Hello!

I was talking with a lady who has recently lost her husband, she reports being under intense peer pressure, which she thought was a form of legalism, to do silly stuff she doesn't want to do. Specifically regarding trees/decorations/turkeys and the like. She said she hates this time of year, wishes it was over and that people would stop pressurizing her. I agreed with her, at this time of year there is pressure to do things you don't want to do from other Christians. Maybe well meaning people, sometimes maybe trying to make conversation, but I find it rather wearing. Pressure and competition, I detect a lot of people are trying doing this stuff as a form of oneupmanship. Like the guy who needs a bigger tree and more glowing gnomes and Odins in their garden than the person next door.

Leaving aside the possible pagan origins of much of this stuff is it Biblical to pressure people to do something they don't want to do? There's no biblical command telling us to put up a 'Christmas Tree', or to take a present from a man dressed as Santa aka Odin at a church party, or to sings songs about flying deer. Or forcing someone to wear a Santa hat or an Elf hat when they don't want to (yes, in a previous year I was forced to wear an elf hat to participate as a helper at a church event). Why then are people pressured into doing this if they don't want to? Isn't it a form of legalism? Being forced to partake in possible Paganism in Church? I detect churches are more likely to have a Santa and a tree than a nativity scene.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).

I have been told that's it's a form of legalism to tell people not to engage in certain activities, so why then isn't it legalism to compel people to engage in those activities?

I have been told that it would be legalism to acknowledge various Old Testament Biblical Feasts or to encourage others to do so. Why then isn't it Legalism to compel others to revere a flying fat all knowing midget from the North pole?

For those who don't think churches could revere demons or compel others to do so, there's 'Tuesday' for example. A day of the week named to honour a pagan god of war. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are the same. Living in a pagan world aren't we meant to be aware of the devil's schemes, rather then going along with anything and everything, afterall Satan masquerades as an angel of light.

God Bless All and happy Christmas. Hope you find a time of peace and joy in remembering the Saviour's birth and please don't take my post as critical or judgemental. I'm asking Qs from a place of frustration is all.

"There is no peace on Earth, " I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men…

This is a thread about the band No Doubt and Gwen Stefani's solo work.

It can be anything about the band and Gwen - music, videos, facts, pictures, etc.

I know there's fans on here. Let's chat.

We who are spiritual are not all who merely profess the name of Jesus with our lips. We who are spiritual are those who are walking according to the will of God for our lives in obedience to our Lord’s commands, not necessarily in all perfection, but in daily practice, by the grace of God, in the power of God. We are not those who are also caught in sin or those who are deliberately and habitually living sinful lifestyles. And that is a very important factor here to understand, because we can’t help others if we are also caught in sin.

In other words, the blind cannot lead the blind. So if we are going to help a fellow Christian (or someone who is professing faith in Jesus Christ) to be free from their slavery (addiction) to sin, then we need to be those who are deliberately and habitually walking (in conduct) in accord with God’s word, living holy lives, pleasing to God. But even at that, we are still humans, and we are still subject to temptation and to failure, so we must guard our own hearts so that we, in trying to help another, are not led astray ourselves.

Now this word “caught” can mean many things. It can mean that the person sinning was literally caught in the act by someone else. Or it can mean that they are those who are trapped in sin, for whom sin has a stronghold on their lives, and so they are struggling to be free of the sin, and so they need someone who has victory over sin to help them to also be free from the trap of sin. Or they can be those who don’t really want to let go of their sin but who put on a performance that they do want help so it appears that they do.

But I will tell you right here from personal experience that most of these “support groups” out there to help people overcome addiction, from what I have been able to ascertain, are not using the Scriptures as their foundation for how to overcome the power of sin, but they are using human-based psychological methods which often do not permit the use of the Scriptures. And so they make humans dependent on other humans, and not dependent on God to free them from their bondage to sin. And many of these fail.

For God has the only solution for deliverance from slavery to sin, and that is via biblical faith in Jesus Christ, which comes from God, which puts sin to death in the life of the person of faith so that they can now walk in freedom from addiction to sin and serve the Lord faithfully in walks of obedience to his commands. And the Scriptures are filled with messages which teach that we must put off those sins and put on the opposite, like putting off lying, and now telling the truth, and putting off hate, and putting on love.

For Jesus Christ gave his life up for us on that cross to put our sins to death with him so that by God-persuaded faith in him we will now die to sin and live to God and to his righteousness in walks of surrender to him and in obedience to his commands, in the power and wisdom and strength of God living and working within us in the person of the Holy Spirit. But we have to say “No” to sin and “Yes” to God and to his commands, and we must rely on the strength of the Lord to resist Satan and to flee temptation to sin.

In other words, we have to have a change of heart and mind resulting in a change of behavior, which is what repentance is all about. For repentance is not verbalizing empty words of confession of sin while the person then keeps going right back to the same sins over again. When we repent of sin we change from going one direction to going the opposite direction, like making a U-turn in the road. And it doesn’t necessitate absolute perfection, but it must result in a change of direction, and not continuing in deliberate sin.

So, this should not be a long drawn out process that continues on and on forever while the addicted continue to “struggle” with sin and to not make it to victory over sin. So this is never about pampering people in their sin nor about tolerating deliberate and habitual sin in the life of one claiming faith in Jesus Christ. For this word “restore” is about putting a joint which is out of place back into place, which is a painful process. It is about putting things back in their proper working order. And Jesus’ death did that for us.

So, again, the way to restore one who has fallen spiritually back to a right relationship with God is to lead them in the path of righteousness. But their hearts have to be in the right place. They have to want to be free of their sin to the point to where they will have that change of mind and heart resulting in a change of behavior, so that they will turn away from sin and turn to now walking in obedience to our Lord’s commands, empowered by God and by his grace. For we cannot make anyone change directions. They must turn.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

Walking in The Light

Based off 1 John 1-2
An Original Work / November 16, 2011
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

When I lift up my voice, and
Sing praise unto God,
I will fellowship with my
Lord and Savior, King.
In Him there is no darkness.
He is in the light of truth.
If we walk in His light,
From sin He purifies.

If we repent of our sins,
He’ll forgive us now,
When we humble ourselves, and
Before Jesus bow.
The man who says, “I know Him,”
But does not obey His truth,
There is no truth in him.
In darkness still he’s found.

