Podcasts about untie

View the bulletin for Sunday November 27, 20228:00 a.m. - Worship with Communion9:15 a.m. -Adult/Teen Bible Study & Children's Sunday School10:30 a.m. - Worship with CommunionAll are welcomeDOWNLOAD Poinsettia Order FormArchive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 2:1–5 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Epistle Reading – Romans 13:8–14 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-first chapter. Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Proper 29 First Psalm: Psalm 140; Psalm 142 Psalm 140 (Listen) Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 140   Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;    preserve me from violent men,2   who plan evil things in their heart    and stir up wars continually.3   They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's,    and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah 4   Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;    preserve me from violent men,    who have planned to trip up my feet.5   The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,    and with cords they have spread a net;1    beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah 6   I say to the LORD, You are my God;    give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!7   O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,    you have covered my head in the day of battle.8   Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;    do not further their2 evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah 9   As for the head of those who surround me,    let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!10   Let burning coals fall upon them!    Let them be cast into fire,    into miry pits, no more to rise!11   Let not the slanderer be established in the land;    let evil hunt down the violent man speedily! 12   I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted,    and will execute justice for the needy.13   Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;    the upright shall dwell in your presence. Footnotes [1] 140:5 Or they have spread cords as a net [2] 140:8 Hebrew his (ESV) Psalm 142 (Listen) You Are My Refuge A Maskil1 of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. 142   With my voice I cry out to the LORD;    with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.2   I pour out my complaint before him;    I tell my trouble before him. 3   When my spirit faints within me,    you know my way!  In the path where I walk    they have hidden a trap for me.4   Look to the right and see:    there is none who takes notice of me;  no refuge remains to me;    no one cares for my soul. 5   I cry to you, O LORD;    I say, “You are my refuge,    my portion in the land of the living.”6   Attend to my cry,    for I am brought very low!  Deliver me from my persecutors,    for they are too strong for me!7   Bring me out of prison,    that I may give thanks to your name!  The righteous will surround me,    for you will deal bountifully with me. Footnotes [1] 142:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term (ESV) Second Psalm: Psalm 141; Psalm 143 Psalm 141 (Listen) Give Ear to My Voice A Psalm of David. 141   O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me!    Give ear to my voice when I call to you!2   Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,    and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! 3   Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;    keep watch over the door of my lips!4   Do not let my heart incline to any evil,    to busy myself with wicked deeds  in company with men who work iniquity,    and let me not eat of their delicacies! 5   Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;    let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;    let my head not refuse it.  Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.6   When their judges are thrown over the cliff,1    then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.7   As when one plows and breaks up the earth,    so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.2 8   But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord;    in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!39   Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me    and from the snares of evildoers!10   Let the wicked fall into their own nets,    while I pass by safely. Footnotes [1] 141:6 Or When their judges fall into the hands of the Rock [2] 141:7 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 6, 7 is uncertain [3] 141:8 Hebrew refuge; do not pour out my life! (ESV) Psalm 143 (Listen) My Soul Thirsts for You A Psalm of David. 143   Hear my prayer, O LORD;    give ear to my pleas for mercy!    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!2   Enter not into judgment with your servant,    for no one living is righteous before you. 3   For the enemy has pursued my soul;    he has crushed my life to the ground;    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.4   Therefore my spirit faints within me;    my heart within me is appalled. 5   I remember the days of old;    I meditate on all that you have done;    I ponder the work of your hands.6   I stretch out my hands to you;    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 7   Answer me quickly, O LORD!    My spirit fails!  Hide not your face from me,    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.8   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,    for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go,    for to you I lift up my soul. 9   Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!    I have fled to you for refuge.110   Teach me to do your will,    for you are my God!  Let your good Spirit lead me    on level ground! 11   For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life!    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!12   And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,    for I am your servant. Footnotes [1] 143:9 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts To you I have covered (ESV) Old Testament: Zechariah 14:1–11 Zechariah 14:1–11 (Listen) The Coming Day of the Lord 14 Behold, a day is coming for the LORD, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. 5 And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.1 6 On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost.2 7 And there shall be a unique3 day, which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light. 8 On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea4 and half of them to the western sea.5 It shall continue in summer as in winter. 9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one. 10 The whole land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. But Jerusalem shall remain aloft on its site from the Gate of Benjamin to the place of the former gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses. 11 And it shall be inhabited, for there shall never again be a decree of utter destruction.6 Jerusalem shall dwell in security. Footnotes [1] 14:5 Other Hebrew manuscripts you [2] 14:6 Compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, Targum; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [3] 14:7 Hebrew one [4] 14:8 That is, the Dead Sea [5] 14:8 That is, the Mediterranean Sea [6] 14:11 The Hebrew term rendered decree of utter destruction refers to things devoted (or set apart) to the Lord (or by the Lord) for destruction (ESV) New Testament: Romans 15:7–13 Romans 15:7–13 (Listen) 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,   “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,    and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said,   “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again,   “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,    and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says,   “The root of Jesse will come,    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;  in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV) Gospel: Luke 19:28–40 Luke 19:28–40 (Listen) The Triumphal Entry 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (ESV)

We took some time to talk about the recent shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Focus on the Family, which is located there. We started this podcast analyzing their kid's radio show Adventures in Odyssey, and covered a whole series that was specifically anti-LGBTQIA+ back in 2019 - the first episode of our season titled “Beginning to Untie the Ties That Bind.” We mention Grace Baldridge's documentary where they interview Jackie Hill Perry. Also, check out their music in spotify! We also mention the Behind the Bastard's podcast about James Dobson.  Jenna DeWitt has a website of resources for LGBTQIA+ Christians and allies called Invisible Cake Society  We have a website—check it out for more information. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram. To support our show (we can't do this without you!), join us on Patreon! You'll get access to our monthly patron-only episodes (including the entire backlog), as well as occasional zoom hangouts. You can join this community for as little as $1.50 a month!

Christine Valter Paintner offers a mediation to soften knots in our heart, body, and soul through vulnerability.

Proper 29 First Psalm: Psalm 118 Psalm 118 (Listen) His Steadfast Love Endures Forever 118   Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;    for his steadfast love endures forever! 2   Let Israel say,    “His steadfast love endures forever.”3   Let the house of Aaron say,    “His steadfast love endures forever.”4   Let those who fear the LORD say,    “His steadfast love endures forever.” 5   Out of my distress I called on the LORD;    the LORD answered me and set me free.6   The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.    What can man do to me?7   The LORD is on my side as my helper;    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8   It is better to take refuge in the LORD    than to trust in man.9   It is better to take refuge in the LORD    than to trust in princes. 10   All nations surrounded me;    in the name of the LORD I cut them off!11   They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;    in the name of the LORD I cut them off!12   They surrounded me like bees;    they went out like a fire among thorns;    in the name of the LORD I cut them off!13   I was pushed hard,1 so that I was falling,    but the LORD helped me. 14   The LORD is my strength and my song;    he has become my salvation.15   Glad songs of salvation    are in the tents of the righteous:  “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,16     the right hand of the LORD exalts,    the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!” 17   I shall not die, but I shall live,    and recount the deeds of the LORD.18   The LORD has disciplined me severely,    but he has not given me over to death. 19   Open to me the gates of righteousness,    that I may enter through them    and give thanks to the LORD.20   This is the gate of the LORD;    the righteous shall enter through it.21   I thank you that you have answered me    and have become my salvation.22   The stone that the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone.223   This is the LORD's doing;    it is marvelous in our eyes.24   This is the day that the LORD has made;    let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25   Save us, we pray, O LORD!    O LORD, we pray, give us success! 26   Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!    We bless you from the house of the LORD.27   The LORD is God,    and he has made his light to shine upon us.  Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,    up to the horns of the altar! 28   You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;    you are my God; I will extol you.29   Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;    for his steadfast love endures forever! Footnotes [1] 118:13 Hebrew You (that is, the enemy) pushed me hard [2] 118:22 Hebrew the head of the corner (ESV) Second Psalm: Psalm 145 Psalm 145 (Listen) Great Is the Lord 1 A Song of Praise. Of David. 145   I will extol you, my God and King,    and bless your name forever and ever.2   Every day I will bless you    and praise your name forever and ever.3   Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,    and his greatness is unsearchable. 4   One generation shall commend your works to another,    and shall declare your mighty acts.5   On the glorious splendor of your majesty,    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6   They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,    and I will declare your greatness.7   They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 8   The LORD is gracious and merciful,    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9   The LORD is good to all,    and his mercy is over all that he has made. 10   All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,    and all your saints shall bless you!11   They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom    and tell of your power,12   to make known to the children of man your2 mighty deeds,    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13   Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.   [The LORD is faithful in all his words    and kind in all his works.]314   The LORD upholds all who are falling    and raises up all who are bowed down.15   The eyes of all look to you,    and you give them their food in due season.16   You open your hand;    you satisfy the desire of every living thing.17   The LORD is righteous in all his ways    and kind in all his works.18   The LORD is near to all who call on him,    to all who call on him in truth.19   He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;    he also hears their cry and saves them.20   The LORD preserves all who love him,    but all the wicked he will destroy. 21   My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,    and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. Footnotes [1] 145:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet [2] 145:12 Hebrew his; also next line [3] 145:13 These two lines are supplied by one Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac (compare Dead Sea Scroll) (ESV) Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9–16 Zechariah 9:9–16 (Listen) The Coming King of Zion 9   Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your king is coming to you;    righteous and having salvation is he,  humble and mounted on a donkey,    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.10   I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim    and the war horse from Jerusalem;  and the battle bow shall be cut off,    and he shall speak peace to the nations;  his rule shall be from sea to sea,    and from the River1 to the ends of the earth.11   As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,    I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.12   Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;    today I declare that I will restore to you double.13   For I have bent Judah as my bow;    I have made Ephraim its arrow.  I will stir up your sons, O Zion,    against your sons, O Greece,    and wield you like a warrior's sword. The Lord Will Save His People 14   Then the LORD will appear over them,    and his arrow will go forth like lightning;  the Lord GOD will sound the trumpet    and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.15   The LORD of hosts will protect them,    and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones,  and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine,    and be full like a bowl,    drenched like the corners of the altar. 16   On that day the LORD their God will save them,    as the flock of his people;  for like the jewels of a crown    they shall shine on his land. Footnotes [1] 9:10 That is, the Euphrates (ESV) New Testament: 1 Peter 3:13–22 1 Peter 3:13–22 (Listen) 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered1 once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which2 he went and proclaimed3 to the spirits in prison, 20 because4 they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. Footnotes [1] 3:18 Some manuscripts died [2] 3:19 Or the Spirit, in whom [3] 3:19 Or preached [4] 3:20 Or when (ESV) Gospel: Matthew 21:1–13 Matthew 21:1–13 (Listen) The Triumphal Entry 21 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5   “Say to the daughter of Zion,  ‘Behold, your king is coming to you,    humble, and mounted on a donkey,    on a colt,1 the foal of a beast of burden.'” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 12 And Jesus entered the temple2 and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers.” Footnotes [1] 21:5 Or donkey, and on a colt [2] 21:12 Some manuscripts add of God (ESV)

