Many conventions from historical, Western societies have been patriarchal in nature. However, while Celtic society was certainly still male-dominated, Celtic women—depending on the social class they were born into—were often afforded access to wealth and even training as warriors. They were figureheads, leaders, mothers, and healers. Additionally, many of the most important figures in Celtic mythology were female goddesses.   Celtic goddesses were often associated with fertility, childbirth, and the cycles of nature. Many goddesses presided over natural resources, such as rivers and forests. The natural world was incredibly significant to Celtic peoples, who revered their surrounding landscape and often integrated it into their ritual practices. As such, women—both real and mythological—were incredibly important in the Celtic world.   Sources of Knowledge on Women in Celtic Society Alcove portrait tomb stela with the busts of a married couple, entrance to the subsidiary church Saint James the Greater in Lendorf, Wölfnitz, Klagenfurt, Carinthia, Austria. Source: Wikimedia Commons   What we know about Celtic society is largely based on archaeological evidence, rather than textual sources. Celtic peoples did not produce many written sources, as they were a predominantly oral culture. Most textual sources from the period documenting accounts of Celtic peoples, therefore, come from their Greek and Roman neighbors.   These sources are typically travel narratives and war narratives and are relatively unconcerned with describing the inner workings of Celtic society. Rather, they are primarily interested in characterizing Celtic peoples as barbarians. This characterization positioned the Celts as inherently different from the ancient Greeks and Romans and justified the imperial expansion that occurred during the transition from the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.   What does this mean for our knowledge about Celtic women? What we do know about Celtic women from textual sources comes largely from these biased narratives. Many of these sources have been called into question in more recent scholarship.   For example, Strabo mentions a Celtic tribe in which the “Men and women dance together, holding each other’s hands,” which was unusual among Mediterranean peoples. He states that the position of the sexes relative to each other is “opposite… to how it is with us.” Evidently, Strabo’s intention may have been to describe how Celtic peoples were the opposite of the Romans, rather than to describe their social interactions as they may have truly been.   Boudica Statue by the Thames, photo by Gary Housten. Source: Wikimedia Commons   A truer image of the various roles women may have occupied in Celtic society can be pieced together from archaeological evidence. Based on evidence from graves, as well as general domestic settlements, we know that women were responsible for child-rearing, most healing practices, and the maintenance of the home. This much is also recorded by ancient authors.   There is also evidence of some level of female involvement in the warrior class. However, there is no significant evidence to suggest that women were wholly equal to men in Celtic society: Caesar wrote that men had the power of life and death over their wives, as well as their children. The position of women in Celtic society, however, is nevertheless an interesting topic of inquiry.   Social Status and Wealth: How High Could Women Climb? The Vix Krater, c. 530 BCE. Source: Wikimedia Commons   All the archaeological and literary evidence suggests that Celtic society was hierarchical and stratified into classes based on honor and status. There was an unfree class—taking the form of slaves and prisoners of war—and a free class, who were able to exist freely but fell under the authority of more elite individuals.   Higher-class individuals included druids, bards, and prophets—all religious figures—and potentially craftsmen, and of course, the king and his family. The possibility of women holding high social status in their own right, rather than by virtue of their male relatives, varied throughout the Celtic world. By and large, elite women achieved their status through their connection to elite male counterparts. Their wealth would not have been limited in any way, and some of the richest burials from Iron Age Europe clearly belonged to women.   Furthermore, in the 1st century CE in Britain two tribes—the Iceni and the Brigantes—were ruled by queens: Boudica and Cartimandua, respectively. By the Early Medieval Period, however, women’s abilities to obtain this high social status accompanied by independent legal rights had faded away.   The True Picture of a Women Picte, by Theodor de Bry, 1588. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Women’s graves signify just how wealthy elite Celtic women were: they are often found surrounded by hairpins, cast bronze torcs (thick necklaces often associated with Celtic warriors and elites), necklaces of beads made of glass, amber, bone, horn, agate, and bronze, arm rings, bracelets, armlets for the forearms, and anklets.   