality of Anatolia. Anatolia is basically the Eastern part of Istanbul. And in Istanbul, we have, right now, 25 million people in a very small area. And in older days when the population was smaller, [00:04:00] we were able to show our hospitality, because the Turkish hospitality is very famous, actually. In this area the hospitality is very famous, including the, you know, Greek and Arab hospitality. Usually, it's a little bit different than the western countries.For instance, we welcome people - we used to, and probably still, in the countryside - the people coming from other cities or countries or whatnot. The locals actually helped them out as much as possible. They even invite them to their own houses and let them stay for how long they want to stay. And this was kind of like a regular thing in the old days. It's still going on very much in the eastern side of Turkey, pretty much in the countryside. [00:05:00] But Istanbul, like other cosmopolitan cities, we kinda lost that. You know, neighbourly things. We have a lot of neighbours and we we have always good... we used to have a lot of good relationship with them, but nowadays, again, because of this material world, we kind of lost this hospitality.So from the Sufi point of view, hospitality is very important. It's interesting that you mentioned the “radical.” You were talking about where “radical” come from, but you didn't talk about where “hospitality” comes from. See, there is a relationship between the hospital and the hospitality and the way the Sufis look at things is very much like the illnesses in our body are our guests. So, we don't think that they're bad for you. They're actually [00:06:00] the guests of our house for a time being. So we show them the hospitality as much as we can, and then hopefully we say goodbye to them.Chris: Wow. Wow. That's fascinating. I do know that the term “hospitality,” hospital is part of that, and hospital historically came from these notions of hospitality. I mean, in the western world in, and at least in the Christian world, there's a kind of unauthorized history in which a lot of this hospitality, as you mentioned, that was offered to the stranger, was done by the families or the individual houses or homes within a community. A stranger would come and they would ask for hospitality, ask for food and shelter, and the family would have to decide whether to do that and how to do it. [00:07:00] And then at some point, the institution of the Church kind of stepped in and said, “you know what? You don't have to do this anymore. When the stranger comes to the community, when they show up at your door, just send them to us. Just send them to the church and we'll give them what they need.”And so this did a number of things, but the two most obvious ones, I think, are that the family, the individuals in the family and the community on a grassroots level, slowly ended up losing their ability, their unique kind of familial or personal ability to host the stranger. And at the same time, of course, the church used this as a way to try to convert, the stranger.Kerim: Right.Chris: And so I'm curious if there's anything in that realm that you see in the Islamic world, maybe in the Sufi world... you mentioned that, since the [00:08:00] imposition of modernity and the industrial Revolution in the world, we see less and less possibilities for small-scale, grassroots hospitality between people, in part, because there's so much movement, and of course, because the hospital has its brothers and sisters in the sense of the “hotel” and the “hostel.”Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: So, I'm curious if there's anything like that that comes to mind for you in regards to the Islamic world.Kerim: Well, one thing is about like the Ottomans. The Ottomans, when they were coming from the Anatolia and then started conquering all those places in the Balkan area, Greece and Bulgaria, Hungary and all those places, after they actually conquered, they sent Sufis to those places. And, like in Hungary, there is a person, his name is [00:09:00] Gül Baba, which means “Rose Father.” That's what they call him. He actually has his own tekke (tekke is like a church for Sufis). And this place, it's like a school more, more like a school, but it's a religious school.And in this tekke, he actually finds all those people with needs, and he pretty much helped them out with all those needs. And the people coming from different religions, they actually started liking people like from the Turks' point of view, because the Turks were symbolized by these Sufi movements. And instead of, you know, pushing people to convert or demolishing the churches and rebuilding mosques and stuff. Instead of that, they actually [00:10:00] welcomed people from all over the world, or all over the place, basically, to stay in the tekke, to eat and to get education in the tekke. So this was a great strategy of Ottomans. That's how they actually stayed in Europe for almost like 600 years. So that was very much like, you know, their strategy, I think. And in a good way.Chris: Yeah, you know, in my research I found out that there's still Sufi orders in the Balkans a group called the Bektashi.Kerim: Right.Chris: And of course, with the very little historical understanding that I had, I was very surprised. I had no idea. But of course, when I eventually went to visit the regions that my father is from, I saw churches, synagogues, and mosques, all in the same little neighbourhoods.[00:11:00] So, quite an impressive kind of understanding that the major religions in those places could coexist for so long. And that in the context of someone who grew up in North America, who thought it was the opposite (previously) and such things are so difficult.Kerim: Right. Right.Chris: So, Kerim, a mutual friend of ours has told me, that in the Turkish language, there is a phrase (and excuse my pronunciation). The phrase is tanri misafiri.Kerim: Right.Chris: Which translates into English as something like “God's guest.”Kerim: Right.Chris: Or “the guest sent by God.”Kerim: Right. Right.Chris: And so I'm wondering if you could speak about this phrase, maybe what it means to you and where you think it comes from?Kerim: Well, in Anatolia, it's a very famous phrase. And like I said previously, you know anybody coming from somewhere else, who comes into somebody's [00:12:00] house, is allowed to stay in the house as “the guest of God,” because we believe that God has sent that guest to us and we try to... you know, it's more like making that guest happy means making God happy. So, that's the understanding of older generations.In today's metropolitan areas, I don't think it's possible because of the security problems and everything. But like I said, in the countryside, people are very welcoming when it comes to this, because it is very important that knowing that person is actually coming from God, from Allah, so we have to take care of that person as much as possible to please God, actually.So that's how it is. I still see that in many cities in the [00:13:00] more eastern side of Turkey or south side of Turkey, or even north side of Turkey except in the bigger cities. But in the smaller cities, people are much more welcoming, again because of this specific idiom, actually.Chris: From tanri misafiri?Kerim: Right. Tanri means “God” in our language. In the original Turkish language, it's tanri, and, misafiri means “ the guest.”Chris: Yeah. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with us.Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: And so when guests arrive in a home, you know, in English, at least in, in the context of the older traditions, it is said that the guest or the potential guest, the stranger, asks for hospitality. They don't necessarily say “ they ask for food,” which we can imagine that surely they [00:14:00] do. They don't necessarily say that “they ask for shelter” or “accommodation,” which we surely we could imagine they do. But the literature often says they ask for hospitality.And so, when we think of hospitality today, we often think about people sitting around a table eating food together. And so I'm curious if there's a shared understanding among Sufis or at least the community that you live among and in, about the importance of both eating food and eating food together.Kerim: Togetherness is probably one of the most important things in the Islamic religion. Because like even our way of worshiping God - Allah - we try to do that in a union as much as possible. It is very interesting, the words that “religion” comes from.[00:15:00] Re- means “again,” and legion means “union.”So it's almost like “religion” itself means “to recreate the union,” “to reshape the union,” “ to have the union back,” because we have the tendency to be alone. And even you can imagine that in the western countries, in the western world, a lot of people want to be alone.Like, there's a lot of individuals rather than a group of people. And in the eastern world, it's a little bit different. We are more like family-oriented people. We try to do things together. I mean, there are advantages and disadvantages obviously, but there is a difference between them.So, we always had this [notion that] “the more is better,” basically. You know, more people is better. So, we help each other, [00:16:00] we understand each other, we talk about our problems. When we try to solve them, it's easier together. And if there's pain, you know, the pain actually, can be eased with more people, easier, I think, compared to have this pain alone. So, again, we're more family-oriented people.And the Sufi are very much like that. The Sufi always pray together, and they think that it creates a n energy, basically. It produces an energy that basically helps all of them at the same time, in a union.Chris: Hmm hmm. And do you find that sitting down for a meal together also creates that kind of union, or recreates as you were saying?Kerim: I think so. Doing any kind of activities, including eating... eating is basically the most common activity [00:17:00] that we do in our daily life and getting together, to talk about our things together, and discuss things together, all those things - togetherness, when it comes to the idea of togetherness - I think, is beautiful.Chris: Hmm, hmm. Amen. Yeah, I very much agree with that, Kerim.And so, when we think about hospitality, and we think about food, we often imagine big banquet tables and as you said, this sense of togetherness and celebration.But there's also, you know, from what little I've read, there's also this important aspect of the religious life in the Islamic world, and perhaps in the Sufi world as well that points to, maybe not the absence of food, but a different way of being fed, and a different way of feeding that doesn't [00:18:00] include the food we're used to, the kind of material food. And we often refer to this as fasting. And so, there's a beautiful video that you sent me, Kerim, of your mother speaking, and she recalls a phrase in that video from her own mother who said that “when we welcome suffering, we make honey out of pain.”And so, this is a question I very much want to ask you because I've fasted myself quite intensely. I'm curious, what is the honey that comes from fasting? Or, what do you think is the honey that comes from fasting?Kerim: Right? First of all, yeah, fasting is in our religion. So, we basically do that one month in the whole year. It's called Ramadan. In some cases, we actually do that because our Prophet Muhammad, when he [00:19:00] lived, he was fasting every Monday and every Thursday. So it was like a common practice for some of the religious people. And at least we do that one month in the whole year.And obviously, that month is a little bit difficult, you know, because we not only stop eating, we also stopped drinking and all that stuff. In theory, we should not be lying, we should not be telling bad things to other people or gossiping and all that stuff, but usually we do during that time. I mean, in theory, we should not be doing that.So it's like a whole discipline thing - the whole fasting. And at the end of the thirty days, you become a really, really different person. And first of all, one thing that [00:20:00] I feel, is that you understand the people who do not have food. We still have people in the world, unfortunately, in Africa, and all those places, the people, having less access to food as we do, and we feel like, oh yeah we don't actually thank God for all those things that he's giving to us. And this is the time that you start thinking about the reality and start thanking God for actually giving us all that food, twenty-four hours, seven days [a week]. And when you are fasting during that time, you are understanding the feeling of these people, who are like poor and who cannot eat.There are people now, in the social media, we are seeing people, who never had [00:21:00] chocolates in their life. The people living in these countries or in the cities or metropolitan cities, we never think about these things.So, we take these things for granted, and during that time of fasting, you start thinking about these stuff and then you become more thankful, and that's basically honey itself, after the suffering. And I wouldn't say “suffering,” because we don't suffer as much as they do, honestly.And we're just telling our egos, “just stop for a day to do bad things and stop eating,” and all that stuff that ego wants to have. And again, it's at the end of the thirty days, you become a new person because now you have a different mentality. Now, in the other eleven months, you still forget about these things, but [00:22:00] again, it comes through. It's like a cycle.Chris: Yeah. Yeah. I totally agree with you that, you know, gratitude is the honey and...Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: ...I remember the fasting that I did over the course of four years, and I don't know if it was as intense as the fasting that happens during Ramadan, but doing that fasting and trying to feed something other than myself for a time imbued a degree of hospitality and gratitude that I don't think I had ever felt before. And it sticks to me. It sticks to my bones to this day. And it's something that, like you said, I also have to constantly remind myself of those moments when I sit down to eat a meal, because it's so easy to forget.Kerim: Absolutely. Absolutely. And one thing is [00:23:00] basically during that time of fasting, you basically stop feeding your ego, and start feeding your spirit, basically. That's what I think.Chris: That's beautiful. Yeah. I absolutely understand that. Thank you, Kerim.So my next question is around the word “ submission.” So, translated into English, the word “Islam” means “submission.” Now I've read that this word can also be translated to mean “servants of God.” Servants of God.Now in English, the word “servant” can be synonymous with “host.” A servant and a host. Now, there's a book by an author named Mona Siddiqui called Hospitality in Islam. And in that book she writes, it's actually a quote, but she writes,“'What is faith?' The Prophet replied, ‘the giving of [00:24:00] food and the exchange of greetings.' He ends on a most dramatic note saying, “a house which is not entered by guests is not entered by angels.”Kerim: Perfect. Yeah.Chris: And it seems that in this phrase, the Prophet is suggesting that the way we are with guests and strangers has something to do with how we are with the divine, which I think you kind of alluded to a little bit earlier.And so I'm curious, is this something that you've seen in your own days or in those of others that you know? Is hospitality a practice that connects us to the divine?Kerim: Absolutely. Because reaching God, you need to reach people first. To be able to reach God... when I say “reach God,” meaning be in communication with Him, is basically being in a communication [00:25:00] with the people he created. So, to serve the people is basically serving him from the Islamic point of view.So, and that's a hadith that you mentioned in the book. It's a hadith of Prophet Mohammed, like you said. And Prophet Mohammed always... it was a common practice that he was hosting maybe, you know, 10-15 people every night. And he was a poor person, by the way. I mean, he doesn't have much money, much food or anything, but they share. There was a time that... there's a story that somebody, actually, one of his apostles rather, asks him to visit him for a dinner. So he invites him to a dinner.But during his conversation, Prophet Mommed said, “can I bring my friends too?”[00:26:00]And the apostle says, “of course you can bring your friends.” And he brings hundreds of people. Now, the host only have some bread, and maybe a little bit meat, and a little bit rice in the cup.So, he was ashamed because he doesn't have any money, and the Prophet Mohammed is going to bring all those guests together, and he didn't know what to do. But he uses submission, basically.He said, well, if Prophet Mohammed is coming, then something is going to happen. And as he was thinking all those things, Prophet Mohammed puts his hand on top of the rice holder. And every time he was putting rice onto the dishes, the rice never ends, the meat never ends. So he served like 200 people during this invitation and the food never ended.[00:27:00]So he was happy for his submission, basically.Chris: Wow. Beautiful. Thank you, Kerim.Kerim: Of course.Chris: You know, you have this beautiful book - that is still in the mail, unfortunately I haven't got my hands on it yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it - called Stories From the Thirty Birds, which I understand is inspired by The Conference of the Birds, this incredible book from I think the 1300s.And I'm curious if you could tell us a little bit about that book and what, if any inspiration or maybe teachings around hospitality that come from both, The Conference of the Birds and how you've employed it in your book.Kerim: Right. The Conference of the Birds is really a beautiful story of Farid ud-Din Attar who lived in Nishapur, which is in Khorasan, in Iran, today. And he was one of the very famous [00:28:00] Sufis at that time. He was the teacher of Rumi. A lot of people know Rumi. And he wrote this book about birds, millions of birds, who are in the process of going to their king, which is the phoenix (or what we call it simurg). And during that time, during that travel, they go through seven valleys, and in each valley some of the birds get lost, because the valleys actually symbolize things.Like, the first valley is the valley of intention. So, a lot of birds actually don't have the intention to reach their king. The king is basically symbolizing Allah (God), and the birds are symbolizing us very much, and we are getting [00:29:00] lost during the time of life. Like, our intention is basically this world. If our intention is staying in this world, then we stay in this world. And that's the valley of intention.And a lot of birds, like half of them, actually, get lost in this stage.And the second valley is the valley of love. And the birds that get lost in this valley are the ones that actually think the beauty is in this world, rather than they don't see the beauty of God himself. So they see the shadow of that beauty in the world, but they're content with that beauty, and they don't really want to move on.And again, the third valley is the value of wisdom. And the birds that get lost in this valley are the ones who think that knowledge, [00:30:00] in this world, is more important than anything else, and they don't realize the source of the knowledge is actually their king.So on and so forth, they go through the seven valleys and at the end of the seventh valley, only thirty birds remain. And the thirty birds, they're ready to see their king, and they go through this mountain called Qaf, where the  simurg, the phoenix lives (behind the mountain). And it's very difficult to get there, basically. When they get there, they can't find the king over there. They only find a mirror. So, they realize the king is themselves, but more specifically, the union of thirty birds. So simurg - the [00:31:00] phoenix - in Iranian, in Persian means “thirty birds,” actually. Si is “thirty.” “Burg” is “bird,” actually.So from what we understand is, the union of ourselves, what we are seeing, is our reflection, because the king is actually a perfect mirror. But we don't see ourselves, only, we see the union of thirty birds together. So there are birds that we don't think live together. For instance, a hawk doesn't live with a smaller bird together, but in this union, they live together. There in one. And they use whatever advantage they have together. So it's almost like being one and using the characteristics of every single bird [00:32:00] itself.Chris: And I imagine that someone growing up in a culture like that, whether back then or more recently, and hearing this story or hearing it multiple times throughout their life or maybe once a year, that that notion also might arise in the way that they are with others, the way they are with strangers.Kerim: Right.Chris: And so, I have one final question for you, if that's all right?Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: So, before we say farewell I'd like to ask you about Istanbul, and I'd like to ask you about the limits to hospitality. So, last year, on a trip I took to the city I met a friend of a mutual friend of ours, and for a couple of hours we walked around the Karakoy neighbourhood and he spoke to me about how the city has changed quite a bit over the last decade.For many people who grew up in Istanbul, the city [00:33:00] might now appear to be very difficult to live in. He said that the cost of living has skyrocketed. The rents, the rent prices or costs have doubled. And much of this is a combination of tourism and gentrification in the city.Now it seems that many religious traditions speak of the importance of welcoming strangers and offering them hospitality, but they also speak of the limits to such hospitality. In one particular, hadith or saying of the Prophet Mohammed, it is said that “hospitality is for three days. Anything more is charity or sadaqah.”Again, excuse my pronunciation.Kerim: No. That's perfect pronunciation.Chris: And so I'm curious, you mentioned a little bit earlier, in the Sufi community and perhaps in the Islamic communities, there is this notion of togetherness, but also that “more is better.” And so I'm [00:34:00] curious in the context of what's happening in Istanbul and what's happening in many places around the world, do you think there should also be limits to the hospitality that is offered to the guest or stranger?Kerim: Well, of course. I mean, of course we have financial issues here, and it's very difficult for us to actually serve other people as much as we want to. But again, when we are together, even if it's very difficult to live in the city, it's still something, you know?What I see: the rent went up, like you said, so the people try to move into their family houses, the houses there of their families and everything. And in western countries, it's difficult. You usually don't do this kind of stuff, but in our community, it's much easier to do these things. And, you know, the families welcome the children [00:35:00] more than other countries. So that's something I think that's a positive thing.But to the strangers. What do we do for strangers? Obviously, we do as much as possible. We may not be able to serve them as much as we used to, obviously, before this inflation. And we have the highest inflation in the world, or probably the second-highest inflation. So again, it's difficult, and Istanbul became probably one of the most expensive cities in the world. But even that, again, we may not be able to take them to dinner every night, but we serve what we have in the house, like in the Prophet Mohammed's story.Whatever we have, we share. And, we call it bereket, as in Arabic baraka, they call it. Baraka is something [00:36:00] like... we use it for money. It's not “more money.” That's not important. How do I say that? I don't even know how to say it in English, but it's more like “the luck of the money, itself.” Basically, you may be able to buy more stuff with less money based on your luck. That's basically what we call it. Bereket. So the bereket is much more important than the amount of the money or the financial thing. And the bereket always goes up when you share it.Chris: Beautiful. Yeah, I love that. I mean, in English, not to reduce it at all, but in English we say, quality over quantity.”Kerim: Yeah, absolutely.Chris: And you said that, in order to offer hospitality or the hospitality that we would like to offer to our guests, sometimes maybe that means not doing it all the time, [00:37:00] because one simply cannot. Right. It's not possible.Kerim: Right.Chris: But yeah, it's a really beautiful point.Kerim: Rumi is a very important Sufi, probably known by many Americans. Even the world knows him. He wrote a poem, which is about the guests. So, if you don't mind, I'm gonna read that, uh, it's called the Guest House and it goes like:This human life is a guest house. Every dawn, a new visitor arrives.A gladness, a sadness, a pettiness, a flash of insights all come knocking, unannounced.Welcome them all. Make room even if a band of sorrows storms inand clears your rooms of comfort.Still honour every guest.[00:38:00] Perhaps they empty you to prepare you for something brighter.The gloomy thought, the shame, the bitterness,greet them at the door with a smile, and lead them inside.Be thankful for whoever comes, for each is sent as a messenger from the beyond.So that's a poem by Rumi, and I think it pretty much explains the whole hospitality thing.Chris: Yeah, that's a gorgeous, gorgeous poem. I love that. I'll make sure that's up on the End of Tourism website when the episode launches.And so finally, Kerim, uh, I'd like to thank you so very much for being willing to join me today, to be willing to speak in a language that is not your first, or mother tongue, and to share with us some of the beauty that has touched your days. Before we say goodbye, [00:39:00] perhaps you could tell our listeners how they can follow and learn more about Kerim Vakfı, Stories from the 30 Birds, your book, and any other projects you might want them to know about.Kerim: We have a Sufi centre in North Carolina, at the University of North Carolina. We have a centre in China, Beijing University, and another center in Kyoto University in Japan. And my mother's book about the commentary of some Quranic verses is the one. For instance, Yasin is available through Amazon and my book Stories from the 30 Birds is available on Barnes and Noble and all that other places in US.Chris: Beautiful. Well, I'll make sure that those links are all available on the End of Tourism website and on my Substack when the episode comes out. [00:40:00] And on behalf of our listeners, tesekkur, tesekkur.Kerim: I thank you. Get full access to Chris Christou at chrischristou.substack.com/subscribe