Homeyra Faghihi is a licensed social worker and psychotherapist. Born in Iran she came to the United States on a student visa obtained with a lot of persistence and commitment. She will tell you her story of immigrating to America after the Iranian revolution.   Homeyra truly is a survivor and someone who works to achieve the goals she sets for herself. Her drive comes through with everyone today who she coaches and helps through her company Power to the Self online coaching. She is also the creator of "Empowerment 4U" Blueprint.   I personally am always fascinated to have the opportunity to speak with people who overcome personal challenges and obstacles. I believe you too will be inspired by Homeyra's stories and thoughts.   About the Guest:   Homeyra Faghihi is a Psychotherapist of over two decades. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and has a doctorate in Psychology. Homeyra has years of experience with developing and offering group programs for women. As a Social Worker and Therapist, Homeyra has helped women with all sorts of struggles, including intimate partner violence. Homeyra is the founder of Power to the Self online coaching, and the creator of "Empowerment 4U" Blueprint. Currently, she provides services to women as an Empowerment Coach. In this role, Homeyra serves women who have left an unhealthy relationship, to transform their self-doubt into self-worth.      Homeyra Faghihi Empowerment Coach - Founder | Power to the Self online coaching website: www.powertotheself.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/power.to.the.self/     About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.   Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.   https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/   accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/       Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!   Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.   Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.     Transcription Notes Michael Hingson  00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i  capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson  01:21 Hi, there, this is once again, unstoppable mindset. I'm Mike Hingson. Your host glad that you're here with us wherever you happen to be or wherever you're driving, or however you're listening to our podcast. And I want to thank you again for being here with us. Today we get to meet Homeyra Faghihi Homeyra  is a licensed psychotherapist, she has a PhD in psychology, right? Doctorate Yes, doctorate. Yeah, PhD doctorate in psychology. So she's, she's got lots to tell us. And she helps, especially women dealing with overcoming challenges, which is, of course, for our purposes, another way of talking about being unstoppable and helping people become more unstoppable than they think they can be, which is what we're all about. So, we get to have a chat, man, I'm sure it's gonna be kind of fun. So Homeyra Welcome to unstoppable mindset.   Homeyra Faghihi  02:16 Thank you. I am so happy to be here. Michael, thank you for having me. It's a pleasure.   Michael Hingson  02:21 Well, why don't you tell us a little bit about you, especially kind of your early life and so on. It's always a fun place to start. I think Lewis Carroll always talked about starting at the beginning. So why don't we do that? And go from there?   Homeyra Faghihi  02:33 Yes. I was born and raised in Iran. And I experienced the revolution. During my preteen years, and half of the Iran Iraq war, I was in Iran. So I, in addition to my own personal life difficulties, then we had this collective trauma that we were all going through in Iran. And at the age of 19, I left and I came to the US, by myself, and I have been living here in Los Angeles since then. And I don't know how quick you want me to move forward?   Michael Hingson  03:14 Well, let's, let's do this. So what got you interested in moving to the US of all places? Certainly, that's a major culture shock from living in Iran. And, of course, with all of the things going on with the revolution, so on, they would consider us the big enemy and all that. So what made you want to come to the US?   Homeyra Faghihi  03:35 Yes, as a child, before the revolution, of course, I was very aware that many, many Americans lived in Iran, and we had American TV and American radio. And so I was always fascinated, I would always listen to the American radio in Iran. And I even though I didn't understand what they were saying, I just, you know, at least enjoyed the music. And I would watch the TV shows, again, not understanding what was happening, but enjoyed it very much. And also, I had family members who lived in the US, so I always had this fascination with America.   Michael Hingson  04:11 And so that translated into you deciding to move that was still a big step.   Homeyra Faghihi  04:17 Yes, very much. So especially at that time, after the revolution, with all the friction between the two countries. It was not easy to get here. It was very, very difficult to get here, but I made it.   Michael Hingson  04:30 Oh, did you get a visa? How were you able to come to the US? I mean, you had to be pretty committed and had to obviously go through all sorts of steps to make that happen. I'd love to hear the story.   Homeyra Faghihi  04:41 Yes. I would love to tell this story. As a kid as a teenager. Obviously I didn't know anything about creative visualization are these manifestation tools that everybody strategies that everybody knows these days and talk talk about? But I knew In my soul that I will be living in the US at some point, I just knew that. And so the whole process was a miracle one miracle after another, basically, because there was no embassy in Iran, I had to go to another country to go to the US Embassy there and get my student visa from there. And I have an uncle who lives in London. So the plan was for me to go to London, and then apply to the US from there. And the fact that I got a visa to England to the UK, that was a miracle on its own. Because that day, when I was when I went to apply for my visa, they did not give these to any young people, except for me. I mean, it was, again, a true true miracle that I was the only person of all the young people there who got the UK visa that day. Then I applied when I was in London, I applied to the for the US visa twice. And both times, they just looked at my documents, they didn't really look at them. They didn't I don't remember if they gave me any good reason, they just put the denied stamp on my passport, which was devastating. It was devastating. I can't even express describe the feeling that you get that that you have that happened to you twice. So the decision after then was either to go back to Iran or try one more time, and I didn't know what to do. And one of my uncle's friends came over just happened to come over. And I told her my story. And she said, You talk about the US with such passion. I wonder if you wrote that in a letter and just took it to the next interview, maybe somebody will read your letter. And I said, you know, I'm desperate. I do whatever. But I don't I my English is not good enough for me to write such a letter. So she said, You just tell me and I write it. So I told her in Farsi, she wrote the letter in English. And before the third appointment that I had with them, I went the day before and I gave the letter to the guard and asked him if he could please give it to whoever's in charge there. And the next day, when I went in, for my interview, the shocking thing that happened the moment I walked in, because normally the other two times, they would, they would basically take your name, then you would have a seat. And then there are these windows that they would assign to and you would go to a window and talk to an officer in the window. But when I got in this time, they just said to me, come come on around the back. So they took me to the back office, which was really shocking and confusing to me. Why would you take me there? And a gentleman who I believe was a top person there, he came and saw me back there. And he only asked one question. He did not even look at my documents. He just said, Did you write this letter yourself? And I said, Well, these are my words in Farsi translated into English. So yes, I know. And I explained to him how my English was not good enough to do a letter like that. And he just said, Wait right here, he went to another office and came back with my visa without even looking at my documents. And at the time, this is truly miraculous, because at the time, I don't know how things are right now. But you would need three weeks before they responded to your application. And but he gave me the visa right there. And then and it was one of the best moments of my life dream coming true.   Michael Hingson  08:34 That must have been really exciting to have that happen. You know, we're over here. So used to paperwork, so used to bureaucracies. But I also know that oftentimes the way to cut through a lot of bureaucracies is to get to the right person to say the right thing. And to get people to really understand where your heart is. Yeah, if you can make that happen. A lot of doors can open.   Homeyra Faghihi  09:03 And all of those things aligned that day. Yeah, yes, exactly. And he was definitely the top person there. So he could decide that we don't have to wait three weeks for you to get the visa here. I'm giving it to you.   Michael Hingson  09:17 So that, you know you You've waited already and it had been denied. So you know, yeah, that's a way to justify it to   Homeyra Faghihi  09:23 Yes, yes. Yes, exactly.   Michael Hingson  09:25 So you came to the US and your English wasn't really very good, as you say, how did you deal with that? Because you clearly speak quite well now.   Homeyra Faghihi  09:37 Thank you. I do try. But yes, at the time, you know, because I had studied English through all through my 12 years of school, so I knew grammar a little bit. Somewhere. I would say I was somewhat good at grammar, but I couldn't speak and I couldn't understand what people were saying. And so those were the skills that I needed to work on. And so for the speaking ability, the best thing that I did was I started to work right away. And so when you, when you're forced to speak, you learn, you have no other way but to speak. And, and so that was really helpful. And also, of course, going to English school English a second language school as well as in Santa Monica College, I took a, an English course. So those, of course helped to but I think the, the, the one that helped the most was. And this may be funny to some, but it was really a lifesaver for me at the time they had Three's Company and family ties back to back on TV, and watch those two shows every night. And they were very, very helpful. And also, just to let you know how poor my English was. My first movie here in the US was the Breakfast Club. And for those who have seen it, The Breakfast Club is a story of five kids sitting in a library on a Saturday in detention and speaking and there's so there's no action, there's no story to follow those five kids talking. And it was terrible, terrible experience for me because they did not understand anything. And I felt so out of place because I felt so like out of place, I felt that I was at a place because everybody was laughing at every single line and I wasn't getting what was happening. So my first job was at a video store. What I did was I would I would watch this video of the Breakfast Club over and over and over and over again. And every time I learned, you know, one line, it was a victory and motivation to watch it again to learn more. And so it's a very special movie to me. And aside from the fact that it's a really good movie once I got it.   Michael Hingson  11:45 Well there is that. Yeah. And and of course you watch family ties. So Michael J. Fox taught you English.   Homeyra Faghihi  11:51 Oh, for sure. And Jack, you're   Michael Hingson  11:53 exactly right. And yeah, and all the people on Three's Company what a what a collection of people to teach you English. Have you ever had a chance to tell any of them? What a good job they did?   Homeyra Faghihi  12:05 No, unfortunately, I did not. I did not however, iMovie that later on affected me in a different way. Which was the I don't know if you've seen Goodwill Hunting, but that was a very special movie. And I was able to communicate that with Ben Affleck not Matt Damon but Ben Affleck and I. It's a long story. But anyway, I was able to do that. I got a signed script from him. And a CD. Yeah, the CD of the No, not the CD but the DVD DVD. Yes. I thought it was a soundtrack but about bought the soundtrack myself.   Michael Hingson  12:37 Well, that's pretty cool. Well, you did get to tell him and that's that's a good thing. Yeah, it's kind of an odd compliment to get from someone because I'm sure most, most of the time they want to hear and they do get to hear what a great movie it was. Or the critics say what a bad movie. It wasn't here. You taught me English.   Homeyra Faghihi  12:56 Yes, I never I never really wrote to I believe was it. Was it John Kelly? I don't know the creator of The Breakfast Club. I forget his name. He did a bunch of big movies. I don't I forget his name, unfortunately. Yeah. But anyway, so.   Michael Hingson  13:13 So you got to the US. You went to college. And you studied?   Homeyra Faghihi  13:21 Yes, I had that on pause for a while because of financial issues. I was on my own and I wasn't able to manage all the costs. So I had to put that on hold to work full time and two jobs many, many years. I've worked two jobs. So yes, but eventually I was able to go back to school. Yes.   Michael Hingson  13:39 So you, but you, but you did get back to it. And you ended up getting a doctorate. And that's pretty good.   Homeyra Faghihi  13:46 Yes, yes. So I got my bachelor's in psychology master's in social work, then I became licensed as a clinical social worker here in the state of California. And when I went back to school, I got my doctorate and thank you for reminding me I wanted to say, I did not get a PhD, I got a Psy D, which is a psychology doctrine. And the difference between sidey and PhD is that PhD is very research focused. And Psy D is clinical focused,   Michael Hingson  14:12 and I stand corrected.   Homeyra Faghihi  14:15 That's okay, thank you. But I just thought because if you're not in the field, for those who are not in the field, they probably most people don't know the difference between the two, but there's a difference.   Michael Hingson  14:24 But you've got a Psy D in psychology. So you didn't, you didn't get an actual medical degree in psychiatry use psychology, but, but that's pretty important. And it's a good thing that you did. Well, you you certainly have taken a number of risks and are a risk taker in a lot of ways and I want to come back to that in a little bit. But you went to work though. So what did you do when you you got your Psy D? or what kind of work did you think go into?   Homeyra Faghihi  14:54 Yes, so right after my master's is in social work is when I got my My first professional job as a therapist, and I worked in your hometown of Palmdale, for over 13 years in a community mental health clinic, I helped kids, many of them were in foster care. And that's where I worked for 13 and a half years, I would say. And then after that, I worked at the VA for about nine years. And that was last year when I resigned from the VA. Last year. Yes. And I haven't had a practice on the side for some time in the past. So   Michael Hingson  15:30 which branch of the VA Did you work at?   Homeyra Faghihi  15:33 So I was in the, the main one here in the LA area, greater Los Angeles area is in West LA, I worked in the second biggest branch, which was in the valley. That's where I was in North Hills. for about nine years,   Michael Hingson  15:49 it seems to be also isn't there a fairly substantial one in Long Beach?   Homeyra Faghihi  15:53 Yes, definitely. There's one in Long Beach, and downtown LA. Yes. And then little offices in other places?   Michael Hingson  16:02 I think a lot. I think a lot of the visual, I think a lot of the visual issues. Go through Long Beach, or I may be mistaken. That's what I remember.   Homeyra Faghihi  16:11 Yes, I think so too. Although we did have a person who came to our branch, but I believe you're right, she came from Long Beach, I believe I could be wrong.   Michael Hingson  16:22 So you now have your own private practice, and that I definitely want to learn about but as I said earlier, you are a risk taker, what's the bravest thing you've ever done in the United States,   Homeyra Faghihi  16:36 the bravest thing that I've ever done in my life, altogether, is at the age of 21, where I was already here for a year, and I was living with a family member. But it was really interested in moving on to live with two friends that I met two girls, I met in Santa Monica College, and we became very good friends. And I really wanted to move in with them and live with them. And unfortunately, I didn't get any support around that. And not because my family didn't believe in me, but because they had never seen that done. And they kept reminding me that you have you don't have any money. You don't speak English very well yet. How are you going to do this? We are very much against you moving out, because you're going to end up back in Iran. Is that what you want? And I said, Absolutely not. I do not want to end up back in Iran. And so it was very brave. I think. And I'm recently in fact, I was thinking about the 21 year old in me and I was in awe of her courage. Because I said, I, this is what I'm doing. And I know in my heart that I will not go back to live in Iran. That's not my plan. And so with any without any financial support any emotional support with no money, because you know, I would just work paycheck to paycheck, I had no savings, no backup. I just decided to be on my own. And here I am 30. Some years later, still in Los Angeles, and very happy. This is my home.   Michael Hingson  18:09 Why did you decide to do that? I mean, we all talk about support systems and so on all the time. And clearly you were leaving a lot of your support system behind, although they were still your friends, but you wanted to be on your own. Why did you want to do that?   Homeyra Faghihi  18:24 I think it was important to me at the time to live my life the way I wanted to live my life, I had this freedom idea in my head that I need to live my life my way. And that was big to me even a 21 which is really incredible when I think about it, but that was me, I needed my freedom and live life my way. Well,   Michael Hingson  18:49 that's pretty important to be able to do and the fact that you were mature enough and understood it and obviously thought it through. Yes. Because you you knew what your situation was. And you've made it work.   Homeyra Faghihi  19:03 Yes, because at the time I you know, this is we're talking 30 Some years ago, so a one bedroom apartment in West LA was $600. And I was already paying $200 and helping out with the rent for $200. So my thinking was I went to these two friends and I said, What if I live with you and your rent will come down from 300 to 200. So you benefit from this and I'm paying the same rent so but I live I get to live with you because I enjoy being with you too. And and they thought it was a good idea because they were getting money sent to them from Iran and the dollar was very expensive and today is like ridiculously expensive. But to them they were helping out their parents by moving me in with them. So it was a win win situation we definitely did think   Michael Hingson  19:51 it through. And that makes a lot of sense. Clearly.   Homeyra Faghihi  19:54 Yes, that apartment right now is probably $2,000 But   Michael Hingson  19:59 oh at least Yes, our home we bought six years ago when we built this house. And I think with all this happened, it's pretty much doubled in value in six years. Wow. Yeah, it's it's amazing what's going on. And, and I hope it's it, I certainly don't mind the high property value, but at the same time, it makes a lot of unaffordability for a number of people who dream of getting a home. We were blessed. Yes, yeah. Do you still live in an apartment? Or do you own a home now or,   Homeyra Faghihi  20:34 when I was before I got married. I was single. And I wanted to have my own place. So I bought my own place. At one bedroom. It's a tiny little one bedroom. But I never gave it up. I'm renting it out. And so I have it, I just, it just felt good. I have always been very independent. And I always thought I, you know, I need to instead of paying for rent, I need to buy my own place. So I worked extra in order to be able to afford it. I got a Saturday extra job on Saturday so that I can buy that place. And I still have it. But right now I live with my husband. So yes, we own our place. Oh, that's good. Well, the bank owns it. The   Michael Hingson  21:09 other bank owns it. That's true. Yes. How long have you been married now?   Homeyra Faghihi  21:14 It's been 10 years now.   Michael Hingson  21:15 And you guys put up with each other, huh?   Homeyra Faghihi  21:18 What we do put up with each other when you when you when you get married later in life, like the both of us did. It's it can get tricky. But at the same time, because we got married later in life, we both respect our need for privacy and get like individual time. So we both get that and that it works. It works fine.   Michael Hingson  21:40 Well, my wife and I got married, I was 32. She was 33. I love to say I taught her everything she knows. But you know, we got married fairly later in life. And our position is we knew what we wanted. And, and you can know that earlier, but we really knew what we wanted. And so we when we got married, we were pretty sure it was going to be something that would work. And you know, we have to communicate and there are times that we get angry and and we deal with it. And then that's the biggest issue is you got to deal with whatever comes along. Exactly. Yes. Yeah, it's all about communication   Homeyra Faghihi  22:19 very much so very much so. And I think the older we get, the more hopefully all of us are recognizing how important it is because, you know, in younger days, there's so so much of low self esteem going on for myself. I know for many of my clients that we're not able to express ourselves, we just take everything, most things and say yes to many things that we don't want to and so yeah,   Michael Hingson  22:46 well, so you worked in Palmdale for 13 years. And I don't know what the population of Palmdale was when you were there. But when I went off to UC Irvine in Oh, a long time ago, 1968 Palmdale had a population of 2700 people. Now of course, is huge. Yes, yes. And Victorville wasn't even a speck compared to Palmdale. And when we came down here to look for property to build a home, we decided to move down here in 2014 to be closer to family. And when we came down here to look for property to build a home, we were amazed that Victorville had over 115,000 people in the whole Victor Valley area was like close to 600,000 people.   Homeyra Faghihi  23:30 Wow. That's amazing. That's amazing. And how was it? If I may ask, how was it for you to move from Irvine to to Patna to Victorville? How is that? Well,   Michael Hingson  23:42 it a lot of moves in between? Oh, okay. So I went to UC Irvine. And then I was part of a research project developing the first reading machine that would read print out loud for blind people developed by a guy named Ray Kurzweil. And so I moved across country on my own to be involved in that and then lived in Massachusetts until Oh, yes. 1981 when the company I was working for Kurzweil Computer Products asked if I would go back out to California because Kurzweil was in the process of being acquired by Xerox, and they wanted me to help integrate Kerswell into the Xerox world. So we did, and kind of it all went from there. But I've been on both coasts a couple of times. And then in 2002, I moved from New Jersey, having worked in the World Trade Center on September 11, we moved to the Bay Area because I had an opportunity to work at Guide Dogs for the Blind where all of my dogs have been from and also people were asking me to come and speak and tell our story. But then in 2014 We decided to move down here, circumstances made that happen, so I never thought I'd be living close to Palm Bay. Again,   Homeyra Faghihi  25:00 yes, you ended up here, Anna. And I knew this I'm sorry that I had forgotten but yes, I knew that you had moved between the two coasts. Back and forth. Yes.   Michael Hingson  25:11 Well, how did you end up? After working in Palmdale for 13 and a half years or so? What made you go to the VA and leave what you were doing? Was it just the job thing? Or how did that happen?   Homeyra Faghihi  25:25 Yes, I really, really enjoyed my work work in Palmdale, it was very rewarding. And I loved it very much. There came a point when I was ready to do something different maybe. And I got to that point. And this is when, actually, before I even came to this realization, I let me go back before I came to that realization that I need to do something else. I actually had this client and usually my clients were teams. But for some reason I ended up again, you know, universe does put things in order and aligns things sometimes. But I had this first grader that I was helping. And he always came in with his grandfather, which the grandfather was also his adoptive father. And he was a Vietnam War veteran. And I ended up working with him individually, because his anxiety was affecting the kids anxiety. So we did a lot of work together with the Father. And I was so honored every time he told me, you know, you have helped me much more than the VA. And I was like, how is that possible? I'm not even your therapist, I'm your kids therapist. But he kept saying that. And so I was very honored by that. And also I was my work with him was very, I was very touched by him, because he was just such a beautiful soul. Whatever it was, he was just such a beautiful person. And to know that this beautiful soul had experienced the type of traumas that he had experienced I, it just shocked me and inspired me and affected me in all sorts of ways. I thought, Okay, I'm interested in working, maybe with more veterans. So at the time, I was in private practice, and on the side, and so I signed up with the bid the soldiers project, which is a group of therapists who donate their time to help veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, to for whatever reason, if they're not able or willing to go to the VA, then they would come to us for therapy. So I helped another veteran in private practice that way. And then I thought, Okay, I think I like working with veterans so much that I'm going to apply to the VA. And so this position came up for Women's Health social worker at the VA here in the Valley. And it was the very first job that I applied to, I didn't think that I would get it because at the time, I noticed everybody who found a new job, they went on interview after interview after interview, so I didn't think that I would get this job I just applied. And again, another miracle I believe I ended up getting the job. And I was super, super happy about that shocked and happy that my first interview led to an actual, you know, to a job and I enjoyed my my time there very much. I was part of the history there because it was the very first Women's Health Social Worker on that campus before me that position did not exist. So I'm very honored to have been the very first one and I enjoyed my time there very much. I always told my supervisor every time she said there was another opening, you know, for a higher position. I never applied because I thought I want to do what I enjoy. And this is I have the best social work job on this campus. I always told her that. And I meant it. And I enjoyed it very much. So I was there for about nine years, until last year.   Michael Hingson  28:42 So you were at the LA campus. And so you helped a lot of women and men or did you mainly concentrate on women at the VA?   Homeyra Faghihi  28:50 Yes, my title was Women's Health Social Worker. So I was in primary care women's clinic. And the only time I get to I got to help men veterans was when I was covering for other social workers if they were on vacation or sick day or you know not not there, then I would cover for them. So those were the times that I that I helped men veterans or and we had also a lot of transgender or not, I shouldn't say a lot but we did have some transgender clients and women's clinic as well.   Michael Hingson  29:20 So kind of an interesting question out of curiosity more than anything. Obviously, there are differences between men and women least I've heard that in the past. But I say that sarcastically but but but in reality, are a lot of the challenges that the women veterans face, similar to the ones that you had to deal with or that others dealt with with men are the problems really so different that it's hard to compare the two.   