The Vix Grave from modern France is the most famous rich female burial to be found to date. A huge bronze mixing bowl, known as the Vix Krater, indicates the status of the woman buried there. The grave was interpreted as belonging to a woman because of the high volume of jewelry and the assemblage of imported objects from Italy and Greece associated with the preparation of wine. The presence of jewelry would not have been an automatic indicator that a grave belonged to a woman, as men also wore jewelry, but the amount and type of jewelry may have signified a female owner.   Women as Warriors Boudica, by Charles Hamilton Smith, 1821. Source: Google Books   Likely the most famous of Celtic woman was Boudica, the aforementioned warrior queen of the Iceni. Cassius Dio described Boudica in his Roman History. He wrote:   “But the person who was chiefly instrumental in rousing the natives and persuading them to fight the Romans, the person who was thought worthy to be their leader and who directed the conduct of the entire war, was Buduica, a Briton woman of the royal family and possessed of greater intelligence than often belongs to women… In stature she was very tall, in appearance most terrifying, in the glance of her eye most fierce, and her voice was harsh; a great mass of the tawniest hair fell to her hips; around her neck was a large golden necklace; and she wore a tunic of diverse colors over which a thick mantle was fastened with a brooch. This was her invariable attire.”   Dio clearly identifies that Boudica was unique. His description, however, is like other ancient writers’ descriptions of unnamed Celtic warrior women. In Book V of his Historical Library, Diodorus Siculus wrote, “The women of the Gauls are not only like men in their great stature, but they are a match for them in courage as well.” Marcus Borealis wrote:   “The women of the Celtic tribes are bigger and stronger than our Roman women. This is most likely due to their nature as well as their peculiar fondness for all things martial and robust. The flaxen haired maidens of the north are trained in sports and war while our gentle ladies are content to do their womanly duties and thus are less powerful than most young girls from Gaul and the hinterlands.”   Boadicea Haranguing the Britons, by John Opie, 18th century. Source: Easy Art   And Plutarch:   “Here the women met them holding swords and axes in their hands. With hideous shrieks of rage, they tried to drive back the hunted and the hunters. The fugitives as deserters, the pursuers as foes. With bare hands the women tore away the shields of the Romans or grasped their swords, enduring mutilating wounds.”   Quotes from ancient writers such as this present evidence that Celtic women were trained in the use of weapons, and likely in battle tactics as well. However, these sources should be interrogated: were they just exaggerating the involvement of women in war to justify imperial expansion over barbaric people? There is, on the other hand, a significant minority of weapons burials from Iron Age Britain that are believed to be for female warriors, which provide archaeological support for these written claims.   Female Celtic Goddesses Stone carving of Epona shown with two horses, 4th century CE. Source: Balkan Celts   The Celtic peoples did not have one clearly defined pantheon of gods — “Celtic” is an umbrella term that refers to peoples living across Europe over a large span of time. However, there are a few major deities that are consistent across Celtic mythology. Many of the Celtic deities are goddesses, and often their domain is associated with nature. For instance, Brigid is the Celtic goddess of poetry, healing, fire, smithcraft, and fertility.   Brigid is still celebrated on Imbolc, a pagan holiday that originated from the Celts and marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. The word imbolc means “in the belly of the Mother,” because the seeds of spring are beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth.   Over the years, Brigid was adopted by Christianity as St. Brigid. Brigid (or Bridget) is the patron saint of Irish nuns, newborns, midwives, dairy maids, and cattle. The stories of St. Brigid and the goddess Brigid are very similar. Both are associated with milk, fire, the home, and babies.   A modern mural of the Celtic goddess Brigid and her saintly Christian alter-ego, Dundalk, Ireland. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Another important Celtic goddess is the Morrigan, goddess of war and fate. The Morrigan was said to appear on the battlefield before important battles, predicting the outcome and sometimes choosing who would live or die.   The goddess Epona, on the other hand, was the goddess of horses. She was believed to protect horses and riders. Epona was also associated with fertility and abundance, and her worship was particularly popular among the Gaulish and Roman cavalry. She was seen as a protector of the natural world and was associated with the cycles of life and death.   