I can only speak for myself, really. For some reason, the Catholics I've known are reticent to discuss any dissatisfaction with the Church. Not tht I get out much anyway. Maybe I just haven't met "the right ones."

In any case, when I was growing up, V2 had not yet taken hold. In some ways, it probably still hasn't?

In any case, priests back in those days were priest-like. They showed concern for the flock. One time my family (or maybe more than once) had the priest over for dinner. Today, I don't like any priests... just being honest. That's not to say I didn't like them when I first encountered them and some of their homilies were good but it seems inevitably, the priest would say something rude or exhibit impatience or what have you. I remember one time I was in some kind of crisis, the details of which escape me at this time. I called the parish priest and he was short and unconcerned, and did NOT help me, which tended to make me more upset, not surprisingly.

So yeh... V2 sent the signal to all that things were not going to be the same as they were--in any way at all.

I used to be crtitical of people who left the Church... not anymore. But I think of how Christ, after telling people about the Eucharist (John, chapter 6), that it is His actual Body and Blood, and after most of his followers left Him, He asked Peter and the 12

"Will you also leave?"

And Peter said to Jesus

Where would we go? You have the words of eternal life

So yeh... I can't really get enthused about going to some other "church," not after experiencing the Real Presence. And also, the Protestant churches I've been to dislike Catholics.. some heartily.

The short answer as to why the subconscious is important is that it is part of you. I am not a psychologist by profession, although I've studied Psychology some.

But I have done this also: I have asked myself many times RE this or that event (or person) in my life: WHY exactly did I do this or say that? And if you have the Holy Spiriit in your life, you will get answers to this (presumably).

An example: I used to, when very young, get romantically involved w/ people who were very bad for me (and apparently, bad for anyone). It was really messing up my life. So I psychoanalyzed myself, for lack of a better way to put it. And of course, my childhood and my parents came to mind in ths process.

I heard somewhere that you tend to get involved romantically with someone who is like the parent you hadthe most problems or issues with.

When I 1st heard that years ago, I thought it was bunk but then I took a look @ the people I was "attracted" to and.. yeh..

It's true.

So I was basically addicted to.... BAD. It took me awhile to break that habit. It took the rosary and other kinds of prayers, plus talks with myself..

This is important because bad relationship are bad for your soul and what is bad for your soul can lead you to Hell.

Friend bought a Samsung tablet. By buying it he was entitled to then send away for free wireless ear buds. This he did using receipt details.

Then a couple of days later he decided to return the tablet as he didnt like the operating system.

Now, he has received the free wireless earbuds!

Should he return them to Samsung?

He told Samsung the above and they said to return them?

What do you think? Is he being sinful if he keeps them?

To please Putin, universities purge liberals and embrace patriots​

In a radical reshaping of Russia’s education system, curriculums are being redrawn to stress patriotism and textbooks rewrittento belittle Ukraine, glorify Russia and whitewash the totalitarian Soviet past. These changes — the most sweeping to schooling in Russia since the 1930s — are a core part of Putin’s effort to harness the war in Ukraine to remaster his country as a regressive, militarized state.

Since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, leaders of Russian universities, which are overwhelmingly funded by the state, have zealously adopted the Kremlin’s intolerance of any dissent or self-organization, according to an extensive examination by The Washington Post of events on campuses across Russia, including interviews with students and professors both still in the country and in exile.

Professors who spoke out against the war, or allowed safe spaces for students to question it, have been fired. Students who picketed or posted on social media for peace were expelled.

[On a related note, I will point out also that journalist "Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has written columns as a contributor for The Washington Post from his prison cell in Russia, has won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary." He is serving 25 years for criticizing the war.]

And the most fundamental precept of academic life — the freedom to think independently, to challenge conventional assumptions and pursue new, bold ideas — has been eroded by edicts that classrooms become echo chambers of the authoritarian nativism and historical distortions that Putin uses to justify his war and his will.

At the Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow, officials last July created the Ivan Ilyin Higher Political School ... Last month, students pushed an online petition to protest the naming of the school after Ilyin, a philosopher who defended Hitler and Mussolini in World War II and advocated for the return of czarist autocracy in Russia.