Do not love the world of sin,
For it is hell bound.
If you follow the world, you’ll
Not in Christ be found.
The world and its desires
Will not last; they’ll expire.
The one who does God’s will,
Receives eternal life.

See that what you have heard from
Christ remains in you.
Then, you’ll remain in Christ, and
In His Father, too.
This is what He promised us –
His eternal life with God.
So, continue in Him, and
You’ll receive a crown.

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Are You Caught in Sin?
An Original Work / December 13, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Her name is Caroline, and is about 11-12 years old She was taken to the emergency room yesterday, because her hand is turning blue, indicating some kind of circulatory problem. She was released, but I am requesting prayer for God's intervention in her life and in the life of her fraternal twin sister, Adeline. They were miracle babies and are peas in a pod in every way. Thankfully, they are getting a Christian education in a Catholic school, but I pray God will establish Himself in their lives as their source for every need, including health, healing, and substance. In Jesus name. Thankyou!

Peace in Christ.

The light shines in our hearts when we hear the voice of the Son of God as He comes to give us an understanding. This is the sign of the Son of man in heaven…in those who have their citizenship in heaven now in this earth. This light within us is the witness of God about His Son whom we are to hear.

He opens up the Scripture of Truth to our hearing ears and we are to take heed on how we hear His correct interpretation of it.

We shall know that this is His beloved Son (whom we are to HEAR) by the light that shines in a dark place…in our hearts. This is the witness of God shining within our very own hearts of His Son whom we hear speaking to us.

2Pe 1:17-20 KJV
(17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
(18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
(19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

The private interpretation of the “word of men” ..of men who are not preaching with the Spirit of Truth… does not have this effect upon our hearts.

(20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

The witness of God about His Son speaking to us is WITHIN US. He that believes on the Son of God (who comes to give us an understanding) has the witness of God within our very hearts.

1Jn 5:9-11 KJV
(9) If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
(10) He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
(11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

We are to believe in that light shining in our hearts so that we may be children of light in this dark world. We are to put away the works of darkness (wrath, envy, strife, contentions) and receive His words….the Word of Truth…the true sayings of God… in belief.

Joh 12:35-37 KJV
(35) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
(36) While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
(37) But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

He begets us with the Word of Truth (in contrast to the word of men who preach the Scriptures in their own private interpretations of it).

We are to be swift to hear and slow to speak and slow to wrath towards the hearing of the Word of Truth. The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God.

Jas 1:18-20 KJV
(18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
(19) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
(20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

He calls us unto His kingdom and glory...and we are to walk worthy of God. We are to receive the Word of God (with good works) spoken in truth…the true sayings of God…as compared to the word of men whose private interpretations of the Scriptures is in error of the Truth. By the receiving of His Word of Truth, we are to enter into His kingdom and display His glory to this dark world.

1Th 2:12-14 KJV
(12) That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
(13) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Our own “countrymen”…our own man-based church families…will persecute those who will believe in the true sayings of God in their unbelief of what they will hear Him saying. They will behave badly towards what they hear and towards those who will believe in it. We are to be faithful to His death ...keeping the daily sacrifice of the Lamb...when we are persecuted by them.

(14) For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

The truth is in Jesus. He is the source of it. We are to hear His voice as He teaches us….who opens up the Scripture of Truth to our hearing ears. His interpretation of the Scriptures will not align with what the word of men have been preaching in their ignorance of the Truth.

Eph 4:21-28 KJV
(21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

We must put off the former behavior of the old man which is decayed according to the deceitful lusts.

The “old man” …the old church man…wants to behave in contention towards what he hears. The old man wants to speak evil in unbelief of what he hears. The old man church man gets angry about what he hears and wants to speak a multitude of words against it. We must overcome this. If a man seems religious and does not bridle his tongue, then that man's religion is empty. James 1: 26 .

(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

We must overcome this and be renewed in the spirit of our minds towards what we hear.

(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

The good news is NOW reported unto us via the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. The "angels" that desire to look into these things = the prophets who did write the things found in the Scriptures for us today. Their words are for us today. Unto us did they minister the things which we hear now.

1Pe 1:12-16 KJV
(12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

We are to hear His disclosure…the revelation of Jesus Christ …who speaks to us from Heaven. We are to gird up the loins of our mind and be sober (and not be found drunk on the wine of wrath) towards what we hear Him saying to us from Heaven as He speaks to us the Word of Truth.

(13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

We are to be “obedient”…that is, HEARING ATTENTIVELY (Greek: hupakoē - to hear attentively, to hear under in submission to it)…children.

When we hear His Word of Truth, we are not to conform to our old church selves that fought with one another over our denominations', erroneous teachings. We did these things before in our ignorance of the Word of Truth. When we hear His voice today speaking the Word of Truth, we are to be found by Him holy as He is holy.

(14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
(15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
(16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

If we are angry at what we hear (the Word of Truth), sin not.

Do not let the wrath within us produce evil words to come out of our mouths towards what we hear.

Do not let the sun…the light…go down (to set fully) upon our wrath. We must overcome our wrath and do well towards what we hear Him saying to us. Don’t give place (in our mouths) to the devil who will use our wrath to speak evil towards what we hear. We give place to the devil when we use our mouths to speak evil words towards what we hear.

(26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
(27) Neither give place to the devil.

Let him that stole steal no more. This is talking to our pastors. Let them work with their own hands that which is good (to work with their own hands to support their own earthly necessities). In doing this, they can then give to them that need….that is, to feed the flock of God with the Word of Truth. This statement will indeed induce wrath with those pastors (who are not working with their own hands to support their own earthly needs) who will hear this. Do not give place to the devil.

(28) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

If we are angry like Cain…who was “very wroth”…and his face fell, we must overcome the sin that lies at the “door” of our mouths. We are tempted to speak out in our wrath. If we do well, shall we not be accepted…lifted up?

Gen 4:5-7 KJV
(5) But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
(6) And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

We must overcome the temptation to open up our mouths and speak evil. Don’t go in the way of Cain.

(7) If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Cain was a tiller…a worker of…the “ground”…that is, the ADAMAH which is the people of the outside world.

