Podcasts about these biblical

What freedom would you experience in every area of your life if you knew you were completely and simply CHOSEN by God?  Lauren Hasson brings significant insights in how to walk with Jesus in your true identity without fear, sin and shame holding you back.  These Biblical truths show us how to be embraced with Jesus in this process of healing and destiny.

These Biblical stories, Jonah and the Prodigal Son, are a gift to us all because everyone you know...everyone, including you, needs grace.  Find yourself in these stories. Support the showThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram more info colonialkc.org

In this powerful message, Pastor Abbie Sawczak explores the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Esau in Genesis 25-27, uncovering the negative patterns that can hold us back from experiencing the fullness of God's promises. These Biblical examples teach us that our past may inform us but do not have to form us. Pastor Abbie encourages us to break free from the cycles of centering our lives around fulfilling God's promises rather than being present with Him and fighting to control the narrative instead of surrendering it to God. Join us as we discover how to replace negative patterns with new ones that align with Jesus' way of life and learn to make decisions out of a desire to be faithful to God rather than desperation. Get ready to let go of the past and embrace the story God is writing in your life! Bible References: Genesis 25:19-34 Genesis 26:1-5 Genesis 27:1-17 Romans 8:12-17

Since this Tuesday is Election Day, we felt it would be good to take one episode and be reminded of a few things our kids need to know. These Biblical truths are essential to help our kids make sense of all the craziness that surrounds an election. We'll be back next week with the final episode in our "Bad Things" series. Until then, enjoy this replay episode from just before the 2020 election. All truths still apply today because God's Word will never fail.-------------------------------------------www.NonStopFamilies.com/support - 15% of your overall monthly support goes directly to Christian families who are in the process of adopting.-------------------------------------------Follow and Subscribe to NonStop Families on Facebook and YouTube@NonStopFamilies

Our guest this week is Sarah Davidar. She's a wife, mom, and a leader at her church. Sarah grew up in a Christian home in India and made a personal decision to follow Christ in middle school. From a young age, she loved to share about Jesus with other people, but her faith soon became wrapped up in what she was doing for God. She put tremendous pressure on herself and came to believe that she had to work hard for God to be pleased with her. Sarah continued to struggle with finding her identity in her performance and seeking other people's approval into her adult life. But then someone gave her and her husband a devotional written by our founder, Neil Anderson. As Sarah read this book, and a few others by Dr. Anderson, she learned about her identity in Christ and that God's acceptance of her was not based on her performance. These Biblical truths had such a huge impact on her life that she's been sharing them with others ever since. If you've struggled with seeking people's approval or any kind of performance mindset in your relationship with Jesus, we believe Sarah's story will speak to you. EPISODE LINKS: To sign up for the online Freedom in Christ Course starting in September: https://www.ficm.org/ficm-courses/freedom-in-christ-course-fall-2022/ Subscribe to Stories of Freedom on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts so that you never miss an episode! Learn more about Freedom in Christ Ministries USA and the discipleship resources we offer: www.ficm.org. For those outside the United States: www.freedominchrist.org. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedominchrist_usa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedominchrist.usa

Paul poured into Timothy. Moses poured into Joshua. These Biblical examples of mentoring are critical to the legacy of faith passed on from one generation to the next. Are you pouring out the love of Jesus to the next generation?

There is a great heritage in the people of God through the ages. These Biblical testimonies will encourage and challenge you to live for the Lord!

Sign-up for my free 20 day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Proverbs 16:33 (NIV)As we've seen over the past few weeks, trusting is the difficult yet simple act of recognizing that we are not responsible for producing results through our work—God is. Once we have taken this critical first step, it is certainly right to hustle, to use our God-given talents to fulfill our calling. But how do we know if we are both trusting and hustling? Hustling is easy to spot. It's found in our email inboxes, our to-do lists, and our cluttered minds. But how do we know if we are truly trusting in God, rather than ourselves, to produce results? Perhaps the best indicator is whether or not we are at rest.Rest is what we are all craving. It doesn't take long to realize that rest means more than simply spending time out of the office. With the lines between work and home almost totally blurred, it can seem impossible to disconnect physically and mentally from the demands of incessant productivity. Even when we are at home, we are checking email, Instagram, calendars, etc. We are always doing. We are restless.How can we find the rest we all so desperately long for? St. Augustine provides the answer: “Our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in You.” We will be restless until we rest in Christ alone. This means that while we should certainly hustle, we must first trust in God who, throughout history, has been faithful to provide for His people. If we trust in God's character, and steward the talents He has given us well, we can rest knowing that the results are in His hands, that He is in control and is working everything for our good. In the words of Solomon in Proverbs 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”This is the only path to true and deep rest behaviorally, mentally, and spiritually, and it begins with our submission to the God-designed art of Sabbath. In the words of Timothy Keller: “We are to think of Sabbath as an act of trust. God appointed the Sabbath to remind us that he is working and resting. To practice Sabbath is a disciplined and faithful way to remember that you are not the one who keeps the world running, who provides for your family, not even the one who keeps your work projects moving forward.”Why is it so critical that we manage the tension between trusting and hustling well? Because at the end of the day, when we rely on our hustling without trusting in God, we are either trying to play God or steal His glory, either of which leads to restlessness. Christian, take heart! These Biblical commands are not in conflict with each other. You have been called to trust your God and work hard. And when we embrace this tension, we can rest well knowing we are in right partnership with our Caller.

