Living Stones

We are back, Living Stones family! In this episode we gear up for one final plague against Pharoah and Egypt in this war for the people of Israel freedom. We get a glimpse into the cost for us to live with distinction, see the precursor for the favor of the Lord, and meet Moses at one of many heights in his Faith journey!

We are approaching the climax of the plagues in Egypt and find that Moses and Aaron have developed a boldness, unlike anything we have ever seen. The love of Abba is on full display as the conversations have dwindled and tensions increase between the nations of Israel and Egypt.

In this episode Pharoah finally admits to his evil and seems to have a repented heart. Except Moses, having the spirit of discernment, knows that it is but for a little while - long enough to have the plagues reversed. We learn to let our obedience to the Lord be solely based on His words and not on the responses of those around us.

In this episode, the confrontation continues and the plagues begin due to Pharoahs stubborn heart. We also see the faithfulness of God who does according to the prayer of Moses and makes sure to set apart Goshen for Israel who finds safety in the presence of God during the plagues.

Moses and Aaron are before Pharoah and it is time to perform the first wonders- turning Aaron's rod into a snake and the Nile rover along with all the waters of Egypt into blood. In this episode,  we witness the beginning symbolism of Yahweh confrontations with false Egyptian dieties and the stubbornness of Pharoahs heart.

God does not choose blindly. He is well aware of our inadequacies and in many cases chooses us because of them for His glory. In this episode, we see a vulnerable Moses struggling to accept the call of God on his life.

In this episode, we see Moses and Aaron's first confrontation with Pharoah who makes it clear he does not regard the God of the Hebrews. We discover a common scheme of distraction and wrestle with doubts of whether God really said what we thought we heard.

Even after God promises Moses to be with him, Moses is still struggling to settle into the call on his life as Israel's leader. In this episode we see God's tenacity and determination to bring to pass what He said using exactly who He said He would- Moses. How do we respond to the call of God?

In this episode, we are introduced to I AM THAT I AM - the almighty God that summons Moses to deliver His people from Egypt. Moses responds with self-doubt and tries to pass this great task onto someone else. How does God respond to our feelings of inadequacy when He calls us?

In this episode, we learn of the beginning circumstances for Moses- hidden in the reeds by the river to spare his life and then eventually joining togetber with his new family in Midian. We see a few similar trends in this story to the life of his forefathers Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. We also see a faithful God respond to the cries of His people! 

In this episode, we learn of the mindset held by the new king of Egypt who has no regard for the descendants of Israel. We also meet Shiphrah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives who choose to obey God and go against the royal order to kill every son born among the Hebrews. 

In this final chapter of Genesis, we say goodbye to Jacob and Joseph and prepare for the long journey ahead back to the promise land- as God promised one day Israel would return. We find ourselves back yet again to a new beginning. 

In this episode, we learn of the prophecies pronounced by Jacob over his twelve sons - to become the twelve tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.

As a part of the next generation of Israel, Ephraim & Manasseh receives a blessing from their grandfather. Except, it is the youngest child that is acknowledged as the triumphant leader of the two brothers. Is this a rectifying conclusion to the generational pattern of the youngest being the one to suffer?

How did Egypt become the richest country in the first place? In this episode, Joseph exercises his authority and wisdom to develop one of the first taxing systems during the extreme famine which was so catastrophic that people offered their livestock, land,  and eventually themselves as a form of currency for bread. We also hear the desire of Israel to return back to the promise land to be buried with his fathers.

In this episode, Jacob is reunited with his son, Joseph but not before God comforts Israel of his safe travels into Egypt and eventual return back to the Promise Land. We also witness the comfort and peace of Jehovah Shalom who calms the unspoken fears of Jacob as he prepares to leave for Egypt. What can we learn about trusting God to be with us when we are afraid? 