Jennie Allen reflects on a year like no other she's had: an ephocal global event followed by a terribly difficult sabbatical, health scares, and discouragement. Jennie talks about wanting to quit, suffering and spiritual warfare, lies leaders believe, and not giving up.

Robert J. Morgan joins Michael Easley for a powerful conversation about the history, theology, and enduring influence of Christian hymns. Why have these songs lasted for centuries? What are we losing when churches abandon them? And how can we recover the richness of hymnody without rejecting modern worship? Drawing from his book The Origin of Hymns, Morgan traces the story of congregational singing from the song of Moses in Book of Exodus, through the golden age of English hymnody with writers like Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley, to the modern era. He shares the powerful backstory behind “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio Spafford, and how that hymn connects to the film I Can Only Imagine 2. This episode challenges pastors, worship leaders, and believers to rediscover hymns not as nostalgia—but as theological formation. Hymns teach us how to worship, how to suffer, and how to endure. Chapters 00:00 Why We Need Hymns Again 02:00 Robert Morgan's Ministry Journey 05:00 The Story Behind The Red Sea Rules 09:00 The Biblical Origins of Hymnody 14:30 The Golden Age: Watts & Wesley 20:30 Theology vs. Repetition in Modern Worship 26:00 “Come Thou Fount” and Teaching Lyrics 30:00 The Story Behind “It Is Well With My Soul” 37:00 Hymns, Suffering, and Enduring Faith 42:00 Why the Church Must Recover Both Old and New Key Topics Discussed: The biblical roots of congregational singing The theological depth of historic hymns Isaac Watts and the birth of English hymnody Charles Wesley and revival-driven worship The problem of disposable worship music Teaching hymn lyrics to modern congregations The tragic story behind “It Is Well With My Soul” Hymns as spiritual formation across generations Combining historic hymns with modern worship songs Links Mentioned: The Origin of Hymns by Robert J. Morgan Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel. For more inContext interviews, click here.

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates are answering another question related to addictions. In the Bible's so called vice lists, there are certain people […] The post What About the Vice Lists and Believers Suffering With Addictions? appeared first on Grace Evangelical Society.

Why is Pakistan Suffering in Iran - America Conflict? | Afghans Corner Pak Forces | Tahir Gora

Thanks for spending some of your valuable time with us and welcome to part 3 of our Lenten series on Hope in the midst of suffering. In parts 1 and 2 we laid the foundation of our series, suffering as mystery and the hope of bodily and spiritual healing. In this episode we will bring back Dr. Veronica Lenzi to share practical coping techniques to help us heal through remaining present. Dr. Lenzi also breaks down why remaining present is essential for working through suffering toward a path of healing. So lean in and keep walking with us on this Lenten journey toward Hope in the Midst of Suffering.

Anything that we build our lives on other than Jesus Christ is a sham and we will crumble when trials come. Suffering is an inevitable part of life, but when Christ is our foundation rather than any other person, material or habit, He gives us the strength to stand firm against the crushing waves of life.

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates are answering a question about believers and addictions. What is some advice that might give hope for […] The post What Advice Do You Give to Believers Who Are Suffering With Addictions? appeared first on Grace Evangelical Society.

