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Power balance

Retired US Army General David Petraeus has vast military and intelligence experience in the Middle East. He led US troops during some of the most critical years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, with the assasination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, General Petraeus has some thoughts about the significance of this action.

Also, after its initial retaliation for the killing of general Soleimani, Iran still has other options, like cyber-attacks against US targets; we’ll also take a look at how governments around the world use internet shutdowns to control the free flow of information; next, like with Iran, US-North Korea relations are also tense, but how did we get to this point?; and our own Rupa Shenoy looks back at a decade of protests around the world.

(Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani (C) attends Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's meeting with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran. Credit: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)




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Exchange and influence

Late last year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology signed a five-year extension of a multimillion-dollar partnership with Skolkova, a Russian technology research institute. This partnership has long raised espionage fears among foreign policy experts and the FBI. The contract renewal was a reversal in an MIT-Russia partnership that appeared to be dormant. The extension came just three months after the US federal government announced it is investigating MIT’s compliance with reporting requirements for the Russian money it has received in connection with the project.

Also, the Trump administration is taking a closer look at funding from Chinese donors because it suspects widespread economic espionage; and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines says he's following through on a promise to kick US troops out of his country.

(Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Vekselberg (L-R centre front), Renova Group Board Chairman and Skolkovo Foundation President, visit the Skolkovo Technopark in Moscow. Credit: Alexander Astafyev/Getty Images)





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Federal agencies say Russia and Iran are ramping up influence campaigns targeting U.S. voters

The Russian Embassy called the officials' announcement “baseless” in an emailed statement, saying Russia “has not interfered and does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including the United States.”

The post Federal agencies say Russia and Iran are ramping up influence campaigns targeting U.S. voters appeared first on Boston.com.




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Racist text messages referencing slavery raise alarms, prompt investigations in Mass. and other states

Some students of color at Stoughton High School were among those who received such messages, according to a statement from Stoughton Public Schools.

The post Racist text messages referencing slavery raise alarms, prompt investigations in Mass. and other states appeared first on Boston.com.




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Mass. National Guardsman Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years for leaking classified information

Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty earlier this year to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act.

The post Mass. National Guardsman Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years for leaking classified information appeared first on Boston.com.





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Trump announces Tom Homan, former director of immigration enforcement, will serve as ‘border czar’

Homan was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border and Trump’s pledge to launch the largest deportation operation in the country's history.

The post Trump announces Tom Homan, former director of immigration enforcement, will serve as ‘border czar’ appeared first on Boston.com.





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The Crunch Time Blues

For local churches around the globe, the countdown to one of the most widely attended weekends has begun! Set lists are being finalized, service flows are being negotiated, sermon outlines are being pored over, and eggs are being filled by the dozen. While families all over are making their Sunday afternoon plans and working out lunch menus, you are neck-deep in planning, rehearsing, and decision-making. Holiday weekends like Easter have and always will look a lot different for Church leadership than it does for those they serve. So how do you approach these seasons without giving the enemy a foothold to rob you of every ounce of joy and motivation?

I took the chance to pick the brain of someone who has been on the front lines of the worship war for several decades now. David Parker is the Worship & Creative Arts Pastor at 121 Community Church located in Grapevine, TX. Not only is David a dear friend of mine, but I also had the privilege of serving on his worship staff team for 12 years until our family moved to Tennessee at the end of last year. So I had a front row seat to watch this man in action on a weekly basis and, trust me, he is a wealth of wisdom when it comes to donning multiple hats while managing to keep his head above water. Here’s what he had to say about managing all the moving parts with grace and clarity.    

AAW: For the sake of context, tell us a little about your experience as a worship leader up 'til now. How long have you been leading and in what capacities?

DP: I’ve been leading worship since I was in sixth grade. I would lead worship for my Sunday School class every week before we went to Bible study. From there I continued to lead throughout high school for various events that churches would invite me to. Some friends and I started a band and played anywhere we could. We definitely weren’t very good! But through that experience I ended up being invited to lead a VBS at a great church in Houston. As a result, I interned at that church for two summers where I received incredible mentorship from some amazing people. When I left for college at Texas A&M I led worship at what used to be called the B.S.U. Area churches began inviting me to lead at student events. I traveled more and more throughout college doing more and more events. In 1993 I joined up with Al Denson and Celebration Ministries to travel throughout the country leading worship for student events. During that time God gave me the privilege to be a part of some amazing movements in Buffalo, NY, the early Student Life Camps, Hot Hearts Texas, Georgia Super WOW, Youth Evangelism Conferences and churches all over.  Around 2000 I began leading in a rotation of worship leaders at my home church, 121 Community Church. Over the next year or two God called me away from the road and I have been the Worship & Creative Arts Pastor at 121 ever since. All in all, I’ve been leading worship for about 34 years.