Shirley Jackson - The Lottery - Her Most Famous Short Story!   Hi, I'm Christy Shriver, and we're here to discuss books that have changed the world and have changed us.    And I'm Garry Shriver and this is the How to love Lit Podcast.  Today we are finishing up our series on Shirley Jackson.  Last week we concluded our discussion of her most famous book, the one that inspired the Netflix series by the same name The Haunting of Hill House.  Today we are going to read the short story that made her a household name, “The Lottery.”    It has had its share of movie inspiration.  Anyone who has seen the opening of The Hunger Games would not be shocked at the plot of “The Lottery.”  It's inspired a bunch of other stories and movies besides that one; I think you mentioned the Stephen King one last week.  I'm sure there are way more than that if we sat here and thought about it.    True, and maybe I shouldn't have been, but I was actually surprised as to how scandalous this story was when it was first published.  If we're talking solely about violence, by today's standards, it's mild.  There is no blood or gore, it's definitely no Squid Games.    I agree- and I believe that is why this story- so deceptively simple and relatively tame- is actually taught in the eight grade in many school systems.  It's disturbing for reasons beyond the fact that someone is killed at the end- kiiling a main character is just par for the course in a standard English curriculum- in fact, that's the big joke among English teachers- we don't teach a story if we don't kill someone at the end.  “The Lottery” reads and feels so simple.  And it is…so why the sensation?        Let's talk about the sensation, it's definitely worth noticing how big a stir it actually created.    For starters, the story generated more negative letters and subscription cancellations than anything the New Yorker had ever published.  Jackson herself received over 300 letters just the summer it was published.  In her own words she said this, “I can count only 13 that spoke kindly to me.”    I want to point out that her mother, the ever-inspiring Geraldine could be counted on for a comment.  She wrote her daughter with this to say, “Dad and I did not care at all for your story…it does seem, dear, that this gloomy kind of story is what all you young people think about these days.  Why don't you write something to cheer people up?”    Dear Ole' Geraldine- at least she's consistent.  But Jackson refused to explain the meaning of the story.  She did once tell a journalist, “I suppose I hoped, by setting a particularly brutal rite in the present and in my own village, to shock the readers with a graphic demonstration of the pointless violence and general inhumanity of their own lives, but I gather that in some cases the mind just rebels.  The number of people who expected Mrs. Hutchinson to win a Bendix washer at the end would amaze you.”      Ha!  Well, I don't know how pointless violence and general inhumanity could have surprised anyone in 1948 when it was published.  That was right after world war 2, especially the United States, had to stare the reality in the face that we had stood by and turned a blind eye for almost a decade to the atrocities committed by Hitler, and there was no one more cultured or sophisticated than the German people.     I guess that's true, but of course…for Americans that was always…over there…we, self-righteously could always claim we were not capable of such things...    we after all were the victorious winners in that struggle between good and evil. And yet, Jackson's simple story does seem to be pointing an accusing finger at someone.    Yes, I totally think it does, and I do want us to take a different direction than many people who read this story.  At first pass, and this is how I've most often heard this story discussed, this is a story that rails against tradition, against not questioning authority, specifically religious authority, against patriarchy…all very easy things to attack and very common in the American canon.     Well, not just in the arena of literature either.  We've been attacking cultural norms in one form or another since American invented baseball as its own American sports ritual over the sport of the British Empire- football or better known here as soccer.     HA!  I guess that's true.  We also have a  way higher tolerance for gore than this story evokes- I mean we were comfortable with the headless horseman and the tell-tale heart.  There was something personal about the Lottery that went beyond attacking traditions or killing an innocent victim.    I also don't think many of us would cancel our subscription to our favorite media streaming service (which would be the modern day equivalent), or take the trouble to dig up someone's personal address and write them a personal letter if we did not feel personally attacked.  “The Lottery” got under people's skins because it was personal.  So, that's the question I want to ask?  If this story is about pointless violence and general inhumanity, and if I'm offended because I feel personally accused, how?      So, let's start- Christy, we talked about if we should read the entire story and then discuss it or if we should stop and start.  We've decided to stop and start, but hopefully we won't stop and start too much to be confusing, but just enough to be helpful- a difficult balance to strike.        True- Garry- we may fail, but let's give it a go.  Let's start with the first three paragraphs and then we'll interrupt.     Paragraphs 1-3    What are your thoughts?    Well, the thing that strikes me here is tone.  Look at the imagery and word choice- it's summer, there is fresh warmth- there are flowers blooming- there's not just grass there's richly green grass- this is the language of birth and beauty.   There is also a deliberate attempt to characterize these people as organized and civilized- the lottery is annual, it takes less than two hours, they eat a noon dinner- the children don't gather, they assemble- assemble is a formal word.  There is a reference to school. They are being instructed and civilized so to speak deliberately – the word “liberty” is thrown around here.  