• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

I have a Very Legalistic friend

I have this VERY legalistic friend. He believe that ALL church are evil because of the Book of Revelations Talking about the Babylon Church Being the Catholic Church and that the Protestants and other Churches are the harlot offspring of the Catholic Church. He think all spiritual gifts are evil because the Bible says in the end times there will be signs and wonders from the Devil. He also wont say "I' or "Me" because he feels that it doesn't respect God. He doesn't capitalize any words accept for God and Jesus. He is one of those people who spells God as G-d. What's worse is he is constantly asking me to believe what he believes and tells me to not go to Church. It's awful. I get into arguements with him often and it is starting to get annoying. I've been praying but he hasn't changed. What can I do?

Was the death sentence always carried out in the OT?

Moses prescribed death penalty for murder (Exodus 21:12), adultery (Leviticus 20:10), blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), idolatry (Deuteronomy 17:2-5), and various forms of sexual immorality (Leviticus 20:13-16).

God forgave David's adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:13).

Num 35:

30 If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. 31 Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death. 32 And you shall accept no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the high priest.
In other cases, ransoms were accepted. Wiki:

There is some question as to whether the death penalty was invariably or even usually implemented in ancient Israel, or whether this was even the intention of the Tanakh (c.f. Numbers 35:31). "It must be noted that the death penalty might also indicate the seriousness of the crime without calling for the actual implementation of it in every case. In fact, there is little evidence that many of these sanctions were ever actually carried out in ancient Israel. Only in the case of premeditated murder was there the added stricture of 'Do not accept a ransom for the life of the murderer who deserves to die' (Num 35:31). . . . Traditional wisdom, both in the Jewish and Christian communities, interpreted this verse in Numbers 35:31 to mean that out of the almost twenty cases calling for capital punishment in the Old Testament, every one of them could have the sanction commuted by an appropriate substitute of money or anything that showed the seriousness of the crime, but in the case of what we today call first-degree murder, there was never to be offered or accepted any substitute or bargaining of any kind: the offender had to pay with his or her life".[28]
[28] Walter Kaiser Jr., Peter H. Davids, F. F. Bruce, and Manfred T. Brauch, Hard Sayings of the Bible (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 1996), p. 162. ISBN 0-8308-1423-X

Please pray that God would help me understand how my brain works.

I have been trying to explain to others how my brain works and processes things but it is extremely hard to figure out. I would like to explain a little bit more right now so you can hopefully understand a little bit better on how to pray for me. I do not try to focus on my self alot it's just very hard for me to understand people and vise versa.

The way my brain works nothing like how scientist and doctors say that it SHOULD work. I have some thoughts throughout the day just not very many. More "WORDS" come to my mind than anything else, barely any ideas, thoughts on how to complete a task,I understand a tiny amount of what I read and watch, many times I just walk around aimlessly with no thought at all of what I could do or should do. I mostly just sit on a chair because I don't have enough thoughts to figure out much else to do.

Thanks for your prayers
JAY

Catholic Bishop Sues Magazine Connecting Him to Trump

The suit was dropped when the magazine agreed to remove the incorrect info.
Bishop Barron,a well-respected Catholic media figure, did my heart good when he set the record straight.
Quote:
Editors' note: With the author's permission, the editors have removed a paragraph that originally appeared here because Bishop Robert Barron's media ministry, Word on Fire, informed us that they consider it slander for them to be in any way associated with Donald Trump or Trumpism," the updated Commonweal article said.

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fight during House hearing


There is no legitimate reason why the audio tapes continue to be withheld. The White House released the transcripts., let's see if the transcripts are accurate. What's the big deal? Democrats have used tricky tactics before, I wish they had not in the past. But the reality is that sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. MTG did get the response from AOC she wanted in order to dispense with the normal rules of debate and amendments before the Democrats figured what was going on.

Gospel and corruption

So much in politics and high power finance is corrupted by money and power seeking that it becomes very hard to think of any world leaders who are not tainted by the systemic corruption yet the gospel calls Christian to purity, honesty, and truth. How can a Christian serve in high office while maintaining his/her integrity.