In this episode, we meet El Roi once again- the God who sees us in our tribulations. Joseph comes to the realization that he was brought to Egypt to be the conduit of a miracle for his immediate family and for the nation. We learn the characteristic of God as a redeemer and restorer and dig deeper into the garment changes of Joseph's brothers who travels to tell Jacob the good news of his son!

In this episode, we see how God interrupts the patterns of generational jealousy and evny between the family of the Promise. How much more can God bring our families together? Why did Joseph have a silver cup for the practice of divination in the first place? 

Joseph's brothers have returned once again to Egypt and this time they have brought Benjamin- Joseph's baby brother with whom he shares the same father and beloved mother, Rachel. In this episode, we witness the complexity of Joseph's grief and yearning to have a family. It is a desperate desire and hurt that is not quenched by his favor or power in Egypt. 

Sometimes, our sacrifice can feel like a personal punishment or rebuke from God. In this episode, we watch closely as Joseph comes face to face with his brothers for the first time since they sold him into slavery. What can we learn about forgiveness from Joseph's response to his brothers?

In this episode, we arrive at the purpose of Joseph's journey from the pit to the palace. As it turns out, God had nations on His mind. What does this reveal about how the Lord can use our afflictions to feed nations?

As Living Stones, we are called to set free the captives and heal their wounds even while we are bound and hurting ourselves. How is this possible? How is it fair? In this episode, we see Joseph using his gift of interpreting dreams to restore hope. We also see a reflection of our human tendency in becoming so drunk with our newly found freedom that we forget to remember the One who set us free.

In this episode, we see the integrity of Joseph's character on full display as he flees (translated to run with terror) from Potiphar's wife. Falsely accused of sexual assault, Joseph is thrown into prison but God continues to release His unmerrited favor upon him. We also discuss the gift that is the favor and mercy of God we inherit when in relationship with Abba. 

The Hebrew word Harlot translates directly to mean "holy woman" and describes cultic prostitutes used in pagan religious activities to worship false gods. Tamar, a woman percieved as a harlot by Judah, is also who God decided to use in the lineage of Jesus Christ! In this episode, we see the grace and mercy of God extended outside of the covenant family. We also see to what extent God will go to defend His inheritance of a righteous offspring.

Did God give you a promise? Did He show you a dream? Did He reveal a vision? In this episode, we meet Joseph, the Dreamer who was called to be a ruler over his brothers at only seventeen years old. The story of Joseph teaches us about the ambiguous space between the pit and the palace.

In this episode, hosted by Caira Scott from Unsilenced Truths, we discuss the dichotomy of Capacity vs. Capabilty.

In this episode, we review the genealogy of Esau that is decorated with chiefs and kings- or so it seems. While Jacobs life is decorated with challenges, it appears that Esau went on to "prosper" in the land of Canaan. However, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?

In this episode, we follow the journey for Jacob back to the beginning upon his invite from the Lord to Bethel - House of God. Jacob teaches us how to respond to God when we are called out of darkness and into light. We also see how a woman has the special anointing to command the atmosphere of the home- either for good or evil.

Trigger Warning: Sexual TraumaFrom the first recorded sexual assault and kidnapping case in the Bible, we meet Dinah- the daughter of Jacob and Leah. While we never hear her perspective from this gruesome experience, we are offered a glimpse into the mentality among the people of Canaan. What congruences do we find in this chapter and in chapter six?Is God absent as all of this is taking place? Or is it possible that He was the driving force which led Simeon and Levi to come forth "boldly"?

The journey to reconciliation is long but not for Jesus. In this episode, we study the events that led up to two brothers finding peace amongst themselves again. We also see a foreshadow of Jesus Christ who came to guide us back into the warm embrace of Abba. What is the Lord's response to someone returning back to Him?

In this episode we study the transformation from Jacob to Israel, Hebrew for Prince with God. This is the first use of Jacobs new name and our introduction to what will be God's chosen people. What happens when Jacob struggles with both man and God?

Thus sayeth the Lord, "Shut up and GO!"

