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What if the answer to today's concrete durability and sustainability challenges isn't new—but something we left behind decades ago? In Episode #129 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett talks with Joseph E. Thomas, Executive Director of the Natural Pozzolan Association, about a material used in the Hoover Dam and Roman aqueducts: natural pozzolans. Joseph explains how these natural pozzolans are making a quiet comeback and why they may deserve another look. What You'll Learn: - What exactly are natural pozzolans, and how do they compare to fly ash? - Can natural pozzolans genuinely enhance concrete durability? - Why have iconic structures like the Pantheon and Hoover Dam relied on natural pozzolans? - What are the realistic limitations, such as water demand and regional availability? - How natural pozzolans stack up against traditional cement and fly ash. - Emerging trends and the growing role of activated pozzolans in construction. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:15 - Understanding Natural Pozzolans 07:30 - Historical Examples & Real-World Performance 14:05 - Benefits vs. Limitations in Today's Market 20:20 - Challenges: Water Demand & Availability 27:50 - Where Natural Pozzolans Fit in Future Projects 33:15 - Summary & Closing Thoughts ============================= Take Your Knowledge Further – Join Concrete Logic Academy! Gain access to expert video lessons, live Q&As, and professional development hours (PDHs). Learn what textbooks won't teach you. Start Learning: https://www.concretelogicacademy.com Support the Podcast – Be Part of the Concrete Revolution! Help us keep the Concrete Logic Podcast going strong. Your donation helps the entire concrete community get better and smarter. Donate here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/donate Want your company to sponsor the podcast? Learn how: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/p/partner-with-concrete-logic-podcast/ Guest Information: Joseph E. Thomas Executive Director, Natural Pozzolan Association Website: https://www.naturalpozzolan.org Email: info@pozzolan.org Producer: Jodi Tandett Music by: Mike Dunton (Instagram: @Mike_Dunton) Stay Connected & Watch More! Host: Seth Tandett Email: seth@concretelogicpodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT & SHARE for more concrete truth bombs.

In this episode of the Jewish Inspiration Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe discusses the significance of Tisha B'Av, the ninth of Av, a day of mourning in the Jewish calendar commemorating the destruction of both Temples and other tragedies. He explains that during the month of Av, joy is minimized but not eliminated, as the obligation to remain joyful persists. The episode delves into the historical context of the spies' negative report about the Land of Israel, which led to the Jewish people's unwarranted crying, prompting God to decree future suffering on this date. Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes that Tisha B'Av is a time to feel the pain of the Almighty and the Jewish people, reflecting on the loss of the Temple as a means to connect with God, who resides within us, not merely in a physical structure.Rabbi Wolbe connects historical tragedies to modern pain, such as the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza and the loss of nearly 900 soldiers, urging listeners to empathize with others' suffering and God's “homelessness” due to the Temple's absence. He cites the Talmud's teaching that a generation without a rebuilt Temple is as if it destroyed it, calling for small, intentional steps to bring godliness into daily life—through mitzvahs, Torah study, or kindness—to rebuild the spiritual Temple. The episode concludes with a prayer that this Tisha B'Av be the last, hoping for a rebuilt Temple and a renewed connection to God for all Jews seeking their heritage.Recorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on July 18, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.Released as Podcast on August 3, 2025_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#TishaB'Av, #Joy, #Mourning, #Consequences, #Tragedies, #Fasting, #Reflection, #Connection, #Temple, #Empathy, #Sorrow, #Hope, #Prayer, #Community, #SacredTime ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Jewish Inspiration Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe discusses the significance of Tisha B'Av, the ninth of Av, a day of mourning in the Jewish calendar commemorating the destruction of both Temples and other tragedies. He explains that during the month of Av, joy is minimized but not eliminated, as the obligation to remain joyful persists. The episode delves into the historical context of the spies' negative report about the Land of Israel, which led to the Jewish people's unwarranted crying, prompting God to decree future suffering on this date. Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes that Tisha B'Av is a time to feel the pain of the Almighty and the Jewish people, reflecting on the loss of the Temple as a means to connect with God, who resides within us, not merely in a physical structure.Rabbi Wolbe connects historical tragedies to modern pain, such as the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza and the loss of nearly 900 soldiers, urging listeners to empathize with others' suffering and God's “homelessness” due to the Temple's absence. He cites the Talmud's teaching that a generation without a rebuilt Temple is as if it destroyed it, calling for small, intentional steps to bring godliness into daily life—through mitzvahs, Torah study, or kindness—to rebuild the spiritual Temple. The episode concludes with a prayer that this Tisha B'Av be the last, hoping for a rebuilt Temple and a renewed connection to God for all Jews seeking their heritage.Recorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on July 18, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.Released as Podcast on August 3, 2025_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#TishaB'Av, #Joy, #Mourning, #Consequences, #Tragedies, #Fasting, #Reflection, #Connection, #Temple, #Empathy, #Sorrow, #Hope, #Prayer, #Community, #SacredTime ★ Support this podcast ★

In this unfiltered and eye-opening conversation, former CIA officer Andrew Bustamante (AKA Everyday Spy) joins Jay Martin to unpack America's geopolitical standing, the rise of China, the hidden mechanics of global influence, and the cracks within U.S. society. From espionage and digital warfare to the erosion of democratic values and the real threat of internal collapse, this is a candid look at the forces reshaping the world—and what it means for the next generation of investors, leaders, and citizens. Want to learn more from Andrew? Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/3IoyxqD Read Andrew's CIA book ‘Shadow Cell': https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/ Support Andy's sponsor Axolt Brain: https://axoltbrain.com/andy Listen to the podcast: https://youtube.com/@EverydaySpyPodcast Learn to invest alongside the top minds in commodities. Join The Commodity University today. CLICK: https://linkly.link/26yH8 Sign up for my free weekly newsletter at https://2ly.link/211gx Be part of our online investment community: https://cambridgehouse.com https://twitter.com/JayMartinBC https://www.instagram.com/jaymartinbc https://www.facebook.com/TheJayMartinShow https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-house-international 0:00 - Intro 02:20 - Examining Global Headlines Through US-China Rivalry 03:54 - The American Empire Will Pass—But When? 05:53 - What About China's Demographic Crisis? 07:02 - Why China Might Engineer a Depopulation Event 09:50 - How America Forgets History 10:35 - Why Does a Chinese Strategy Sound So Dystopian? 13:20 - What's Really Driving Middle East Alignments 18:09 - Are We in the “Adolescence” Phase of the American Empire? 21:32 - What Does Figuring It Out Actually Look Like? 26:40 - Will America Choose Autocracy Over Chaos? 28:16 - How Much Internal Pain Before Americans Unify? 32:05 - Was the CIA Involved in the Drug Trade? 36:23 - The Truth About US-Trained Mercenaries 39:19 - How Vulnerable Is the US to Espionage at Home? 44:08 - Is America a Surveillance State? 48:14 - Has the Idea of “American Freedom” Become a Brand? 54:14 - Should You Raise a Family in the US Today? 58:18 - Parents, Not Governments, Create Opportunity Now 01:00:58 - The Wealth Gap and the Future of America Copyright © 2025 Cambridge House International Inc. All rights reserved.