I have the theory that the fifth seal marks the beginning of the great tribulation at the time of the Abomination of Desolation and that martyrdom of the saints actually starts before that, when the church turns on itself. We know that the great tribulation marks the time of the greatest intensity of martyrdom for the church, and it also contains the worst time of death and suffering the world ever has or will see. I want to start with why I think the Abomination of Desolation starts at the fifth seal.

Rev 6:1When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underthe altar the souls of those who had been slainbecause of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,were killed just as they had been.

God sets a limit on the number of martyrs. I think it’s pretty clear that the thing that triggers the rapture is when the final martyr is killed according to Gods secret council. It’s not a time based revelation. That’s why no man can know the date or the hour.

God says the saints will be handed over to Satan and his angels for a time, times and half a time. Here are some passages that back that up

Daniel 7:24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.

Rev 12:17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus……13:5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.

Now we’ve established, I hope, the 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation start with the fifth seal and end when Gods allowed number of martyrs are killed, we should remember the question the martyrs asked in the fifth seal…”They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?””

They are answered directly. The answer is found at the end of the two witnesses’ 1260 day testimony. At the final trumpet.

Rev 11:11 But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them (the two witnesses), and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. 13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. 15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet,and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
and he will reign for ever and ever.”
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry,
and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
The cry of the martyrs for vengeance from the Lord is answered at the seventh trumpet. Now we all know what else happens at the last trump.

1 Corinthians 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the deadwill be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Doesn’t that fit together perfectly? I think it does. And it in no way tells us the day Jesus will return.

Another key thing to me is how we are told there will be a great falling away before Jesus returns. People will leave the faith in droves.

Matthew 24:9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

It almost sounds like the martyrdom starts at the same time as the Abomination of Desolation. Because the scriptures are clear that we will be handed over to Satan for 3 1/2 years. Bit what those passages don’t say is that will be when mass martyrdom starts.
In case it wasn’t clear enough, Paul says this

2 Thess 2:1 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Jesus gives us the same order in the Olivet discourse.

Matt 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives,the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

He says the falling away happens after the beginning of birth pains. The very next thing after the signs that correlate with the four horseman is the handing over of Christians to be killed. We know we will be handed over to Satan at the Abomination of Desolation. But we also know that the falling away comes first. Jesus says the falling away happens “at that time”. That can only mean the time we are handed over to be persecuted and killed.

I believe this shows people will fall away after the seven years starts but before the abomination of desolation. The point is that they don’t recognize that the final seven year agreement was passed and that the final seven years has started. That tells that the agreement is not what they were expecting it to be. How else do you explain a great falling away after the confirmation of the covenant?

So who is it that hands us over to be persecuted and killed before the Abomination of Desolation?

Luke 21 has a differently worded account of the same time.

8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.

This account definitely places the persecution and martyrdom before the Abomination of Desolation, which is foretold starting in verse 20. It is also quite clear who hands us over. Our loved ones. Our fellow church members. Since the covenant would have already been confirmed, these people who hand us over, by and large, are those that don’t recognize the final seven years has started. Some may have recognized it and are selling out others to protect themselves. They fear death and persecution. Bu t with the rise of false prophets from the get go, we who know what’s happening and maintain our testimony will be labeled as false prophets. I really really hate to say this, hate it from the bottom of my heart, but the majority of the people who hand us over will be pre-trib. They won’t believe that the seven years has started and the covenant has been confirmed because they are dead set on the rapture taking them away when that happens. I also believe that many who are pre-trib will convert to post trib at that time. Those of us who are “wise” will be telling everyone what is happening. It’s the reason we are being handed over. Nowhere is this idea more succinctly stated than by Gabriel in the book of Daniel.

Daniel 11:33 “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them.35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

That’s powerful. This whole thing is a new revelation for me. I had suspicions that this might be true but, for whatever reason, Injad not sat down and looked it over. It came out roaring IMO.