In this episode, we talk about the promised partnership of God with women experiencing infertility. What happens when our natural remedies collide with supernatural faithfulness of Elohim? Are we limiting the idea of what it means to be fruitful?

How does a man of God respond when he finds his wife? What is he willing to do and how much is he willing to sacrafice? In this episode, we dig deeper into the seemingly unfair exchange between Leah who is unloved and Rachel who is barren.

In this episode, we find an example of the faithfulness of God in His promise to not leave Jacob until He has done what He promised concerning him. Obedience is a natural response to the Love of God.

In this episode, we learn of the deception a mother undergoes to steal a blessing from one son to give to his brother. How does Jacob attempt to manipulate the gift of discernment through the senses?

In this episode, we talk about the difference between a covenant with man versus a covenant with God. What do we do when we can see what God promised us but keep on running into blockades every time we try to possess it? According to Genesis 26 - WE KEEP DIGGING!

"If all is well, why am I like this?" is a common question we have when things don't look the way God promised it would, but have we left room to consider that God is birthing nations while we were only expecting twins? In this episode, we have our second encounter of a barren wife, Rebekah. We also see what happens when we allow our temporary cravings to speak on the behalf of our eternal birthright.

Conclusion of our conversation on living together and having sex with someone that is not our spouse. Let's go deeper on some of the ramifications and talk practical steps!

Shacking = Cohabitating with a romantic partner who is not your spouse.Fornicating = Having sex [in any and all forms] with a romantic partner who is not your spouse.The church tells us not to do this but rarely explains why. Well...We did both and learned 'why' afterward. In this episode, my life partner and I share our story of developing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ during the dating phase. Many times when we talk about relationships, it is in the context of marriage. We are offering our story as a source of wisdom and in some cases as an example of what NOT to do.

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Rebekah and learn of the grimy tendencies of her brother, Laban, way before Jacob was sent to live with him. The story of Isaac and Rebekah is the first 'Love At First Sight' moment recorded! What can wives learn from Rebekah about being a comfort to their husbands?

In this episode, we meet Rebekah, the wife chosen for Isaac, Abraham's eldest son. Rebekah embodies the heart of a servant and teaches us to do all things as unto the Lord with urgency, grace, and excellence.

In this episode, we gain a valuable lesson on humility as Abraham navigates a transaction for burial land to lay his wife, Sarah, to rest. We also find a common theme of denying the delicacies of the world and holding fast to the promises of God. Should we have to bargain for things that God already said are ours?

What if God asked you to give back to Him the very thing He promised you? What if He asked you to give Him your only son? In this episode, we dissect the exchange between God and Abraham who is asked to offer up his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering to the Lord.

The promise is here at the appointed time and in the same manner God spoke it would arrive! In this episode, we meet Isaac, the promised son unto Abraham from God. There is only one problem, Sarah finds Ishmael scoffing at Isaac. What was her response and what exactly was the reason for it? Why did God respond to Ishmael's crying when Hagar cried out?

In this episode, we learn of an exchange between Abraham and Abimelech that changed both men. We also see how a survival mode mindset influences Abraham's decisions. How does our Heavenly Father respond to our trauma?

In this episode, we review the events that took place leading to Sodom and Gomorrah being destroyed. We'll also look at some of the historical context from this chapter and what it can teach us about our future.

In this episode, we learn from Abraham how to host the presence of the Lord. What are some prerequisites before God can reveal the mysteries of heaven to us? Have we been like Sarah, eavesdropping on our own storyline?

In this episode, we take a look at the sign of an everlasting promise made by God to Abraham and to YOU. How does God respond to our doubt? What is our end of the promise?

In this episode, we follow the life of Hagar, an Egyptian servant forced to birth a son to her mistress husband. A strange thing happens when she flees from her mistress who harshly deals with her- the Angel of the Lord tells her to go back INTO the affliction. Why?