Tom D said:

I studied The Crucible when I was in high school.

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It's a great play. Though, I forgot that Arthur Miller was such a diehard atheist. Some of his commentary is highly critical of religion.

essentialsaltes said:

Trump mobilizing up to 1,700 National Guard troops in 19 states to widen crime and immigration crackdown​

The apparent expansion in operations comes as President Trump threatened to send the “regular military” into Chicago for a similar crime crackdown, as well as potentially send troops to New York City.

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New York City ties its record for longest stretch without a homicide​

During the first 11 months of the year, New York City saw its lowest number of shooting incidents (652) and shooting victims (812) in recorded history, according to NYPD data.

For the month of November, murders were also at the lowest level ever, with 16 murders, tying the previous record set in 2018.

The record-tying milestone comes after the Trump administration considered sending members of the National Guard to New York City streets.

[I guess Mamdani got rid of the billionaires and crime has come down.]

We don't believe in common ancestry; we believe in common design.

From AI Overview:

Same similarities (DNA, anatomy) are interpreted as evidence of a common blueprint, not common descent.

Dan1988 said:

No, God commands all men to repent, so they are without excuse, when they stand before Him on judgement day

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But now commands all men everywhere to repent Because He has appointed a day in the which they will be judged.... And has given assurance unto all in that He raised Christ from the dead.

If it was not possible for them to repent, then they have a very good excuse for judgement day, can you understand that?

keras said:

I regard your 'charts' as wrong and the end times cannot happen as you portray.

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So you don't think these events will happen ?

Matthew 24:
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

CLEEB said:

I am aware that in the population of modern day Israel has many are Khazars . The number of true descendents of the ancient nation is unknown to me. Have you considered that in the second resurrection GOD will raise up the nation to flesh again and in that day keep HIS promise to Abraham regarding carnal Israel ? Paul did say that GOD has not written off these people but at some future time they can be grafted back into the olive tree if the do not remain in unbelief. Ezekiel 36 describes this time of restoration. The physical resurrection of carnal Israel may be described in Ezekiel 37 Since it is said that David will be king over them this must be at a future time after David’s resurrection. Romans 11:11-15 speaks of this life from the dead in the second resurrection. When discussing prophecy we should know that prophecy is like being in a dark room with very little light but as the light level increases more can be known. Doctrine is prophecy that has been fulfilled, like the prophecy of the first advent is now doctrine. Until more light shines or as more things are fulfilled the pieces will come together. This is one reason why Jesus told us to watch and we watch for the signs he gave us to come to pass. We also hear the words of the prophets and Apostles about these things. We must be careful to not go beyond what has been written.

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The judgment of the sheep and goats, (white throne judgment) will begin shortly after the second resurrection. This second resurrection will be at the end of time when Jesus descends to earth with his angels and saints. These saints receive their resurrected bodies before they accompany Jesus to earth. The people still on earth will receive their resurrected bodies as they rise to meet Jesus in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

The unbelieving Jews have already had 2000 years to become Christians. Many of the remnant Jews have become Christians during this time period. More will come into the Church before Jesus' second coming.

David's earthly kingship ended when he died. Jesus Christ is now king and he will be king forever in heaven and on earth. Revelation 1:4-5

Wolseley said:

The Islamic Caliphate of Britainistan (formerly known as the United Kingdom) is a cautionary tale for all of us.

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No, this country is still the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Wolseley said:

You’re looking at a country that doesn’t exist anymore.

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Yes it most certainly does.

Wolseley said:

England didn’t fall with tanks and smoke.

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England is a region of the United Kingdom, which still exists. It always did, although it was never really the fairytale version that some people from elsewhere in the world thought it was.

Wolseley said:

Black cabs sliding over wet cobblestones.

The smell of rain soaking into old stone.

The ding of a double-decker bus pulling to a stop.
Real accents — Cockney, Midlands, Yorkshire — drifting through the air like a soundtrack.

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We changed the cobblestones because they are hard on the horseless carriages, and buses no longer have dinging bells because we have modern electronics in buses nowadays. Islam is nothing to do with it. It still rains a lot.

Wolseley said:

If you’ve ever wandered London, even once, you know exactly what I mean.

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Londoner DNA for over a thousand years speaking. I do not know what you mean.

Wolseley said:

Big Ben rising over the Thames like a cathedral tower.
The Changing of the Guard — boots hitting pavement in perfect time.

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The Guards are fine, so is Big Ben. Please all stop trying to pet and pose with the horses though, they are trained army horses, they will hurt you.

Wolseley said:

Red phone booths so iconic they looked painted onto the street.

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Two of which stand right outside my front window, now. They are an art gallery, and we only got to keep the red outsides because I live in an area of historical architectural importance. The red phone boxes died because everybody got a smartphone. They are in heaps in corners, some places you can buy one if you can think of a use for it.