The Academy Ep118 - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 6 - What the Holy Spirit does not do for us today (Director: Russ Earl)

July 20 | Give Us Today Our Daily Bread by Browncroft Community Church

All guests join us on the Farm Bureau Insurance guest line, and we are LIVE from the BankPlus Studio! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 550: How Does the Frierdiker Rebbe's Liberation Impact Us Today?

On a scale from 1 to 100, how much faith do you have? Or is that the wrong question to ask? Ever felt like you need more faith? What if the amount of faith is not the most important metric? Today's study celebrates the value of “tiny faith.” Acts 12:1-25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can ancient Hebrew manuscripts help us understand the Bible more clearly, and what do they reveal about the Messiah?In this episode of The Dig In Podcast, Pastor Johnny Ova is joined by Old Testament scholar and author Dr. Kevin Chen to explore the powerful story that unfolds through preserved Hebrew texts. From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Messianic vision in Genesis, they unpack how the literary structure, repetition, and narrative design of the Old Testament all point to Jesus Christ.Together, they discuss:Why Hebrew manuscripts still matter todayHow they confirm the reliability of ScriptureThe meaning of Genesis 3:15 and the promised seedWhat “nexus passages” are and why they matterHow the Old Testament builds a redemptive arc toward JesusThis conversation is rich, eye-opening, and deeply encouraging for anyone who wants to engage Scripture with context, clarity, and curiosity.

Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread in the Lord's Prayer, yet it's not only bread we're asking for. We're asking for God to provide for our basic needs and our neighbors. We're asking God to help us continue to live and to remember how dependent on God we and everyone else ultimately are. - Pastor Arek O'ConnellSupport the show

The Hollywood Ten was a group of screenwriters and directors who were jailed in 1947 for refusing to answer questions about their beliefs and associations during a hearing before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Their story is told in a new exhibit at New York Historical, titled "Blacklisted: An American Story." It explores the intersection of politics, art, culture and social dynamics during Hollywood's red scare. The exhibit also looks at Broadway and New York's theater community also responded. Curator Anne Lessy joins us to discuss. 

We've seen it hundreds of times. When news breaks about a product having problems, the marketing department responsible for selling that product often times goes silent. Should the church be just the opposite? Should the message of the Gospel be given extra support during times of crisis? What do you do when things go wrong? We'll explore this question in our study today. Acts 12:1-25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you live forever?This is a question human beings have asked since the dawn of time. From the ancient pharaohs, who buried their wives, families, and treasures with them in the hope of securing eternity, to today's cryogenic freezing of DNA and other strange attempts to discover the fountain of youth—people have tried everything imaginable to outsmart mortality.Look around us: the booming pharmaceutical industry, Botox, plastic surgery—all driven by the desire to slow down, mask, or even reverse the aging process. We spend fortunes trying to look young, to feel young, to hold back the inevitable. But despite all this, has anyone truly figured out how to conquer death, the ultimate end of mortal life?And yet, beneath all these efforts lies a deeper longing. Every one of us yearns to make an impact, to leave a lasting, eternal mark on this universe. We don't just want to exist—we want to matter forever.Is that really possible? Is there a path to a life that transcends time?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this essential and timely conversation that touches each of us at our core. Together, we'll uncover the spiritual principles that reveal the path to true immortality.

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:Tammuz What does the month teach us? Why would our Sages adopt this month's name Tammuz when this is the name of a Babylonian deity?! What lies behind the paradox of Tammuz? What does it teach us about facing our present challenges? What is the central theme and lesson from this week's Torah portion? Does it have a connection with this month? Why is Balaam's blessing so fundamental, to the point that we say it in our morning prayer? Who would be considered a modern-day Balaam? What does the idol worship of Baal Peor signify? Why are we told the story of Zimri's despicable public behavior? Why and how do we celebrate this day? How does the liberation of 12-13 Tammuz impact us today? Why is it a two-day holiday? What can we learn from that? What did the Frierdiker Rebbe say to those assembled at the train station as he boarded the train to Kastroma? What can this day teach us about antisemitism today? Can we compare Jewish Hamas supporters to the yevsektzia? Can we contact him? How can we invite him and the woman who lit the candles to inspire our community? What lessons can we learn from this story? How has this story inspired others? What is the power of lighting candles? How can I use this story to motivate my wife to light Shabbos candles? Where does the expression originate from? Is it appropriate to use?  What is the Torah's perspective on the future of the world? Balak Yud Beis-Yud Gimmel Tammuz The story with the musician inspiring a woman to light candles gone viralNew World Order 

Two options: First, describe a mountain peak based on looking out a window at it. Second, describe that same peak having just climbed it. When we're asked about our faith, do we stumble into the former, completely missing out on the power of the latter? How do we combine our experience with known truth? We'll look at these questions today. Acts 11:1-18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stories of turmoil are typically easier to deal with when they're on the “other side of the fence.” But can it be that when the troubles are elsewhere, the power of God is not as intimately known? Can we know the power of God without going through the fire? We'll look at these questions in this study. Acts 9:1-19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“How to overcome exclusion and division in 30 seconds or less.” Clearly not going to happen, unless we know the true source of unity. In this study, we look at the life of a Bible character who was excluded in many ways, and yet ended up in joyful victory. Acts 8:26-40 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In modern times, we've become accustomed to being bombarded on a daily basis with scam attempts. Would it surprise you to know these date back to Bible times as well? We'll expose one such scam artist with the objective of learning the difference between “Feeling Good” and “Feeling God.” Acts 8:9-25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Part of the The Lord's Prayer sermon series from Matthew 6:9-13. This sermon was preached by David Shaw and is 38 minutes long.

By Mark Welch - God has a lot to say to the seven churches of Revelation. What twelve lessons may we learn that we can apply today in our spiritual lives?