One more thing that I think has been almost completely overlooked. This is a theory and I fully admit that it could be wrong in aspects or even in totality. I would not say that about the first part of this commentary. That part is rock solid. I am not a prophet. God may call me to that position at some point, only he knows, but he has not thus far. I will serve him with all of my heart either way. I do eagerly desire the greater gifts, but I will not claim what has not been given to me. Eagerly seek, yes. Claim without a move of the spirit within me, no. Back to my final point. It is what I call the mystery of the testimony of Jesus and it is presented in Rev 20, among others. We will start here.

Rev 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their foreheads and on their hands; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

I believe that’s two different groups who are martyred. It says there were “those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus“. Then it continues and says “and those who” had not received the Mark of the Beast. It continues with “and they” speaking of both groups together and their common outcome. What’s the difference, you might ask. This is a little harder to explain. I also need to point out that this presentation of two groups is not consistent in every translation. Some are stronger in their language that it is two groups while others clearly read that it should be all one group. There is something in the original text that implies two groups but doesn’t do it strongly enough for all translators to accept it. I hope to have enough evidence to back up the translations that show two groups. I think the difference in the groups is shown in the reason they were killed. Clearly both groups did not take the Mark of the Beast because anyone that does, his place is in the lake of fire. But the first group are not beheaded for that reason. They were beheaded for maintaining their testimony of Jesus. The testimony of Jesus IS the spirit of prophecy.

Rev 19: 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy

So the first group was beheaded because they held to the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy. They are the wise who understand in Daniel 11, which we already saw, and again in Daniel 12.

Dan 12:7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” 8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” 9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand

I believe the first group in Rev 20 is those who have understood the prophecies in Daniel about the timing of the events and the totality of the prophetic narrative that Jesus gives us. That totality is the spirit of prophecy.

The second group did not understand the prophetic narrative of Jesus ahead of time but they were able to recognize the abomination for what it is and they woke up and subsequently refused the Mark of the Beast. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse,that after the abomination there will be all kinds of false prophets and false messiahs who would even deceive the elect if it were possible. That means that even after the abomination of desolation occurs, some elect people still won’t know what is happening. If they did, they wouldn’t be deceived. They would know that there was 3 1/2 years left until Jesus returns and they just need to stick with him. Satans deceptive plan is so well conceived that many of the elect will buy it. They may see it as a way out of the horrible mess the world is in. Everyone just needs to get on the same team and save the Earth, or some such thing. The second group in Rev 20 figures it out when they see the abomination. They are not killed for maintaining the spirit of prophecy. They are killed for refusing the mark. So God honors that dedication to him, in spite of their lengthy failings and even persecution of their brothers, by telling us about it as they are presented before the throne back in Revelation 20. The grace and mercy of God knows no bounds. No matter what you’ve done, it’s not over til it’s over.

I have mental illness and spiritual battles. I stay away from people mostly. I like to create things from metal. It helps me. It's the only luxury I have. It's all I want.

The struggle comes when I want everything. I need to keep it simple and cheap. I don't need the greatest or the most tools. I seek simplicity over complication.

Do you enjoy a hobby?

I have mental illness and spiritual battles. I stay away from people mostly. I like to create things from metal. It helps me. It's the only luxury I have. It's all I want.

The struggle comes when I want everything. I need to keep it simple and cheap. I don't need the greatest or the most tools. I seek simplicity over complication.

Do you enjoy a hobby?

The toughest part of belief in my view is how God will mete out punishment/ how we will be judged. I am not asking about myself but about "how it works". On the one hand, I know that God is a loving God and wants the best for us. And Christ has clearly laid out what is most important to Him: Loving your neighbor as yourself and loving God with all our mind, heart and soul.

But earthly life is interaction with others who have no concept of this, or choose to ignore it. I am older and have seen a lot. In the past 15 years (but not exclusively) I have seen a great deal, or experienced a great deal, of bad behavior of the "un-neighborly" kind. Some have been punished or faced the natural consequences for their deeds. For example, a business that had mistreated its customers goes out of business. (Perhaps 3 times?) But there are many who apparently go on along unaffected by 'earthly punishment', and will have to fully face their iniquity at the fearsome Judgment Seat of Christ. (Not that 'going out of business' absolves the owners from their bad behavior.) There are many of them, even in my small sample size.

