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In today's episode, I take you on a journey that I never thought I'd find myself on—a path that starts with grounded skepticism and leads into the extraordinary world of telepathic communication, autistic savants, and the high-strangeness phenomenon often associated with Sasquatch encounters.It all began with a recent interview I conducted with a Sasquatch encounter witness. During our conversation, they mentioned a podcast called The Telepathy Tapes, and their insights triggered a deep dive into something I've always been reluctant to explore: telepathy. As someone with years of experience as a police officer on the streets of Atlanta, I've always prided myself on sticking to facts, instinct, and a nuts-and-bolts approach to investigation. But sometimes the facts lead you somewhere unexpected—and that's exactly what happened here.In this episode, we cover:Spelling to Communicate (S2C): A method empowering non-verbal autistic individuals to express complex thoughts and feelings, and how this practice challenges our understanding of cognitive ability and communication.The Groundbreaking Work of Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell: Her studies on telepathy among non-verbal autistic individuals, with jaw-dropping results that point to the reality of PSI phenomena.Rupert Sheldrake's Animal Telepathy Research: How his experiments with dogs and other animals add weight to the argument that telepathic communication may not be limited to humans.Christopher Noël's Sasquatch Savant Theory: Could Sasquatch be an autistic savant species? We explore this controversial but compelling theory and its potential implications.My Personal Interviews: First-hand accounts from credible individuals who describe “mind-speak” encounters with Sasquatch. We explore what they experienced, the emotions they felt, and the questions these encounters raise.PSI Abilities and Sasquatch: How PSI, a term for psychic or paranormal phenomena like telepathy and precognition, might explain some of the strange abilities attributed to Sasquatch in witness reports.Throughout the episode, I pose one fundamental question: If there's nothing to these claims, where did they come from? Why are these stories so consistent across time, geography, and culture?As someone who has walked the fine line between the “flesh and blood” and “high strangeness” camps of Sasquatch research, I invite you to come along on this journey of discovery. It's not about having all the answers—it's about being open to new possibilities as we gather more evidence and listen to the voices of those who have had profound, life-changing experiences.
Known to millions around the world as Survivorman, Les is a pioneer of survival television and an icon in the outdoor and survival communities. With his groundbreaking series Survivorman, Les redefined the genre by filming and surviving entirely on his own in remote locations and harsh environments. In 2014 Les began recording a 10-part series on Bigfoot. He says it took him places he did not expect to go and gave him perspectives he did not expect to have. And now he's coming back for more. It's an area of backwoods lore and legend he can't leave alone. He joins me on this podcast to talk about why this is such an area of fascination for him and what questions he hopes to answer in his latest film project...
In this installment of Sasquatch Tracks, the team is joined by Canadian survival expert, filmmaker and musician Les Stroud for a wide-ranging discussion about his interest in the search for Sasquatch. Best known as the creator, writer, producer, director, cameraman and host of the television series Survivorman, Les Stroud has impressed television audiences for years with his remarkable survival skills, which have kept him alive in some of the most demanding conditions on six continents. Stroud's unique experiences in the remote wilds of North America also led to Season 6 of the program, “Survivorman: Bigfoot,” which was the predecessor to a new effort Stroud is now undertaking that involves the search for Sasquatch. With "The Question of Bigfoot," Stroud plans to create a definitive film documentary that addresses the questions about the existence of Sasquatch, and what this could mean. The Sasquatch Tracks team enjoys a lengthy discussion with Stroud about his aims for the project, his past experiences in the wild, the art of filmmaking, music, and more. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Survivorman Les Stroud (Official Website) The Question of Bigfoot (Kickstarter page) Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.
This week, Doug Hajicek and Jeff Perrella, your hosts on the Untold Radio Network, welcome none other than Les Stroud, famously known as *Survivorman*.Les Stroud is diving into the enigmatic world of Bigfoot with his latest film project, *The Question of Bigfoot*. Prepare to explore the mysteries, stories, and scientific perspectives surrounding this legendary cryptid.
In this episode, Brian reunites with survival expert Les Stroud to discuss his latest documentary project, 'The Question of Bigfoot.' Les reveals his motivations for revisiting the topic, the evolving research on Bigfoot, and the compelling new insights he's gained over the past decade. They delve into the complexities of the phenomena, potential scientific and supernatural aspects, and the crucial role of community and critical thinking in Bigfoot research. Les also shares his plans for crowdfunding via Kickstarter, collaboration with former editor Barry Farrell, and the multi-layered approach the new documentary will take to address longstanding questions about Bigfoot.The Question Of Bigfoot Kickstarter Listen To Backwoods Bigfoot Stories Get Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Book Sasquatch Unleashed The Truth Behind The LegendLeave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our SponsorsVisit Hangar 1 Publishing00:00 Welcome Back, Les Stroud! 00:16 Diving into the Bigfoot Documentary 01:08 The Evolution of Bigfoot Research 03:03 Personal Experiences and New Insights 06:19 Addressing the Bigfoot Community 14:51 Exploring Habituation and Research Areas 18:41 The Future of Bigfoot Research 21:43 Avoiding the Crazies: Critical Thinking in Bigfoot Research 22:45 Music and Bigfoot: Exploring the Connection 24:28 Migration Patterns of Sasquatch 26:15 Tree Knocks or Mouth Pops? 29:41 Precautions in the Wilderness 30:40 Fire and Hibernation: Myths and Realities 33:59 Seasonal Sasquatch Encounters 38:14 Unexplained Footage in the Transylvanian Alps 40:55 The Upcoming Documentary: What to ExpectBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.
Hi everybody, welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!I'm thrilled to announce my guest is LES STROUD! Best known as the producer, creator and star of the hit TV series SURVIVORMAN, Les is also an accomplished musician/songwriter. His music is a rich tapestry of rock, world, prog rock, folk and blues, and it reflects his deep connection to nature. Steve Vai, Bruce Cockburn, Colin Linden and Slash have all lent Les their musical talents for his recordings. Les has guested on stage with Journey, Alice Cooper, Blues Traveler, Steven Stills, Chicago, Randy Bachman, Tommy Shaw, James Cotton, Dave Mason and Slash (who's latest solo album Les performs on). Les has always operated in two lanes: his Survivorman and music careers, the latter being his most recent focus. His latest album MOTHER EARTH, produced by MIKE CLINK (“Appetite for Destruction” by Guns N' Roses), blew me away. Some song clips are sprinkled throughout. I loved chatting with Les about his beginnings, both our experiences at Fanshawe college, his remarkable journey as a survival expert, and of course his lifelong passion for using music to express his love for our planet. This in-depth chat took place the day after I saw Les perform as a guest on harp at a truly magical Bruce Cockburn concert. Afterwards, surrounded by nature at his well-hidden cottage, we enjoyed a hot sauna, cold beer and a quick dip in the lake. A blissful time I will always remember. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special episode of Locations Unknown, Maddie from Who Runs This Park interviews us on a wide range of topics. Our conversation covered a behind the scenes look at everything that goes into Locations Unknown, the cases that stay with us the most, and whether the stories we cover have changed how we spend time outdoors. We also shared some of our wildest wilderness tales, including camping overnight with armed park rangers searching for an aggressive grizzly in Glacier National Park. Hope you enjoy the interview as much as we did. Show note: We're off next week for Thanksgiving but will be back the following week with an all new episode. Learn more about Who Runs This Park: https://linktr.ee//whorunsthisparkLearn more about Locations Unknown: https://linktr.ee/LocationsUnknownCheck out our other shows on the Unknown Media Network:Off The TrailsThe Peanut Butter and Mountains PodcastThe Weirdos We Know New Patreon Shoutouts: Jessica MWant to help the show out and get even more Locations Unknown content! For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Patron of Locations Unknown and get access to our episodes early, special members only episode, free swag, swag contests, and discounts to our Locations Unknown Store! Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page. (https://www.patreon.com/locationsunknown) All our Patreon only content (Audio & Video) can now be accessed via Spotify. (Active subscription to our Patreon channel is required.) -- Locations Unknown Subscriber Only Show | Podcast on Spotify Want to call into the show and leave us a message? Now you can! Call 208-391-6913 and leave Locations Unknown a voice message and we may air it on a future message! View live recordings of the show on our YouTube channel: Locations Unknown - YouTubePresented by Unknown Media Group.Hosts: Mike Van de Bogert & Joe EratoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.
Survivorman Les Stroud tells Jeff and Jeremy about his run in with Bigfoot / Sasquatch while filming Suvivorman Alaska.
When Teagan and Megan watch "Survivor Man," Michael Scott joins the pantheon of great nature philosophers. "So, you can all get your constructive compliments in ASAP" (Scott, 2007) at thebestofficehourspodcast@gmail.com.
Liner Notes: Revealing Chats With Canada's Retro Music Makers
Les Stroud is a world famous adventurer, survival expert, musician, expert harmonica player, singer/songwriter, and perhaps best known as the creator, writer, producer, director, cameraman and host of the television series Survivorman. In this engaging, in depth and lively chat with Dan Hare, Les talks about: his vast musical influences; meeting and performing with Slash, Bruce Cockburn The Northern Pikes and others; his resilience and outlooks on life; his decision to bring nature into his music; the realness of Survivorman the series and much, much more. Find out about Les's music @lesstroudmusic.com and on his YouTube channel @LesStroudMusic
Topics discussed on this episode include Wes' inability to recognize when people are wearing wigs, the current state of play in the presidential race, the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline, a massive revision in the most recent jobs report, Kamala Harris wanting to build that wall, astronauts stuck in space, predictions for the upcoming NFL season, the return of college football, the possible release of the JFK files, Les Stroud's Bigfoot experience, a review of the film Alien: Romulus, and the Legend of the Kandahar Giant.