Homeyra Faghihi  29:49 There are definitely some similarities and there are some differences and that's why we had a women's clinic there and that's why they they decide Read, and good for me. And I believe for the veterans from them to have a women's health social worker, the differences I mean, we know about the similarities in terms of, you know, some difficulties during their service, anything from moving away from family or adjusting to the military culture adjusting back to the civilian life, you know, the or difficulty with mental health issues, physical health issues that come up during service, I mean, they would have those things in common, of course. But in terms of what's different, one thing that is different is that the rate of military sexual trauma and women is higher than in men. So many of my my clients had experienced military sexual trauma. And of course, men experienced that too, but but less often. And the other thing that I would say is different for women is that because they came into the military service, life a little later on, although the population is growing, but they experienced a lot of discrimination by men. And that's something just for being a woman in the military. So that came up quite a bit among my clients that they weren't taken seriously, because they were female. And so in those ways, their struggles were different. And of course, you know, with military sexual trauma leads to a lot of other problems such as drug use issues, or homelessness, difficulty relating to other people to their own children, or to even having children to have a family. So it's really complicated. And, yeah, it's a huge problem. In my experience with women veterans, of course, you know, I'm sorry, just to be clear, the veterans who are probably not coming to the VA, I'm gonna guess many of them do not maybe face these issues. Or maybe it's not as common for veterans who are not coming to the VA. So I'm speaking from perspective of a social worker at the VA, I'm not speaking for all the veterans, of course.   Michael Hingson  32:10 Sure. So what mainly, did you do in in your work? How did you proceed?   Homeyra Faghihi  32:18 Yes. So being that I was the very first one, I kind of was able to make it my own, you know, kind of a work because it was the very first one, of course, I had the main role, which was to link veterans to resources, that was supposed to be my main job, to link them to resources at the VA, or in the community. And I was told, and the reason I, you know, I really liked this job, because it was a combination of case management and mental health. And so I knew that I would be doing some mental health, I started to see some veterans individually in therapy, and, and also what I learned that I really enjoyed doing groups. So even though nobody was really telling me to do these groups, I just saw the need for the groups and I kept developing new groups and offer those and that became the most, I will for the most part, very, very rewarding part of my job. And I was really attached to these groups that I was running, because they were so rewarding, especially, you know, for intimate partner violence. Because a lot of women struggle in silence with domestic violence, intimate partner violence. And so to offer help in a group setting, it would really help decrease the stigma around it. And it was very empowering, and for them and rewarding for me.   Michael Hingson  33:38 And of course, the real issue is that what you did was to get people to talk. Yes, yeah, to really deal with their issues. And as we know, one of the most powerful ways to do that is to talk about it.   Homeyra Faghihi  33:53 Yes, definitely. There's so much shame that, you know, we all experience shame all of us. And I always remind everyone that we all experience shame. And we all think that we're pretty much the only one except so when you when you know that everybody experiences shame. Everybody experiences self judgment, especially with this particular subject, and you have conversations about it in a group setting, it can be so healing to know that you're not alone. So not only you're talking about it, but you're also talking about it, but like five, six other women.   Michael Hingson  34:25 Of course, as it turns out, all have at least similar if not the same problems you do whoever you happen to be,   Homeyra Faghihi  34:33 yes, very similar experiences. I mean, the details may be different, but the feelings that they cause the self doubt that they cause the trauma response that they cause are very, very similar.   Michael Hingson  34:44 So it's empowering when you discover you're not really alone after all.   Homeyra Faghihi  34:49 Exactly. Exactly. And to learn tools, you know, how to how to address these beliefs that the you know, one has learned about them. cells and their lies, you know, they're not the truth about yourself.   Michael Hingson  35:03 How do you teach the tools? Well,   Homeyra Faghihi  35:06 I have always been as a therapist, a big fan of cognitive behavior therapy. So a lot of what I taught my clients, whether in this particular group or other groups came from CBT, cognitive behavior therapy model, and the triangle, the thought and behavior triangle, and how these three elements interact with each other. And so based on this triangle is where I taught a lot of tools to my clients then. And now. Also, even though I don't do therapy right now, I do coaching. But I, but I use the same foundation for everything that I teach.   Michael Hingson  35:41 So when did you start your own private practice? I gathered that that was going on somewhat while you were working at the VA.   Homeyra Faghihi  35:48 Yes, so the private practice that I had was No, actually I stopped it. When I, when I went to the VA, I had my private practice when I was working in Palmdale. I was seeing women and children, also, adolescents, adolescents, teenagers in my in my private practice, as a therapist, but then when I started my work at the VA, it was so overwhelming at first that I couldn't do the private practice on the side. So I just closed my private practice. And then after I resigned from the VA, last year, I created this online coaching service called power to the self. And so here at power to the self, I coach women to help transform their self doubt into self worth, after leaving an unhealthy relationship. And most of my services, I like to do most of it in group format. Because of everything that I just explained. It's, it's much more powerful. And my clients right now, they don't necessarily have to have come from a abusive background, as long as it was an unhealthy relationship and unhealthy enough to have affected their self esteem. They're a good fit for the program that I've created.   Michael Hingson  37:01 So why did you resign from the VA to start this again? Or what?   Homeyra Faghihi  37:06 Couple of reasons. One? Well, I would say the main one is a lot of policies changed nationally. And also, locally, they restructured things, and they, the way they restructured the whole social work group. I mean, I should say program, they put me into another program, which I didn't want to move to another program, not that I had anything against them, it's just that that's not where I wanted to be. I wanted to continue to stay with my fellow social workers that I've been working with for nine years almost. And so that was very difficult. And also at the same time, I noticed how much I love providing groups. And I wanted to do that full time, as opposed to just it being a small portion of my time. Because that's what it was at the VA I did many things that was one of the many things that I did was running groups.   Michael Hingson  37:59 Right? So you you say that what you do now is coaching? How is that different from therapy? What what are the differences? Why are you consider yourself now more of a coach? Are you a life coach, or? But let's do one question at a time. So what's the difference between coaching and therapy?   Homeyra Faghihi  38:19 Yeah, so I call myself Empower an empowerment coach, just just to let you know, that's what I consider myself right now. But the way I practice coaching different from therapy, is that as a therapist, which I'm not providing therapy right now, but as a therapist, I see clients with more, who are struggling with more severe mood issues or relationship issues. Whereas in as a coach, I see clients that are further along in their journey. So therefore, as a therapist, I would work longer with a client as a coach, my program is three months, even though I provide weekly support for a whole year, but the program itself is three months.   Michael Hingson  39:00 And difference between the two, coaching and therapy.   Homeyra Faghihi  39:04 Right? Right, exactly that because the third therapy, you go deep into the past, so it takes longer. Whereas with coaching, if you don't go deep in, of course, the past is brought up and we discuss it, but we don't stay focused on the past, we put focus stay focused on the present and the future. And so as a therapist, you know, with that I can provide an I do need to provide a diagnosis for my client. As a coach, I do not provide a diagnosis. And so most of my coaching clients, they either have had their therapy already or they have no therapy on the side or they don't need therapy. And they're already they're a bit more further along in their journey versus somebody who's starting therapy. I hope that makes sense.   Michael Hingson  39:52 Well, sort of still trying to understand some of it as I kind of understand coaching. Coaching is more you You are asking questions and trying to guide a person to more self discovery, whereas therapy is a lot more. You have to deal with self discovery. But you're you're really trying to come up with a diagnosis why things are the way they are?   Homeyra Faghihi  40:18 Yes. That and also dig deep into how is it? Where did this diagnosis come from? What was you know, as a social worker, I am trained to be holistic. So what happened in your childhood? What happened in your school? What happened? What what's happening with the government today that is causing you mental health issues? So it's not just social work teaches us not to just be focused on a diagnosis, but look at the big picture and look at also the person's strengths? And how is it that they have survived other issues, other problems before? And how do we draw from those? Those strengths? And so all of that, yes, everything that you said, and more   Michael Hingson  41:02 and more. So how did you come up with the name power to the slef?   Homeyra Faghihi  41:08 Oh, I am a big, I have, how should I say this I have, I have affection for the phrase Power to the people. I really liked that phrase, because I think it really speaks to standing up against people who have power over us, who are outside of us and have power over us. So Power to the People, I really like that phrase. And so power to the self is about standing up to the fear that's running the show on the inside.   Michael Hingson  41:38 And so you came up with this this name? And how do you use that? Or where does that fit into what you do?   Homeyra Faghihi  41:46 Yes, so the program that I have created now for for power to the self, it's called empowerment for you. That's number four, and letter you. And basically, each segment each of the year, which I'm going to say briefly, if I may something about is based on the groups that I had already developed for my clients before. So it's kind of like I've taken the highlights of those groups and put them together and made a three month program. So the first view is, unlearn the lies that you were told about you. In this case, you know, if you had an abusive ex, or an ex that kept telling you things about you that were not true, such as you're not worthy, you are crazy, you're not good enough, you are not attractive enough, you're not smart enough. All those things are lies that we need to identify and challenge. And sometimes these lies might have come originally from a parent or a boss or a higher ranking person in the military. So it's not necessarily just the partner but it maybe over the years, somebody you know, some of us have heard those through words or actions of our loved ones, in that way. So anyway, we focus on that, and focus on tools as to how to unlearn these lies. And then the second you is uncovered a difference between healthy and unhealthy relationship. This is where we talk about healthy boundaries versus unhealthy boundaries, what do they look like? What are our rights in a relationship? And what does healthy versus unhealthy relationship look like? So we discuss a lot of those during that segment. And then the third view is uncover. Untie, untie yourself from shame and guilt and move towards self compassion. And this is where we talk about what is shame? Where does it come from? How does it grow bigger? We make it bigger without even meaning to do that. And how do we move towards self compassion because we cannot be in shame and self compassion at the same time. And so we learn how to how to be more aware of which one do we go to in each moment. And Brene Brown calls shame the master emotions, she and others have called it master emotion. And it's such a perfect way to describe shame, because it's so such a strong experience. And it affects us in such such deep ways that we really need to address it. And then the fourth view is upgrade your vision for your future. And that's where we talk about like everybody will come up with their own vision for their future. And we we use the triangle that I mentioned earlier, to do exercises to help the client match their thoughts, their behaviors and their feelings with the vision that they have in their mind so that they can move toward that vision as opposed to staying stuck in one place. So that that's the for empowerment for you program.   Michael Hingson  44:44 As a as a therapist, when you are talking with people when they come in and start working with you. Do you pretty much fairly quickly form some basic expectations of what you think will happen, and how to proceed with people.   Homeyra Faghihi  45:06 As a therapist, we always, as a therapist with the client, we come up with goals together. So we discuss it together, I don't necessarily tell the client. So here's the goal, let's go for it. I don't do that. I don't think any therapists would do that.   Michael Hingson  45:22 And I wasn't thinking of that I was thinking more of in your own mind. Do you? Do you draw some conclusions? Not Not that you tell people, but you kind of draw some conclusions. And what I was really getting to was it just popped into my head to ask this? Have you begun working with people thought you had a pretty good handle on a situation. And then suddenly, you were totally surprised by something that caused you to need to shift and maybe look at it in a different light, which is not a bad thing. But I'm just curious, you   Homeyra Faghihi  45:53 know, it does happen. It does happen. I can't think of any particular case right now. But it does happen. As therapists sometimes we come across situations, that's a first timer for us. And so that's when we it's so important to get consultation from other therapists. So that's very common, where we go to our, you know, fellow therapists and colleagues and say, this is a situation and I'm stuck here. I thought that I was going the right way. But I don't think that I am, what is your feedback? Because it's always helpful to get the perspective of somebody else outside of us. They we might we all have blind spots sometimes. And so in those situations, it's very common practice to get consultation from other therapists.   Michael Hingson  46:36 Yeah. And, of course, that gets back to talking, right? Yes, yes. Yeah, I wasn't in any way thinking that you would tell somebody something that you, you just drew a conclusion. And so this is the way we're going to proceed. I know that therapy is all about exploration. But it just seems like from time to time, we all are looking at something that is going on or that we're involved with. And suddenly something happens that causes us to oh, we have to really change that.   Homeyra Faghihi  47:04 Yes, yes. I mean, you're talking about like, Aha moments like I got on this. I need to go a different way. Yeah. I'm sorry that I didn't get it before. But yes, that happens to where suddenly something clicks. And you might change direction as a therapist. Yes, that happens to   Michael Hingson  47:22 Yeah, people are very complex, and are very surprising, aren't they? Yes. That's the way we are? Yes, we all are. Yes. Yeah. Yeah, it is something that we all face. Tell me more about the empowerment for you program. And specifically, what I'm wondering is, do you do a lot of things virtually, you're just in person? Or how does all that work?   Homeyra Faghihi  47:45 Yes, it's all online. Because I started this program during the pandemic, of course, you know, I thought that. And here's the other thing, working as a coach, the way it's different from a therapist, as a therapist, I can only provide services to women or people in California. Whereas as a coach, because I don't dig deep into the past, and I don't do therapy with them, I can work women from anywhere in the world. And that's what I love about it. So to answer your question, everything is online. And for example, right now, I have a client from Germany, and another one in Canada. And, and the beauty of online community is that, you know, we can we can help so many people.   Michael Hingson  48:25 Okay, so the question that comes up is, have you had any from Iran?   Homeyra Faghihi  48:32 I had requests, yes, I had requests, but for different reasons, it didn't work out. Because what I do is, I provide a half hour free consultation for everybody. So everybody can always just sign up for a half hour consultation, because I want to make sure that we're a good match. I don't want to bring everybody into the group because it doesn't serve them or the other group members, if you're not a good match, they need to have enough in common to be able to benefit from this group. So I've had a couple of clients, but not clients, but people who were interested. And they were from Iran, from Iran. And that didn't work out for different reasons. But yes, they were interested.   Michael Hingson  49:14 Have you at all been back to Iran since you left?   Homeyra Faghihi  49:17 Yes, I have been back three times. And the last time was 2012 December. In fact, the last time I left was 1212 2012. I picked that date. I thought it'd be a fun day. But that was the last time I went there. Yes, it's been 10 years now most.   Michael Hingson  49:35 Did you have any concerns about going back? Or was it was it an issue?   Homeyra Faghihi  49:39 No, no, not at all. I mean, people with certain backgrounds might have, you know, concerns, but I didn't. I didn't you know, if they have had connections with the previous government, or if they're in the US military, I mean, those individuals would be scared to go back and understandably so. So Should I didn't have anything to be concerned about.   Michael Hingson  50:04 But since you would left there, I was just kind of curious if that created a stigma of any sort regarding you didn't bother anyone back back home. Going back home? Yeah.   Homeyra Faghihi  50:16 Oh, no, no, not at all. No, no, because many people like everybody is trying to leave Iran right now. So if you mean like a stigma, meaning judgment by Iranians inside Iran, if that's what you mean,   Michael Hingson  50:29 or the government,   Homeyra Faghihi  50:32 oh, the government now they don't care. They really don't care. As long as, as long as you're not you haven't? Let's say, if you're not involved with American government in a military type of way, let's say or they're very sensitive to people who have traveled to Israel for you know, because of political reasons, we would be concerned about that. Yes. So you know, so there's some things that they're very sensitive about. And also, if you've had connections with the previous government, if you worked for the previous government in a very, like, let's say, military position, those, those people probably would be concerned to go back.   Michael Hingson  51:08 It's great that you're able to go back and visit family and so on, are your parents still alive? Are they still,   Homeyra Faghihi  51:13 my father died many, many years ago, my mom moved here to the US. So she's here and lives close by. But I have lots of cousins, not lots, but some cousins in Iran. I have some family in Iran. And I would love to go back again one day soon. And aside from the fact that there's so much I love nature, and Iran has beautiful nature, different type of nature, I would love to go back and see the nature and history and the sites, there are so many historical sites that I haven't seen only seen pictures of that I would love to go see in person.   Michael Hingson  51:47 Needless to say, I guess I've never been and it would be interesting to visit that part of the world. Yes, my, my wife is in a wheelchair, and I'm not sure how much wheelchair access there would be. So that might be something that keeps us from going because it wouldn't be fun to go there and not be able to share it. But as a speaker, I've had an opportunity to travel a bunch of places she hasn't gone. So that happens.   Homeyra Faghihi  52:12 Yes. Yes. I, I mean, I would, if I were to guess, in terms of access to certain buildings or resources, it's probably not at they're not as advanced as the US. So that can be a problem. Yes,   Michael Hingson  52:29 that would be well, and there are a lot of places in the world that still have a long way to go. And laws regarding persons with disabilities are still way behind the times, even here. We're not nearly as forward looking as we ought to be. Hence, we tend not to be included in so many things. It's unfortunate but true.   Homeyra Faghihi  52:50 Very, very unfortunate. Yes. Yes.   Michael Hingson  52:53 But you know, we we do live with it. Well, what do you do when you're not working? Oh, when I'm not working? Does that ever happen that you're not working? Oh,   Homeyra Faghihi  53:02 god, yes. I make sure that that happens. Although last year, I went a little overboard with working too much. But this year, I'm doing much better. I love to take pictures with my cell phone and to edit them and just to put them on my personal page. That's like one hobby. I love to travel. We just came back from Mammoth. It was gorgeous out there. And yeah, spending time with family with friends. Cool. Those are some things that I know   Michael Hingson  53:31 mom lives close by. So she keeps an eye on daughter. Yes, mom went through that.   Homeyra Faghihi  53:37 Yes. One of my like, favorite part of the week is we go there every Wednesday for dinner. My husband and I. So that's a really good tradition that we have set up since a few years back. So every Wednesday we go over there. I love that. Yeah. Well, that's kind of cool. Yes, yes. And of course, she gives us back so much food to bring home and it's like, Mom, we have we we have food but she doesn't.   Michael Hingson  54:06 Yeah, well, you know, again, that's what moms do. Yes. Yeah. They're supposed to it's a rule. You didn't know that.   Homeyra Faghihi  54:16 He does that. I mean, I can see I always appreciate and take the food that she makes. But she also gives us fruits and vegetables. And I'm like Mom, we have we go to the grocery store.   Michael Hingson  54:28 Are you a mom yet? No,   Homeyra Faghihi  54:30 I'm not a mom. See? You don't know the rule. I only know it from a doctor's perspective. Very cool. Yeah.   Michael Hingson  54:39 It's better to be well, I don't know whether it's better to be on the receiving end of the giving. Because both are good, but it's a rule moms moms are supposed to do that. And daughters are supposed to accept it. Although they can complain too. It's okay. Yeah,   Homeyra Faghihi  54:51 I don't It's okay. I'll take it   Michael Hingson  54:54 will tell me if people want to reach out to you and explore Being a client or working with you in some way? Or if they just want to learn more about you, how do they do that?   Homeyra Faghihi  55:07 Yes, please. Yes, my website is powertotheself.com. Power to the self.com. And I am on Instagram almost every day, you can search power to the self on Instagram, and you will find me. And I offer a half hour free consultation for any woman who has experienced an unhealthy relationship that has affected her self esteem. So feel free to set up a time and see if we're a good fit to work together.   Michael Hingson  55:36 Do you do anything on Facebook or LinkedIn? At all?   Homeyra Faghihi  55:39 I am on LinkedIn. I'm not that active. But I am on LinkedIn recently, I updated my profile there because I had been there for many years. And but I'm not on Facebook only I have a Facebook account only to do my Facebook group for my clients. I provide support on the site. So I do have a Facebook group for my clients. But that's it. I don't post anything there publicly.   Michael Hingson  56:04 I only ask because Instagram tends to be a lot less accessible. Since it's a lot more photo oriented then is Facebook work or more important? LinkedIn. So I'm glad you're on LinkedIn that makes it possible for people. How do they find you on LinkedIn? What do they search? Oh,   Homeyra Faghihi  56:22 it's a I should know this. I think it's my name, Homeyra Faghihi? Yes, it's my name. Can you spell please? Sure. A first name H O M E Y R A  Why  last name F like Frank, A G H I H I.   Michael Hingson  56:40 So best thing is for people to go find you at power to the self.com though,   Homeyra Faghihi  56:45 I would say yes. They don't have to remember the spelling of my difficult. That's easier. Yeah. Power to the self.com would be the best way to find me. Yes.   Michael Hingson  56:55 Well, I hope people will reach out. It sounds like what you're doing is extremely important. And I believe it is. And I'm glad that you're able to really help provide some perspective for so many women especially. But I think all of us, I think there are lessons that we can all learn from your experiences and the way you've been able to approach life and you've been pretty brave at doing some things. And taking risks. Like I said before, there's nothing wrong with taking risks and finding things that worked and finding things that didn't work and then going elsewhere.   Homeyra Faghihi  57:32 Yes, yes. Thank you so much, Michael. Yes, thank you for this opportunity. I am so happy to be here. And you, you I'm sure all your audience would agree that you you embody empowerment. So it is such an honor to be in your presence and to to have had this hour with you. Thank you for having me on.   Michael Hingson  57:54 Well, it's my pleasure to do it. I forgot to ask have you written any books?   Homeyra Faghihi  57:59 Not yet. But hopefully.   Michael Hingson  58:01 There you go. There's a new project and having a podcast.   Homeyra Faghihi  58:06 Yes, that's coming. Hopefully, I haven't actually sat down to, to think about it. But the thought is in my head, it's in that stage right now.   Michael Hingson  58:17 In some ways, it's a lot easier to do a podcast than to apply for and get a job doing radio. And it's a lot of fun. And you get to set up the rules for what you do with the podcast. And it's it is very rewarding. You get to meet some interesting people, depending on how you set it up. So I hope you'll do it. And then let us know about   Homeyra Faghihi  58:34 it. Yes, for sure. And thank you again for it. I enjoy being a guest that especially here it was so fun. Thank you for asking so many interesting questions.   58:46 Well, well thank you for for being here and for visiting with all of us. And for all of you out there. Please go visit WWW dot power to the self.com. And of course, we hope that you will wherever you're listening to us, give us a five star rating here on unstoppable mindset and tell your friends about us. We would appreciate it if you'd let them know we exist in encourage them to listen and give us five star ratings as well because your readings really matter. And I appreciate seeing what all of you say if you want to reach out to me directly. My email address is Michaelhi M I C H A E L H I  at accessibe A c c E S S I B E.com. You can also visit WWW dot Michael hingson.com/podcast and Michael Hingson is M I C H A E L H I N G S O N .com/podcast. And again, would appreciate those ratings want definitely to hear from you and Homeyra . Once again, thank you very much for being here with us. Thank you, our pleasure.   Michael Hingson  59:57 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com. accessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