In your own quiet honesty, where would you place yourself on a scale from “Top of the World” to “Top of Crash and Burn?” In our study today, we'll look at one life that could be described as “ending badly” but in reality, is pivotal to our faith today. Is our assessment of failure always reliable? This important question is addressed today. Acts 6:8 - 7:60 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lessons from the Early Church.The church described in the New Testament remains our God-given standard. What was it like? What was its secret?Support the show

Perhaps you've seen them. Just do a search for “Flowers Growing in Concrete.” Amazing, beautiful plants in what appears to be the worst possible conditions! Is it possible that your situation is so bad that growth is completely ruled out? In today's study will look at ways growth can happen in spite of harsh conditions. Acts 6:1-7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is a leading voice in modern faith leadership and the first woman elected to serve as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, a role she's held since 2011. While the job isn't always glamorous, she says, the sacred moments in the public eye matter deeply—and she treats them with care. Bishop Budde gained national attention for boldly speaking out against the Trump administration, including condemning the 2020 photo-op at St. John's Episcopal Church and, more recently, offering a prayer for LGBTQ+ justice with President Trump and Vice President Vance seated before her. Her calm, courageous leadership has made her one of the most trusted voices in public faith today. In this conversation with Jen, Bishop Budde shares her journey from a small Minnesota congregation to the national stage—and how she finds the courage to speak truth to power and stand with the marginalized, even when the cost is high. Thought-provoking Quotes: “I think, in some ways, vocations choose you as much as you choose them.” – Mariann Edgar Budde “It's not as if the world stopped on January 21st. So much is happening every single day and there are consequences to the decisions being made.” – Mariann Edgar Budde “I wouldn't have chosen the way they're going, but a lot is being dismantled right now and we've got to be there to help rebuild.”  – Mariann Edgar Budde Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Raygun: Bishop Budde Fan Club T-Shirt - https://www.raygunsite.com/products/bishop-budde-fan-club Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love by Mariann Edgar Budde - https://amzn.to/45GO5jh How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith by Mariann Edgar Budde - https://amzn.to/4kbZtan Sermon by The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde | Washington National Cathedral, 1.21.25 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwwaEuDeqM8 Love is the Game Changer of Our Faith: Bishop Michael Curry - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-24/love-is-the-game-changer-of-our-faith-bishop-michael-curry/ Goodness Triumphs Through Good People: A Year-End Benediction from Bishop Michael Curry – https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-39/goodness-triumphs-through-good-people-a-year-end-benediction-from-bishop-michael-curry/ Austin Channing Brown - https://austinchanning.com/ Tim Shriver - https://www.timothyshriver.com/ The Dignity Index - https://www.timothyshriver.com/projects/the-dignity-index Jen Hatmaker Traded Religious Rules for Spiritual Practices - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jen-hatmaker-traded-religious-rules-for-spiritual-practices/id1765227660?i=1000691362907 Building Bridges, Not Walls: Tim Shriver on Dignity that Transcends Disagreements - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/building-bridges-not-walls-tim-shriver-on-dignity-that-transcends-disagreements/ Bryan Stevenson - https://eji.org/bryan-stevenson/ I Believe in the Sun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mplEEQn5znA&t=112s Guest's Links: Website - https://edow.org/about/bishop-mariann/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mariannbudde Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bishopmariannbudde TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mariann_edgar_budde_ Connect with Jen!Jen's Website - https://jenhatmaker.com/ Jen's Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmakerJen's Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/ Jen's Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmakerJen's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker The For the Love Podcast is presented by Audacy. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“God knows best.” Easy to say, but sometimes really hard to live with. If we're sick, we want to get better. We “know” that's what's best for us. How do we deal with God appearing to have a “better best” for us? We'll wrestle with this question today. Acts 5:12-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sickness comes in many shapes and sizes, perhaps first physically, but also emotionally, and even financially. So how does Scripture reach out to those who are sick? What are realistic expectations regarding healing? And is healing only limited to the miraculous? We'll look at those questions today. Acts 5:12-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do You Know Who Is Visiting Us Today 11 Afterward he was on his way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. 12 Just as he neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the town was also with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said, "Don't weep." 14 Then he came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And he said, "Young man, I tell you, get up!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us," and "God has visited his people." 17 This report about him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity. Luke 7:11–17 I want to start by emphasizing part of verse sixteen—"God has visited His people" What would go through your mind if you were to have a patrol car pull in front of your house and two officers come up to knock on your door? How about your boss walking into your office and closing the door behind him? There is a line in an old song that talks about the taxman com'in a'knock'in. In war time the last thing parents—or wives—want to see is that unmarked car pull-up and a couple of well-dressed military men get out and ring the doorbell. All of these visits are ominous. Many consider a visit from God to be like this. Even the gentle Jesus, as some portray Him… only to be. Why? Why would Jesus coming for a visit be ominous? Because He never leaves things as they were. Jesus revealed sin in the heart, when many only look to outward action… like many of the religious sort… So…how religious are you? What did Jesus do when He visited the so-called pious? He called them out. He called them nicely painted graves, full of dead men's bones. He took time to make a whip and threw some of them, out of His Father's house for doing what they called church business there. How many in our day, consider prosperity, growth, and numbers to be marks of a good Church? Are we moneychangers? Does this place become somewhere to show social position—or religiousness… rather than a sanctuary for refugees of a real spiritual war? This spiritual war we are in not only kills the soul, but the body as well. If it were not so, the young man in our text would not have died. The church is supposed to be a place to find help—a place to call out in our need, in prayer.It is not a place to show how much we—to show anything off…anything other than our sin—to admit our condition— TO HIM… And this … SO AS TO BE FORGIVEN. Yet DO WE compare—our car to the one you pull in next to in the church lot…. Do you wonder about those people in the pew in front of you? Why are THEY here? And MY kids…never, of course, made THAT kind of noise when they were in church! Did you know that Jesus cursed a fig tree because it did not produce fruit. So, can we show Him all the great fruit stored away to our merit? Now, do you know what He expects of you? He says that it is not just a matter of our doing wrong. It's that we do not even do what is right. Simple, common stuff is left undone—day in and day out—hour-to-hour. Do you want Him making a list? How detailed can He get with that? Minute-by-minute… or how about second-by-second? How uncaring, lazy and selfish have we been? All those things left undone! Do you know that this is really the same as hating, stealing, and killing. This is what we are about. Yes, by leaving these things undone, we do these other. Depraved indifference is a crime… "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." So, Jesus coming to visit… means the truth about us and these… no covering up when He is around…. He points to the corruption and sin of the heart—FIRST.

“Tell me something about your church.” If someone walked up to you and asked that question, what would your first thought be? Would it be something positive? Or would it be that one thing that continually gets under your skin? How would Barnabas respond, and what are the implications for us today? We'll look at these questions in this study. Acts 4:32-37 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