Lastly, a major Celtic goddess—and one particularly associated with nature—was Danu, the mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the ancient Irish gods and goddesses. She was believed to be the mother of all the gods and was associated with fertility, motherhood, and the cycles of nature. Because Danu was associated with nature and nurturing, she was also associated with the land and the natural world, which included agriculture.   Depictions of Celtic Women Snettisham Great Torc, 150-50 BCE. Source: The British Museum   Depictions of Celtic peoples, particularly those rendered by Celtic artists, are rare. Even rarer are depictions of Celtic women. Most depictions of Celtic women that we do have are either ancient Roman or Gallo-Roman depictions, and the women are depicted in the standard Roman style. In these images, women are often shown wearing headdresses rather than bareheaded, so while we know little about typical forms of Celtic female hairstyling, we know that higher-class women, at least, likely wore headdresses.   References to what Celtic women looked like often serve to characterize them as barbaric. As per Dio’s quote about Boudica, referenced earlier: “In stature she was very tall, in appearance most terrifying … a great mass of the tawniest hair fell to her hips; around her neck was a large golden necklace; and she wore a tunic of diverse colors.”    Diodorus Siculus wrote that Celtic men and women wore clothing made from very colorful cloth, often with a gold-embroidered outer layer, and held together with golden fibulae. The women’s tunic was longer than the men’s, and a leather or metal belt (sometimes a chain) was tied around the waist. Archaeological finds in female burials present significant evidence that elite Celtic women wore a lot of gold and bronze jewelry including hairpins, brooches, necklaces, bracelets, arm rings, barrel-shaped armlets, and anklets.   Bibliography   Green, M. (1996). The Celtic World. Routledge. Maier, B. (2018). The Celts: A History from Earliest Times to the Present. Edinburgh University Press.

The Workmen’s City of Deir el-Medina. Source: University of Leiden.   Considered Egypt’s Golden Age, the New Kingdom was a period of economic success, expansion, and advancements in technology, art, and architecture. Some of ancient Egypt’s most spectacular monuments date from this era. Unfortunately, this mighty empire fell into decline, like many civilizations did during the Late Bronze Age. Several factors contributed to the decline of the Egyptian New Kingdom, but researchers now believe that a long period of drought caused by climate change was a major catalyst.   Life in New Kingdom Egypt Ipuy and his wife receive offerings from the children, c. 1279-1213 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.   Dating from about 1550-1070 BCE, Egypt’s New Kingdom is the most well-documented era in ancient Egyptian history. Some of the most famous pharaohs ruled during this period, including Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun, and Ramesses the Great. These rulers of the Golden Age oversaw nearly 500 years of political stability, economic prosperity, and imperial expansion.   Much of the Mediterranean saw major advances during this time, as the Bronze Age ushered in economic, political, and technological advances. Trade routes expanded, giving societies greater access to resources, particularly bronze tools and weapons that revolutionized both routine work and warfare.   It was also an era of widespread literacy, with specialized artisans, merchants, and diplomats exchanging written communication within Egypt and beyond. Much of the information about this time has come from ancient contracts, bills of sale, and diplomatic letters that have survived through time. The Egyptian Book of the Dead was also created during this period. It is a collection of mortuary texts intended to protect the deceased on their journey to the afterlife.   The New Kingdom era saw a surge in grand architecture and art in ancient Egypt, thanks to funds and resources coming from the far reaches of the empire. With this wealth, pharaohs commissioned monumental temples, statues, and tombs. Famous examples include the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. The interiors of these royal tombs were exquisitely painted and carved with religious texts and images revealing details of life during the New Kingdom.   The Decline of the New Kingdom Temple of Amun at Karnak. Source: Worldhistory.org.   After nearly 500 years of unprecedented growth and prosperity, signs of trouble began to surface during Ramesses III’s reign (1186-1155 BCE). Considered to be the last great pharaoh of the New Kingdom, Ramesses III fought to keep the empire intact, defeating the invading Sea Peoples and the Hittites. Unfortunately, other long-standing factors were creating difficulties.   While a strong centralized government persisted through most of Egypt’s New Kingdom, the pharaoh’s power gradually weakened. During the 20th dynasty (1089-1077 BCE), high priests became more powerful, leading to political fracture. Towards the end of the New Kingdom, there were as many as 80,000 priests employed at Thebes, plus more in other cities. Some of the high priests had more wealth and influence than the pharaoh.   