Wolseley said:

Fish and chips wrapped in paper, vinegar sharp in the air.

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Still happens. I see it every day.

Wolseley said:

A place where history wasn’t something you read —
it was something you walked on.

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We are as as old as we always were.

Wolseley said:

England had too many manners and not enough nerve.

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No such thing as too many manners, and we are more often seen as arrogant rather than cowardly.

Wolseley said:

In 2016, a government-commissioned investigation — the Casey Review — confirmed that Sharia councils were operating in parts of England, handling civil and family matters outside British courts.

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Yes, they are legal here, they always have been. They have no legal power though, they are not UK law.

Sharia: are fears of a parallel legal system unfounded? - Religion Media Centre
Islamic Law in the United Kingdom - Talk About: Law and Religion

Wolseley said:

It faded in a million tiny silences —
every time someone noticed a change, felt uneasy, and told themselves not to say anything.

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We have a guy called Nigel Farage, the Reform Party, the Daily Express and Mail all loudly moaning about immigration all over the place. There is no silence.

Wolseley said:

A country that wouldn’t stop apologizing eventually forgot who it was and what it was apologizing for.

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We are still here saying "sorry" "please" and "thank you" so often that those witnessing it for the first time are initially totally confused, and usually if we are sorry it is in case we bothered you. No one has forgotten.

America's favorite Nazi gasbag makes for good marketing.

“Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas” takes a direct and reverent approach to the Nativity story, exchanging the traditional holiday cheer for a more historically grounded portrayal of the circumstances, no matter how difficult, surrounding Jesus’ birth.

The two-hour ABC special, airing Dec. 9 and then the following day on Hulu, blends reenactments, narration from Costner, and commentary from Christian theologians to reframe a story many viewers think they know well.

It’s not a glossy story, and the production’s central strength lies in its emphasis on realism.

Rather than presenting Mary and Joseph as static religious symbols, the dramatizations depict them as young people navigating fear, uncertainty and danger. The couple’s youth and social vulnerability, the political pressure of Roman rule, and Herod’s mounting paranoia form the backdrop of the journey to Bethlehem.

Continued below.

Virginia Democrat governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed the Federal Bureau of Investigation agent whose office released a memo many considered anti-Catholic to a post in her administration.

Last week, Spanberger announced the appointment of veteran law enforcement official Stanley Meador as Virginia's secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

“As a former federal law enforcement officer, I know that this success requires leaders who know how to collaborate with communities and law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth amid an ever-evolving threat landscape," stated Spanberger.

"Meador's decades of service to our country and our Commonwealth will bring the expertise necessary to protect our citizens, support the brave men and women of law enforcement, and make sure Virginia is a place where every Virginian can safely thrive."

Continued below.

RamiC said:

I am sorry you are facing this experience in your life, and thank Jesus for your faith to give you strength.

I have living relatives that I am not talking to because of advice from the police that it would be dangerous to communicate with them. It was impossible to explain this to any of my family, because it would also be dangerous to let on that the police said that.

I was raised in church, always liked it, missed some years as an adult, but never lost my own faith. Everyone who knew my family when we were together found us to be kind and helpful people. The internal dynamics were constant extreme stress. All it took was a secret, a lie, and one very bad influence on one person (a toxic friend) and the whole thing was a nightmare. If one person's needs start always, consistantly coming before another, family life has gone in real terms. If the attitude to one or more members is biased, in favour of or against, family life has gone. If everyone listens to whoever is shouting loudest, or crying hardest, instead of whoever is making the smartest suggestion family life has gone. It was a source of a kind of shame for me, especially regarding church, because I did not want to accuse other members of the church of doing very wrong things without proof.

I pray constantly for a restoration of healthy family dynamics in the western world, I look out for every way I might be able to help others learn from the disaster that I survived which called itself my family. I also ask Jesus to restore my contact with any willing relatives I still have, but there is a safety standard that they would have to recognise before that can be done.

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I'm sorry you've had to deal with what you described too. That sounds really rough. I also pray for restoration, change and that God brings people into my life for my benefit. We may not have a good earthly family unit, but at least we have our spiritual family!

DaisyDay said:

Was he delusional nuts or just regular nuts?

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His wife defended him, saying he was trying to stop a thief, so I guess this counts as regular nuts for Georgia?

Rev 19 says that at Christ's appearing the opposing armies of Earth are all slain and then 'the rest were killed by the sword that comes from Christ's mouth" (ie "The Word" of God)

2 Thess 1:5-8 says that those who "do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel" are all slain when Christ appears)

This might explain the desolate earth scenario of Jeremiah 4;23-26

Given that at Christ's appearing (1 Thess 4:13-18) all the saints are raptured.