It's human nature to want to tie up what we think belongs to us. But are there things we have tied up today that the Lord needs? Find out more about NewSpring Church in Wichita, Kansas, at newspring.org.

Luke 19–20 Luke 19–20 (Listen) Jesus and Zacchaeus 19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The Parable of the Ten Minas 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,1 he gave them ten minas,2 and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!3 Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.' 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!' 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'” The Triumphal Entry 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers.” 47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. The Authority of Jesus Challenged 20 One day, as Jesus4 was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,' he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?' 6 But if we say, ‘From man,' all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” The Parable of the Wicked Tenants 9 And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant5 to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.' 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.' 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:   “‘The stone that the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone'?6 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” Paying Taxes to Caesar 19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality,7 but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius.8 Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent. Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection 27 There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28 and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man9 must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons10 of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” 39 Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For they no longer dared to ask him any question. Whose Son Is the Christ? 41 But he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David's son? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,   “‘The Lord said to my Lord,  “Sit at my right hand,43     until I make your enemies your footstool.”' 44 David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?” Beware of the Scribes 45 And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Footnotes [1] 19:13 Or bondservants; also verse 15 [2] 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages for a laborer [3] 19:17 Or bondservant; also verse 22 [4] 20:1 Greek he [5] 20:10 Or bondservant; also verse 11 [6] 20:17 Greek the head of the corner [7] 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face [8] 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer [9] 20:28 Greek his brother [10] 20:36 Greek huioi; see Preface (ESV)

We are so excited this week to have Dr. Clarissa Pinkoa Estés (Dr. E, as she is affectionately known) back on our show for the fifth time. Bestselling author of “Women Who Run with the Wolves,” which sold over a million copies; and the multi-volume audio series “The Dangerous Old Woman,” and her most recent book, “Untie the Strong Woman: Blessed Mother's Immaculate Love for the Wild Soul,” which we will be talking about today; Dr. E is also an internationally recognized scholar, award-winning poet, diplomate senior Jungian psychoanalyst, and cantadora (keeper of the old stories in the Latina tradition). Her warmth and wisdom have captivated millions with humor, enlightened discussions and profound insights. The feminine in all of us—male and female—is moved and grown every time she touches us with her stories and gifts from the soul. You are not going to want to miss this one.

We will be amazed at what God can do with our resources, if we will just release them to him. Key Verse: Matthew 21:3

Get your dancin' shoes on! Steven, Joel, and Nic dig into Aaron's search for God in the trees and at the bottom of the ocean. We know we ask a lot of the same questions in most of these episodes, but today we learn that we're in good company. Brother (and sister and sib), you won't be far away when you listen to this week's episode! Please consider rating and reviewing the podcast on Apple, Google, and Spotify! For more info about the podcast, including show notes, short blogs, and host info, visit our website: uswithoutthempod.com Join our Facebook group to keep the conversation going: uswithoutThem Podcast Keep up with the latest on social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook  We got stickers!

Luke 19–20 Luke 19–20 (Listen) Jesus and Zacchaeus 19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The Parable of the Ten Minas 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,1 he gave them ten minas,2 and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!3 Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.' 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!' 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'” The Triumphal Entry 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers.” 47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. The Authority of Jesus Challenged 20 One day, as Jesus4 was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,' he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?' 6 But if we say, ‘From man,' all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” The Parable of the Wicked Tenants 9 And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant5 to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.' 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.' 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:   “‘The stone that the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone'?6 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” Paying Taxes to Caesar 19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality,7 but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius.8 Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent. Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection 27 There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28 and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man9 must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons10 of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” 39 Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For they no longer dared to ask him any question. Whose Son Is the Christ? 41 But he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David's son? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,   “‘The Lord said to my Lord,  “Sit at my right hand,43     until I make your enemies your footstool.”' 44 David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?” Beware of the Scribes 45 And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Footnotes [1] 19:13 Or bondservants; also verse 15 [2] 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages for a laborer [3] 19:17 Or bondservant; also verse 22 [4] 20:1 Greek he [5] 20:10 Or bondservant; also verse 11 [6] 20:17 Greek the head of the corner [7] 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face [8] 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer [9] 20:28 Greek his brother [10] 20:36 Greek huioi; see Preface (ESV)

Mark 10–11 Mark 10–11 (Listen) Teaching About Divorce 10 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. 2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.' 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,1 8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” Let the Children Come to Me 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. The Rich Young Man 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is2 to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,3 “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time 32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” The Request of James and John 35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,4 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave5 of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus 46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. The Triumphal Entry 11 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus6 sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?' say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.'” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Jesus Curses the Fig Tree 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Jesus Cleanses the Temple 15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they7 went out of the city. The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received8 it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”9 The Authority of Jesus Challenged 27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,' he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?' 32 But shall we say, ‘From man'?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Footnotes [1] 10:7 Some manuscripts omit and hold fast to his wife [2] 10:24 Some manuscripts add for those who trust in riches [3] 10:26 Some manuscripts to one another [4] 10:43 Greek diakonos [5] 10:44 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) [6] 11:1 Greek he [7] 11:19 Some manuscripts he [8] 11:24 Some manuscripts are receiving [9] 11:25 Some manuscripts add verse 26: But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses (ESV)

Mark 10–11 Mark 10–11 (Listen) Teaching About Divorce 10 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. 2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.' 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,1 8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” Let the Children Come to Me 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. The Rich Young Man 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is2 to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,3 “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time 32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” The Request of James and John 35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,4 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave5 of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus 46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. The Triumphal Entry 11 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus6 sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?' say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.'” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Jesus Curses the Fig Tree 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Jesus Cleanses the Temple 15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they7 went out of the city. The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received8 it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”9 The Authority of Jesus Challenged 27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,' he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?' 32 But shall we say, ‘From man'?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Footnotes [1] 10:7 Some manuscripts omit and hold fast to his wife [2] 10:24 Some manuscripts add for those who trust in riches [3] 10:26 Some manuscripts to one another [4] 10:43 Greek diakonos [5] 10:44 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) [6] 11:1 Greek he [7] 11:19 Some manuscripts he [8] 11:24 Some manuscripts are receiving [9] 11:25 Some manuscripts add verse 26: But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses (ESV)

Matthew 20–21 Matthew 20–21 (Listen) Laborers in the Vineyard 20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius1 a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.' 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'2 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.” Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time 17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” A Mother's Request 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,3 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,4 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus Heals Two Blind Men 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord,5 have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. The Triumphal Entry 21 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5   “Say to the daughter of Zion,  ‘Behold, your king is coming to you,    humble, and mounted on a donkey,    on a colt,6 the foal of a beast of burden.'” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 12 And Jesus entered the temple7 and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers.” 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,   “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies    you have prepared praise'?” 17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there. Jesus Curses the Fig Tree 18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” The Authority of Jesus Challenged 23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,' he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, ‘From man,' we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. The Parable of the Two Sons 28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,' but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him. The Parable of the Tenants 33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants8 to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.' 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:   “‘The stone that the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone;9  this was the Lord's doing,    and it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”10 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet. Footnotes [1] 20:2 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer [2] 20:15 Or is your eye bad because I am good? [3] 20:26 Greek diakonos [4] 20:27 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) [5] 20:30 Some manuscripts omit Lord [6] 21:5 Or donkey, and on a colt [7] 21:12 Some manuscripts add of God [8] 21:34 Or bondservants; also verses 35, 36 [9] 21:42 Greek the head of the corner [10] 21:44 Some manuscripts omit verse 44 (ESV)