God's Heart is Not Hesitant—It's JoyfulLuke 15:10 “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”We are closing out out month on Repentance in mentoring and I think this verse is an important one for us all to know about. God's Heart is Not Hesitant—It's JoyfulWhen we think about coming back to God after failure or sin, we often imagine Him standing at a distance—arms crossed, disappointed, waiting for us to prove we're really sorry. But that is not the God of the Bible. God doesn't forgive reluctantly. He doesn't roll His eyes when we repent. He rejoices. He celebrates. He runs to meet us.Repentance isn't just about our sorrow. It's about God's joy.1. Heaven Celebrates When We ReturnLuke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”This verse is from the parable of the lost sheep, part of a trio of parables Jesus tells in Luke 15: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son (or prodigal son). In each story, something precious is lost, then found—and each time, there's celebration. Jesus wants us to know that repentance isn't the end of joy—it's the beginning of it. God is not waiting to shame us. He's waiting to rejoice over us. He loves us and wants us to come home. He is so happy when we come home. He is not thinking about what we did when we went away, He is happy that we made the decision to turn back to Him and to come home.2. The Father Doesn't Just Accept the Prodigal—He RunsLuke 15:20 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”In the culture Jesus was speaking to, fathers didn't run. Running was undignified. But here, the father represents God Himself, and He breaks cultural norms to embrace His child who is coming home. The verse says that while he was still a long way off…God doesn't wait for us to do all the hard work and then come to us. He sees us trying and making the effort, even if that effort is very small, and He comes running!! He sees us turn to Him, even if it is just the slightest turn, and He comes running. The father doesn't wait for the son to finish his apology speech. He sees his heart, and that's enough.We might think we must explain ourselves and jump through hoops to be accepted back into the family. We, like the prodigal, don't even think we are worthy to be let back into the family. So we come up with a whole justification of why we are asking for forgiveness and explaining why it is ok if we aren't fully forgiven. It is ok if our loved ones want to keep us at a distant.eGod's joy is not based on how perfect your repentance is, but on your desire to return. He knows the moment your heart turns toward Him—and He moves first.3. God's Joy is Greater Than Your GuiltMany people struggle to believe God can be happy to see them after what they've done. They may think: “Sure, He'll forgive me—but He won't be happy about it.”But Scripture paints a different picture.Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you… He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”God delights in you. He doesn't just tolerate you. He doesn't forgive you because He has to—He does it because He wants to. His joy is rooted in love. And repentance restores that relationship, which is cause for celebration.4. God's Kindness is What Draws Us to RepentRomans 2:4 “Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”God's mercy is not weakness—it's a strategy of love.
He's not trying to trap you in guilt. He's trying to lead you back with compassion, knowing His joy will become your healing.5. Joy Is Mutual: God Rejoices, and So Do WeWhen we repent, God rejoices—but we're invited into joy, too.Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”True repentance leads to freedom, not fear. The weight of sin is lifted. Relationship is restored. Joy is revived. God's joy becomes your joy.What Does This Mean for Us Today?If you've wandered, God is not angry—He's waiting with joy.If you feel ashamed, know that God's delight is greater than your past.If someone else is returning to God, don't question their worthiness—celebrate with heaven.If you're leading others, reflect God's posture: compassion, welcome, and joy over repentance.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless each one of us today. Lord, we want to believe that you rejoice when we repent. Please help us. Please soften our hearts towards you and allow us to see you as the loving father instead of the angry judge. Help us to turn to you when we mess up. Help us come back to you every time. We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I want to thank you also for your patience as I navigate this difficult season we are in right now with one of our sons. Things are stressful and unpredictable, and I appreciate your patience if I need to replay an episode instead of recording a new one or if I miss a day here and there due to all that is going on. I am doing my best to release new episodes, and when I'm unable to do so, I use ones from when the podcast first came out, as many of you weren't listening back then. Hopefully, they are still new to you. I also wanted to mention my annual retreat in October. It will be at the same place we had it for the last two years. It will be the same weekend, the second weekend in October. However, this year it will be from Saturday morning until Sunday night. Just one overnight. People hit a lot of traffic coming in Friday night last year so this year we will hopefully avoid all that traffic. I will get the registration site up and running soon so you can check out all the details. I will let you know when it is ready! I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day.Today's Word from the Lord was received in November / December 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “There are lights everywhere, but I ask you to be my light, to share me with others. Tell them how much I mean to you. ” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Message from Pastor Nick Person on June 29, 2025

Shaken any buildings lately? Our study looks at a passage where prayer made the building shake. Is this particular type of prayer specific to that period of time? Or should we look at why our prayers today may not feel that powerful? The early church is again our focus. Acts 4:23-31 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a question that may be in the back of our minds as we interact with society. How bold can I be regarding my faith before I become a target? And how do I respond when I cross that threshold and find myself under attack for what I believe? We'll explore these questions in our study today. Acts 4:5-22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Never waste a good crisis.” Likely your prime energy is to avoid any form of crisis. Certainly, a wise goal. But the arrival of crisis is often out of our control. So how do we rise above fear? How do we advance the kingdom in times of trouble? Far from theoretical, this study will use the book of Acts to look at a recent, real crisis. Acts 3:1 - 4:4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To the casual observer, the one may look just like the other. The “Temple of Man” is big and grand, and in the book of Acts, the “Community of Jesus” was as well. But the differences are far more important than the similarities, and we'll look at both in this study. Acts 2:42-47 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever participated in a warm, embracing, affirming conversation with a group of church members about the role of the Holy Spirit, or is the topic avoided? Our study will look at a passage that tells us a good bit about the Holy Spirit and His intended presence amongst us today. Acts 2:1-13 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Christianity part of a well-rounded life, something that makes our time here richer? Or is there a more intrinsic reason, something that should be woven into our 24/7, giving us purpose? The question of “why” is front and center in this study. Acts 1:1-11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Jaws - we pulled a US Today list of best summer blockbuster movies ever and shared some of yours as well! Even the ones that everyone loves and maybe you don't!

Michael Tait. Robert Morris. Mark Driscoll. Ravi Zacharias. Are you tired of celebrity preachers? I am, and I think that's why the story of John Dyer fascinates me. My guess is that you've never heard of him. But I have come to learn that he played a significant role in the spread of the Gospel in Colorado and throughout the Mountain West, and his life has some lessons for us today, especially in this age of celebrity. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

What if we changed the way we thought about the book of Acts? Perhaps you think of Acts as accounts of historical events from which we can learn and be inspired. In today's study, we're going to be challenged to pull away from a “then” mindset, and adopt a “now” mindset, maybe even finding ourselves in the middle of the action. Acts 1:1-11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2014, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks stood on the AJC Global Forum stage and delivered a powerful call to action. Over a decade later, at AJC Global Forum 2025, AJC's Director of Jewish Communal Partnerships, Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman, revisits that message in a special crossover episode between 'People of the Pod' and 'Books and Beyond' the podcast that delves deeply into (and beyond) four of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks' books, created and hosted by Tanya White, a Sacks Scholar of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy.

Send us a textWe welcome living legend, stand-up comedian, writer, producer and actor, Ritch Shydner. GREAT INSIDE STORY TELLER. Give a listen. 2 ALs 1 Pod is a comedy podcast hosted by stand-up comedians Al Ducharme and Al Romas. Originally titled Talking Dicks Comedy Podcast, the show is a spinoff from their web series The Two Dicks, which features two inept 1950s detectives. The podcast blends observational humor, personal anecdotes, and satirical commentary, often revisiting classic episodes from their archives. With over 330 episodes, it offers a mix of new content and “vault” episodes, providing listeners with a variety of comedic material.  You can listen to 2 ALs 1 Pod on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Buzzsprout. For additional content, including video episodes and behind-the-scenes material, visit their Patreon page. https:/patreon.com/2als1pod https://www.instagram.com/thetalkingdickscomedypodcast/ https://twitter.com/DicksTwo https://www.facebook.com/thetwodicks https://www.facebook.com/The-Talking-Dicks-Comedy-Podcast-107101331446404 Support the show

About the same time a man shot flames at Jewish people in Boulder, Rabbi Caryn Aviv hit "send" on the final draft of her new book, “Unlearning Jewish Anxiety.” Aviv is the spiritual leader of Judaism Your Way in Denver and Boulder. Previously she taught Israel-Palestine studies at a university level. Rabbi Aviv is also Sr. Host Ryan Warner's rabbi. 

