Podcasts about this child

It's the 30th anniversary of This Child, as Susan comes to Yorkton on March 17th, 2025

Did we celebrate Christmas with/ singularity, simplicity, and sincerity, focusing on our Savior? Let's evaluate how we did so we get it right.Long before we met Luke, we see in the First Books of the Bible, aka The Five Books of Moses, the essential need for credible witnesses to confirm God's Word and, therefore, God's will. The number one goal of the Bible is to discover what is and isn't true. Incredible witnesses, yes, but more than that, they are credible witnesses! • Deut. 19:15-16; Numbers 35:30; Matthew 18:15-16; John 8:12-18; Acts 10:35-43; II Cor. 13:11; I Tim. 5:17-19; I John 5:6-12; Rev. 11 - Two olive trees / Two lampstands Luke & Matthew confirm the Christmas Truth over and over again with credible witnesses - with character witnesses.I. The Two or More Witnesses of Christmas - 1. Zechariah & Elizabeth 2. Mary & Joseph - 3. Multiple Shepherds - 4. Multiple Magi - 5. Simeon & Anna - dealt with devotion, with death, “If a man dies will he live again?”; last week we ended the Lord's Supper with Matthew 26:29 (Jesus was emphatically saying to His disciples, “See you on the other side”)II. The Obedience of Faith of Mary & Joseph - 2:21-24III. The Witness/Testimony of Simeon - 2:25-34 1. The Credibility of Simeon (4) a. He was righteous, devout, and was waiting in the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him - 2. The Commitment of Simeon - “waiting for the consolation” - Reminds me of I Thess 1:8-10 3. The Conviction of Simeon - Holy Spirit revealed to him a. He would not see death until he saw the Lord's Christ - b. Like Jesus & Paul - Simeon wasn't afraid of death - Are you • John 14:1-3; 17:1-5: I Cor. 15 (no more sting in death); II Cor. 5:6-8; Phil. 1:21-24; II Tim. 4:6-8; Rev. 12:11 c. Simeon blesses God - v. 28 d. Simeon “blesses” them - vv. 34-35 4. The Commission w/in Simeon's Prophecy - One of the evidences of the Spirit speaking through Simeon is that he quotes the prophecy of Gentile inclusion “a light to the nations” (something Luke does frequently)(1) This Child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel - • Who fell? • Who rose?(2) And for a sign that is opposed -(3) (And a sword will pierce through your own soul also) - “so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” • Some 30-plus years later Luke tells us of another heart that was pierced (Simeon didn't know this) and that is the heart of Jesus Himself • Triumphal Entry context for 2 passages depicting the rise and fall of Israel(1) Luke 19:37-48 - Jesus weeps over a nation, over a city, over the holy city (2) Matthew 21:33-46 (from Psalm 118; also quoted in Acts 4:11)From the Cradle to the Cross - We will meet Anna next week!

From Sunday 29 December 2024 Pastor Jason Clark continues the Sermon Series, "The Coming of the Son of Man" from the book of Luke. Today's message is “Behold, This Child is Appointed for the Fall and Rising of Many” Luke 2:21-39 fbcmw.org

In this message we continue our study of this great passage. After a period of deep darkness, Isaiah speaks of a coming light--a Great Light. This Great Light will dispel the tyranny and oppression of this world and the spiritual forces of darkness imprisoning it. This joy and deliverance comes because "to us a child is born, to us a Son is given. This Son is the light of the world who will dispel the darkness and bring to us peace. This Child is Jesus. He is wonderful. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace."

It isn't only doubters who bemoan the passing year. Believers also crouch against the onslaught of the news. Tragic wars that never end; the end of good and gentle folk; the dull monotony of pain that robs our midnight of its sleep. And one more baby, born into a world where thousands never see one week.  But here we witness Heaven's great surprise. In weakness was obscured great strength. That fragile child—He once threw galaxies around, and knows their numbers, range and size. The painful moment of His birth let loose a tide of healing that forever changed the meaning of our pain and how we get through midnights. He laid His hands upon the broken; He overturned the fortunes of the greedy; and in His name, a thousand tyrants fled into the night. Because He lived—because He lives—our mangled world began, at last, to breathe again, to hope again. For sake of grace, the dread of God—or many gods—became as Heaven wanted it, a friendship rich with joy and light. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). This Christmas, let the hope once born with Jesus raise your heart and calm your fears. This Child we celebrate is still the Lord—the Master of uncounted years. And stay in grace. -Bill Knott

It isn't only doubters who bemoan the passing year. Believers also crouch against the onslaught of the news. Tragic wars that never end; the end of good and gentle folk; the dull monotony of pain that robs our midnight of its sleep. And one more baby, born into a world where thousands never see one week.  But here we witness Heaven's great surprise. In weakness was obscured great strength. That fragile child—He once threw galaxies around, and knows their numbers, range and size. The painful moment of His birth let loose a tide of healing that forever changed the meaning of our pain and how we get through midnights. He laid His hands upon the broken; He overturned the fortunes of the greedy; and in His name, a thousand tyrants fled into the night. Because He lived—because He lives—our mangled world began, at last, to breathe again, to hope again. For sake of grace, the dread of God—or many gods—became as Heaven wanted it, a friendship rich with joy and light. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). This Christmas, let the hope once born with Jesus raise your heart and calm your fears. This Child we celebrate is still the Lord—the Master of uncounted years. And stay in grace. -Bill Knott

In the midst of the darkness of this world God shined the light of Christ. This Child born, this Son given will revolutionize the entire world.

In this week's episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is thrilled to be joined by the Arctic Rose herself, Susan Aglukark. Susan Aglukark is an Inuk woman from the community of Arviat which is in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. Susan discusses life before her career as a singer-songwriter, including her time spent working at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, to her decision to dedicate her life to music. Susan's iconic voice and sound has enabled her to travel the world, performing for royal and state dignitaries, including the late great Nelson Mandela. Show Notes:  ITK - About Canadian Inuit  Inuit Nunangat Map Inuktitut   Inuit naming tradition (CBC article) Arviat Chesterfield Inlet Polar bears Federal Hostel at Frobisher Bay (Ukkivik Student Residence) Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada MuchMusic  CBC Northern Affairs  The JUNO Awards Arctic Rose Foundation Searching by Susan Aglukark Dreams for You by Susan Aglukark O Siem by Susan Aglukark 30th Anniversary Tour of This Child in 2025 Additionally: Article on Susan's Inuktitut teacher David Owingayak CMHR - The story of Nelson Mandela   Ayaya is a proud sponsor of the Roots and Hoots podcast and you can visit their website at ayaya.ca For more information about the Legacy of Hope Foundation, please visit legacyofhope.ca

Scripture Reflection for October 24, 2024: Who Are the Parents of This Child? by Priests for Life

LESSON 182I Will Be Still An Instant And Go Home.This world you seem to live in is not home to you. And somewhere in your mind you know that this is true. A memory of home keeps haunting you, as if there were a place that called you to return, although you do not recognize the voice, nor what it is the voice reminds you of. Yet still you feel an alien here, from somewhere all unknown. Nothing so definite that you could say with certainty you are an exile here. Just a persistent feeling, sometimes not more than a tiny throb, at other times hardly remembered, actively dismissed, but surely to return to mind again.No one but knows whereof we speak. Yet some try to put by their suffering in games they play to occupy their time, and keep their sadness from them. Others will deny that they are sad, and do not recognize their tears at all. Still others will maintain that what we speak of is illusion, not to be considered more than but a dream. Yet who, in simple honesty, without defensiveness and self-deception, would deny he understands the words we speak?We speak today for everyone who walks this world, for he is not at home. He goes uncertainly about in endless search, seeking in darkness what he cannot find; not recognizing what it is he seeks. A thousand homes he makes, yet none contents his restless mind. He does not understand he builds in vain. The home he seeks can not be made by him. There is no substitute for Heaven. All he ever made was hell.Perhaps you think it is your childhood home that you would find again. The childhood of your body, and its place of shelter, are a memory now so distorted that you merely hold a picture of a past that never happened. Yet there is a Child in you Who seeks His Father's house, and knows that He is alien here. This childhood is eternal, with an innocence that will endure forever. Where this Child shall go is holy ground. It is His holiness that lights up Heaven, and that brings to earth the pure reflection of the light above, wherein are earth and Heaven joined as one.It is this Child in you your Father knows as His Own Son. It is this Child Who knows His Father. He desires to go home so deeply, so unceasingly, His voice cries unto you to let Him rest a while. He does not ask for more than just a few instants of respite; just an interval in which He can return to breathe again the holy air that fills His Father's house. You are His home as well. He will return. But give Him just a little time to be Himself, within the peace that is His home, resting in silence and in peace and love.This Child needs your protection. He is far from home. He is so little that He seems so easily shut out, His tiny voice so readily obscured, His call for help almost unheard amid the grating sounds and harsh and rasping noises of the world. Yet does He know that in you still abides His sure protection. You will fail Him not. He will go home, and you along with Him.This Child is your defenselessness; your strength. He trusts in you. He came because He knew you would not fail. He whispers of His home unceasingly to you. For He would bring you back with Him, that He Himself might stay, and not return again where He does not belong, and where He lives an outcast in a world of alien thoughts. His patience has no limits. He will wait until you hear His gentle Voice within you, calling you to let Him go in peace, along with you, to where He is at home and you with Him.When you are still an instant, when the world recedes from you, when valueless ideas cease to have value in your restless mind, then will you hear His Voice. So poignantly He calls to you that you will not resist Him longer. In that instant He will take you to His home, and you will stay with Him in perfect stillness, silent and at peace, beyond all words, untouched by fear and doubt, sublimely certain that you are at home.Rest with Him frequently today. For He was willing to become a little Child that you might learn of Him how strong is he who comes without defenses, offering only love's messages to those who think he is their enemy. He holds the might of Heaven in His hand and calls them friend, and gives His strength to them, that they may see He would be Friend to them. He asks that they protect Him, for His home is far away, and He will not return to it alone.Christ is reborn as but a little Child each time a wanderer would leave his home. For he must learn that what he would protect is but this Child, Who comes defenseless and Who is protected by defenselessness. Go home with Him from time to time today. You are as much an alien here as He.Take time today to lay aside your shield which profits nothing, and lay down the spear and sword you raised against an enemy without existence. Christ has called you friend and brother. He has even come to ask your help in letting Him go home today, completed and completely. He has come as does a little child, who must beseech his father for protection and for love. He rules the universe, and yet He asks unceasingly that you return with Him, and take illusions as your gods no more.You have not lost your innocence. It is for this you yearn. This is your heart's desire. This is the voice you hear, and this the call which cannot be denied. The holy Child remains with you. His home is yours. Today He gives you His defenselessness, and you accept it in exchange for all the toys of battle you have made. And now the way is open, and the journey has an end in sight at last. Be still an instant and go home with Him, and be at peace a while.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Emma-Claire Wilson is an author of emotional commercial and book club fiction. She writes ‘to make sense of the world', and loves nothing more than tackling tough subjects and issues that affect her readers on a daily basis.When she is not writing fiction, she enjoys exercising her brain muscles with freelance copywriting, coaching other writers or writing articles for The Glass House Online Magazine. Her debut, This Child of Mine, although not autobiographical, was based on personal experiences and resulted in a highly emotional piece of fiction that secured her representation with Kate Nash Literary Agency. After almost 20 years living on the continent, she returned to the UK with her husband, two daughters and rescue dog, Pip. Now, trying hard to acclimatise to the UK weather, you will mostly find her snuggled under a blanket; sometimes dreaming of her next holiday in the sun but mostly reading stories that affect her or writing books she hopes will affect others.This Child of Mine : Debut : Published July 2023 with Avon HC. Genre: Womens Commercial Fiction – Emotional Family Drama (It's a tearjerker, folks!)Ways to connect with Emma-ClaireInstagram: @ecwilsonauthorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECWilsonAuthor Twitter: @ECWilsonWriterSubstack: https://substack.com/@emmaclairewilson/Linktree: http://linktr.ee/ecwilsonauthorIf you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors. Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk and you can access the FREE Mini Reboot through this link.You can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsukAnd finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is published 20th June 2024. You can pre-order here or if you are on NetGalley you can request an ARC (advance reader copy) here.Happy writing, and may the words flow for you.