On this episode of Paranormal Odyssey we continue our Missing Person Case Files Series with the case of Keith Parkins. This one is crazy you guys! It has captured the attention of people such as Les Stroud, The Survivor Man. He looked into this case along with many others. It makes absolutely no sense!If you've had an encounter with the weird and would like to share it on an episode of PO, shoot me an email to wayne@paranormalworldproductions.com #Bigfoot, #Sasquatch, #Haunted, #Haunting, #Cryptid, #Podcast, #Unknown, #Scary, #Spooky, #Creepy, #Scared, #Ghost, #Demon, #Dogman, #Weird, #Yeti, #Wildman, #Woods, #Forest. Paranormal World Productions-Paranormal World Productionshttps://youtube.com/@Paranormalodysseyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@paranormalodyssey?_t=8YvNYM8zfmI&_r=1https://instagram.com/paranormalodyssey?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
My special guest tonight is Cliff Barackman who is a Bigfoot Field Researcher and Co-Host of Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot www.CliffBarackman.com Alleged behavior Some Bigfoot researchers allege that Bigfoot throws rocks as territorial displays and for communication.[80][81][82] Other alleged behaviors include audible blows struck against trees or "wood knocking", further alleged to be communicative.[83][84][85] Skeptics argue that these behaviors are easily hoaxed.[86] Additionally, structures of broken and twisted foliage seemingly placed in specific areas have been attributed by some to Bigfoot behavior.[87] In some reports, lodgepole pine and other small trees have been observed bent, uprooted, or stacked in patterns such as weaved and crisscrossed, leading some to theorize that they are potential territorial markings.[88]Some instances have also included entire deer skeletons being suspended high in trees.[89] In Washington state, a team of amateur Bigfoot researchers called the Olympic Project claimed to have discovered a collection of nests, and they had primatologists study them, with the conclusion being that they appear to have been created by a primate.[90] Many alleged sightings are reported to occur at night leading to some speculations that the creatures may possess nocturnal tendencies.[91] However, experts find such behavior untenable in a supposed ape- or human-like creature, as all known apes, including humans, are diurnal, with only lesser primates exhibiting nocturnality.[92] Most anecdotal sightings of Bigfoot describe the creatures allegedly observed as solitary, although some reports have described groups being allegedly observed together.[93] Alleged vocalizations Alleged vocalizations such as howls, screams, moans, grunts, whistles, and even a form of supposed language have been reported and allegedly recorded.[94][95] Some of these alleged vocalization recordings have been analyzed by individuals such as retired U.S. Navy cryptologic linguist Scott Nelson. He analyzed audio recordings from the early 1970s said to be recorded in the Sierra Nevada mountains dubbed the "Sierra Sounds" and stated, "It is definitely a language, it is definitely not human in origin, and it could not have been faked".[96] Les Stroud has spoken of a strange vocalization he heard in the wilderness while filming Survivorman that he stated sounded primate in origin.[97] The majority of mainstream scientists maintain that the source of the sounds often attributed to Bigfoot are either hoaxes, anthropomorphization, or likely misidentified and produced by known animals such as owl, wolf, coyote, and fox.[98][99][100] Alleged encounters A story from 1924, often referred to as the "Battle of Ape Canyon", presents miners being attacked by large, hairy "ape men" that threw rocks onto their cabin roof from a nearby cliff after one of the miners allegedly shot one with a rifle.[101] In Fouke, Arkansas in 1971, a family reported that a large, hair-covered creature startled a woman after reaching through a window. This alleged incident was later deemed a hoax.[102] In 1974, the New York Times presented the dubious tale of Albert Ostman, a Canadian prospector, who stated that he was kidnapped and held captive by a family of Bigfoot for six days in 1924 in Toba Inlet, British Columbia.[103] The 2021 Hulu documentary series, Sasquatch, describes marijuana farmers telling stories of Bigfoots harassing and killing people within the Emerald Triangle region in the 1970s through the 1990s; and specifically the alleged murder of three migrant workers in 1993.[104] Investigative journalist David Holthouse attributes the stories to illegal drug operations using the local Bigfoot lore to scare away competition, specifically superstitious immigrants, and that the high rate of murder and missing persons in the area is attributed to human actions.Follow Our Other ShowsFollow UFO WitnessesFollow Crime Watch WeeklyFollow Paranormal FearsFollow Seven: Disturbing Chronicle StoriesJoin our Patreon for ad-free listening and more bonus content.Follow us on Instagram @mysteriousradioFollow us on TikTok mysteriousradioTikTok Follow us on Twitter @mysteriousradio Follow us on Pinterest pinterest.com/mysteriousradio Like us on Facebook Facebook.com/mysteriousradio
Fresh off The Wonderful Whites of West Virginia, Grizzly Man is the next doc up for review on the Where to Stick It Podcast. Timothy Treadwell was an environmentalist who spent 13 summers at Katmai National Park in Alaska studying and living with Brown Bears. This Werner Herzog documentary studies the life and tragic end of Timothy Treadwell.Catch new episodes of the Where to Stick It Podcast every Tuesday and Thursday. If you like the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon where we upload exclusive content each month for only $3 a month.
In Part 2 of a two-part episode, Kara and multiple Emmy-nominated Executive Producer and novelist Neil Laird continue their conversation about their experiences making television documentaries about the ancient world, how things get done behind the scenes, whether or not romanticizing the past is a bad thing, and what the future may hold for documentary programs.About Neil LairdNeil Laird is a multiple Emmy and BAFTA-nominated creator and Executive Producer on long-running series such as Brain Games, Mysteries of the Abandoned, Border Wars, Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman, What on Earth?, How It's Made, Secrets of the Underground, Expedition Unknown With Josh Gates and Survivorman.Neil has worked extensively on both the network and production side of non-fiction TV since 1996. He has developed, overseen, and produced over 1,000 hours of non-fiction programs and specials in nearly every genre, with a particular passion, expertise, and professional contacts in history, mystery, science, and adventure.Neil's novels Prime Time Travelers and Prime Time Pompeii are slated for release in 2024. Get full access to Ancient/Now at ancientnow.substack.com/subscribe
This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete are joined by Steve Tait, Vice President of Maple Leaf Marinas to answer all of our spring boating questions!First, however, a bit of housekeeping was in order. Topics discussed included: Hydro Time; Service Ontario; talking to dogs; fish variants; Survivorman; whether fish change size once they die; and starting your own bass club.With those matters out of the way, Steve joins the show! Topics discussed included: getting your boat stuck in the ice; watching the Masters from your snowmobile; when anglers should get their boats in the water; why your boat might not be insured; taking in mud; starting your motor for the first time; dry running; barking; muff efficacy; aluminum vs. fibreglass; and much more!To never miss an episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review on your favourite podcast app!More from Angelo and Pete:► WEBSITE► FACEBOOK► INSTAGRAM► YOUTUBEThank you to today's sponsors!Invasive Species Centre - Protecting Canada's land and water from invasive speciesColeman Canada - The Outside is Calling, Answer the Call.
In Part 1 of a two-part episode, Kara and multiple Emmy-nominated Executive Producer and novelist Neil Laird talk about their experiences making television documentaries about the ancient world, how things get done behind the scenes, and what the future may hold for documentary programs.Secrets of Egypt's Lost QueenOut of EgyptDigging for the TruthAbout Neil LairdNeil Laird is a multiple Emmy and BAFTA-nominated creator and Executive Producer on long-running series such as Brain Games, Mysteries of the Abandoned, Border Wars, Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman, What on Earth?, How It's Made, Secrets of the Underground, Expedition Unknown With Josh Gates and Survivorman.Neil has worked extensively on both the network and production side of non-fiction TV since 1996. He has developed, overseen, and produced over 1,000 hours of non-fiction programs and specials in nearly every genre, with a particular passion, expertise, and professional contacts in history, mystery, science, and adventure.Neil's novels Prime Time Travelers and Prime Time Pompeii are slated for release in 2024. Get full access to Ancient/Now at ancientnow.substack.com/subscribe
Is the mushroom from the Super Mario Brothers' franchise actually toxic in real life? Is it ok for Toad to have it on his head? We answer these and many other existential fungi questions in this episode. Once you've finished listening, you will be able to extricate lethal fungi from the mouths of your unsuspecting friends and loved ones who are doing some sort of Survivor Man challenge to kinda, y'know, find themselves- like Dwight Schrute did for Michael Scott. Yeah, that kinda vibe. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldstar002/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/goldstar002/support
Guest: Mikell Clayton (Messianic Survivor Man)
Could Alex survive the wild wonderful outdoors? Let's find out as he discusses Survivorman VR. We discuss new games and some poop tubes. You won't wanna miss it
A special interview with Survivorman himself, Les Stroud! Steve and Court sit down with Stroud to chat about his new VR game Suvivorman VR: The Decent. They chat about the process of adapting to VR, production, the future of creating more games, and getting more people to (as the kids say) touch grass! (0:00) Intro (4:48) Suvivorman VR: The Descent (6:44) Les Stroud joins Creature Cast (8:42) Adapting Survivorman into VR (14:58) From TV production to video games (16:26) Behind the scenes (28:48) Survivorman over generations (31:20) More entries, further investment into games (34:48) Gamers touching grass (37:20) Pop culture relevance (49:44) Canadian musician Mount Rushmore (57:50) Hockey talk (1:01:36) Outro Website: www.consolecreatures.com Like and follow us on Social Media: Twitter: @ConsoleCreature YouTube: @ConsoleCreatures Facebook: @RealConsoleCreature Instagram: @ConsoleCreatures
Dana and Tim have a amazing conversation with their special guest, Daniel Lee Barnett. At the young age of 14, Daniel has already accomplished creating a research group, international Bigfoot conference, podcast, and wrote a book!! Join us for this refreshing and fun conversation with this fascinating young man!Keep up with Daniel:https://www.youtube.com/@MythicalLegends282/featuredhttps://open.spotify.com/show/189JGClSFFlXQy8IUOmA5G?si=399ba3b92ae34d20Book: https://a.co/d/5Zipe6vFB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3513254285620101/?mibextid=oMANbwCheck Out The Bigfoot Influencers:https://thebigfootinfluencers.com/https://untoldradioam.com/
Les Stroud, a man of adventure and insight, navigates the wilderness not only of the natural world but also of human experience. Born with an instinctual toolset, he has carved a unique path through life, turning his profound adventures into stories that captivate audiences far and wide. Out now, Survivorman VR: The Descent is a first-person survival adventure sim based on Canadian filmmaker Les Stroud's Survivorman series, Published by Cream Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Michael is going into the woods to show he can survive with only his wits and a cut up pair of pants. That's our takeaway as Trever Carreon joins us for this episode recorded in 2019, where we discuss the 7th episode of Season 4, Survivor Man.