In 2014, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks stood on the AJC Global Forum stage and delivered a powerful call to action: “We have to celebrate our Judaism. We have to have less oy and more joy… We never defined ourselves as victims. We never lost our sense of humor. Our ancestors were sometimes hated by gentiles, but they defined themselves as the people loved by God.” Over a decade later, at AJC Global Forum 2025, AJC's Director of Jewish Communal Partnerships, Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman, revisits that message in a special crossover episode between People of the Pod and Books and Beyond, the podcast of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy. She speaks with Dr. Tanya White, one of the inaugural Sacks Scholars and host of Books and Beyond, and Joanna Benarroch, Global Chief Executive of the Legacy, about Rabbi Sacks's enduring wisdom and what it means for the Jewish future. Resources: The State of the Jewish World Address: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks The Inaugural Sacks Conversation with Tony Blair Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: Untold stories of Jews who left or were driven from Arab nations and Iran People of the Pod:  Latest Episodes:  “They Were Bridge Builders”: Remembering Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky AJC's CEO Ted Deutch: Messages That Moved Me After the D.C. Tragedy Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: Manya Brachear Pashman: On this week 16 years ago, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks published Future Tense, a powerful vision of the future of Judaism, Jewish life, and the state of Israel in the 21st Century. Five years later, he delivered a progress report on that future to AJC Global Forum.  On the sidelines of this year's Global Forum, my colleague Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman spoke with two guests from the Rabbi Sacks Legacy, which was established after his death in 2020 to preserve and teach his timeless and universal wisdom. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:   In 2014, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks addressed our Global Forum stage to offer the state of the Jewish world. Modeled after the US President's State of the Union speech given every year before Congress and the American people, this address was intended to offer an overview of what the Jewish people were experiencing, and to look towards our future. The full video is available on AJC's website as well as the Sacks Legacy website. For today's episode, we are holding a crossover between AJC's People of the Pod podcast and Books and Beyond, the Rabbi Sacks podcast. On Books and Beyond, each episode features experts reflecting on particular works from Rabbi Sacks. Channeling that model, we'll be reflecting on Rabbi Sacks' State of the Jewish World here at AJC's 2025 Global Forum in New York. AJC has long taken inspiration from Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and today, AJC and the Rabbi Sacks legacy have developed a close partnership. To help us understand his insights, I am joined by two esteemed guests. Dr. Tanya White is one of the inaugural Sacks Scholars and the founder and host of the podcast Books and Beyond, the Rabbi Sacks podcast. Joanna Benarroch is the Global Chief Executive of the Rabbi Sacks legacy. And prior to that, worked closely with Rabbi Sacks for over two decades in the Office of the Chief Rabbi.  Joanna, Tanya, thank you for being with us here at AJC's Global Forum.  Tanya White:   It's wonderful to be with you, Meggie. Joanna Benarroch:   Thank you so much, Meggie.  Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:   I want to get to the State of the Jewish World. I vividly remember that address. I was with thousands of people in the room, Jews from different walks of life, Jews from around the globe, as well as a number of non-Jewish leaders and dignitaries. And what was so special is that each of them held onto every single word.  He identifies these three areas of concern: a resurgence of antisemitism in Europe, delegitimization of Israel on the global stage, and the Iranian regime's use of terror and terror proxies towards Israel.  This was 2014, so with exception of, I would say today, needing to broaden, unfortunately, antisemitism far beyond Europe, to the skyrocketing rates we're living through today, it's really remarkable the foresight and the relevance that these areas he identified hold.  What do you think allowed Rabbi Sacks to see and understand these challenges so early, before many in the mainstream did? And how is his framing of antisemitism and its associated threats different from others? And I'll let  Tanya jump in and start. Tanya White:  So firstly, I think there was something very unique about Rabbi Sacks. You know, very often, since he passed, we keep asking the question, how was it that he managed to reach such a broad and diverse audience, from non Jews and even in the Jewish world, you will find Rabbi Sacks his books in a Chabad yeshiva, even a Haredi yeshiva, perhaps, and you will find them in a very left, liberal Jewish institution. There's something about his works, his writing, that somehow fills a space that many Jews of many denominations and many people, not just Jews, are searching for. And I think this unique synthesis of his knowledge, he was clearly a religious leader, but he wasn't just uniquely a religious leader.  He was a scholar of history, of philosophy, of political thought, and the ability to, I think, be able to not just read and have the knowledge, but to integrate the knowledge with what's going on at this moment is something that takes extreme prowess and a very deep sense of moral clarity that Rabbi Sacks had. And I would say more than moral clarity, is a moral imagination. I think it was actually Tony Blair. He spoke about the fact that Rabbi Sacks had this ability, this kind of, I think he even used the term moral imagination, that he was able to see something that other people just couldn't see.  Professor Berman from University of Bar Ilan, Joshua Berman, a brilliant Bible scholar. So he was very close to Rabbi Sacks, and he wrote an article in Israeli, actually, an Israeli newspaper, and he was very bold in calling Rabbi Sacks a modern day prophet.  What is a prophet? A prophet is someone who is able to see a big picture and is able to warn us when we're veering in the wrong direction. And that's what you see in the AJC address, and it's quite incredible, because it was 11 years ago, 2014. And he could have stood up today and said exactly the same thing. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  But there is nonetheless a new antisemitism. Unlike the old it isn't hatred of Jews for being a religion. It isn't hatred of Jews as a race. It is hatred of Jews as a sovereign nation in their own land, but it has taken and recycled all the old myths. From the blood libel to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.  Though I have to confess, as I said to the young leaders this morning, I have a very soft spot for antisemites, because they say the nicest things about Jews. I just love the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Because, according to this, Jews control the banks, Jews control the media, Jews control the world. Little though they know, we can't even control a shul board meeting. Tanya White:  So what's fascinating is, if you look at his book Future Tense, which was penned in 2009.The book itself is actually a book about antisemitism, and you'll note its title is very optimistic, Future Tense, because Rabbi Sacks truly, deeply believed, even though he understood exactly what antisemitism was, he believed that antisemitism shouldn't define us. Because if antisemitism defines who we are, we'll become the victims of external circumstances, rather than the agents of change in the future.  But he was very precise in his description of antisemitism, and the way in which he describes it has actually become a prism through which many people use today. Some people don't even quote him. We were discussing it yesterday, Joanna, he called it a mutating virus, and he speaks about the idea that antisemitism is not new, and in every generation, it comes in different forms. But what it does is like a virus. It attacks the immune system by mutating according to how the system is at the time.  So for example, today, people say, I'm not antisemitic, I'm just anti-Zionist. But what Rabbi Sacks said is that throughout history, when people sought to justify their antisemitism, they did it by recourse to the highest source of authority within that culture. So for example, in the Middle Ages, the highest recourse of authority was religion. So obviously we know the Christian pogroms and things that happen were this recourse the fact, well, the Jews are not Christians, and therefore we're justified in killing them.  In the Enlightenment period, it was science. So we have the and the Scientific Study of Race, right and Social Darwinism, which was used to predicate the Nazi ideology. Today, the highest value is, as we all know, human rights.  And so the virus of antisemitism has mutated itself in order to look like a justification of human rights. If we don't challenge that, we are going to end up on the wrong side of history. And unfortunately, his prediction we are seeing come very much to light today. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  I want to turn to a different topic, and this actually transitioned well, because Tanya, you raised Prime Minister Tony Blair. Joanna, for our listeners who may have less familiarity with Rabbi Sacks, I would love for you to fill in a larger picture of Rabbi Sacks as one of the strongest global Jewish advocates of our time. He was a chief rabbi, his torah knowledge, his philosophical works make him truly a religious and intellectual leader of our generation.  At the same time, he was also counsel to the royal family, to secular thought leaders, world leaders, and in his remarks here at Global Forum, he actually raised addressing leading governing bodies at the European Union at that time, including Chancellor Merkel. These are not the halls that rabbis usually find themselves in. So I would love for you to explain to our audience, help us understand this part of Rabbi Sacks' life and what made him so effective in it.  Joanna Benarroch:  Thanks, Meggie. Over the last couple of weeks, I spent quite a bit of time with people who have been interested in learning more about Rabbi Sacks and looking at his archive, which we've just housed at the National Library in Israel. Then I spent quite a significant amount of time with one of our Sacks Scholars who's doing a project on exactly this.  How did he live that Judaism, engaged with the world that he wrote so eloquently about when he stepped down as chief rabbi. And a couple of days ago, I got an email, actually sent to the Sacks Scholar that I spent time with, from the gifted archivist who's working on cataloging Rabbi Sacks' archive. She brought our attention to a video that's on our website.  Rabbi Sacks was asked by a young woman who was a student at Harvard doing a business leadership course, and she asked Rabbi Sacks for his help with her assignment. So he answered several questions, but the question that I wanted to bring to your attention was: what difference have you sought to make in the world?  The difference that he sought to make in the world, and this is what he said, “is to make Judaism speak to people who are in the world, because it's quite easy being religious in a house of worship, in a synagogue or church, or even actually at home or in the school. But when you're out there in the marketplace, how do you retain those strong values?  And secondly, the challenge came from University. I was studying philosophy at a time when there were virtually no philosophers who were religious believers, or at least, none who were prepared to publicly confess to that. So the intellectual challenges were real. So how do you make Judaism speak to people in those worlds, the world of academic life, the world of economy?  And in the end, I realized that to do that credibly, I actually had to go into the world myself, whether it was broadcasting for the BBC or writing for The Times, and getting a little street cred in the world itself, which actually then broadened the mission. And I found myself being asked by politicians and people like that to advise them on their issues, which forced me to widen my boundaries.” So from the very beginning, I was reminded that John–he wrote a piece. I don't know if you recall, but I think it was in 2005, maybe a little bit earlier. He wrote a piece for The Times about the two teenagers killed a young boy, Jamie Bulger, and he wrote a piece in The Times. And on the back of that, John Major, the prime minister at the time, called him in and asked him for his advice.  Following that, he realized that he had something to offer, and what he would do is he would host dinners at home where he would bring key members of either the parliament or others in high positions to meet with members of the Jewish community. He would have one on one meetings with the Prime Minister of the time and others who would actually come and seek his advice and guidance.  As Tanya reflected, he was extremely well read, but these were books that he read to help him gain a better understanding into the world that we're living in. He took his time around general elections to ring and make contact with those members of parliament that had got in to office, from across the spectrum. So he wasn't party political. He spoke to everybody, and he built up. He worked really hard on those relationships.  People would call him and say so and so had a baby or a life cycle event, and he would make a point of calling and making contact with them. And you and I have discussed the personal effect that he has on people, making those building those relationships. So he didn't just do that within the Jewish community, but he really built up those relationships and broaden the horizons, making him a sought after advisor to many.  And we came across letters from the current king, from Prince Charles at the time, asking his guidance on a speech, or asking Gordon Brown, inviting him to give him serious advice on how to craft a good speech, how long he should speak for? And Gordon Brown actually gave the inaugural annual lecture, Memorial Lecture for Rabbi Sacks last in 2023 and he said, I hope my mentor will be proud of me.  And that gave us, I mean, it's emotional talking about it, but he really, really worked on himself. He realized he had something to offer, but also worked on himself in making his ideas accessible to a broad audience. So many people could write and can speak. He had the ability to do both, but he worked on himself from quite a young age on making his speeches accessible. In the early days, they were academic and not accessible. Why have a good message if you can't share it with a broad audience? Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  What I also am thinking about, we're speaking, of course, here at an advocacy conference. And on the one hand, part of what you're describing are the foundations of being an excellent Jewish educator, having things be deeply accessible.  But the other part that feels very relevant is being an excellent global Jewish advocate is engaging with people on all sides and understanding that we need to engage with whomever is currently in power or may who may be in power in four years. And it again, speaks to his foresight.  