This Week in America with Ric Bratton

2024-48  Weekend of November 23

SERMONS WITH INSIGHT by Dr. Rev. Roland ZimanyBefore considering the important part of the sermon, let’s take a look at today’s Gospel lesson and ask, what’s wrong with this picture? What takes place in our Gospel story that does not reflect the way things usually happen in the world?If were teaching a class, I would now stop talking, and there would be a long period of silence, while you look through the biblical text on your bulletin insert, to try to find something unusual. But to ensure that this sermon ends before it’s time for Sunday School to begin, I’ll save some time by pointing out that it is highly unusual for two pregnant women to meet and for one to say to the other, “You’re going to be the mother of someone whom I’ll be calling ‘Lord.’” Normally, Elizabeth--or anyone else--would not know such a thing in advance. Right? The reference is to Jesus, of course. Elizabeth calls him “Lord,” and that fact provides a clue to what is going on here that you, as an average person-in-the-pew, would not even begin to imagine. At least, I didn’t, until I went to seminary.You see, among the Jews of Jesus’ day, Jesus was called “Master,” or “Rabbi,” or “Rabboni.” He wasn’t called “Lord.” “Lord” was a title used by Greeks, and it was a popular title applied to Jesus when Christianity spread out of Palestine into Greek-speaking areas. But it wasn’t a title that people who actually knew Jesus called him. So when you see Jesus being called “Lord” in the Gospels, that is a clue that that passage reflects the practices of the early Christian Church and does not come from Jesus’s own time. (In case you didn’t realize it, the Gospels were not written by people who took notes while the events of Jesus life were taking place. For better or worse, the Bible was developed through a much more complicated process).-----------The REV. DR. ROLAND ZIMANY is a retired Lutheran minister with an impressive resume of post-graduate degrees - from Princeton University, Union Theological Seminary, and Duke University - and experience in the public sector and academia as well. He is a dedicated Lutheran minister who offers an enlightening look at scripture and the life of Christians from earliest times to the present day.https://inkstartmedia.com/http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/11724tba1.mp3

Reflections on Mountaineering: A Journey Through Life as Experienced in the Mountains (FIFTH EDITION, Revised and Expanded) with Addendum by Alan V. GoldmanPresented as one hundred thirty-eight narrative-style poems, some of which are rhyming and others are in prose or blank verse, Reflections on Mountaineering, A Journey Through Life as Experienced in the Mountains, a FIFTH EDITION, Revised and Expanded summarizes much of what the author, Alan V. Goldman, learned in his more than 30 years of climbing, either from personal experience, or from his mountaineering peers. Mr. Goldman came to realize that many of the same moral issues that confront us in everyday life are likewise present in the high mountains, only to a sharper degree. Still, many of the poems reflect on themes and situations that are peculiarly prominent in the mountain environment. Collectively, the poems constitute a "meditation" on the nature of reality itself as perceived in the context of exploring the limits of human understanding and achievement. Musing on topics such as awe and wonder, fear and how to confront it, the lure of the big mountains, as well as the role of luck, fate and chance, Mr. Goldman makes accessible to the general public the otherwise "hidden" truths that mountaineers often experience. Further, many of the poems address the human perception of reality in the context of the meaning of life itself, and of how climbers impart meaning to the mountains by the very act of climbing them. Other poems deal with the need to confront a mountain's challenge, the varying perception of time's passage in the mountains, a climber's insight and situational awareness in the mountain arena, dealing with the force of a mountain's presence, and the power of a mountain's reality. There's also the phenomenon of the interrelation of these and other topics in a single experience as reflected in any given poem.Winner 2022 Pacific Book Awards.Alan V. Goldman is a graduate of Horace Mann School, 1975; Harvard College, 1979; and Harvard Law School, 1982. In addition to his mountaineering adventures, he practiced law for many years, and is now retired. Visit the author's website: mountainreflections.art - where many additional poems by the author are recorded in his own voice.https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Mountaineering-Experienced-Mountains-Expanded/dp/1778830552/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XNL4Z5U50BUS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6lOEdkyDnGVJMZALghY48iHmmyKB3fdf-S_nkKcZJWlzh_SMli3gjEOZg6wxNs0fwqCRvezfNvnmW6p0V8pMC2vGlUoR6p8nJnnNzLwhnD6AigIodKH3g2ZNzQy0AG3y2OeVuxK2UazIlkS4iZZvO-pAATjDrKb5vX5V1zFADHl4GrbUw4hd3O4lXREoQ352RXuIDeTp6po8lglf6qP0lRbaspdifURb2DS1BhfAiX8.JBs0oH4QOAiQG3jpY5C07ni8GYBzmTKIjVWMFs2GFec&dib_tag=se&keywords=Alan+V+Goldman&qid=1730728560&sprefix=%2Caps%2C313&sr=8-1https://www.mountainreflections.art/homehttp://www.KingPagesPress.comhttp://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/11724agoldman.mp3