AAW: What would you say is the biggest difference between leading in the local Church versus traveling to lead at various events?

DP: I truly loved traveling while God had me in that role, but as I look back, He was preparing me to be a worship leader for the local church. When I was traveling, I loved the great relationships I was privileged to develop with wonderful people, but for me, I felt too much like I was on an island. It was difficult to stay connected to my local church. I found myself leading songs that I knew people would know while I was on the road. Conversely, in the local church, there have been more opportunities to grow in different directions musically and creatively. Additionally, I have an amazing team that works together to help lead people to truly encounter God in worship. To be a part of a team like ours is a constant source of refreshment and encouragement.

AAW: With Easter right around the corner, I’m sure your workload has amped up quite a bit. What are a few ways that you hang on to your own personal joy during seasons like this?

DP: This is a truly unique season for me. As we approach this Easter, we are also moving our entire church into a new building. Needless to say, this has been an exciting and exhausting time. I absolutely love Easter and the opportunity to share the Gospel with people who have never heard it. This is where I derive my personal joy even when the work is exhausting. The reward far outweighs the sacrifice!

AAW: We all know that the spouses and children of church staff members sacrifice a lot during these seasons as well. How do you maintain peace and cling to the message of Easter as a family during one of the busiest time of the year for you?

DP: One of the big things we do as a family is try to include everyone in the preparations for Easter and other special times that require a ton of my time. That way we get to celebrate together by serving together. Another practice I try to maintain is to make sure to make deposits back into my family when my time working at the church has taken more from me than normal in a given season.

AAW: Are there any specific habits or fail-safes you’ve set in place over the years that help you avoid falling prey to the traps the enemy undoubtedly places in front of you during the weeks leading up to Easter?

DP: I always approach Easter as prayerfully as I can, trust in my team and enjoy the journey. We always try to stay focused on what Easter is all about, not on what we can do. 

AAW: What are some do’s and don’ts you’ve learned over your years in ministry when it comes to preparing for Easter, guiding your family through it, and leading your church body into it?

DP: One of the biggest things I’ve learned is to not do too much “new” for an Easter service.  For us, Easters where we do what we do week in and week out, maybe with a few creative twists, have reaped great results and hearts focused on the right things. This helps balance out family time and the church body is able to truly dive into the worship service.

AAW: One of your strongest passions is creating unique atmospheres of worship, using every sense we’ve been given. You’re actually going to be facilitating a teaching time during our Dallas conference stop in May about this very subject. How did this passion develop and how have you fostered it over the years?

DP: I absolutely love the art of communicating things of God creatively. When I interned in Houston we designed some wonderful services for the student ministry that at the time were cutting edge. This just fueled my desire to create environments for people to encounter the Lord. When at Texas A&M I minored in Theatre Set Design. This helped give me the tools to see more advanced ideas actually come into fruition. At 121 we are blessed to have a pastor that gives us freedom to dream, try and even fail sometimes. It’s never about trying to do something bigger and better. It’s about doing the best thing to communicate whatever it is we are trying to communicate. I am always researching technologies and resources both from the church world and secular world to help communicate creatively.

AAW: Without giving away too much of what you’ll be covering at the conference, what’s one tip you’d give our readers when it comes to building these experiences regardless of size or budget?

DP: Never let money or a lack of ability stop you from dreaming big. Learn to make the impossible possible.  After all, if God is for you, who can be against you?

In case you missed it, David will be with us at our Dallas conference May 17-19. In fact, 121 Community Church is the host church. So if you join us, you’ll get to see some of David’s expertise firsthand. He’ll be passing on some of that wisdom during our time together, so if you haven’t registered for our Dallas stop yet, it’s not too late.

Thank you David for taking the time to share some of the lessons you’ve learned over the years. Our prayer here at AAW for all of you out there is that these next couple of weeks will be filled with moments to savor God’s faithfulness and relish in the good news we strive so hard to make known.




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182 AAW: The Power of God's Presence (Part 2 with Dustin Smith)

We continue the values conversation with Michael King and Dustin Smith.