He represents the pastors (men of the Lord..."I have gotten a man from the Lord." Genesis 4:1 ) who are only “serving” for their own belly. They serve for their earthly things just as the people of the outside world (tillers of the “Adamah”) who only work for their earthly things (what to eat, what to drink, what to wear). The outside nations run after these things. Matthew 6:32 . They are “tillers” of the Adamah.

Gen 4:2-3
(2) And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground (ADAMAH).
(3) And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground (ADAMAH) an offering unto the LORD.

Abel was a keeper of sheep. Paul showed the overseers of the sheep all things on how to feed the flock of God…to be a keeper of His sheep: to work with our own hands to support our own earthly necessities. We must be "keepers of the sheep" in this way. We can then feed the flock of which we oversee.

Act 20:27-28 KJV
(27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

He has shown the overseers of the flock of God’s sheep all things: how that laboring with our own hands to support our own earthly necessities we can then feed the sheep the Word of Truth. We must be with him in this.

Act 20:33-35 KJV
(33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
(34) Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
(35) I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The original apostles have made themselves an example to follow. They worked with their own hands to support their own earthly necessities. They worked night and day instead of eating any man’s bread for nothing.

2Th 3:7-10 KJV
(7) For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
(8) Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
(9) Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

In fact, is a commandment now for us today: to work with our own hands for our own bread…earthly necessities.

(10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

They...the original apostles of Christ... did bind us now with this commandment that after them we should follow them in this thing. They did bind on earth this earthly pursuit of earthly necessities and now it is bound in heaven…in us who have our citizenship in heaven now in this earth.

Mat 16:19 KJV
(19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Two U.S. soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed in Syria Saturday after they were ambushed by a likely ISIS gunman, U.S. officials said.

The gunman was killed by "partner forces" during a skirmish, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Three other service members were injured during the incident in Palmyra, Syria, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. Two U.S. officials told ABC News the wounded were American.

A Pentagon official told ABC News that Saturday's attack "took place in an area where the Syrian President does not have control."

Each of us has our own preference for a form of reasoning we tend to apply in most cases, even in the thinking and living that is a part of our faith.

In the short video below, three comparative modes of reasoning are presented (in very simple terms which may not fully represent the entirety of each mode of reasoning).

Think about which form of reasoning you tend to use or favor the most and then, if you please, answer the poll. Feel free to chat about how you analyze life from that form of reasoning.

Deductive vs Inductive vs Abductive Reasoning​

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2 Esdras/4 Ezra genealogies compared to protestant Ezra

4. Key Observations (important)​

1. Same priestly line​

Both genealogies trace Ezra/Esdras directly to Aaron through Eleazar, not Ithamar — the high-priestly line.

2. 2 Esdras is longer​

2 Esdras includes additional names (e.g., Achias, Heli) that are absent from Ezra 7.

This fits your earlier assumption:

• Biblical genealogies are selective, not exhaustive
• Later writers may compress, earlier or alternative traditions may expand

3. No contradiction​

There is no direct conflict:

• Same core names
• Same order
• Same endpoint (Aaron)
• Differences are additive, not contradictory

4. Matches Second Temple expectations​

Expanded priestly genealogies are common in:

• Chronicles
• Jubilees
• 2 Esdras
• Qumran priestly lists

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5. Bottom Line​

• 2 Esdras preserves a fuller priestly genealogy
• Ezra 7 gives a compressed, official version
• Both trace Ezra/Esdras legitimately to Aaron through Eleazar
• The differences strengthen, not weaken, the historical claim under an ancient worldview
  
  
  Protestant Ezra internally is written in the 7th year of Artaxerxes which is 457 BC. 2 Esdras internally is written 30 years after the destruction of Jerusalem 587 BC therefore 557 BC, and another section says during the reign of Artaxerxes but he does not say what year. Assuming the same time as protestant Ezra then that is 457 BC. If Ezra was 20 when he wrote the first section it means he lived to around 120 years, and wrote the last section as a very old man. The talmud which is jewish fables 1 titus 14 says Ezra lived to 120. It seems like that is one of the rare instances where the talmud preserves a historical truth.

New Republican health plan suggestion: Drink bleach!

Senator Endorses Discredited Doctor’s Book on a Chemical He Claims Treats Everything From Autism to Cancer​

Wisconsin's Ron Johnson has a history of spreading vaccine misinformation. Now he's giving credence to assertions about the therapeutic powers of chlorine dioxide, a disinfectant and deodorizer. “It is all lunacy," one expert said.​

He’s promoted disproven treatments for COVID-19 and claimed, without evidence, that athletes are “dropping dead on the field” after getting the COVID-19 vaccination. Now the Wisconsin politician is endorsing a book by a discredited doctor promoting an unproven and dangerous treatment for autism and a host of ailments: chlorine dioxide, a chemical used for disinfecting and bleaching.

The book is “The War on Chlorine Dioxide: The Medicine that Could End Medicine”by Dr. Pierre Kory, a critical care specialist who practiced in Wisconsin hospitals before losing his medical certification for statements advocating using an antiparasite medication to treat COVID-19. The action, he’s said, makes him unemployable, even though he still has a license.

Kory’s book, set to be released to the public in January, argues that word of chlorine dioxide’s effectiveness has been suppressed by government and medical forces that need people to remain perpetually ill to generate large profits.

Johnson confirmed to ProPublica in an email that he authorized the statement on the cover. “After reading the entire book, yes I provided and approved that blurb,” he said.

D book by Jim Wallice but still seems relevant.



“The beating drum of the book: poverty is a moral issue. This is why the [religious right are "getting it wrong"]Asserting that America has strayed away from God's ideas of equality and rewards, Wallis points out that no matter the quality of their actions, the rich are getting richer and the laborer more destitute. Wallis effectively strips religion away from many positions held by the religious right.

“But at least the Right made the attempt and has reaped the benefits, regardless of whether they should have. The Left, on the other had, "doesn't get it" at all as shying away from "God talk" so as to differentiate themselves from the right divorces them from a past of social movement sparked by faith and morality. Wallis concludes, and I believe rightfully so, that how aggressively secular the Left is leaves those who are religious progressives without a home.”

A more contemporary religious progressive voice is Rev. William Barber II

13 December 2025 – Algeria​

Pray that Christian children and youth in Algeria will have opportunities to remain in their country and to grow and develop in their faith without persecution or discrimination.

