"Archaeopteryx is the fossil that clearly demonstrated Darwin's views. It's the oldest known fossil bird, and it helps show that all birds -- including the ones alive today -- emerged from dinosaurs. And while the first Archaeopteryx fossil was found more than 160 years ago, scientists are continuing to learn new things about this ancient animal. A set of feathers never before seen in this species help explain why it could fly when many of its non-bird dinosaur cousins could not"

UV light and CT scans helped scientists unlock hidden details in a beautifully-preserved fossil Archaeopteryx

Stunning Archaeopteryx Fossil Found Intact — Scientists Are Speechless

The Bible has examples of blessings and curses from Biblical patriarchs which carried prophetic weight.

For example:
1. Isaac intended to bless Esau but was deceived by Jacob. Even a blessing under deceptive circumstances was irrevocable.
2. Jacob blessed his 12 sons, and also Joseph's sons. It turned out to be prophetic and some people say that Jacob's blessings point to oil and gas in Israel (as discovered, and more will be discovered)
3. Noah
4. Moses' blessing to Asher - may he dip his feet in oil.

My relationship with my parents could be better. When I was a child, my Bible teaching dad cursed me by saying I was a bad seed. For some time I walked away from the church because of this toxic upbringing and home, and even now I am afraid of getting married and having a marriage like my parents'.

My father's latest response to why doesn't he remember his wife's birthday while he remembers others' birthdays at church was - "She didn't remember mine first."

So my question is this: Should I seek after my father's blessings before he goes? Would accepting his blessing mean I am also accepting all the curses he pronounced on me?

Horrible.

Gunman screams 'Free Palestine' after killing two Israeli embassy staffers at Jewish museum in D.C. Two dead in shooting targeting Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC via US Home | Daily Mail Online

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“Relax and Take Life In”
Luke 10:38-42 NIV
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I am not a person who can sit very long and not do anything. I get very fidgety and feel like I have to be doing something. My wife is constantly reminding me that I can just rest and relax and that it’s productive. When I’m home, I am cleaning things up in the kitchen and just trying to take care of whatever household needs are present. You know how it goes, right??? Always something to take care of and tend to!

As most of you know, I started running a year ago and I have been putting in a lot of time conditioning my body and working on my endurance for running. I ran my first 5K race in October last year and just now completed my second one this past weekend. I have been trying to improve my time and beat my time from the first race. As I prepared for this recent one, my wife tried to remind me, “Have fun, just try to have fun!”. I kept saying, “I know that, but I want to improve my time.” Bless her heart! She tried hard to encourage me to just take it all in and have a good time. But when you’re competitive about improving your time and placement, it’s hard to just chill and run.

Often times, if I’m tired at home, I feel very guilty and non-productive if I’m just sitting around home and not doing anything but resting. I can think of like 15-20 things I need to be doing and not resting. My wife again reminds me to just chill out and rest because it’s important. Why is this so hard to do??????

I picture this scene where Martha is very upset about her sister and the fact that Mary is just sitting there listening to Jesus and taking that all in while Martha is going at break neck speed to serve and prepare. Neither person is in the wrong really. Mary is trying to take in the presence of Jesus and Martha is just trying to use her gifts of service and hospitality. However, the present scene is one that Martha completely overlooks. As my wife often reminds me, “You need to just rest and take life in.” Martha just needed to chill out and take in the presence of Jesus.

Friends, so often we get so caught up in life and we don’t take the time to just relax and take life in. God didn’t create us to GO-GO-GO-GO-GO all the time. Our bodies can’t take that! We need rest and it’s definitely productive(even if it doesn’t feel like it!!!!) I definitely need to realize this and take time to rest, relax and recharge my internal battery.

We are also often so distracted with busy things that we forget to take the time to take in family time as well. People that we love and care about often get neglected because we are so busy taking care of things too often. It’s not wrong to be busy, but we need to take time out to just take life in with those we love.

Don’t forget to take the time to chill out and take in God’s presence all around. Take a nap in the recliner, beside the pool, on the beach or just veg out somewhere. It’s ok to relax and take life in!

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The things occurring in South Africa are awful. I hope that it can change into a nation of peaceful coexistence.

I believe these scriptures are clear about that. Am I misunderstanding?

1 John 4:14 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Lamentations 3:31 For the Lord will not cast off forever

Romans 5:18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

Romans 11:32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL people to myself.”

Revelation 21:5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

2 Corinthians 5:19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

John 6:51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Colossians 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 3:6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God

Philippians 2:10-11 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

2 Samuel 14:14 We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.

Ephesians 1:10 As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.

John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

1 Corinthians 15:22-28
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God[c] has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

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I've been a member here for a while, but never got around to being very active until now--reading rather than posting. (Some here may know me as as Sojourner from the old BibleForums board). Anyway, happy to be here, and looking forward to dialoguing with my fellow believers.

Thanks in advance.

Actor George Wendt has passed away at age 76. A Catholic, he was married one time only, a rarity among thespians, and she survives along with his three kids. My Bride and I frequently watched the show that made him famous, in those far off days before kids, the internet and network shows progressively becoming impossible to watch. The character he portrayed, Norm Peterson, was always welcome by his friends, although his career was going no where. (Perhaps too much time in the bar?) His wife Vera, portrayed by Wendt’s real life wife, was often the butt of his jokes, but he was resolutely faithful to her and obviously deeply in love with her.

I hope that God extends a kind welcome to Mr. Wendt in the Kingdom where He knows everyone’s name.

Continued below.

Pray that The Holy Spirit ensures there is oversight & checks-and-balance in India as the government engages in armed conflict against Leftist Communist rebels in parts of India's forest areas so that there is No abuse of power

A prominent leader in the American Catholic Church known for feuding with one of the most powerful political figures in the United States has been appointed to the advisory board of President Donald Trump's newly formed Religious Liberty Commission.

In a statement published Thursday, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco announced that Trump had appointed Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone to serve on the advisory board of his new Religious Liberty Commission.

Trump announced the formation of the commission at the White House earlier this month on the National Day of Prayer, noting that it would include 14 members and an advisory board consisting of no more than 15 religious leaders.

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Here's a rather interesting story.

A 24 year old visa overstay from Venezuela, somehow managed to get several convincing-looking documents, and fooled not only a court and a foster family, but also a high school here in Ohio.

They were posing as a homeless 16 year old. They even went as far as joining a couple of the sports teams at the high school. And were able to obtain a driver's license and social security card under their bogus identity.

It wasn't until the mother of his child contacted the foster family, that the misdeeds were uncovered

Then on May 14, the Melfreds were contacted by a woman, Evelyn Camacho, who stated that Labrador was "actually a 24-year-old and he was the father of her child," police said. Camacho sent the Melfreds a picture of Labrador's driver's license with a birthdate of March 27, 2001, along with Facebook pictures of her with Labrador and a small child, police said.

The school district also had to report the situation to the Ohio High School Athletic Association. (presumably for liability purposes because if it ever turns up that another student was injured on the field by this person, there's a lawsuit waiting to happen)

US Border Patrol was able to assist in the investigation and fill in the blanks as to who he actually was.

I would hope this one would be an open & shut case with regards to a deportation order.

Jill Biden’s Former Press Secretary Says She is ‘Allergic to Transparency’​

Hi everyone, I would greatly appreciate your prayers- I am having a demonic problem, I am having severe pain in my legs and feet, I think I need deliverance, I need a miracle so this stops. I have a brain disease called schizophrenia and I believe this problem is related to my illness, my illness has opened me up to this. Please pray that this problem stops. Thank you!

'The days of that crap are over': Trump reacts as feds charge Democrat in Congress for assault at ICE facility * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh When the shoe is on the other foot some have a different perspective.

Time Travel/Bootstrap Paradox. A reply to somebody.

And that is what is known as the Bootstrap Paradox associated with almost all time travel. You can't go back and change anything if that change will always result in you not going back, or being able to go back, in the first place, etc. So you essentially can't ever go back and change anything ever, is what this theory/paradox amounts to really, etc. Since it will always create a different or alternate future always, etc. But I don't think any of this really matters at all anyway, as I don't think it will ever be possible in the first place, etc. "Time travel", etc. Even faster than light travel can't ever do it, etc. But I also don't know what would or could happen if you could go into a black hole maybe? Or could somehow manage to survive and also escape going into a black hole ever really? But that is only because, right now, nobody can know not one single thing about that right now currently, etc. Because even if that could take you somewhere else in the universe near instantly, the universe still always stays the same age/time equally everywhere really, etc.

Comments?

God Bless.

Please pray that my son Jake won't have a mental instance today and gets to his new Dr appointment on time or even at all. I'm so scared he will freeze up and be scared. If he misses this appointment I have no idea what to do. Oh please please pray he gets up and goes to our doctor in time today to be there on time and not miss it. I'm so upset I'm shaking. He had a breakdown yesterday about his appointment today. Oh Dear God please please help him and get him to his appointment today. Please don't let the doctor drop him. Please help him Dear God if it is Your will. I'm so afraid. I love you Dear God and I love You Dear Jesus. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Part 1: The Prophecy About Changing Times and Law​

Introduction​

This study is the result of a long history of people choosing to change what God clearly commanded. One of the biggest changes made by religious leaders was replacing the seventh-day Sabbath with Sunday worship. This change did not come from God or from Jesus, but from man's own decisions, based on misunderstood verses in the book of Acts and later traditions.

Some people claim that Jesus rose on the first day of the week (Sunday), so the Sabbath was changed. Others point to a few verses in Acts where the disciples gathered on the first day—but in truth, those verses never say the Sabbath was changed or canceled. The apostles, especially the original twelve, never taught such a thing.

The only one who ever spoke of changing “times and law” was the prophetic warning in the book of Daniel, which we now examine.

The Prophetic Warning​

In a vision, Daniel saw a power that would rise in the world and act against God’s will. This power would do three things:

1. Speak against God.
2. Persecute God’s people.
3. Try to change God’s set times and law.

“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.”
— Daniel 7:25 (NKJV)

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This is very serious. God’s law is holy and eternal. It cannot be changed by man. Yet, this prophecy warns that someone would try to change it.

Now look closely—only one part of the Ten Commandments involves time, and that is the Sabbath:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God… For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth… and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
— Exodus 20:8–11 (NKJV)

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God Himself created the Sabbath at the very beginning of the world. He rested on the seventh day and blessed it. He did not give this day to a certain people only—it was made for all mankind.
When Jesus came, He confirmed the Sabbath, He kept it, and He taught others how to keep it properly—not with man’s burdens, but with truth and mercy.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
— Matthew 5:17 (NKJV)

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“As His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.”
— Luke 4:16 (NKJV)

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“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
— Mark 2:27–28 (NKJV)

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Even when Jesus warned about future dangers, He said:

“And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.”
— Matthew 24:20 (NKJV)

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After His death, His disciples still kept the Sabbath faithfully:

“And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.”
— Luke 23:56 (NKJV)
“On the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made.”
— Acts 16:13 (NKJV)

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There is no verse where Jesus or His twelve disciples said the Sabbath was changed to Sunday. Yet, as Daniel warned, a power would try to change God’s time and law.

Part 2: God Does Not Change – The Law Stands Forever​

The reason this change is so dangerous is because God does not change, and His law does not change. He is the same from the beginning to the end.

“For I am the Lord, I do not change.”
— Malachi 3:6 (NKJV)

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“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above… with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
— James 1:17 (NKJV)

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The Ten Commandments are a reflection of God’s character. They were spoken by God, written by His own finger, and placed in the Ark of the Covenant.

“And He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.”
— Exodus 31:18 (NKJV)
“There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel.”
— 1 Kings 8:9 (NKJV)

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These laws are not temporary. They were written on stone, not parchment, to show they are permanent. They are part of God's everlasting covenant.

In the book of Revelation, we see a vision of heaven, and the Ark of the Covenant appears—after Jesus’ resurrection and at the end of time. This shows God's covenant still exists and still matters:

“Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple.”
— Revelation 11:19 (NKJV)

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We also see that the people who remain faithful in the end are described this way:

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
— Revelation 14:12 (NKJV)

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They do not follow man’s traditions or changes. They keep God’s commandments and the true faith of Jesus.