While the military conquests of the 18th and 19th dynasties resulted in Egypt’s expansion, the costs of these campaigns led to financial strain. Combined, this financial strain and political fracture likely affected commerce and resource distribution.   Contributing to Egypt’s decline at the end of the New Kingdom was a protracted and devastating period of droughts. Several records detail how Egypt and neighboring territories suffered great losses in agriculture during this period. While Egypt made efforts to adapt to this climate change, it seems that the New Kingdom eventually succumbed to the consequences of these droughts.   Reconstructing the New Kingdom Environment Garden scene from the tomb of Ipuy, tempera on paper, c. 1295-1213 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.   Researchers have long known that the Levant—modern day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—suffered from a protracted drought during the Late Bronze Age, which happens to coincide with the decline of the New Kingdom. The extent of the environmental stress experienced by ancient Egypt was unknown until scientists were able to analyze sediment recovered from dated archaeological sites.   Fortunately, researchers can reconstruct historic climates and ecosystems with pollen recovered from sediment cores collected at archaeological sites. Pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating suggest that climate change may have had a hand in the demise of the New Kingdom.   This testing revealed a sudden decline in pollen from olive trees and Mediterranean trees like oaks and pines. Experts have interpreted this information as a sign of prolonged and severe droughts between 1250 and 1100 BCE. It is thought that by the time the droughts broke, the New Kingdom couldn’t recover due to political fractures, social disruption, and threats from foreign invaders.   Harvest scenes from 18 th dynasty Tomb of Menna, c. 1420-1411 BCE. Source: University of Chicago.   Pollen analysis also revealed that Egyptians attempted to adapt to this climate change. Researchers believe that rulers anticipated crop failures in arid regions and ordered increased grain production in areas with more access to water. Analysis of DNA from cattle remains suggests that farmers crossbred their herds with zebu, a more heat-resistant subspecies of cattle.   Archaeologists believe that these efforts may have helped to prolong the life of the Egyptian empire by a few decades. Unfortunately, these agricultural adaptations were not enough for the kingdom to thrive.   Why Would a Drought Contribute to the Decline of the New Kingdom? Carved motif featuring barley, c. 1353-1336 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.   Outside of recent scientific research, several historical records make reference to a series of droughts and famines that affected the peoples of the Levant and Mediterranean towards the end of the Bronze Age. During the late 13th century through the early 12th century BCE, agriculture suffered greatly, particularly grain crops.   In a letter to Ramesses II, a Hittite queen told the pharaoh, “I have no grain in my lands.” Egyptian rulers had long been stockpiling grain supplies, so pharaohs of the late New Kingdom did what they could to supply neighbors. These efforts were likely driven by a combination of humanitarian and political motives, and helped the empire survive longer than it would have otherwise.   Regardless of agricultural adaptations and judicious political action, Egypt eventually suffered from debilitating food shortages. Even with access to the Nile, grain production was markedly reduced, which led to depletion in reserves and other staple crops like legumes, lettuce, and flax.   The depletion in grain reserves led to societal unrest, as Egypt was a cashless society at the time. It is probably no coincidence that the first recorded workers’ strike occurred during this time. In November of 1152 BCE, a strike was organized by workmen and artisans who built the extravagant tombs in the Valley of the Kings.   According to the Turin Strike Papyrus, the workers had not received their wages, which were paid in grain rations. This ancient record provides an account of the socioeconomic problems of the time, as well as details on the labor strike by the workmen of Deir el-Medina. In a non-violent show of discontent, the workmen staged a demonstration at Ramesses III’s mortuary temple and a sit-in at the temple of Thutmose III.   The Workmen’s City of Deir el-Medina. Source: University of Leiden.   Another consequence of the drought was the depletion of lumber supply. While monumental architecture like temples and tombs built by the workmen of Deir el-Medina were typically constructed with cut stone, most other structures and dwellings were built with wood and mud brick. Wood material was either locally sourced or imported from neighboring territories.   