12 December 2025 – Algeria​

Pray for freedom of conscience and religious belief for all Algerians, not only in law but also in their minds, hearts, homes and communities. May God’s people have courage to stand up for the truth in this challenging period.

11 December 2025 – Algeria​

Please pray for God’s protection and care for Algerian Christians such as our partner, pastor ‘Yuba’, and his wife and children, who take great risks to stay in Algeria and continue ministering.

10 December 2025 – Algeria​

Pray for wisdom, courage and grace for church leaders as they continue to struggle for legal recognition, freedom and rights for Christians and churches within Algeria. Pray for an end to the relentless hounding of the church by the authorities.

09 December 2025 – Algeria​

Pray for the ongoing court cases involving pastors and other church leaders who have been prosecuted simply for their Christian ministry. May those who have been convicted see their sentences overturned on appeal at the Supreme Court.

08 December 2025 – Algeria​

Please pray for the re-opening of the more than 45 Algerian Protestant churches that have been closed by the Government.

07 December 2025 – Iran​

Pray for work translating the Bible into the many ethnic-minority languages of Iran. In a closed country with no physical churches and where even home groups can be at risk, a believer’s Bible – especially in their indigenous language – is vital.

The 430 vs 215 years in Egypt question comes down to how Exodus 12:40–41 is read and which textual tradition you follow, and it also ties directly into Paul’s statement in Galatians 3:17.


I’ll lay it out cleanly and chronologically.

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1. The Two Positions​

Option A: 430 years in Egypt​

View: Israel lived in Egypt for the full 430 years.


Text used:
Masoretic Text (MT) – Exodus 12:40

“Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.”

Click to expand...

Implication:

• Jacob enters Egypt → 430 years later → Exodus
• This requires very compressed genealogies (e.g., Levi → Kohath → Amram → Moses covering 430 years)

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Option B: 215 years in Egypt​

View: The 430 years covers the entire period from Abraham to the Exodus, not Egypt alone.
Actual time in Egypt = 215 years.


Texts used:

• Septuagint (LXX) – Exodus 12:40
• Samaritan Pentateuch
• Paul (Galatians 3:17)

LXX reads:

“The sojourning of the children of Israel, which they sojourned in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, was four hundred and thirty years.”

Click to expand...

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2. Paul Settles the Timeline (Galatians 3:17)​

Paul says:

“The law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul the covenant previously confirmed by God.”

Click to expand...

This refers to:

• Covenant with Abraham → 430 years → Law at Sinai

That cannot fit 430 years only in Egypt, because:

• Abraham lived long before Jacob entered Egypt
• Isaac and Jacob are clearly inside the 430-year span Paul is counting

Therefore, Paul assumes 430 years total, not Egypt-only.

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3. Chronological Breakdown (215-year Egypt model)​

Using Genesis data:



This matches:

• Paul
• LXX
• Samaritan Pentateuch
• Normal human lifespans
• Uncompressed genealogies

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4. Genealogical Evidence​

Levi → Moses line:​

• Levi
• Kohath
• Amram
• Moses

Even with maximum lifespans, these cannot span 430 years naturally.
They fit perfectly into ~215 years.

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5. Why the Masoretic Text Reads Differently​

The MT:

• Omits “and in the land of Canaan”
• Likely reflects later rabbinic tradition
• Creates tension with:
  • Paul
  • Genesis chronology
  • Genealogies

Notably:

• All pre-Christian witnesses (LXX, Samaritan) preserve the longer reading.

---

6. Conclusion​

Biblically and chronologically:

• 430 years = from Abraham’s covenant to the Exodus
• 215 years = actual time Israel lived in Egypt

This is:

• The view assumed by Paul
• The view preserved in the LXX
• The only view that harmonizes Genesis, Exodus, and Galatians

1. Anchor Date: The Exodus​

Using the biblical internal chronology (1 Kings 6:1):

Exodus → 480 years → 4th year of Solomon

Click to expand...

Solomon’s 4th year is widely dated to 966 BC.


So:

• Exodus = 1446 BC

(This is the standard early-Exodus date used in conservative biblical chronology.)

---

2. Abraham to the Exodus (430 years total)​

Paul (Gal 3:17) places 430 years from the Abrahamic covenant to the Law at Sinai.


So:

• Abraham enters Canaan (Gen 12) = 1876 BC
• Exodus = 1446 BC

1876 − 1446 = 430 years

Anchor​

• Exodus: 1446 BC

Abraham​

• Abraham enters Canaan (age 75): 1446 + 430 = 1876 BC
• Abraham born (75 years earlier): 1876 + 75 = 1951 BC

Isaac​

• Isaac born (Abraham age 100): 1876 + 25 = 1851 BC

Jacob​

• Jacob born (Isaac age 60): 1851 + 60 = 1791 BC

Jacob enters Egypt​

• Jacob enters Egypt (age 130): 1791 + 130 = 1661 BC

Time in Egypt​

• Israel enters Egypt: 1661 BC
• Exodus: 1446 BC
• Time in Egypt: 1661 − 1446 = 215 years ✅

So the corrected statement is:


215 years in Egypt = 1661 BC to 1446 BC,

When it says Jewish it means Judean living in Judah/Judea or of the religion of the Judeans. Also the word Judaism (Judeanism) appears zero times in his complete works. Josephus likely was not Christian so was synagogue of satan religion.

Flavius Josephus (c. AD 37 – c. 100) was a Jewish priest, general, historian, and later a Roman citizen whose writings are among the most important sources for Second Temple Judaism and the world of the New Testament.

---

Early life (c. AD 37–66)​

• Born Yosef ben Mattityahu in Jerusalem to a priestly (Hasmonean-linked) family.
• Educated in Jewish law and traditions; claims familiarity with Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes.
• By his mid-20s he was recognized for learning and sent on an embassy to Rome (c. AD 64), gaining exposure to imperial power.

---

The Jewish War & turning point (AD 66–70)​

• At the outbreak of the First Jewish–Roman War, Josephus was appointed commander in Galilee.
• After the fall of Jotapata, he surrendered to Roman general Vespasian.
• Josephus famously predicted Vespasian’s rise to emperor. When this came true (AD 69), Josephus was spared, freed, and adopted the Roman family name Flavius.