This week, we recap the power of HIS presence, the power of his people and the power of the sound. We spend a significant amount of time on the POWER OF HIS PRESENCE, because that’s what defines us. We are really excited for you to hear this conversation. And to James, the Uber driver … thank you for the lyric contribution


 




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Allegiance

I have always been a person who enjoys sports.  I grew up in northern Indiana, which is 30 minutes from Chicago, so we gave ourselves the right to root for a team from Chicago or one from Indiana.  Because of that my favorite teams were the Bulls, the Colts, and the Cubs. To me Michael Jordan is the GOAT, Peyton Manning is one of the GOAT and the Cubs, well until last year they were the lovable losers.  I know I just lost some of you because you would completely disagree with my selection of teams and players. Some of you would quote statistics and others would just spout opinions but we would probably end up agreeing to disagree.

I have a couple hats and jerseys of my favorite teams that I love to wear around town knowing that guys are going to let me know of their approval and sometimes disapproval of my choice of team.  If I’m wearing a certain team's apparel the guys assume that is where my allegiance lies.

To a certain extent, worship can work similar to a jersey.  When we worship we are making an outward declaration of where our loyalty lies. The world is watching us in times of stress, trials and difficult situations to know who has our allegiance.  Have you ever heard anyone ask the question, “How can you still believe in God with all the bad stuff that has happened to you?” The reason they ask that question is that most people change allegiances whenever things don’t go their way.  They like to treat God as a genie and if He does not pop out and answer their wishes then they will go find someone who will obey their commands. Worship indicates that you believe God is who he says He is no matter what the situation says about Him.  

This does not mean that everyone who sings a song or says something good about God has given Him their allegiance.  God is wanting you to do more than just wear the jersey, He wants you in the game. When Jesus came on the scene and ran into the Pharisees, he basically called them out as guys who were wearing the jerseys but they were all talk and no action.

“These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy.” Matthew 15:9 (MSG)

You know the type of person Jesus is talking about... the one who wears the jersey and is constantly using language like “we” lost the game and “we” need to step it up next game.  They make it sound like they were actually out on the field and had something to do with the final outcome of the game. They wear the jersey, slap on a hat and let everyone know where their allegiance lies but in the end, they are just an armchair quarterback.  They know the players, the stats and all the language but they have never been out on the field.

Let's not be that type of person.  No more armchair worshipers trying to act like we are in the game but we are just going through the motions with no heart.  True worship reveals an allegiance when you backup your words with actions. I refuse to be a person who sings about heaven on Sunday but lives like hell on Monday.  I want to live a life of worship that screams to those around me that my allegiance is to Jesus and I will never change my mind.





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Genuine Concern

I remember a few years back seeing a youtube video that people were sharing. It was a quick little video that people thought was adorable and funny. It kinda troubled me. The youtube clip was of a little child swiping through a magazine app on an iPad. As she swiped through more and more pages of the magazine app, they took the iPad away and replaced it with a real magazine. The child didn’t realize there was an actual, real life, magazine in front of her. Instead of turning the pages, she continued to try to swipe with no success. What struck me about that was how she had the real thing in front of her and didn’t realize it.

It got me thinking of how much this video relates to where things are in the real world. With social media, virtual and augmented reality, and every new tech that comes out everyday, people are losing sight of what’s supposed to be right in front of them. People have thousands of friends on Facebook, and they feel more alone than ever. There has been a breakdown of authentic relationships. We have had a breakdown even in church where we have people who are hurting and are in need and yet they are overlooked.

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. - James 1:27 New Living Translation (NLT)

I believe one of the main things Worship Pastors/Leaders are missing is having a genuine concern for the people. That’s not to say that they don’t care about people, but as a Worship Leader we need to be seeing where our congregation is and help to get everyone on the same page during a worship service. One of the best ways to know where people are at is to invest time into authentic relationships. When I first began leading worship, many, many, years ago, I was concerned about how I looked, how I sounded, and what people thought about what I was doing. Years would go by before I would meet a guy named Dustin Smith, who was my worship pastor while I was in KC. He taught me many things that developed my character and challenged me, but one of the most impactful things I learned from him was to have a concern for the people I was leading. That right there changed my approach to leading worship. It became so much more than about just singing songs, it was about leading people somewhere, together, lifting up the name of Jesus. Being able to look people in the eyes and know their stories and their families and as a community worship our God.