Mega Fryday Show: Dead Hook VR | Border Bots | Space Docker | Survivorman! | PSVR2 GAMESCAST LIVE
¿Conoces lo que se necesita para sobrevivir en completa soledad?Woiniya Dawn Thibeault enseña a personas de todo el mundo a empoderarse, conectarse e inspirarse con técnicas de vida ancestrales, basadas en la naturaleza. La Dra. Sarita Robinson, alias Dra. Supervivencia, intenta averiguar por qué algunas personas tienen más probabilidades de sobrevivir que otras en situaciones de emergencia.Les Stroud, Survivorman, ha estado en algunas de las situaciones más peligrosas del mundo, desde el desierto del Kalahari hasta las selvas infestadas de serpientes en el Amazonas. Estos expertos tienen importantes lecciones que enseñarnos sobre cómo se puede no solo sobrevivir, sino prosperar en un ambiente hostil. Síguenos en instagram: Alone Together y Guillermo SerranoCréditosJuntos en soledad fue creado y escrito por Peg FongEscrito y narrado por: Guillermo SerranoTraducido y adaptado al español por: Alejandro VillalobosDiseño de audio y producción: Guillermo Ruiz de SantiagoDiseño de portada: Ole Henriksen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tonight Brian and Wayne not only dig into the mail bag and respond to your questions and comments, but they also take a look at a compelling Les Stroud video. The video was filmed in 2015 and it appears that Survivorman may have filmed a Sasquatch and didnt know it!Join Patreon Support The ShowLeave Us A VoicemailSupport Our SponsorsVisit Hangar1 PublishingJoin The Sasquatch Odyssey Fans GroupFollow Sasquatch Odyssey On Instagram Sasquatch Odyssey YouTube ChannelVisit Our WebsiteParanormal World Productions Merchandise Store Support The Showhttps://www.patreon.com/paranormalworldproductionsAll The Socials And Stuff/Contact Brianhttps://linktr.ee/ParanormalWorldProductionsbrian@paranormalworldproductions.com Send Brian A Voicemail Or Tell Your Storyhttps://www.speakpipe.com/SasquatchOdysseyPodcastFollow The Show On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sasquatchodyssey/Follow The Show On TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sasquatchodysseypodcast?_t=8XRHQxPMFYo&_r=1This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4839697/advertisement
Tonight Brian and Wayne not only dig into the mail bag and respond to your questions and comments, but they also take a look at a compelling Les Stroud video. The video was filmed in 2015 and it appears that Survivorman may have filmed a Sasquatch and didnt know it! Support Our SponsorsVisit 4 Patriots Use Promo Code SASQUATCH for 10% off your first purchase!Visit Hangar1 PublishingVisit Our WebsiteThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5960602/advertisement
This year's Survivorman joins Josh in the studio to talk all things football. The chatty podcasters cover the Anatnom playoffs, the Chiefs bemoaning, and those red hot 49ers! It's a BIG football episode folks!Support the show
Seriah is joined by SuperSaxonMan, Matt Festa, and Katie of the Night to ask questions. Topics include paranormal experiences and pro wrestlers, Chris Jericho, a paranormal show “Chamber of Horrors” by three female WWE wrestlers, Chris Stratlander, Andre the Giant's appearance as Bigfoot in the TV show “The Six Million Dollar Man”, a huge pair of pants, a telepathic message from a Sasquatch, the “Survivor Man” episode where the host encountered Bigfoot, UFO contactees, Elijah Burke, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, liminality, the Seth material, Jane Roberts, past lives, the second coming of Jesus Christ, Patrick Harper's “Daemonic Reality”, the possibility of a multiverse, “Forbidden Archelogy” by Michael Cremo and Richard L. Thompson, mathematics and biology, Jeffrey Kripal, George Hansen, Kenneth Ring, “The Omega Project”, Jenny Randles, “Mind Monsters”, the OZ factor, co-creating haunted locations, David Weatherly and a plantation entity that existed but was fictional, colleges and ghosts and urban legends, egregores, Ouija boards, whispers in one's ear, scientific study of the paranormal, Sarah Lee Black, high strangeness, pk/psi laboratory experiments, Aleister Crowley, Kenneth Grant, Bruce Dickinson's(of Iron Maiden) “Crowley” movie, a strange experience with a Lyft driver, horror movies and things “coming out of the TV”, fear and poltergeist activity, a childhood experience with a scary movie, “The Ring” film, Cipher from “The Matrix” film, childhood memories of toys moving around, presumptions of evil in the paranormal, H.P. Lovecraft, belief vs fear of the unknown, “The Magnus Archives” horror fiction podcast, Strange Realities conference, Seriah's autobiography and its cover, objective vs subjective experiences with the paranormal, metal bands as an analogy for understanding vs perception, the Mothman phenomena, Skinwalker Ranch, John Keel's “The Mothman Prophecies”, Indrid Cold, Woodrow Durenberger, Indiana Jones/Kolchack the Night Stalker, Whitley Strieber, graveyard experiences, sacred spots, Cornell University, Ithica NY, cemeteries as safe spaces, Robert Johnson, the Alpine Portal, and much more! This is some absolutely fascinating discussion!https://www.youtube.com/c/KatieoftheNightThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4656375/advertisement
On this episode of Ruff Talk VR we are joined with the one and only Les Stroud from the Survivorman TV series and Andrew Macdonald from Cream Productions to talk about their news virtual reality game Survivorman VR: The Descent available now on the official Meta Quest store! Listen as we talk with Les and Andrew about how this game took real life survival situations and tips and were able to turn them into a fun virtual reality experience, the making of the game, and more!Discord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrGaming Showcase: https://www.rufftalkvr.com/p/2024-ruff-talk-vr-gaming-showcase/Tabor Radio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2216985If you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkVR/Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code RUFFTALKVR at MANSCAPED.com!Survivorman VR Store Link: https://www.meta.com/experiences/4963945450326977/Store Description: From the makers of the hit TV series “Survivorman”:Survive an Arctic nightmare as the sole survivor of a helicopter crash on a freezing mountain. Lost, cold, and with darkness closing in, can you build a fire and shelter to brave the elements?Test your survival skills in Survivorman VR: The Descent, an authentic and dynamic experience in the breathtaking Canadian Arctic. Face real-world extreme challenges that push your intellect, emotions, and physical abilities to the limit. Under the expert guidance of legendary survivalist Les Stroud, rely on your skills and resourcefulness to save your own life.PROGRESSIONOver six intense levels, confront challenges that test your skills and inch you closer to rescue. From crafting snowshoes to glissading down slopes, navigating glacial crevasses, building hunting traps, rappelling cliffs, and keeping the fire burning - every move counts.Follow the river to potential rescue, but not without a nerve-wracking encounter with a hungry, irate polar bear.AUTHENTIC SURVIVALSurvivorman VR is grounded in real, tried-and-true survival techniques and scenarios, delivered by world-renowned survival expert Les Stroud. With over 30 years of wilderness survival experience, Stroud shares his wealth of knowledge. While he guides your expedition, the decisions you make will determine whether you live or die. It's the ultimate test of your survival instincts.Support the show
Seriah is joined by SuperSaxonMan, Matt Festa, and Katie of the Night to ask questions. Topics include paranormal experiences and pro wrestlers, Chris Jericho, a paranormal show “Chamber of Horrors” by three female WWE wrestlers, Chris Stratlander, Andre the Giant's appearance as Bigfoot in the TV show “The Six Million Dollar Man”, a huge pair of pants, a telepathic message from a Sasquatch, the “Survivor Man” episode where the host encountered Bigfoot, UFO contactees, Elijah Burke, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, liminality, the Seth material, Jane Roberts, past lives, the second coming of Jesus Christ, Patrick Harper's “Daemonic Reality”, the possibility of a multiverse, “Forbidden Archelogy” by Michael Cremo and Richard L. Thompson, mathematics and biology, Jeffrey Kripal, George Hansen, Kenneth Ring, “The Omega Project”, Jenny Randles, “Mind Monsters”, the OZ factor, co-creating haunted locations, David Weatherly and a plantation entity that existed but was fictional, colleges and ghosts and urban legends, egregores, Ouija boards, whispers in one's ear, scientific study of the paranormal, Sarah Lee Black, high strangeness, pk/psi laboratory experiments, Aleister Crowley, Kenneth Grant, Bruce Dickinson's(of Iron Maiden) “Crowley” movie, a strange experience with a Lyft driver, horror movies and things “coming out of the TV”, fear and poltergeist activity, a childhood experience with a scary movie, “The Ring” film, Cipher from “The Matrix” film, childhood memories of toys moving around, presumptions of evil in the paranormal, H.P. Lovecraft, belief vs fear of the unknown, “The Magnus Archives” horror fiction podcast, Strange Realities conference, Seriah's autobiography and its cover, objective vs subjective experiences with the paranormal, metal bands as an analogy for understanding vs perception, the Mothman phenomena, Skinwalker Ranch, John Keel's “The Mothman Prophecies”, Indrid Cold, Woodrow Durenberger, Indiana Jones/Kolchack the Night Stalker, Whitley Strieber, graveyard experiences, sacred spots, Cornell University, Ithica NY, cemeteries as safe spaces, Robert Johnson, the Alpine Portal, and much more! This is some absolutely fascinating discussion! https://www.youtube.com/c/KatieoftheNight - Recap by Vincent Treewell Outro music: Morpheus V2.1 by Psyche Corporation Download
Les Stroud is a Canadian survival expert, filmmaker, author, and musician - best known as the creator of the TV series Survivorman. Stroud joins Gulf Coast Life to talk about the transition he's found himself in, the projects he's focusing on now, and the role music and songwriting have always played in his life.
On this edition of VR News of the Week we are giving our thoughts and review on the Meta Quest 3 and talking all the latest VR news! This new standalone VR headset packs quite the punch in power, and the color passthrough/mixed reality and pancake lenses are next level. But can it all be good? We also have plenty of news to talk including a new spooky Walkabout Mini Golf course, new games like Survivorman VR, Samba de Amigo VR, new game updates, and more! Listen for all the latest in the world of virtual reality!Mondays are dedicated to our series of episodes about the discussion of Virtual Reality (VR) newsDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrTabor Radio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2216985If you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkVR/Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code RUFFTALKVR at MANSCAPED.com!*We are paid a commission through affiliate links to help support the podcast on the Kiwi links abovePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrSupport the show
Tim and Dana have a fun and fascinating conversation with teh one and only Les Stroud. Les is a documentarian, producer, award winning author & musician, and maybe most known for his hit TV Servies: Survivorman. In this episode they dive into the subject and Les does not hold back on sharing how he feels about the subject of Bigfoot. Les Stroud YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SurvivormanLesStroudWebsites:https://www.lesstroud.ca/https://wildharvestfilms.com/The Bigfoot Influencers:www.Thebigfootinfluencers.com
This is and interview I did back in October of 2021 with the Survivorman himself Les Stroud! This was episode 68 of the show and let's just say the audio quality has come a LONG way since. Because of my improved skills and better technology I have went back and drastically improved the audio on this and several other early episodes. This has been edited down with all the extra chit chat removed. I hope you enjoy this little trip down memory lane! I appreciate all of you for sticking with me on this Odyssey! Les and I talk about so many topics related to the Bigfoot subject tonight! We talk about his personal experiences, mind speak, UFO's, his current projects and of course I asked him about his time with the controversial Todd Standing. You don't want to miss a minute! For more about Les visit his website https://www.lesstroud.caSupport Our SponsorsVisit 4 Patriots Use Promo Code SASQUATCH for 10% off your first purchase!Sasquatch Odyssey Is Sponsored By BetterHelpVisit HelloFresh Now For Your 16 Free Meals!Get Dave Here!Visit Hangar1 PublishingSasquatch Odyssey YouTube ChannelVisit Our WebsiteParanormal World Productions Merchandise Store Support The Showhttps://www.patreon.com/paranormalworldproductionsAll The Socials And Stuff/Contact Brianhttps://linktr.ee/ParanormalWorldProductionsbrian@paranormalworldproductions.com Send Brian A Voicemail Or Tell Your Storyhttps://www.speakpipe.com/SasquatchOdysseyPodcastFollow The Show On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sasquatchodyssey/Follow The Show On TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sasquatchodysseypodcast?_t=8XRHQxPMFYo&_r=1This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4839697/advertisement
This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete are joined by the Survivorman, Les Stroud!First, however, a bit of housekeeping was in order. Topics discussed included: Podcast Pete; bad reviews; watching movies in thirds; Ang's problem with Dean's article; the majors and the minors; Antonio's taco recipe; why your soap might be attracting mosquitos; illegal dredging; catching yourself; and the time when Jimmy Houston caught Bill Dance.With those matters out of the way, the boys head to the phone for a much-anticipated chat with the Survivorman! Topics discussed included: Wikipedia marriages; how less got into survival; selling songs to Springsteen; how real Survivorman really was; working with one camera; eating grasshoppers; what motivates Les; lying to the Discovery Channel; why help kills the vibe; the copycat shows; Bear Grillis; the problem with Alone; why fishing is more reliable than hunting; Bigfoot; Bigfoot people; Wild Harvest; Les's new book; and much more!To never miss an episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review on your favourite podcast app!More from Angelo and Pete:► WEBSITE► FACEBOOK► INSTAGRAM► YOUTUBEMore from Les Stroud:► WEBSITE► FACEBOOK► INSTAGRAM► YOUTUBEThank you to today's sponsors!Xplore - High-Speed Internet with Unlimited Data for only $49.95/mo!Invasive Species Centre - Protecting Canada's land and water from invasive speciesColeman Canada - The Outside is Calling, Answer the Call.Power-Pole- Total Boat Control
Tim shares bonus content from the interview he conducted with Survivorman: Les Stroud while writing his book, The Bigfoot Influencers. Les shares his advice on preparing for the woods, what environmental conditions a Bigfoot would need to survive, and his position on the possibility of their existence.Les Stroud Survivorman:Website LinkSuvivorman Bigfoot Series:YouTube LinkWild Harvest Television Series:Website LinkThe Bigfoot Influencers:Website Link
Seriah is joined by Super Inframan and Leo, a life-long experiencer. Topics include the Seth material, synchronicities, artistic creativity and mysticism, Paul Kimball, the paranormal as an art project by the Other, EVP, Friedrich Jürgensen, Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC), phone calls and radio/TV communication with the dead, psychic mediumship, spirit guides, Sonia Rinaldi, voices from the unseen, Jane Roberts, Graham Hancock, The Daily Grail, Indigenous history in the Americas, a family story of ball lightning, a strange column of light, differences in human perceptions and reactions, an isolated island, the film “Dr. Strangelove”, a bizarre encounter with an apparent underwater creature, fading memories of paranormal experiences, ongoing incidents of strangely bent cedar trees, repeated weird vandalism-type occurrences, a recording of an unexplained voice, experiences alone in the woods at night, life events and the paranormal, strange lightning and fire incidents, other tree weirdness, folklore about entities crossing running water, recording affecting appearances, an encounter with a small flying square object, a bizarre sound, sound projection, “Malevolent” podcast by Harlan Guthrie, a peculiar rock resembling a megalithic standing stone, nature and art, simulacra, Josh Cutchin, earthworks in Ireland, sacred spaces, Carl Jung, Jacques Vallee, Fae lore, lake monsters, Tim Renner, “Where the Footprints End”, the unification of the paranormal, Todd Standing, “Discovering Bigfoot”, Les Stroud, “Survivorman”, a bizarre fallen tree that seems to defy physics, stomping sounds in the middle of the night, A.P. Strange, hostile poltergeist activity, being alone with the unknown, habituators, odd dreams, and much more! This is a fascinating discussion of first-hand high strangeness experiences!