I find it hard to believe that so many will be cast in the Fire, or whatever we believe. Seems like there should be a means to atone for their bad deeds, even when they are mortally dead. But I don't know that mechanism. What does Orthodoxy say about this?

(If this isn't the correct forum, please point me to the correct one. Thank you.)

James 1:4 (NKJV)
But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why do the words of truth put such a high value on patience having its perfect work….?

It is because patience is the work horse of faith, being that patience is that that causes one’s eyes to turn away from themselves and look to Christ…. For this is the work of patience, for no other work is of more consequence in the believer’s life then getting one’s eyes off of oneself and onto Christ….

For this is the great lesson of patience, keeping one’s eyes off of anything other then Christ…. For if truth be known, whatever has one’s heart becomes that one’s god, patience being the work horse of faith that destroys the other that would take one’s eyes off of Christ… For patience waits for God to do something in one that that one cannot do for oneself, this something being, the forming of Himself in the believing one…. For this is what the salvation offered in Christ is, the forming of the Divine nature in the believing one, this new nature’s nature is not to sin just as the fallen nature’s nature was to sin….. For this new life, is that life that is created in the image and likeness of God, being the Three in one having Their image and likeness manifested in the creature, the Is, the expression of the Is, and the effect or consequence of that Is…

For this word patience is translated, steadfastness, perseverance, endurance in other translations, all pointing to the same truth of maintaining the keeping and the looking to Christ regardless of any and all circumstances of life…. For it is when faith sees that righteousness does exist and it is the manifesting of this righteousness which is the manifestation of God’s will in all things… Patience being that work of faith that brings forth this manifestation of righteousness…. For without the manifestation of righteousness being manifested in one’s life the Divine nature is not being brought forth, in other words, Christ is not being formed in one… For patience’s perfect work is the bringing forth of the perfect image of this perfect Three in One God in one, each having Their respective image brought forth….

Oh that the heart of man would let patience have its perfect work, for the bringing forth of that expression of righteousness which is the Divine nature being brought to life in one…

To him that would have it be done, let it be done unto….


A fellow follower of His, Not me

Pray that innocent Palestinian civilians deaths & Israeli military personnel deaths are kept to a minimum as Israel ramps up war in Rafah, Gaza:

October 16, 2011: I have been reading in Ephesians for my quiet times with the Lord the past few days. The main thing that is standing out to me from this reading is how Paul made such a point to remind the church of how they used to live when they followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the air, Satan, who is now at work in the hearts of those who are disobedient. Yet, he also reminded them of God’s great love and mercy in sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins so we could go free from slavery to sin.

He said all this to say, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” He insisted, in the Lord, that they no longer live in the futility of their thinking, which was darkened in its understanding, and is separated from the life of God. Instead he reminded them that they were to put off the old self, to be transformed in their thinking, and to put on the new self, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (see Eph. 4:17-24).

Lord, Move Me

An Original Work / October 16, 2011

Be my desire, my heart set on fire,
Lord, move me to worship You only, I pray.
Fill with Your Spirit, my heart overflow.
Lord, may I long for You; Your word to know.
Teach me to walk with You, Lord, in Your power,
And may I serve You, Lord, right now in this hour.

Lord, how I want to obey You forever.
Help me to hear You, Lord, so I will not stray.
Teach me to love You; adore You always.
Envelope me, Lord, with Your grace today.
Meet me in my need, and show me Your mercy.
Forgive me for all things, as I humbly pray.

Counsel me, lead me, direct me, and guide me,
So I follow You, Lord, where’er You lead now.
I love to hear You speak Your words to me.
I am so grateful that You set me free.
Wash me, and cleanse me, and make me like You, Lord,
And I will live with You for eternity.

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Aristotle, Anselm, Aquinas, Liebniz, and William Lane Craig provide famous reasons to believe that God exists. Less well known is a way proposed by the African intellectual Augustine. In his fantastic book Five Proofs of the Existence of God, Edward Feser explains this argument at length. Inspired by Augustine, let’s begin with the reality that 2+2=4.