And yet what are they doing, they are stuffing their pockets full of stones- even the very small children.  They assemble as family units, the very bedrock of civilization across time and culture- they stand together- united- and for a purpose that is upsetting to no one.    Let's read the next four paragraphs and learn about the culture and traditions of this place.    Next four paragraphs     One funny thing that Jackson does in this story is play around with names.  The names are all carefully selected- look at who's conducting all of this, a man by the name of Summers- such a happy name associated with youth, strength, growth, life, all of it.  But look at the other guy- Mr. Graves- he also is responsible for making up the slips of paper and putting the names in this black box.  It's a pun- a grave is a place where we put a dead body. It also means serious- like if you are in grave danger.  The black box one time spent a year in Mr. Graves barn, but that's not the only place it lives.  He is not solely responsible for this black box.  It's spent a year in the post office and also in a grocery store owned by Mr. Martin.      Another thing that people have pointed to is all the possible symbolism in this story.  It does seem that this box is a symbol, the three-legged stool is a symbol, the black mark is a symbol, even the stones are symbols.  But for what?  We should always annotate and follow the symbols, but I usually withhold judgement on what they mean until I've had time to think about the story as a whole.      And we've got more names- a lot of names actually.  One that showed up earlier, but we didn't address is name Delacroix- we're even told the correct pronunciation of this name-     Dela-Croix- as in French for of the Cross    Yep- except they mispronounce it- they don't say Delacroix like you're supposed to say it- they say delacroy- a corruption of the original.  And that sets up for me another a pattern that I see as you read through all these traditions.  Traditions are not fixed- like people think they are.      No, They evolve like everything else on planet earth.  We keep what we want and discard what we don't like.  On my wall, I have a poster that says all behavior is goal- directed- and that goes for entire cultures as well.  No matter what we say, our behaviors speak for us- and they are all goal-directed.  This is true for traditions as well- be it religious, ethical, or civic.    Jackson is very ambiguous about her relationship with religion here.  I want to point out that this is not a religious ceremony, and she could have very easily and understandably made it one.  Mr. Summers could have been Pastor Summers or Father Summers or Rabbi Summers, but he's not any of these, he's a businessman.  I want to suggest what I think here about-that three legged stool- I do think it represents what holds up society in general-  three aspects of societal authority or control- religious, civic and commercial- these three legs hold up the black box.  They are working together, but none is running the show exclusively.      Well, if we're going to guess at symbolism, I want to make a suggestion of my own.    Oh-okay- what do you want to suggest?    That black box.  It's power, it's control.  It's black because fear controls.  It's dynamic in that it moves.  It evolves over time, as power does.  It's cloaked in secrecy, it hides behind tradition, but we see that that isn't necessarily true- they went from chips to paper when they wanted to.  What they wanted to uphold was the black box of power.  I also want to point out that somehow Jackson subtly connects her ritual with this black box and three-legged stool to the harvest, which I found to be a particularly interesting connection.  It's a link to survival and it's at the heart of human existence.  The ancient Athenians, the Aztecs, the Incans on this side of the world just to name a few, but many cultures have connected human sacrifice to crop fertility. In fact, and this may be a point of irony, if you just look across human history from the Egyptians to the Chinese, what we see is human sacrifice correlates directly with a rise in a more sophisticated culture and social stratification than the other way around, contrary to what Old Man Warner suggests.      What do you mean by that?    I mean that we can see, historically, as societies got more sophisticated and organized, we saw more and more links to human sacrifice.     Well You're right  That is counter-intuitive- you would think it would be just the opposite.  Of course, closer to home, in the Judeo-Christian tradition, which is what Jackson was most familiar with and what is reflected most obviously in her story, there is a very deep tradition of sacrifice but not human.  This story is not a direct attack on Christianity by the way, but there is a lot of Christian imagery here- not just with the name Delacroix or delacroy.   There is also the connection with publicly sanctioned and even religiously sanctioned public stonings.  This is a ritual we see in the Old Testaman of the Bible, and one we see Jesus referencing directly in the New Testament in the Bible.  There is a particular story, one of the more famous stories in the New Testament from the 8th chapter of Saint John where a group of men want to stone a woman because they caught her in the act of adultery.  They take her outside; they all gather stones and are ready to murder her when Jesus intervenes.  He takes a stick and starts writing something in the sand which we are never told what they are,  but he famously says, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”  The men slowly but surely as they read whatever he was writing, dropped their stones and went home.  Of course, we don't know what he wrote, I like to think it was the names of their paramours, but that's just me enjoying the irony.  The story ends with Jesus looking at the woman and asking where her accusers had gone because by that point there were none left.    So, you see that story connecting here-     Yep- I do.  There are more Christian references too- Mrs. Adams, that's the name of the first man.  There is an Eva- and then Old man Warner- his name isn't Biblical but there's a biblical connection.  