Widely regarded as one of the country's foremost educators in Stone Age living skills, David is a frequent lecturer, author, songwriter and consultant on primitive technologies, edible/medicinal plants, and pre-Columbian culture. He served for 18 years as head instructor at BOSS and was education director of Anasazi, a wilderness program for teens. David has served as a consultant for products such as Cast Away, Survivorman, Man vs. Wild, Road Rules, and numerous others, and was most recently featured on No Man's Land, a History Channel production.
Seriah is joined by Super Inframan and Leo, a life-long experiencer. Topics include the Seth material, synchronicities, artistic creativity and mysticism, Paul Kimball, the paranormal as an art project by the Other, EVP, Friedrich Jürgensen, Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC), phone calls and radio/TV communication with the dead, psychic mediumship, spirit guides, Sonia Rinaldi, voices from the unseen, Jane Roberts, Graham Hancock, The Daily Grail, Indigenous history in the Americas, a family story of ball lightning, a strange column of light, differences in human perceptions and reactions, an isolated island, the film “Dr. Strangelove”, a bizarre encounter with an apparent underwater creature, fading memories of paranormal experiences, ongoing incidents of strangely bent cedar trees, repeated weird vandalism-type occurrences, a recording of an unexplained voice, experiences alone in the woods at night, life events and the paranormal, strange lightning and fire incidents, other tree weirdness, folklore about entities crossing running water, recording affecting appearances, an encounter with a small flying square object, a bizarre sound, sound projection, “Malevolent” podcast by Harlan Guthrie, a peculiar rock resembling a megalithic standing stone, nature and art, simulacra, Josh Cutchin, earthworks in Ireland, sacred spaces, Carl Jung, Jacques Vallee, Fae lore, lake monsters, Tim Renner, “Where the Footprints End”, the unification of the paranormal, Todd Standing, “Discovering Bigfoot”, Les Stroud, “Survivorman”, a bizarre fallen tree that seems to defy physics, stomping sounds in the middle of the night, A.P. Strange, hostile poltergeist activity, being alone with the unknown, habituators, odd dreams, and much more! This is a fascinating discussion of first-hand high strangeness experiences! - Recap by Vincent Treewell of The Weird Part Podcast Leo has also started an Instagram @strangeloveislandYou can also email him at leo.q.watson@protonmail.com Outro Music is Tom Fury with See You in the Bar Download
Episode 82 finds Phil and John on the weekend before Christmas so why not do another TTL Holiday Special! John drinks a cocktail called The Premier made with Norseman Pineapple Chipotle Gin. John mentions that The Talk Show podcast mentioned the Sleep Baseball podcast Phil is part of and the local's pre-holiday Festivus-like party. Phil joins the AARP. John talks about the TV show, “Abbott Elementary” Phil is watching the show, “Ultimate Survival WW2”, reminisces about Survivorman, and tries a beer from Uganda. The weather. John talks about his wife's work holiday party that was held at Paisley Park. We reflect on the passing of Sesame Street's Bob McGrath. Phil has some…different ways of pronouncing things. Happy Holidaze Everyone! The Song: “Christmas (In the Star of the West)”
Join Tim and Dana for this exclusive interview the one and only Survivorman Les Stroud recorded on 11/29/22. They talk Bigfoot, Tim's book, surviving in the woods, and much more!https://www.youtube.com/@SurvivormanLesStroudhttps://wildharvestfilms.com/www.Thebigfootinfluencers.com
My guest tonight is the Survivorman himself Les Stroud! Les and I talk about so many topics related to the Bigfoot subject tonight! We talk about his personal experiences, mind speak, UFO's, his current projects and of course I asked him about his time with the controversial Todd Standing. You don't want to miss a minute! For more about Les visit his website https://www.lesstroud.caPlease subscribe and hit the notification bell so you will never miss a new show or any of the 8 other amazing shows that are launching soon!Tune in every Friday for new episodes of Weird Encounters.SUBSCRIBE and support our efforts to entertain and inform. Without your free subscription we will not survive.
In this episode, Sarah talks about her experience of the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami and the after effects. Sarah Cross is a two-time international bestselling author with her books Ignite Happiness and Ignite your Wisdom. She is also a coach in the Art of Storytelling and helps people create powerful authentic stories so their unique voice can shine. Check out Sarah's website hereEmail Sarah hereFollow Sarah on FacebookGet your 20 questions for deeper connections hereCheck out Sarah's podcast STORIES THAT WOW hereFollow Candace on Instagram
Audio Transcript: This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston and our neighborhood churches, or donate to this ministry, please visit mosaicboston.com Father, we just want to thank you for adopting us into your family. We thank you for the family that we have in Christ, and we thank you that you are a good Father. That you are a father who loves to speak to us as your children, and I pray right now that you would speak to us through your Word. That Holy Spirit, you would use this time to communicate to us all that you would have us to know from this amazing passages of Scripture that we have before us today. Lord, I pray that you would bless our time in your Word. And I pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. All right. Title of today's sermon is Overcome Your Fear of the Future. How do you think about the future? How much do you think about the future? I'd be willing to guess that most of us probably spend more time thinking about what might happen in the future than we do about what has happened in the past, or even what is happening in the present. We are Bostonians. We are very goal-oriented people. We have education goals and career goals and finance goals and health goals and personal goals and family goals. And there's nothing wrong with setting goals, but how do you think about the future? Does the future when you look and you think about the next year ahead of you, the next five years, maybe 10, 20, 50 plus years of your life ahead, does that bring you a sense of peace and excitement and contentment and joy? Or like many of us, does the future stress you out? You're thinking about what's coming. You're thinking about what's ahead. You're thinking about what might happen. And maybe that leads to worry, concern, anxiety, and stress, because we're all tempted to ask this question, what if? Like what if something goes wrong? What if things don't go as I'm planning? What if I don't have enough? What if I fail? What if I let down the people that I care about? What if things keep getting worse? What if the government gets worse? What if the economy gets worse? What if I can't find a job? What if I lose my job? What if I hate my job? What if I hate my boss? What if I get a bad roommate? What if I can't afford my rent? What if the people I care about move away from the city? What if I get sick? What if my child gets sick? What if they struggle with school? What if they struggle with their faith? What if a loved one dies? What if my relationship falls apart? There's just no end to the what ifs that we could ask and it is always there. What if things never get any better than they are right now? Or what if tomorrow is worse than today? The thing is, that's a question that we've actually been commanded not to ask. Not literally word for word, but what did Jesus tell us in Matthew chapter 6 in the Sermon on the Mount? Jesus told his disciples... There're three things he says. "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What do we eat? What shall we drink? What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles, they seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." There's an old motivational speaker who used to say that, "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow. It only saps today of its joy." That's true, but it doesn't really go far enough. The problem with worry is not just that it's ineffective, it's unproductive. It's that it's inappropriate, at least for the Christian, because worry denies the power and love of our Father who provides and for protects. Now when the world worries, it worries because it should, it's rational for the world to worry. There's no reason not to, but for the Christian, worry, it is against the new nature that we have been given in Christ. It is irrational. It is uncharacteristic of the children of God. And ultimately it's inappropriate because for the Christian to worry about the future, it's kind of like saying, "God, I know that you forgave me. I just not so sure that you can save me. I don't know if you're really going to take care of me." Now, we might not think that, we might not say it out loud, but when we worry, when we're anxious, it shows that deep in our hearts, part of us still believes that it's true. And so how do we overcome our doubts and our fears of the future? That's what we're talking about for the last few weeks. The Apostle Paul has been expanding on this idea that he introduced to us way back in verse 15 if you were here a few weeks ago. In Romans 8:15, he tells us this, that you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" And that the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs. Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. If God is our Father, can we really trust that he is a good Father, a strong Father, that he is going to take care of us? If you have your Bibles, open up to Romans chapter 8. We are looking at verse 16 through 30 today. And in our passage today, the Apostle Paul, he's going to describe three blessings. You can think of these as tools or weapons in our arsenal. Three things that Jesus Christ gives us in order to overcome the spirit of fear in our lives and replace it with a spirit of faith so that we, as God's children, can face our future with confidence and peace and joy and courage and hope, because we know that we have a Father in heaven, and we know that we are safe in the Father's hands. So if you have your Bibles, this is Romans chapter 8, beginning in verse 26. The Apostle Paul writes this. He says: "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." That is the reading of God's Word for us today. And the big idea of the sermon today, it could really be summed up in one sentence. That's this. That in Christ we have provision, purpose, and perspective to persevere unto perfection. And I know you're all tired of hearing how much pastors love alliteration, but it's just it's there, but hopefully it's sticky. Hopefully it helps you to remember this. Memorize this sentence, memorize this passage, memorize this chapter, because if you can get this thing... The things that we are going to talk about today, if you can get them into your mind so that they grip your heart, this will completely transform the way you live your life. In Christ, we have all the provision, purpose, and perspective we need in order to persevere unto perfection. By perfection, I mean our glorification, the final eternal state that we are destined to arrive at if we are in Christ, where we will be perfected and live in the perfect presence of our God for all of eternity. And so, first of all, point number one today is that in Christ we have provision. I want you to think about your life as a journey and the kind of journey that you're on is really going to depend on a number of things. Maybe right now, your life feels like a journey that is filled with fear and confusion and anxiety like you've just been dropped in the wilderness. You don't know which direction to go, and you're trying to somehow search and find your way back to civilization. And what if I told you that your journey in life could be less like an episode of Survivorman, and more like you're getting ready for a grand adventure. You're going on a journey. You're heading towards a vacation, a place that's going to fill you with peace and joy and excitement and anticipation along the way. The thing that sets those two types of journeys apart are provision and purpose and perspective. If you're thinking about planning a journey, you're going on vacation, you have a good purpose, you have a goal. You know where you're going, what you're working toward. You also have perspective. You know where you are, you know where you're going, and you've got a map. You know how you're going to get there. And then thirdly, you have provisions. You take the time to pack your supplies, to get your plane tickets, your rental car, your accommodations. You've made sure that you're going to have everything you need to get there and back again. So if we want to overcome our fear of the future, the first thing that we need to know and we need to, not just know but believe, is that in Christ, you have a Father in heaven who will provide everything that you need to make this journey. Now, that doesn't mean that he's going to give you everything that you want, but he is going to give you everything that you need. And Paul tells us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness in verse 26, but we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Did you that God the Father always answers all the prayers of all of his children? Now, he doesn't always answer yes, but he does always answer best. And he does this through the intercession of the Holy Spirit. Back in verse 9 of chapter 8, Paul told us, "You're not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you." So first of all, we need to understand what a big deal this is. That if you are in Christ, the Holy Spirit of God dwells in you. Jesus actually told his disciples that this is better for us than if he were to be here physically in the room with us right now. This is John 16:5. He said, "I'm going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I've said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts." Jesus tells his disciples that he's going to leave them and they're obviously filled with sorrow, but he says, "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." He'll send us the Spirit to help us. Luke chapter 11, one of Jesus's disciples comes to him and he asks him to teach them how to pray. And Jesus says something in response that should blow your mind. This blew my mind the first time someone helped me connect these dots. Luke chapter 11, look at verse 1. "Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he'd finished one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.' And he said to them, 'When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.'" Remember that. Ask this. Ask every day for your daily bread. "And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who's indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation." And then he immediately begins to tell them a parable. He says, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of what? Of bread.' He told us to ask for our daily bread. Now he's telling us this parable about a friend who's asking for bread. And he says, "For a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and he will answer him from within, 'Don't bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are in bed and I can't get up to give you anything.' But I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he's his friend, yet because of his impudence, he will rise and give him whatever he wants. 