The Logic of The Transfiguration

Peace to all,

To me the logic of Baptism is to the spirit of the soul of the being in the Body. To me, the spirit in the soul of the being is what manifests the being in the Body of the Deity as Baptized. The New Being is the soul brought into the Presence of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, From Adam and Eve we receive the Body, (spirit, soul and flesh), all from the Power of the Holy Spirit. All corrupt. Then We become Baptized through the Body to the spirit in the soul of the being by the Living Waters of Baptism and become immortal and corruptible into the Body of Christ from Birth and Resurrection as Baptized and becoming into Communion through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Communion is the re confirmation of the Holy Spirit will of God in the soul of the being, the Body (soul, spirit and flesh), becoming transfigured into the image of The Father, God. To me the logic is that all mankind become eternal beings as brothers and sisters of Christ, from the Cross, Ecce Mater tua.

There are many stories on how this is accomplished in the physical, spiritual and eternal world ahead. All faith based systems of belief have a common denominator guiding "Spirit." To me this explains the Logic of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit will of God, we become united as one in being with the Deity, glorified and transfigured into the pattern, we become like Him, into the image of God, the Father. Please advice any correction or input or updates in-case I have presented something in error with respect to the Word.

Peace always,
Stephen

Prayer

Now days, for me at least, I must not allow anyone to know what is bothering me and must only pray in my mind. No one can know what I am praying. The reason is that we, in this day and age, do not know if "they" will try to make all your prayers come true or fail. Can you imagine, for example, Donald Trump thinking all his prayers are answered. Why would "they" do that to anyone? Or what if he started feeling like all his prayers were like a curse?
Sounds crazy? This is the world I've lived in for decades. I actually think things like it's possible [he] might actually want to turn America over to Russia or China or Putin! Of course there are lots of things I wonder and really I don't know anything. I don't even know who I am. LOL.
Anyway, I actually do ask for prayer about this. And if you want to know more about me, well, you probably don't really want to know. LOL. But let's see how this goes and maybe I'll tell you.

Happy to be here

Hello everyone. This is my first post. I'm happy to be here. Still finding my way around. I'm in my 40's and have been married to my wonderful husband for 20 years. We live in Texas and have two children in their teens and one cute dog. We attend a non-denominational church. I'm a writer and my husband is a CDL driver. I look forward to being part of this community.

Trump’s legal troubles are putting state parties in a financial crisis; Some state operations are broke, and the RNC is tightfisted

Trump’s legal troubles are drowning state Republicans in a financial flood of their own making

When infighting in the Colorado Republican Party recently spilled out into the press, the conflict wasn’t over ideologies or values. It was an argument about money; or rather, the lack of it. Like other state Republican parties nationwide, Colorado’s GOP is feeling the pinch of the national party’s Trump-centric fundraising plan. Now those internal party cracks are becoming embarrassing public fractures.

A growing number of state Republican operations are either broke or perilously close to it. Last year, the Minnesota Republican Party reported having only $53 in the bank and over $330,000 in debt. In January, Michigan’s Republicans faced bankruptcy amid a brutal MAGA leadership fight. So much for being the party of fiscal responsibility.

Republican Party chairs know from Democrats’ past examples that starved state operations lead to electoral blowouts at the ballot box. But the Republican National Committee isn’t coming to the rescue

Republicans can thank Donald Trump for their current financial problems. Trump’s deal with the RNC requires the party to run its donations first through his Save America PAC

A sound mind is a fleshy carnal mind.

A sound mind is misunderstood. People think that having mental illness means that you don't have sound judgment. However unbelievers dont have mental illness, so is their judgment sound?

The apostle Paul was actually of his mind at times and he had that thorn in the flesh. That's not exactly what people normally consider to be sound judgment.

We walk by faith not by sight. This means that it doesn't matter what our mind thinks or sees. My own mind is my enemy. I have mental struggles. I ignore my mind. Romans 8 said that nothing can separate us from God's love. Not even my broken mind. Not any illness. Nothing can rob us of God's love.

