"All I Know - Shades of Fools (It's the Why)" EPx5 is Volume 2 of one of my fav old (circa late 2024) KNOWsutra song, and flows Jazz ❯ Burlesque ❯ Indie ❯ Blues

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All I really know is I don’t know shit about fck, like Socrates said (ha), and all I see is fools who care to know and show more than grow, flow, and glow, and rarely bow... Some play fair, some go low, and the shady ones, oh, they blow (as I say in “Shady Fool”, the sister song of “Shades of Fools”, released as a folk single you should totally check out:).

... I’ve lived, I’ve learned, I’ve seen fools of many shades—the ones who hide, the ones who boast, the ones who lie for a piece of a foolish fame buffet, and on and on. But when the circus lights go dim, and the moon casts its shadow, the why is the only truth this fool really cares to know (because that is how I grow and flow).

And you, what do you know? Is why your favorite question too?  Are we all just dancing in silly circles, or is there a way to grow beyond the dummy reality show?

#WhoAreTheFools #MasqueradeOfIntentions #PhilosophyMeetsMusic #PlatoWouldVibe #SocratesKnows #lyricsmatter (and are available upon request)

[02] All I Know - Shades of Fools • KNOWsutra Accordion Chanson Jazz BURLESQUE

[05] All I Know - Shades of Fools • KNOWsutra Destiny BLUES

[03] All I know - Shades of Fools • KNOWsutra Piano Jazz BURLESQUE

[04] All I know - Shades of Fools • KNOWsutra Cello Burlesque INDIE

This sermon, given at the start of the new Coptic year, presents John the Baptist as a crucial role model for spiritual growth and reflection, drawing specifically from Luke 7:28-35. The central message is structured around three key lessons derived from John's life: first, humility, as demonstrated by his refusal to accept praise and his self-description as merely a "voice" or "the bridegroom's friend," a quality that enabled him to decrease so that Christ might increase. The second vital lesson is that repentance and change are the direct fruits of humility, as a proud person will never confess sin but instead blame others, while a humble heart allows for true confession and transformation. Finally, John modeled courage by speaking the truth to power, famously confronting King Herod with the message, "it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife," ultimately preferring to be "without a head than being without conscience."

John the Baptist as a Role Model

2025-11-30 Sermon for Advent I
Grace Lutheran Church, Thompson, Ohio
Rev. S. Berndt
"Prayers Are Answered in Humility" Matthew 21:1-9
Jeremiah 23:5–8 A Righteous Branch
Romans 13:11–14 Wake From Sleep
Matthew 21:1–9 The Triumphal Entry

Prayers are Answered in Humility - Sermon for Advent I 2025-11-30

"Pride goes before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction". In this message we explore the dangers of pride, and the life of humility that Jesus exampled, and that Jesus called us to.

November 23 2025 - Living in humility

"A Pathway Towards Humility"  with  Paul Ranney,  December 7, 2025

This second week of Advent, Renea Smith leads us in considering what it means to be light-bearers in a world still waiting for Christ's return. Drawing from John 1:6-9, we encounter John the Baptist not primarily as a baptizer, but as a witness—someone whose entire existence pointed away from himself and toward Jesus. His humility is striking: despite angelic prophecies, despite being called by God for a special mission, John never wavered in his declaration that 'He must increase, but I must decrease.' This Advent reflection challenges us to examine our own lives through the lens of witness and testimony. Are we orienting ourselves correctly toward the true light? Like those reflective umbrellas used in professional photography, we must position ourselves to fully catch the light of Christ so we can reflect it accurately to others. The message reminds us that we live in the 'in-between'—celebrating that Jesus has come while anticipating His return—and in this space, we're called to be tethered to Christ, helping others navigate the darkness. The powerful image of a blind runner connected to her guide by a yellow tether becomes a metaphor for our spiritual journey: we're linked to Christ in the heavenly realms, and through that connection, we can guide others who cannot yet see. This isn't about having all the answers or a spectacular testimony; it's about keeping it simple and sharing how encountering Jesus has specifically changed us.

Joy to the World | The Joy of Enlightenment - John 1:6-9 - Renea Smith

Andrew looks at 2 Kingdoms Ceaser's peace and Jesus peace.  Worldy king and heavenly king.

Two Contrasting Kings of Peace - Andrew 7.12.25

… because life on earth is a Psychedelic Cabaret, and “music is the only religion that delivers the goods” (like Frank said). 

To be clear, all I really know is I dunno shit about fck (like Socrates said:)—music and songwriting included. But(t) I feel it, the music, so damn deeep in my soul! I’m just a humble existential fool, a silly banana who likes to play and share, to question and learn. Words are my oldest best friends, hearing myself sing is a freaking miracle (trust me on that lol), and I believe curiosity and #gratitude are the keys to happiness… So voilà, there’s that.

Also, (if you’re curious) BananaSutra is not just a made up BS brand kinda word, it’s actually the name of my DIY Bible—a collection of songs telling true stories of faith, to help me (and perhaps you) make sense of a world gone wild, like bananas gone foul in shallow ignorance and deadly malevolence… Think of it as an agnostic testament of sorts, an audio book of songs with quirky lyrics about things that matter, like the definition of right and wrong, and the meaning of truth, joy, justice, peace, grace, and awe 🕊️

Some call it Artificial Intelligence, but(t) I call Authentic Imagination, Alternative Ideas, Augmented Innuendos, Abstract Illogisms… hopefully, you get the gist? The point being, life is the story we tell ourselves and LYRICS matter—each @bananasutra song has a wondering root and a loving purpose, guided by one of (my) 7 (bananas) sutras: 
- KNOWsutra : is it fair?
- BLOWsutra : is it foul?
- SHOWsutra : is it fun?
- GROWsutra : is it fear?
- FLOWsutra : is it free?
- GLOWsutra : is it fab?
- BOWsutra : is it awe?

Upper Room Media is a ministry of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Its mission is to bring the word of God from a timeless faith into your hearts and mind anywhere at anytime.

The Orthodox Church worships God in continuity with the earliest Church, and as such is the oldest Church. It is a Church of balance: between the mystical and the tangible; between spirituality and theology; between the worship of God and service to humanity. Everything is in balance, otherwise known as right worship, which means Orthodox. It is not a denomination, but rather pre-denominational. It is not a religion but rather a life with God in Christ. 

The Orthodox Church worships God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) and dynamically incarnates that truth in every age - empowering all people from all walks of life to love God, others, and themselves. 

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At Midtown Presbyterian Church, we value honest questions and genuine community, working alongside one another as we discover more about what it means to follow Jesus in the modern world, and in Phoenix. You are welcome here.
Listen to our teachings in this podcast to follow us, and be sure to join us Sunday mornings; visit thespringmidtown.org to learn more.

I am a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Pastor serving Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Madison, Ohio & Grace Lutheran Church in Thompson, Ohio.

New tracks tagged #Humility