If we could start to do this I believe churches would grow in strength and in influence. Jesus said that the world would know that we are his disciples by our love for one another. Having a genuine concern for the people in your community is a continuing effort. It takes time and effort. It takes investing into people’s lives and getting to truly know them. People who know that you’re for them will follow where you lead them.





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Benches and Bleachers

For most people who know me very well, it’s no surprise to learn that I graduated from college with a BA in Religion. What might come as a shock though is the fact that my minor was in Recreation. See, I’m not exactly what you would call the athletic or sporty type. You probably won’t catch me running much unless someone with a weapon is chasing me or one of my children has run out into the street. And while I can host a killer Super Bowl party, chances are, I have no idea who is playing because I just want to see the half-time show. It just so happened that a Recreation minor would get me done with school the fastest, so I went with it. With all that said, something has been brewing on my heart for some time now, and the image that pops into my mind every time I think about it is, of all things, sports related, and it revolves around the idea of benches and bleachers. 

We’ve all been there, probably more than once, and we’ll all be there again. Sidelined . . . pulled . . . a spectator at the game(s) we wish we were playing in. Sometimes it’s by choice and other times it’s by force, but either way, it’s an opportunity for real growth and understanding if handled well. I wish I could say I’ve always processed these seasons like a champ, but no can do. However, I have learned some solid lessons along the way. 

There are two kinds of spectators at a sporting event. There are those on the bench and those in the bleachers. The first group is made up of team members not currently playing on the field whether it’s because they’re just waiting their turn, recovering from an injury, too green to actually play, or made to sit out because of poor behavior. But, they are still team members. They have actual skin in the game, which means they bear part of the weight of the mantle of their team winning or losing. The latter is made up of those cheering on one of the competing teams. It’s family members, friends, mentors, and admirers supporting their loved ones. There are similarities between these two groups of people, but there are drastic differences that are worth exploring because they can be a game changer for you as you process through your seasons as a spectator. Once I realized the differences, a new level of peace settled into my heart that carried me through my own similar season.

A little backstory . . . Upon my family’s move to the Nashville area at the very end of 2016, I was met with my first spectator season in over 12 years. I went from leading worship on a weekly basis to not being behind a microphone for over 9 months. During that time, multiple opportunities presented themselves to embed myself into some different ministry opportunities. Each of them was different from one another, but each of them also would allow me to utilize my unique gifts well. I began exploring, networking, and building relationships while praying for clarity as to where the Lord wanted me to focus my energies and efforts. Over a few months, it started to become clearer and clearer where my gifts were more effective and where they were not. I had assumed that reaching this point would be followed by relief, but instead I was confronted with an unexpected confusion and disappointment because the places I was being met with the most resistance were the places I thought were the obvious matches. I began praying specifically for understanding and that’s when the Lord began showing me these visions of benches and bleachers. I was trying to force myself into a game that I wasn’t supposed to be playing. Instead, the Lord wanted me in the bleachers cheering on that particular ministry so that He could use me in another game that needed my specific giftings more. 

Once I wrapped my heart and mind around this idea, those feelings of rejection and failure began to disappear and a deeper level of comfort began to settle in. Soon after, doors began opening for me to serve elsewhere effectively and wholeheartedly, all while still being able to joyfully and authentically root for those other ministries to thrive. 

Can any of you relate? Perhaps you’re in the middle of a similar season now, where you’ve been pulled out of a game you were comfortable in. Maybe you’re transitioning from vocational worship ministry at a local church to a broader form of ministry. Maybe a ministry you were heavily invested in is moving in a different direction and you’re not sure where you fit into it all. Whatever it is, you’ve found yourself no longer playing an active role in it and you’re not sure where to go from here. 
This is where scriptures that we’ve been quoting since 1st grade become alive and active in a new way. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.  - Proverbs 3:5-6
In times like this, we have to learn to press harder into the Father heart of God, trust that He has a perfect plan, and resist the urge to try and understand things from our temporal perspectives. Instead, refocus your prayers and searching on things such as….
  1. Do you feel confident that this is still the game you’re supposed to be in, whether now or in the future?
  2. If so, is there any reason that the Lord might have moved from the field to the bench? A secret sin? Burnout? A hurt that is keeping you from being effective? Perhaps just to rest?
  3. If not, what could He possibly be moving you toward? Is there another ministry opportunity in your peripheral that you could invest in? Is there a new gift that He’s been fostering in you to use somewhere else?
This obviously is not an exhaustive list, rather just a place to start. Nevertheless, times of restlessness are rarely for no reason. Usually the Lord is at work, doing something that He’s not quite ready to reveal yet. The best thing we can do in those seasons is keep asking for His direction for the next step, resting in His peace as we continue moving forward, and believing for His best as we pursue His heart and will.