Healing Prayer for my Mother

Hi everyone, I would greatly appreciate your prayers- about 1 week ago my mother fell and broke her wrist and is now in a cast and sling, just yesterday they had to do surgery and installed screws and a metal plate to get it to heal, I was just visiting my mother this morning and she was in severe pain despite powerful pain medication. Both of my parents are elderly and are not saved and their hearts are not open to the gospel, there have been many times when I asked if I could pray for them and they said no. They are involved in a unitarian church, they believe all religions are equally valid, it is a demonic thing. Please pray for my mother's healing and for the pain to go and also for both of my parent's salvation and that their hearts would be open to the gospel! My parent's names are Denny and Lila. Thank you!

Man who attacked Pelosi's husband sentenced to 30 years


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.

Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley handed down the sentence for David DePape, 44, whom jurors found guilty last November of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. Prosecutors had asked for a 40-year prison term.

DePape was given 20 years for one count and 30 years for another count. The sentences will run concurrently. He was also given credit for the 18 months that he’s been in custody.

DePape stood silently as Judge Corley handed the sentence and looked down at times. His public defense attorneys had asked the judge to sentence him to 14 years, pointing out that he was going through a difficult time in his life and had no prior criminal history.

I am not truly saved and I'm scared to tell my parents

So, I have been 'saved' three times, but I realized that I didn't mean it any of those times.

The first time I was 'saved,' I was little, so of course, I didn't mean it.
The second time, I didn't mean it either.
The third time, I just said it because I was scared of going to hell. If I tell my parents or any of my family members, they'll get upset with me. I know they will.

(By the way, sorry if this is a bit confusing. I have OCD, so...)

The controversial Harrison Butker


The manly weapons of warfare. CAUTION: parental advisory.

This is for the adults who can handle the meat of the word.

Our shield and sword for this bloody heart❤️ battle are love, gentleness, humility, meekness in wisdom, lowliness of mind and heart, forgiveness, servitude, compassion, mercy, tenderness, long suffering, and enduring all things even great hardship.

warningparentaladvisory.jpg

  • Poll
Conservative or Liberal literally........

What is more important to you?

  • Changing with the changing times is the best way to the best future.

    Votes: 3 16.7%
  • Not changing with changing times to make the best future.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Some mix of the two.

    Votes: 15 83.3%

Conservative:
averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values.

Liberal:
willing to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.

In all honesty, these are the littoral definitions of "conservative" and "Liberal," according to Oxford.

What philosophy can you in good conscience get behind?

Based on the definition of these concepts alone, I must say that the party that respects people's opinions even when they are different from our own and is open to new ideas, is the party of liberty (freedom).
The party that does not value innovation nor are they open to new ideas sounds like oppression to me.

Do you want to work for oppression or freedom?

What are the benefits of not changing with changing times, and what are the benefits of changing as society changes?
What are the pitfalls of changing with changing times or making no changes or innovations?

Prayer for my father / a day in my life

So, fist of I know that many people would say that I am projecting( I don't know when I am or what that really means) and over sharing and I have beaten my self for that. But than I have come to realize that is just how my brain works and it helps me to share these things with others so I can be a witness and be a testamony for Jesus. I have an extreme desire to serve God and his children and it hurts me immensely when I hurt any of them so please try not to take this the wrong way.

I am trying so hard to have patients and love for all but it is very hard since the people I live with (my parents) are incredibly manipulative, and some times wonder if my father is a bit of a narcissist( he also mentally abuses my mom). So on top of my brain not even working as well as a very young child's brain in many ways... They manipulate me by telling me things like if I don't go to a mens retreat than I don't love my kids while my mom is crying and acting like going to the mens retreat is going to fix all of my brain problems. And then many days my dad gets very angry but if I get even a little bit angry he blows up and starts saying things like we have done so much for you, you have no right to get angry... They do this type of thing all of the time and it hurts so bad, I just feel like screaming " I can't think through things even half as well as you think I can" I want to help people but since I can't think many people end up using and abusing me.

Please pray for my parents I still love them and somtimes I wish that my brain worked better so I could figure out how to even figure out a quarter of what they think I can but am trying to be content, so please pray for me also as I have no choice but to suffer through this day after day.

Is it a good idea to defund the State Department, the National Security Council, or the Defense Department?

I am curious about people's first reaction to that question.