This is the longest 'short' episode I've done, but believe me, it's worth it! I've invited my dear friend, Emma-Claire Wilson to join me, but not as an author, rather as a journalist. She shares her expertise with us about how to be featured, and there are real nuggets in this episode. So forgive me a long 'short' on this occasion, but I know you'll find it incredibly helpful, whether or not you are a published author.Emma-Claire can be found at emmaclairewilson.com where you will find details of working with her as a coach and mentor.Her novel is This Child of Mine and it is out now in all major retailers.If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors. Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk and you can access the FREE Mini Reboot through this link.You can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsukAnd finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is published 20th June 2024. You can pre-order here or if you are on NetGalley you can request an ARC (advance reader copy) here.Happy writing, and may the words flow for you.

This is one of our favorite services of the whole year! Christmas Candlelight! Pastor Ryan helps us dig into Isaiah's description of This Child!

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I'm talking to Emma-Claire Wilson about her commercial novel This Child of Mine. We discuss why she uses first person perspective to help readers live through her character's light and dark, how she chose to transform her novel into a commercial style and building a writing platform before she had a book deal. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*Buy This Child of Mine: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9780008608088Follow Emma-Claire: @ECWilsonWriterhttps://linktr.ee/ecwilsonauthorFollow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimmsBuy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimmschloetimms.co.uk *affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“What Child is This?” 1. This Child is God. 2. This Child is Man. 3. This Child is our Redeemer. Sermon Text: Galatians 4:1-7 December 31, 2023 Preacher: Pastor John Petersen Visit us at mtolivelutheran.org

A heart for missions and ministry in our children doesn't just happen; if we want them to have an eternal perspective, we must be intentional about it! Join me and Danielle Papageorgiou as we talk about raising missions-minded children who will change the world for Jesus! Danielle Papageorgiou has been homeschooling, or “lifeschooling,” for 22 years (she counts birth as day 1!). She has a passion for helping other homeschoolers learn how to homeschool in a way that does not compete with family life but actually enhances it – homeschooling done in a spirit of freedom, not legalism. Her desire is to see more families set free from the world's expectations of what education is and to discover that God has made each family unique and has also placed in each of their children special gifts and desires that He wants to use. The verse that guides the Papageorgious in their pursuit of lifeschooling is Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Connect with our guest:  lifeasalifeschooler.com facebook.com/groups/lifeschooling Resources from this episode: Lifeschooling Vision Planner - lifeschoolingconference.com/e-landing-page/lifeschooling-vision-planner FREE "Who is This Child?" Journal - https://lifeschoolingconference.com/who-is-this-child-lead-magnet-for-affiliates/ Bible Verse Posters: Words of Jesus from the Gospel of John (use code PODCAST for 20% off!) – familydiscipleshippodcast.net/john  Follow on your favorite social and podcast platforms: Website: FamilyDiscipleshipPodcast.net Facebook: facebook.com/familydiscipleshippodcast Instagram: instagram.com/family.discipleship.podcast Threads: threads.com/family.discipleship.podcast YouTube: youtube.com/@familydiscipleshippodcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/family-discipleship-podcast Apple Podcasts: familydiscipleshippodcast.net/apple Spotify: familydiscipleshippodcast.net/spotify Patreon: patreon.com/FamilyDiscipleshipPodcast SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/familydiscipleshippodcast The Family Discipleship Podcast is published every week, Lord-willing, by Christian Horstmann. Feel free to also visit my other websites, ChristianFamilyReformation.com and FamiliesForFreedom.info. 

The post This Child… appeared first on Living Fellowship.

What Child is This? Title: Humble Beginnings Date: December, 6 2023 Preacher: Will Gunn Matthew 2:1-12 Main idea: This Child is in Charge and Worthy of Worship.

As we open up, we're watching the new captioning tools on Zoom and noticing a few errors, or might they be more correct than we know? To quote Zoom captions: “profound things will be sad…”Craig and Cody talked about sports, with a focus on volleyball and hockey, and a look at the ranking of sports based on player salaries. Cody talked about Advent music, focusing largely on nontraditional (i.e. not in hymnals) songs.Follow the NCAA Volleyball tournament at: Where to watch: https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/38992406/how-watch-2023-ncaa-women-volleyball-championship-espnFind the bracket: https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/volleyball-women/d1/2023 Common Hymnal – Humble PeopleThe Hound + The Fox – What Child is This/Child of the PoorTracey Thorn – JoyDave Bazan – I Heard the Bells on Christmas DayAlana Levandoski – First Advent Starting off, though, continuing the conversation about theological assumptions, Cody and Craig talked about the proper order of themes for Advent. Here are some possible themes:What is the proper order of Advent themes and why?a. Joy, Peace, Love, Hopeb. Hope, Justice, Peace, Joyc. Peace, Peace, Peace, Peaced. Faith, Hope, Joy, Love, Lighte. Prophecy, Promise, Fulfillment, Faithf. Signs, Saviors, Serpents, Songg. Waiting, Preparing, Singing, Laboringh. wear, wash, rinse, repeatWhat do you think would be the best? Login to Patreon and give us a boost, if you will. Also, make sure to rate, like, and share our podcasts. We do all this on a shoestring budget (both money and time are scarce).

I will be still an instant and go Home. This world you seem to live in is not home to you. And somewhere in your mind you know that this is true. A memory of home keeps haunting you, as if there were a place that called you to return, although you do not recognize the voice, nor what it is the voice reminds you of. Yet still you feel an alien here, from somewhere all unknown. Nothing so definite that you could say with certainty you are an exile here. Just a persistent feeling, sometimes not more than a tiny throb, at other times hardly remembered, actively dismissed, but surely to return to mind again. No one but knows whereof we speak. Yet some try to put by their suffering in games they play to occupy their time, and keep their sadness from them. Others will deny that they are sad, and do not recognize their tears at all. Still others will maintain that what we speak of is illusion, not to be considered more than but a dream. Yet who, in simple honesty, without defensiveness and self-deception, would deny he understands the words we speak? We speak today for everyone who walks this world, for he is not at home. He goes uncertainly about in endless search, seeking in darkness what he cannot find; not recognizing what it is he seeks. A thousand homes he makes, yet none contents his restless mind. He does not understand he builds in vain. The home he seeks can not be made by him. There is no substitute for Heaven. All he ever made was hell. Perhaps you think it is your childhood home that you would find again. The childhood of your body, and its place of shelter, are a memory now so distorted that you merely hold a picture of a past that never happened. Yet there is a Child in you Who seeks His Father's house, and knows that He is alien here. This childhood is eternal, with an innocence that will endure forever. Where this Child shall go is holy ground. It is His holiness that lights up Heaven, and that brings to earth the pure reflection of the light above, wherein are earth and Heaven joined as one. It is this Child in you your Father knows as His Own Son. It is this Child Who knows His Father. He desires to go home so deeply, so unceasingly, His voice cries unto you to let Him rest a while. He does not ask for more than just a few instants of respite; just an interval in which He can return to breathe again the holy air that fills His Father's house. You are His home as well. He will return. But give Him just a little time to be Himself, within the peace that is His home, resting in silence and in peace and love. This Child needs your protection. He is far from home. He is so little that He seems so easily shut out, His tiny voice so readily obscured, His call for help almost unheard amid the grating sounds and harsh and rasping noises of the world. Yet does He know that in you still abides His sure protection. You will fail Him not. He will go home, and you along with Him. This Child is your defenselessness; your strength. He trusts in you. He came because He knew you would not fail. He whispers of His home unceasingly to you. For He would bring you back with Him, that He Himself might stay, and not return again where He does not belong, and where He lives an outcast in a world of alien thoughts. His patience has no limits. He will wait until you hear His gentle Voice within you, calling you to let Him go in peace, along with you, to where He is at home and you with Him. When you are still an instant, when the world recedes from you, when valueless ideas cease to have value in your restless mind, then will you hear His Voice. So poignantly He calls to you that you will not resist Him longer. In that instant He will take you to His home, and you will stay with Him in perfect stillness, silent and at peace, beyond all words, untouched by fear and doubt, sublimely certain that you are at home. Rest with Him frequently today. For He was willing to become a little Child that you might learn of Him how strong is he who comes without defenses, offering only love's messages to those who think he is their enemy. He holds the might of Heaven in His hand and calls them friend, and gives His strength to them, that they may see He would be Friend to them. He asks that they protect Him, for His home is far away, and He will not return to it alone. Christ is reborn as but a little Child each time a wanderer would leave his home. For he must learn that what he would protect is but this Child, Who comes defenseless and Who is protected by defenselessness. Go home with Him from time to time today. You are as much an alien here as He. Take time today to lay aside your shield which profits nothing, and lay down the spear and sword you raised against an enemy without existence. Christ has called you friend and brother. He has even come to ask your help in letting Him go home today, completed and completely. He has come as does a little child, who must beseech his father for protection and for love. He rules the universe, and yet He asks unceasingly that you return with Him, and take illusions as your gods no more. You have not lost your innocence. It is for this you yearn. This is your heart's desire. This is the voice you hear, and this the call which cannot be denied. The holy Child remains with you. His home is yours. Today He gives you His defenselessness, and you accept it in exchange for all the toys of battle you have made. And now the way is open, and the journey has an end in sight at last. Be still an instant and go home with Him, and be at peace a while.- Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 182