The Wounded Healer: Healing In the Shadow of Suffering

This week we start our Resurrection Sunday series, "Written Long Ago." Join us as we learn that Christ suffered spiritually as our deliverer and savior, and that Christ suffered victoriously as the King of Kings.

If you are bloated, tired, wired, foggy, inflamed, waking at 3am, or still feeling "off" despite doing everything right, this episode is for you. In this episode, Dr. Connie Cheung breaks down the hidden suffering loop many high-functioning women live inside — a pattern where psychology, physiology, behavior, habits, and identity keep reinforcing instability even when nothing dramatic shows up on labs. This is not another generic gut health episode. This is not vague nervous system talk. This is a clinically grounded, emotionally honest explanation of why so many women stay stuck in cycles of symptom management, temporary relief, self-blame, and chronic compensation. You'll learn: ✔️ why high-functioning women often compensate instead of collapse ✔️ why normal labs do not always mean a regulated body ✔️ how psychology affects physiology ✔️ how behavior and daily habits reinforce nervous system patterns ✔️ why symptoms like bloating, poor sleep, tension, brain fog, fatigue, and weight changes are often connected ✔️ why treating symptoms separately wastes years  ✔️ what it means to stop solving the wrong layer If you are sick and tired of the current state of your health and know something deeper has been missed, this episode will help your body finally make sense. In this episode:

Verse by verse exposition of Daniel ch. 11

How many times have you white-knuckled your way through a strict, rule-driven, hyper-vigilant, inflexible meal in the hopes it would make you feel “safe”? Regardless of how convincing that voice in your head sounds, you know the one, “You must be vigilant with your diet or you'll bring back your cancer!”, it doesn't work that way. And yet, so many survivors believe that the more miserable the diet, the more effective it must be. In this episode, I'm talking about the types of breast cancer diets that practically guarantee miser, and why “not really living” is not the goal of survivorship. If your current approach to eating feels heavy, rigid, or joyless, this episode is your reminder that there is another way.After today's episode you'll understand: Suffering doesn't equal safetyRigidity drains joyEmpowerment > deprivationClick here to get my FREE guide The Five Foods Survivors Should Eat!Follow me on Instagram @hormone.breastcancer.dietitian

Send a textThis episode features two long-time Jefferson Township leaders whose careers reflect a shared commitment to student growth, community, and leadership. Jeanne Howe brings more than 31 years of experience in education, beginning as a science teacher and rising through roles including Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and now Superintendent. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from New Jersey City University. Throughout her career, Jeanne has focused on building environments where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally, while supporting educators and staff who serve the Jefferson Township community every day.Joining her is Bill Koch, the Athletic Director at Jefferson Township High School since 2018. Bill spent a decade teaching Physical Education and Health at Jefferson Township Middle School before moving into athletic administration, including a year as Athletic Director in Montville Township. He earned his undergraduate degree from Springfield College and a Master's in Educational Leadership and Education from Centenary University. A lifelong coach, Bill has led cross country, wrestling, and boys lacrosse programs and remains active in youth sports. Beyond school, he is a husband to his wife Nicole and a proud father of three—Olivia, William, and Amelia. Together, Jeanne and Bill offer a unique perspective on education, leadership, athletics, and the impact schools have on the lives of students and families.Find The Suffering PodcastThe Suffering Podcast InstagramKevin Donaldson InstagramApple PodcastSpotifyYouTubeSupport the showThe Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

Fr. Patrick preached this homily on March 15, 2026. The readings are from 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a, Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6, Ephesians 5:8-14 and John 9:1-41 (Fourth Sunday of Lent). Connect with us! Website: https://slakingthirsts.com/ YouTube: / @slakingthirsts

Sunday evening message from the pulpit of Falls Baptist Church

https://www.fourthavenue.church/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/03152026-WorshipWEB-1.m4a The post Suffering – Aaron Williams appeared first on Fourth Avenue COC.

Speaker: Brent Kercheville. There is a temptation when reading or studying the book of Job to want to get to the end of the book. We are people who just want to get to the bottom line. We will be tempted to cut out the middle of this book and run to chapter 38 where God shows us […] The post No Easy Answers When Suffering (Job 4-27) appeared first on Biblical Truths from West Palm Beach church of Christ.

This month's theme is "Hope in Suffering"James 1:2-4“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”(NAB Translation)***2026 PILGRIMAGE TO PORTUGAL & SPAIN with Kim Zember, Bobby and Jackie Angel, Fr. Edwin Leonard, including Fatima, Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem, sites of St. Anthony of  Padua, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and more!, September 20-29, 2026Click here for more info: https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/a-pilgrimage-to-portugal-and-spain-with-kim-zember-jackie-and-bobby-angel-and-fr-edwin-leonard/****PATREON: For downloadable and printable PDFs of each scripture verse, support us on Patreon at Patreon.com/JackieandBobby at the $5/month level!***“Memorize Scripture” Book NOW AVAILABLE!Get 10% off!Link to Order:https://avemariapress.com/?ref=JACKIE10PROMO CODE: JACKIE10

Every Wound Becomes A Window For The Light Of Christ

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor | March 15, 2026 Referenced Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12, Hebrews 5:7-8, Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 12:11, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Reflection Questions: 1. How are you experiencing suffering and pain in your life right now? How are you seeing people in your life experience suffering and pain? 2. We cannot read God's favor or disfavor by assessing how troubled a person's life is. True or False? Why?What does the Bible teach us about this statement? What have you learned from personal experience about this statement? 3. Why do some of us expect that God would/should spare His all-in followers from the suffering of this world? 4. What are some wrong beliefs or responses that can come from pain and suffering? What questions does suffering raise about God, about us, about our relationship with Him? What truths of Scripture do we need to keep in mind in order to counter these wrong beliefs and responses? 5. READ: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. How are other believers intended to be an extension of God's comfort to us in the midst of our pain and suffering? How have you seen God use other people to be a source of comfort for you? How have you been a source of comfort to others? Share some specific examples… 6. Why would isolation be detrimental to someone in the midst of suffering? Why can we tend toward isolation? How can we break through our tendency to isolate? What will that require of us? 7. Do you personally move toward people in suffering or tend to isolate? Why? Explain… 8. What specifically do we need from others in our suffering in order to experience comfort? What things from others can actually be unhelpful, even if offered with good motives? 9. What area of pain and suffering in your life do you need to share with someone? Who is someone in your life that needs your comfort and encouragement in the face of suffering and pain? What's your next step? Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:00) - Pastor's Walk Through Suffering(00:05:37) - What Does It Mean to Be An All In Follower of Jesus(00:12:32) - How to Process Suffering accurately(00:20:26) - The Real Value of Suffering(00:23:04) - Paul's Words on Suffering and Comfort(00:30:16) - God's hands and feet in the suffering of others(00:34:16) - Holy Spirit, I need God's Comfort Today