 




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The Worship Podcast (Episode 21): Keep the Change - Embracing the Uncomfortable

It's been said that, "change is a part of life."  Why, then, do we tend to struggle with it?  Whether in your personal life, your professional life or anywhere else, change can be uncomfortable.  In today's episode, Dustin and James talk about change from the perspective of worship teams, and how to not only get through it, but to grow through it.  GASP!

We'd love to hear from some of our listeners about situations that have changed in your world of worship, and how you handled that - both good and bad!  How did your team handle the change, and how did God help you lead them through it?

And of course, we hope everyone has an awesome & restful Thanksgiving with friends & family.  Until next time!

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The Worship Podcast is powered by All About Worship in partnership with WeAreWorship.

Subscribe to the podcast:
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You can also connect with The Worship Podcast on social media:
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White Sox decline $25 million option on Yoán Moncada, $7.5 million option on Max Stassi

Chicago set the post-1900 record for losses in a season, going 41-121.




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Red Sox expressing interest in reunion with fan favorite pitcher in free agency

The Boston Red Sox need an ace above all other things before the 2025 campaign, but they could use multiple veteran pitching additions. Boston's rotation is relatively young and inexperienced. Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford are both 28 years old and Brayan Bello is only 25. Lucas Giolito is expected to join Boston's rotation in 2025, as he was meant to do last year before his UCL repair surgery.




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Balancing alternative medicine with traditional medicine, Why some people don’t get COVID symptoms, Gluten-free Chicken Stir Fry

This week Zorba and Karl discuss how doctors should balance traditional and alternative medicine, and they examine new research that explains why some people don’t experience COVID symptoms. Plus, they […]




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Alarming rise in cancer rates among people under 50, Turmeric may be as good for treating indigestion as drug to curb excess stomach acid, Potato Pizza

This week Zorba and Karl discuss a new study that shows an alarming rise in cancer rates among people under 50, and they examine new research showing turmeric may be […]




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Faithwire - Politics and Punchlines - November 11, 2024

Joel Berry of The Babylon Bee joins CBN's Tré Goins-Phillips and Billy Hallowell to discuss the Bee's new book and how they use satire and laughter to navigate complicated issues in the world.




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After Most Disturbing Anti-Semitism Spike Since WWII, 2,000 Israelis Airlifted from Netherlands

After Most Disturbing Anti-Semitism Spike Since WWII, 2,000 Israelis Airlifted from Netherlands




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La Primavera de Vivaldi al estilo Flamenco.

El pianista de origen español Antonio Carnota, deleita a la audiencia de Club 700 Hoy con una particular versión de uno de los clásicos de todos los tiempos: La Primavera de Vivaldi, pero en ritmo flamenco.




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Turn 'Social Distancing' On Its Head

2020 was supposed to be a year of promise and realized expectation, but things took a left turn with the advent of COVID-19. In the matter of a couple weeks students are left to finish the academic year from home, the labor force is scrambling to define essential versus non-essential employees and the cultural pillars of entertainment and sports have been replaced by daily government briefings on coronavirus and social distancing. Suddenly, we find ourselves with a little more at-home time than...




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Four Ways to Build Your Marriage During Social Distancing

This is such a unique time in which we are living. No one could have foreseen this global COVID-19 pandemic, nor the ripple effect on economies and the daily life of people across the globe. The spread of the coronavirus and all of the related shutdowns have brought us to a stark dichotomy. While we are separating from the rest of the world through social distancing, we are spending constant time with our immediate families. In real time, many are experiencing the opposing truths of two well-...




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8 Ways to Keep up the Romance During Quarantine

Being home with our beloved (or anyone) all day, every day can feel un-natural, no matter how deep our God-given love runs. Suddenly there’s no outside entertainment, no friends to socialize with, no activities to share, and the list goes on. Whether you’re newly-married, a veteran couple, or somewhere in between, being homebound daily forces some unexpected relational adjustments and calls for major creativity in the romance department. Here’s a few to try. Have Delusional Date Nights It may...