---

Life in Rome (after AD 70)​

• Lived under Flavian patronage (Vespasian, Titus, Domitian).
• Received a pension, Roman citizenship, and access to archives.
• Devoted himself to writing history to explain Jewish affairs to Greco-Roman readers and to defend Judaism against slander.

---

Major works​

1. The Jewish War(c. AD 75)
   • An eyewitness-style account of the revolt and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (AD 70).
2. Antiquities of the Jews(c. AD 93/94)
   • A sweeping history from Creation to AD 66.
   • Contains the famous passages about John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and the debated Testimonium Flavianum concerning Jesus.
3. Against Apion
   • A defense of Judaism against Greek critics; argues for the antiquity and reasonableness of Jewish law and Scripture.
4. Life (Vita)
   • An autobiographical defense of his conduct, especially in Galilee.

---

Beliefs & reputation​

• Identified with Pharisaic interpretations, yet wrote in a way accessible to Greeks and Romans.
• Controversial figure: viewed by some Jews as a traitor, by others as a survivor-historian whose works preserved invaluable information.
• For Christians, Josephus is crucial as a non-Christian witness to first-century Judaism and figures mentioned in the New Testament.

---

Death & legacy​

• Died in Rome around AD 100.
• His writings shape modern understanding of:
  • Second Temple Judaism
  • The background of Jesus and early Christianity
  • The Jewish–Roman War and the fall of Jerusalem

If you’d like, I can walk through Josephus’s references to Jesus and James line by line, or compare his chronology with the Gospels and Acts, or assess how later Christian scribes handled his text.

All this books are free audiobook on youtube or e books online or physical books are sold online.
Here is a clear chronological timeline of the Judean–Roman Wars, consistently using “Judean” rather than “Jewish,” and keeping close to ancient historical framing (Josephus, Roman historians, later sources).

---

Background (before AD 66)​

• 63 BC – Pompey the Great captures Jerusalem; Judea becomes a Roman client state.
• 37–4 BC – Reign of Herod the Great (Roman-backed king).
• AD 6 – Judea becomes a Roman province under direct rule; census of Quirinius sparks unrest.
• AD 40s–60s – Growing tension: taxation, Roman governors, priestly disputes, sectarian conflict, and messianic expectations.

---

First Judean–Roman War (AD 66–73)​

(Also called the Great Revolt)

Outbreak​

• AD 66
  • Revolt begins in Jerusalem after abuses by the Roman procurator Gessius Florus.
  • Judeans defeat Roman forces at Beth Horon.
  • Roman legate Cestius Gallus retreats in defeat.

Roman counteroffensive​

• AD 67
  • Vespasian and his son Titus invade Judea.
  • Galilee falls (including Jotapata).
  • Josephus is captured.
• AD 68
  • Romans consolidate control of Judea outside Jerusalem.
  • Roman civil war begins after Nero’s death.

Fall of Jerusalem​

• AD 69
  • Vespasian becomes emperor.
  • Titus takes command of the Judean campaign.
• AD 70
  • Siege and destruction of Jerusalem.
  • Second Temple destroyed (month of Av).
  • Massive loss of life; captives taken to Rome.

Final resistance​

• AD 73
  • Masada falls to Roman forces.
  • End of the First Judean–Roman War.
    

Below is a chronological timeline of the Zealot movement, beginning in AD 6, using ancient categories and sources (Josephus foremost). I’ll distinguish Zealots proper from the closely related Sicarii, since Josephus sometimes separates them.

---

Origins (AD 6–30)​

AD 6​

• Census of Quirinius when Judea becomes a Roman province.
• Judas the Galilean and Zadok the Pharisee lead resistance.
• Josephus calls this the “Fourth Philosophy” (besides Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes).
• Core ideology formed:
  • God alone is ruler
  • No tribute to Rome
  • Death preferable to slavery
• This is the birth of the Zealot ideology, though not yet a mass movement.

AD 6–30​

• Movement survives underground.
• Periodic unrest and sporadic violence.
• Leaders and followers are executed or dispersed.
• Ideology continues to spread quietly, especially in Galilee and Judea.

---

Radicalization (AD 30–50)​

AD 30s​

• Roman crucifixions increase.
• Banditry (lēstai in Josephus) becomes more frequent — often ideological rather than criminal.
• Zealot ideas blend with messianic expectations.

AD 40s​

• Sons and followers of Judas the Galilean continue agitation.
• Roman procurators respond harshly.
• Seeds of organized revolt are forming, but no unified command yet.

---

Rise of the Sicarii (AD 50–66)​

Early AD 50s​

• Emergence of the Sicarii (“dagger-men”).
• Assassinate collaborators in public places, especially Jerusalem festivals.
• Josephus treats them as an extreme wing of the Zealot cause.

AD 52–60​

• Sicarii active under procurators Felix and Festus.
• High priests, elites, and Roman sympathizers targeted.
• Popular fear spreads in Jerusalem.

---

Open Revolt & Zealot Rule (AD 66–70)​

AD 66​

• Outbreak of the First Judean–Roman War.
• Zealots seize Jerusalem.
• Roman garrison massacred.
• Temple authorities overthrown.

AD 67​

• Zealot factions dominate Jerusalem.
• Moderate Judean leaders executed.
• Internal violence increases.
• John of Gischala emerges as a major Zealot leader.

AD 68​

• Zealots and Sicarii intensify terror.
• High priesthood corrupted and politicized.
• Civil war inside Jerusalem between rival Zealot factions.

AD 69​

• Simon bar Giora enters Jerusalem with his own armed followers.
• Three-way civil war inside the city:
  • John of Gischala
  • Simon bar Giora
  • Eleazar ben Simon
• Temple precinct becomes a battlefield.

AD 70​

• Roman siege under Titus.
• Zealot infighting continues during the siege.
• Second Temple destroyed.
• Zealot leadership annihilated or captured.
• Simon bar Giora paraded and executed in Rome.

---

Final Resistance (AD 70–73)​

AD 70–73​

• Remaining Sicarii retreat to Masada.
• Conduct raids on nearby Judean settlements.
• Roman siege under Flavius Silva.

AD 73​

• Fall of Masada.
• Mass death of defenders (as reported by Josephus).
• End of organized Zealot resistance.