Some realities exist in matter. A house is made of wood, nails, and cement. A dog has fur, muscles, and bones. Other realities exist in a mind. My memories of seeing the Grateful Dead in concert and of running track against Harvard exist in my mind. Your beliefs about dogs and about chocolate exist in your mind.

Does the reality of 2+2=4 exist in matter or in mind? Well, material realities have a particular weight, length, and density. But the reality that 2+2=4 does not have a weight, a length, or a density. So, the reality that 2+2=4 does not exist as a material object.

Continued below.

Isaiah 8:
13 The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear,
And let Him be your dread.
14 He will be as a sanctuary,
But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense
To both the houses of Israel,
As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble;
They shall fall and be broken,
Be snared and taken.
16 Bind up the testimony,
Seal the law among my disciples.

My disciples: [H3928] limmud= "the learned"

Psalm 50:
4 “The Lord God has given Me
The tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak
A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned.
5 The Lord God has opened My ear;
And I was not rebellious,
Nor did I turn away.

A disciple must learn the Way of the Lord;
This is a sound apostolic doctrine...
Ephesians 4:
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk
as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God,
because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness,
to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him,
as the truth is in Jesus:
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man
which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God,
in true righteousness and holiness.

AMOS 9:7-15

Amos Ha Navi (Amos the Prophet) speaks through the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) saying that Yes, Adonai will seek out and punish Israel for their sins, and will search out the kingdoms of the earth where they are at, many will and have been destroyed because of their rebellion, HOWEVER, not all, there is always a remnant which is faithful, and true to the God of creation.

We see the example of Elijah the Prophet when he killed the 400 prophets of Baal. Queen Jezebel sought his life and he had to make a run for it. He cried out "Am I the only one left LORD?" (sort of saying) The LORD replied, "I have 7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal" (so, you're not alone my dear servant) We don't know the population of Israel back then, but, there was that remnant of 7000 who were not persuaded to follow the pagan god "Baal".

We do not have to go with the flow, especially if the flow is going over the bridge into a stormy and ravaging river. We can always detour and follow the path to green pastures and quiet waters, and search for the Good Shepherd and the Water of Life. It may be the unpopular thing to do, but we need to look at the big picture, "ETERNITY" and speaking of eternity...

Amos looks into the future, and sees that Israel, and all of God’s children, both born as Israelis and born in the Gentile nations will come together as ONE, (echad), …” Behold, the day is coming says YHVH…” We look into the future millennium and see “paradise restored” and real and eternal peace and Yeshua will be on the throne as KING and LORD of all the world. What a time that will be for ALL of us.

LUKE 2:1-52

Do we look forward to the future return of Yeshua? In this chapter, Simeon and Anna look forward and greatly rejoice to see Mashiach, even as a baby. He was presented at the Temple and was circumcised, Simeon and Anna recognized him as Mashiach, even before he grew up and performed miracles. Simeon said; “My eyes have seen YESHUAH! Who is a LIGHT (HaOr) to bring revelation to the Gentiles?

Also, we see Mary and Joseph practicing and honoring "Pidyon HaBen" (the redemption of the Firstborn). In this practice, God had selected the firstborn of the Tribe of Levi to be part of the priesthood. Since Mary and Joseph were of the Tribe of Judah, there was the "redeeming of the firstborn" saying "I will buy back my son from the priesthood" They were to pay 5 Shekels of Silver and offer two pigeons at the temple. Mary and Joseph respected that custom, yet we see that even though Yeshua was not a Levite, he would still be considered "Our High Priest" and mediator between us and the Father. He is our Redeemer, Mediator, Torah Teacher, Our High Priest. "Salvation" (Yeshuah) revealed.

It is God’s perfect will that Yeshua be revealed to ALL PEOPLES, both those of Israel and those outside of Israel so that HIS BODY might be complete, a “Kehilah Kadosh, Kol HaAm” (A holy congregation of all people)

Have a blessed week.