Again, back to Jesus in the New Testament.   These Biblical references, btw, are not obscure- these are super-famous passages that every red-blooded American in 1950 would know.  In the New Testament there's another story where  a follower of Jesus asks Jesus how many times a person was responsible for forgiving another person- the follower offered a suggestion- he said, should we forgive a person seven times- something he finds to be generous- to which Jesus responded- you should forgive a person 70 times 7 – I think what is important about Old Man Warner is not his name but his age- and the link to this archetypal number.      What's the connection- I don't think this story is talking about adultery or forgiveness,  is it?    Not directly, it's talking about values and core values and hypocrisy for sure- and we'll flesh it out when we get to the end, but what I want to point out- is that people have somehow found their value in surviving this tradition.  Mr. Warner brags that he's survived 77 of these without getting picked- his importance comes from this.  Warner also makes a claim that is literally a great example of a post hoc fallacy- an error in logic which you believe that just because something comes before something it means that thing necessarily causes it- he is literally saying that the harvest comes as a direct result of the lottery.  He doesn't invoke any diety for believing this- he just throws it out there.    He's resistant to change because he's validated by this social order.    Well, I can see why lot's people think this story is about accepting things just because they have always been done.  Warner clearly makes that argument.    Of course, that's obvious and there- it's just not the heart of the story.  I want to bring up one more name before we finish and get to the punch line.  The name Tessie Hutchinson- if we look to history there is one Hutchinson woman who stands out- Anne Hutchinson- she showed up in chapter 1 of the Scarlet Letter too- btw- which has a connected theme to this story-     but anyway- tell us who this person is- for those less familiar with early American history.    Anne Hutchinson- we're going way back now- she was born in 1591- she was banished to the  colony of Rhode Island after being excommunicated from Massachusetts bay colony for teaching among other things that women should read and be in leadership but mostly her teachings about the Bible were considered heretical.   She ended up being murdered by Indians in 1643.  It's a sad ending.  She was definitely cast out of the group.      So, let's finish reading the story, and see where we land with all these ideas swirling around in our heads.      Finish the story    Well, Mrs. Hutchinson doesn't win a Bendix washer.  You know  the psychologist Carl Jung, as you know I like his work, stated that even more or less civilized people remain inwardly primitive.  We don't like thinking this, so we can justify with this “mass psyche”.  The group becomes the hypnotic focus of fascination and we can allow ourselves to fall into some sort of spell.- that's the word he used.  The group experience lowers the level of consciousness like the psyche of an animal so we don't have to take responsibility for our actions on an individual level.  It's not a murder if it's a ritual.  How could it be? It's sanctioned by the group.    And yet, it is murder, isn't.  And where I see all of Jackson's ambiguities emerge.  Her story can be interpreted so many different ways. For one thing, no one sees any moral conflict.  Any psychological explanation for that.  I mean they do this every year.    Talk aboou the Milgram experiment       It's a nameless village, full of tradition, likely corruption, so civilized, so warm, the people were so nice to each other…all the way until Mrs. Delacroix picks up the largest stone she could find with which to pelt her good friend Mrs. Hutchinson.      Jackson downplayed her story.  In an essay she wrote about it she had this to say, “I had written the story three weeks before being published.  The idea had come to me while I was pushing my daughter up the hill in her stroller- it was as I say, a warm morning, and the hill was steep, and beside my daughter, the stroller held the day's groceries- and perhaps the effort of that last fifty yards up the hill put an edge to the story, at any rate, I had the idea fairly clearly in my mind when I put my daughter in her playpen and the frozen vegetables in the refrigerator, and writing the story I foud that it went quicly and easily, moving from beginning to end without pause, I'll skip a little to we get to this line….it was just a story I wrote.”    Except it wasn't.  It was her lived experience in Bennington.  Everyone was so nice to each other; centered on civic contribution, religion, family structure- and yet ready to pelt each other with the largest stone they could find, given the psychological pass to do so with impunity.    And that's what made people angry.  We are nice people, but we're not kind people.  We are civilized, but we are not forgiving.  We are religious but our religion has been molded not out of the old sacred texts, but out of the box of power that sits on that three legged stool of our conveniently created social structures remolded over the years as it goes from house to house.  We are not good, we are what we always have been- ready not just to hurl that first stone, but ready to bring out children along, get them to fill up their pockets with stones, all on a beautiful summer day.      Wow!  That hurts.  Well, we hope you enjoyed our discussion of one of America's most famous short stories.  Next week, we will find the anecdote to such raw exposure to humanity through the writings of another American native son- Walt Whitman and selections from his wonderful masterpiece- Leaves of Grass.  We hope you stick around to see what that great American has to say.  As always, please support us by pushing us out on your social media- facebook, instsagram, twitter, tiktok and/or linked in.  Text an episode to a friend.  If you are a teacher, visit our website www.howtolovelitpodcast.com to find listening guides to all of our episodes.      Peace out     