Joanna Benarroch:  You know, to your point about being prophetic, he was always looking 10, 15, 20 years ahead. He was never looking at tomorrow or next week. He was always, what are we doing now that can affect our future? How do I need to work to protect our Jewish community? He was focused whilst he was chief rabbi, obviously on the UK, but he was thinking about the global issues that were going to impact the Jewish community worldwide. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  Yes. I want to turn to the antidote that Rabbi Sacks proposed when he spoke here at Global Forum. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  I will tell you the single most important thing we have to do, more important than all the others. We have to celebrate our Judaism. We have to have less oy and more joy.  Do you know why Judaism survived? I'll tell you. Because we never defined ourselves as victims. Because we never lost our sense of humor. Because never in all the centuries did we internalize the disdain of the world. Yes, our ancestors were sometimes hated by gentiles, but they defined themselves as the people loved by God. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  So he highlights the need to proudly embrace the particularism of Judaism, which really in today's world, feels somewhat at odds with the very heavy reliance we have on universalism in Western society. And underpinning this, Rabbi Sacks calls on us to embrace the joy of Judaism, simchatah, Chaim, or, as he so fittingly puts it, less oy and more joy. How did both of these shape Rabbi Sacks's wider philosophy and advocacy, and what do they mean for us today? Tanya White:  Rabbi Sacks speaks about the idea of human beings having a first and second language. On a metaphorical level, a second language is our particularities. It's the people, it's the family we're born. We're born into. It's where we learn who we are. It's what we would call today in sociology, our thick identity. Okay, it's who, who I am, what I believe in, where I'm going to what my story is. But all of us as human beings also have a first language. And that first language can be, it can manifest itself in many different ways. First language can be a specific society, a specific nation, and it can also be a global my global humanity, my first language, though, has to, I have to be able to speak my first language, but to speak my first language, meaning my universal identity, what we will call today, thin identity. It won't work if I don't have a solid foundation in my thick identity, in my second language. I have nothing to offer my first language if I don't have a thick, particular identity.  And Rabbi Sacks says even more than that. As Jews, we are here to teach the world the dignity of difference. And this was one of Rabbi Sacks' greatest messages. He has a book called The Dignity of Difference, which he wrote on the heels of 9/11. And he said that Judaism comes and you have the whole story of Babel in the Bible, where the people try to create a society that is homogenous, right? The narrative begins, they were of one people and one language, you know, and what, and a oneness of things. Everyone was the same. And Rabbi Sacks says that God imposes diversity on them. And then sees, can they still be unified, even in their diversity? And they can't.  So Rabbi Sacks answers that the kind of antidote to that is Abraham. Who is Abraham? Abraham the Ivri. Ivri is m'ever, the other. Abraham cut this legacy. The story of Abraham is to teach the world the dignity of difference.  And one of the reasons we see antisemitism when it rears its head is when there is no tolerance for the other in society. There is no tolerance for the particular story. For my second language. For the way in which I am different to other people. There's no real space for diversity, even when we may use hashtags, okay, or even when we may, you know, proclaim that we are a very diverse society. When there is no space for the Jew, that's not true dignifying of difference. And so I think for Rabbi Sacks, he told someone once that one of his greatest, he believed, that one of his greatest novelties he brought into the world was the idea of Torah and chochma, which is torah and wisdom, universal wisdom. And Rabbi Sacks says that we need both.  We need to have the particularity of our identity, of our language, of our literacy, of where we came from, of our belief system. But at the same time, we also need to have universal wisdom, and we have to constantly be oscillating and be kind of trying to navigate the space between these two things. And that's exactly what Rabbi Sacks did.  And so I would say, I'll actually just finish with a beautiful story that he used to always tell. He would tell the story, and he heard this story from the late Lubavitcher, Menachem Schneerson, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, who was a very big influence on Rabbi Sacks and the leader of the Chabad movement.  So in the story, there's two people that are schlepping rocks up a mountain, two workers, and one of them just sees his bags that are full of rocks and just sees no meaning or purpose in his work. The other understands that he's carrying diamonds in his bag.  And one day they get a different bag, and in that bag there's rubies, and the person who carries the rocks sees the rubies as rocks, again, sees that as a burden. But the person who's carrying the rubies and understands their value, even though they may not be diamonds, understands the values of the stones, will see them in a different way.  The Lubavitcher Rebbe said, if we see our identity, our Judaism, as stones to carry as a burden that we have to just schlep up a mountain, then we won't see anyone else's particular religion or particular belief system or particularity as anything to be dignified or to be valued.  But if we see our religion as diamonds, we'll understand that other people's religions, though for me, they may be rubies, they're still of value. You have to understand that your religion is diamonds, and you have to know what your religion is, understand what it is. You have to embrace your particularity. You have to engage with it, value it, and then go out into the world and advocate for it. And that, to me, was exactly what Rabbi Sacks did. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  So much of what you're outlining is the underpinning of being a successful engager in interfaith and inter religious work. And Rabbi Sacks, of course, was such a leader there. At  AJC, we have taken inspiration from Rabbi Sacks and have long engaged in interfaith and inter-religious work, that's exactly a linchpin of it, of preaching one's own faith in order to engage with others. Tanya White:  That's the oy and the joy. For Rabbi Sacks, it's exactly that, if I see it as the oy, which is schlepping it up the mountain, well, I'm not going to be a very good advocate, but if I see it as the joy, then my advocacy, it's like it shines through. Joanna Benarroch:  It's very interesting, because he was interviewed by Christian Amanpour on CNN in 2014 just after he stepped down, as she she quoted the phrase “less oy and more joy” back to him, referring to his description of the Jewish community. When he came into office in 1991 he was worried about rising assimilation and out-marriage. And she said: How did you turn it around?  He said, “We've done the book of Lamentations for many centuries. There's been a lot of antisemitism and a lot of negativity to Jewish identity. And if you think of yourself, exactly as you're describing, as the people who get hated by others, or you've got something too heavy to carry, you're not going to want to hand that on to your children.  If you've got a very open society, the question is, why should I be anything in particular? Being Jewish is a very particular kind of Jewish identity, but I do feel that our great religious traditions in Judaism is the classic instance of this.  We have enormous gifts to offer in the 21st century, a very strong sense of community, very supportive families, a dedicated approach to education. And we do well with our children. We're a community that believes in giving. We are great givers, charitably and in other ways.  So I think when you stay firm in an identity, it helps you locate yourself in a world that sometimes otherwise can be seen to be changing very fast and make people very anxious. I think when you're rooted in a people that comes through everything that fate and history can throw at it, and has kept surviving and kept being strong and kept going, there's a huge thing for young people to carry with them.” And then he adds, to finish this interview, he said, “I think that by being what we uniquely are, we contribute to humanity what only we can give.” What Rabbi Sacks had was a deep sense of hope. He wore a yellow tie to give people hope and to make them smile. That's why he wore a yellow tie on major occasions. You know, sunshine, bringing hope and a smile to people's faces. And he had hope in humanity and in the Jewish people.  And he was always looking to find good in people and things. And when we talk about less oy and more joy. He took pleasure in the simple things in life. Bringing music into the community as a way to uplift and bring the community together.  We just spent a lovely Shabbat together with AJC, at the AJC Shabbaton with the students. And he would have loved nothing more than being in shul, in synagogue with the community and joining in.  Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  Thank you Joanna, and that's beautiful. I want to end our conversation by channeling how Rabbi Sacks concluded his 2014 address. He speaks about the need for Jewish unity at that time. Let's take a listen.  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  We must learn to overcome our differences and our divisions as Jews and work together as a global people. Friends, consider this extraordinary historical fact: Jews in history have been attacked by some of the greatest empires the world has ever known, empires that bestrode the narrow world like a colossus. That seemed invulnerable in their time. Egypt of the pharaohs, Assyria, Babylonia, the Alexandrian Empire, the Roman Empire, the medieval empires of Christianity and Islam, all the way up to the Third Reich and the Soviet Union. Each one of those, seemingly invulnerable, has been consigned to history, while our tiny people can still stand and sing Am Yisrael Chai. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  In Rabbi Sacks' A Letter in the Scroll, he talks about the seminal moment in his life when he most deeply understood Jewish peoplehood and unity. And that was 1967, the Six Day War, when the Jewish people, of course, witnessed the State of Israel on the brink of existential threat. To our AJC audience, this may ring particularly familiar because it was evoked in a piece by Mijal Bitton, herself a Sacks Scholar, a guest on our podcast, a guest Tanya on your podcast, who wrote a piece about a month after 10/7 titled "That Pain You're Feeling is Peoplehood'.  And that piece went viral in the Jewish world. And she draws this parallel between the moment that Rabbi Sacks highlights in 1967 and 10, seven, I should note, Tanya, of course, is referenced in that article that Mijal wrote. For our audiences, help us understand the centrality of peoplehood and unity to Rabbi Sacks' vision of Judaism. And as we now approach a year and a half past 10/7 and have seen the resurgence of certain communal fractures, what moral clarity can we take from Rabbi Sacks in this moment? Tanya White:  Okay, so it's interesting you talked about Mijal, because I remember straight after 7/10 we were in constant conversation–how it was impacting us, each of us in our own arenas, in different ways. And one of the things I said to her, which I found really comforting, was her constant ability to be in touch. And I think like this, you know, I like to call it after the name of a book that I read to my kid, The Invisible String. This idea that there are these invisible strings. In the book, the mother tells the child that all the people we love have invisible strings that connect us. And when we pull on the string, they feel it the other side.  1967 was the moment Rabbi Sacks felt that invisible pull on the string. They have a very similar trajectory. The seventh of October was the moment in which many, many Jews, who were perhaps disengaged, maybe a little bit ambivalent about their Jewish identity, they felt the tug of that invisible string. And then the question is, what do we do in order to maintain that connection? And I think for Rabbi Sacks, that was really the question. He speaks about 1967 being the moment in which he says, I realized at that moment every, you know, in Cambridge, and everything was about choice. And, you know, 1960s philosophy and enlightenment philosophy says, at that moment, I realized I hadn't chosen Judaism. Judaism had chosen me.  And from that moment forth, Rabbi Sacks feels as if he had been chosen. Judaism had chosen him for a reason. He was a Jew for a reason. And I think today, many, many Jews are coming back to that question. What does it mean that I felt that pull of the string on the seventh of October?  Rabbi Sacks' answer to that question of, where do we go from here? I think very simply, would be to go back to the analogy. You need to work out why Judaism is a diamond. And once you understand why Judaism is a diamond and isn't a burden to carry on my back, everything else will fall into place.  Because you will want to advocate for that particularity and what that particularity brings to the world. In his book, Future Tense, which, again, was a book about antisemitism, there was a picture of a lighthouse at the front of the book. That's how Rabbi Sacks saw the antidote for antisemitism, right? Is that we need to be the lighthouse. Because that's our role, globally, to be able to be the light that directs the rest of the world when they don't know where they're going. And we are living in a time of dizziness at the moment, on every level, morally, sociologically, psychologically, people are dizzy. And Judaism has, and I believe this is exactly what Rabbi Sacks advocated for, Judaism has a way to take us out of that maze that we found ourselves in. And so I think today, more than ever, in response to you, yes, it is peoplehood that we feel. And then the question is, how do we take that feeling of peoplehood and use it towards really building what we need to do in this world. The advocacy that Judaism needs to bring into the world. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  We all have a role, a reason, a purpose. When Rabbi Sacks spoke to us a decade ago, more than a decade ago, at this point, those who were in the room felt the moral imperative to stand up to advocate and why, as Jews, we had that unique role.  I am so honored that today, now with Rabbi Sacks not here, you continue to give us that inspiration of why we are a letter in the scroll, why we must stand up and advocate. So thank you, Tanya and Joanna, for joining us at Global Forum and for this enlightening conversation. Tanya White:  Thank you so much for having us. Thank you. Joanna Benarroch:  Thank you so much.  Manya Brachear Pashman: If you missed last week's episode, please be sure to listen as two AJC colleagues pay tribute to their friends Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky who were brutally murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum in May.   

