The lead in to "Just a father" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/just-a-father) - Joseph's final song, as the first family finally returns - together this time after a frantic search - from the Passover festival in Jerusalem. From "Don't blink" (https://soundcloud.com/stefanlanfer/sets/dontblink), the modern folk singer-songwriter musical retelling of the first Christmas story from the perspective of the minor characters and minor moments that are full of fresh insights into a tale many of us thought we knew inside and out.

LUKE:

Years later, when King Herod died, the angel appeared again to Joseph in a dream and told him, “Get up, take the child and go. It is safe to return, for those who were after the boy are no more.” 

So they did. And their lives settled in to familiar rhythms, including a trip every year to Jerusalem, for Passover. 

From Nazareth, that’s 85, 90 miles, four days to a week walking. 

The year that Jesus was 12 - on the cusp of Jewish manhood, but still very much their boy - when Passover was over, Mary and Joseph started on the journey home, not realizing Jesus was not with them - not until traveling on for a day.

They hurried back and looked everywhere. They found him, at last, after three days. He was in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions.

Everyone who heard him was amazed. 

But his parents were in their feelings. 

“Son,” Mary said, “Didn’t you know we would be worried sick? We have been searching for you for days.”

“Why?” the boy asked, “Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?”

Obviously, they didn’t know, or understand it all. 

But Mary’s distress soon subsided, More than anything, she was relieved to be reunited. Joseph, on the other hand, couldn’t shake it off so easily. 

As they retread those many miles, he was stuck on repeat - with worry and blame, and with the same doubts that had consumed him from the beginning.

Just a father (dialogue track)

JOSEPH - Part 5 - "From Prison to Praise" - Genesis 40 & 41 - These chapters are LITERALLY two of the most unbelievable accounts in the Bible....NO ONE...NOBODY can go from prisoner to Prime Minister in a day!  If that's your thought and conclusion, you are absolutely correct.  EXCEPT JOSEPH IS NOT ALONE!   GOD IS WITH JOSEPH AND JOSEPH WITH GOD!  WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!  And this miraculous account reflects exactly that.  You see, many times we see our trials and times of difficulty as a waste, and treat them often with discord and contempt... but now Joseph.  Joseph waits on the Lord.  When the precise and exact moment of God shows up, the Almighty strategically places Joseph before Pharaoh, the most powerful entity in the world at the time.  What happens next?  Come and hear and be AMAZED by God's incredible plan of Grace.

JOSEPH_Part5_From-Prison-to-Praise

JOSEPH - Part 6 - "A Familiar Encounter" - Genesis 42 & 43 - Joseph is now the Prime Minister, the Vice President, if you will, of the entire nation of Egypt.  His interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams were critical to save the nation and the lives of people throughout many nations of the land.  Word comes to his family, in Canaan, that there is food in Egypt.  His father, Jacob, sends his brothers, the same who sold him into slavery, to go to Egypt and buy food.  Joseph has faced many trials in his life, since he was forced from his family's bosom, when he was just a teenager.  How will he react to seeing his family after more than 20 years?  Come and hear and learn from Joseph's life and example.

JOSEPH_Part6_A-Familiar-Encounter

JOSEPH - Part 7 - "Becoming a Trophy of Grace" - Genesis 44 & 45 - This is the climax of Joseph's story.  This moment exemplifies the Apostle Paul's immortal words in Romans 8:28, that "All things collaborate for good".  God's sovereign plan will not be frustrated.  And He can build our faith to truly become instruments of His Grace in this world.  The remarkable life and example of Joseph teaches us that the triumph of faith in his life is truly exemplified by his attitude towards his circumstances and others... and that is the true mark of his remarkable life, and why he is such a critical character in all of the Holy Scriptures.  Come and hear the story of how Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers.

JOSEPH_Part7_Becoming-a-Trophy-of-Grace

This simple folk song imagines the reflections of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, as he nears the end of his life. Looking back on all the journeys and uprooted moments he lived through—Nazareth, Bethlehem, Egypt, and beyond—Joseph realizes every step was leading him Home. Now preparing for his final journey into eternity, he shares this quiet, heartfelt song.

Closer Home

In this episode you’ll explore the urgent moral questions facing pro-life Christians today—including abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, and end-of-life care. Hosted by pro-life leader Frank Pavone and featuring Fr. Joseph Howard., a longtime ally and Catholic bioethicist from the Diocese of Shreveport.

Catholic Bioethics Explained: What Every Pro-Life Christian Must Know

Secrets of the Bible - Lesson 4
Joseph and His Brothers
With Rabbi Ari Sollish
Recorded Live at The Torah Center ATL on Thursday, November 20, 2025

Our exploration of the deeper significance of the conflict between Joseph and his brothers takes us from a history of Jewish leadership, to the structure of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, to an enigmatic debate recorded in the Talmud on the question: Which is greater, learning or action? We discover that there are two parallel quests embedded in the human soul, each of which—as well as the tension between them—is essential to our mission in life.

Secrets of the Bible 2025 - Lesson 4 - Joseph and His Brothers | Rabbi Ari Sollish

Close every door

Close every door (in the style of Various)

The Story of a 2020 Supra through a storm...
a freestyle talk from LilJoe

My Supra

birthdat interlude

The Torah Center ATL takes pride in offering innovative, inclusive, and impactful educational programs to all. People from a diverse spectrum of life find the Center to be a warm and non-judgmental community in which to experience the richness and authenticity of Jewish learning and heritage. 
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I've been singing since the early 1980's, bringing decades of passion, soul and storytelling to every note. From classic vibes to fresh takes, my journey spans genres and generations. Whether you're here for nostalgia or new sounds, welcome to the music!

EndAbortion Podcasts are part of a global multi platform initiative to End Abortion. The Podcasts are here to help energize and educate you on spreading the pro-life message and providing the tools necessary to end abortion.

I'm a pastor, dad, husband, and child of God.  I'm broken, but  blessed. The cracks are where the Light shines through.

My mission is to help people grow closer to God with every breath and step I take. I gave my life to Christ at an early age and have grown closer through the years, spurred on by the study of the Bible, my church family, and the Chrysalis and Walk to Emmaus Communities. I accepted the call to full -time ministry as a pastor in 1999 and have served 4 different churches in Georgia. Music, preaching, and teaching are the heart of my ministry.

Outside of the pulpit, I enjoy many hobbies that help me blow off steam.  These include martial arts, woodworking, blacksmithing, gardening, cooking, and being creative.  I'm a jack of all trades and a master of none.  My philosophy is use what you have, do it yourself if you can, learn something in the process, and have lots of fun.  This channel is a place to share it all with you.

"The LilJoe Show" Host on SoundCloud, to have a laugh

Stefan Lanfer writes indie folk singer-songwriter songs with the soul of a storyteller and the heart of a seeker. With a vibe somewhere between Ben Folds and Cat Stevens, his music blends lyrical introspection, spiritual resonance, and quiet power. This song library is for fans who want to feel something and collaborators looking for material ripe with possibilities and ready for their magic. 

SoundCloud is Stefan's songwriting sandbox, with work tapes and rehearsal tapes, multiple versions, works in progress, different drafts tracing the evolutions, and ideas from listeners always welcome to help these songs figure out and become what they want to be before they launch into the wider streaming world. 

Thanks for stopping by. Come back anytime. Bring a friend. 

Backstories collected on The StefStack: https://stefanlanfer.substack.com/ - "a SubStack stuff sack of Stefan stuff"

New tracks tagged #JOSEPH