'Just take whatever you need. Just leave me alone. Let me go back to sleep.' "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give what? Give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.'" That when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we're not just asking for God to meet our physical needs. We are. And he does. We're asking him also to meet our spiritual needs, our deepest, our greatest needs, and our greatest needs is the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And the point of this parable. It's not that God is this sleepy friend who shouldn't be bothered. It's that he is actually nothing like that. He is a good Father and it is his good joy and his delight to give good gifts to his children and he wants to give us everything we need. He wants to give us his Holy Spirit. And so God gives us his Spirit joyfully, freely. And what does the Spirit do? Paul puts it simply. He helps us. He helps us in our weakness. Jesus actually called the Holy Spirit the helper. And it's this idea of something that gives strength and support, like the pillars of a bridge that hold the weight. They hold it up. They hold it together. The Holy Spirit, he holds us up. He holds us steady. He holds us fast. He holds us secure. And the Holy Spirit does this in a lot of different ways, but one of the most important ways he does this is what we see in our text today. He does this by interceding in our prayers. Back in verse 26, "For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." You understand what Paul's saying here. In our weakness, we are susceptible to sin. We are susceptible to suffering. And even when we go to God in prayer, we don't always know what we want, what we need, what to ask for, what to say. We work with limited insight. We pray with limited information. And so if we don't know what to ask for, and if God already knows what we need before we do, then what's the point of prayer? Is prayer just a waste of time? And the answer is no. That even when we don't know what to ask for or what to say, the Holy Spirit of God intercedes on our behalf. And this is what this means. That the Spirit who is omniscience, who is God, who knows all, who is without weakness, without sin, will always pray the right thing on our behalf. And therefore God will always answer our prayers. And even if we don't know what to say, and even if God already knows what he needs, like a good Father, he still wants his children to run to him. When things are good, when things are bad, he just wants us to come and to pray. And so I said this earlier, this doesn't mean that he's always going to answer yes to all of our prayers, but he is going to answer with what's best in all of our prayers. And the application is just, it's simple. It's that you have a Father in heaven who cares for you, who wants to hear from you. You have the Holy Spirit of God within you groaning, praying, interceding on your behalf. And so therefore pray. Don't let weakness keep you from prayer. When you don't know what to say, when you don't know what you need in your moments of greatest weakness, that's the most important time for you to go to your Father because you know that you will never be praying in vain. Now, we might not always be able to see or understand why God answers our prayers in the ways that he does, but what this is showing us is that we can have faith. That however he does answer us, he's always doing what is best for us. He's always going to give you exactly what you need to become the person that he created you to be. This brings us to point two, that in Christ we have purpose. See, what we need and what we may think we need, or what we want are not always going to be the same thing. When our son Owen was three or four years old, he fell down on the playground and he got a big gash on the top of his head. And he ran to mom and dad and he cried out and he knew that he needed something. As it turns out, what he needed were stitches. I don't know if you've ever been with a three-year-old thing who needs stitches. It's traumatic. I knew what he needed, the doctor knew what he needed, but do you think he understood the purpose of what we were doing as he was being stitched up in that moment? He didn't understand anything but the pain. And yet I basically had to bearhug him, pin his arms down, hold him in a headlock as he's screaming at the top of his lungs, while the doctor tries to do her best to stitch up his wounds. It was extremely painful for him. It was more painful for me I'm pretty sure. It wasn't fun, but it was necessary and it was good to make him whole, to heal him, to give him what he truly needed. There was a good purpose in the pain, even if he couldn't understand it at the time. And see, our problem is that we often we care so much about our immediate comfort. Sometimes it's hard for us to see or understand how much God cares about our spiritual health and maturity and healing and growth. He wants what's best for us, even when we do not know or want what is best for ourselves. And because of this, we can have faith in those moments of pain that God is working out a good purpose. We saw this earlier in Romans chapter 5. It tells us in verse 1, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." But then he says, "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who's been given to us." That we see there's purpose here. That our pain is not pointless. Our pain is not in vain. Our pain is actually productive. It is producing something of eternal value. There is significance even in our deepest suffering. And knowing this, knowing that pain has a purpose, this is vital to our perseverance and the faith. Without purpose, it is difficult to endure even the most trivial of inconveniences. Have you ever left something in your car and you're like, "I have to get up, to put on pants, tie my shoes, find my keys, go down there. Maybe I'll just order a new one on Amazon." It's not worth it. Without purpose, we are exceptionally weak and lazy creatures, but with the right purpose, it becomes possible to endure virtually anything that we can conceive of. And this is what brings us to verse 28 of our text today. This is one of the most profound and encouraging statements in all of Scripture. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." You notice he doesn't say that we think, or we kind of hope, and he doesn't say that some things or maybe a few things or certain things work together. He says, "No, we know that all things work together for good." And he says this in the context of talking about suffering. This week, our kids were learning about the story of Joseph down in Kids Summer Nights. If he had kids there, hopefully they shared a little bit about that with you. And if you're familiar with the story of Joseph, you probably noticed some similarities to what Paul says in Romans 8:28 and to what Joseph says to his brothers near the end of that story. If you're not familiar with it, I'll just summarize it real quick. There's this man named Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. And Jacob had a son named Joseph, and Scripture tells us that he loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because Joseph was the son of his old age, that he was the baby. He doted on him. He spoiled him. You know the whole story of Joseph and the coat of many colors. He poured gifts out onto him. And obviously this caused problems because Joseph's brothers, they grew jealous. They grew bitter. Actually their hatred for this brother of theirs got so bad that when Joseph was around 17 years old, his brothers, they come up with this evil scheme where they are going to fake Joseph's death and sell him into slavery in Egypt. So at around 17 years old, Joseph loses everything he loves. He is taken from his family. He's taken from his home. And for 13 years, he is held captive, first as a slave, then later as a prisoner accused of a crime that he didn't commit. Finally, after 13 years in captivity, we see God's providential grace has actually been working behind the scenes this entire time to bring Joseph to where he is. That he raises Joseph up out of slavery or raises him out of prison. He raises him up and gives him favor with the people of power. And so eventually Joseph becomes the most powerful man in all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. And it is in this position that God then uses Joseph to save the world from a devastating famine. Now, near the end of the story, you remember Joseph's brothers, they're living in Canaan, they're running out of food. And so they resolve to travel, to take a trip to Egypt to see if maybe they can find food there. And of course, this is where they are reunited with their long lost brother. And when they realize who Joseph is, obviously their reaction is dread. It's fear, is terror, that surely Joseph is going to take his revenge, he's going to have us all put to death. But then there's a shocking twist in the story. Instead, Joseph chooses to forgive his brothers and he saves his family. And then some time goes by and eventually their father dies. Jacob dies. And once again, Joseph's brothers, they're fearful. They think, "Maybe Joseph was only sparing us on account of our dad. And now surely he's going to come and have his revenge." And this is in Genesis 50:15. "When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead they said, 'It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.' But Joseph said to them, 'Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.'" This is the God that Paul believed in, is the God of Providence and of purpose. A God who picks up broken pieces and turns them into something even more beautiful than they were before. And notice. It doesn't just say that what you intended for evil God used for good. So what you meant for evil, God actually meant it for good, that he had been working behind the scenes this entire time, orchestrating this entire thing to bring this about for the salvation of many people. God was sovereign over all of it. Even in the real choices that were being made by people along the way. Jacob was making real choices. Joseph was making real choices. His brothers, Potiphar, Potiphar, the Pharaoh, they were all making real choices. And yet we see that God was still sovereign, working providentially through all of it to bring about his plan. Paul believed in a God who does no evil, but is able to use even evil things and ordain them to be... to work them together for his own good pleasure, his own good purposes. Now, Joseph, of course, Joseph is just a type of Christ, that God was able to take the greatest evil in Joseph's life and use it for good. But ultimately this is meant to point us forward to the reality that God took the absolute greatest evil in all of human history, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and used that for the greatest, absolute, greatest good, the redemption of his people and the glorification of his Son. And now we see examples of this all throughout Scripture, but what I hope for you today is that can you see examples of this in your life? Because in Christ we should be able to look back on our lives and see glimpses of God's glory at work, bringing about his purposes, even through the painful seasons that we've experienced. Now, sometimes we'll be able to look back and it's going to be crystal clear. Like I can see what God was doing through that situation and I'm thankful that he did now. Other times it's not going to be that way. Sometimes we're going to look back and the purpose is going to be harder to see. But even when the purpose is not clear, the promise is clear. The promise remains that God is working all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. He used the suffering of Joseph, he used the suffering of Christ, so that by faith, we can now have assurance that he is working both the good and the bad together for our good. Romans 8, we saw this verse last week, Roman 8:18 says, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." And so in Christ we have provision to persevere. We have a Father who is always faithful and will give us everything that we need to make this journey. In Christ, we have the purpose to persevere. We don't lose heart because we have assurance that nothing we suffer, nothing that we sacrifice in this life will be in vain. And then finally, most importantly, we are able to persevere because in Christ we have perspective. This points through... Romans 8:28 continues, "And I know that for those who love God all things worked together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order to make him the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." When I was in college, I worked in a chain factory making big industrial chains for construction equipment and farm equipment. And I worked in a factory. It was hot, it was loud. It was hard work. Some of the jobs were fun. I got to drive a fork truck for a while. That was a super fun job. Most of the time though, I was a press operator. So I would sit at this large, massive press and I would just do the same thing over and over and over thousands of times for some eight, 10 hours in a day. It was tedious. It was monotonous. It was hard work. Now imagine if at the beginning of my time there, my boss had come to me and said, "Hey, here's what you're going to do. And if you work this press for us, then at the end of the week, there's a pretty good chance we might pay you." You'd say, "Well, that's a pretty good chance I'm quitting right now. I'll I will see you later. I'm not taking that chance." But that is not the perspective that I had. What I saw from my perspective was that I was going to be paid fairly to do the job that they asked me to do, that this money was going to help pay for my future, pay for my education. That these chains were going to be installed in equipment that would build great things and go into tractors that would help farmers be more efficient. And they would help produce crops, which would feed people. And so that there was dignity in this work and what I was doing, it mattered and it was going to pay off. And that was guaranteed. That perspective helped me to get through and keep on going even when the job was hard. And this is the point. As Christians, we have the privilege of perspective that God shows us the end from the beginning, that we already know the outcome of our faith. And so we can trust that all of our suffering, all of our sacrifice in this life is not a loss. It's actually in an investment. It's an investment into eternity. And it's one that we know the return on that investment, it is not just going to be potentially parabolic. It is already guaranteed. That in Christ, God is giving us every provision for our journey. In Christ, God is using every obstacle along the way for our good. And in Christ, God is guaranteeing our safe arrival at the final destination. This verse has been referred to by theologians as the golden chain. After working in a chain factory, that doesn't really make a lot of sense to me because gold would be a terrible material to build chains out of. But my son Owen was here in the first service, so I said I'd rather call this the vibranium chain, like straight out of Wakanda. He's really into the Marvel movies right now. The point is not just that these truths are beautiful. The reason that it's beautiful