The Blessing of Suffering Well(1 Peter 4:1-6) For the bulletin in PDF form, click here. Message SlidesStanding Out in the Crowd - SwindollThe Liberty of Salvation - Edmund ClowneyApplication: 1 Peter 4:1-6 - Scot McKnightINTRODUCTION: Patterns for Preaching in Peter and PaulFollow this ExampleBe willing to suffer rather than sin.• Example: The suffering of Christ is the supreme example (4:1a).• Commitment: Be ready and willing to suffer instead of sinning. (4:1b).• Submission: Be ready and willing to suffer to live for the will of God (4:2).Do Not Follow This ExampleLeave your past life behind.• Out of Time: Your pre-conversion life is in your past (4:3a).• Out of Control: Your pre-conversion life was out of control (4:3b).• Out of Sync: Your post-conversion is strange to others (4:4).• Out of Appeals: Everyone will eventually give an account (4:5).• Out of Excuses: Everyone will be judged fairly (4:6).Choosing to follow in the footsteps of Christ's sufferingmay alienate you from the world as you avoid sinful livingbut provides you with the satisfaction of identification with Christ.‘Make the Application“Read the Scriptures, not as one who goes to a wardrobeto take an inventory of clothes, but as one who goes thereto find something to wear.” John DonneHome Church Questions1. Read Philippians 2:1-11. This parallel passage to Peter's teaching in 1 Peter 4:1-2 expands on the truth found there. Both passages encourage us to follow the example of Christ. How does Philippians 2:1-11 give you additional hope, confidence, and courage for your own suffering?2. In the Bible Belt, how do you resist the pull of the American Dream while still accepting that suffering is often part of God's will for us? How do you pursue faithfulness to Christ when the surrounding culture constantly pressures you to seek comfort, success, and security—especially when Scripture teaches that hardship and self-denial are frequently God's will for believers?3. In the most practical way you can, articulate what it means to “arm yourself” with the same attitude Christ had when He suffered? Can you give any examples of when you have done this?4. Jesus, far beyond any of us, suffered when He did not deserve it. How does this frame our response when we recognize that our suffering is also undeserved? Are we entitled to a life of blessing?5. Have you ever experienced rejection by a past community because you chose to live according to your Christian convictions? Have you ever remained quiet about your Christian practices in order to avoid this?6. What about your current way of living as a believer and faithful follower of Christ is seen by unbelievers as, in the words of Nijay Gupta's book, “Strange Religion?”UPG FOCUS: Pray for the Tai Do in LaosThe Tai Do are a small ethnic group living primarily in central Laos, with a few communities in Vietnam. They follow traditional animistic beliefs, seeking to appease spirits for protection and blessing. Only a small number of believers are known among them, and Scripture translation has just begun. Pray that the growing number of Tai Do Christians would remain strong in faith, that the gospel would spread to every village, and that many would come to know Jesus as Lord.FinancesWeekly Budget 34,615Giving For 03/01 22,132Giving For 03/08 48,141 YTD Budget 1,246,154Giving 1,588,461 OVER/(UNDER) 342,307Fellowship Men's MusterMen's Muster is April 17-19, 2026. Senior Teaching Pastor, Chris Moore, will be our speaker, and the weekend promises to be great for growing spiritually and connecting deeply with other men. Cost is $135 or $85 for a college/High School student. If money is an issue, please check the “contact me” button. We will reach out to see what you are able to pay. Register at fellowshipconway.org/men .New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Fellowship 101 - April 12 | 9:00 a.m Whether you've been visiting Fellowship Conway for a few weeks or a few months, we'd love to invite you to take the next step in getting connected. Come hear our heart as a church — who we are, what we do, and why we're passionate about it. It's also a welcoming space to ask questions, meet others, and discover how you might grow and serve alongside us. Please register at fellowshipconway.org/register so we can plan well and keep you updated with reminders or any details about the class. If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to Michael Harrison at mharrison@fellowshipconway.org — we'd love to help you get connected.Holy Week on Hogan StreetPastors from several churches along Hogan Lane have come together to host a special Holy Week gathering, March 30–April 3. Participating pastors include Herschel Richardson of Grace Methodist, Larry White of Woodland Heights, Chase Moser of Cornerstone Bible, Jim Hays of Grace Presbyterian, along with Chris Moore and Ken Wilson from Fellowship Bible Church. You're invited to gather each weekday of Holy Week from 12:00–1:00 pm at Grace Methodist for a brief time of worship, a devotional message from one of the pastors, and a shared meal. Donations will be accepted and directed towards local missions. Crucifixion DinnerYou are invited to join us on Good Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. for a meaningful evening of reflection as we remember Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Together, we will share a simple dinner of broth and bread, setting aside time to consider the depth of His love and the hope made possible through His suffering. Childcare is available for children ages six and under by texting Shanna at 501-336-0332. Please be sure children are fed before being dropped off. Let us gather with grateful hearts as we reflect on the great price that was paid for us. Join the Worhip Tech TeamHelp create a space where people can encounter the Lord through worship. Our Sunday morning Tech Team is looking for a few more volunteers to serve behind the scenes with audio, visuals, and livestream. No experience is needed—we'll provide all the training and support you need. If you'd like to be part of the team and are college age or older, contact Jordan Mays at jmays@fellowshipconway.org.Prayer During ServiceWe love praying for one another. After the message, members of our prayer team will be at the front of the Auditorium under the Hope and Love signs, ready to pray with you. During the first worship song following the message, please feel free to come forward if you would like prayer or encouragement.

When catastrophe strikes, humanity returns to an ancient question: Is this God's judgment?In this episode, we journey back to the 14th-century Black Death to explore how one of history's most devastating pandemics shook faith, reshaped belief, and revealed radically different spiritual responses. From the dramatic penitent processions of the flagellants to the quiet courage of clergy who stayed behind to care for the dying, the crisis exposed both the fragility and the depth of human faith.Drawing parallels with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, we reflect on how suffering challenges belief, deepens compassion, and forces us to confront timeless questions about God, justice, and human responsibility.The episode also explores the inspiration behind the historical novel Sages, Saints and Sinners, a story of love, doubt, and spiritual struggle set in a world that believed the end had arrived.What happens to faith when the world begins to collapse—and what remains when certainty disappears?#FaithInUncertainTimes #SpiritualReflectionn#FaithAndHistory #SearchingForMeaning #FaithUnderPressure #BlackDeath #MedievalHistory #HistoryAndFaith #LessonsFromHistory #PandemicsInHistoryUseful Information:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reinogevers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://reinodiary.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Books:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sages, Saints and Sinners⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Deep Walking for Body Mind and Soul⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Walking on Edge: A pilgrimage to Santiago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Great Lent 2026; Sunday of the Cross "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24) Christ is talking as if "coming after" or "following" Him is something good. What is that all about? Where is He going? Where is He leading us? Christ talks about "denying" ourselves. In the next verse He ties that to being willing to die. This sounds important. We need to get it right. There is a great lie in our world: that all religions are basically the same. But Scripture warns us that the devil himself can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). So it is not enough simply to have faith in something. Why in the world are there so many warnings in the Bible about idolatry? Some people focus on sexual sin. But even Scripture often uses sexual sin as a metaphor for something even worse: worshipping false gods. One is bad—but the other is worse. Just as marriage is good, but union with God is even greater. So we need to get this cross thing right. Is it just about perseverance? Everyone has their own cross to bear? Well… kind of. But even that needs to be grounded. We are not simply stoics. If we are stoics at all, we are stoics of a very particular kind. So what is the cross? Yes, it involves pain. But not just any pain. Look to the prototype. We are Christians, and Christ is our standard. His cross was painful—but it was pain put to a purpose. It was sacrificial. He gave Himself as a sacrifice. And all sacrifice involves something valuable—something costly, something difficult. Pain can be like that. The cross was Christ's sacrifice on behalf of the people and the world that He loved. That gives us something to work with. Taking up our cross means doing things that are hard on behalf of others. At the very least, it means denying what we might prefer so that others can thrive. For Christ, that meant leaving the place where He was given the glory and honor that was His due and coming to live in a world where He would be disrespected, misunderstood, and even tortured and killed. And He did it so that we—the ones He loves—could join Him in eternal glory. When we voluntarily sacrifice our time, when we put up with people who misunderstand us, who may not value us, who may never fully appreciate what we are doing—and we do it out of a desire for their health and salvation … … then we are taking up our cross and following Christ into glory. So be patient when your ego tells you to lash out. Be courageous when your instincts tell you to hide. Figure out what love requires in each moment—and then dedicate yourself to it. In addition to patience and courage, this requires paying attention. It requires humility. It requires dedication to the needs of the moment. And it surely won't be easy. But this is the cup that our Lord accepted in the Garden of Gethsemane—the cup that led to the salvation of the world. And when we drink of that cup, we are united to Him through His passion on the Cross. But we must remember something very important. The cross is not the end of the story. Christ did not go to the cross in order to remain in the grave. He went through the cross into resurrection. And this is exactly where the Church is leading us during Great Lent. We are walking the road of the cross now so that we may stand together in the light of Pascha. Our Lord Himself told us how this works: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." In Christ, the cross is never the final word. What passes through the cross is changed. We die with Him so that we may live with Him. Buried with Him in death, we rise with Him into newness of life. As St. Maximus the Confessor says, "The one who participates in Christ's sufferings also shares in His glory." Suffering offered in love becomes glory. Sacrifice becomes participation in His life. And even death becomes the doorway to life. This is the mystery the Church sings every year at Pascha: Yesterday I was buried with Thee, O Christ;today I arise with Thee in Thy resurrection. This is where Christ is leading us. Through the cross. Into resurrection. So when the moment comes—and it will come—when love requires something difficult from you, do not be afraid of the cross. Take it up. Follow Him. Because on the other side of the cross is life— life with Christ, life with all the saints, and life in the glory of the Kingdom.  