Episode 87 – Guest Interview – Derbyshire Author Emma-Claire WilsonIn this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers' Room to chat with Emma-Claire Wilson.Emma-Claire Wilson is an author of emotional commercial women's fiction. She writes ‘to make sense of the world' and loves nothing more than tackling tough subjects and issues that affect her readers daily. When she is not writing fiction, she enjoys exercising her brain muscles with freelance copywriting, coaching other writers, and writing articles for The Glass House Online Magazine.  Her debut, This Child of Mine, although not autobiographical, was based on personal experiences and resulted in a highly emotional piece of fiction that secured her representation with Kate Nash Literary Agency. It is due to be published by Avon Harper Collins in the summer. Peter and Laura ask Emma-Claire:Tell us about yourself and your journey. How did you get started with writing?Congratulations on the upcoming publication of your novel - This Child of Mine. Can you tell us more about the book? How did you manage writing about such an emotive and emotional topic? What three pieces of advice could you share with our listener if they want to write about difficult topics or themes? You've shared about the power of writing with a ‘tribe' and the importance of attending Ponden Hall writing retreat. Can you talk to us more about this? How do you think this helped you with your process? Emma-Claire, you write commercial women's fiction. We know it's such a wide-ranging space to work in. Can you tell our listener more about this as a category and genre? And What advice can you give to our listener if they wanted to pitch a novel within this category of fiction?What's next for you, and how can our listener find out more about you and your work?Quick Fire QuestionsWhat do you wish you'd known sooner on your writing journey?What motivates you to write?What advice would you give to our listener?How Can We Find More About You?PREORDER EMMA-CLAIRE'S BOOK HEREEmma-Claire's Website - https://emmaclairewilson.com/my-books/https://twitter.com/@ECWilsonWriterEmma-Claire mentions: The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface. Book by Donald Maass.We want to hear from you! info@derbyshirewritingschool.comSend us a voice message.Thanks for listening!

This week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Sophronia Scott, author of the novel, Wild, Beautiful and Free. Sophfronia holds a BA in English from Harvard and an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She began her career as an award-winning magazine journalist for Time, and People. When her first novel, All I Need to Get By, was published by St. Martin's Press in 2004 Sophfronia was nominated for best new author at the African American Literary Awards. Sophfronia's other books include The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton, Unforgivable Love, Love's Long Line, Doing Business By the Book, and This Child of Faith: Raising a Spiritual Child in a Secular World, co-written with her son Tain. Currently, Sophfronia is the founding director of Alma College's MFA in Creative Writing, a low-residency graduate program based in Alma, Michigan. In our conversation, we discuss how she grew up in Lorain, Ohio--hometown of Toni Morrison--with a father who couldn't read. The one class in college that led her to writing when she was supposed to become a doctor, and the lengths she went to do her work as a writer, including driving a school bus, part-time, while she earned her MFA. Support the showFollow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me:IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Get My Books