is because the chain is indestructible, that this chain is unbreakable and there's not a single link in this chain that is weakened. And so let's just walk through this link by link. Verse 29 says that, "For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. For a long time when I was first a Christian, I had a hard time reconciling these first two links. And the reason for that was I didn't understand the meaning of God's foreknowledge. Because most of us, when we think of foreknowledge, we think of it in terms of information, cognitive awareness that you know certain facts or details ahead of time. And with that definition, you can understand why some would conclude that, well, therefore this must mean that God looked into the future and he saw those people who would choose to repent and submit their lives to Christ. And then based on that information, he must have chosen to save those people. And if that's what foreknowledge means, then that interpretation might make sense, but there's at least three significant problems that we face with that interpretation. First of all, this would obviously contradict just so many verses of Scripture that make it abundantly clear that we did not choose God, but he first chose us. That we did not love God until he first extended his love to us. And if God chose us based on something we did, then salvation isn't really based on grace. The Scripture says is based on at least some degree of merit. And so clearly that can't be what Paul means. Secondly, if this is true, if God chose people based on seeing what they would choose, then ultimately this means that we really have no hope that anyone will ever be saved. Because Scripture again, makes it clear in the doctrines of sin that we... Scripture says we are lost and we are dead in our sins. That we are so sinful that none of us would ever choose God. And that if we somehow were able to earn our salvation, if there was any chance of us losing it, then we absolutely would. Like every day, most of you would lose your salvation before your morning cup of coffee, like every single day, but that's not what Scripture says. Romans 3:10-11 says that, "No one is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God on their own." Ephesians 2:1 says that, "You were dead in the trespasses and sins, but God, being rich in mercy, because of what? Because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. By grace, you have been saved." Thirdly, and most importantly, this interpretation of foreknowledge, it presupposes the way that this word would've commonly been understood to Greek thinkers. And it doesn't really take into account the way that it was often used by Hebrew thinkers, especially in the Old Testament in relationship to God. Because in Hebrew, the word know is oftentimes used, and we use it in our language the same way to describe personal relationship. Like there's things you can know, and that's something different than saying, "I know you." When the Bible says that Adam knew his wife, it's not talking about information. It's talking about intimacy. That he didn't just learn something new about Eve when he knew her. What this is telling us is that he related to her in a deeply personal, intimate, exclusive, and covenantal way. This is why sometimes it's even used as a euphemism for marriage and for sex. The Bible tells us that God knew Abraham. Actually in Amos chapter 3, God says to Israel that, "Israel, you only have I known." Now, obviously God knows everything. He's omniscient. He knows everyone. But what this is saying, what God was saying was, "I chose you for a special covenantal relationship and I set you apart." This is why R. C. Sproul in his commentary on Romans, he actually says that you could paraphrase the meaning of Romans 8:29, not just as those who God foreknew, but as those whom for God foreloved. Which kind of makes sense, because remember, we're talking about the context of a Father who's adopting a son. And it also makes sense because the very next thing that Paul tells us in verse 29 is that those whom he foreknew he predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. That God chose to love you. He chose to adopt you as his own. And because he chose to adopt you, he chose to predestine you to be conformed to the image of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And so off of those first two links in the chain, all the others fall into place. That those whom he predestined he also called; those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. That if God foreloved you and chose to adopt you as his own, then he will sanctify you. He will make you like his Son, Jesus Christ. And if he is going to make you like Jesus, then he is going to call you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. And if he is going to call you out of darkness, he's going to justify you. And up to this point, all of these things that we've talked about are things that for the Christian have already happened in the past. We have been predestined. We have been called. We have been justified. But then Paul gets to the final link of the chain and he puts that in the past tense as well. That those whom he justified, he also glorified as if it's already been done, because in God's mind it has. In God's mind, from God's perspective, this is as good as done. Nothing can stop it. Nothing can thwart his purpose or his plan. Nothing can rip us from his hands. And the hope of the Christian is that you have been saved, but also that you will be saved. You didn't adopt yourself, God chose you, and he chose to put his love on you and his love for you will never fail. And yeah, God is a good Father and sometimes he may need to discipline us as his children, but he's not going to give up on us as his children. He is not taking any of his kids back to the orphanage. Once he's adopted you, you are his, and you are safe and his own in his hands. So your ultimate security as a Christian in Christ, your hope, your peace, your salvation, it's not dependent on your ability to hold onto God. It's dependent on the Father's ability to hold on to you. That if he has you, he is going to give you everything you need to persevere and to prove yourself a child of God until Christ returns. Ephesians 1:3-6, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the beloved." Philippians 1:6 says, "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." And Jesus told us in John chapter 10 that, "I am the good shepherd and the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. And I and the Father are one." And if you are in Christ, then God is your Father. If you are in Christ, then Christ is your shepherd and he will not let you go. He lays down his life to make you his own. And then he gives you his Spirit as a promise, as a guarantee that you will have what you need, that you will have the provision and the purpose and the perspective that you need to continue in perseverance until he returns. Listen, I know that this passage, it's "can be controversial". I know that it's easy to look at this passage and get hung up with a lot of questions about God's sovereignty and human responsibility and election and predestination, things like that. And Paul is going to address some of those questions and concerns in the next few chapters when we get there. But if we walk away from this text right now, primarily focused on those objections, then we've already missed the point because there is a question that Paul wants us to ask, and he tells it to us in the very next verse. And it's a question that is just so much bigger, so much better. He simply says this, "What then shall we say to these things?" If all of this is true, then what is the appropriate response on our behalf? And he tells us that if we really understand this, and if it's really gripped to our hearts, then the only appropriate response is to simply say, "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" If God is for you, you've already won, you have overcome this world. You have nothing in your future that you need to fear. And so in Christ you can persevere. This means is that whatever goodness God shows us right now is only a small glimpse of the glory that is to come. Whatever badness God has allowed to enter your path, he is ultimately using for your good. And no matter how good, no matter how bad things may seem or may feel right now, we have hope and we have assurance that the best is yet to come. That being said, would you just please join me in prayer and then we will continue by responding in worship together. God, I pray that you would just cause our hearts to marvel at your mercy, that we would stand in awe of your amazing grace, confident and secure in your hands. But every moment, every breath is a gift that we don't deserve, and yet you give us so much more. You freely gave us your Spirit. You gave us your Son. God, all we can do is say thank you. All we can do is live our lives with grateful hearts as a response to how good you are. And so we love you. We praise you. We give you all glory and we just want to spend time worshiping you together. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Audio Transcript: This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston and our neighborhood churches, or donate to this ministry, please visit mosaicboston.comFather, we just want to thank you for adopting us into your family. We thank you for the family that we have in Christ, and we thank you that you are a good Father. That you are a father who loves to speak to us as your children, and I pray right now that you would speak to us through your Word. That Holy Spirit, you would use this time to communicate to us all that you would have us to know from this amazing passages of Scripture that we have before us today. Lord, I pray that you would bless our time in your Word. And I pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.All right. Title of today's sermon is Overcome Your Fear of the Future. How do you think about the future? How much do you think about the future? I'd be willing to guess that most of us probably spend more time thinking about what might happen in the future than we do about what has happened in the past, or even what is happening in the present. We are Bostonians. We are very goal-oriented people. We have education goals and career goals and finance goals and health goals and personal goals and family goals. And there's nothing wrong with setting goals, but how do you think about the future? Does the future when you look and you think about the next year ahead of you, the next five years, maybe 10, 20, 50 plus years of your life ahead, does that bring you a sense of peace and excitement and contentment and joy? Or like many of us, does the future stress you out?You're thinking about what's coming. You're thinking about what's ahead. You're thinking about what might happen. And maybe that leads to worry, concern, anxiety, and stress, because we're all tempted to ask this question, what if? Like what if something goes wrong? What if things don't go as I'm planning? What if I don't have enough? What if I fail? What if I let down the people that I care about? What if things keep getting worse? What if the government gets worse? What if the economy gets worse? What if I can't find a job? What if I lose my job? What if I hate my job? What if I hate my boss? What if I get a bad roommate? What if I can't afford my rent? What if the people I care about move away from the city? What if I get sick? What if my child gets sick? What if they struggle with school? What if they struggle with their faith? What if a loved one dies? What if my relationship falls apart?There's just no end to the what ifs that we could ask and it is always there. What if things never get any better than they are right now? Or what if tomorrow is worse than today? The thing is, that's a question that we've actually been commanded not to ask. Not literally word for word, but what did Jesus tell us in Matthew chapter 6 in the Sermon on the Mount? Jesus told his disciples... There're three things he says. "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What do we eat? What shall we drink? What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles, they seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."There's an old motivational speaker who used to say that, "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow. It only saps today of its joy." That's true, but it doesn't really go far enough. The problem with worry is not just that it's ineffective, it's unproductive. It's that it's inappropriate, at least for the Christian, because worry denies the power and love of our Father who provides and for protects.Now when the world worries, it worries because it should, it's rational for the world to worry. There's no reason not to, but for the Christian, worry, it is against the new nature that we have been given in Christ. It is irrational. It is uncharacteristic of the children of God. And ultimately it's inappropriate because for the Christian to worry about the future, it's kind of like saying, "God, I know that you forgave me. I just not so sure that you can save me. I don't know if you're really going to take care of me." Now, we might not think that, we might not say it out loud, but when we worry, when we're anxious, it shows that deep in our hearts, part of us still believes that it's true.And so how do we overcome our doubts and our fears of the future? That's what we're talking about for the last few weeks. The Apostle Paul has been expanding on this idea that he introduced to us way back in verse 15 if you were here a few weeks ago. In Romans 8:15, he tells us this, that you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" And that the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs. Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.If God is our Father, can we really trust that he is a good Father, a strong Father, that he is going to take care of us? If you have your Bibles, open up to Romans chapter 8. We are looking at verse 16 through 30 today. And in our passage today, the Apostle Paul, he's going to describe three blessings. You can think of these as tools or weapons in our arsenal. Three things that Jesus Christ gives us in order to overcome the spirit of fear in our lives and replace it with a spirit of faith so that we, as God's children, can face our future with confidence and peace and joy and courage and hope, because we know that we have a Father in heaven, and we know that we are safe in the Father's hands. So if you have your Bibles, this is Romans chapter 8, beginning in verse 26. The Apostle Paul writes this. He says:"Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."That is the reading of God's Word for us today. And the big idea of the sermon today, it could really be summed up in one sentence. That's this. That in Christ we have provision, purpose, and perspective to persevere unto perfection. And I know you're all tired of hearing how much pastors love alliteration, but it's just it's there, but hopefully it's sticky. Hopefully it helps you to remember this. Memorize this sentence, memorize this passage, memorize this chapter, because if you can get this thing... The things that we are going to talk about today, if you can get them into your mind so that they grip your heart, this will completely transform the way you live your life. In Christ, we have all the provision, purpose, and perspective we need in order to persevere unto perfection. By perfection, I mean our glorification, the final eternal state that we are destined to arrive at if we are in Christ, where we will be perfected and live in the perfect presence of our God for all of eternity.And so, first of all, point number one today is that in Christ we have provision. I want you to think about your life as a journey and the kind of journey that you're on is really going to depend on a number of things. Maybe right now, your life feels like a journey that is filled with fear and confusion and anxiety like you've just been dropped in the wilderness. You don't know which direction to go, and you're trying to somehow search and find your way back to civilization. And what if I told you that your journey in life could be less like an episode of Survivorman, and more like you're getting ready for a grand adventure. You're going on a journey. You're heading towards a vacation, a place that's going to fill you with peace and joy and excitement and anticipation along the way. The thing that sets those two types of journeys apart are provision and purpose and perspective.If you're thinking about planning a journey, you're going on vacation, you have a good purpose, you have a goal. You know where you're going, what you're working toward. You also have perspective. You know where you are, you know where you're going, and you've got a map. You know how you're going to get there. And then thirdly, you have provisions. You take the time to pack your supplies, to get your plane tickets, your rental car, your accommodations. You've made sure that you're going to have everything you need to get there and back again.So if we want to overcome our fear of the future, the first thing that we need to know and we need to, not just know but believe, is that in Christ, you have a Father in heaven who will provide everything that you need to make this journey. Now, that doesn't mean that he's going to give you everything that you want, but he is going to give you everything that you need. And Paul tells us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness in verse 26, but we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.Did you that God the Father always answers all the prayers of all of his children? Now, he doesn't always answer yes, but he does always answer best. And he does this through the intercession of the Holy Spirit. Back in verse 9 of chapter 8, Paul told us, "You're not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you." So first of all, we need to understand what a big deal this is. That if you are in Christ, the Holy Spirit of God dwells in you. Jesus actually told his disciples that this is better for us than if he were to be here physically in the room with us right now. This is John 16:5. He said, "I'm going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I've said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts." Jesus tells his disciples that he's going to leave them and they're obviously filled with sorrow, but he says, "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." He'll send us the Spirit to help us.Luke chapter 11, one of Jesus's disciples comes to him and he asks him to teach them how to pray. And Jesus says something in response that should blow your mind. This blew my mind the first time someone helped me connect these dots. Luke chapter 11, look at verse 1. "Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he'd finished one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.' And he said to them, 'When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.'" Remember that. Ask this. Ask every day for your daily bread. "And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who's indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."And then he immediately begins to tell them a parable. He says, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of what? Of bread.' He told us to ask for our daily bread. Now he's telling us this parable about a friend who's asking for bread. And he says, "For a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and he will answer him from within, 'Don't bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are in bed and I can't get up to give you anything.' But I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he's his friend, yet because of his impudence, he will rise and give him whatever he wants. 'Just take whatever you need. Just leave me alone. Let me go back to sleep.'"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give what? Give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.'"That when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we're not just asking for God to meet our physical needs. We are. And he does. We're asking him also to meet our spiritual needs, our deepest, our greatest needs, and our greatest needs is the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And the point of this parable. It's not that God is this sleepy friend who shouldn't be bothered. It's that he is actually nothing like that. He is a good Father and it is his good joy and his delight to give good gifts to his children and he wants to give us everything we need. He wants to give us his Holy Spirit.And so God gives us his Spirit joyfully, freely. And what does the Spirit do? Paul puts it simply. He helps us. He helps us in our weakness. Jesus actually called the Holy Spirit the helper. And it's this idea of something that gives strength and support, like the pillars of a bridge that hold the weight. They hold it up. They hold it together. The Holy Spirit, he holds us up. He holds us steady. He holds us fast. He holds us secure. And the Holy Spirit does this in a lot of different ways, but one of the most important ways he does this is what we see in our text today. He does this by interceding in our prayers. Back in verse 26, "For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." You understand what Paul's saying here. In our weakness, we are susceptible to sin. We are susceptible to suffering. And even when we go to God in prayer, we don't always know what we want, what we need, what to ask for, what to say. We work with limited insight. We pray with limited information.And so if we don't know what to ask for, and if God already knows what we need before we do, then what's the point of prayer? Is prayer just a waste of time? And the answer is no. That even when we don't know what to ask for or what to say, the Holy Spirit of God intercedes on our behalf. And this is what this means. That the Spirit who is omniscience, who is God, who knows all, who is without weakness, without sin, will always pray the right thing on our behalf. And therefore God will always answer our prayers. And even if we don't know what to say, and even if God already knows what he needs, like a good Father, he still wants his children to run to him. When things are good, when things are bad, he just wants us to come and to pray.And so I said this earlier, this doesn't mean that he's always going to answer yes to all of our prayers, but he is going to answer with what's best in all of our prayers. And the application is just, it's simple. It's that you have a Father in heaven who cares for you, who wants to hear from you. You have the Holy Spirit of God within you groaning, praying, interceding on your behalf. And so therefore pray. Don't let weakness keep you from prayer. When you don't know what to say, when you don't know what you need in your moments of greatest weakness, that's the most important time for you to go to your Father because you know that you will never be praying in vain.Now, we might not always be able to see or understand why God answers our prayers in the ways that he does, but what this is showing us is that we can have faith. That however he does answer us, he's always doing what is best for us. He's always going to give you exactly what you need to become the person that he created you to be.This brings us to point two, that in Christ we have purpose. See, what we need and what we may think we need, or what we want are not always going to be the same thing.When our son Owen was three or four years old, he fell down on the playground and he got a big gash on the top of his head. And he ran to mom and dad and he cried out and he knew that he needed something. As it turns out, what he needed were stitches. I don't know if you've ever been with a three-year-old thing who needs stitches. It's traumatic. I knew what he needed, the doctor knew what he needed, but do you think he understood the purpose of what we were doing as he was being stitched up in that moment? He didn't understand anything but the pain. And yet I basically had to bearhug him, pin his arms down, hold him in a headlock as he's screaming at the top of his lungs, while the doctor tries to do her best to stitch up his wounds. It was extremely painful for him. It was more painful for me I'm pretty sure. It wasn't fun, but it was necessary and it was good to make him whole, to heal him, to give him what he truly needed. There was a good purpose in the pain, even if he couldn't understand it at the time.And see, our problem is that we often we care so much about our immediate comfort. Sometimes it's hard for us to see or understand how much God cares about our spiritual health and maturity and healing and growth. He wants what's best for us, even when we do not know or want what is best for ourselves. And because of this, we can have faith in those moments of pain that God is working out a good purpose. We saw this earlier in Romans chapter 5. It tells us in verse 1, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." But then he says, "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who's been given to us."That we see there's purpose here. That our pain is not pointless. Our pain is not in vain. Our pain is actually productive. It is producing something of eternal value. There is significance even in our deepest suffering. And knowing this, knowing that pain has a purpose, this is vital to our perseverance and the faith. Without purpose, it is difficult to endure even the most trivial of inconveniences. Have you ever left something in your car and you're like, "I have to get up, to put on pants, tie my shoes, find my keys, go down there. Maybe I'll just order a new one on Amazon." It's not worth it. Without purpose, we are exceptionally weak and lazy creatures, but with the right purpose, it becomes possible to endure virtually anything that we can conceive of. And this is what brings us to verse 28 of our text today. This is one of the most profound and encouraging statements in all of Scripture. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."You notice he doesn't say that we think, or we kind of hope, and he doesn't say that some things or maybe a few things or certain things work together. He says, "No, we know that all things work together for good." And he says this in the context of talking about suffering.This week, our kids were learning about the story of Joseph down in Kids Summer Nights. If he had kids there, hopefully they shared a little bit about that with you. And if you're familiar with the story of Joseph, you probably noticed some similarities to what Paul says in Romans 8:28 and to what Joseph says to his brothers near the end of that story. If you're not familiar with it, I'll just summarize it real quick. There's this man named Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. And Jacob had a son named Joseph, and Scripture tells us that he loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because Joseph was the son of his old age, that he was the baby. He doted on him. He spoiled him. You know the whole story of Joseph and the coat of many colors. He poured gifts out onto him. And obviously this caused problems because Joseph's brothers, they grew jealous. They grew bitter.Actually their hatred for this brother of theirs got so bad that when Joseph was around 17 years old, his brothers, they come up with this evil scheme where they are going to fake Joseph's death and sell him into slavery in Egypt. So at around 17 years old, Joseph loses everything he loves. He is taken from his family. He's taken from his home. And for 13 years, he is held captive, first as a slave, then later as a prisoner accused of a crime that he didn't commit. Finally, after 13 years in captivity, we see God's providential grace has actually been working behind the scenes this entire time to bring Joseph to where he is. That he raises Joseph up out of slavery or raises him out of prison. He raises him up and gives him favor with the people of power. And so eventually Joseph becomes the most powerful man in all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. And it is in this position that God then uses Joseph to save the world from a devastating famine.Now, near the end of the story, you remember Joseph's brothers, they're living in Canaan, they're running out of food. And so they resolve to travel, to take a trip to Egypt to see if maybe they can find food there. And of course, this is where they are reunited with their long lost brother. And when they realize who Joseph is, obviously their reaction is dread. It's fear, is terror, that surely Joseph is going to take his revenge, he's going to have us all put to death. But then there's a shocking twist in the story. Instead, Joseph chooses to forgive his brothers and he saves his family. And then some time goes by and eventually their father dies. Jacob dies. And once again, Joseph's brothers, they're fearful. They think, "Maybe Joseph was only sparing us on account of our dad. And now surely he's going to come and have his revenge." And this is in Genesis 50:15."When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead they said, 'It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.' But Joseph said to them, 'Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.'"This is the God that Paul believed in, is the God of Providence and of purpose. A God who picks up broken pieces and turns them into something even more beautiful than they were before. And notice. It doesn't just say that what you intended for evil God used for good. So what you meant for evil, God actually meant it for good, that he had been working behind the scenes this entire time, orchestrating this entire thing to bring this about for the salvation of many people. God was sovereign over all of it. Even in the real choices that were being made by people along the way. Jacob was making real choices. Joseph was making real choices. His brothers, Potiphar, Potiphar, the Pharaoh, they were all making real choices. And yet we see that God was still sovereign, working providentially through all of it to bring about his plan.Paul believed in a God who does no evil, but is able to use even evil things and ordain them to be... to work them together for his own good pleasure, his own good purposes. Now, Joseph, of course, Joseph is just a type of Christ, that God was able to take the greatest evil in Joseph's life and use it for good. But ultimately this is meant to point us forward to the reality that God took the absolute greatest evil in all of human history, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and used that for the greatest, absolute, greatest good, the redemption of his people and the glorification of his Son. And now we see examples of this all throughout Scripture, but what I hope for you today is that can you see examples of this in your life? Because in Christ we should be able to look back on our lives and see glimpses