Little Johnny Stories by Nancy BallingerLittle Johnny is a fun-loving inquisitive little boy who finds himself in many interesting situations, but he always learns a lesson in the end. You will laugh and learn from Little Johnny's adventures, and you maybe even find that you've experienced something similar in your life. Many of his problems could be avoided if he would just listen to his parents' advice. Whether he is going to school for the first time, breaking a vase, or losing his first tooth, you will enjoy his antics and will love seeing situations through Little Johnny's eyes. His experiences can be enjoyed one story at a time, but don't be surprised if you are left wanting more.Nancy Ballinger, a retired teacher, lives in Kentucky with her husband Hank. She has one daughter, Melinda; her husband, Stewart; and three grandchildren, Caden, Cameron, and Andi that she loves spending time with. She taught first grade in public school for over twenty-seven years and currently works with students at Blast Christian Academy, a school founded by her daughter. She has always had a love of reading and storytelling and has shared that love with countless students for over thirty years.https://www.amazon.com/Little-Johnny-Stories-Nancy-Ballinger/dp/B0CZLZYFSK/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3y5HODYt3MwWwB_PIyff9gT4FAKFtiJfrPjRQScwN_bnLY917KLFN63w14H1O6iqAhxlPKiW8ah06k-XXNFx7-MkeC5MNv6OdLI1yessvWkx-lHAkmw_3j33dWHimYyPARLYYtcFujsPjo7d6KaQ2GECct28LtZU7Up98fil8R_ofuvLJtOJ4vmmMCSeekxpslB4Z0G0sIBcc9T0RCevOAyOV0hxvFeCqDvBMZB7JLs.jY1GtoBRXwcKFJlquX23t-FetEjWFw-px_QwKtghKAk&qid=1730728517&sr=8-1https://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=little-johnny-storieshttp://www.KingPagesPress.com   http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/11724kpp1.mp3