In week three of The Red Thread, we explore a prophecy about the Messiah that didn't match what most people expected. What if the most powerful act in history didn't look like victory at all, but like suffering?

Experience the Glory of God at Passion Church! In this clip, you’ll discover that God’s glory is simply His goodness in action. We believe God has an incredible vision for our community and a specific plan for your life. Whether you're looking for deep, biblically sound teaching or a church family that truly loves you, you’ll find it here. From discipleship and personal growth to a fun, faith-filled environment for your kids, Passion Church is where lives are transformed. We’re a joyful, Spirit-led family committed to sincere worship and global missions. Join us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.! Come meet Pastor Guy Sheffield and the rest of the family at 983 Goodman Rd W, Horn Lake. All we’re missing is you—let’s grow together! Don’t forget to subscribe and stay connected with Passion Church Desoto. Like us on Facebook & Subscribe to our YouTube page @ ‘Passion Church Desoto’. #Jesus #PassionChurch #GodsPresence #Worship #Discipleship #ChurchFamily #HornLakeMS #GuySheffield #SundayService #Preaching #Bible #encouragmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By Marshall Malone

Job 38:1-40:5 God is God and we are not.

Can't love a God that tries to control us with the fear of hell? You're not alone!Listen now to this special episode in which your Happiness Expert Samia Bano shares how being a #survivorofabuse made her averse to being in any relationship where there is an attempt to control her, even if that someone trying to control her is God. Discover how Samia embraced a loving, guiding, and non-controlling #relationshipwithgod  and you can too by unpacking deep #spiritual realizations about: -- role of suffering and choice in our lives-- understanding the deeper reality of what hell is-- how God is never on an agenda to control or harm us -- the truly #UnconditionalLove God has for us-- and so much more!NOTE: Although Samia frames the concepts in this episode in the context of #IslamicSpirituality, the lessons are relevant and applicable to other faith and spiritual traditions as well. If you're interested in #interfaith learning or have an #interspiritual approach to your practice of faith, you'll particularly appreciate and benefit from this episode!#sufferingandfaith #spiritualjourney #Ramadan2026 #SpiritualGrowth #LoveAllah #GodConsciousness #Taqwa #FaithJourney #IslamicWisdom #DivineLove #AllahIsMerciful #HeartfeltIslam #IslamicSpirituality #MindfulFaith #ProphetsTeachings #DeepeningIman #Ihsan #ForgivenessFromAllah #QuranicWisdom #LivingInWorship #PeaceAndFaith #SpiritualAwakening #RamadanReflections #FaithAndLove #MercyOfAllah #CloserToAllah_____________________________________ABOUT SAMIA:Samia Bano is the #HappinessExpert, author, speaker, podcaster & coach for coaches and healers. Samia is most known for her book, 'Make Change Fun and Easy' and her #podcast of the same name. With the help of her signature Follow Your Heart Process™, a unique combination of #PositivePsychology and the #spiritual wisdom of our most effective #ChangeMakers, Samia helps you overcome #LimitingBeliefs, your chains of fear, to develop a #PositiveMindset and create the impact and income you desire with fun and ease…Samia's advanced signature programs include the Happiness 101 Class and the Transformative Action Training.Samia is also a Certified #ReikiHealer and Crisis Counselor working to promote #MentalHealthAwareness. Samia models #HeartCenteredLeadership and business that is both #SociallyResponsible and #EnvironmentallyFriendly.Samia is a practicing #Muslim with an inter-spiritual approach. As someone who has a love and appreciation for diversity, she is a #BridgeBuilder between people of different faiths and cultures. Although Samia currently lives in California, USA, she has lived in 3 other countries and speaks Hindi, Urdu, and English fluently. Want to learn even more about Samia? Visit www.academyofthriving.com :)To Book your Free HAPPINESS 101 EXPLORATION CALL with Samia, click: https://my.timetrade.com/book/JX9XJ

In this episode we explore the spiritual meaning of suffering and the systems of thought that attempt to explain it. Across history both religious traditions and modern signs have proposed frameworks for understanding reality. But these systems often carry assumptions about the nature of the world and about the role that suffering plays within it. This conversation examined several of these frameworks including:- The spiritual significance of suffering- The theological structure behind dispensationalism- The idea of triggering the rapture within apocalyptic interpretations of scripture- The limits of rigid religious orthodoxy- The worldview of scientific materialismRather than defending one system this episode asks a deeper question... What if suffering functions as a signal, revealing the hidden structures that shape how we interpret reality? When belief systems become rigid they can obscure insight rather than deepen it. But when examined carefully, they may reveal something more fundamental about people construct meaning.

In Our Suffering, Economic Uncertainty, and Health Crises, You Can Still Rejoice as a Jesus Follower Because Jesus has Made You His Own MESSAGE SUMMARY: By accepting Jesus, you can be born of the Holy Spirit and have your sins forgiven by His sacrificial death on the cross, through God's Grace. Paul explains, in Philippians 3:9b-12, that Jesus “has made me His own”: ‘but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Straining Toward the Goal. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own'.”. Amidst suffering and loss; economic uncertainty; and family crises, you can still celebrate and rejoice because you know that God has given your life and life eternal. We know that God is with us, and He will never leave us.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my defense, and He is my savior. Therefore, you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. And on that day, you shall say, “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that His Name is exalted.”. Amen. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Philippians 3:7-12; John 5:24; Matthew 28:19-20; Psalms 78f:61-72. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Word from the Cross ” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Can't love a God that tries to control us with the fear of hell? You're not alone!Listen now to this special episode in which your Happiness Expert Samia Bano shares how being a #survivorofabuse made her averse to being in any relationship where there is an attempt to control her, even if that someone trying to control her is God. Discover how Samia embraced a loving, guiding, and non-controlling #relationshipwithgod  and you can too by unpacking deep #spiritual realizations about: -- role of suffering and choice in our lives-- understanding the deeper reality of what hell is-- how God is never on an agenda to control or harm us -- the truly #UnconditionalLove God has for us-- and so much more!NOTE: Although Samia frames the concepts in this episode in the context of #IslamicSpirituality, the lessons are relevant and applicable to other faith and spiritual traditions as well. If you're interested in #interfaith learning or have an #interspiritual approach to your practice of faith, you'll particularly appreciate and benefit from this episode!#sufferingandfaith #spiritualjourney #Ramadan2026 #SpiritualGrowth #LoveAllah #GodConsciousness #Taqwa #FaithJourney #IslamicWisdom #DivineLove #AllahIsMerciful #HeartfeltIslam #IslamicSpirituality #MindfulFaith #ProphetsTeachings #DeepeningIman #Ihsan #ForgivenessFromAllah #QuranicWisdom #LivingInWorship #PeaceAndFaith #SpiritualAwakening #RamadanReflections #FaithAndLove #MercyOfAllah #CloserToAllah_____________________________________ABOUT SAMIA:Samia Bano is the #HappinessExpert, author, speaker, podcaster & coach for coaches and healers. Samia is most known for her book, 'Make Change Fun and Easy' and her #podcast of the same name. With the help of her signature Follow Your Heart Process™, a unique combination of #PositivePsychology and the #spiritual wisdom of our most effective #ChangeMakers, Samia helps you overcome #LimitingBeliefs, your chains of fear, to develop a #PositiveMindset and create the impact and income you desire with fun and ease…Samia's advanced signature programs include the Happiness 101 Class and the Transformative Action Training.Samia is also a Certified #ReikiHealer and Crisis Counselor working to promote #MentalHealthAwareness. Samia models #HeartCenteredLeadership and business that is both #SociallyResponsible and #EnvironmentallyFriendly.Samia is a practicing #Muslim with an inter-spiritual approach. As someone who has a love and appreciation for diversity, she is a #BridgeBuilder between people of different faiths and cultures. Although Samia currently lives in California, USA, she has lived in 3 other countries and speaks Hindi, Urdu, and English fluently. Want to learn even more about Samia? Visit www.academyofthriving.com :)To Book your Free HAPPINESS 101 EXPLORATION CALL with Samia, click: https://my.timetrade.com/book/JX9XJ