Matthew 20–21 Matthew 20–21 (Listen) Laborers in the Vineyard 20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius1 a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.' 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'2 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.” Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time 17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” A Mother's Request 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,3 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,4 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus Heals Two Blind Men 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord,5 have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. The Triumphal Entry 21 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5   “Say to the daughter of Zion,  ‘Behold, your king is coming to you,    humble, and mounted on a donkey,    on a colt,6 the foal of a beast of burden.'” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 12 And Jesus entered the temple7 and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers.” 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,   “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies    you have prepared praise'?” 17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there. Jesus Curses the Fig Tree 18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” The Authority of Jesus Challenged 23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,' he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, ‘From man,' we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. The Parable of the Two Sons 28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,' but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him. The Parable of the Tenants 33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants8 to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.' 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:   “‘The stone that the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone;9  this was the Lord's doing,    and it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”10 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet. Footnotes [1] 20:2 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer [2] 20:15 Or is your eye bad because I am good? [3] 20:26 Greek diakonos [4] 20:27 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) [5] 20:30 Some manuscripts omit Lord [6] 21:5 Or donkey, and on a colt [7] 21:12 Some manuscripts add of God [8] 21:34 Or bondservants; also verses 35, 36 [9] 21:42 Greek the head of the corner [10] 21:44 Some manuscripts omit verse 44 (ESV)

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Mark 11:1-9 Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King 11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?' say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna![a]” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]

No one gets married thinking that they'll get divorced one day. Unfortunately, not all marriages last and if you find yourself in this position, who do you turn to when it comes to getting help with your finances? This week on the podcast, I have CPA and author of Untying the Knot Kelly LaVallie who joins me to discuss how to navigate the complexities of untying your finances from your ex and how to start again on a good financial foot. Kelly LaVallie is the President of LaVallie & Associates Advisory Services Ltd. with over 25 years of experience in the accounting world. After years of seeing her clients go through divorce and only being able to provide limited financial support, she made the choice to transition her firm into one that worked exclusively with clients in the stages of divorce. Not only that, this year she released her first book, Untying the Knot - Protecting Your Emotional and Financial Health During Divorce, to help better answer people's financial questions about divorce and share how taking back control of your finances can be incredibly empowering when starting a new life for yourself. For full episode show notes visit: https://jessicamoorhouse.com/338

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 57 Psalm 57 (Listen) Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 57   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,    for in you my soul takes refuge;  in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,    till the storms of destruction pass by.2   I cry out to God Most High,    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3   He will send from heaven and save me;    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4   My soul is in the midst of lions;    I lie down amid fiery beasts—  the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! 6   They set a net for my steps;    my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way,    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah7   My heart is steadfast, O God,    my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!8     Awake, my glory!2  Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!9   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.10   For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the clouds. 11   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! Footnotes [1] 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 57:8 Or my whole being (ESV) Pentateuch and History: 2 Samuel 16:15–17:23 2 Samuel 16:15–17:23 (Listen) Absalom Enters Jerusalem 15 Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16 And when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, for whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you.” 20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” 21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom. Hushai Saves David 17 Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, 3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man,1 and all the people will be at peace.” 4 And the advice seemed right in the eyes of Absalom and all the elders of Israel. 5 Then Absalom said, “Call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say.” 6 And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom said to him, “Thus has Ahithophel spoken; shall we do as he says? If not, you speak.” 7 Then Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good.” 8 Hushai said, “You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged,2 like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the people. 9 Behold, even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits or in some other place. And as soon as some of the people fall3 at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.' 10 Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men. 11 But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. 12 So we shall come upon him in some place where he is to be found, and we shall light upon him as the dew falls on the ground, and of him and all the men with him not one will be left. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we shall drag it into the valley, until not even a pebble is to be found there.” 14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained4 to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring harm upon Absalom. 15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled. 16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.'” 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En-rogel. A female servant was to go and tell them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they were not to be seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So both of them went away quickly and came to the house of a man at Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard. And they went down into it. 19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth and scattered grain on it, and nothing was known of it. 20 When Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook5 of water.” And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. 21 After they had gone, the men came up out of the well, and went and told King David. They said to David, “Arise, and go quickly over the water, for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.” 22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. 23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. Footnotes [1] 17:3 Septuagint; Hebrew back to you. Like the return of the whole is the man whom you seek [2] 17:8 Hebrew bitter of soul [3] 17:9 Or And as he falls on them [4] 17:14 Hebrew commanded [5] 17:20 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Ezekiel 18 Ezekiel 18 (Listen) The Soul Who Sins Shall Die 18 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “What do you1 mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? 3 As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die. 5 “If a man is righteous and does what is just and right—6 if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, 7 does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 8 does not lend at interest or take any profit,2 withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, 9 walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord GOD. 10 “If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood, who does any of these things 11 (though he himself did none of these things), who even eats upon the mountains, defiles his neighbor's wife, 12 oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination, 13 lends at interest, and takes profit; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself. 14 “Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise: 15 he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife, 16 does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 17 withholds his hand from iniquity,3 takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father's iniquity; he shall surely live. 18 As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity. 19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?' When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. 20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. 21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? 24 But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die. 25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 27 Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.4 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.” Footnotes [1] 18:2 The Hebrew for you is plural [2] 18:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor; also verses 13, 17 (compare Leviticus 25:36) [3] 18:17 Septuagint; Hebrew from the poor [4] 18:30 Or lest iniquity be your stumbling block (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Luke 19:28–46 Luke 19:28–46 (Listen) The Triumphal Entry 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers.” (ESV)