---

Aftermath & Legacy​

Post-AD 73​

• Zealot movement ceases as an organized force.
• Roman repression eliminates ideological militancy in Judea.
• Memory of the Zealots preserved largely through Josephus, often negatively.
• Later rabbinic tradition views Zealot extremism as contributing to the Temple’s destruction.

---

Summary Timeline (Compressed)​

• AD 6 – Judas the Galilean; Zealot ideology founded
• AD 6–50 – Underground resistance
• AD 50s – Sicarii assassinations
• AD 66 – Revolt begins; Zealots seize Jerusalem
• AD 67–69 – Zealot rule and civil war
• AD 70 – Jerusalem and Temple destroyed
• AD 73 – Masada falls; movement ends

Judean Zealot Sects around AD 70​

By the time of the siege of Jerusalem, the “Zealots” were not a single unified group, but multiple militant sects and warbands, often violently opposed to one another.

---

1. The Zealots Proper (Temple Zealots)​

Identity​

• Core ideological heirs of Judas the Galilean (AD 6).
• Saw themselves as guardians of God’s kingship.
• Centered on Jerusalem and the Temple.
• Claimed legitimacy through zeal for the Law (qanah).

Beliefs​

• God alone is ruler; no foreign lord may reign.
• Armed resistance is a religious duty.
• Death preferable to submission.
• Temple purity more important than political compromise.

Base​

• Temple precincts (inner courts).
• Jerusalem aristocracy purged.

Leader​

Eleazar ben Simon​

• Son of Simon (possibly Simon the Zealot mentioned earlier by Josephus).
• Controlled the inner Temple.
• Zealously guarded sacrifices and access.
• Eventually fought other Zealot factions inside the Temple itself.

Fate​

• Crushed during Roman siege.
• Temple burned while they still occupied it.

---

2. John of Gischala’s Zealot Faction​

Identity​

• Militarized Galilean Zealot group.
• Less priestly, more political and opportunistic.
• Used Zealot ideology but sought personal dominance.

Beliefs​

• Zeal for freedom, but flexible with violence.
• Willing to manipulate Temple institutions.
• Less concerned with ritual purity than power.

Base​

• Originally Galilee.
• Later controlled much of Jerusalem, including outer Temple courts.

Leader​

John of Gischala​

• Charismatic, ruthless, highly intelligent.
• Former Galilean commander.
• Rival of Josephus.
• Entered Jerusalem under pretense of defending the city.
• Controlled large armed forces and supplies.

Actions​

• Fought Eleazar ben Simon.
• Burned rival food stores, worsening famine.
• Eventually fought Simon bar Giora.

Fate​

• Captured alive by Romans.
• Imprisoned for life.

---

3. Simon bar Giora’s Movement​

Identity​

• A mass-based revolutionary warlord, not a Temple priest.
• Represented rural and lower-class Judeans.
• Closest to a popular messianic kingship model.

Beliefs​

• Judea must be freed entirely.
• Strong anti-elite and anti-aristocracy stance.
• More openly royalist/messianic in tone.

Base​

• Countryside of Judea.
• Later controlled Upper City of Jerusalem.

Leader​

Simon bar Giora​

• Towering physical presence (per Josephus).
• Styled himself as king.
• Issued orders like a sovereign ruler.
• Wore royal garments during final defense.

Actions​

• Brought tens of thousands into Jerusalem.
• Fought both John of Gischala and Eleazar ben Simon.
• Controlled executions and food distribution.

Fate​

• Captured after Jerusalem fell.
• Paraded in Titus’ triumph in Rome.
• Executed publicly.

---

4. The Sicarii (Extreme Zealots)​

Identity​

• Most radical Zealot sect.
• Named after the sica (dagger).
• Specialized in assassination and terror.

Beliefs​

• Total rejection of compromise.
• Willing to kill Judeans viewed as collaborators.
• Hostile even to other Zealots.

Base​

• Initially Jerusalem crowds.
• Later Masada.

Leader​

Eleazar ben Jair​

• Descendant of Judas the Galilean.
• Ideological purist.
• Rejected alliances with other Judean factions.

Actions​

• Public assassinations during festivals.
• Kidnappings and forced allegiance.
• After AD 70, raided Judean villages.

Fate​

• Last stand at Masada (AD 73).
• Mass death of defenders ends Sicarii resistance.

---

5. Zealot-aligned Prophets & Messianic Figures​

Identity​

• Not formal commanders.
• Charismatic religious leaders.
• Promised divine intervention.

Beliefs​

• God would intervene visibly.
• Signs and wonders imminent.
• Jerusalem would not fall.

Role​

• Encouraged resistance during siege.
• Led crowds into fatal confrontations.
• Undermined rational defense.

Josephus’ View​

• Sees them as false prophets, but admits their influence was enormous.

---

Internal Conflict (Critical Factor)​

By AD 69–70, Jerusalem was divided:

• Civil war during siege
• Food stores destroyed
• Thousands killed by fellow Judeans
• Romans exploited divisions

Josephus explicitly states more Judeans died by Judean hands than Roman ones during this phase.

I had a dream or vision where I saw a demon or fallen angel that was attacking me get bound and then chained in this bottomless pit place. In this bottomless pit place there was a hole without end and fire and the monster was bound with great chains. It went from looking like a familiar person when it was attacking and oppressing me to a hidious reptilian creature when it was bound. I had been praying to the Lord to deliver me from oppression in my waking life and then had this dream the following night. The monster was so afraid looking and it was terrified when it was being bound. I never saw who was defeating the monster I only saw snapshots and the after affects but it was as real as my waking life. I don't know why I always have had these vivid dreams but this is the first time I have ever prayed the day before I went to sleep and this happened that I can remember. Usually they are completely random. I don't like talking about this kind of thing but this was very unusual and I wonder if the Lord was revealing how he answers our prayers and defeats the enemy regarding spiritual warfare?

An unusually large pileup of Second Amendment challenges has landed at the Supreme Court, which will consider taking up the cases behind closed doors Friday.

It would add to what is already a major term for gun rights. The justices previously agreed to hear two cases early next year that involve whether unlawful drug users can carry firearms and Hawaii’s gun permitting regime.




I have mixed feeling about these. I'll explain why.

Preface: Scotus can only evaluate what's presented to them and elevated to their court, not perfect world scenarios to make new legal stipulations.