Rev. Erik Veerman12/18/2022 Matthew 1:18-25A Savior who Is God with UsOur sermon text this morning is from Matthew chapter 1, verses 18-25. You can find that on page 959 in the pew Bible.Last week we looked at the first 17 verses. In the very first verse, Matthew claimed that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah. And if you'll remember, Matthew's main audience was Jewish. That claim would have been very significant to his audience. After all, they had been waiting for the promised savior.And, think about this, they would have had a ton of questions. How can we know for sure Jesus was the Messiah? Did he fulfill the covenant promises? Did the prophecies come true? In other words, prove it!After making the claim that Jesus was the Christ, Matthew had a lot to prove.And I think you and I would have had just as many questions.Verses 1-17 answered the human and natural lineage of Jesus.As we now turn to verses 18-25, Matthew explain Jesus' divine nature and supernatural lineage – his incarnation.As I read, I want you to think about Joseph. What was he going through and thinking when he found out Mary was pregnant? What changed his mind? And how did he respond?Let's now turn our attention to God's Word.StandReading of Matthew 1:18-25PrayerOver the last 100 years, the virgin birth has drawn some of the most intense critiques directed at Christianity. By the way, we say virgin birth… what we mean is that Jesus was conceived in Mary by God. Mary was still a virgin.And if you think about it, from a mere human perspective, it is quite unbelievable. Absurd even. Biologically impossible. Yet, the birth of Jesus by the virgin Mary is considered an indispensable part of the Christian faith. I would put it up there with the resurrection as the two supernatural events upon which Christianity stands or falls.Can it really be true? Could Mary really become pregnant as a virgin?I was reading an article this week about that very question. The author quoted CS Lewis, who was grappling with that same question. What would it take for a supernatural event to occur, like the virgin birth? Well, it would take a supernatural God.You see, if all that existed was mere matter, if the laws of nature, as we call them, governed everything, then of course, we would have no expectation or hope that a virgin could conceive.But if on the other hand, if God does exist. If he is the creator of all things, sovereign over all things, as the Scriptures claim, then what would prevent him from bringing about a miracle in his creation?CS Lewis was saying, if God is God, then he most certainly could accomplish something outside of the ordinary and natural processes.We read Matthew's account of Jesus birth, which focuses on Joseph. In Luke's account, he focuses on Mary. And when the angel tells Mary that she will conceive in her womb and bear a son, she asks the natural question, “How can this be so, since I am a virgin?” And how does the angel answer her? “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you…” And the angel says, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”Really, it's the question of plausibility. Could it have happened? And I think you would have to agree, yes. If God is the creator of all things. If he set in motion the stars and planets. If he created time and space itself. If he sustains it all through his all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present character, then there's nothing outside of his ability, that he could not cause to come to pass.And that of course, includes conceiving a child in the womb of a virgin.But it's one thing to intellectually ascent to that possibility, it's another to believe that it happened. If a pregnant woman today claimed to be a virgin, what would you think? I think I know what you would think.So now, let's put ourselves in the shoes of Joseph. Because that is exactly the situation he's in. He believed in God. If someone asked him, could God cause a virgin to conceive? He would answer, “yes.” God could certainly do that. He is God, after all. However, like us, Joseph was living in the normal order of things all around him. He had no sense, at the time, of the special role that he and Mary would play in redemptive history.Now, before we work through the situation, let's consider some cultural similarities and differences. Today, when a couple gets engaged, they are both agreeing to get married. And there's an engagement ring to symbolize that commitment. If they break up, it hurts and it's painful, but they each move on.In Jewish culture back then, a betrothal was much more formal. In order to break off a betrothal, the couple had to get a formal divorce. In fact, a betrothed couple was called husband and wife. You see that right there in verse 24. Mary is called Joseph's wife even though they were not yet married. Now, to be sure, they were not to physically consummate their relationship until marriage. Scriptural was and is clear about that.So Mary and Joseph were betrothed.But then tragedy from Joseph's perspective. Mary had become pregnant. Now, an angel had spoken to her. He told her she would conceive a child, but she had yet to tell Joseph.From an outsider's perspective looking in at Mary and Joseph, there were only two possibilities. The most likely was that Joseph was the father of the baby growing in Mary. Of course, that would be the natural assumption. The only other possibility was that Mary has been with another man. Unfaithful.Either case would have been scandalous. Shame would have come on them and their families. It wasn't practiced at the time, but the law allowed stoning of the unfaithful party. That's how serious it was.From Joseph's perspective, there was only one possibility. Joseph knew that he was not the father.Imagine the burden and weight on him. The hurt. Mary, whom he loved, had rejected him in unfaithfulness. She had betrayed him.Joseph could have made this very public. He could have sought to save his reputation. He could have directed the shame on Mary. But in verse 19, we're told, no. That was not the kind of man he was. As much as the situation pained him, he was a righteous man. He wanted to divorce her quietly. Joseph still loved Mary despite what he thought she did.But then, it all changed.An angel appeared to him. And here's what the angel said to Joseph. “Joseph, son of David….” Even that spoke volumes. Joseph's earthly father was named Jacob. Joseph would have been called son of Jacob. But the angel goes back into Joseph's heritage to remind him of his ancestral line. You are a descendant of king David. And the angel continued, “do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”Up to this point in Joseph's mind, there had been no third option for how Mary could have become pregnant. But all of that changed when the angel spoke to Joseph.One of the things that the angel said, was that Joseph should name the child “Jesus.” Now, we'll come back to what that name means. We'll also come back to Matthew's commentary on Jesus birth.But first, how did Joseph respond? After all, the angel was telling him that God had done something supernatural. Something way beyond what Joseph could ever imagine. The angel was saying that indeed Mary was still a virgin. That the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. In other words, God himself, through the work of his Spirit, supernaturally caused Mary to become pregnant. God brought about this miracle.How did Joseph respond to that message? Jump down to verse 24. “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” Joseph's response was immediate. He didn't hesitate. In other words, he demonstrated his belief by following through with the angel's command. Joseph demonstrated that in two ways. • First, Joseph remained with Mary. He took her as his wife. He did not quietly divorce her as he had considered. And there's an important note there in verse 25, “he knew her not until she had given birth to a son.” That phrase “know her not” implies they did not consummate the relationship until after Jesus was born. He remained faithful to God and faithful to Mary.• The second way that Joseph demonstrated his belief was naming the child. That would have been his responsibility as the man. Joseph named the baby “Jesus,” just as the angel had commanded.In a way, Joseph is an example for Matthew's audience. Joseph had gone from seeing the situation as heartbreaking, to hearing the word of God through the angel, to then believing and embracing Mary's child as from God.This is how Matthew wanted his readers to respond. If they had heard of Jesus before, likely they would have thought he was a problem. Jesus had, after all, caused a split in Judaism – a new sect had started. But Matthew wanted his readers see and know the truth. Jesus coming was not an unfortunate situation, like the unfortunate situation that Joseph thought he was in. Rather, Jesus was the fulfillment of what they had been waiting for. Matthew wanted them to understand and believe - understand that this baby was conceived by God himself, but more importantly to believe… believe that this child was and is the savior.The first part of Matthew's argument concerned the virgin birth. The second part involved the names of this child. And he gives us 2 names here: Jesus and Immanuel. Verse 21, the angels tells Joseph, “[Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” We hear that and the question we ask is, how does the name Jesus connect with saving people from their sins? To us, Jesus is just a name. However, to a Jew at the time, the name Jesus had significant meaning. Jesus is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Jeshua. Or Joshua. So, Joseph would have connected in his mind the Greek name Jesus (or Iesous) with the Hebrew Jeshua. Translated it means Jehovah is salvation. Or the Lord is salvation. That's why the angel said, “for he will save his people from their sins.” The angel was explaining the meaning of Jesus name and how he would fulfill that name. It's like the angel was saying this: “you shall call his name the Lord is salvation, for he will save his people from their sins”I was reading a commentary this week… just to get a better understanding of Jesus name. I really liked how this one commentator, William Hendrickson, described Jesus' salvation.He put it this way, “to be saved means a. [first] to be emancipated from the greatest evil: the guilt, pollution, power, and punishment of sin; and b [second] to be placed in possession of the greatest good.” Hendrickson goes on “…One cannot be saved from something without also being saved for something: true happiness, the peace of God that transcends all understanding, freedom, joy unspeakable and full of glory, answered prayers, effective witness bearing, assurance of salvation, etc”That is the “salvation from” and “salvation for” which this Child, Jeshua (Jesus) will bring.You may be thinking. “Ok, but the angel didn't actually include the part about what we're being saved for.” That's a fair point, but that's where the prophecy comes in – verses 22 and 23. The second name mentioned, Immanuel, means, as Matthew highlights, “God with us.” Jesus will save and through him, God will be with us.Verse 23 there is first of about 40 Old Testament quotes that Matthew includes in the book. And there's a pattern. Look at verse 22. “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet”That phrase, “to fulfill what the Lord has spoken,” is used multiple times in Matthew's Gospel. Other places say, “you have heard that it was said” or “for it is written by the prophet.” Matthew is very intentional to point his reader back to the Old Testament. And I want to point out this. Notice it says, “to fulfill what the Lord has spoken through the prophet.” Even though the words are penned by the prophet, God is the one speaking. Matthew is reminding us that it is God's Word.Ok, verse 23 is a quote from the prophet Isaiah chapter 7. If you have been to advent or Christmas eve services, you've no doubt heard this prophecy many times. We read a large part of the chapter earlier in the service.There's not enough time to give a full explanation of Isaiah 7. But let me give you the short summary. Ahaz was the king of Judah in Jerusalem. By the way, Ahaz is listed up there in Matthew 1 verse 7. He's in the lineage of Jesus. At the time, Judah was being threatened in the north by Israel (the northern kingdom) and by Syria. The prophet Isaiah called on king Ahaz to trust in the Lord and ask him for a sign. However, Ahaz refused both. In fact, Ahaz mocked the prophet Isaiah, and then made an unholy alignment with the nation of Assyria. In other words, Ahaz didn't trust in God's protection, instead, he put his trust in man's strength – a pagan nation at that.Isaiah 7 is a judgment on Judah because of Ahaz. Even Assyria, whom Ahaz trusted, would turn on Judah. But yet, in the midst of God's prophecy of judgment, God nonetheless gives his people hope. And he does it with this sign. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.”Matthew is saying that this child conceived in the virgin Mary, is the fulfillment of Isaiah. This Child will be God with us.And there's a critical connection between the virgin birth and the name Immanuel – God with us.This child, Jesus, is not descended through ordinary generation. He does not have an earthly father, yet he has an earthly mother. That means that he has two natures, God and man. He is truly Immanuel, God with us. Truly God, but also truly man. The God of the universe came down to us. He knows our weakness, understands our sorrow, and temptation. Jesus is Immanuel.Charles Spurgeon, the great 19th century pastor put it this way: “Emmanuel, God [means] with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and [and Spurgeon includes] Second Advent splendor [ when he will come again]”This child, born of the virgin Mary, the one whom we celebrate each advent. He is Jeshua – Jesus, savior, and he is Immanuel, the sign of Isaiah 7 fulfilled. God with us in the flesh.And this is just the beginning of Matthew's case. Through the rest of his book, he reveals many other ways in which Jesus fulfilled God's promises and prophecies. But it all begins with virgin birth. Without it, there is no Immanuel – God with us. Without the virgin birth, there is no salvation, because there would be no God in human flesh.But as the angel revealed to Joseph, Mary's child was indeed conceived by the Holy Spirit, and Joseph believed.Let me summarize everything so far:1. First, the virgin birth of Jesus is one of the most contested beliefs of the Christian faith. Yet nothing is impossible with God, the all-powerful creator of all things.2. Second, Joseph himself was confronted by the reality of Mary's pregnancy. Yet before he could divorce her, the angel revealed that this Child was no ordinary child. No, he was conceived through the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary. 3. Third, this child was to be called Jesus - savior. And he was and is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Through the virgin birth, this child would be God with us.4. And fourth, in all of this, Joseph believed. And just as he believed, so Matthew wanted his Jewish readers to believe as well.For those of you that believe as Joseph believed, you have the great hope that God is with you. Right before Jesus ascended to heaven, he said “behold, I will be with you to the end of the age.” Immanuel, God with us, was not a one-time thing during Jesus' life on earth. Rather, he is with you now. In times of joy and in times of sadness, pain, struggle, and sin, you can come to him and know that he is with you. For those of you unsure about the virgin birth of Jesus, uncertain about Christianity. Would you believe as Joseph believed?Ask yourself, what is holding me back from believing? • Is it the seeming irrationality of the virgin birth? Could not God, creator of the universe, accomplish it.• Is it that you don't know God, or that you don't know how to know God? Come to Immanuel – he knows you and desires for you to know him.• Or Is it thinking of Christianity as a rules-based religion and you fear you would fail at every turn? Well, Jeshua is the answer. Jesus is salvation. The answer is not that we work our way up to God, but that he has come down to us. As the angel said, “he will save his people from their sin.” He desires you to be one of his people. The very reason that he was born was to be savior. At the end of his earthly life, he gave his life so that you may be saved in him. And when you believe, God will be your Immanuel, God with you. All the blessings of Immanuel will be yours in him. The presence, the comfort, and the sustaining grace of God in Jesus for you.Pray

