The United Nations General Assembly has once again demonstrated how far removed it is from the realities on the ground. With 139 votes, it called on Israel to cooperate with UNRWA and other UN organisations. It is a resolution without binding force and without any realistic connection to the events of recent years. It ignores the fact that Israel has good reasons to deny UNRWA access. It ignores what international partners themselves now confirm: the structures of the "Palestinian" refugee agency have been deeply infiltrated by Hamas and related terrorist groups for years.

Israel responded clearly and unequivocally. Ambassador Danny Danon stated that no resolution in the world would compel Israel to cooperate with an organisation whose employees were involved in kidnappings, murders and supporting armed groups. Danon's words summarise what Jerusalem has been emphasising for years. Criticism of UNRWA is not politically motivated, but based on specific incidents ranging from exposed terrorist cells to underground Hamas facilities beneath the organisation's schools.

The vote in the General Assembly is therefore less an expression of international legal opinion than a reflection of global power relations. Many states automatically follow any proposal that is placed in the context of the Middle East conflict if it offers them the opportunity to criticise Israel and at the same time demonstrate their own position in the multilateral structure. The resolution reinforces this reflexive dynamic. In terms of content, however, it fails to address the question of how humanitarian structures can function when terrorist organisations deliberately abuse them.

The timing is particularly noteworthy. Just a few months ago, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that Israel must grant UNRWA access, as there was allegedly insufficient evidence of Hamas infiltration. At that point, Israel had already documented several cases in which employees had supported terrorist attacks or provided infrastructure for military purposes. The UN demanded evidence, which Israel provided but which it then ignored. This creates an absurd situation: a state defending itself against terrorism is expected to trust an agency that cannot even ensure internally that its own employees are not part of that terrorism.

Today's decision confirms this imbalance. The UN expects cooperation without even beginning to reduce the risks. It demands access without demanding accountability. It ignores the fact that UNRWA in Gaza is not simply a humanitarian organisation, but operates in an environment where Hamas controls every space. Those who block, manipulate or misuse aid supplies have been well documented in this structure for years. But instead of investigating its own agency, Israel's political costs are being increased because it is defending itself.

Israel will not allow an organisation that has been proven to employ individuals involved in kidnappings and murders to operate on its territory in the future. Nor will it accept international bodies shirking their responsibility and instead putting pressure on the state that is directly affected by terrorism. The fact that the General Assembly ignores these connections is nothing new. However, the fact that it is increasingly distancing itself from the reality of the region is a warning sign that must be taken seriously.

Any decision that provides political cover for UNRWA without demanding reforms does not stabilise the humanitarian space, but rather the power structures of Hamas. It weakens trust in international institutions. And it leaves the families of hostages, those murdered and victims of terror unheard. Under these conditions, Israel must protect itself alone. It will continue to do so, regardless of what resolutions are passed in NY.

I subscribed to The New Ressourcement in the hope if reading what contemporary academic theologians are up to. I canceled after 4 issues. The articles are so long and deep and presume the reader knows the people referred to. A single issue can take me a year to read.

Neostarwcc said:

Sorry for making a duplicate thread but I figured the old thread was getting kind of full and I wasnt able to describe the whole situation and it was about my father in law passing away and I didnt want to change the topic about me.

Ok so here's whats going on.

Theres several things going on in my life right now. One, as you know my father in law passed away last Sunday and my wife and I are going from New York to Ohio for the funeral this Sunday and will be returning on the 10th. Two, ive been suffering many months with severe asthma and gasping for air at night thinking it was my sleep apnea at night when in reality it was my severe asthma. This gasping at night stumped my pulmonologist for many, many months he ran every test in the book and couldnt figure it out and meanwhile we tried every asthma treatment available for my asthma and nothing could provide relief long enough. Eventually we both together came up with the idea for a biologic so he ordered a blood test and when the results came back it turns out, I have eosinophilic asthma. For those who dont know what that is Its a very rare very severe form of asthma that definitely qualifies me for a biologic and medicaid approved the biologic in 2 days so very quickly.

Anyway, this afternoon I start my first dose of the biologic and ive been taking trelegy (an inhaler) for a few days now. Im hoping and praying they both give me some relief together because ive been suffering for many months. Just absolutely suffering and I need prayers on this. I also need prayers because when my wife and I get back from the funeral I will be prepping for 4 days (the 11th-to 14th) for a colonoscopy on the 15th so they can finally figure out why ive been constipated for decades and try to get that straightened out.

Oh and my psychiatrist just out me on caplyta yesterday and im being taken off of latuda slowly because I was concerned about my weight and caplyta is much easier on weight gain. Latudas been very helpful over the years but its been keeping me over 400 pounds so id rather not jeopardize my health to keep my sanity when other antipsychotics can help with my schizoaffective disorder a lot easier.