Hawaii and similar states having a "may issue" permitting system.

The two sides of that coin, a person pays the application fees, spends money to dot all of the I's and cross all the T's, and then an issuing agency says "Nah, sorry, we're not going to give you a carry permit".

The flip side, an issuing agency has guys like this show up:


"Hi, I passed the background check did the paperwork, the gremlins who live in my closet said I should carry a gun, rabbit skins feel nice don't they...anyway...can I have my permit please?"

...perhaps some discretion is a good thing in some instances.


On the "felon" stuff...I've long maintained that people with non-violent felonies (like cooking the books) are less of a public threat than a person with violent misdemeanors on their record, and shouldn't be denied the right of self defense. The problem is, SCOTUS has a narrow scope to work with to establish precedent and isn't involving that sort of nuance to make the distinction between violent and non-violent felonies, and I certainly don't want former armed robbers being legally licensed to carry.

As far as the drug users thing, that's also too broad. Despite marijuana being closer to alcohol on the "risk spectrum", its lumped in with PCP and heroin (federally), so SCOTUS striking down laws on behalf of some casual pot users could have the negative effect of allowing some hardcore drug users to get their hands on guns.

We live in a day and age today when many profess faith in Jesus Christ with their lips, but their hearts are far from him, and when many who profess Jesus as Lord of their lives are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” out to destroy the sheep of our Lord’s pasture. Many who stand before the congregations of the people are charlatans (impostors, pretenders, con artists, and swindlers) whose goal is not to lead people to genuine faith in Jesus Christ, but to lead them away from Christ while pretending to lead them to salvation from sin.

They, like Herod, are not really interested in getting to know Jesus Christ so that they can worship him, but so that they can trick and deceive the people into believing that they can have salvation from sin and eternal life with God in heaven without them having to die to sin and to walk in obedience to our Lord’s New Covenant commands. And they are very good at smooth talking and charming the people and saying what sounds good to itching ears. And so many people are, thus, following their lies all the way straight to hell.

For they lead them on an empty path to nowhere which is not connected to the vine, Jesus Christ. It is not connected to the power source, and so those who travel this path end up returning to the same habitual sinful patterns as they had before they professed faith in Jesus Christ. So they just keep recycling the same behaviors over again because the path they are on is the broad road which leads to destruction, and not the narrow path which leads to eternal life. For the narrow way requires death to sin and obeying God.

The magi, nonetheless, were sincere in their search for Jesus Christ, and in their desire to worship him, in truth. So they sought after him in full sincerity of heart and mind, eager to find him that they might worship him. And they did find him in a house with his mother Mary, and it is presumed that he was about two years old by this time. And they brought him gifts. But, having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way which led them home (vv 9-12).

And God is presently warning many people not to return to the “Herods” of this world who, in truth, are out to destroy Jesus Christ and his plan of salvation (the gospel) but while pretending to want to worship Christ. So he is sending out warnings through the teachings of the Scriptures to let the people know that many of them are being lied to and deceived into believing that their sins no longer matter to God and so they can keep on in their habitual sins while still claiming heaven as their eternal destiny.

But Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

So, know the truth of the gospel, and don’t return to the “Herods,” i.e. to the charlatans of this world who are out to destroy Jesus Christ and his gospel message. They may appear sincere in their desire to worship Christ, but looks can be deceiving. Seek Jesus out for yourselves, and let his Word teach you the truth of the Scriptures. But read the Scriptures in their correct biblical context. And don’t rely on other humans to tell you the truth, for liars are all over the place. And seek the Lord in truth, and he’ll be found.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

Mary, Did You Know?

Songwriters: Greene Lee Rufus / Lowry Mark Alan

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven's perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you're
Holding is the great, I Am

Mary, did you know?

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We’ve Come to Worship Him
An Original Work / December 13, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

I have my favorites. My mother liked secular ones. Her favorite was The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole. Santa isn't Christmas to me. I have two favorites, based on lyrics not tunes: Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O Come, All Ye Faithful.

Put some fire in that life of yours for some amazing outcomes!

*A man can be short, dumpy, and getting bald, but if he has fire, women will like him. -Mae West

E = mc2... Or divided... Mass (m) = Fire (E/c2)...

Natural E/c2 - All mass is basically cooled plasma
Mental E/c2 - Mentally, A mathematical formula, but this has chemical and spiritual properties as well.
Spiritual E/c2 - E (motivation, warmth, love) / c2 (faith, hope, charity, joy)

I just finished watching "Wake Up Dead Man", the third movie in the Knives Out series. It's a complicated murder mystery, which I won't spoil by discussing any plot details here. But what caught my attention most about the movie is that, in the character of Father Jud (a Catholic priest), we see one of the most accurate portrayals of the Christian faith at its best that I've ever seen on screen.

Most often, movies don't even address religion. If they do, it's often generically bland; or, worse, the religious dialogue is clumsy, and the religious characters are flat caricatures. Only rarely have I seen Christian characters portrayed with a faith that resembles my own and dialogue that sounds like Christians I know in real life. This is one of those rare movies. I recommend it, for that reason.

Also, it's a good murder mystery.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration diverted more than $35 million in taxpayer funds — an amount far greater than previously known — as part of a brazen agenda last year to defeat two ballot amendments he staunchly opposed, a Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times investigation has found. Much of the state money was intended to assist needy Floridians, including children. Instead, it paid for political consultants, lawyers and thousands of advertisements that helped DeSantis and his supporters win at the ballot box.

The findings shed new light on the DeSantis administration’s marshaling of state resources to finance his fight against political causes supported by a majority of Florida voters. Amendment 3 would have legalized recreational marijuana. Amendment 4 would have overturned the six-week abortion ban pushed by DeSantis. Both fell just short of the 60% needed to pass. The most visible cog in his campaign — the use of the state’s Hope Florida charity — is the subject of a grand jury investigation. In that case, nearly $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was steered to a political committee controlled by the governor’s chief of staff.

The diversion of state money came at a time when the term-limited governor’s deep pool of donors had begun to dry up after a failed presidential campaign. Without the cash needed to wage the all-out blitz to defeat the amendments, he turned to taxpayer money to air what he called “public service announcements” to educate Floridians.