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Tim Tebow on 'Bronco and Friends: A Party to Remember'

Why A Children's Book? The author of several books on identity and purpose, Tim takes a clear detour in writing a storybook for kids, but with clear intention. As the youngest of the five Tebow siblings, he was born and spent his first three years in the Philippines, where his parents served as Baptist missionaries. Tim vividly remembers their reading to him as a boy, how much he enjoyed it, and the difference it made in his growth and development. Believing that every person is unique,...




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U.S. Leaks Israeli Intelligence - 10/22/24

Failed assassination attempt on PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant reports gains in Lebanon, U.S. leaks Israeli intelligence. Res. Major Amiad Cohen on how to achieve security in N. Israel. Christian friends show support at Feast of Tabernacles.




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Lord of My Life-But My Finances Too?

Michele and her husband, George, saw their incomes triple and double respectively. Michele learned to trust God instead of her paycheck and the results have led to prosperity, joy, and satisfaction. These positive things can be yours too!




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'Brought Me to Tears': Operation Blessing's Gift of Clean Drinking Water a Game-Changer in NC

'Brought Me to Tears': Operation Blessing's Gift of Clean Drinking Water a Game-Changer in NC




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Blind Hurricane Survivor Experiences God's Love 

Joseph is legally blind, making the cleanup after Hurricane Milton particularly challenging. Operation Blessing provides a team of volunteers to restore his property and minister to his spirit. 




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Israel Faces 'Worst Antisemitism Since World War II' | CBN NewsWatch 11/12/24

Israel's new Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar warns that Israel is battling a level of antisemitism not experienced since World War II, and says international countries have to take steps to protect Jews, and Sa'ar says there's been progress ...




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Trump’s election win will create demand for cryptocurrency insurance




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Want Decades of Passive Income? 2 Stocks to Buy Now and Hold Forever.




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5 Essential Business Principles from the Bible

The Bible is full of advice on how to handle money. Every business owner can (and should) build their business on these essential principles straight from the Word of God. As you read through these Bible verses and associated principles, ask yourself where you see room for improvement in your own business dealings. 1. CONDUCT YOUR BUSINESS WITH HUMILITY. Be realistic about your human nature. Everyone makes mistakes, and I’d venture to guess you’ve made a few. Humility causes us to listen to our...




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A Prayer for a Business Idea Leads to Financial Breakthrough

It’s said some cooks are born, not made, and Anne Grimes agrees.  “I think I was born with a pan and a spoon in my hand, ” laughs Anne. “By the time I was nine, I was baking cakes for neighbors and had a business going.”   Anne’s love of cooking continued after she married. She and her husband started a local bakery. But after a few years, jobs in her town were scarce, and the people there moved out. “All of a sudden, the town just dried up. And so, there was very little business there. So, we...




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God's Principles for Stewardship in Life

Chuck Bentley is CEO of Crown Financial Ministries, the largest Christian financial ministry in the world, founded by the late Larry Burkett. He is the host of a daily radio broadcast, My MoneyLife, featured on more than 1,000 Christian Music and Talk stations in the U.S., and author of his most recent book, Money Problems, Marriage Solutions. I recently spoke with Chuck about his advice for managing our money during difficult financial times. Why is it important to follow God's principles for...




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Once Bankrupt Now Prosperous 

Linda Beavert never thought she’d be able to enjoy retirement. “I've just sailed through it. I know because God's held my hand, you know.  He answers, and he leads me and there's just no better peace, no better confidence.” For most of their thirty-seven-year marriage, Linda and her husband struggled financially, even though they both worked full-time. “I was never comfortable about our money situation. We didn't know about budgeting; we never budgeted, and we lived from hand to mouth, just...




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From Debt and Despair to a Life of Financial Freedom

Rhonda Bell dreamt of a better financial future. She felt stuck working two jobs with irregular hours. “And I had to do both jobs even to have just enough. I remember one time when I out of work; I just dug around my house for change ended, and I up finding like, in change, $13.76. I was able to buy groceries; I had no food. I just really wanted a career. I wanted the Lord to bless me with something stable.” When friends encouraged Rhonda to go into healthcare, she prayed about it. She believed...




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Eye-To-Eye Animal Encounters

There's a certain a kind of visual encounter that can be life changing: A cross-species gaze. The experience of looking directly into the eyes of an animal in the wild, and seeing it look back. It happens more often than you’d think and it can be so profound, there’s a name for it: eye-to-eye epiphany. So what happens when someone with feathers or fur and claws looks back? How does it change people, and what can it teach us?