An Angelic Folly by Peter PrizelJacob Monger, a social worker at a hospice, has just been through a painful divorce and is having his two young daughters overnight for the first time. He is eager to succeed with his visit, but he must also attend to Tony, a hospice patient and Vietnam Veteran, who has a penchant for collecting records and playing Mozart’s The Requiem. Tony is actively dying and is trying to settle unfinished business with his own children. Jacob’s efforts to help his patient make peace with his situation before his death are made more difficult by the Arch Angel Gabriel, who is having his own qualms with his Father. As punishment for disobeying Him, Gabriel is confined to the magical heavenly chariot of Ezekiel, whose tires he must constantly replace with the souls of humans—those who have been errant fathers—to keep it running. Peter Prizel is an end-of-life care social worker. He recently received his MFA from Manhattanville College. He has published several poems and short stories. When not at work or spending time with his family, Peter can be found at museums or in some foreign country hunting for new ideas.https://www.amazon.com/Angelic-Folly-Peter-Prizel/dp/B0DJGP7B5X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YQDPK16MXRDZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KPiUyei1U0UIQMt6__vnO2X6bJQoPIwnDkcHFrAU943GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.RSRDPlLV-E2fjAQrvRIvJTXHSQqwZbyqIzchHo5P0V0&dib_tag=se&keywords=peter+prizel&qid=1729725416&sprefix=%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-1https://leavittpeakpress.com/http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/11724pp.mp3   The Fermented Savior by Peter PrizelMarie Martin is a young girl who is the daughter of two vineyard workers at Baron Rothchild’s estate, which once housed Marie Currie’s lab, causing the soil to become radioactive and magical. After the Baron leaves for Great Britain due to his Jewish origins, Marie’s family is left to run the estate occupied by the Germans. While the Baron is gone, she discovers that grapes are magical and that the ones in the “white” vineyard are pro-Nazi and those in the “purple” vineyard are Jewish. The purple grapes reveal that if made into wine, they can convince those who drink them that the Jews should not be persecuted.Günter Adler is the son of a viticulturalist who worked with the Baron as his business partner in Germany before the war. Drafted into the Wehrmacht along with his father Heinz Adler, Günter finds himself helping Marie harvest the Jewish grapes to help the Jewish populace while simultaneously being under pressure to supply wine for the German Luftwaffe at Göring’s orders.https://www.amazon.com/Fermented-Savior-Peter-Prizel-ebook/dp/B0DHYKFK99/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2YQDPK16MXRDZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KPiUyei1U0UIQMt6__vnO2X6bJQoPIwnDkcHFrAU943GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.RSRDPlLV-E2fjAQrvRIvJTXHSQqwZbyqIzchHo5P0V0&dib_tag=se&keywords=peter+prizel&qid=1729725443&sprefix=%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-2https://leavittpeakpress.com/

2024-47seg3 Weekend of 11-16-24

2024-47seg2 Weekend of 11-16-24

2024-47seg1  Weekend of 11-16-24

2024-47 Weekend of 11-16-24

Celebrating Our Creator's Truth of Love, Life, and Light: A Child of Light by Yvonne TrapaniThe underlying message in the book, Celebrating Our Creator’s Truth of Love, Life and Light is: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” How does one go about learning truth as with age and new information our perception can change?  This is a lifelong process, moving forward and changing when clearer understanding and wisdom is gained.  Take one day at a time, eating one bite at a time, developing discipline, courage to change, understanding freedom to choose but not free from the consequences that are governed by the laws of nature, government and family. This is a book to be studied.  The children’s stories are simple, the poetry is beautiful, uplifting and to the point, the affirmations solidify the letter of light and the twenty two letters of light go into depth of the true nature of humankind.  When you understand the letters of light you will see our Creator is over all and no religious or philosophy name can put our Creator in a box that causes division.  Yeshua said, “The father and I are one” and to those, “Creator born within”, the Creator and I are one.Born in New Iberia, La. Yvonne is one of 7 children, first girl and second in line. In her teenage years she played tennis, was first runner up to Miss New Iberia and was a cheerleader for New Iberia Sr. High. She graduated from Charity school of nursing in New Orleans with a registered nurse diploma. She married and had two girls, Sonya and Amber. She earned the title “Mrs. Louisiana” in 1975 and then took time off from nursing and became a beauty consultant for Beauti Control Cosmetics. She was recognized as top 5 sales person in the nation.She began to write children stories of which 2 were published and was interviewed by Orleans Guide, Daily Iberian, State Times, Morning Advocate, Italian American Digest and interviewed on radio and TV stations.\This was the beginning of her writing career. At age 32, an interest in the Bible and its wisdom moved her into a better lifestyle. Becoming a vegetarian, removing alcohol and places that served this beverage was the result of the pursuit of health in body and mind. Freedom and truth still motivated her to continue her bible studyhttps://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Creators-Truth-Love-Light/dp/1778834744  https://yvonnetrapani.com/  http://www.KingPagesPress.comhttp://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/102424kpp.mp3