Lost in Eros, Book II: The Forest – Part 9The Wizard's Wife Plans her own seduction.By BradentonLarry - Listen to the Podcast at Steamy stories.As their lips parted, and he looked into her emerald eyes, Madeleine said, “I really shouldn't…”“You really should,” Don smiled and then kissed her again. With his left hand, he untied the silk belt that held her robe tight around her waist. Letting the robe fall open as they kissed, his hand slipped in and ran along her warm skin, moving around her waist to her back again. As she parted her lips and his tongue slipped into her mouth, Don lowered his right hand from her cheek to gently caress her throat before moving to her shoulder, where it eased her robe off her shoulder.When his palm glided over and then cupped her bare breast, she shuddered. Her nipple was hard against his palm. Kissing her more deeply and intently, Don moved his hand slowly over the curve of her breast, enjoying its full weight. A low moan blossomed in her throat, and Don's hand slipped lower, gliding over her belly until he felt the short hairs of her lower abdomen against his fingertips. He moved a little lower and Madeleine parted her legs a bit for him.When he brushed his fingertips against her lower lips, already a bit dewy, Don felt her hands on his robe's belt, untying the knot that held it in place. By the time his fingers had gently parted her and were probing into her warm wetness, his robe was open and her hands were on his straining manhood. He slowly pushed two fingers up into her; she pulled and squeezed him.Don broke their kiss to look into her eyes. She looked back at him with flushed lust. Any play acting was gone. Still Don remembered that he was charged with making this look like a convincing seduction. He withdrew his slippery fingers, which elicited a low whimper and a frown from Madeleine, and then bent down to slip his arm under her legs. Pushing up with his strong legs, Don lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. Laying her down gently, he took a moment to admire her long, pale, perfect body as she looked back up and him with her breasts rising and falling with anticipation. Don reached out to run his fingers over her face, lightly caressing her with tantalizingly tentative touch, and then down over her neck, along her collarbone, over the swelling curve of her breast, around and over her nipple, then slowly down her belly.Don rose and moved around to stand where her knees extended off the edge of the bed. He reached out to run his hands over her long muscular thighs. Remembering that she was playing the part of resistance, Madeleine resisted when he urged her thighs apart. Don smiled down at her, and bent over. He continued to caress her legs as he lightly kissed her thighs, moving up and down them. Finally, he made his way to her neatly trimmed bush, kissing it firmly, lingeringly. When he pressed his hands against her thighs, she very slowly parted them.Don did not dive right into the dish she “reluctantly” served him, though, but slowly settled in between her legs, lightly kissing his way along the sensitive inner surface of her upper thighs. He lightly kissed her pink pussy, and then retraced his path along her thighs, this time kissing more firmly and longer. He also began to lightly pinch her flesh between his teeth. By the time his mouth returned to her pussy, Madeleine was squirming on the bed, and her hands were moving over her upper body.He ran his tongue over her, savoring the sweat nectar already seeping from between her lips. He did it again, pressing a bit harder. The next time, his tongue pushed between those lips, delving along the inner folds just outside her vagina. On this pass, Don's tongue glided over her clit and Madeleine let out a low moan. He gently sucked her clit into his mouth, pulling on it, as two fingers held her open, spread for him. Don released her clit and lowered himself to probe again with his long, strong tongue. Madeleine writhed on the bed as he pushed his tongue into her delicious, wet pussy. Then, Don returned his attention to her clit, licking it slowly and firmly. As soon as Madeleine was relaxed and enjoying this, Don pushed two fingers slowly up inside her ready pussy.“Oh yes!” Madeleine sighed.Don gradually increased the tempo and pressure of his licking, while steadily pumping his fingers in and out of her now dripping pussy. After only a few minutes, Madeleine threw her arm down and held Don's head to her as she cried out. Her back arched and her pussy squeezed and pulled at his fingers. Don kept licking her as she came, slowly and steadily maintaining the intensity of the sensations that had driven her into this ecstasy. She started to come down, only to explode again and again. By the third orgasm she was thrashing on the bed, and it took some effort for Don to keep his mouth on her. When she was done, though, she pushed him away from her, and said, “Fuck me, Don!”His lower face slippery and shiny with Madeleine's passion, Don wiped his grinning mouth off on the back of his hand and stood up. He shrugged his robe off and let it fall to the floor. Taking hold of Madeleine's thighs, he pulled her toward him so that her butt was on the edge of the mattress. She was squeezing her breasts and watching him as Don smiled at her and took the hard shaft of his cock and pushed it down until the fat head was slipping between her dripping lips.He paused, and said with a mocking smile, “Are you sure this is what you want?”“Yes! Give it to me!” she exclaimed.With one firm motion he penetrated her, sinking fully into her livid embrace. She moaned and rolled her head back in its pillow of red-brown hair. Don held still for fear that he might abruptly come, so intense was his arousal; Madeleine was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever been with and the “courtship” and foreplay up till now had been the longest of any he'd known since coming to Eros. When he was sure he wouldn't come precipitously, he bent down and lifted her thighs up in his hands, then lifted her exquisite long legs until they were up on his shoulders. With his hands holding her firm thighs, Don began to pull his cock back out of Madeleine. As soon as he was almost all the way out of her, he drove in again – forcefully, making her gasp. Again and again he pulled out and then shoved in, and with each thrust he pushed up against her clit.“Yes, Don, fuck me!” Madeleine cried out. She was now squeezing her own breasts fervently, subjecting her nipples to enthusiastic punishment.Any thought of putting on a show of seduction was now completely gone from Don's mind. Now all he could think of was fucking Madeleine's wonderful pussy with utter abandon. His body made itself into a screwing machine, muscles, sinews, bones and cock all ravishing the glorious creature on the bed in front of him. She let out a long, low moan in staccato rhythm in time with the pounding Don was giving her pussy and clit. Don felt his balls tightening and his cock swelling inside her. Then, abruptly, she threw her arms out straight at her sides and caught the silken cover of her bed in tight clenching fists. Her whole body arched, so that from her butt to the top of her head her back was up off the bed. Madeleine screamed as her orgasm blew through her, a sexual inferno. Don shoved hard into her, filling her up with his cock just as his thick jet of cum shot into her. His world became nothing but the exquisite feeling of coming inside this woman. Again and again he pumped his seed into her, until he reeled, light-headed and slumped forward, doubling her over on herself on the bed.Only one step remained to the Wizard's plan, one final stage of transforming his marriage into the free-spirited, open one he craved. Or, at least so he thought. As he informed Don and the girls during the afternoon, the Wizard had coaxed a confession from his wife that she had enjoyed the sex with Don. After a bit more prodding, Madeleine had broken down and admitted that she had loved it and wanted more. Now, the plan was to get Madeleine to give in to her lust in the right context, so as to make the move to non-monogamy complete.So, the plan, such as it was, for tonight was to put everyone in the same room and see what happened. Of course, Don, Amy, Nicole and Shelonda were tasked with making sure that something interesting did happen. With Madeleine more or less in on things, and the Wizard anxiously hoping that mischief would occur, the success of the evening was as certain as such a thing could be. All that remained in doubt was how to get things going.After a somewhat subdued dinner, Don escorted his three companions through the empty, candle-lit corridors of the Wizard's home. Don was wearing what he thought of as casual evening wear – a light jacket, buttoned white shirt and slacks. The women were wearing sexy evening gowns – both Amy and Shelonda were sporting impressive cleavage, and Nicole compensated by wearing the shortest skirt. Arm in arm, they finally came to a large sitting room with a fire glowing in an ornate fireplace. There were half a dozen comfortable chairs, settees, chaise lounges and love seats arranged in an uneven circle around the room. The four of them made themselves comfortable as they waited.It wasn't long at all, though, before the Wizard joined them, with Madeleine on his arm. The Wizard had foregone his robes for a dark suit, and had his white hair swept back from his broad brow. Madeleine was wearing a slinky evening gown that pushed her breasts up and had long slits showing off her perfect legs. Her beautiful hair spilled over her bare shoulders.Introductions were made all around. The Wizard finished with, “And, of course, you know Don.”“It's good to see you again, Madeleine,” Don smiled, taking her hand. Then, feeling like there was no better way to get things started than by leaping right in, he pulled her in and kissed her. Madeleine returned the kiss ardently for a moment, but then pushed him back a bit.She smiled and said, “It's good to see you, too, Don.”Apparently still playing up her feigned reluctance, Madeleine turned to the girls and said, “I hope my husband has been making you comfortable.”“Well, comfortable, yes,” Amy said with a mischievous glimmer in her eye. She was reclining on a chaise.“Oh, yes, he's mentioned that you seek help to find your friend,” Madeleine said.“Yes, but don't you think it's a host's obligation to see to his guests' needs?” Amy pressed.“Yes, of course,” Madeleine nodded as she sat down on a chair across from Amy. The Wizard had seated himself in a high-backed chair directly opposite the fireplace, and Nicole and Shelonda were cuddled together on a nearby loveseat. Don took a seat between Madeleine and Nicole and Shelonda. Madeleine asked, “Is there some need that hasn't been attended to?”“Well,” Amy leaned forward a bit, which accentuated her full breasts, and smiled conspiratorially at Madeleine. “You know women have particular needs.”“Of course…”“Sexual needs,” Amy winked.“Hasn't Don…?”“Oh, yes, Don's been great,” Amy nodded. “He certainly gets the job done, as you know.”Madeleine did a good job of feigning a bit of surprise and embarrassment.Amy was on a roll, and continued, “But, after all, there are three of us and only one of him.”“You have each other,” Madeleine pointed out. She nodded over to Nicole and Shelonda; the former had quietly pushed the latter's gown out of the way to free one perfect tit and had proceeded to tease and caress it.“Well, yes, but we don't have cocks, do we?” Amy insisted.“Oh, are you saying that my husband's a poor host because he hasn't fucked you?” Madeleine said with just the right combination of innocence and candidness.The Wizard was gaping at his wife. Don had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing.“That's exactly what I'm saying,” Amy smiled.“Well, we don't have many visitors,” Madeleine considered. “We really aren't accustomed to the etiquette of having guests.”“Oh, that's quite alright.” Amy shrugged and said, “Just for future reference, though…”“I understand,” Madeleine nodded. Then, she turned to her husband and said, “Dear, I do believe you have been negligent as a host.”Clearly surprised by the quick turn events had taken, the Wizard blinked at his wife and said, “So I gather.”“Well, don't you think you should do something to correct the situation?” Madeleine cocked her head toward Amy, who was listening as if she were completely disinterested.“Um, uh,” was all the Wizard could manage.“Here, honey,” Madeleine sprang lightly to her feet and took her husband's big hand, pulling him to his feet. She then led him over to stand in front of Amy. Quickly squatting next to the tall man, she undid his slacks and reached in to draw out the Wizard's penis. “Here you go, Amy,” Madeleine smiled, giving the phallus a kiss and a few strokes to encourage it.Then, Madeleine stood and said quietly, but loud enough for at least Don and Amy to hear, “You got to watch Don and me, don't you think I should get to watch you?”Before the Wizard could reply to this, Amy had leaned forward off the chaise and taken his flaccid organ into her mouth. Madeleine took a seat where she could get a good view, as Amy proceeded to suck and stroke the older man's cock to very impressive hardness. The other girls also moved in closer, to get a better look. Don watched Madeleine's face as she watched Amy enthusiastically going down on her husband's thick shaft; Madeleine's expression was one of intense concentration and excitement – an unselfconscious smile was on her red lips.Nicole and Shelonda decided to get in on the action. They got up and, moving to either side of the Wizard, began to undress him. Don was a little surprised to see that the apparently ancient man had a lean, muscular body. When they had finished, the girls quickly undressed each other – they were by now quite expert at this. Then Nicole got down on her knees between the chaise and the Wizard and took over the oral duties from Amy so the latter could shed her own clothes. Shelonda, on the other hand, crossed over to where Madeleine was watching everything with intent fascination. Don got up, and crossed over to help Shelonda undress the Wizard's wife. Although she smiled at both Don and Shelonda, and let her hands caress and play with Shelonda's naked body, Madeleine's eyes kept returning to the Wizard and the other two girls.Amy had gotten up on her hands and knees upon the chaise lounge, and Nicole had coaxed the Wizard down to stand behind her. Madeleine smiled lovingly at her husband and nodded, and then he began to fuck Amy's very willing pussy from behind. Amy was quite vocal in her approval, saying, “Oh, yes! That feels so good! Put it in me – fuck me! Show your wife how well you fuck your guests!” Madeleine could see from Amy's passionately contorted facial expressions that she wasn't just putting on a show.Nicole made herself busy caressing and kissing both Amy's and the Wizard's bodies. By the time Nicole had worked her way underneath Amy, to catch hold of Amy's tits as they swung back and forth, Shelonda had nestled herself between Madeleine's long legs and was lapping away at her hostess's clit and pussy.Realizing that he was the last person still wearing clothes, Don stepped to the side and quickly stripped. When he returned to her side, Madeleine immediately caught hold of his hard cock and pulled him closer. Unable to take her eyes off her husband plowing into Amy, Madeleine stroked and squeezed Don with one hand and held Shelonda's head in place with the other. As Amy cried out that she was coming, Madeleine moaned in her chair as her own body tensed with a prolonged, convulsive orgasm. She held onto Don very tightly, and pushed herself down against Shelonda's mouth.When Madeleine finally collapsed back in her chair, she grinned up at Don and down at Shelonda and caught her breath. “That was great,” she said, to both of them and to herself.Across the room, Amy had climbed off the chaise and the Wizard's cock, only to allow Nicole to climb up on the chaise and to lie on her back, spreading her legs in invitation. The Wizard glanced over at his wife, got a reassuring grin, and promptly got on his knees at the end of the chaise and pushed himself into Nicole. Following Amy's vocal lead, Nicole yelled out, “Damn, that's big! You're killing me! Yes, yes, fuck me!”“Now,” Madeleine said, “how can I thank you both for this wonderful experience?”“I think I have an idea,” Don smiled. In another minute, Shelonda was lying back on a large ottoman, and Madeleine was on her hands and knees between Shelonda's legs. As Madeleine began to kiss and lick at Shelonda with enthusiastic abandon, Don knelt behind Madeleine, and pushed the fat head of his sex into her waiting pussy. Don took his time pushing into Madeleine, relishing every sensation, and then settled into a steady, slow, deep fucking. He had no intention of coming yet, and wanted to let Madeleine concentrate on her cunnilingus. After all, he thought, at the very least she hadn't had any recent practice.Meanwhile, over at the chaise, Amy had managed to straddle Nicole's face and was grinding herself down on Nicole's talented mouth and tongue. Amy's hands were on her own tits, squeezing them and pinching her nipples, while Nicole's were on Amy's ass, holding the blonde in place. The Wizard had Nicole's legs up against his chest and shoulders as he fucked her, in imitation of the treatment he'd seen Don give his wife the night before.In front of him, Don saw Shelonda, her back arched, beautiful round breasts thrust ceiling-ward, as she let her head hang off the end of the ottoman. He admired the young woman's perfect abs as she shifted and writhed under Madeleine's oral ministrations. Then there was the pile of auburn hair and Madeleine's strong, thin back, her narrow waist and perfect ass, just in front of where he could see his cock sliding in and out of her.Then there was a rising chorus of feminine moans as an orgasmic storm swept through the room. Shelonda went first, crying out loudly, “Yes! Yes! God, yes!” Don found it extremely hot to watch the athletic young woman half-sitting up, her muscles straining and her face twisted in ecstasy. Amy was next, announcing her second orgasm of the evening with, “That's it, baby, lick me just like that. That's good. Yes, yes, yes! Fuck yes!!!” While she was covering Nicole's face with her slick juices, Nicole herself began to groan and shake. Her tiny body tensed and strained between the Wizard and Amy, as she came hard and long.There was a bit of a lull, then, followed by a general rearrangement. It was now Shelonda's turn to enjoy the Wizard's staff. He laid down on the chaise lounge, and she got up over him, straddling his body with her muscular thighs. Soon, she had him up inside her pussy and he had his big hands on her perfect breasts as she rode up and down on his thick cock. She had a happy smile on her adorable face as she worked her body on him.Amy, who seemed to have a theme in mind, waited until the Wizard and Shelonda had a good rhythm going, and then straddled his face, lowering her very wet pussy to his bearded face. She leaned forward and kissed Shelonda. Soon the two women were alternating between making out and sucking on the other's full tits.Nicole crawled over to Don and Madeleine, who had moved to a spooning position, lying on their side, with Don still fucking her from behind. Nicole lay down in front of Madeleine and kissed her hostess. Madeleine tasted Amy's sweet nectar on Nicole's mouth and face and was soon licking and lightly sucking it off. Nicole grinned and laughed at this while slipping her hand up between Madeleine's legs until she got her fingers on the woman's clit. Don kept sliding in and out of Madeleine's pussy while she and Nicole made out and Nicole played with her. When Nicole lowered her head to Madeleine's breast and began to suckle on one of her nipples Madeleine was pushed over the edge and she came in a long, ragged clenching and gasping orgasm.After lying together, lightly kissing and caressing each other, long enough to let Madeleine recover, she, Don and Nicole untangled themselves and turned their attention to Amy, Shelonda and the Wizard. They watched as Amy came yet again, shuddering atop the Wizard's face. Then, Amy concentrated on Shelonda's tits, sucking on one nipple and then the other. Soon, Shelonda was clutching Amy's head to her chest as she writhed happily on the Wizard's cock. As those three slowly got off the chaise, Madeleine said to Don, “I want to do something!”In another minute, Madeleine was on her hands and knees between Don and her husband. She was sucking on Don's cock, already wet with her sweet pussy juice, while the Wizard fucked her steadily from behind. She shoved back on her husband's cock while giving Don quite enthusiastic and sloppy head. Don found it incredibly erotic to watch this angelic creature with her movie star beauty lustily taking his cock into her mouth and throat while she was simultaneously being fucked hard from behind. She paused a moment, taking her mouth off Don to say over her shoulder, “Yes, baby, fuck me just like that, just like you fucked the others, and just like Don was fucking me! I'm going to make Don come with my mouth. Do you like that, honey?”“Yes!” the Wizard replied emphatically. “Swallow his cum.”Madeleine flashed Don a happy grin, and then said, “Only if you promise to fill my pussy with your cum.”The Wizard laughed, and said, “Happily!”Madeleine quickly went back to sucking on Don, letting him fuck in and out of her mouth. Glancing over to the girls watching the show, Don relaxed and let his body do what it wanted. Building quickly at the base of his balls, tightening and filling rapidly upward, Don's orgasm burst through his cock, flooding Madeleine's mouth and throat and then her belly with his cum. He pushed deep into Madeleine's welcoming oral embrace and pumped jet after jet of his seed into her. His head was thrown back and he only barely held on to consciousness.Laughing a little to himself, he caught his balance, leaned down to kiss Madeleine's forehead and then held her as the Wizard shoved even more forcefully into her and groaned. Madeleine grinned and pushed back onto him, saying, “Yes, baby, give it all to me.”As the Wizard slumped over and slowly pulled out of his wife, the three girls closed in. Shelonda, who had been the only one not to get her mouth on the Wizard's cock earlier, caught his slightly deflated cock and made sure to suck down any remaining cum. Nicole got between Madeleine's legs and was soon lapping up the cream the Wizard had left there. Amy attacked Don's cock with her usual enthusiasm, and quickly had him ready for more action.As he smiled down at Amy's pretty face, already planning to lay her back and fuck her, and as he saw the Wizard enjoying Shelonda's impressive skills, and watched Madeleine laying back to let Nicole have her way with her pussy and clit, Don thought the seduction of the Wizard's wife had gone very well indeed.Chapter 11Toshia's Submission: Toshia finds a way out of her situation.Toshia tried to block out the fact of the lesbian orgy going on all around her by closing her eyes and bowing her head. Unfortunately there was not only the sound of something like forty women having loud, happy sex filling her ears, but there was also the thick, heady fragrance of feminine sexuality filling the air. Toshia was certain she had never been so turned on in her life. If she didn't find some satisfaction soon, she felt sure she would go crazy from pure, blind horniness. She could no longer remember what point there was in resisting Daphne and the other sisters. Yes, they were obnoxious and Toshia was no one's pet, but what difference did it really make if she gave in and played along. They weren't really going to make her do anything that mattered. Toshia knew who she was and nothing they made her do would change that. Plus, if she promised to behave maybe she'd get to touch herself soon. She really needed to touch herself soon!These were the thoughts careening through her nearly lust-crazed mind, when she felt a hand on her bare shoulder. The touch alone was enough to send a shiver of excitement through her. Then she heard Daphne's voice, smooth as satin on ice, saying, “Have you had enough, pup?”There was a vestige of resistance in her still, so there was a moment before she answered, and then her voice came out as a low, throaty gasp. Toshia said, “Yes.”“I didn't hear that, pup.” There was no rancor in Daphne's voice, only a dry statement of fact.“I said, ‘Yes, I've had enough.' I'll do whatever you want me to do,” Toshia said. As she said the words she slumped in the chair for the first time, as if something that had been holding her erect had just collapsed.Daphne moved around in front of Toshia and took her chin in hand. The dark haired leader of the Sisterhood looked into Toshia's eyes and said, “Tell me again.”“I'll do anything you want me to do. I'll be a good pup.”Daphne raised her eyebrow skeptically. “Well, we'll see about that. Bring me the spreader,” she said to someone behind Toshia. A bar with a little leather belt at either end was handed to Daphne, who examined it idly and said, “Good, now untie her legs. Keep them spread, though!”Two serving girls, neither of whom were Nina, hurried forward and untied the bonds around Toshia's ankles and then her knees. Unfortunately, they understood Daphne's instruction too well and held on to Toshia's legs so she couldn't squeeze her thighs together for a moment's pleasure. “Here,” Daphne handed the “spreader” to the girl on Toshia's left and said, “tie it just under her knees.”The leather belts were fastened according to Daphne's orders, one just under each knee, and the sturdy metal bar ensured that Toshia would not be able to close her legs. For a moment, Toshia hoped that this meant that Daphne wanted to make sure Toshia wouldn't try to keep anyone from getting at her privates, which Toshia had no inclination to try anyway. All too quickly, though, she realized, the bar was simply intended to keep Toshia from trying to satisfy herself with the pressure and friction of her own legs.“Untie her wrists,” Daphne commanded. “Don't even think about touching yourself, pup.”Toshia did as she was told, even though there was nothing she wanted more than to shove her left hand down between her legs. She was sure she could bring herself off in seconds flat.“Get up,” Daphne said as soon as Toshia's wrists were free. Toshia stood a bit awkwardly. Then, Daphne ordered, “Get down on your knees.”Toshia was grateful to the two serving girls who helped her. After hours of sitting in that chair she was hardly flexible, and the spreader made things a bit difficult.Daphne told Toshia, “Hold your ankles.”As she complied, Toshia saw that most of the sisters were now watching her and Daphne. They seemed amused by this new entertainment. The two serving girls tied leather cords around Toshia's wrists, and then tied each wrist to its respective ankle. Meanwhile, someone carried Toshia's chair away.To be continued.By BradentonLarry for Literotica