Human identity cannot be separated from our nonhuman kin. From forest ecology to the human microbiome, emerging research suggests that being human is a complicated journey made possible only by the good graces of our many companions. In partnership with the Center for Humans and Nature and with support from the Kalliopeia Foundation, To The Best Of Our Knowledge is exploring this theme of "kinship" in a special radio series.

Original Air Date: February 08, 2020

Guests:

Gavin Van Horn — Jenny Kendler — Ivan Schwab — Jane Goodall — Alan Lightman

Interviews In This Hour:

In The Eye Of The Osprey: A Physicist's Wild Epiphany — 100 Bird Eyes Are Watching You — The Look That Changed Primatology — Watching the Fierce Green Fire Die: Animal Gazes That Shaped Conservation Movements — The 600 Million Year History Of The Eye — 'We Are The Feast' — A Feminist Philosopher's Life-Changing Encounter With A Crocodile — How Do You Practice Kinship? A Brief Meditation — Sharing Eye-To-Eye Epiphanies With The Animal World

Further Reading:

"The Disruptive Eye" by Gavin Van Horn"6 a.m. on LaSalle Street" by Katherine Cummings"Salmon Speak ~ Why Not Earth?" by Bron Taylor"The Eyes of an Owl" by Greg Ripley"From Bestiary" by Elise Paschen




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Rewriting the Romance Script

We take a look at the romantic tropes of modern love and how they’re changing. Do the old dreams of true love and happiness ever after fit our new lives and new identities?

Original Air Date: February 13, 2021

Guests: 

Logan Ury — Angelo Bautista — Jane Ward — Angela Chen — Bara Jichova Tyson

Interviews In This Hour: 

The New Coffee Date: COVID-19 Pushes The Dating World To Zoom — Are Straight People Okay? — Love Without Touch, Desire Without Sex — Learning To Believe In Monogamy 

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Cancer Couldn’t Kill an Iron Man

After surgery removed a brain tumor, Jay Hewitt felt safe, but a year later, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Finding strength in the verse, “When I am weak, then I am strong,” he began training for an Ironman Triathlon during chemotherapy. 




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Workplace Violence or Terrorism? CA Massacre Probe Unfolds

A day after a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, authorities are trying to figure out why a couple would embark on a deadly killing spree.




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God's Unexpected Providence

Few of us can say we were planning on the COVID-19 outbreak and the resulting lockdowns of 2020. Let’s be honest—the coronavirus pandemic was unexpected. I know I speak for most when I say we weren’t planning on the heightened health protocols and stay-at-home orders that ensued. One of the consequences many encountered in the months of the pandemic was closed churches. Instead of the regular Sunday morning family outing to our local parish, we grew accustomed to the intimate setting of our...




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SPFA Excellence Awards To Be Announced at SprayFoam 2022 Convention & Expo

Winners will be announced at the official awards ceremony to be held Wednesday, March 2nd at 1:00pm onsite at the convention in San Antonio, Texas. 




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Titan Launches Impact X 440 – the Next-Generation Airless Sprayer

Building on the Titan Impact 440, the best-selling airless paint sprayer in its class, Titan announces the launch of the Impact X 440 electric airless sprayer. This next-generation compact sprayer boasts new technologies as well as performance and productivity features that have only been available on larger sprayers – until now.




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Simpson Strong-Tie Introduces AT-3G Hybrid, Acrylic Anchoring Adhesive

Simpson Strong-Tie has introduced AT-3G, a new, all-weather, hybrid, acrylic anchoring adhesive engineered to deliver a faster-curing, high-strength bond for cracked and uncracked concrete and post-installed rebar connections.




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What is Happening with EIFS Insurance?

If you are involved in the EIFS business, are you concerned with insurance? The guess is it depends on who and where you are.




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Combat Price Increases as a Result of Coronavirus

The Coronavirus has caused many material shipments to be delayed or cancelled. As a result, the cost of ordering and supplying materials for many items has increased. 




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What You Should Know about Florida’s New Property Insurance Law

How Florida lawmakers’ attempt to make property insurance more affordable could affect your business.




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FCIA Announces Partnership with Door Opening Industry Training Group

The International Fire Code requires annual visual inspection of all fire-resistance-rated assemblies and the protection features – firestopping included. Fire doors can be the entry to building owners to help them satisfy the annual visual inspection requirement in NFPA 80 and the International Fire Code.