“I love you most, want you to have the best and am willing to bear the consequences.” This is one of nine thematic studies that were written to encourage women to dedicate their lives and work to the Lord, in spite of their own shortcomings. These Biblical women chosen all have “chinks in their armor”… all have been handicapped by something in their lives which might seem to make them unworthy to serve a holy God. However, these women, loved and forgiven, were chosen by the Lord to fulfill a specific purpose for Him. This devotion is part of the series, Unlikely Servants, written by Lu Garchow, originally published by Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

“I am too young and, besides that, who would listen to someone from a minority?” This is one of nine thematic studies that were written to encourage women to dedicate their lives and work to the Lord, in spite of their own shortcomings. These Biblical women chosen all have “chinks in their armor”… all have been handicapped by something in their lives which might seem to make them unworthy to serve a holy God. However, these women, loved and forgiven, were chosen by the Lord to fulfill a specific purpose for Him. This devotion is part of the series, Unlikely Servants, written by Lu Garchow, originally published by Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

“Who does he think he is, this little brother of mine!” This is one of nine thematic studies that were written to encourage women to dedicate their lives and work to the Lord, in spite of their own shortcomings. These Biblical women chosen all have “chinks in their armor”… all have been handicapped by something in their lives which might seem to make them unworthy to serve a holy God. However, these women, loved and forgiven, were chosen by the Lord to fulfill a specific purpose for Him. This devotion is part of the series, Unlikely Servants, written by Lu Garchow, originally published by Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

“I want everything to be perfect, so I worry about getting it all done!” This is one of nine thematic studies that were written to encourage women to dedicate their lives and work to the Lord, in spite of their own shortcomings. These Biblical women chosen all have “chinks in their armor”… all have been handicapped by something in their lives which might seem to make them unworthy to serve a holy God. However, these women, loved and forgiven, were chosen by the Lord to fulfill a specific purpose for Him. This devotion is part of the series, Unlikely Servants, written by Lu Garchow, originally published by Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

We begin a new series focused on the people mentioned in Hebrews 11, commonly known as The Hall of Faith. These Biblical characters are an example of how to live our life in a healthy, productive, and faithful manner. We begin the series by exploring how The Bible defines faith. The ultimate joy of any human is to please God. And Scripture itself says that one pathway for pleasing God is to exercise our faith.