Today was "Holocaust Remembrance day" May such a tragedy never again happen!

Bereshit (Genesis) - Chapter 10​

Luke 3:35-36 King James Version (swKJV)
35 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Genesis 10:22 Commentaries & Bibles"> Sons of Shem{gr.Sem}, Elam, and Asshur{gr.Assur}, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Syria{gr.Aram}, and Cainan.

Genesis 10:23 Commentaries & Bibles"> And sons of Syria{gr.Aram}, Uz, and Ul, and Gater, and Mosoch.
Genesis 10:24 Commentaries & Bibles"> And Arphaxad begot Cainan, and Cainan begot Sala. And Sala begot Eber{gr.Heber}.

JUBILEES 8
The Earth Divided Into Three Parts For Shem And Ham And Japheth
1 In the twenty-ninth jubilee, in the first week, [1373 A.M.] in the beginning thereof Arpachshad took to himself a wife and her name was Rasu'eja, the daughter of Susan, the daughter of Elam, and she bare him a son in the third year in this week, [1375 A.M.] and he called his name Kainam.

5 And in the thirtieth jubilee, [1429 A.M.] in the second week, in the first year thereof, he took to himself a wife, and her name was Melka, the daughter of Madai, the son of Japheth, and in the fourth year [1432 A.M.] he begat a son, and called his name Shelah; for he said: 'Truly I have been sent.'

Hi everyone, I would greatly appreciate your prayers- Back on April 4 I was pulled over by the police for accidentally running a stop sign and also for making an illegal left turn. I had 2 fines that I paid and it seemed like everything was fine but just recently I received a letter from the Department of Transportation that stated I was now loosing my driver's license for 3 months due to driving without an insurance card, when the officer pulled me over he asked for license, registration, and insurance. I had the license and registration but did not have my insurance card with me. The officer then told me to get a new insurance card at present it at the police station within 10 days and everything would be fine. I did this and the police department to me to take the insurance card to the magisterial district office and then present it to them. I also did this and they just gave it back to me and said I did not need it. Now due to this mistake on their part I may lose my license for 3 months. I am getting a lawyer and want to fight this in court, I think due to their mistake I will be able to get the charges dismissed and not lose my license. If you wouldn't mind pray that any incorrect charges would be dropped and that I will not lose my driver's license. Thank you!

If this thread doesn't belong here please let me know and I'll move it. Let's praise the Lord in scripture, psalms, poems, testimony and praise. We can pray for each other. We can share burdens.

Remember that we are sorrowful yet rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10)

We weep with those weep and we rejoice with those who rejoice. (Romans 12:15)

I praise thr lord that I am alive and i have hope. My soul laments but I rejoice in being new. I died and my life is hidden. (Colossians chapter 3)

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I obey Paul's tradition in scripture. I don't follow man's church tradition however. If the church wants to follow Paul's tradition then they should be poor and be dressed in rags like the apostles were. See 1 Corinthians chapter 4

They should have a messenger of Satan torment them like Paul did. They should be out of their own minds for God somtimes as the apostles were.

They should carry death in their bodies as the apostles did. That's tradition.

Not tradition in some of the churches but all of the churches. Note the scripture below

1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

Colangelo's role in the Trump prosecution has raised questions among some in the GOP about the alleged politicization of the case. His transition from a senior role at the Biden Justice Department to Bragg's team, and the subsequent charges brought against Trump, have been viewed with suspicion.

Not a surprise.

In Genesis 4:17 there is one named Henok, the first by that name, and this first Henok then has a son who is also named Henok, and it comes to pass that this first Henok builds a city, and he names the city according to the name of his son who is also named Henok. It is important that the text specifically states that this first Henok is produced by Qain's wife, instead of simply saying that he was produced by Qain: this is a distinguishing characteristic and factor to be reckoned with in our understanding of the text, for it is highlighted by the fact that for the remainder of the genealogy the sons are all stated to have been produced through their fathers, not their mothers, while only this first Henok is said to be produced by his mother, instead of Qain. This appears to be why the reading appears somewhat difficult at the beginning of the statement which follows, (Gen 4:18a), and in studying this I noticed something strange: the next son is named Irad, but that name is the same word for a city, iyr, with the letter dal attached onto the end of it. Is this just a mere coincidence or is it significant? In light of what precedes this in the previous statement, regarding the first city ever mentioned in the scripture, it appears to be significant, at least imho. The following is my tentative reading.