Anyway, thats whats going on keep me in your prayers and we can pray and hope together that everything works out. Thanks for your prayers and sorry again for the double post.

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Thankyou, Lord, our God, for being our provider. Thankyou for providing medical input and medicines and corrective medicine. Mostly, God, thankyou for being over all and in all and for being near to us with all of the power of healing in our time of need. You alone are our source and in You alone do we trust! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Your dream reminds me a lot of the story of Mary and Martha. Matt 10:38-42. He is always waiting for us to come to him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." ~ Ephesians 2:8-10

Valletta said:

It's not a matter of teaching. Receiving the Eucharist at mass is following the instructions of Jesus to "do this." The Church, through the power granted by Jesus as per the Bible, makes minimal requirements of the faithful to attend mass, knowing how important it is.

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But talk of “requirements” and “instructions” tends to legalize an intimate encounter, a personal yet also communal sacred rite. Isn’t it counterproductive to require someone to celebrate. And yet encouraging someone to come can open a new life and hope for them.

Now after Jesus ascension, has He been fully glorified to His former state before coming to the stable? Before Mary? Fully omnipresent, fully omnipotent and fully omniscient? Isaiah 9:6, Does Jesus know all there is, beyond a million years, the time of His return?

Also

He was a secular historian that backs up the Bible in that it did occur historically. There are other Roman historians that do the same especially with Jesus as he is an historical figure…

Oompa Loompa said:

Okay. You are right. It is obvious that Trump is a pedophile and secretly loves pedophiles and will circumvent the rule of law to defend pedophiles and rapists. He isn't deporting them, he is giving them refuge and asylum to specifically to deny justice for the victims. There is no other way to explain it. Are you happy now?

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He may not be himself a pedophile, but he does stand up for them and rapists.

It appears that the apple has not fallen far from the tree.

essentialsaltes said:

Because it's missing the additional context that he was prisoner-swapped with Americans being wrongfully detained in China.

Pardoning Trump

If Biden pardoned Trump would that be received as a gesture of reconciliation or as an insult? Or worse yet, an attempt to ingratiate?

www.christianforums.com

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Darn it! Foiled again by simply reading the article.

David Lamb said:

The oversight of the church have authority based on God's word.

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Says them. Yet the Kingdom often takes a back seat to the affairs of man.

durangodawood said:

Thanks for including us on this signal chat.

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Nice, on a couple of levels.

Factotum said:

Instead of what you say here, I think it's best if I go with the opinions of those scholars and experts over at the Hoover Institute.

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I'll go with the judge and jury, thank you very much.

Servus said:

It was a joke, those two are very ultra processed. I should've said Cheese Whiz, that would've been funnier. The simple rule is eat single ingredient foods. The ingredients of an apple are an apple for example. Along with if God didn't make it, don't eat it.

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Cheeze Whiz on Pop Tarts?

ThatRobGuy said:

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5645133-supreme-court-second-amendment-challenges/

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:
View attachment 374401View attachment 374402

"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.

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I think anyone with a Class D felony should get a automatic 5 year loss of gun rights ... if no other offenses during that time their gun rights restored.

A-C they permanently lose their gun rights.

Conceal carry should be allowed nation-wide.

essentialsaltes said:

US veterans agency lost thousands of ‘core’ medical staff under Trump, records show​

Departures are exacerbating existing shortages and creating ‘very unsafe’ conditions for patients, veterans and health workers say

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U.S. Veterans Affairs agency plans as many as 35,000 health-care job cuts this month, Washington Post reports​

The cuts come after the agency cut about 30,000 jobs in July [previous story, more or less]

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs plans to eliminate as many as 35,000 health-care positions this month, the Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing an internal memo, Veterans Affairs staffers and congressional aides.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the report.

“The health-care system is eliminating about 26,400 of its open jobs, which he described as ‘mostly COVID-era roles that are no longer necessary,’” the Washington Post quoted Veterans Affairs Department spokesperson Pete Kasperowicz as saying.

Activist is also an associate minister of UCC-affiliated Church of the Open Arms, has Universal Life Church minister credentials

The executive director of a Black Lives Matter chapter in Oklahoma has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering involving millions of dollars in donor funds. Federal prosecutors say she used the money for personal travel, shopping and real estate.

Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, 52, faces 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering for allegedly diverting more than $3.15 million in charitable donations from accounts linked to Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma.

The indictment alleges that from June 2020 to at least October 2025, she transferred bail refund checks into personal bank accounts and used the money for expenses unrelated to the group’s stated mission.

Dickerson began leading BLM OKC in 2016.

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It's a sad day when a religious leader is not allowed to cull the flock. Culling the flock keeps it healthy by removing the undesirable parts.

zippy2006 said:

This is a good challenge.

The problem with the way that recent papacies have wielded these very subtle theological-moral doctrines is that they tend to simply pretend as if the legal sphere does not exist (cf. Where the Church’s Immigration Rhetoric Fails - First Things).

Hence the Catechism and the Compendium are much more careful than Dilexi te (and beginning with Francis, papal documents have become increasingly rhetorical and propagandistic). For example:




The footnote 371 refers to Rerum Novarum #11, which says nothing about "common and promiscuous dominion" (it turns out that the translations and references are often inconsistent in these documents, including DT).



More succinctly, Catholic doctrine involves a complex balance of opposed and paradoxical principles and values. The Francis papacy had a tendency to highlight one side of the paradox, pretend that the other doesn't exist, and mislead quite grievously. I haven't read this document, so I have no reason to believe that Leo is following in Francis' footsteps, but attempts to highlight the universal destination of goods without mentioning the complex and paradoxical context in which it resides do not do justice to Catholic doctrine. Historically, the universal destination of goods is treated as a kind of exception which applies in cases of extreme poverty. Most people nowadays want it to mean much more. Beyond that, the universal destination of goods is a specifically theological doctrine, absent from natural reason in its stronger forms.

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Yes, Catholic doctrine involves a complex balance of opposed and paradoxical principles and values. But people today, including leaders at high levels, don't seem to have the inclination, patience or even desire to get into the complex weeds where doctrine, principles and values seem to conflict in our day to day social realities. Even more now than ever we like the concise tweets that confirm our biases.

But you identify my biggest gripe. Let us sed both sides of any issue fairly and as objectively as possible. But how de we do that? There does not seem to be a forum for such a hopeful debate. Instead we are forced to listen to each side, who do not talk to each other, and try to discern what is more valuable.

When I was a young monk in my twenties, Br. Ken’s parents would visit our monastery once a year. I still remember the first time I met his mother in our family's guest house. She was sitting in a rocking chair, gently holding a Rosary. We spoke for about thirty minutes, and I found her to be a lovely, gracious woman. At one point, I asked about her Rosary. She told me that as she grew older, prayer became more important to her, and the Rosary was her constant companion. Most days, she would sit quietly in her living room, slowly reciting its prayers.

Over the years, I’ve noticed this pattern in many older people—men and women alike—who made prayer a priority when they were younger. I once knew a Jewish woman who spent her days repeating the Psalms. Now that I am older, I understand what they were experiencing.

As my energy for engaging with the “outer” world diminishes, my desire to pray and open my heart to God continues to grow. Like Br. Ken’s mother, I find myself craving prayer. The soul breathes when it prays, and as I age, this need to embrace God’s love deepens. My connections with others have also become richer. Years ago, I made Br. Ken’s mother a Rosary with large wooden beads strung on Paracord. She loved it, prayed with it daily, and was buried with it when she passed away.

My recent heart procedure was difficult, yet it brought profound changes and unexpected inner healing. I’m not sure I would want to go through it again, but I know the experience was worth it. It taught me endurance, vulnerability, and the hard truth of mortality. No book could have prepared me for that journey.

Through it all, prayer sustained me. I’ve learned that what feels like God’s absence often hides a deeper experience of His presence. Prayer is not always easy, but the Rosary gives me a starting point—a rhythm and beauty that carries me forward. I pray slowly, because if I rush, the words become mechanical and lose meaning. Others prefer a faster pace, and that works for them. For me, slowness opens the heart.

Prayer also connects me to the world—to every man, woman, and child. It roots me in the present moment, keeping my mind from drifting to the past or future. When I am truly present, even fatigue feels lighter. In the end, prayer helps us adapt to the changes of aging and reminds us how precious each day is. We only have now. Staying rooted in that truth is both a gift and a challenge—and without God’s grace, it reveals our inner poverty.—Br. MD

There are seasons in our walk with God when freedom doesn’t come all at once but unfolds step by step. Sometimes there are several seasons we go through in our lives that are very difficult… one after the other, after the other, where it seems like it will never end. Yet when we look back, we realize He was working in places we didn’t even recognize at the time. This testimony is part of that journey - the story of how the Lord broke my chains and taught me how to live as someone truly free.

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV) “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”

For many years it felt like one bondage after the other would bombard my life. I would just be set free from one, and another would come, and another after that. I got to the point in life that I wondered what would come next, and if I would ever be fully set free of the bondage in my life.