RDKirk said:

If took the job for money, they literally are entitled to be paid.

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Agreed. There was a story today about rip offs with immigrants. Not right, legal or illegally here.

@mourningdove~ I have a pair of shoes I need to look up a cobbler for, lol. They look too nice to throw out, but the sole's starting to separate.

What is a waverunner ?

Dave... said:

Yes, Jesus is the true Church, the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13

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And Gal 6:15 is the BEST WAY. to explain. the DIFFERENCE. between Israel and GENTILES and. the BODY OF CHRIST

For in. Christ Jesus NEITHER CIRCUMCISION ( ARE JEWS ). is of any FORCE

NOR UNCUMCISION ( GENTILES. ). but a NEW CREATION. meaning. the BODY of CHRIST

And today the BODY of Christ RULES , because of HEB 9:18. is the big BOMB. so read very carefully

other wise you will need a PRIEST. and ALTER. and ANIMAL. for a SACIFICE.

dan p

Pull little levers today.

TODA

As a kid, I went to the Baptist church with mom. Poor lady. I have two memories from that church, and one is her literally dragging me by my arm down the sidewalk to the front door. I was crying and screaming because I didn't want to go in. Mom was very embarrassed and apologizing to an elderly couple who were looking very sternly at me as if I were under demonic influence. I think it was because I was a very hyperactive kid, and hated having to be quiet and sit still. But maybe demons viewed me as an easy target because of that. ?

The other thing I remember was something the preacher said one Sunday, the only thing I remember him saying, which stuck with me and would come up later in life.

Dad was not religious. The only time I heard him mention God or Jesus was when he was trying to fix the car, if you know what I mean. But he would convert and be baptized later in life.

One day in elementary school a teacher told us that light and sound traveled at different speeds. I'd never heard of that, and it didn't make sense to me because I didn't think of those as physical things. But one day while riding my bike I stopped on a hill to watch some older guys playing baseball a good distance away. I experienced what the teacher was talking about, because I would see the bat hit the ball, but didn't hear the sound from that till a second later. This blew me away. G.K.C. said that "One elephant having a trunk was odd; but all elephants having trunks looked like a plot." And C. S. Lewis in several places wrote of reality as an "artifact" of God.

In whatever childlike thoughts I had, in that moment I realized that reality presents itself to us as something like "stagecraft" in a play. Something set up or designed to be experienced a certain specific way. Reality is real enough to us, but there's something else behind it. And if we're in some kind of play, it's possible that some kind of story is being told, or that we are to tell it. Later, like most of you EO, I'd come to know that it's also a cosmic battle.

I've also always kinda liked the Santa Claus editorial to Virginia: "...there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond."

I read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe as a kid. Loved the story, but didn't have a clue what it was actually about.

(I apologize for not just getting straight to conversion to EO. I will. It's just that looking back I perceive that I may have picked up bits of truth which each played a part in eventually leading me to the fullness of Truth.)

So

essentialsaltes said:

On Dec. 5, officers responded to a report of a vehicle crash in a Publix parking lot.

When they arrived, they found a Chevy Silverado with 43-year-old Benjamin Donald Johnson behind the wheel. Johnson refused multiple commands by police to get out of the truck.

As Johnson sat the back of a police cruiser, an officer overheard Johnson says there was a “dirty bomb” in his truck. Officers found a yellow plastic container secured with chains and locks, with a radioactive warning label.

With the help of personnel from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, ATF, and an FBI bomb technician, it was advised that the device inside the container was a moisture density gauge, commonly used for soil testing. The experts said it emits less radioactivity than a medical X-ray.

A search of Johnson’s truck yielded several firearms and ammunition, firearm magazine speed loaders, thermal scopes, knives, a battering ram, night vision goggles, cannabis and gummies which tested positive for THC.

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So, just you're average ICE recruit then?

China’s trade surplus tops $1 trillion as its exports surge​

But as trade with the U.S. weakens, China is diversifying its export markets throughout Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

[China's surplus for the first 11 months of 2025 is already larger than all of 2024 and a new record, topping $1T for the first time.]

Right, as I indicated at the outset, if the US picks a fight with the world, the world doesn't have to fight with each other -- they can band together and do EVEN MOAR trade.

Sarcophagus of ‘real Santa Claus’ found at St. Nicholas Church in Turkey - only just found this.

essentialsaltes said:

The 'essay' itself is floating around and it really does bear no resemblance to a piece of academic writing, even a poor one.

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The reason it was floating around was that conservatives were making a big deal of this 'injustice' and spreading it themselves as 'evidence' of what a great essay it was.

Why conservatives are obsessed with this bad college essay​

The academic merits of Fulnecky’s essay are immaterial to the battle at hand. [Short answer to headline question: it's ragebait.]