Time Messenger by F. Jay FaloneThere can be only four humans other than yourself who understand the full implications of this project: President Truman, Professor Einstein, and my father, who will in time explain the situation to me. We must ensure that the mission is completed and the Tarsi survive. The Tarsi are our allies in 2007 against an intergalactic threat, which threatens the entire human race. If they do not survive, we as a race will not survive... Time travel novel that inadvertently sends the travelers back 65 Million years and they meet an ancient civilization of evolved dinosaurs and save them by warning the early inhabitants of earth of the approaching 6 mile wide asteroid that wipes out nearly all life on earth and in return the Tarsi (ancient inhabitants) watch over human development and protect them from an aggressive race that want the seemingly uninhabited earthJay Falone, electrical engineering degree from University of Lowell Massachusetts—now Umass Lowell-was inspired by early Science Fiction—mostly by the 1953 War of the Worlds, Day the Earth stood still, First Men in the Moon, Lost in Space, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Six million dollar man and more,https://www.amazon.com/Time-Messenger-F-Jay-Falone-ebook/dp/B0DHLSLDYF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3VOZP49HDZ627&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8dyPVGClXXGg1GK5VF0tww.Vs6MsXaUyBqjiwjHQvVRlymuwryR9pR9KS94Z3mdosY&dib_tag=se&keywords=F+Jay+Falone&qid=1730109175&sprefix=%2Caps%2C308&sr=8-1http://www.KingPagesPress.com   http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/103124kpp.mp3

Between Walls of Water by Randy AndersonActs, a young teenage boy, pledges his life to be the servant of Joshua, a warrior chosen by Moses to guide the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. Under the mighty hand of God and faced with Pharaoh's vengeful pursuit, they embark on a treacherous journey with over two million people in tow. Acts becomes witness to extraordinary miracles, each solidifying his belief in the Divine Power watching over them. Together, they journey through barren deserts, face internal dissensions, and confront the ever-present threat of Pharaoh's army. Yet, amidst the hardships, Acts discovers his own leadership potential, learning to inspire and guide others through his steadfast belief.The climactic showdown with Pharaoh's forces threatens to extinguish their flickering hope. Will their faith in God's protection be enough to secure their freedom, or will they succumb to the shackles of bondage once more?This is a story of faith tested, miracles witnessed, and a nation's spirit forged in the fires of exodus. Through the eyes of Acts, we witness the transformative power of belief, the burden of leadership, and the unwavering hand of God leading His people to freedom. A United States Marine Veteran and a dedicated career registered nurse of over 33 years, Randy has seamlessly transitioned from serving his country and caring for patients to weaving tales that captivate the imagination. His love for writing historical, Christian fiction is deeply rooted in his fascination with Old Testament history. Randy’s unique ability to develop compelling characters and intricate themes, all grounded in biblical facts, ensures that his readers are in for a thrilling and enlightening experience. Randy’s debut novel, “Between Walls of Water,” takes readers on an epic journey with the Children of Israel as they escape Egypt. But the adventure doesn’t stop at the Red Sea; the saga continues for another 40 years, filled with excitement and intrigue, making the series a must-read for fans of historical fiction. Beyond his literary pursuits, Randy is also a talented singer and songwriter. During his college years at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he earned a degree in Biology, he was a member of the musical group “Matthew.” His musical journey didn’t end there; he has also served as a student pastor and led in numerous worship experiences, touching many lives with his music and faith. When he’s not writing or making music, Randy indulges in his love for woodworking. His specialty? Crafting beautifully designed hardwood chess boards that are as much a pleasure to look at as they are to play on. He also enjoys traveling with his wife, exploring new places, and cherishing moments with his kids and grandkids. Randy Anderson calls Tulsa, Oklahoma, his home—a place where his diverse interests and talents come together, creating a life rich in creativity, faith, and family.https://www.amazon.com/Between-Walls-Water-Randy-Anderson/dp/1953821758/ref=monarch_sidesheet_titlehttps://www.randallcanderson.com/https://www.ecbookstore.com/product/between-walls-of-water/http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/101024raec.mp3

2024-46seg3 Weekend of November 9

2024-46seg2 Weekend of November 9

2024-46seg1 Weekend of November 9

2024-46 Weekend of November 9

2024-45seg3 Weekend of November 2

2024-45seg2 Weekend of November 2

2024-45seg1 Weekend of November 2

2024-45 Weekend of November 2