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20–21As we begin the Fourth Week of Advent, we focus ever more directly upon the miracle that took place over 2,000 years ago. The passage quoted above presents us with the words of the angel of the Lord who spoke to Joseph in a dream. This was one of four dreams that Joseph had in which an angel spoke to him concerning the Christ Child.Saint Joseph is described in Matthew's Gospel as “a righteous man” who was unwilling to expose his betrothed wife, Mary, to shame. We know the story well. Mary became pregnant after being betrothed to Joseph but before they lived together, and Joseph didn't understand how this happened. Mary's virtue and goodness would have appeared to contradict the possibility of her becoming pregnant when she did. Joseph was planning on doing what he thought was the honorable thing. He decided to divorce her quietly so that she would not endure public shame.But God's plan was so much greater than what Joseph could initially comprehend. The Incarnation of the Son of God within the womb of his betrothed required supernatural understanding. And that's what Joseph was given. Though he had a dream in which an angel spoke to him, a dream was not enough. The dream also needed to be accompanied by the gift of supernatural knowledge. Joseph listened in the dream and believed by the interior revelation of faith that this incredible reality was true. This Child was indeed conceived by the Holy Spirit within the virginal womb of his betrothed, and Joseph accepted his God-given responsibility.Joseph's witness is one to ponder and be inspired by. First, it's essential that we ponder the story as it happened and be inspired by God's singularly unique plan by which He took on our human nature. But Joseph also provides us with inspiration for our own callings in life. Joseph inspires us to face any and every mystery in life that we encounter with the utmost trust in God. God's wisdom and ways are always far beyond ours. Very often in life, God will call us to walk an unknown and mysterious path. Life does not always make perfect sense from a purely rational perspective. Very often, we must allow our human reason to be informed and led by God's supernatural plan. For each of us, this mysterious path will be different. But if we are to walk by the same faith that Saint Joseph had, then we must always be willing to accept the most sublime mysteries in life and allow God's revealing Word to clarify them.Reflect, today, upon any way that you feel challenged by life's circumstances. What tempts you to doubt, to be confused, or to feel uncertain? What is it that requires supernatural knowledge on your part to embrace? If God the Father chose to bring forth His divine Son in such a mysterious way, then we should not be surprised when God calls us to embrace similar mysteries in life. Walk by faith. Be inspired by Saint Joseph. Say “Yes” to that which God is asking of you. As you do, you will find that you will begin to walk down the most glorious road you can walk.Most glorious Saint Joseph, you were a man of true righteousness and integrity. You were open to the inspired gift of faith and chose to walk by that faith as you faced the greatest of mysteries. Please pray for me that I may learn from you and be inspired to imitate the life that you lived. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Intro/Outro: Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time! by Sufjan Stevens (Dave)1. Hallelujah by Carrie Underwood & John Legend (Jessica)2. Please Come Home for Christmas by Bon Jovi (Gene)3. What Child is This / Child of the Poor by The Hound + The Fox (Emily)4. Santa Claus Want Some Lovin' by Albert King (Willie)5. Christmas is Here by Kaskade (Tyrel)

Title: Lyrics of Christmas Part 2: What Child Is This Speaker: Ronnie Roberts Text: John 1:1-4 This Child is significant. I. He is the Word that became flesh. II. He is the life and light of men.

In today's episode, Jeff and Susan get to speak with essay and novel writer Sophfronia Scott. They discuss two of her books, The Seeker And The Monk: Everyday Conversations With Thomas Merton and This Child of Faith (the latter being written with her son, Tain, after he survived the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.) Enjoy the episode.

I will be still an instant and go home. This world you seem to live in is not home to you. And somewhere in your mind you know that this is true. A memory of home keeps haunting you, as if there were a place that called you to return, although you do not recognize the voice, nor what it is the voice reminds you of. Yet still you feel an alien here, from somewhere all unknown. Nothing so definite that you could say with certainty you are an exile here. Just a persistent feeling, sometimes not more than a tiny throb, at other times hardly remembered, actively dismissed, but surely to return to mind again. No one but knows whereof we speak. Yet some try to put by their suffering in games they play to occupy their time, and keep their sadness from them. Others will deny that they are sad, and do not recognize their tears at all. Still others will maintain that what we speak of is illusion, not to be considered more than but a dream. Yet who, in simple honesty, without defensiveness and self-deception, would deny he understands the words we speak? We speak today for everyone who walks this world, for he is not at home. He goes uncertainly about in endless search, seeking in darkness what he cannot find; not recognizing what it is he seeks. A thousand homes he makes, yet none contents his restless mind. He does not understand he builds in vain. The home he seeks can not be made by him. There is no substitute for Heaven. All he ever made was hell. Perhaps you think it is your childhood home that you would find again. The childhood of your body, and its place of shelter, are a memory now so distorted that you merely hold a picture of a past that never happened. Yet there is a Child in you Who seeks His Father's house, and knows that He is alien here. This childhood is eternal, with an innocence that will endure forever. Where this Child shall go is holy ground. It is His holiness that lights up Heaven, and that brings to earth the pure reflection of the light above, wherein are earth and Heaven joined as one. It is this Child in you your Father knows as His Own Son. It is this Child Who knows His Father. He desires to go home so deeply, so unceasingly, His voice cries unto you to let Him rest a while. He does not ask for more than just a few instants of respite; just an interval in which He can return to breathe again the holy air that fills His Father's house. You are His home as well. He will return. But give Him just a little time to be Himself, within the peace that is His home, resting in silence and in peace and love. This Child needs your protection. He is far from home. He is so little that He seems so easily shut out, His tiny voice so readily obscured, His call for help almost unheard amid the grating sounds and harsh and rasping noises of the world. Yet does He know that in you still abides His sure protection. You will fail Him not. He will go home, and you along with Him. This Child is your defenselessness; your strength. He trusts in you. He came because He knew you would not fail. He whispers of His home unceasingly to you. For He would bring you back with Him, that He Himself might stay, and not return again where He does not belong, and where He lives an outcast in a world of alien thoughts. His patience has no limits. He will wait until you hear His gentle Voice within you, calling you to let Him go in peace, along with you, to where He is at home and you with Him. When you are still an instant, when the world recedes from you, when valueless ideas cease to have value in your restless mind, then will you hear His Voice. So poignantly He calls to you that you will not resist Him longer. In that instant He will take you to His home, and you will stay with Him in perfect stillness, silent and at peace, beyond all words, untouched by fear and doubt, sublimely certain that you are at home. Rest with Him frequently today. For He was willing to become a little Child that you might learn of Him how strong is he who comes without defenses, offering only love's messages to those who think he is their enemy. He holds the might of Heaven in His hand and calls them friend, and gives His strength to them, that they may see He would be Friend to them. He asks that they protect Him, for His home is far away, and He will not return to it alone. Christ is reborn as but a little Child each time a wanderer would leave his home. For he must learn that what he would protect is but this Child, Who comes defenseless and Who is protected by defenselessness. Go home with Him from time to time today. You are as much an alien here as He. Take time today to lay aside your shield which profits nothing, and lay down the spear and sword you raised against an enemy without existence. Christ has called you friend and brother. He has even come to ask your help in letting Him go home today, completed and completely. He has come as does a little child, who must beseech his father for protection and for love. He rules the universe, and yet He asks unceasingly that you return with Him, and take illusions as your gods no more. You have not lost your innocence. It is for this you yearn. This is your heart's desire. This is the voice you hear, and this the call which cannot be denied. The holy Child remains with you. His home is yours. Today He gives you His defenselessness, and you accept it in exchange for all the toys of battle you have made. And now the way is open, and the journey has an end in sight at last. Be still an instant and go home with Him, and be at peace a while.- Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 182

S.C. man allegedly shot haunted house actor in wax museum because he thought gun was a prop Va. man accused of stalking ex-girlfriend, stabbing and mutilating her husband 'I Have No Connection with This Child': Inside Mom's Disturbing Statements Before Elijah Lewis' Death  Tenn. woman accused of fatally stabbing 81-year-old husband during argument over the taste of his coffee If you like Dark Side Of - Be sure to search and subscribe to "Dark Side Of" wherever you download podcasts! Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-side-of-wikipedia-true-crime-dark-history/id1504280230?uo=4 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0GYshi6nJCf3O0aKEBTOPs Stitcher http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/real-ghost-stories-online-2/dark-side-of-wikipedia-true-crime-disturbing-stories iHeart https://www.iheart.com/podcast/270-Dark-Side-of-Wikipedia-Tru-60800715 Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/565dc51b-d214-4fab-b38b-ae7c723cb79a/Dark-Side-of-Wikipedia-True-Crime-Dark-History Google Podcasts https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hdWRpb2Jvb20uY29tL2NoYW5uZWxzLzUwMDEyNjAucnNz Or Search "Dark Side Of" for the best in True Crime ANYWHERE you get podcasts! Support the show at http://www.darksidepod.com

Today's Reading: Luke 2:33-40Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 58:1-59:3, 14-21; Luke 1:26-38And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Can God make a rock so heavy that He can't lift it? If God can do anything, He can certainly make a rock that is exceedingly heavy. But if God can do anything He could lift it. We're stuck. Either God can't make the rock or He can't lift it--and then God can no longer do anything.But questions like this are from the devil. "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test" (Matthew 4:7). It is not our place to tell God what He can or can't do. It's not our place to put God into a paradox from which He cannot escape.God does the paradox His way.Luke 2:40 reports one of the most paradoxical events the world has ever seen: "And the child grew and became strong." This Child, who was also God, grew and became strong. This Child, the Lord of heaven and earth, who can move planets with His voice, grew and became strong. Presumably at some point before He became strong, He encountered a rock that He could not lift."Kenosis" is the term that describes how Jesus set aside His divine power in the Incarnation. It comes from the Greek word that means "to empty," as it says in Philippians 2:6–7: "Though he was in the form of God, [He] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." The irony is that by making Himself unable to lift the rock, the Son of God shows that He can indeed do anything--including suffering and dying for humanity's sins. The Child Jesus grew and became strong, but His strength is measured in weakness. Likewise, the Child was filled with wisdom, but His wisdom is measured in foolishness. "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25). God could do anything (including making a rock so heavy that Jesus couldn't lift it when He was a boy). But God chooses to do the Cross. The Cross is strength in weakness and wisdom in folly. But He does it. He does it for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Abide with richest blessings Among us, bounteous Lord; Let us in grace and wisdom Grow daily through Your Word. ("Abide, O Dearest Jesus" LSB 919, st.4)-Rev. Jacob Ehrhard is pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, IL.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

PreludeWelcome & News of the ChurchCarols of Christmas - (#171) "Joy to the World"Moment for Children & Youth, led by Keri ScrogginsConfession and Assurance, led by Amy Hemseri-SabalaGloria PatriSpecial Music - "O Holy Night"Sermon - "A Thrill of Hope" (Psalm 27; John 1:14) - by Rev. Sharon YagerlenerHymn of Response - (#205) "Go, Tell It on the Mountain"OffertoryDoxologyPastoral PrayerCarols for Christmas - (#182) "How Great Our Joy"BenedictionPostludeJoy to the WorldJoy to the world! the Lord is come:Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world! the Savior reigns: Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, Rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love. Go, Tell It on the MountainGo, tell it on the mountains, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountains That Jesus Christ is born! While shepherds kept their watching O'er silent flocks by night, Behold throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. Go, tell it on the mountains, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountains That Jesus Christ is born! The shepherds feared and trembled When lo! Above the earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior's birth. Go, tell it on the mountains, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountains That Jesus Christ is born! Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born, And brought us God's salvation That blessed Christmas morn. Go, tell it on the mountains, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountains That Jesus Christ is born! How Great Our JoyWhile by the sheep we watched at night, Glad tidings brought an angel bright. Refrain:How great our joy!(Great our joy)Joy, joy, joy! (Joy, joy, joy!)Praise we the Lord in heaven on high! (Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!)There shall be born, so he did say, In Bethlehem a Child today. [Refrain]There shall the Child lie in a stall, This Child who shall redeem us all. [Refrain]This gift of God we'll cherish well, That ever joy our hearts shall fill. [Refrain] See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

All eyes are on Jesus!  Look and listen to Simeon! He essentially preaches: “'Don't trust your eyes or feelings.' Trust God's Word. Look to this Child that Mary wrapped in a blanket and brought to the temple. Receive this Child in the empty arms of faith. Hold Him as your own for He is your Light and your Salvation! He is the Glory of God's Israel come down to you and for you! It doesn't matter who you are or what you have done! It doesn't matter whether you are good or bad, rich or poor, young or old, married or single. This Child, Baby Jesus, has come to save you. All eyes are on Jesus! He will accomplish your salvation. ---------Visit our website: https://www.trinitysheboygan.org/​​​​ Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A Learn more here: https://www.onelicense.net/Support the show

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.   But we are not all joyful; And we are not all faithful. “Triumphant” is a claim that stays A year or two—or ten—away. We've lost the cadence in our rhyme; We've lost the ones we loved to time Or dimming memory or disease— Where is this house of bread and ease? Yet still we tread with hope that clings; We murmur faith and barely sing On each hard day, through each dark night: “There is a God who makes things right.”   O come, ye worried and undone; O come, ye who have often run. O come, ye broken and confused; O come, ye bullied and abused. O come, when sin requires grace; O come, when you have missed the race. Yes, come, ye doubters, restless souls— This Child will live to make you whole.   So stay in grace. -Bill Knott

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.   But we are not all joyful; And we are not all faithful. “Triumphant” is a claim that stays A year or two—or ten—away. We've lost the cadence in our rhyme; We've lost the ones we loved to time Or dimming memory or disease— Where is this house of bread and ease? Yet still we tread with hope that clings; We murmur faith and barely sing On each hard day, through each dark night: “There is a God who makes things right.”   O come, ye worried and undone; O come, ye who have often run. O come, ye broken and confused; O come, ye bullied and abused. O come, when sin requires grace; O come, when you have missed the race. Yes, come, ye doubters, restless souls— This Child will live to make you whole.   So stay in grace. -Bill Knott

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.   But we are not all joyful; And we are not all faithful. “Triumphant” is a claim that stays A year or two—or ten—away. We've lost the cadence in our rhyme; We've lost the ones we loved to time Or dimming memory or disease— Where is this house of bread and ease? Yet still we tread with hope that clings; We murmur faith and barely sing On each hard day, through each dark night: “There is a God who makes things right.”   O come, ye worried and undone; O come, ye who have often run. O come, ye broken and confused; O come, ye bullied and abused. O come, when sin requires grace; O come, when you have missed the race. Yes, come, ye doubters, restless souls— This Child will live to make you whole.   So stay in grace. -Bill Knott

On June 27, 1949, Merton was allowed, for the first time, to venture outside the Abbey of Gethsemani's gated enclosure to walk in the woods alone. His writing and his spirituality changed forever as a result. In Thomas Merton's Gethsemani: Landscapes of Paradise, author Monica Weis notes, "Once beyond the monastery walls, Merton's heart soared." Why? Perhaps, after being doused in words for years, suddenly he could share an expansive, silent space with God and just listen. This session will explore what Merton found beneath the branches, on the hills, and in all of nature: a sense of transcendence. Sophfronia Scott is a novelist, essayist, and leading contemplative thinker whose work has appeared in numerous publications. Her latest book, The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton, received a Louie award in 2021. Sophfronia's other books include Love's Long Line, and This Child of Faith: Raising a Spiritual Child in a Secular World, co-written with her son Tain. She holds degrees from Harvard and Vermont College of Fine Arts. Sophfronia lives in Sandy Hook, Connecticut and is the founding director of Alma College's MFA in Creative Writing, a graduate program based in Alma, Michigan.

I will be still an instant and go home. This world you seem to live in is not home to you. And somewhere in your mind you know that this is true. A memory of home keeps haunting you, as if there were a place that called you to return, although you do not recognize the voice, nor what it is the voice reminds you of. Yet still you feel an alien here, from somewhere all unknown. Nothing so definite that you could say with certainty you are an exile here. Just a persistent feeling, sometimes not more than a tiny throb, at other times hardly remembered, actively dismissed, but surely to return to mind again. No one but knows whereof we speak. Yet some try to put by their suffering in games they play to occupy their time, and keep their sadness from them. Others will deny that they are sad, and do not recognize their tears at all. Still others will maintain that what we speak of is illusion, not to be considered more than but a dream. Yet who, in simple honesty, without defensiveness and self-deception, would deny he understands the words we speak? We speak today for everyone who walks this world, for he is not at home. He goes uncertainly about in endless search, seeking in darkness what he cannot find; not recognizing what it is he seeks. A thousand homes he makes, yet none contents his restless mind. He does not understand he builds in vain. The home he seeks can not be made by him. There is no substitute for Heaven. All he ever made was hell. Perhaps you think it is your childhood home that you would find again. The childhood of your body, and its place of shelter, are a memory now so distorted that you merely hold a picture of a past that never happened. Yet there is a Child in you Who seeks His Father's house, and knows that He is alien here. This childhood is eternal, with an innocence that will endure forever. Where this Child shall go is holy ground. It is His holiness that lights up Heaven, and that brings to earth the pure reflection of the light above, wherein are earth and Heaven joined as one. It is this Child in you your Father knows as His Own Son. It is this Child Who knows His Father. He desires to go home so deeply, so unceasingly, His voice cries unto you to let Him rest a while. He does not ask for more than just a few instants of respite; just an interval in which He can return to breathe again the holy air that fills His Father's house. You are His home as well. He will return. But give Him just a little time to be Himself, within the peace that is His home, resting in silence and in peace and love. This Child needs your protection. He is far from home. He is so little that He seems so easily shut out, His tiny voice so readily obscured, His call for help almost unheard amid the grating sounds and harsh and rasping noises of the world. Yet does He know that in you still abides His sure protection. You will fail Him not. He will go home, and you along with Him. This Child is your defenselessness; your strength. He trusts in you. He came because He knew you would not fail. He whispers of His home unceasingly to you. For He would bring you back with Him, that He Himself might stay, and not return again where He does not belong, and where He lives an outcast in a world of alien thoughts. His patience has no limits. He will wait until you hear His gentle Voice within you, calling you to let Him go in peace, along with you, to where He is at home and you with Him. When you are still an instant, when the world recedes from you, when valueless ideas cease to have value in your restless mind, then will you hear His Voice. So poignantly He calls to you that you will not resist Him longer. In that instant He will take you to His home, and you will stay with Him in perfect stillness, silent and at peace, beyond all words, untouched by fear and doubt, sublimely certain that you are at home. Rest with Him frequently today. For He was willing to become a little Child that you might learn of Him how strong is he who comes without defenses, offering only love's messages to those who think he is their enemy. He holds the might of Heaven in His hand and calls them friend, and gives His strength to them, that they may see He would be Friend to them. He asks that they protect Him, for His home is far away, and He will not return to it alone. Christ is reborn as but a little Child each time a wanderer would leave his home. For he must learn that what he would protect is but this Child, Who comes defenseless and Who is protected by defenselessness. Go home with Him from time to time today. You are as much an alien here as He. Take time today to lay aside your shield which profits nothing, and lay down the spear and sword you raised against an enemy without existence. Christ has called you friend and brother. He has even come to ask your help in letting Him go home today, completed and completely. He has come as does a little child, who must beseech his father for protection and for love. He rules the universe, and yet He asks unceasingly that you return with Him, and take illusions as your gods no more. You have not lost your innocence. It is for this you yearn. This is your heart's desire. This is the voice you hear, and this the call which cannot be denied. The holy Child remains with you. His home is yours. Today He gives you His defenselessness, and you accept it in exchange for all the toys of battle you have made. And now the way is open, and the journey has an end in sight at last. Be still an instant and go home with Him, and be at peace a while.- Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 182

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Sophfronia Scott. Sophfronia is a novelist and essayist whose work has appeared in Time, People, O: The Oprah Magazine, as well as many other outlets. Her first novel, All I Need to Get By, was nominated for best new author at the African American Literary Awards and Sophfronia was hailed by Henry Louis Gates Jr. as "one of the best writers of her generation." She is a prolific writer whose work spans both fiction and nonfiction, and her other books include Unforgivable Love, Love's Long Line, and This Child of Faith: Raising a Spiritual Child in a Secular World, which she co-wrote with her son Tain. Her essays “The Legs On Which I Move” and “Why I Didn’t Go to the Firehouse” are listed in the Best American Essays series. Her next book is The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton, and is out now from Broadleaf Books. The recipient of a 2020 Artist Fellowship Grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Sophfronia holds degrees from Harvard and the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is currently director of Alma College’s MFA in Creative Writing, which is a low-residency grad program based in Alma, Michigan. This interview is a little bit of a departure from our usual subject matter of authors talking about their latest books and instead Sophfronia and I will be doing a deep dive on MFA pedagogy. As you know, the DIY MFA philosophy is not anti-MFA, and we strive to complement what MFA programs are already doing quite well. And, of course, when I build new curriculum for DIY MFA, I draw from my own experiences as a MFA student, along with several other sources as well. I am beyond thrilled to have Sophfronia on the show to talk about writing, MFA programs, and a writer’s education. Embed Audio Here In this episode Sophfronia and I discuss: How her background in journalism, ghostwriting, and her desire to coach other writers inspired her to pursue an MFA.  What a low residency MFA program can prepare you for as a full time career writer and the logistics and benefits of attending one. Why reading and building community are imperative to the DIY MFA experience as well as a writer’s life and growth.   Plus, their #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/351

January 6, 2020 PM, Matthew 1:18-25.How does a righteous man react to a difficult situation? Joseph was a person of royal ancestry, a potential king. The Gospels say little about him, although he probably was poor, because he offered a poor man's sacrifice after Jesus' birth (Luke 2:24). Matthew does not list Joseph as Jesus' biological father but only the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. On finding Mary was pregnant, Joseph considered secretly divorcing her (to put her away), desiring to save her from death by stoning - a common punishment for adultery in those days, whether the woman was betrothed (engaged) or married. The Messiah was to be from the line of David. Joseph was a son - an ancestor - of David, which would legally place Jesus in the Davidic line. Jesus means "the Lord is salvation." This Child would save His people from their sin. Matthew sites Isaiah 7:14, which says that the virgin will conceive; in Hebrew, the word translated virgin is preceded by a definite article. indicating that the young woman would not be just "a" virgin but "the" virgin. Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled in Mary. Matthew indicates that Joseph was not physically intimate with Mary before Jesus was born. This verse protects the doctrine of the virgin birth - a doctrine so important that the writers of Scripture go out of their way to make sure that every detail is precise. The supernatural virgin birth is proof of both Jesus' humanity and His deity.

 Main Text: Isaiah 9:1-7 (NIV)I. This Child will Turn:Gloom to Joy (Is. 9:1,3; Is. 8:19-22; John 16:20)Darkness to Light (Is. 9:2; Matt. 4:12-17; John 8:12)Oppression into Freedom (Is. 9:4; Luke 4:18-19)II. This Child will Reveal God (Is. 9:6-7; Is. 7:14; Col. 2:2-4; Acts 4:12; John 1:1-3;John 16:33)

Rev. Tim Koch, pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 9:2-7. The promise of Immanuel continues to dominate Isaiah’s preaching in this text. The darkness of Assyria’s devastation looms over Judah. The darkness of their own idolatry looms over Judah. Into this thick darkness, the LORD shines His light. His presence among His people gives them unreserved joy as He transforms their darkness into light. The LORD takes away the burdens upon them in ways that seem weak to human wisdom, as He did in the days of the judges when He alone was their King. Under His reign, war is brought to an end, and there is only peace. This peace comes through the birth of a Child, the Son who is both fully human and fully divine. He bears exalted names that distinguish Him as the truly good King over the house of David forever. This Child is Jesus, the only Savior. “Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance focuses our attention on Christ’s coming. As we spend time hearing the words of the prophets, the saints who waited patiently in the years before Christ’s coming in the flesh at Christmas, we too are prepared to receive Christ now in His Word and Sacrament, even as we wait for Him to come again in glory.

Title: Keep Christmas Weird Passage: John 1:29 I. God provided his son as the sufficient and effective sacrifice for sin, so that we may be with God. A. God provides the Perfect Lamb. B. This Child’s Death is Our Means of Ascent. C. The Sufficiency of the Lamb of God D. The Healing for Our Dysphoria

This Child of Abraham, Jesus Christ...1. Fulfills God's Star-Filled Promise (Genesis 15:1-6)2. Provides God's Perfect Offering (Genesis 22:1-14)3. Extends God's Global Blessing (Genesis 22:15-18)

“This Child has Down’s Syndrome”. Jon explains what he has learned from his son Carson about releasing expectations and how he wouldn't have it any other way... and what can an Improv activity in Theater have to teach all of us? AND TODAY IS JON'S BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday, Brotha!

I will be still an instant and go home. This world you seem to live in is not home to you. And somewhere in your mind you know that this is true. A memory of home keeps haunting you, as if there were a place that called you to return, although you do not recognize the voice, nor what it is the voice reminds you of. Yet still you feel an alien here, from somewhere all unknown. Nothing so definite that you could say with certainty you are an exile here. Just a persistent feeling, sometimes not more than a tiny throb, at other times hardly remembered, actively dismissed, but surely to return to mind again. No one but knows whereof we speak. Yet some try to put by their suffering in games they play to occupy their time, and keep their sadness from them. Others will deny that they are sad, and do not recognize their tears at all. Still others will maintain that what we speak of is illusion, not to be considered more than but a dream. Yet who, in simple honesty, without defensiveness and self-deception, would deny he understands the words we speak? We speak today for everyone who walks this world, for he is not at home. He goes uncertainly about in endless search, seeking in darkness what he cannot find; not recognizing what it is he seeks. A thousand homes he makes, yet none contents his restless mind. He does not understand he builds in vain. The home he seeks can not be made by him. There is no substitute for Heaven. All he ever made was hell. Perhaps you think it is your childhood home that you would find again. The childhood of your body, and its place of shelter, are a memory now so distorted that you merely hold a picture of a past that never happened. Yet there is a Child in you Who seeks His Father's house, and knows that He is alien here. This childhood is eternal, with an innocence that will endure forever. Where this Child shall go is holy ground. It is His holiness that lights up Heaven, and that brings to earth the pure reflection of the light above, wherein are earth and Heaven joined as one. It is this Child in you your Father knows as His Own Son. It is this Child Who knows His Father. He desires to go home so deeply, so unceasingly, His voice cries unto you to let Him rest a while. He does not ask for more than just a few instants of respite; just an interval in which He can return to breathe again the holy air that fills His Father's house. You are His home as well. He will return. But give Him just a little time to be Himself, within the peace that is His home, resting in silence and in peace and love. This Child needs your protection. He is far from home. He is so little that He seems so easily shut out, His tiny voice so readily obscured, His call for help almost unheard amid the grating sounds and harsh and rasping noises of the world. Yet does He know that in you still abides His sure protection. You will fail Him not. He will go home, and you along with Him. This Child is your defenselessness; your strength. He trusts in you. He came because He knew you would not fail. He whispers of His home unceasingly to you. For He would bring you back with Him, that He Himself might stay, and not return again where He does not belong, and where He lives an outcast in a world of alien thoughts. His patience has no limits. He will wait until you hear His gentle Voice within you, calling you to let Him go in peace, along with you, to where He is at home and you with Him. When you are still an instant, when the world recedes from you, when valueless ideas cease to have value in your restless mind, then will you hear His Voice. So poignantly He calls to you that you will not resist Him longer. In that instant He will take you to His home, and you will stay with Him in perfect stillness, silent and at peace, beyond all words, untouched by fear and doubt, sublimely certain that you are at home. Rest with Him frequently today. For He was willing to become a little Child that you might learn of Him how strong is he who comes without defenses, offering only love's messages to those who think he is their enemy. He holds the might of Heaven in His hand and calls them friend, and gives His strength to them, that they may see He would be Friend to them. He asks that they protect Him, for His home is far away, and He will not return to it alone. Christ is reborn as but a little Child each time a wanderer would leave his home. For he must learn that what he would protect is but this Child, Who comes defenseless and Who is protected by defenselessness. Go home with Him from time to time today. You are as much an alien here as He. Take time today to lay aside your shield which profits nothing, and lay down the spear and sword you raised against an enemy without existence. Christ has called you friend and brother. He has even come to ask your help in letting Him go home today, completed and completely. He has come as does a little child, who must beseech his father for protection and for love. He rules the universe, and yet He asks unceasingly that you return with Him, and take illusions as your gods no more. You have not lost your innocence. It is for this you yearn. This is your heart's desire. This is the voice you hear, and this the call which cannot be denied. The holy Child remains with you. His home is yours. Today He gives you His defenselessness, and you accept it in exchange for all the toys of battle you have made. And now the way is open, and the journey has an end in sight at last. Be still an instant and go home with Him, and be at peace a while.- Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 182