בראשית 4:17-8 Hebrew Bible
וידע קין את אשתו ותהר ותלד את חנוך ויהי בנה עיר ויקרא שם העיר כשם בנו חנוך׃
ויולד לחנוך את עירד ועירד ילד את מחויאל ומחייאל ילד את מתושאל ומתושאל ילד את למך׃

B'reshiyt-Genesis 4:17-18
17 And Qain knew his wife, and she conceived and produced Ḥenok, and it came to pass that he [Ḥenok] built a city, [עיר] and he called the name of the city according to the name of his son, Ḥenok:
18 And he to-for-of Ḥenok begat Irad [עיר+ד, (city+d)] .......

It appears to me that it may be quite possible that one of these two named Henok produces Irad, (a city?), while the other ends up in the next passage as the son of Yared, which is very similar to Irad, (as are most of the other names in Genesis 4 similar to names in the next passage with only slight spelling changes, and Lamek isn't changed at all, and is almost surely the same Lamek). And if one is able see the genealogy of the next passage as those having been born from above, a spiritual seed line of those who came to believe, then it is truly possible that Henok of Breshiyt 5 was physically born some time before he was born from above and became a son of Adam.

I am already fully aware of the standard English translations and readings for the above text, and how they assume that Qain is the builder of the city, however, I say, they are "not following the pronouns", (as they say), so an argument in favor of that view would only be counterproductive to the whole purpose of this thread and the things I would like to explore herein.

Of course if "good people" do nothing in the face of egregious evil

Are they really "good," ?

What if no one had ever stood with the Blacks against slavery? What if no one had ever bothered to pen the words

All men are created equal?

I am glad people in our history got involved.

It is wrong to say that Christians should not get involved in public life. Not getting involved has led us to this hideous moral decay we have

I have read many book about the Simpson murder trial. True, that was years ago so maybe I am not going to remember a lot of what I read but I read the book written by Marcia Clark, prosecutor, and also the one by Darden, fellow prosecutor and then I read others I can't recall the authors of.

So yeh, I have read up on the evidence and .. long story short:

That dude did it in my pov.

I mean, I would just simply say He did it, but since he wasn't convicted, I probably shouldn't put it that way.

So yeh... you get a bunch of bad jurors (they were mostly Black. How did that happen?) and you're not going to get justice...


So, all you who think that the Steal is unreal... or maybe you think that Trump is obviously guilty though not convicted yet...

maybe you should consider that there is DEEP division, politically, in our world and that all judges cannot be trusted to do the right thing. All a judge has to do is show his prejudice against a defendant by ruling against him (his lawyers in the courtroom) more than he or she does the prosecution and

voila..... the jury gets the message and often acts accordingly. After all, the judge has clout; people respect judges...

I put quotes on the word Pope because I say that there hasn't been a valid one of those since 1958. I guess I am a Sedevacantist and yet I say that the Real Presence, a tangible Presence, is still there in at least SOME novus ordo Churches... so that makes me wonder about... well, I'm not sure how to word what all I wonder about but in any case, back to the... I think that prayer we say in the Mass is the Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth... (There's the Apostolic Creed.. I think it is called.. which is shorter)

So anyway, that Creed used to begin: "We believe..."

Ratzinger changed it to "I believe..."

I don't like that. I love the way Catholics are united by the fact that the Mass readings are all the same throughout the world. Therefore, it seems way better to say We believe... and I still do. I use this prayer when praying (beginning) the rosary, although most probably use the other one

So, maybe you could tell us what YOU like and dislike about changes to the Mass in modern times.

I absolutely HATE the priest not facing the altar (God) and instead facing the people throughout the Mass..

I don't like greeting ea other during Mass.. hate that