Unfortunately, the entire region experienced prolonged droughts simultaneously, resulting in diminished supply of lumber. This likely inhibited construction and structure maintenance that was necessary in the growing cities. It is possible that poor forest management also contributed to the shortage, as the tremendous growth during the New Kingdom required more resources than ever before.   Commerce was also negatively impacted by the extended droughts. Throughout Egypt’s history, economic success was dependent on the trade of agricultural goods. This was especially important during the Bronze Age, as harvests, gold, and other resources were exchanged for bronze, wood, and precious materials like gems and silver.   Luxurious cargo found on a Bronze Age shipwreck. Source: Nautical Archaeology.   With the expansion of the empire during the New Kingdom, Egypt had become more and more reliant on long-distance trade networks. As these trade partners suffered the ongoing droughts and famine, these networks broke down.   Unfortunately, the dissolution of trade networks and depletion of resources ushered in an age of competition. Despite all efforts to adapt, the empire’s borders were no longer secure. By this time, Egypt was fighting off threats of invasion.   Several ancient texts attribute the fall of the New Kingdom to the invasion of the Sea Peoples. While there is no firm consensus as to the origins of the Sea Peoples, it is generally believed that they came from areas in the Mediterranean and Aegean that suffered from the same series of droughts.   Relief of Ramses III fighting the Sea People from the mortuary temple of Ramses III, c. 1200-1150 BCE. Source: Tennessee State University.   Eventually, the Egyptian empire began to shrink and weaken. While the decline of the New Kingdom was probably inevitable, the magnificent growth and advancement of this Golden Age have long been admired. The archaeology and written records left behind by this great civilization are some of the most spectacular in the world.   Sources:   Climate Change May Have Brought Ancient Egypt to Its Knees | NOVA | PBS Vegetation and Climate Changes during the Bronze and Iron Ages (∼3600–600 BCE) in the Southern Levant Based on Palynological Records | Radiocarbon | Cambridge Core New Kingdom of Egypt – World History Encyclopedia New Kingdom Egypt: Power, Expansion and Celebrated Pharaohs (thecollector.com) Egypt’s Golden Empire . New Kingdom . Art & Architecture | PBS (PDF) Egyptian Imperial Economy in Canaan: Reaction to the Climate Crisis at the End of the Late Bronze Age (researchgate.net) More Evidence For Crippling Bronze Age Drought – Archaeology Magazine

A Prayer When Clarity and Wisdom Are NeededBy Jessica Van Roekel Bible Reading"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." – James 3:17, NIV Listen or Read Below: I had grand ideas of parenting before I had children, but when God added one after another to our family, I realized how little I knew. There were so many days I felt I was flying blind, putting one foot in front of the other, cleaning up spilled milk and spilled tears. After years of raising them, I felt I had a handle on this parenting gig…until they stretched into adulthood. Then, it became an entirely new awareness of how little I actually knew.  Being a parent to adult daughters and a son requires a whole new level of wisdom. I don't want to overstep, and I want to respect the way they make decisions. But I still think they could use my insight. So, I walk the fine line of supporting and speaking my mind. The need for clarity and wisdom is a daily cry. I desire wisdom for responding instead of reacting to the unexpected detours in my days, weeks, or months. "Wisdom is the art of reaching one's end by the use of the right means." This definition is from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and is an eloquent way of explaining wisdom. Within the context of James 3:17, wisdom is the knowledge and practice of the requisites for upright and godly living. Some of us find it difficult to ask for help when we need it. Before Google, Apple, and MapQuest, I had no problem pulling into the nearest gas station when I lost my way. That was an easy ask. But there were certain areas in my life, like dealing with bitterness about circumstances when my pride rose and I refused to ask for help. In my resistance, I lost clarity and lacked wisdom, but if I asked God for help, he gave it generously. James gives us a helpful list describing wisdom. He makes it clear there is a difference between the wisdom of this world and God's wisdom. This list can clarify our next step. Wisdom from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, good fruits, impartial, and sincere. Whenever we wonder what the next step should be, we can examine our options within the context of this list.  