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In today's episode...

Split in Two

As a kid did you ever talk about becoming blood brothers with a friend? Well, the concept comes from an ancient practice where people would "cut a covenant," meaning two people would cut their arms and suck a bit of one another's blood. The mingling of blood was considered a sacred bond and a solemn promise. This is where this whole concept becomes fascinating. 

In the ancient Middle East and even in some modern societies, when a covenant, like a marriage, is made, the heads of the household make a solemn pact that the wife will be faithful to her husband and that the husband will not abuse his wife. The two men agreeing will take an animal, cut it in two, then each person walks between the two pieces as a sort of self-curse; by passing through the severed bodies of the animals, each person is in effect saying, "May the same thing happen to me if I do not keep my word." It's like a life-and-death version of Blood Brothers, and in the ancient Middle East, it was the most binding and sacred agreement a person could enter into. 

The reason this is important is that 4000 years ago, there was a guy named Abrahm, who was an elderly man without an heir and believed that God had promised him a son and land, but with his age and the age of his wife, it seemed biologically impossible that it would ever happen. 

Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co

Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm

Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs

In today's episode...

What has Gotten Into You

Today we are going to start by reading a story found in Mark 14:

"While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Mark 14:1-9

There are four similar accounts to this story in the Bible, and it’s believed that the woman pouring oil on Jesus is Mary of Bethany. She’s the Mary from the story of Mary and Martha and the sister of Lazarus. 

In the story we read that it’s a few days before Jesus is arrested, and He is sitting at a table in Simon’s house with his friends when Mary takes out a flask of nard, it’s basically a bottle of fragrant oil and she pours it on Jesus’ head...

Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co

Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm

Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs

In this episode...

Say to this Mountain

In the Christmas story, Herod the Great is best known for his attempt to assassinate the newborn Messiah. After a visit from the Magi, Herod orders all the infant boys under two to be massacred. It’s gruesome, and a result of his extreme paranoia. But one thing we don’t often discuss regarding Herod was that he was also an obsessive builder. During his reign, he was responsible for constructing an impressive artificial harbor at Caesarea Maritima and oversaw the building of Temple Mount as well as Masada. But the building feat I find most interesting is a fortress he constructed in the middle of the desert. 

Around 37 BC, Herod started constructing a fortress-palace that could be seen from Jerusalem to remind everyone of his influence and power. The only problem was, in the spot where he wanted to build the fortress, there weren’t any mountains high enough. So, using forced labor, he essentially moved a mountain to the spot he wanted to build on... 

Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co

Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm

Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs

In today's episode we talk about "Do You See Anything"

Today, we are discussing how Jesus uses spit to heal a man's eyes. Here is how it goes down in Mark 8:

When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man's eyes and placed His hands on him. Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 

The man looked up and said, "I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around." Once again, Jesus placed His hands on the man's eyes, and when he opened them, his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him home and said, "Do not go back into the village." Mark 8:22-26

Now, this seems odd in our culture, but to better understand on a deeper level what's going on, we need to look at a writing by a Roman writer named Pliny the Elder who, around 77AD, wrote a book called 'The Natural History.'...

Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co

Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm

Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs

In today's epidode, we're talk about "You Already Know"

Today is a little different. We’ll share one quick observation and then offer a practice to expand our Advent experience. 

Did you know that the disciples only asked Jesus to teach them one thing? 

They didn’t ask Him how to heal people. Or, to teach them to do something cool like turn water into wine or walk on water. 

The one thing they asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. (Luke 11:1-4)

Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co

Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm

Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs

In today's episode we talk about "Cover Your Head"

One of the goals of this Advent series is to understand the social and cultural issues happening at the time of Jesus, so today we are going to look at a spicy issue of women showing their hair in church, and it comes out of Paul's letter to the people in Corinth.

Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 11 Source: Greece, A Biblical Tour of Historical Sites by Costas Tsevas (HIGHLY RECOMMEND)

Read the full blog at: www.mandyarioto.co

Song: Would You Forgive, by Jorm @iamjorm

Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs

In this episode, we dive into the unexpected ways God has revealed Himself throughout history, focusing on the Oracle of Delphi and the sybils depicted by Michelangelo on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

We explore the intriguing story of the Oracle of Delphi, a priestess who prophesied under the influence of mysterious vapors, and her surprising connection to the prophecy of Christ's coming.

Early Christian apologists, including St. Augustine, used these prophecies to demonstrate that even in pagan texts, there were echoes of the coming Messiah. 

This episode challenges us to recognize that God can make Himself known in the most unexpected ways and places. 

As we enter this holiday season, let’s be open to finding divine messages in the most unexpected sources, embracing the shockingly good news of Jesus. 

Daily Reading: Luke 5:27-32; Luke 19:28-48.

Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs

In this episode, we dig into the intriguing connection between Jesus, Nazareth, and a prophecy from Isaiah, shedding light on a perplexing passage in Matthew's account of Jesus' life.

We explore the historical background of Nazareth, a seemingly insignificant village that emerged just a century before Jesus' birth, yet played a crucial role in fulfilling ancient prophecies. 

Jesus, growing up in Nazareth, embodies this 'nezer', the new branch sprouting from the lineage of King David, bringing new life and hope.

As we explore this fascinating link, we are reminded of the astonishing depth and interconnectedness of the biblical narrative.

This Christmas, let this story inspire you to see beyond appearances, recognizing that even in situations that seem hopeless, there is potential for new life and fulfillment of God's promises.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 11.

Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs

In this inspiring episode, we delve into the powerful story of the bleeding woman from Mark 5 and its deep connections to ancient Jewish customs and prophecy. 

The episode focuses on the daring act of the bleeding woman who, defying societal norms and legal restrictions, reaches out to touch the corner of Jesus' shawl. This moment of faith and desperation leads to her miraculous healing.

We reflect on how Jesus not only heals her physically but also affirms her faith and claims her as His own, calling her 'daughter' – the only person in the New Testament to receive this direct address from Him.

This story challenges us to consider the times when our faith might call us to act audaciously, breaking the mold of propriety in pursuit of something greater.

Jesus' final words to the woman, 'Go in peace,' offer a deeper understanding of Shalom, a concept of wholeness and completeness, encouraging us to be bearers of peace and healing in the world.

This episode invites us to embrace our vulnerabilities and find strength in our faith, as we seek the Messiah who brings healing in His wings.

Daily Scripture Reading: Psalm 57:1, Psalm 91:4, Deuteronomy 32:11-12, Psalm 63:7.

Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs

Join us on a journey to ancient Athens, as we explore the intriguing story of the Apostle Paul on Mars Hill from Acts 17.

In this episode, we uncover how Paul masterfully engaged with the diverse beliefs of Athens' philosophers at a time when the city was a melting pot of ideas and religions.

This Christmas, let's take inspiration from Paul's approach. We'll discuss how to embrace meaningful conversations with friends, family, and acquaintances who hold different beliefs, and how to navigate these discussions with grace, intelligence, and respect.

This episode is a reminder that, as people of faith, we can engage with the world around us in ways that are both respectful and enlightening, while remaining true to our beliefs.

Let's be encouraged to enjoy the company of those who see the world differently and share our faith in a way that resonates with them.

Daily Reading: Acts 17.

Song: Would You Forgive by Jorm @iamjorm Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs