Before Trump took office the United States was moving in the same direction as the E.U.

I was planning to go until my wife revealed she wasn't, she just didn't want to do battle with the overcrowding with two kids. And honestly I was relieved not to go as well, since our parish only does one bilingual Mass. Last year I had to stand in the choir loft the whole time and park three blocks away in the rain because so many extra people show up.

It got me wondering how many folks miss Mass on Holy Thursday since it's not a Holy Day of Obligation.

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Sorry, thread was inappropriate.

Recently my dad has come to doubt his gift of tongues and is considering cessationism. He introduced me to Pentecostalism as a youth.

Here are some sites he sent me that I am responding to:
Is speaking or praying in tongues Biblical? | Verse By Verse Ministry International
Craig and Médine Keener - Thrive
What is Cessationism? Who Are Famous Cessationists?
What is Speaking in Tongues? A Biblical Analysis

I find Chat GPT says many of the cessationsists were either continuationists or undecided.

Does anyone here want to help my dad?

“It is time for you to leave the United States.” That’s the first sentence Lisa Anderson saw in an email she got from the Department of Homeland Security on Friday.

“The language seemed pretty threatening to whomever it might actually apply to,” she said.

Anderson, who’s a physician and lives in Cromwell, was born in Pennsylvania and is a U.S. citizen.

She now carries her passport on the advice of attorneys

This comes just days after two Boston immigration attorneys got the same email from DHS, despite being U.S. citizens themselves.

Here ya go, folks. It’s happened:



The article goes on to state that he’s being held per the request of ICE and that the initial request was made under a law that a federal judge has temporarily barred the state from enforcing.

2T 1:

9 [God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

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Dr James White said:

Why would grace have to be given except to individuals who are in needs of grace?

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1. Grace, by definition, is unserved.
2. Everyone is in needs of grace.

Therefore, God gives grace to everyone who knows Jesus' good news and those to don't.

Now, let's focus on saving grace which is the context of this verse.

This is where Christian salvation becomes a depersonalize concept

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No, in fact, grace can be personalized.

when you simply cannot allow the idea that God would choose to give his grace, his undeserved grace,

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Emphases added. White contradicted himself.

to rebel sinners in eternity past, but that is the direct assertion of 2 Timothy 1:9.

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No, in fact, the string 'rebel sinners' does not even appear in 2T 1:9. It asserts that God gives his saving grace to us/believers.

Let proposition P1 = God gives saving grace to rebel sinners.

Does 2T 1:9 assert P1?

No, it neither assert nor deny P1.

Dr White was not thinking logically in terms of first-order logic. He jumped to a conclusion.

Whether we are a rebel sinners or not and whether we have heard of Jesus or not, we all need God's saving grace.

I'm now on my second minor physical ailment since the first of the year, and this one is a doozy. The first day of it felt like my head was on fire. Ironically, dunking my head in cold water actually helped. I think my sinuses were just swollen and I don’t have the dreaded meningitis.

Still, I’m coughing pretty badly and my throat still feels like someone is dousing it with fire. Certain muscles are now sore from all the coughing. Please just appeal to the Throne of Grace on my behalf, for protection from further illnesses and wisdom about whether or not I should go to the doctor. I’m tired of being sick. Usually I’m strong and healthy.

In a potential landmark discovery, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have obtained what they call the strongest signs yet of possible life beyond our solar system, detecting in an alien planet's atmosphere the chemical fingerprints of gases that on Earth are produced only by biological processes.

The two gases - dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, and dimethyl disulfide, or DMDS - involved in Webb's observations of the planet named K2-18 b are generated on Earth by living organisms, primarily microbial life such as marine phytoplankton - algae.

Scientists have hypothesized the existence of exoplanets called hycean worlds - covered by a liquid water ocean habitable by microorganisms and with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

Earlier observations by Webb, which was launched in 2021 and became operational in 2022, had identified methane and carbon dioxide in K2-18 b's atmosphere, the first time that carbon-based molecules were discovered in the atmosphere of an exoplanet in a star's habitable zone.

DMS and DMDS, both from the same chemical family, have been predicted as important exoplanet biosignatures. Webb found that one or the other, or possibly both, were present in the planet's atmosphere at a 99.7% confidence level, meaning there is still a 0.3% chance of the observation being a statistical fluke.
The gases were detected at atmospheric concentrations of more than 10 parts per million by volume.

"For reference, this is thousands of times higher than their concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere, and cannot be explained without biological activity based on existing knowledge," Madhusudhan said.

"Harvard bending the knee to antisemitism -- driven by its spineless leadership -- fuels a cesspool of extremist riots and threatens our national security," Noem said in a press release. "With anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology poisoning its campus and classrooms, Harvard's position as a top institution of higher learning is a distant memory. America demands more from universities entrusted with taxpayer dollars."
Harvard indeed should turn over the records of students linked to illegal and violent activities. And we need to stamp out racism in our universities.

There are no Alexei Navalnys in the GOP. None

Inside Medicine scooped the story with a 60 page draft budget proposal.

Note that presidential budget requests are usually largely ignored by Congress; but with a spineless GOP majority, they may be more likely to do Trump's bidding. Also note this only covers discretionary spending.

Whether you think the US has a gun violence problem or a mental health problem -- programs that study or address both of them would be eliminated.

Additional coverage:
CNN
It also eliminates CDC’s global health center and programs focused on chronic disease prevention, and domestic HIV/AIDS prevention. While some of the agency’s work would be moved into new AHA centers, programs on gun violence, injury prevention, youth violence prevention, drowning, minority health and others would be eliminated entirely.

BioSpace

Citing leaked internal documents, the Post noted that the steep cuts will lower the National Institutes of Health’s budget by approximately 40% to $27 billion, down from $47 billion last year, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be left with $5.2 billion, down from $9.2 billion—a 44% reduction. Rural programs would be hit especially hard by the cuts, while the Head Start program, which offers childcare services for low-income families, would be terminated altogether.

From the document:






cont'd

Greetings from newcomer Sword68. I’m 58 yoa, a born again practicing (imperfect) Christian; married (prior divorcee ) now to a wonderful lady for 5yrs.

I’ll be the first to admit I’m insecure in our relationship and have fears. I joined this group mainly for the good Christian interaction of shared experiences in navigating relationship issues; friendly discussion on various topics, and overall Christian fellowship!

While the article is definitely slanted, the doubling of the size of the prison and the future idea to send more terrorists there is what I would like to see discussed. I think we should only send non-U.S. citizens there.

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump


Can you believe it? A Judge ruled against us on 530,000 Illegal Migrants (that Joe Biden flew over the Border in his program to transport Illegals into the Country by airplane) saying that they can’t be looked at as a group, but that each case has to be tried individually. Based on the Court System, that would take approximately 100 years. What is going on with our Courts? They are totally OUT OF CONTROL. They seem to hate “TRUMP” so much, that anything goes! We are trying to bring our Country back from the destruction caused by the Democrats and Crooked Joe Biden. I won on a Policy of Common Sense, and what Common Sense do we have when we have to have 530,000 trials? This Radicalized Judge is saying that Sleepy Joe Biden can fly more than half a million Illegals into America, IN ONE DAY, but we have to hold many years of long and tedious trials to fly each and every one of them back home. Where is the JUSTICE here???

1. The Royal Family are shape shifting lizards.
2. The one eyed symbolism.
3. The Illuminati.
4. President Obama was the Antichrist.
5. Climate Change & Chem-trails.
6. The shooing of JFK.
7. Bohemian Grove.
8. Secret Societies.
9. David Icke.

What do you guys think that are the most stupidest CT's to date & why do you think so ?

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is a significant day in the Christian calendar. It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, where he washed their feet as a symbol of humility and service. The term "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "command," referring to Jesus' commandment to love one another as he loved them.

This day is observed with various rituals, including the washing of feet, Communion, and in some traditions, the distribution of Maundy money as an act of charity. It marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Maundy Thursday is rich with traditions that reflect humility, service, and remembrance. Here are some key practices:

1. Foot Washing: This ritual recalls Jesus' washing the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper. Many Christian churches replicate this act as a gesture of humility and service.
2. Communion or Eucharist: The Last Supper is commemorated with the sharing of bread and wine, which are Jesus' body and blood.
3. Blessing of Oils: In Catholic traditions, sacred oils are blessed for use in sacraments throughout the year. Either on Wednesday or on Thursday.
4. Unique Regional Customs: For example, in Germany, it's called "Green Thursday," and penitents receive green branches as symbols of atonement.

These traditions emphasise love, humility, and community. Do any of these resonate with you?

Question for the group:

If someone says, "So-and-so is not saved because x, y, and z", will they be judged by that same standard?

Here's a hypothetical scenario:

I say "Johnny is going to end up in Hell because he doesn't eat corn flakes for breakfast every morning." We both die and Johnny goes to Heaven because breakfast cereal doesn't matter, HOWEVER...my sincere belief is that you have to eat corn flakes to be saved.

What happens to me.

If I require something that God does not require for salvation...
Am I just wrong? Or am I in danger of trusting in my own standard rather than the cross?

I have an issue of being a weak minded Christian and it causes a lot of issues with one of them being feeling like a lot of things are sinful and to be honest i wondered if my weak mind is the reason why i struggle with my salvation. Right now I just wanted to relax and watch something on Spotify but I'm hesitant because of the thought that it's idolatry. I will admit I do struggle with idolatry like all other sins but I'm curious what actually is considered an idol? Like when does it cross the threshold of something in your life like enjoying food to idolizing food or enjoying entertainment to idolizing it? Thanks.

US paedophile flew to UK ‘to marry 15-year-old girl’ he groomed online​

Judge Hughes said the two met online, where [Jacob Ewing, of Hubert, North Carolina] told the girl he was a ‘paedophile hunter’ and a Christian.

Judge Hughes said: ‘A sheath knife and a wooden cosh were found in the defendant’s luggage on arrival at the airport – I really fear to what use the defendant might have put those weapons bearing in mind he was planning to meet a teenage girl he had groomed and controlled.’

In total, he was sentenced for 13 offences, including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He also may be deported during his sentence if the Home Office decides to.

--

Newport Crown Court heard on February 24 that Ewing and the underage teenager met online, and "bonded because they are both Christians, autistic, and have social anxiety."

Do you all struggle to make friends or keep them? Is it supposed to be hard finding someone?

This video is only about 6 minutes long in which Maria Bartiromo is being interviewed on Charlie Kirk's radio podcast show. In my view, I think that she has a good analysis and explanation regarding the goals President Trump has with the tariffs against goods and services coming from China.

Who has written any poem or short stories?

I don't think so.

Some Christians speak in tongues today and claim that they are enabled by the Holy Spirit. In response, some cessationists believe that speaking in tongues today is from Satan.

Have these cessationists blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin?

No, not necessarily.

Why do some people think that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit means attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan? Where does this confusion about the unforgivable sin come from?

Mark 3:

22 the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He [Jesus] is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”

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These scribes had hardened their hearts against Jesus. Jesus replied:

28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”

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These scribes blasphemed against the Holy Spirit due to their hardened hearts.

30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

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In this case, the scribes accused Jesus had an unclean spirit in him. By this act, they blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, i.e., they committed the unforgivable sin because of their hardened hearts, not because they attributed the power of the Holy Spirit to the prince of demons.