LESSON 73I Will There Be Light.Today we are considering the will you share with God. This is not the same as the ego's idle wishes, out of which darkness and nothingness arise. The will you share with God has all the power of creation in it. The ego's idle wishes are unshared, and therefore have no power at all. Its wishes are not idle in the sense that they can make a world of illusions in which your belief can be very strong. But they are idle indeed in terms of creation. They make nothing that is real.Idle wishes and grievances are partners or co-makers in picturing the world you see. The wishes of the ego gave rise to it, and the ego's need for grievances, which are necessary to maintain it, peoples it with figures that seem to attack you and call for “righteous” judgment. These figures become the middlemen the ego employs to traffic in grievances. They stand between your awareness and your brothers' reality. Beholding them, you do not know your brothers or your Self.Your will is lost to you in this strange bartering, in which guilt is traded back and forth, and grievances increase with each exchange. Can such a world have been created by the Will the Son of God shares with his Father? Did God create disaster for His Son? Creation is the Will of Both together. Would God create a world that kills Himself?Today we will try once more to reach the world that is in accordance with your will. The light is in it because it does not oppose the Will of God. It is not Heaven, but the light of Heaven shines on it. Darkness has vanished. The ego's idle wishes have been withdrawn. Yet the light that shines upon this world reflects your will, and so it must be in you that we will look for it.Your picture of the world can only mirror what is within. The source of neither light nor darkness can be found without. Grievances darken your mind, and you look out on a darkened world. Forgiveness lifts the darkness, reasserts your will, and lets you look upon a world of light. We have repeatedly emphasized that the barrier of grievances is easily passed, and cannot stand between you and your salvation. The reason is very simple. Do you really want to be in hell? Do you really want to weep and suffer and die?Forget the ego's arguments which seek to prove all this is really Heaven. You know it is not so. You cannot want this for yourself. There is a point beyond which illusions cannot go. Suffering is not happiness, and it is happiness you really want.Such is your will in truth. And so salvation is your will as well. You want to succeed in what we are trying to do today. We undertake it with your blessing and your glad accord.We will succeed today if you remember that you want salvation for yourself. You want to accept God's plan because you share in it. You have no will that can really oppose it, and you do not want to do so. Salvation is for you. Above all else, you want the freedom to remember Who you really are. Today it is the ego that stands powerless before your will. Your will is free, and nothing can prevail against it.Therefore, we undertake the exercises for today in happy confidence, certain that we will find what it is your will to find, and remember what it is your will to remember. No idle wishes can detain us, nor deceive us with an illusion of strength. Today let your will be done, and end forever the insane belief that it is hell in place of Heaven that you choose.We will begin our longer practice periods with the recognition that God's plan for salvation, and only His, is wholly in accord with your will. It is not the purpose of an alien power, thrust upon you unwillingly. It is the one purpose here on which you and your Father are in perfect accord. You will succeed today, the time appointed for the release of the Son of God from hell and from all idle wishes. His will is now restored to his awareness. He is willing this very day to look upon the light in him and be saved. After reminding yourself of this, and determining to keep your will clearly in mind, tell yourself with gentle firmness and quiet certainty:I will there be light.Let me behold the light that reflects God's Will and mine.Then let your will assert itself, joined with the power of God and united with your Self. Put the rest of the practice period under Their guidance. Join with Them as They lead the way. In the shorter practice periods, again make a declaration of what you really want. Say:I will there be light. Darkness is not my will.This should be repeated several times an hour. It is most important, however, to apply today's idea in this form immediately you are tempted to hold a grievance of any kind. This will help you let your grievances go, instead of cherishing them and hiding them in darkness.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

LESSON 73I Will There Be Light.Today we are considering the will you share with God. This is not the same as the ego's idle wishes, out of which darkness and nothingness arise. The will you share with God has all the power of creation in it. The ego's idle wishes are unshared, and therefore have no power at all. Its wishes are not idle in the sense that they can make a world of illusions in which your belief can be very strong. But they are idle indeed in terms of creation. They make nothing that is real.Idle wishes and grievances are partners or co-makers in picturing the world you see. The wishes of the ego gave rise to it, and the ego's need for grievances, which are necessary to maintain it, peoples it with figures that seem to attack you and call for “righteous” judgment. These figures become the middlemen the ego employs to traffic in grievances. They stand between your awareness and your brothers' reality. Beholding them, you do not know your brothers or your Self.Your will is lost to you in this strange bartering, in which guilt is traded back and forth, and grievances increase with each exchange. Can such a world have been created by the Will the Son of God shares with his Father? Did God create disaster for His Son? Creation is the Will of Both together. Would God create a world that kills Himself?Today we will try once more to reach the world that is in accordance with your will. The light is in it because it does not oppose the Will of God. It is not Heaven, but the light of Heaven shines on it. Darkness has vanished. The ego's idle wishes have been withdrawn. Yet the light that shines upon this world reflects your will, and so it must be in you that we will look for it.Your picture of the world can only mirror what is within. The source of neither light nor darkness can be found without. Grievances darken your mind, and you look out on a darkened world. Forgiveness lifts the darkness, reasserts your will, and lets you look upon a world of light. We have repeatedly emphasized that the barrier of grievances is easily passed, and cannot stand between you and your salvation. The reason is very simple. Do you really want to be in hell? Do you really want to weep and suffer and die?Forget the ego's arguments which seek to prove all this is really Heaven. You know it is not so. You cannot want this for yourself. There is a point beyond which illusions cannot go. Suffering is not happiness, and it is happiness you really want.Such is your will in truth. And so salvation is your will as well. You want to succeed in what we are trying to do today. We undertake it with your blessing and your glad accord.We will succeed today if you remember that you want salvation for yourself. You want to accept God's plan because you share in it. You have no will that can really oppose it, and you do not want to do so. Salvation is for you. Above all else, you want the freedom to remember Who you really are. Today it is the ego that stands powerless before your will. Your will is free, and nothing can prevail against it.Therefore, we undertake the exercises for today in happy confidence, certain that we will find what it is your will to find, and remember what it is your will to remember. No idle wishes can detain us, nor deceive us with an illusion of strength. Today let your will be done, and end forever the insane belief that it is hell in place of Heaven that you choose.We will begin our longer practice periods with the recognition that God's plan for salvation, and only His, is wholly in accord with your will. It is not the purpose of an alien power, thrust upon you unwillingly. It is the one purpose here on which you and your Father are in perfect accord. You will succeed today, the time appointed for the release of the Son of God from hell and from all idle wishes. His will is now restored to his awareness. He is willing this very day to look upon the light in him and be saved. After reminding yourself of this, and determining to keep your will clearly in mind, tell yourself with gentle firmness and quiet certainty:I will there be light.Let me behold the light that reflects God's Will and mine.Then let your will assert itself, joined with the power of God and united with your Self. Put the rest of the practice period under Their guidance. Join with Them as They lead the way. In the shorter practice periods, again make a declaration of what you really want. Say:I will there be light. Darkness is not my will.This should be repeated several times an hour. It is most important, however, to apply today's idea in this form immediately you are tempted to hold a grievance of any kind. This will help you let your grievances go, instead of cherishing them and hiding them in darkness.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

“Daddy, my head hurts.” “Daddy, I’m so cold.” “Daddy, can you rub my feet?” A high fever, chills, and body aches recently descended cruelly upon my teenage daughter. She wanted me to make it better. But mostly she just wanted me near. Eventually, we took her to urgent care. “Virus,” we were told. Nothing to do but ride it out. I sat with my sick girl hours that day. Rubbing her feet. Getting her medicine. Desperately wanting her to feel better. Occasionally, my selfish side complained, This is hard. Indeed, it is hard to sit with people’s suffering, to witness their hurt up close. Job’s friends saw his suffering up close, too. These three guys are often—fairly!—criticized for their later poor treatment of Job. But it’s easy to forget that, initially, they simply sat with him: “They sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was” (Job 2:13). Jobs’ friends remind us that when someone we love is hurting, it’s our presence—our being there, whether we speak or not—that matters most. Their example reminds us that even though we may not always know what to say to a friend or loved one who’s hurting, simply sitting with someone in their suffering may be the greatest gift we can give.