Finally, we see that even in the new earth, people will still come to worship God every Sabbath:

“And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.
— Isaiah 66:23 (NKJV)

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This proves that the Sabbath was not for a time only—it will be part of eternity with God.

Final Words​

The prophecy in Daniel 7:25 has been fulfilled in history by religious systems that tried to replace God’s Sabbath with Sunday worship, based on a misreading of Scripture and a rejection of God’s unchanging law. But God’s word is clear. His Sabbath is holy. His commandments are everlasting. And His people in the end will be those who refuse to follow man’s changes and choose to follow what God said from the beginning.

Liberty University has agreed to pay its former president, Jerry Falwell Jr., $15 million as part of a settlement agreement following his resignation and a sex scandal.

Although the two parties announced a settlement last year, the details of the agreement between the prominent Evangelical Christian institution and Falwell had remained undisclosed.

On Tuesday, USA Today reported that a tax form shows that the Lynchburg, Virginia-based university is set to pay Falwell around $5.5 million to settle litigation and about $9.7 million for his retirement package.

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The RCIF (a spinoff of RCIA that my parish does for whole families) team took a group of our catechumens to the Abbey of New Clairvaux today, it's a Trappist Monastery about 25mins north of me. They've become pretty famous for their award winning winery, and a few years ago they completed a decades-long project to rebuild the 10th century chapter house from Santa Maria de Ovila in Spain here in California.

Anyway, I didn't realize part of our visit included joining the brothers for Compline. We waited in the chapter house and then they filed in, chanted the antiphons and then the Abbott, Fr Paul Mark, did the asperges. Hearing the voices of the brothers reverberate on those 1,100 year old walls just transported me, and made me think about how the true faith is timeless. It also kind of reignited an interest in me possibly joining the lay Cistercians.

I also didn't know this but they have first degree relics of Saint Francis and Saint Therese of Lisieux behind the organ, and we were all allowed check out the reliquary. I laid a hand on it, my wife and I wanna go back with our rosaries and touch them to it. My friend told me that one of the brothers said they all lay a hand on the reliquary every day and ask Saints Francis and Therese to guide their prayers.

I wanted to take video but I was trying to keep my two year old quiet (unsuccessfully).



I sure love being Catholic.

What do you think, according to the Word?

If there is something that isn't necessarily sinful but distances us from God... should we completely rid ourselves of it in our lives, or could we consider the challenge of establishing its proper place in our hearts so that it doesn't interfere with our relationship with God?
If possible, how could the latter be achieved?
Thank you. Blessings.

A battle-hardened governor strode past a pastor tending a wilted garden, scoffing, “Prayers and wilted blooms won’t feed your people.”


The pastor held up a stubborn root. “This seed,” she said, “died in politics and rose in compassion.” She planted it in richer soil.


Weeks later, the governor returned to find a single green shoot breaking through the dirt. The pastor bowed her head. “Conserving what matters,” she whispered, “begins with caring, not conquering.”


In that quiet moment, the governor paused, and realized that stewardship of earth and soul demands more than power.

The national grassroots organization Defending Education is suing the state of Colorado over a new law making it a discriminatory act to refuse to call trans-identifying individuals by their chosen name, among other provisions that have sparked concerns about free speech and parental rights.

Defending Education filed a joint lawsuitMonday on behalf of Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, Protect Kids Colorado, Do No Harm and Dr. Travis Morrell over House Bill 25-1312, which was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis last Friday.

Nicki Neily, the founder and president of Defending Education, believes that the new law "compels speech on sex and gender and punishes citizens who disagree."

Continued below.

If you have faith and it is alone what is the use of it?

# 1 Please notice that in Acts 1:5 Israel will be BAPTIZED / given the HOLY SPIRT !

# 2 Then is Acts 2:4 Israel will be FILLED with HOLY SPIRIT !

# 3 Then in Acts 2:38 Israel will be given the GIFT of the HOLY SPIRIT !!

# 4 Then in Acts 11:15 , Peter had a vision in Acts 15 as Peter , BEGAN to speak the HOLY SPIRIT fell upon them , JUST as ALSO

UPON US AT HE BEGINNING , at Acts 2:4 , and there is not WATER / HYDOR in all of these verses and Acts 1:5 means

what it says !!

dan p