Years ago I read an article that describe how out thoughts, feelings, desires and tastes are influenced by factors completely out of our control. And usually by factors and environments of which we are completely ignorant.

And I think it perfectly illustrates what the world does to us believers.

A reading and commentary on this article: 

• Are We Unconsciously Controlled?
• by Sam Williamson.

And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/

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In this episode, I talk of a business experience I had when our company tried to break into the software market in France. And I talk about how we did so by showing solutions to problems that people faced.

All the while, our competitors simply ooh'd and ahh'd over French culture. 

And I think that experience has a message for us today.

A reading and commentary on this article: 

• Chasing Lovers
• by Sam Williamson.

And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/

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The idea of "spiritual warfare" is a long-standing principle of the Christian life: knowing that there are enemies of God who delight in battling His chosen people. Psalm 83 says:

Those who hate you raise their heads. They formulate cunning plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say, “Come, let us wipe them out.” (Ps. 83:2-4)

But most of us haven never heard of the real nature of spiritual warfare. It is more hidden and insidious than exorcisms. There is a hidden enemy. That we never talk about. 

A reading and commentary on this article: 

• When Two Parties Claim The Same Throne
• by Sam Williamson.

And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/

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Almost every person I speak with is suffering, or has suffered. And the world has a boatload of answers for our problems. Many of them are fine, helpful even; but many are dangerous and against God.

What are we to do? I suggest we keep remembering that all therapy deals with how we humans can flourish, how can we live blessed lives? And that answer to those questions is always about SOUL therapy, understanding the condition of our souls.

And even secular thinkers are beginning to see the dangers of bad therapy; not all therapy, but the dangers of bad therapy. See this book: "Bad Therapy: Why Kids Aren't Growing Up" for a great analysis of what "bad" therapy is doing today.

A reading and commentary on this article: 

• Is Modern Therapy Serving Up Spiritual Malnutrition?
• by Sam Williamson.

And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/

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For two thousand years, believers have prioritized the importance of “spiritual warfare” for Christian health. Heck, I was raised Presbyterian, and even Presbyterians taught it.

The battle comprises three enemies: the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. While most teaching mentions these three enemies, the spiritual warfare enemy most frequently publicized is the Devil. (Though some churches emphasize the Flesh.)

But Scripture warns us of the perils of the World one hundred times more than the Devil or the Flesh. One Hundred Times More!

The battle against Satan is ubiquitous (even Hollywood gives it lip-service) and the nature of the Flesh is obvious (nobody committing adultery says, “Wait a minute, you’re not my spouse”). But the war of the world is insidious. Its very hiddenness enforces its potency.

Last week I was asked to preach at the Springs Church in Colorado. On any topic I wanted. And I finally decided to speak on the topic that is most deeply on my heart.

That sermon expresses the substance of the first chapter of my next book, the book titled (can you guess?), The War of the World. 

I invite you to listen to that sermon either on my podcast Beliefs of the Heart Reflections or watch it on the video player below. 

And I would really appreciate any comments, insights, corrections, and even a little (if you want) sharing of your own experiences.

Sam

You can email me at: [email protected]

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Almost every person I speak with has suffered. We hear, "For to those who love God, everything works out for the good," but it doesn't work for us, or at least we have very different ideas of the "the good" is. 

What is God up to? How good really is that "good"?

A reading and commentary on this article: 

• These Inward Trials - Beliefs of the Heart
• by Sam Williamson.

And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/

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Almost every person I speak with has suffered some sort of betrayal from parents or teachers or bosses or spouses. And it affects us on so many levels, most of which we can't see--but our friends can.

We are imprisoned.

How do we handle the evils do to us?

A reading and commentary on this article: 

• The Evil Done to Us - Beliefs of the Heart
• by Sam Williamson.

And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/

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This podcast describes what is the single greatest lesson (and invitation) that God has been speaking to me about for the last five years.

Maybe ten.

A reading and commentary on this article: 

• https://beliefsoftheheart.com/2022/03/09/just-like-a-friend/ 
• by Sam Williamson.

And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/

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Three years ago, I dedicated the year to meditating on thinking of Jesus as LORD. Not just savior, not just friend, not just confidante, not as rabbi. But mild Jesus, JESUS AS LORD. And these are my thoughts.

A reading and commentary on this article: 

• https://beliefsoftheheart.com/2022/02/16/controlling-the-remote/ 
• by Sam Williamson.

And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/

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We so often work directly against God in our greatest attempts to help Him. And our efforts wreak havoc in our lives and in the lives of our families and friends. What are we to do?

A reading and commentary on this article: 

• https://beliefsoftheheart.com/2022/02/09/when-helping-god-is-lethal/
• by Sam Williamson.

And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/

Support the show