God invites us to ask for wisdom. He knows we will face situations when we will be flabbergasted by what's in front of us. In these moments, we can either stumble onward in the dark or we can turn to him. When I don't know what to do or how to respond or find myself reacting, I remember the list from James 3:17 (peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere) and James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." We can weigh the options to determine whether the next step is undergirded by the right motives and active compassion. If the choice is between something contentious or peaceable, choose the peaceable option. Does the decision before you put other people's concerns before yourself, or can you give way to what's beneficial? Considering this list from James 3:17 is a great idea when we desperately need clarity and wisdom. So often in my parenting journey, I have not chosen wisely. But God is gracious and repoints my mind and heart to his ways. His ways are the right ways to reach my parenting goals. Let's Pray: Holy God,Thank you for being the source of wisdom. I feel lost in the forest and have no idea which way to go. It feels like I've walked around in a circle, and I am getting nowhere. Every decision I make seems to be the wrong answer. I need you. I need your help. I need your wisdom. Fill me with your peace and settle my anxious heart. Wisdom from you is pure and full of peace. It's gentle and open to reason. Your wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits. It is impartial and sincere. Give me the insight I need into my own heart regarding my situation. I need clarity for the next step. Help me see how your wisdom impacts the next decision I make. If I need to be gentle, fill me with your gentleness. If I've shown favoritism, forgive me and help me be impartial. If I'm manipulating the information so I get what I want, help me to lay it aside and choose purity. Thank you for giving me clarity and wisdom. You are amazing, and I praise you.In Jesus' name, Amen Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Prostock-Studio Jessica Van Roekel loves the upside-down life of following Jesus as she journeys to wholeness through brokenness. As an author, speaker, and worship leader, she uses her gifts and experiences to share God's transformative power to rescue, restore, and renew. She longs for you to know that rejection doesn't have to define or determine your future when placed in God's healing hands. Find out more reframingrejectionbook.com You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. Related Resource: Jesus Calling – Stories of Faith Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times-and they've shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.  Inspired by Sarah Young’s classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts. Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! The post A Prayer for When Clarity and Wisdom Are Needed – Your Daily Prayer – October 13 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer When Clarity and Wisdom Are NeededBy Jessica Van Roekel Bible Reading"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." – James 3:17, NIV Listen or Read Below: I had grand ideas of parenting before I had children, but when God added one after another to our family, I realized how little I knew. There were so many days I felt I was flying blind, putting one foot in front of the other, cleaning up spilled milk and spilled tears. After years of raising them, I felt I had a handle on this parenting gig…until they stretched into adulthood. Then, it became an entirely new awareness of how little I actually knew.  Being a parent to adult daughters and a son requires a whole new level of wisdom. I don't want to overstep, and I want to respect the way they make decisions. But I still think they could use my insight. So, I walk the fine line of supporting and speaking my mind. The need for clarity and wisdom is a daily cry. I desire wisdom for responding instead of reacting to the unexpected detours in my days, weeks, or months. "Wisdom is the art of reaching one's end by the use of the right means." This definition is from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and is an eloquent way of explaining wisdom. Within the context of James 3:17, wisdom is the knowledge and practice of the requisites for upright and godly living. Some of us find it difficult to ask for help when we need it. Before Google, Apple, and MapQuest, I had no problem pulling into the nearest gas station when I lost my way. That was an easy ask. But there were certain areas in my life, like dealing with bitterness about circumstances when my pride rose and I refused to ask for help. In my resistance, I lost clarity and lacked wisdom, but if I asked God for help, he gave it generously. James gives us a helpful list describing wisdom. He makes it clear there is a difference between the wisdom of this world and God's wisdom. This list can clarify our next step. Wisdom from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, good fruits, impartial, and sincere. Whenever we wonder what the next step should be, we can examine our options within the context of this list.  