Join us in this episode as we explore 1 Chronicles 23-27 and see how David shifted his focus from conquering to crafting a legacy of worship. Discover how his organizational genius turned a warrior's vision into a foundation for spiritual renewal. Let's dive in and learn from David's final acts of leadership!Themes of this podcast:Legacy through leadership. David and Moses both demonstrated that true leadership involves building systems and mentoring successors to prepare the next generation for success rather than just focusing on achieving personal accomplishments.Practical leadership skills can serve a divine purpose. The detailed organizational structure wasn't bureaucracy for its own sake but rather a way to honor God through excellence and ensure faithful worship for generations. This theme shows how administrative brilliance and spiritual devotion can work together to fulfill God's plans.A Model for Us Today. This ancient story is a blueprint for our spiritual lives: preparation matters. Just as David readied Israel to face spiritual challenges with organized worship, we too are called to strengthen our spiritual defenses.Show Notes:BlogWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info! Contact Bible Book ClubDonate or pick up merch here Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's InstagramLike or comment on Susan's Facebook or InstagramLeave us an Apple reviewContact us through our website formThanks for listening and happy podcasting!

In this powerful message, Pastor Jim Gallagher unpacks the transfiguration of Jesus from Mark 9, revealing deep truths about the kingdom of God and its present power. You'll learn how the Spirit of God and the Word of God are able to transform your life from the inside out. Whether you feel stuck in your walk or hungry for more, this teaching will ignite your understanding of spiritual growth and kingdom living.