Psalm 18:6 (NKJV) “In my distress I called upon the Lord… and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.”

Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV) “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”

Sometimes that freedom comes suddenly, like a prison door swinging open. Other times it arrives quietly, like dawn slowly pushing back the night. However it comes, the Lord leads us forward teaching us that freedom is not only a moment, but a lifelong walk with Him.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV) “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV) “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

During the years of bondage I was going through in my life, I felt like I was trapped in a cage. The bars on the cage were likened to prison bars. It felt like there was no way out of the bondage I was in. As I moved on in my walk with God, in my heart I saw the “prison walls” fall down from all four corners of my life. God had set me free from every bondage I was ever in.

Psalm 107:14 (NKJV) “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their chains in pieces.”

Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV) “…He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”

After the Lord delivers us, He invites us to learn how to walk as free people.

Freedom is not a feeling - it is a fact established by Christ. But learning to live in that freedom takes trust. It takes daily surrender. It takes choosing to believe what God says about us, even when our emotions tell a different story.

Galatians 5:1 (NKJV) “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free…”

Romans 6:18 (NKJV) “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

For years, shame whispered that I was still the same person I used to be. Old habits tried to convince me that nothing had really changed. But the Holy Spirit kept reminding me of a simple truth:

“If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” - John 8:36 (NKJV)

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2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…”

Romans 8:1 (NKJV) “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…”

Freedom became not just something I received - but something I practiced.

Every time an old pattern tried to rise up, the Holy Spirit whispered in my heart, “That’s not who you are anymore.” Every time shame tried to return, He reminded me, “You are forgiven, washed, and made new.” Every time fear tried to creep in, He said, “You are Mine.”

And slowly, the truth settled deep into my spirit: I am no longer defined by what once held me. I am defined by the One who set me free.

If you are walking out your own journey of freedom, take heart. You are not alone. The same God who broke your chains and broke down those “prison walls” will teach you how to walk without them.

One step at a time. One day at a time. One victory at a time.

You are free - and you are learning to live like it.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) “…He who has begun a good work in you will complete it…”

Psalm 37:23–24 (NKJV) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord… Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

To the Holy Spirit: Thank You for guiding every word, guarding every step, and glorifying Jesus. All glory, honor, praise, and worship belong to God Almighty, who alone is worthy.

Scripture Acknowledgement: All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version® (NKJV). Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Special thanks to Bible Gateway for providing accessible, searchable Scripture resources that support devotional writing and spiritual study.

May these words echo grace, healing, and truth wherever they are read.

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FWIW

GOP lawmaker drops FBI whistleblower bombshell about J6 pipe bomb suspect​

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) claimed [an FBI 'whistleblower' asserted that] the FBI arrested the wrong person in the Jan. 6 pipe bomb case.

The 30-year-old Cole lives in a community where several employees of the FBI, Secret Service and police also reside, and the whistleblower said they must have seen him on one of his frequent walks around the area.

"He wanders around his neighborhood several times a day while walking a dog," Massie wrote. "Other than walking his dog, he doesn’t engage in any other activities outside his home. He does not interact with anyone. He doesn’t wave or acknowledge others or even say hello. He does not even look at other people when he walks by. He appears to live in his own world."

"His behavior is awkward," Massie wrote. "It’s obvious he has a mental disability, and likely lives in a permanently vulnerable, intellectual, and emotional state. It’s well known that individuals with mental conditions are susceptible to providing inaccurate and unwarranted 'confessions.'"

"Not only were neighbors not evacuated during the arrest and search of the alleged bomber’s home, they were required to remain in their homes," the congressman wrote. "If the suspect had in fact been engaged in making bombs and stockpiling bomb materials, the proper safety precautions were not taken."

--

The official word is that they have phone records and receipts, which would seem more conclusive, but given how trustworthy the Administration is, there could be some hilarious egg-on-face moments in the future, especially after some of them did a touchdown dance in the end zone and talked smack about how the 'Biden FBI' didn't crack the case. Now the lack of K$H gloating has another potential meaning: he doesn't believe it either, but was under pressure to produce a perp. Let's see how this develops.

Caritas Lithuania has launched a new support initiative for individuals struggling with pornography addiction, responding to what staff describe as a marked surge in people seeking help as explicit content becomes increasingly unavoidable online.

The program, offered in Lithuanian, English, and German — both in person and remotely — provides counseling not only for those battling compulsive sexual behaviors but also for spouses and family members affected by them.

Caritas workers report a noticeable rise in referrals, with many parish priests now directing individuals in their care to the program, touching upon the growing need for coordinated pastoral and professional support.

Growing demand for help​

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