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 1:18-25. Matthew’s account of Christmas focuses our attention on Jesus as the Christ, the Savior, and God with us. Joseph’s role is particularly emphasized. He knows that his betrothed is with child. He knows that the child is not his. He knows he wants to do what his just. His desire to show mercy and forgiveness to Mary serves as a type of the Child Joseph will adopt and raise. Joseph cannot know the just thing to do, however, unless the Lord reveals what has happened. He sends His angel to Joseph in a dream to preach the good news that no one would have known unless God had revealed it. The Son in Mary’s womb has been conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. This Child is Jesus, the LORD who saves His people. This Child is Immanuel, God with His people. Joseph believes God’s Word and acts accordingly. Joseph, the son of David, adopts Jesus, the Son of David, and raises Him as his own. “All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬ ‬ This Child's Coming is our message of Hope, which was filled in the birth of Christ, and establishment of his eternal kingdom. For he came to live her all people from the slavery of sin and death.You must remember that the existence of the son of God did not commence with his birth in Bethlehem. In His incarnation on earth He Became a Man. Malachi 5:2 prophesies of his birth and states his goings forth have been from old, from everlasting. In John 1:1-3 the Scripture says that He Existed "in the Beginning" More for Anything Was Created.This Child is no ordinary Child. This Is God's Son Whom became flesh and dwelt among men. The Incarnate Christ, Who is the Word of God and Preexist and Appear to Man in the Old Testament, and Now in the New Testament He Takes on a Permanent Body When He Was Conceived in Mary's womb.This Miracle was prophesied hundreds of years in advance:Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel - God with us. Isaiah‬ ‭7:14‬ ‬This Child and Son is the Word of God incarnate in human flesh. John 1:1, 14His name is 1. Wonderful – He is exceptional distinguished above all others without equal. He answers the deepest needs of life. Going far above amaze to marvelous. And the Angel of the Lord said to him, Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful? [Isa. 9:6, Judges ‭13:18‬ 2. Counselor –The One Who Gives the Right Advice. He is the one that gives you the right answers to the decisions of your life. Who completely lunch. The one that doesn't give bad advice, and doesn't have to counsel with anyone, because he is God. He Knows the Beginning from the in, Who Wrote your days in his book before your ever born. And when everyone else is walking out on you, God is always with you, walking toward you. Matthew 28:20.3. Mighty God – He Is God Himself. He is the mighty one who battles on your behalf. He answers the battles of your life with eternal victories. He is your Shield, Hightower, your Rock. He Is Your Healer, the Is the Way, He Is the First, and He Is the Life. (See John 14:6) When you're at your weakest he is the one who makes you strong, he is the Mighty One in, Who Is Working through the. He Answers the Battles of Your Life with the Strength of His Presence.4. Everlasting Father – He is before Time; He Is God Our Father. He is your answer to loneliness. He is with you always. He never leaves you nor for section. He is the father the father's. He is the One Who Relates to all your needs, troubles, relationships, whatever you need, he is Your Father – Heavenly Father Who Is Your Provider. Nothing Is Too Difficult or Impossible or Too Wondrous for Him to Do in You and for You and through You His Child. He is quite is missing in your life needed to feel Complete. Because He Designed You to Be Complete in Him – in Christ, the God, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit – God Himself, Your Everlasting Father. Colossians 2:9-105. Prince of Peace –His Government is one of justice and peace. The LORD Jesus CHRIST peace. (1 Timothy 1:1). For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians ‭2:14-18‬ He Is the One Who Answers the Storms of Your Life. He is the God of peace with you. (Romans 15:33). He arise and rebukes the winds in your life, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind will cease and you will have a Great Calm. Mark ‭4:39‬ He is the LORD of Peace Himself Who gives you peace always in every way. (2 Thessalonians ‭3:16‬ )So be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‬

I Will Be Still An Instant And Go Home.This world you seem to live in is not home to you. And somewhere in your mind you know that this is true. A memory of home keeps haunting you, as if there were a place that called you to return, although you do not recognize the voice, nor what it is the voice reminds you of. Yet still you feel an alien here, from somewhere all unknown. Nothing so definite that you could say with certainty you are an exile here. Just a persistent feeling, sometimes not more than a tiny throb, at other times hardly remembered, actively dismissed, but surely to return to mind again.No one but knows whereof we speak. Yet some try to put by their suffering in games they play to occupy their time, and keep their sadness from them. Others will deny that they are sad, and do not recognize their tears at all. Still others will maintain that what we speak of is illusion, not to be considered more than but a dream. Yet who, in simple honesty, without defensiveness and self-deception, would deny he understands the words we speak?We speak today for everyone who walks this world, for he is not at home. He goes uncertainly about in endless search, seeking in darkness what he cannot find; not recognizing what it is he seeks. A thousand homes he makes, yet none contents his restless mind. He does not understand he builds in vain. The home he seeks can not be made by him. There is no substitute for Heaven. All he ever made was hell.Perhaps you think it is your childhood home that you would find again. The childhood of your body, and its place of shelter, are a memory now so distorted that you merely hold a picture of a past that never happened. Yet there is a Child in you Who seeks His Father’s house, and knows that He is alien here. This childhood is eternal, with an innocence that will endure forever. Where this Child shall go is holy ground. It is His holiness that lights up Heaven, and that brings to earth the pure reflection of the light above, wherein are earth and Heaven joined as one.It is this Child in you your Father knows as His Own Son. It is this Child Who knows His Father. He desires to go home so deeply, so unceasingly, His voice cries unto you to let Him rest a while. He does not ask for more than just a few instants of respite; just an interval in which He can return to breathe again the holy air that fills His Father’s house. You are His home as well. He will return. But give Him just a little time to be Himself, within the peace that is His home, resting in silence and in peace and love.This Child needs your protection. He is far from home. He is so little that He seems so easily shut out, His tiny voice so readily obscured, His call for help almost unheard amid the grating sounds and harsh and rasping noises of the world. Yet does He know that in you still abides His sure protection. You will fail Him not. He will go home, and you along with Him.This Child is your defenselessness; your strength. He trusts in you. He came because He knew you would not fail. He whispers of His home unceasingly to you. For He would bring you back with Him, that He Himself might stay, and not return again where He does not belong, and where He lives an outcast in a world of alien thoughts. His patience has no limits. He will wait until you hear His gentle Voice within you, calling you to let Him go in peace, along with you, to where He is at home and you with Him.When you are still an instant, when the world recedes from you, when valueless ideas cease to have value in your restless mind, then will you hear His Voice. So poignantly He calls to you that you will not resist Him longer. In that instant He will take you to His home, and you will stay with Him in perfect stillness, silent and at peace, beyond all words, untouched by fear and doubt, sublimely certain that you are at home.Rest with Him frequently today. For He was willing to become a little Child that you might learn of Him how strong is he who comes without defenses, offering only love’s messages to those who think he is their enemy. He holds the might of Heaven in His hand and calls them friend, and gives His strength to them, that they may see He would be Friend to them. He asks that they protect Him, for His home is far away, and He will not return to it alone.Christ is reborn as but a little Child each time a wanderer would leave his home. For he must learn that what he would protect is but this Child, Who comes defenseless and Who is protected by defenselessness. Go home with Him from time to time today. You are as much an alien here as He.Take time today to lay aside your shield which profits nothing, and lay down the spear and sword you raised against an enemy without existence. Christ has called you friend and brother. He has even come to ask your help in letting Him go home today, completed and completely. He has come as does a little child, who must beseech his father for protection and for love. He rules the universe, and yet He asks unceasingly that you return with Him, and take illusions as your gods no more.You have not lost your innocence. It is for this you yearn. This is your heart’s desire. This is the voice you hear, and this the call which cannot be denied. The holy Child remains with you. His home is yours. Today He gives you His defenselessness, and you accept it in exchange for all the toys of battle you have made. And now the way is open, and the journey has an end in sight at last. Be still an instant and go home with Him, and be at peace a while. - Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 182

30 January 2018 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Luke 2:41-52 + Homily 15 Minutes 11Seconds Link to the Readings (New American Bible, Revised Edition) http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/123018.cfm (from the parish bulletin)    Christians in the Indian state of Kerala are about 20% of the population. An amateur film recorded there shows some workers struggling with a power shovel to rescue a baby elephant from a ditch. I do not know if they were Christians, Hindus, Muslims or a mix, but they succeeded. The happy juvenile dashed back to its herd, and as the adult elephants formed a line to depart, they raised their trunks in salute to the rescuers. That was one example of their enigmatic sensibility. That they have long memories is no myth: they can remember watering holes from years back; they can communicate by subsonic rumbles along the ground faster than sound can travel through air; they have rituals for mourning their dead; and they peacefully spend sixteen hours a day eating, which is more than the average New Yorker.    Every creature has gifts that science is gradually discovering, such as the almost mathematically improbable migratory habits of penguins and the telescopic vision of hawks. These are prodigies of God’s extravagant love. The Christ Child arranged to be born in a makeshift menagerie rather than in a hotel where pets might not have been allowed. This Child “. . . is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature . . .  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:15, 17). Animals at least could provide some body warmth, which in that fragile first moment of the Child’s exposed human nature was more important than any rhetoric, and more practical than the lofty song of angels.    It may not be too fanciful to think that, as a donkey can live up to forty years, God’s providence might have arranged for a donkey in that stable to be the one that the Child grown into manhood rode into Jerusalem. At least it was some donkey, that with its hellish bray and flapping ears looked like the “devil’s walking parody” as Chesterton said, but equipped for that final triumph with “a shout about my ears, / And palms before my feet.” In 1898 Kaiser Wilhelm II entered Jerusalem on a white horse. In 1917 General Allenby pointedly entered on foot. A scraggly donkey was the most royal beast, for the rarest jewel of rulers is humility. “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).    Perhaps at Christ’s coming, with their sensory gifts we cannot yet fully understand, the animals in the stable knew more about the Holy Child than humans realize. In that first Christmas moment, they were able to do what only saints in heaven can do, for they gazed upon the face of God.    “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6).

Since 2007, author and writing teacher, Kate Hopper, has invited a select group of women writers to read from their work at her annual Motherhood & Words Reading at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. Kate’s mission is, in her own words, “to highlight the amazing writing out there by women about motherhood.”   As in years past, Mom Enough is proud to bring you this year’s event, featuring: Erin O. White, writing instructor and author of Given Up for You: A Memoir of Love, Belonging and Belief; Kaethe Schwehn, recipient of a Minnesota Book Award, writing teacher and author of The Rending and the Nest, Tailings: A Memoir, and Tanka & Me; and Sophfronia Scott, former writer and editor for Time and People, author of Love’s Long Line and Unforgivable Love: A Retelling of Dangerous Liaisons and co-author of This Child of Faith. Have a cup of tea, kick back and prepare to be amazed by these talented writers and mothers.   For Kate’s website, click here. For Erin's website, click here. For Kaethe's website, click here. For Sophfronia's website, click here. For Motherhood & Words, click here.

This Child is the hope of a coming kingdom where all will be set right for the glory of God and our good.

This is our first movie commentary of the 2017 film, Cult of Chucky. This Child’s The post Raw Pasta #1: Commentary for Cult of Chucky appeared first on Tortellini at Noon.

This Child that is born is Savior, and the Child that is born is Lord.