Lost in Eros, Book II: The Forest – Part 9The Wizard's Wife Plans her own seduction.By BradentonLarry - Listen to the Podcast at Steamy stories.As their lips parted, and he looked into her emerald eyes, Madeleine said, “I really shouldn't…”“You really should,” Don smiled and then kissed her again. With his left hand, he untied the silk belt that held her robe tight around her waist. Letting the robe fall open as they kissed, his hand slipped in and ran along her warm skin, moving around her waist to her back again. As she parted her lips and his tongue slipped into her mouth, Don lowered his right hand from her cheek to gently caress her throat before moving to her shoulder, where it eased her robe off her shoulder.When his palm glided over and then cupped her bare breast, she shuddered. Her nipple was hard against his palm. Kissing her more deeply and intently, Don moved his hand slowly over the curve of her breast, enjoying its full weight. A low moan blossomed in her throat, and Don's hand slipped lower, gliding over her belly until he felt the short hairs of her lower abdomen against his fingertips. He moved a little lower and Madeleine parted her legs a bit for him.When he brushed his fingertips against her lower lips, already a bit dewy, Don felt her hands on his robe's belt, untying the knot that held it in place. By the time his fingers had gently parted her and were probing into her warm wetness, his robe was open and her hands were on his straining manhood. He slowly pushed two fingers up into her; she pulled and squeezed him.Don broke their kiss to look into her eyes. She looked back at him with flushed lust. Any play acting was gone. Still Don remembered that he was charged with making this look like a convincing seduction. He withdrew his slippery fingers, which elicited a low whimper and a frown from Madeleine, and then bent down to slip his arm under her legs. Pushing up with his strong legs, Don lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. Laying her down gently, he took a moment to admire her long, pale, perfect body as she looked back up and him with her breasts rising and falling with anticipation. Don reached out to run his fingers over her face, lightly caressing her with tantalizingly tentative touch, and then down over her neck, along her collarbone, over the swelling curve of her breast, around and over her nipple, then slowly down her belly.Don rose and moved around to stand where her knees extended off the edge of the bed. He reached out to run his hands over her long muscular thighs. Remembering that she was playing the part of resistance, Madeleine resisted when he urged her thighs apart. Don smiled down at her, and bent over. He continued to caress her legs as he lightly kissed her thighs, moving up and down them. Finally, he made his way to her neatly trimmed bush, kissing it firmly, lingeringly. When he pressed his hands against her thighs, she very slowly parted them.Don did not dive right into the dish she “reluctantly” served him, though, but slowly settled in between her legs, lightly kissing his way along the sensitive inner surface of her upper thighs. He lightly kissed her pink pussy, and then retraced his path along her thighs, this time kissing more firmly and longer. He also began to lightly pinch her flesh between his teeth. By the time his mouth returned to her pussy, Madeleine was squirming on the bed, and her hands were moving over her upper body.He ran his tongue over her, savoring the sweat nectar already seeping from between her lips. He did it again, pressing a bit harder. The next time, his tongue pushed between those lips, delving along the inner folds just outside her vagina. On this pass, Don's tongue glided over her clit and Madeleine let out a low moan. He gently sucked her clit into his mouth, pulling on it, as two fingers held her open, spread for him. Don released her clit and lowered himself to probe again with his long, strong tongue. Madeleine writhed on the bed as he pushed his tongue into her delicious, wet pussy. Then, Don returned his attention to her clit, licking it slowly and firmly. As soon as Madeleine was relaxed and enjoying this, Don pushed two fingers slowly up inside her ready pussy.“Oh yes!” Madeleine sighed.Don gradually increased the tempo and pressure of his licking, while steadily pumping his fingers in and out of her now dripping pussy. After only a few minutes, Madeleine threw her arm down and held Don's head to her as she cried out. Her back arched and her pussy squeezed and pulled at his fingers. Don kept licking her as she came, slowly and steadily maintaining the intensity of the sensations that had driven her into this ecstasy. She started to come down, only to explode again and again. By the third orgasm she was thrashing on the bed, and it took some effort for Don to keep his mouth on her. When she was done, though, she pushed him away from her, and said, “Fuck me, Don!”His lower face slippery and shiny with Madeleine's passion, Don wiped his grinning mouth off on the back of his hand and stood up. He shrugged his robe off and let it fall to the floor. Taking hold of Madeleine's thighs, he pulled her toward him so that her butt was on the edge of the mattress. She was squeezing her breasts and watching him as Don smiled at her and took the hard shaft of his cock and pushed it down until the fat head was slipping between her dripping lips.He paused, and said with a mocking smile, “Are you sure this is what you want?”“Yes! Give it to me!” she exclaimed.With one firm motion he penetrated her, sinking fully into her livid embrace. She moaned and rolled her head back in its pillow of red-brown hair. Don held still for fear that he might abruptly come, so intense was his arousal; Madeleine was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever been with and the “courtship” and foreplay up till now had been the longest of any he'd known since coming to Eros. When he was sure he wouldn't come precipitously, he bent down and lifted her thighs up in his hands, then lifted her exquisite long legs until they were up on his shoulders. With his hands holding her firm thighs, Don began to pull his cock back out of Madeleine. As soon as he was almost all the way out of her, he drove in again – forcefully, making her gasp. Again and again he pulled out and then shoved in, and with each thrust he pushed up against her clit.“Yes, Don, fuck me!” Madeleine cried out. She was now squeezing her own breasts fervently, subjecting her nipples to enthusiastic punishment.Any thought of putting on a show of seduction was now completely gone from Don's mind. Now all he could think of was fucking Madeleine's wonderful pussy with utter abandon. His body made itself into a screwing machine, muscles, sinews, bones and cock all ravishing the glorious creature on the bed in front of him. She let out a long, low moan in staccato rhythm in time with the pounding Don was giving her pussy and clit. Don felt his balls tightening and his cock swelling inside her. Then, abruptly, she threw her arms out straight at her sides and caught the silken cover of her bed in tight clenching fists. Her whole body arched, so that from her butt to the top of her head her back was up off the bed. Madeleine screamed as her orgasm blew through her, a sexual inferno. Don shoved hard into her, filling her up with his cock just as his thick jet of cum shot into her. His world became nothing but the exquisite feeling of coming inside this woman. Again and again he pumped his seed into her, until he reeled, light-headed and slumped forward, doubling her over on herself on the bed.Only one step remained to the Wizard's plan, one final stage of transforming his marriage into the free-spirited, open one he craved. Or, at least so he thought. As he informed Don and the girls during the afternoon, the Wizard had coaxed a confession from his wife that she had enjoyed the sex with Don. After a bit more prodding, Madeleine had broken down and admitted that she had loved it and wanted more. Now, the plan was to get Madeleine to give in to her lust in the right context, so as to make the move to non-monogamy complete.So, the plan, such as it was, for tonight was to put everyone in the same room and see what happened. Of course, Don, Amy, Nicole and Shelonda were tasked with making sure that something interesting did happen. With Madeleine more or less in on things, and the Wizard anxiously hoping that mischief would occur, the success of the evening was as certain as such a thing could be. All that remained in doubt was how to get things going.After a somewhat subdued dinner, Don escorted his three companions through the empty, candle-lit corridors of the Wizard's home. Don was wearing what he thought of as casual evening wear – a light jacket, buttoned white shirt and slacks. The women were wearing sexy evening gowns – both Amy and Shelonda were sporting impressive cleavage, and Nicole compensated by wearing the shortest skirt. Arm in arm, they finally came to a large sitting room with a fire glowing in an ornate fireplace. There were half a dozen comfortable chairs, settees, chaise lounges and love seats arranged in an uneven circle around the room. The four of them made themselves comfortable as they waited.It wasn't long at all, though, before the Wizard joined them, with Madeleine on his arm. The Wizard had foregone his robes for a dark suit, and had his white hair swept back from his broad brow. Madeleine was wearing a slinky evening gown that pushed her breasts up and had long slits showing off her perfect legs. Her beautiful hair spilled over her bare shoulders.Introductions were made all around. The Wizard finished with, “And, of course, you know Don.”“It's good to see you again, Madeleine,” Don smiled, taking her hand. Then, feeling like there was no better way to get things started than by leaping right in, he pulled her in and kissed her. Madeleine returned the kiss ardently for a moment, but then pushed him back a bit.She smiled and said, “It's good to see you, too, Don.”Apparently still playing up her feigned reluctance, Madeleine turned to the girls and said, “I hope my husband has been making you comfortable.”“Well, comfortable, yes,” Amy said with a mischievous glimmer in her eye. She was reclining on a chaise.“Oh, yes, he's mentioned that you seek help to find your friend,” Madeleine said.“Yes, but don't you think it's a host's obligation to see to his guests' needs?” Amy pressed.“Yes, of course,” Madeleine nodded as she sat down on a chair across from Amy. The Wizard had seated himself in a high-backed chair directly opposite the fireplace, and Nicole and Shelonda were cuddled together on a nearby loveseat. Don took a seat between Madeleine and Nicole and Shelonda. Madeleine asked, “Is there some need that hasn't been attended to?”“Well,” Amy leaned forward a bit, which accentuated her full breasts, and smiled conspiratorially at Madeleine. “You know women have particular needs.”“Of course…”“Sexual needs,” Amy winked.“Hasn't Don…?”“Oh, yes, Don's been great,” Amy nodded. “He certainly gets the job done, as you know.”Madeleine did a good job of feigning a bit of surprise and embarrassment.Amy was on a roll, and continued, “But, after all, there are three of us and only one of him.”“You have each other,” Madeleine pointed out. She nodded over to Nicole and Shelonda; the former had quietly pushed the latter's gown out of the way to free one perfect tit and had proceeded to tease and caress it.“Well, yes, but we don't have cocks, do we?” Amy insisted.“Oh, are you saying that my husband's a poor host because he hasn't fucked you?” Madeleine said with just the right combination of innocence and candidness.The Wizard was gaping at his wife. Don had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing.“That's exactly what I'm saying,” Amy smiled.“Well, we don't have many visitors,” Madeleine considered. “We really aren't accustomed to the etiquette of having guests.”“Oh, that's quite alright.” Amy shrugged and said, “Just for future reference, though…”“I understand,” Madeleine nodded. Then, she turned to her husband and said, “Dear, I do believe you have been negligent as a host.”Clearly surprised by the quick turn events had taken, the Wizard blinked at his wife and said, “So I gather.”“Well, don't you think you should do something to correct the situation?” Madeleine cocked her head toward Amy, who was listening as if she were completely disinterested.“Um, uh,” was all the Wizard could manage.“Here, honey,” Madeleine sprang lightly to her feet and took her husband's big hand, pulling him to his feet. She then led him over to stand in front of Amy. Quickly squatting next to the tall man, she undid his slacks and reached in to draw out the Wizard's penis. “Here you go, Amy,” Madeleine smiled, giving the phallus a kiss and a few strokes to encourage it.Then, Madeleine stood and said quietly, but loud enough for at least Don and Amy to hear, “You got to watch Don and me, don't you think I should get to watch you?”Before the Wizard could reply to this, Amy had leaned forward off the chaise and taken his flaccid organ into her mouth. Madeleine took a seat where she could get a good view, as Amy proceeded to suck and stroke the older man's cock to very impressive hardness. The other girls also moved in closer, to get a better look. Don watched Madeleine's face as she watched Amy enthusiastically going down on her husband's thick shaft; Madeleine's expression was one of intense concentration and excitement – an unselfconscious smile was on her red lips.Nicole and Shelonda decided to get in on the action. They got up and, moving to either side of the Wizard, began to undress him. Don was a little surprised to see that the apparently ancient man had a lean, muscular body. When they had finished, the girls quickly undressed each other – they were by now quite expert at this. Then Nicole got down on her knees between the chaise and the Wizard and took over the oral duties from Amy so the latter could shed her own clothes. Shelonda, on the other hand, crossed over to where Madeleine was watching everything with intent fascination. Don got up, and crossed over to help Shelonda undress the Wizard's wife. Although she smiled at both Don and Shelonda, and let her hands caress and play with Shelonda's naked body, Madeleine's eyes kept returning to the Wizard and the other two girls.Amy had gotten up on her hands and knees upon the chaise lounge, and Nicole had coaxed the Wizard down to stand behind her. Madeleine smiled lovingly at her husband and nodded, and then he began to fuck Amy's very willing pussy from behind. Amy was quite vocal in her approval, saying, “Oh, yes! That feels so good! Put it in me – fuck me! Show your wife how well you fuck your guests!” Madeleine could see from Amy's passionately contorted facial expressions that she wasn't just putting on a show.Nicole made herself busy caressing and kissing both Amy's and the Wizard's bodies. By the time Nicole had worked her way underneath Amy, to catch hold of Amy's tits as they swung back and forth, Shelonda had nestled herself between Madeleine's long legs and was lapping away at her hostess's clit and pussy.Realizing that he was the last person still wearing clothes, Don stepped to the side and quickly stripped. When he returned to her side, Madeleine immediately caught hold of his hard cock and pulled him closer. Unable to take her eyes off her husband plowing into Amy, Madeleine stroked and squeezed Don with one hand and held Shelonda's head in place with the other. As Amy cried out that she was coming, Madeleine moaned in her chair as her own body tensed with a prolonged, convulsive orgasm. She held onto Don very tightly, and pushed herself down against Shelonda's mouth.When Madeleine finally collapsed back in her chair, she grinned up at Don and down at Shelonda and caught her breath. “That was great,” she said, to both of them and to herself.Across the room, Amy had climbed off the chaise and the Wizard's cock, only to allow Nicole to climb up on the chaise and to lie on her back, spreading her legs in invitation. The Wizard glanced over at his wife, got a reassuring grin, and promptly got on his knees at the end of the chaise and pushed himself into Nicole. Following Amy's vocal lead, Nicole yelled out, “Damn, that's big! You're killing me! Yes, yes, fuck me!”“Now,” Madeleine said, “how can I thank you both for this wonderful experience?”“I think I have an idea,” Don smiled. In another minute, Shelonda was lying back on a large ottoman, and Madeleine was on her hands and knees between Shelonda's legs. As Madeleine began to kiss and lick at Shelonda with enthusiastic abandon, Don knelt behind Madeleine, and pushed the fat head of his sex into her waiting pussy. Don took his time pushing into Madeleine, relishing every sensation, and then settled into a steady, slow, deep fucking. He had no intention of coming yet, and wanted to let Madeleine concentrate on her cunnilingus. After all, he thought, at the very least she hadn't had any recent practice.Meanwhile, over at the chaise, Amy had managed to straddle Nicole's face and was grinding herself down on Nicole's talented mouth and tongue. Amy's hands were on her own tits, squeezing them and pinching her nipples, while Nicole's were on Amy's ass, holding the blonde in place. The Wizard had Nicole's legs up against his chest and shoulders as he fucked her, in imitation of the treatment he'd seen Don give his wife the night before.In front of him, Don saw Shelonda, her back arched, beautiful round breasts thrust ceiling-ward, as she let her head hang off the end of the ottoman. He admired the young woman's perfect abs as she shifted and writhed under Madeleine's oral ministrations. Then there was the pile of auburn hair and Madeleine's strong, thin back, her narrow waist and perfect ass, just in front of where he could see his cock sliding in and out of her.Then there was a rising chorus of feminine moans as an orgasmic storm swept through the room. Shelonda went first, crying out loudly, “Yes! Yes! God, yes!” Don found it extremely hot to watch the athletic young woman half-sitting up, her muscles straining and her face twisted in ecstasy. Amy was next, announcing her second orgasm of the evening with, “That's it, baby, lick me just like that. That's good. Yes, yes, yes! Fuck yes!!!” While she was covering Nicole's face with her slick juices, Nicole herself began to groan and shake. Her tiny body tensed and strained between the Wizard and Amy, as she came hard and long.There was a bit of a lull, then, followed by a general rearrangement. It was now Shelonda's turn to enjoy the Wizard's staff. He laid down on the chaise lounge, and she got up over him, straddling his body with her muscular thighs. Soon, she had him up inside her pussy and he had his big hands on her perfect breasts as she rode up and down on his thick cock. She had a happy smile on her adorable face as she worked her body on him.Amy, who seemed to have a theme in mind, waited until the Wizard and Shelonda had a good rhythm going, and then straddled his face, lowering her very wet pussy to his bearded face. She leaned forward and kissed Shelonda. Soon the two women were alternating between making out and sucking on the other's full tits.Nicole crawled over to Don and Madeleine, who had moved to a spooning position, lying on their side, with Don still fucking her from behind. Nicole lay down in front of Madeleine and kissed her hostess. Madeleine tasted Amy's sweet nectar on Nicole's mouth and face and was soon licking and lightly sucking it off. Nicole grinned and laughed at this while slipping her hand up between Madeleine's legs until she got her fingers on the woman's clit. Don kept sliding in and out of Madeleine's pussy while she and Nicole made out and Nicole played with her. When Nicole lowered her head to Madeleine's breast and began to suckle on one of her nipples Madeleine was pushed over the edge and she came in a long, ragged clenching and gasping orgasm.After lying together, lightly kissing and caressing each other, long enough to let Madeleine recover, she, Don and Nicole untangled themselves and turned their attention to Amy, Shelonda and the Wizard. They watched as Amy came yet again, shuddering atop the Wizard's face. Then, Amy concentrated on Shelonda's tits, sucking on one nipple and then the other. Soon, Shelonda was clutching Amy's head to her chest as she writhed happily on the Wizard's cock. As those three slowly got off the chaise, Madeleine said to Don, “I want to do something!”In another minute, Madeleine was on her hands and knees between Don and her husband. She was sucking on Don's cock, already wet with her sweet pussy juice, while the Wizard fucked her steadily from behind. She shoved back on her husband's cock while giving Don quite enthusiastic and sloppy head. Don found it incredibly erotic to watch this angelic creature with her movie star beauty lustily taking his cock into her mouth and throat while she was simultaneously being fucked hard from behind. She paused a moment, taking her mouth off Don to say over her shoulder, “Yes, baby, fuck me just like that, just like you fucked the others, and just like Don was fucking me! I'm going to make Don come with my mouth. Do you like that, honey?”“Yes!” the Wizard replied emphatically. “Swallow his cum.”Madeleine flashed Don a happy grin, and then said, “Only if you promise to fill my pussy with your cum.”The Wizard laughed, and said, “Happily!”Madeleine quickly went back to sucking on Don, letting him fuck in and out of her mouth. Glancing over to the girls watching the show, Don relaxed and let his body do what it wanted. Building quickly at the base of his balls, tightening and filling rapidly upward, Don's orgasm burst through his cock, flooding Madeleine's mouth and throat and then her belly with his cum. He pushed deep into Madeleine's welcoming oral embrace and pumped jet after jet of his seed into her. His head was thrown back and he only barely held on to consciousness.Laughing a little to himself, he caught his balance, leaned down to kiss Madeleine's forehead and then held her as the Wizard shoved even more forcefully into her and groaned. Madeleine grinned and pushed back onto him, saying, “Yes, baby, give it all to me.”As the Wizard slumped over and slowly pulled out of his wife, the three girls closed in. Shelonda, who had been the only one not to get her mouth on the Wizard's cock earlier, caught his slightly deflated cock and made sure to suck down any remaining cum. Nicole got between Madeleine's legs and was soon lapping up the cream the Wizard had left there. Amy attacked Don's cock with her usual enthusiasm, and quickly had him ready for more action.As he smiled down at Amy's pretty face, already planning to lay her back and fuck her, and as he saw the Wizard enjoying Shelonda's impressive skills, and watched Madeleine laying back to let Nicole have her way with her pussy and clit, Don thought the seduction of the Wizard's wife had gone very well indeed.Chapter 11Toshia's Submission: Toshia finds a way out of her situation.Toshia tried to block out the fact of the lesbian orgy going on all around her by closing her eyes and bowing her head. Unfortunately there was not only the sound of something like forty women having loud, happy sex filling her ears, but there was also the thick, heady fragrance of feminine sexuality filling the air. Toshia was certain she had never been so turned on in her life. If she didn't find some satisfaction soon, she felt sure she would go crazy from pure, blind horniness. She could no longer remember what point there was in resisting Daphne and the other sisters. Yes, they were obnoxious and Toshia was no one's pet, but what difference did it really make if she gave in and played along. They weren't really going to make her do anything that mattered. Toshia knew who she was and nothing they made her do would change that. Plus, if she promised to behave maybe she'd get to touch herself soon. She really needed to touch herself soon!These were the thoughts careening through her nearly lust-crazed mind, when she felt a hand on her bare shoulder. The touch alone was enough to send a shiver of excitement through her. Then she heard Daphne's voice, smooth as satin on ice, saying, “Have you had enough, pup?”There was a vestige of resistance in her still, so there was a moment before she answered, and then her voice came out as a low, throaty gasp. Toshia said, “Yes.”“I didn't hear that, pup.” There was no rancor in Daphne's voice, only a dry statement of fact.“I said, ‘Yes, I've had enough.' I'll do whatever you want me to do,” Toshia said. As she said the words she slumped in the chair for the first time, as if something that had been holding her erect had just collapsed.Daphne moved around in front of Toshia and took her chin in hand. The dark haired leader of the Sisterhood looked into Toshia's eyes and said, “Tell me again.”“I'll do anything you want me to do. I'll be a good pup.”Daphne raised her eyebrow skeptically. “Well, we'll see about that. Bring me the spreader,” she said to someone behind Toshia. A bar with a little leather belt at either end was handed to Daphne, who examined it idly and said, “Good, now untie her legs. Keep them spread, though!”Two serving girls, neither of whom were Nina, hurried forward and untied the bonds around Toshia's ankles and then her knees. Unfortunately, they understood Daphne's instruction too well and held on to Toshia's legs so she couldn't squeeze her thighs together for a moment's pleasure. “Here,” Daphne handed the “spreader” to the girl on Toshia's left and said, “tie it just under her knees.”The leather belts were fastened according to Daphne's orders, one just under each knee, and the sturdy metal bar ensured that Toshia would not be able to close her legs. For a moment, Toshia hoped that this meant that Daphne wanted to make sure Toshia wouldn't try to keep anyone from getting at her privates, which Toshia had no inclination to try anyway. All too quickly, though, she realized, the bar was simply intended to keep Toshia from trying to satisfy herself with the pressure and friction of her own legs.“Untie her wrists,” Daphne commanded. “Don't even think about touching yourself, pup.”Toshia did as she was told, even though there was nothing she wanted more than to shove her left hand down between her legs. She was sure she could bring herself off in seconds flat.“Get up,” Daphne said as soon as Toshia's wrists were free. Toshia stood a bit awkwardly. Then, Daphne ordered, “Get down on your knees.”Toshia was grateful to the two serving girls who helped her. After hours of sitting in that chair she was hardly flexible, and the spreader made things a bit difficult.Daphne told Toshia, “Hold your ankles.”As she complied, Toshia saw that most of the sisters were now watching her and Daphne. They seemed amused by this new entertainment. The two serving girls tied leather cords around Toshia's wrists, and then tied each wrist to its respective ankle. Meanwhile, someone carried Toshia's chair away.To be continued.By BradentonLarry for Literotica