Visit www.joniradio.org for more inspiration and encouragement! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

St. John of the Cross said, “The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.” We will explore how to embrace our crosses and seek the Lord, even when he seems far away.

Watching someone we love suffer can be one of the most painful experiences in life. Often, it's even harder than dealing with our own suffering.It becomes especially difficult when the person we love is contributing to their own pain — repeating harmful habits, resisting help, or undermining their own healing. We want to fix it. We want to save them. We want to change them.But the truth is that the harder we try to force change, the more resistance we often create.In this podcast, we explore a deeper and more compassionate way to support the people we care about — one that helps them without draining ourselves, creating conflict, or making the situation worse.You'll learn:• Why trying too hard to help can sometimes increase suffering• How to support someone without losing your own peace• Why acceptance is often more powerful than pressure• How love without expectation creates space for real change• What we can and cannot control in the lives of othersThe more we accept people as they are, the more likely they are to change.Real help doesn't come from force, control, or frustration. It comes from presence, patience, and love without conditions.Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for someone we love is simply create the space where change becomes possible.If this podcast resonates with you, consider sharing it with someone who may need it.Please enjoy other episodes where I share meditation techniques, tips and spiritual lessons from around the world for peaceful and stress-free living. Remember to subscribe to stay up-to-date.*****You deserve to feel at peace now — not someday. These free books give you the tools to start living the life you've been waiting for. You can download them here (https://www.eastwesticism.org/free-you-turn-book-collection/) If my words have ever touched your heart or helped you through a hard moment, I'd be deeply grateful for your support in keeping this podcast alive. Support the Podcast And if you'd like to explore these ideas in greater depth, you can find all of my books here.

Join us at Exiles Minneapolis!Sissy Goff (LPC-MHSP) and David Thomas (LMSW) are children and family therapists and co-executive directors at Daystar Counseling Ministries, where they've served for over three decades. They've written several books together including their most recent book: Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience, which is an awesome book. If you are a parent in 2026, then you need to check out this book—it's immensely helpfulSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our personal suffering can increase our personal testimony for Christ. Our hard times can elevate our witness. Our difficulties can give us a larger and more receptive audience to whom we can influence for Christ.Main Points:1. Suffering, as a tool for advancing the gospel? No, I think I'll pass. Yet, over and over again in Scripture, we see God redeeming suffering for His kingdom purposes.2. Paul's freedom and mobility were restricted; it was not a situation he would have chosen for himself. Yet, as he writes to the Philippians, Paul recognizes that his house arrest has actually advanced the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was allowed to have visitors to whom Paul boldly taught about Jesus.3. These examples reveal God's kingdom purposes being accomplished through suffering. While none of us want to go through hard times, we ask that God would use them for His glory. We ask that He would make our witness clear and bold for Christ. We ask that others would see our love for Jesus and that our suffering would present opportunities for people to hear the gospel message.   Today's Scripture Verses:Philippians 1:12 - “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”Acts 28:30-31 - “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Suffering under the punishing attacks of an undead cyclopian creature, our heroes desperately try to survive in the remote locale of Ghoral Rey. Will this undead creature bring an untimely end to their dungeon crawl? Tune in now! Website: hideouslaughterpodcast.com Patreon: patreon.com/hideouslaughter Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/hideouslaughterproductions  BESTOW CURSE RSS: https://feed.podbean.com/bestowcurse/feed.xml Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HideousLaughterPod Discord: https://discord.gg/ruG6hxB Email: thehideouslaughterpodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @laughterhideous Facebook/Instagram: @hideouslaughterpod Reddit: reddit.com/r/HideousLaughter Produced by Allard LaRue @ Lossless Productions Theme Song By Dark Fantasy Studio

Trauma might be running your life. You just don't realize it. In this episode from the Align Podcast, Danny Morel shares a powerful perspective on healing childhood wounds, transforming suffering, and reconnecting with your true self. We discuss how early experiences shape relationships, why addiction and success often stem from unmet emotional needs, and the difference between victim consciousness and creator consciousness. This conversation explores love, spirituality, personal responsibility, and how embracing discomfort can lead to inner freedom. ========== OUR GUEST ========== Danny Morel is a spiritual teacher, public speaker, and global thought leader in personal transformation. Having taken on the role of provider in his teenage years, Danny Morel channeled his drive into building a billion-dollar real estate business. But the sudden loss of his mother cracked open the illusion of success and set him on a profound inner journey. Today, Danny leads a global movement rooted in radical truth, heart-centered living, and deep spiritual remembrance—guiding people worldwide to awaken, heal, and transform their lives. ============ DANNY MOREL ============

In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on "The Way of Trust and Love" and focus on Chapter 2: An Elevator for Small Children. We talk about the quiet places of discouragement, and self-reliance that keep us striving instead of surrendering. We also reflect about how radical dependence on God is not laziness, the subtle ways we resist being little before a loving Father, and how our poverty is a doorway into deeper trust. This week, we invite you to fall into the Father's arms, allow Him to pick you up, and rest in the One who delights in you.   Heather's One Thing - The Prince of Egypt Movie  Sister Miriam's One Thing - Bishop Erik Varden's Lenten Reflections to Pope Leo (I especially recommend the reflections entitled: Bernard the Idealist, God's Help, Becoming Free, and Splendour of Truth) Michelle's One Thing - Art Lectio Instagram Account   Journal Questions: Where are you feeling discouraged? Where do I experience self-reliance, codependency, or hypervigilance in my life? When in the past have I made agreements that I have to rely on myself and fix everything?  Where am I living out a pattern of childhood wounds and identities?   Discussion Questions: How have you experienced failure this Lent? When do I grasp, kick, and flail like a child in my spiritual life? When did God last remind you that you are not God? How did your heart respond to it? Where is God inviting you to embrace your littleness rather than run from it?   Quote to Ponder: "Being little means not attributing to ourselves the virtues we practice, or believing ourselves capable of anything, but recognizing that God places this treasure in the hands of His little child so that she can use it when she needs it; but the treasure is still God's." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)    Scripture for Lectio: "All you who labor, who are bent under the weight of your burden, who find the demands of the Law too heavy, come to me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28)   Sponsor - The JPII Healing Center: Jesus longs to heal every hidden hurt in your heart—Do you want to be healed? For the past 20 years, the John Paul II Healing Center, founded by Dr. Bob Schuchts, has offered healing retreats, trainings, and workshops to help people experience deeper intimacy and communion with the Blessed Trinity. And now, you can experience our transformational teaching, Healing the Whole Person, right at home. This 8-part video series expands on the teaching offered by Dr. Bob Schuchts and Sr. Miriam James Heidland at our Healing the Whole Person weekend retreats. For the past two years, this series has blessed thousands of groups and individuals across the world by drawing the brokenhearted close to the abiding love of the Blessed Trinity. Through in-depth teachings, prayerful meditations, reflective journaling, and pre-recorded Q&A sessions, you are gently guided through your sorrowful mysteries into joyful restoration. The Abiding Together Community can use code Abiding25 to receive 25% off individual and group leader subscriptions. This offer ends April 13th. To learn more and begin your journey, visit www.jpiihealingcenter.org Healing The Whole Person Series Link: https://virtual.jpiihealingcenter.org/start   Timestamps: 00:00 The JPII Healing Center 01:31 Intro 02:18 Guiding Quote 04:39 Discouragement is the Downfall of Souls 08:27 Subtle Agreements We Make Throughout Our Days 10:50 Surrender is Not Laziness 13:26 Illumination is Spiritual Progress 15:55 Being Curious About Our Own Heart 18:34 Becoming Little is Maturation 20:47 Suffering in Communion with the Father 23:53 The Father Cannot Resist His Children's Trust 27:14 Am I Still Lovable if I am Little and have Needs? 29:44 One Things