God invites us to ask for wisdom. He knows we will face situations when we will be flabbergasted by what's in front of us. In these moments, we can either stumble onward in the dark or we can turn to him. When I don't know what to do or how to respond or find myself reacting, I remember the list from James 3:17 (peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere) and James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." We can weigh the options to determine whether the next step is undergirded by the right motives and active compassion. If the choice is between something contentious or peaceable, choose the peaceable option. Does the decision before you put other people's concerns before yourself, or can you give way to what's beneficial? Considering this list from James 3:17 is a great idea when we desperately need clarity and wisdom. So often in my parenting journey, I have not chosen wisely. But God is gracious and repoints my mind and heart to his ways. His ways are the right ways to reach my parenting goals. Let's Pray: Holy God,Thank you for being the source of wisdom. I feel lost in the forest and have no idea which way to go. It feels like I've walked around in a circle, and I am getting nowhere. Every decision I make seems to be the wrong answer. I need you. I need your help. I need your wisdom. Fill me with your peace and settle my anxious heart. Wisdom from you is pure and full of peace. It's gentle and open to reason. Your wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits. It is impartial and sincere. Give me the insight I need into my own heart regarding my situation. I need clarity for the next step. Help me see how your wisdom impacts the next decision I make. If I need to be gentle, fill me with your gentleness. If I've shown favoritism, forgive me and help me be impartial. If I'm manipulating the information so I get what I want, help me to lay it aside and choose purity. Thank you for giving me clarity and wisdom. You are amazing, and I praise you.In Jesus' name, Amen Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Prostock-Studio Jessica Van Roekel loves the upside-down life of following Jesus as she journeys to wholeness through brokenness. As an author, speaker, and worship leader, she uses her gifts and experiences to share God's transformative power to rescue, restore, and renew. She longs for you to know that rejection doesn't have to define or determine your future when placed in God's healing hands. Find out more reframingrejectionbook.com You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. Related Resource: Jesus Calling – Stories of Faith Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times-and they've shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.  Inspired by Sarah Young’s classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts. Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! The post A Prayer for When Clarity and Wisdom Are Needed – Your Daily Prayer – October 13 appeared first on GodUpdates.

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Review & photos by Joe Schaeffer The “Two-Headed Beast Tour,” featuring Rival Sons and Clutch, was a massive success in Las Vegas.  The night was filled with high-energy performances, incredible riffs, and roaring vocals that had the crowd on their feet the entire time. Clutch hit the stage at 8:00 pm sharp with their gritty, hard-hitting sound, captivating the audience with songs like “Mercury,” “Profits Of Doom,” and “The Regulator.” Their performance was a masterclass in industrial rock ‘n’ roll, with frontman Neil Fallon’s powerful voice and the band’s tight instrumental work leaving everyone in awe. Rival Sons kicked off the night with “Shooting Stars.” Jay Buchanan, barefoot and accompanied by an acoustic guitar, delivered his soulful vocals to a captivated audience. The set included fan favorites like “Nobody Wants To Die” and “Electric Man,” with Buchanan dancing around the stage, adding to the high-energy vibe. The band’s fuzzed-out sound filled the venue, and their performance was incredible, bluesy and anthemic. Jay Buchanan’s vocals were a force of nature, effortlessly switching between raw power and soulful melodies. The band’s chemistry was intense, with Scott Holiday’s guitar riffs weaving seamlessly with the rhythm section’s tight grooves provided by drummer Mike Miley and bassist Dave Beste. One of the standout moments was their performance of “Tied Up,” where the band took the audience on a sonic journey. The song’s dynamic shifts and Buchanan’s emotive delivery left the crowd in awe. “Pressure And Time” was another highlight, with its driving beat and infectious chorus prompting the entire venue to sing along. The setlist also featured tracks from their latest pair of albums, Darkfighter and Lightbringer. These songs were met with excited appreciation, showcasing the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. “Rapture” and “Mosaic” were particularly well-received, blending vintage rock influences with modern sensibilities. The entire night was what a rock and roll show in 2024 should be. Both bands’ tight musicianship and gritty guitar riffs filled the Vegas venue, making it a night to remember for all the fans in attendance.