See also:

What is Hope Florida? Why Casey DeSantis-connected charity is reportedly under investigation​

The battle over Hope Florida, a project spearheaded by Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, kicked into a new gear with news that a criminal investigation may have been opened into a $10 million "donation" from a Medicaid settlement that was then sent to a political committee to fight a constitutional amendment that her husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis, didn't like.

In Egypt, Christians often face discrimination in their communities. Christian women are harassed on the streets, especially in rural areas, and Christian children are bullied at school. Sometimes Muslim mobs force Christians to leave their homes after accusations of blasphemy. These incidents mostly happen in Upper Egypt, where radical Islamist groups are active. The Salafi al-Nour party, despite being a religious party, operates legally and exerts strong influence in poor, rural areas.

Egyptian President el-Sisi speaks positively about Christians and attempts to promote unity, but local authorities often fail to protect Christians from attacks. Building new churches is difficult in certain areas of Egypt, and Christians face hostility and violence from their communities.

from Islam can also face severe pressure from their families to return to the religion. Security services detain and intimidate converts, making it difficult to live openly as Christians.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?

In Upper Egypt, in the southern part of the country, society is more conservative and radical. Most attacks on Christians happen there, especially in the Minya Governorate. Christians in poor rural areas in the north, such as the Nile Delta, also face similar oppression from radical Muslims. But throughout the Muslim-majority country, converts from Islam face heavy pressure for their decision to follow Jesus.

Meet 'Julie'
Teachers, and classmates used to mockingly tell me that Christians are crazy, claiming that we worship three gods. A Muslim classmate once told me that she will slaughter me because I am Christian.
JULIE, A CHRISTIAN CHILD

What has changed this year?

Egypt fell by two positions on the World Watch List this year – but the persecution score is exactly the same, meaning things have not changed for followers of Jesus in this North African nation. This year, Christians in Egypt have been mostly affected by the deteriorating economy. This increased poverty and exacerbated already existing power dynamics between Muslims and Christians. Many Christians are treated as second-class citizens, relegated to performing menial jobs with poor safety conditions and limited pay. In particular, converts from Islam continue to face violent opposition, while in several incidents, Coptic believers have been attacked, unjustly detained and, in one case, killed.

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Egypt?

Open Doors works through local partners in Egypt to support the church throughout the country with literacy training, education, advocacy, medical outreach, and youth, family and women’s ministries.

How can you pray for Egypt?

• In Egypt, it can be dangerous for someone to leave Islam to follow Jesus. Pray for these brave believers.
• Pray for Christians who experience discrimination and abuse because of their faith. Ask God to sustain them.
• Pray for Christians who are attacked or have loved ones who have suffered attacks. Pray that God will heal their wounds and restore their hope.

My father was a Adventist minister, so I grew up listening to innumerable sermons and Daniel and Revelation prophecy series, and my mother did the various church and health messages, think '5 day plan to stop smoking', and I knew what was coming for each night. But, come to the present as we are getting to the final days, and I sometimes seem to struggle in what sermon to bring before the brethren, as I volunteer for the sermon as a elder.

I thought I was the only one, that some weeks I had no idea what sermon for this time to preach about, till almost the day of the sermon. But I have become aware that others also struggle to find what they should preach especially after hitting all the major points and beliefs, especially for the last days and prophecy. It might be that some are between ideas for what the brethren need or just struggling for ideas.

If we who preach as lay preachers were all honest, we’ve come across this, or come to the point of asking, ”What do the people need?”

So how do you find a message, especially for these last days, from God’s Word that your church needs and you are excited about?

I dreamed I was in a large church building. I didn't know the people there well, and was new. It felt as if I was accepted as part of this group of believers, and they expected me to to participate through service.

I was going around different parts of the building, helping out in various ways and hoping they would feel I was useful and productive. No one really talked with me directly, and it felt like even though I was there taking part, I wasn't really one of them and they didn't view me as someone who belonged, just someone to receive service from.

It was announced that Jesus was there and would be staying for a while. He wouldn't be preaching or performing miracles. He was only going to be counseling and teaching people privately, one on one. He had space He was using in an office or classroom that looked like it had been turned into a small, cozy library. The lighting was dim with a warm glow, sufficient for seeing but not overstimulating (which is something I really need in my real life because light causes overstimulation for me which eventually leads to stress headaches). There wasn't much furniture in there, and it was low to the ground, but it was comfortable.

Everyone had to sign up for a time for teaching or counseling and could only have small sessions with Him. As I was working around the building, I noticed a man came out of the room, and left the door open. I could see Jesus in there, and He was just calmly and peacefully waiting for someone else to come in. He seemed to be meditating.

I went in the room because I needed to put something away in there. I spoke to him briefly to be polite and hoped he wouldn't be bothered by me entering. He didn't seem disturbed at all and it seemed like He had a welcoming attitude. I didn't want to leave the room. I wanted to stay in there and wanted Him to talk to me. I asked if we could talk a little even though I didn't have a session scheduled. He said yes. I felt moved that He was willing to lay aside his mediation and give me time. He picked up a book, and He meant to teach from it but I wasn't sure if the teaching was for me or others.

I sat and waited for him to speak. He didn't. I realized He wanted me to ask Him questions or talk with Him about things I struggle with. I didn't want to. I began to feel numb and my mind was going blank about details of my life.

I didn't want to explain the difficult things or get deep into the emotional topics. It felt like too much, and I'm tired of talking about it and explaining things (both in my dream and in real life). I just kept hoping He would say something. I worried I was wasting His time and that others would think that. I was also worried they would disapprove of me spending time with Jesus and working through issues instead of serving. He only stayed quiet and waited. He had a patient and kind demeanor. He never opened the book He was holding or mentioned it.

After a while, I felt like it was pointless to continue sitting there with no conversation. I got up and walked out. I walked away thinking and hoping that He would be willing to listen when I felt ready, maybe a little at a time. I felt lonely when I left and didn't want to be out of His presence. I worried that I wouldn't be able to go in and talk with Him again. He was still sitting and He was watching me though the door. I walked away because I was supposed to be busy doing things.

Nearly two dozen House Republicans joined Democrats Thursday to pass a bill that would restore collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees, an attempt to overturn an executive order that President Donald Trump issued earlier this year.

Like for the impending[?] release of the Epstein files, this law was passed through a discharge petition.