Ralph shares St. Peter's clear and challenging interpretation of the events of Pentecost and how all throughout the Acts of the Apostles we see the apostles' expectation that every new group of converts should experience the Holy Spirit as they did on the day of Pentecost. Ralph also speaks to how we too should be seeking and expecting the apostolic experience of Pentecost even today.

Are Generational Curses Still For Us Today? (2 of 2) | Pastor Shane IdlemanWatch our services live at http://wcfav.org/ Free Downloads of Pastor Shane's E-books at https://westsidechristianfellowship.org/teachings/ Donate to Westside Christian Fellowship here: https://westsidechristianfellowship.org/give/ Westside Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational Christian church that meets every every Sunday at 8:30 am 11:00 am in Leona Valley, California (9306 Leona Avenue). For more info, or to read our statement of faith, visit westsidechristianfellowship.org/about-wcf/statement-of-faith/ To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1055/29

Are Generational Curses Still For Us Today? (1 of 2) | Pastor Shane IdlemanWatch our services live at http://wcfav.org/ Free Downloads of Pastor Shane's E-books at https://westsidechristianfellowship.org/teachings/ Donate to Westside Christian Fellowship here: https://westsidechristianfellowship.org/give/ Westside Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational Christian church that meets every every Sunday at 8:30 am 11:00 am in Leona Valley, California (9306 Leona Avenue). For more info, or to read our statement of faith, visit westsidechristianfellowship.org/about-wcf/statement-of-faith/ To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1055/29