“I’ve waited long enough. It’s time to take matters into my own hands!” This is one of nine thematic studies that were written to encourage women to dedicate their lives and work to the Lord, in spite of their own shortcomings. These Biblical women chosen all have “chinks in their armor”… all have been handicapped by something in their lives which might seem to make them unworthy to serve a holy God. However, these women, loved and forgiven, were chosen by the Lord to fulfill a specific purpose for Him. This devotion is part of the series, Unlikely Servants, written by Lu Garchow, originally published by Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

J. A. Jones gives us valuable insights and scriptures on managing our money effectively. These Biblical principles provides the guidance needed to be in position to have more money and know how to be a blessing to others at the same time.   His service is to help others that are stuck in mental strongholds through encouragement, authenticity, and biblical wisdom. He will help you get better, be free and live a joy filled life. This book "The Power of the Tongue: 30 Days to Better Relationships by Dr. Jones has helped hundreds of people to become better with their words, actions and behaviors. It will help to improve any relationship. Buy it and you'll be glad you did.  J.A. Jones's contact information is below: Email: jajones77@att.net Mailing address: 1268 Gano Avenue, Orange Park, Florida 32073 Instagram    

“Did God really say?” This is one of nine thematic studies that were written to encourage women to dedicate their lives and work to the Lord, in spite of their own shortcomings. These Biblical women chosen all have “chinks in their armor”… all have been handicapped by something in their lives which might seem to make them unworthy to serve a holy God. However, these women, loved and forgiven, were chosen by the Lord to fulfill a specific purpose for Him. This devotion is part of the series, Unlikely Servants, written by Lu Garchow, originally published by Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

“I have so many problems with my family. I find it hard to serve the Lord!” This is one of nine thematic studies that were written to encourage women to dedicate their lives and work to the Lord, in spite of their own shortcomings. These Biblical women chosen all have “chinks in their armor”… all have been handicapped by something in their lives which might seem to make them unworthy to serve a holy God. However, these women, loved and forgiven, were chosen by the Lord to fulfill a specific purpose for Him. This devotion is part of the series, Unlikely Servants, written by Lu Garchow, originally published by Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

“If you really knew what I have done, you wouldn’t want me in your group!” This is one of nine thematic studies that were written to encourage women to dedicate their lives and work to the Lord, in spite of their own shortcomings. These Biblical women chosen all have “chinks in their armor”… all have been handicapped by something in their lives which might seem to make them unworthy to serve a holy God. However, these women, loved and forgiven, were chosen by the Lord to fulfill a specific purpose for Him. This devotion is part of the series, Unlikely Servants, written by Lu Garchow, originally published by Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

“You have chosen me? Have you any idea of my family history?”    This is one of nine thematic studies that were written to encourage women to dedicate their lives and work to the Lord, in spite of their own shortcomings. These Biblical women chosen all have “chinks in their armor”… all have been handicapped by something in their lives which might seem to make them unworthy to serve a holy God. However, these women, loved and forgiven, were chosen by the Lord to fulfill a specific purpose for Him.   This devotion is part of the series, Unlikely Servants, written by Lu Garchow, originally published by Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

In week two of our "Love of Another Kind" series, Pastor Frank Bennett shares qualities of a love that overwhelms with a familiar passage in scripture. These Biblical truths can help us share with others a love of another kind.

In this introductory conversation, Pastors Clint and Michael kick off a new series exploring Spiritual Practices called “Practicing Faith.” These Biblical and ancient Christian practices allow Christians to deepen their faith and create a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. In this introductory conversation, the pastors help define a broad understanding of spiritual […]

In this introductory conversation, Pastors Clint and Michael kick off a new series exploring Spiritual Practices called “Practicing Faith.” These Biblical and ancient Christian practices allow Christians to deepen their faith and create a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. In this introductory conversation, the pastors help define a broad understanding of spiritual […]

S. Gurumurthy is one of India's foremost thinkers in economics, political and cultural philosophy. In this interview he explains his deep insights into the Western Model for Economic Development. Highlights: 1) Max Weber's thesis called Protestant Ethic is the foundation used by Western thinkers to explain the origins of modern capitalism. 2) This foundation is based on the Bible and uses some key Judeo-Christian metaphysical premises. 3) These Biblical ideas earlier also entered Marxism even though Marxism opposed religion. Hegel was the thought leader who crystalized such ideas for modern times. 4) In fact, though Communism and Capitalism fight each other, both share certain core ideas that are not in harmony with dharmic metaphysics. 5) This Western model of economics has permeated all modern theories, and has been championed by international agencies such as World Bank, United Nations, etc. 6) India's Constitution is also based on the same categories and assumptions, making it inconsistent with dharmic principles. 7) So by following this model India has been contradicting its cultural foundations. 8) However, in those areas where India has pursued development according to its own cultural model, it has done far better. 9) Recently, the global economic community has reversed its stand and concluded that the Western model is not suitable as a universal standard. 10) So India must develop and pursue its own development model. Those familiar with my book, BEING DIFFERENT, will appreciate that we are discussing here another example of Western Universalism that has harmed India's interests because it was blindly followed. Do check out our YouTube channel 'Rajiv Malhotra Official' and do follow us on Facebook '@RajivMalhotra.Official' and Twitter '@InfinityMessage' and '@RajivMessage'. To support this project: https://infinityfoundation.com/donate/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kurukshetra/support