Dawn tells her story of incest and how it affected her marriage that eventually ended in divorce.  Dawn is an Influencer, Pastor, Global Communicator, Podcaster, Coach, and Best-Selling Author for over 20 years!  Dawn is the founder and CEO of the BraveHearted Woman, a transformational coaching and personal growth development enterprise designed to awaken and cultivate the vision of women-dreamers, calling them to braven-up and live their best lives.  Also known as the “BraveHeart Mentor” TM  Dawn is the creator and host of  “The BraveHearted Woman” a weekly podcast that encourages women to unleash their full potential to the world, by discovering their inner fortitude to make needed life transformations, so they can live a fulfilling life without regret.  I am so inspired by this lady. We have so much in common and our stories are very similar. Dawn talks about the incest that took years to end.  Even though it physically ended when she was 18 and left home, it continued to haunt her upon her marriage bed.  SEX was a nightmare!  MAYBE you know what I'm talking about if you have ever been sexually abused. So…..HOW do you get through it?  You've got to listen to this podcast and find out how God helped Dawn and changed her life as she began to renew her mind and get godly counseling!   God took what the enemy meant for harm and turned it all around and redeemed her life!  She is now the  author of 5 award winning books which include When a Woman You Love Was Abused, published by Kregel Publications, When the Woman Abused Was Me, The Freedom Challenge:60 Days to Untie the Cords that Bind You, Redemption Press, and most recently the #1 Best-Selling Book The Freedom Challenge for Men:60 Days to Untie the Cords that Bind You.  Redemption Press  Dawn became an Ordained Minister with a special emphasis in trauma support and biblical counseling.    She developed and worked as Director of Support and Healing Groups in a mega church, serving hundreds of women overcoming abuse and trauma.  Dawn's signature Course, "Uncover Your Brave Vision: 90 Days to Unleash a Fulfilling Life," is available. dawndamon.com   Social Media: Website - www.DawnDamon.com website: www.braveheartedwoman.com Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/MentorDawnDamon/ Amazon Books. https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Scott-Jones/e/B00DWL07NO Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/dawn_damon/?hl=en Email  Dawn@braveheartmentor.com

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Untie The Knotts, John! Coach, Consultant, Speaker, Author, And Educator On Ways To Success#businesscoach #businessconsultant #inspirationalspeaker #author #businesseducation Crosscutter EnterprisesBusy working IN your business, not ON your business?Struggling?Overwhelmed?Don't know where to turn?I understand! My years of experience in personal and business coaching, consulting, and ownership can help you today.Crosscutter Enterprises is a coaching and consulting firm focused on helping business professionals solve complex challenges and decisions facing them and their company today. Crosscutter Enterprises has helped many clients to maintain and achieve successful businesses with financially sound practices.Over the years, Crosscutter Enterprises earned a reputation for excellence in the field of management and business consulting. We offer advice and support for every process and structure within your company – from short-term solutions to long-term goals.Website: https://www.crossctr.com/Website: https://johnknotts-author.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnrknotts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.knotts1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crossctrTwitter: https://twitter.com/johnrknotts/The Vibes Broadcast Network - Podcasting for the fun of it! Thanks for tuning in, please be sure to click that subscribe button and give this a thumbs up!!Email: thevibesbroadcast@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/listen_to_the_vibes_/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevibesbroadcastnetworkLinktree: https://linktr.ee/the_vibes_broadcastTikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeuTVRv2/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheVibesBrdcstTruth: https://truthsocial.com/@KoyoteAnd Now!!! The Bandmates' club, Supporters of the channel: Matthew Arrowood Host of The ONLY Brocast podcast:https://youtube.com/channel/UCsfv1wWu3oUg42I2nOtnMTADon Hahn of In the Margins: https://www.youtube.com/c/InTheMarginsBukas Siguro: https://www.youtube.com/c/BukasS%C4%ABgur%C3%B8Will Scoville of Ranch Rehab DIY: https://www.youtube.com/c/RanchRehabDrew Lee Nicholas of DN-TV: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TVqL9mn6NzPkXOLOZSX-A

Old Testament: Job 27–28 Job 27–28 (Listen) Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2   “As God lives, who has taken away my right,    and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3   as long as my breath is in me,    and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4   my lips will not speak falsehood,    and my tongue will not utter deceit.5   Far be it from me to say that you are right;    till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6   I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go;    my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7   “Let my enemy be as the wicked,    and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8   For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off,    when God takes away his life?9   Will God hear his cry    when distress comes upon him?10   Will he take delight in the Almighty?    Will he call upon God at all times?11   I will teach you concerning the hand of God;    what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12   Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves;    why then have you become altogether vain? 13   “This is the portion of a wicked man with God,    and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14   If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword,    and his descendants have not enough bread.15   Those who survive him the pestilence buries,    and his widows do not weep.16   Though he heap up silver like dust,    and pile up clothing like clay,17   he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it,    and the innocent will divide the silver.18   He builds his house like a moth's,    like a booth that a watchman makes.19   He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more;    he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20   Terrors overtake him like a flood;    in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21   The east wind lifts him up and he is gone;    it sweeps him out of his place.22   It1 hurls at him without pity;    he flees from its2 power in headlong flight.23   It claps its hands at him    and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28   “Surely there is a mine for silver,    and a place for gold that they refine.2   Iron is taken out of the earth,    and copper is smelted from the ore.3   Man puts an end to darkness    and searches out to the farthest limit    the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4   He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives;    they are forgotten by travelers;    they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5   As for the earth, out of it comes bread,    but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6   Its stones are the place of sapphires,3    and it has dust of gold. 7   “That path no bird of prey knows,    and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8   The proud beasts have not trodden it;    the lion has not passed over it. 9   “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock    and overturns mountains by the roots.10   He cuts out channels in the rocks,    and his eye sees every precious thing.11   He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle,    and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12   “But where shall wisdom be found?    And where is the place of understanding?13   Man does not know its worth,    and it is not found in the land of the living.14   The deep says, ‘It is not in me,'    and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15   It cannot be bought for gold,    and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16   It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,    in precious onyx or sapphire.17   Gold and glass cannot equal it,    nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18   No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;    the price of wisdom is above pearls.19   The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,    nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20   “From where, then, does wisdom come?    And where is the place of understanding?21   It is hidden from the eyes of all living    and concealed from the birds of the air.22   Abaddon and Death say,    ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23   “God understands the way to it,    and he knows its place.24   For he looks to the ends of the earth    and sees everything under the heavens.25   When he gave to the wind its weight    and apportioned the waters by measure,26   when he made a decree for the rain    and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27   then he saw it and declared it;    he established it, and searched it out.28   And he said to man,  ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,    and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [2] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [3] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 55 Psalm 55 (Listen) Cast Your Burden on the Lord To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil1 of David. 55   Give ear to my prayer, O God,    and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!2   Attend to me, and answer me;    I am restless in my complaint and I moan,3   because of the noise of the enemy,    because of the oppression of the wicked.  For they drop trouble upon me,    and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4   My heart is in anguish within me;    the terrors of death have fallen upon me.5   Fear and trembling come upon me,    and horror overwhelms me.6   And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!    I would fly away and be at rest;7   yes, I would wander far away;    I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah8   I would hurry to find a shelter    from the raging wind and tempest.” 9   Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues;    for I see violence and strife in the city.10   Day and night they go around it    on its walls,  and iniquity and trouble are within it;11     ruin is in its midst;  oppression and fraud    do not depart from its marketplace. 12   For it is not an enemy who taunts me—    then I could bear it;  it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—    then I could hide from him.13   But it is you, a man, my equal,    my companion, my familiar friend.14   We used to take sweet counsel together;    within God's house we walked in the throng.15   Let death steal over them;    let them go down to Sheol alive;    for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 16   But I call to God,    and the LORD will save me.17   Evening and morning and at noon    I utter my complaint and moan,    and he hears my voice.18   He redeems my soul in safety    from the battle that I wage,    for many are arrayed against me.19   God will give ear and humble them,    he who is enthroned from of old, Selah  because they do not change    and do not fear God. 20   My companion2 stretched out his hand against his friends;    he violated his covenant.21   His speech was smooth as butter,    yet war was in his heart;  his words were softer than oil,    yet they were drawn swords. 22   Cast your burden on the LORD,    and he will sustain you;  he will never permit    the righteous to be moved. 23   But you, O God, will cast them down    into the pit of destruction;  men of blood and treachery    shall not live out half their days.  But I will trust in you. Footnotes [1] 55:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 55:20 Hebrew He (ESV) New Testament: Luke 19 Luke 19 (Listen) Jesus and Zacchaeus 19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The Parable of the Ten Minas 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,1 he gave them ten minas,2 and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!3 Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.' 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!' 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'” The Triumphal Entry 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers.” 47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. Footnotes [1] 19:13 Or bondservants; also verse 15 [2] 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages for a laborer [3] 19:17 Or bondservant; also verse 22 (ESV)

Message for 08/28/2022 "When I Feel Stuck Part 2" by Justin McTeer. *All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted* Genesis 4:7b - “…watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” 2 Peter 1:3a - By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Prepare, Patience, Plow PREPARE Ephesians 2:10 NIV - For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Luke 2:52 - Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. Luke 19:30-35 - 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?' just say, ‘The Lord needs it.'” 32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. John 14:1-3 - “Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” PATIENCE Romans 8:25 - But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. Proverbs 20:21 - An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. 1 Kings 17:2-9 - Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” 5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. 8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” PLOW 1 Kings 19:19-20 - So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. 20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 12 Psalm 12 (Listen) The Faithful Have Vanished To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith.1 A Psalm of David. 12   Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;    for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.2   Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;    with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3   May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,    the tongue that makes great boasts,4   those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,    our lips are with us; who is master over us?” 5   “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,    I will now arise,” says the LORD;    “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”6   The words of the LORD are pure words,    like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,    purified seven times. 7   You, O LORD, will keep them;    you will guard us2 from this generation forever.8   On every side the wicked prowl,    as vileness is exalted among the children of man. Footnotes [1] 12:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 12:7 Or guard him (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Ruth 3 Ruth 3 (Listen) Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor 3 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.” 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings1 over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” 10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. 12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the LORD lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.” 14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.'” 18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.” Footnotes [1] 3:9 Compare 2:12; the word for wings can also mean corners of a garment (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Jeremiah 40–41 Jeremiah 40–41 (Listen) Jeremiah Remains in Judah 40 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he took him bound in chains along with all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon. 2 The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God pronounced this disaster against this place. 3 The LORD has brought it about, and has done as he said. Because you sinned against the LORD and did not obey his voice, this thing has come upon you. 4 Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go. 5 If you remain,1 then return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed governor of the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever you think it right to go.” So the captain of the guard gave him an allowance of food and a present, and let him go. 6 Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land. 7 When all the captains of the forces in the open country and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land and had committed to him men, women, and children, those of the poorest of the land who had not been taken into exile to Babylon, 8 they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. 9 Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you. 10 As for me, I will dwell at Mizpah, to represent you before the Chaldeans who will come to us. But as for you, gather wine and summer fruits and oil, and store them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.” 11 Likewise, when all the Judeans who were in Moab and among the Ammonites and in Edom and in other lands heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, as governor over them, 12 then all the Judeans returned from all the places to which they had been driven and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. And they gathered wine and summer fruits in great abundance. 13 Now Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah 14 and said to him, “Do you know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam would not believe them. 15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah at Mizpah, “Please let me go and strike down Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life, so that all the Judeans who are gathered about you would be scattered, and the remnant of Judah would perish?” 16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, “You shall not do this thing, for you are speaking falsely of Ishmael.” Gedaliah Murdered 41 In the seventh month, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, of the royal family, one of the chief officers of the king, came with