To me, a simple "no" makes sense.

And if that's the case, it seems like it should go without saying that using that as a bargaining chip to get what you want, also seems like an inexplicable self sabotaging action.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/16/politics/house-israel-weapons-bill-vote/index.html
I was hoping to go "buddy buddy' with cnn and put a foxnews link but I can't find it on their website.
I wonder why.

Obviously, Biden would never sign it but doesn't it seem twisted that ANYONE would vote for this bill?


Honestly, all I see from this bill is that the Israeli lobby in the US has an, disproportionately unhealthy hold on your government.

Full Text: Harrison Butker of Kansas City Chiefs Graduation Speech

The Super Bowl champ and kicker spoke about the dignity of life, masculinity, and the most important role of all: motherhood.

Editor’s Note: Harrison Butker, 28, the placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League, delivered the commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, on Saturday, May 11, 2024. A transcript of his remarks is below.



Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of 2024: I would like to start off by congratulating all of you for successfully making it to this achievement today. I'm sure your high school graduation was not what you had imagined, and most likely, neither was your first couple years of college.

By making it to this moment through all the adversity thrown your way from COVID, I hope you learned the important lessons that suffering in this life is only temporary. As a group, you witnessed firsthand how bad leaders who don't stay in their lane can have a negative impact on society. It is through this lens that I want to take stock of how we got to where we are, and where we want to go as citizens and, yes, as Catholics. One last thing before I begin, I want to be sure to thank President Minnis and the board for their invitation to speak.


When President Minnis first reached out a couple of months ago, I had originally said No. You see, last year I gave the commencement address at my alma mater, Georgia Tech, and I felt that one graduation speech was more than enough, especially for someone who isn't a professional speaker. But of course, President Minnis used his gift of persuasion. [Laughter] It spoke to the many challenges you all faced throughout the COVID fiasco ,and how you missed out on so many milestones the rest of us older people have taken for granted. While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique. Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media, all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.

Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of the Cross during a pro- abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.

Continued below.
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My Heart's Desire

Paul said his heart’s desire, and his prayer to God for the Israelites (his own people), was that they may be saved. I concur with him, in that is my desire, as well, for my family members, friends, neighbors and the people of this world to come to know Christ Jesus as Lord and as Savior of their lives, and for them to walk with him in faith and obedience to his commands.

There are many who profess Christ as Savior who are zealous to do good works. Yet, there are others who profess Christ who are just busy living to please themselves. Whether living to please self with little to no concern for others, or fully zealous for good works and Christian service, it is possible to believe you are a Christian and yet not be, because you seek to establish your own righteousness instead of submitting to God’s.

Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny (disallow) himself, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and self) and follow (obey) him. He said if we hold on to our old lives of living in sin and to please self, we will lose them for eternity, but if we willingly die to sin and self, and follow him in obedience, then we will gain eternal life with God in heaven (Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Peter 2:24).

The Apostle Paul, in the Spirit, said that the way we come to know Christ is by forsaking our old lives of sin and self, by being transformed in heart and mind (via the Spirit of God), and by putting on our new lives in Christ Jesus, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:17-24). So, when we declare with our mouths that Jesus is our Lord, this is what we are declaring, and we agree with this in our hearts, that we should die with him to sin and obey his commandments. Then, we are saved.

My Heart’s Desire

An Original Work / June 29, 2013
Based off Romans 10:1-21; Luke 9:23-26; Ephesians 4:17-24


Loved Ones, Oh, my heart’s desire
Is that you might come to Jesus.
Many appear zealous for God,
But they do not trust in Him.
They have not submitted to the One
Who saved them from their sins;
Not forsaken their sins,
Nor have they obeyed their King.

The word of the Lord is near you:
The word of faith we’re proclaiming:
That you must confess your faith
In Jesus as your Lord and King:
Believe in Him as your Lord,
And follow Him where’er He leads.
Share the gospel; be a witness,
And meet others’ needs.

Beautiful are the feet of those
Who bring the good news of Jesus:
Anyone who would come to Him
Must deny himself today;
Die to sin and self, and
Let the Spirit transform you in heart;
Put on your new self in Jesus,
Yielding to the cross.

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