We're on a mission, we are set apart, and we have joy! These Biblical truths will challenge and encourage you to live as a priest in everything you do. Pastor Josie Carignan of Uncommon Church in Euless, Texas shares on February 23, 2020. https://uncommonchurch.tv

Earlier this month, South Bend, IN, Mayor and presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg quoted the Bible in an attempt to speak to the question of abortion: “There [are] a lot of parts of the Bible that talk about how life begins with breath, and so even that is something that we can interpret differently.” If we applied the Bible in the way Mayor Pete suggests, abortion would be justified up until birth, a position now firmly embedded and championed across the Democratic Party. One of the ways Mayor Pete has distinguished his candidacy from all of the other Democratic hopefuls for president is through constant reference to his religious faith. Already, Buttigieg has applied (and often, misapplied) the Bible to support far-left positions on several cultural issues, including economic policy and same-sex marriage. These Biblical misapplications are easily taken apart. Or, at least, they should be. The Bible clearly treats unborn babies as persons, see Psalm 139 and Luke 1:15, and Jesus clearly affirms the Genesis account of marriage as between a man and a woman, see Matthew 19:4. In fact, the Bible Buttigieg goes to for his political positions is missing a lot of pages, and suspiciously reads a whole lot like his party's platform. As Ross Douthat put it, Buttigieg doesn't appear to “support any policy that deviates from the progressive catechism.” Of course, Buttigieg has every right to sermonize. My concern here is what makes it effective. It certainly isn't the strength of his biblical argumentation. As I said on Twitter: “What makes #MayorPete's gross misapplication of Scripture to cultural issues so troubling and so effective is the incredible void left when many pastors who won't apply Scripture to cultural issues.” The reason Buttigieg gets so much mileage out of his biblically revised one-liners is because so many Christians do not get a steady diet of the Bible applied to cultural issues, particularly from the pulpit. Buttigieg is filling a void that's been left by pastors who only teach the Bible as a personal, private self-help book, in order to help us find our purpose, improve our lives, and feel closer to God. For example, back in 2016, when Colorado was facing a ballot initiative on doctor-assisted suicide, at least two prominent pastors told me they wouldn't address it from the pulpit because it was “too political.” A Christianity that is never directly and broadly applied to the cultural moment we live in is one that is eventually reduced down to emotive sentimentalism. A friend responded to my tweet with this one that further clarifies the problem Buttigieg is revealing in the church: “Also, he's Very Nice. Reducing Christianity to bland platitudes and vague kindness leaves us utterly defenseless when the snake oil salesman is vaguely kind too.” Exactly. Do the math. Too many Christians never hear the Bible applied to cultural issues. Too many Christians are left with the impression that Christianity is about being “nice” and happy. Mayor Pete is “nice” and happy. Mayor Pete applies the Bible to cultural issues. As one of my Tennessee friends used to say, “This ain't rocket surgery.” Christianity is, of course, personal. But it's not private. To say, as Jesus' first followers did, that “Christ is Lord” is to state a public truth. Christ is sovereign not just over our salvation, but over everything. And if Christianity is true, its truth applies to every sphere of life. I am grateful for those pastors and preachers, and there are many of them, who clearly and courageously articulate the whole truth of the Bible, working out its implications from the pulpit for the cultural moment in which we live. There's a scene in “Remember the Titans” in which Denzel Washington's character tells his white assistant coach to stop coddling the team's black players. He knows the racist hatred these young men will face. “You're not preparing them for the real world,” he says. “You're crippling them for life.” In the same way, pastors who use the Scripture to coddle our emotions, but never apply Scripture to hot-button issues, will leave their flocks cripplingly vulnerable when politicians twist the Bible to their own ends.