of God's glory at work, bringing about his purposes, even through the painful seasons that we've experienced.Now, sometimes we'll be able to look back and it's going to be crystal clear. Like I can see what God was doing through that situation and I'm thankful that he did now. Other times it's not going to be that way. Sometimes we're going to look back and the purpose is going to be harder to see. But even when the purpose is not clear, the promise is clear. The promise remains that God is working all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. He used the suffering of Joseph, he used the suffering of Christ, so that by faith, we can now have assurance that he is working both the good and the bad together for our good.Romans 8, we saw this verse last week, Roman 8:18 says, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." And so in Christ we have provision to persevere. We have a Father who is always faithful and will give us everything that we need to make this journey. In Christ, we have the purpose to persevere. We don't lose heart because we have assurance that nothing we suffer, nothing that we sacrifice in this life will be in vain. And then finally, most importantly, we are able to persevere because in Christ we have perspective. This points through...Romans 8:28 continues, "And I know that for those who love God all things worked together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order to make him the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."When I was in college, I worked in a chain factory making big industrial chains for construction equipment and farm equipment. And I worked in a factory. It was hot, it was loud. It was hard work. Some of the jobs were fun. I got to drive a fork truck for a while. That was a super fun job. Most of the time though, I was a press operator. So I would sit at this large, massive press and I would just do the same thing over and over and over thousands of times for some eight, 10 hours in a day. It was tedious. It was monotonous. It was hard work.Now imagine if at the beginning of my time there, my boss had come to me and said, "Hey, here's what you're going to do. And if you work this press for us, then at the end of the week, there's a pretty good chance we might pay you." You'd say, "Well, that's a pretty good chance I'm quitting right now. I'll I will see you later. I'm not taking that chance." But that is not the perspective that I had. What I saw from my perspective was that I was going to be paid fairly to do the job that they asked me to do, that this money was going to help pay for my future, pay for my education. That these chains were going to be installed in equipment that would build great things and go into tractors that would help farmers be more efficient. And they would help produce crops, which would feed people. And so that there was dignity in this work and what I was doing, it mattered and it was going to pay off. And that was guaranteed. That perspective helped me to get through and keep on going even when the job was hard.And this is the point. As Christians, we have the privilege of perspective that God shows us the end from the beginning, that we already know the outcome of our faith. And so we can trust that all of our suffering, all of our sacrifice in this life is not a loss. It's actually in an investment. It's an investment into eternity. And it's one that we know the return on that investment, it is not just going to be potentially parabolic. It is already guaranteed. That in Christ, God is giving us every provision for our journey. In Christ, God is using every obstacle along the way for our good. And in Christ, God is guaranteeing our safe arrival at the final destination. This verse has been referred to by theologians as the golden chain. After working in a chain factory, that doesn't really make a lot of sense to me because gold would be a terrible material to build chains out of. But my son Owen was here in the first service, so I said I'd rather call this the vibranium chain, like straight out of Wakanda. He's really into the Marvel movies right now.The point is not just that these truths are beautiful. The reason that it's beautiful is because the chain is indestructible, that this chain is unbreakable and there's not a single link in this chain that is weakened. And so let's just walk through this link by link. Verse 29 says that, "For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.For a long time when I was first a Christian, I had a hard time reconciling these first two links. And the reason for that was I didn't understand the meaning of God's foreknowledge. Because most of us, when we think of foreknowledge, we think of it in terms of information, cognitive awareness that you know certain facts or details ahead of time. And with that definition, you can understand why some would conclude that, well, therefore this must mean that God looked into the future and he saw those people who would choose to repent and submit their lives to Christ. And then based on that information, he must have chosen to save those people. And if that's what foreknowledge means, then that interpretation might make sense, but there's at least three significant problems that we face with that interpretation.First of all, this would obviously contradict just so many verses of Scripture that make it abundantly clear that we did not choose God, but he first chose us. That we did not love God until he first extended his love to us. And if God chose us based on something we did, then salvation isn't really based on grace. The Scripture says is based on at least some degree of merit. And so clearly that can't be what Paul means.Secondly, if this is true, if God chose people based on seeing what they would choose, then ultimately this means that we really have no hope that anyone will ever be saved. Because Scripture again, makes it clear in the doctrines of sin that we... Scripture says we are lost and we are dead in our sins. That we are so sinful that none of us would ever choose God. And that if we somehow were able to earn our salvation, if there was any chance of us losing it, then we absolutely would. Like every day, most of you would lose your salvation before your morning cup of coffee, like every single day, but that's not what Scripture says.Romans 3:10-11 says that, "No one is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God on their own." Ephesians 2:1 says that, "You were dead in the trespasses and sins, but God, being rich in mercy, because of what? Because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. By grace, you have been saved."Thirdly, and most importantly, this interpretation of foreknowledge, it presupposes the way that this word would've commonly been understood to Greek thinkers. And it doesn't really take into account the way that it was often used by Hebrew thinkers, especially in the Old Testament in relationship to God. Because in Hebrew, the word know is oftentimes used, and we use it in our language the same way to describe personal relationship. Like there's things you can know, and that's something different than saying, "I know you." When the Bible says that Adam knew his wife, it's not talking about information. It's talking about intimacy. That he didn't just learn something new about Eve when he knew her. What this is telling us is that he related to her in a deeply personal, intimate, exclusive, and covenantal way. This is why sometimes it's even used as a euphemism for marriage and for sex.The Bible tells us that God knew Abraham. Actually in Amos chapter 3, God says to Israel that, "Israel, you only have I known." Now, obviously God knows everything. He's omniscient. He knows everyone. But what this is saying, what God was saying was, "I chose you for a special covenantal relationship and I set you apart." This is why R. C. Sproul in his commentary on Romans, he actually says that you could paraphrase the meaning of Romans 8:29, not just as those who God foreknew, but as those whom for God foreloved. Which kind of makes sense, because remember, we're talking about the context of a Father who's adopting a son. And it also makes sense because the very next thing that Paul tells us in verse 29 is that those whom he foreknew he predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. That God chose to love you. He chose to adopt you as his own. And because he chose to adopt you, he chose to predestine you to be conformed to the image of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.And so off of those first two links in the chain, all the others fall into place. That those whom he predestined he also called; those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. That if God foreloved you and chose to adopt you as his own, then he will sanctify you. He will make you like his Son, Jesus Christ. And if he is going to make you like Jesus, then he is going to call you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. And if he is going to call you out of darkness, he's going to justify you. And up to this point, all of these things that we've talked about are things that for the Christian have already happened in the past. We have been predestined. We have been called. We have been justified.But then Paul gets to the final link of the chain and he puts that in the past tense as well. That those whom he justified, he also glorified as if it's already been done, because in God's mind it has. In God's mind, from God's perspective, this is as good as done. Nothing can stop it. Nothing can thwart his purpose or his plan. Nothing can rip us from his hands. And the hope of the Christian is that you have been saved, but also that you will be saved. You didn't adopt yourself, God chose you, and he chose to put his love on you and his love for you will never fail. And yeah, God is a good Father and sometimes he may need to discipline us as his children, but he's not going to give up on us as his children. He is not taking any of his kids back to the orphanage. Once he's adopted you, you are his, and you are safe and his own in his hands.So your ultimate security as a Christian in Christ, your hope, your peace, your salvation, it's not dependent on your ability to hold onto God. It's dependent on the Father's ability to hold on to you. That if he has you, he is going to give you everything you need to persevere and to prove yourself a child of God until Christ returns.Ephesians 1:3-6, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the beloved."Philippians 1:6 says, "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."And Jesus told us in John chapter 10 that, "I am the good shepherd and the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. And I and the Father are one." And if you are in Christ, then God is your Father. If you are in Christ, then Christ is your shepherd and he will not let you go. He lays down his life to make you his own. And then he gives you his Spirit as a promise, as a guarantee that you will have what you need, that you will have the provision and the purpose and the perspective that you need to continue in perseverance until he returns.Listen, I know that this passage, it's "can be controversial". I know that it's easy to look at this passage and get hung up with a lot of questions about God's sovereignty and human responsibility and election and predestination, things like that. And Paul is going to address some of those questions and concerns in the next few chapters when we get there. But if we walk away from this text right now, primarily focused on those objections, then we've already missed the point because there is a question that Paul wants us to ask, and he tells it to us in the very next verse. And it's a question that is just so much bigger, so much better. He simply says this, "What then shall we say to these things?" If all of this is true, then what is the appropriate response on our behalf?And he tells us that if we really understand this, and if it's really gripped to our hearts, then the only appropriate response is to simply say, "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" If God is for you, you've already won, you have overcome this world. You have nothing in your future that you need to fear. And so in Christ you can persevere. This means is that whatever goodness God shows us right now is only a small glimpse of the glory that is to come. Whatever badness God has allowed to enter your path, he is ultimately using for your good. And no matter how good, no matter how bad things may seem or may feel right now, we have hope and we have assurance that the best is yet to come. That being said, would you just please join me in prayer and then we will continue by responding in worship together.God, I pray that you would just cause our hearts to marvel at your mercy, that we would stand in awe of your amazing grace, confident and secure in your hands. But every moment, every breath is a gift that we don't deserve, and yet you give us so much more. You freely gave us your Spirit. You gave us your Son. God, all we can do is say thank you. All we can do is live our lives with grateful hearts as a response to how good you are. And so we love you. We praise you. We give you all glory and we just want to spend time worshiping you together. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
On the June 7, 2022 episode of /Film Daily, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by /Film news writer Ryan Scott to gather around the virtual water cooler and talk about what they've been up to. [embed=] Opening Banter: At The Water Cooler: What we've been Doing:Ryan went to Phoenix Fan Fusion and ATX. What we've been Reading: Shirtless Bear Fighter, Not All Robots, Something Is Killing The Children What we've been Watching:Ben watched James Stewart and Robert Mitchum: The Two Faces of America, Under the Tuscan Sun, and the first two episodes of Ms. Marvel. Ryan watched Survivorman, Better Call Saul, Top Gun Maverick What we've been Eating: What we've been Playing:Ryan has been listening to the new Harry Styles album a lot and Weeknd's Dawn FM. Have no Heroes - Letters to Nowhere Also mentioned: Harry Styles' Third Album Harry's House is a Soul-Baring, Yet Groovy Confessional Ms. Marvel Review: A Breathlessly Imaginative Teen Comedy, And Breath Of Fresh Of Air For Superhero Shows Prey Trailer: A Comanche Woman Hunts A Predator; Dan Trachtenberg Tells Us About His Prequel All the other stuff you need to know: You can find more about all the stories we mentioned on today's show at slashfilm.com, and linked inside the show notes. /Film Daily is published every weekday, bringing you the most exciting news from the world of movies and television as well as deeper dives into the great features from slashfilm.com. You can subscribe to /Film Daily on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the popular podcast apps (RSS). Send your feedback, questions, comments and concerns to us at peter@slashfilm.com. Please leave your name and general geographic location in case we mention the e-mail on the air. Please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, tell your friends and spread the word! Thanks to Sam Hume for our logo.
If you're a fan of the survival shows, you know that fishing is a big part of how suvivalists make it through their challenges. In this episode, I talk with the grandmaster of survival, Les Stroud of Survivorman, all about how to fish in a survival situation, as well as why some of those shows are not all that they appear to be...