Organizations who want to accelerate the development of emerging leaders call Eddie Turner, The Leadership Excelerator®. He has been described as “The Consummate Friendly Professional” and has worked for several of the world’s “most admired companies.” He is passionate about working with leaders to “Accelerate Performance and Drive Impact!”® through the power of coaching, facilitation and speaking. Eddie is a C-Suite Network Advisor and a national media commentator who holds international certifications as a trainer, facilitator and coach—including being one of around 15% of speakers in the world to earn the Certified Speaking Professional™ (CSP®) credential from the National Speakers Association. He is also a published writer of content for Forbes.com and the best-selling author of 140 Simple Messages to Guide Emerging Leaders. Eddie is the host of the Keep Leading!™ podcast which is a headliner show on C-Suite Radio. Website www.eddieturnerllc.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddieturner Twitter https://twitter.com/eddieturnerjr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/eddieturnerllc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eddieturnerjr/ YouTube http://www.youtube.com/EddieTurnerJr Amazon Author amazon.com/author/eddieturnerjr Leadership Quote “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” These Biblical words from Jesus apply to many areas of life. Great leaders realize this applies quite nicely to leadership development as well. When we give of ourselves to develop others, we simultaneously develop ourselves. Please Subscribe, Share, and Review this podcast on iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-leading/id1461490512 Buy on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HKPFS6S/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_brhZCbKT9H0RJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In depth Bible study for those that have been forced fed milk and have been crying out for meat. These Biblical topics will be covered in depth and to the point, with all resources given for self investigation and edification. According to the Scripture YouTube Twitter Facebook Spreaker

In depth Bible study for those that have been forced fed milk and have been crying out for meat. These Biblical topics will be covered in depth and to the point, with all resources given for self investigation and edification. According to the Scripture YouTube Twitter Facebook

God gives us two answers and two antidotes in Psalm 37 for the comparisons and competition that can feed our envy.These Biblical principles have the power to break these chains that can keep us locked up in bondage and free us to enjoy all that God has given us.

In this episode, Rev. Beverly Gibson and Johnny Gwin explore and share thoughts on hope, purpose, courage and the Heroes Journey. Carefully, Rev Gibson parallels this week's lessons and readings with the epic good vs. evil tale of pop-culture staple Star Wars. Yes, the Luke Skywalker and Han Solo Star Wars of 1978, titled A New Hope. The characters of the scripture readings and the fictional ones in a galaxy far, far away, seem to be in a constant tug of war of embracing the light and fighting the darkness of the forces of their foes, the external world, and themselves. These Biblical and Sci-fi epic stories of struggles that seem too large to overcome are eventually transformed into victory only when hope, guided by insight and purpose, evolves into real courage. These timeless and heroic tales aren't just stories; they are reflections of who we all are. Hope is something that we are wired to search for and follow. Hope is what can give us strength to carry on and control our fear of the unknown until we reach our final goals. We can find ourselves in dark places and hard times, but each of us (like the apostles and the rebel force) have talents and gifts that we can contribute to making things better. We are called to discover what those God-given gifts are and to step away from the darkness and fight to walk and bring others into the light. Heroes need a purpose, as well as, strength and a brave heart when bringing down an empire or reclaiming a kingdom. What can we do to transform ourselves and our communities from mere mortals to epic heroes full of hope and courage that (against all odds) work to make a better world we all envision?   Click to read Rev. Gibson's full worship notes Help support Pulpit To Pew with our Patreon campaign What you will hear: > The convergence of passion and purpose > Beverly's inclusion of the Star Wars (A New Hope) universal themes in this week's sermon > The ubiquitous parallels of Star Wars lessons in the classroom setting > The double edge sword of presenting fiction like Star Wars from the pulpit > The comparable motifs and themes of epic journey fiction and stories in the Bible > The messages of transformation and the "calling" that changes the person > Penny Dreadful (TV show) and it's example of personal transformation > The "monster" is always within and the rejection of that reality > Tim Ferris and his practical way to bring more light in daily life. > Build fires in as many ways as possible until the storm blows over > Bring more light (and kindness) during this hectic and stressful Christmas season > Less about yourself. It's not where I think I am going; it's more about where am I am now and the awareness to adjust my "inner compass" based on what happens on the journey > Eliminate the idealized world and be aware of what is "really happening" > Small acts of kindness can bring light in the world > The shocking confessions of parishioners who have not seen Star Wars > Johnny recommends the awful 1979 Star Wars Holiday - made for TV -Special featuring Chewbacca and his family > We all are called to discern our purpose of drawing ourselves and others away from darkness and toward the light > Beverly suggests Tracy McMillian and her thought provoking posts on Instagram for daily inspiration > Johnny suggests listening to the podcast Where There's Smoke by Brett Gadja & Nick Jaworski - this insightful show brings light to the dark internet Weekly Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11   What do you think about Pulpit To Pew?
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