Good morning/afternoon/evening everyone,
I am from New Zealand and my wife and I are starting (restarting) on our journey in Christianity (my wife was a Christian in her teens and I was a JW in my teens - family were attending). We are now finding ourselves drawn to Christ (sensing the increase in evil in the world and being drawn in the opposite direction) and wanting to find the purest form of Christianity (as Christ taught) and are working through this process via research, to determine what denomination may be appropriate for us. High level research led me to the Eastern Orthodox denomination (the 'original church', which included what also later become the Roman Catholic Church, after the schism?) but I am little unsure of the kissing of icons, the saints etc and the rigirous requirements to fully enter the church as a member (not afraid of hard work but just seems like barriers to potentially feeling part of the church). Also, here in NZ the EO churches mostly speak their own language in service (greek, arabic, romanian etc) and unsure how we would be received. We would appreciate any thoughts from members who are in a similar position (seeking the purest form of Christianity) and what their research and experiences have uncovered/revealed. Many thanks and God bless.

Keep up the good work.

The Harvard-educated mother of two is now at the center of America’s never ending tussle with race and identity when she accidentally invited every member of her City Council to a party intended solely for Council-members who are not white. Wu’s actions would almost be comical if they weren’t so disingenuous, if not downright dangerous.

A Kiwi professor of zoology was visiting Colombia and got the surprise of his life.

The South American country has more birds, both endemic and overall, than any other country, but when his companion spied a curious-looking honeycreeper with blue and green plumage, Professor Hamish Spencer was sure it was a once-in-a-lifetime entry on his life list.

Amateur ornithologist John Murillo was with Spencer, and managed to take some incredibly good still photographs of the green honeycreeper. Half of its body was blue, which meant that the men were looking at a “bilateral gynandromorph,” or a bird that had half-female half-male plumage.

“Many birdwatchers could go their whole lives and not see a bilateral gynandromorph in any species of bird. The phenomenon is extremely rare in birds, I know of no examples from New Zealand ever,” said Spencer.

Murillo and Spencer published a paper on their discovery. Published in the Journal of Field Ornithology, it’s just the second time that a bilateral gynandromorph has been observed in this species in 100 years.

Continued below.

Greetings to all members

In connecting with this group, I hope to gain more insight into other people’s views and experiences as well as what makes life meaningful. More specifically, learning from others about their religious journey and spiritual lives.

I am an Episcopal Priest, a public interest lawyer, and a trained and certified Spiritual Director, and a community organizer who has spoken nationally and internationally.

Having studied religion for over forty years, I am now doing research for a memoir I'm working on about my journey from atheist through a number of religious organizations and traditions, beginning with the youth spiritual renaissance of the 1970s.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your community, and I look forward to interacting with you and learning from you.

I look forward to your reply,

Mark Moore

January 7th dropped for political reasons.

But rather than bringing Mary down to our level to make her more relatable, let us instead remember who she is – The Immaculate Conception – so to be reminded that we too are called to live lives of perfect humanity.

---

I love Christmas music so much, it’s hard to force myself to wait to listen to it. I make myself wait until at least halfway through Advent, but after that you’ll find me listening to it into January. Of course, there are several Christmas songs that I could do without, and a few that make me want to turn the radio channel or switch to the next song as soon as they begin. But there are two in particular that are among my least-favorite not because of tune, style, or subject, but because of content.

One is “Mary, Did You Know?” My apologies if it’s your favorite Christmas song, but in light of today’s feast, I feel the need to explain why I think this song needs a second look – and why it shouldn’t be played at your local church this Christmas.

The song is filled with nice pious thoughts, of course. It could be a very beautiful meditation, entering into the thoughts of Mary, as she “kept all these things in her heart” (Lk 2:19). It’s important to put ourselves in Mary’s position during these days of Advent.

Part of me marvels that a song about the Blessed Mother has become so popular and beloved amongst non-Catholics. I’m a frequent guest speaker for parish RCIA programs, and I always like teaching the topic of Mary around Advent. It’s a time when non-Catholics seem to be perfectly fine with statues of Mary all around. Even if those statues are plastic and light up at night in someone’s front yard, I’ll take what I can get. Christmas is a time when we can talk about Mary, simply because we come face to face with Baby Jesus. And every baby has a mom.

Therefore, you might be thinking I should be grateful that groups like Pentatonix and people from CeeLo Green to Kenny Rodgers are singing about the Blessed Mother.

Continued below.

Hello, all. I have been dealing with infidelity for a while now. My wife doesn’t know about it, but I have told God and a close friend that is a pastor. I’m struggling with the fact if I should tell my wife, or should I keep going? I love my wife, and she’s incredible. I just don’t feel right keeping her in this marriage, knowing I haven’t been faithful. Is that guilt? Should I confess to her even though she doesn’t know and I have confessed to God, a pastor, and I’m in therapy. I need help!

Our God, the one who knows us inside and out, who knows everything about us, is the one who created us, who knit us together in the wombs of our mothers. So, he is the one who placed us in the families where we ended up and with the parents we had and with the siblings and other relatives we had or still have. And he knew beforehand the kind of treatment we were going to receive from all of them, too, whether good or bad.

He is also the one who gave us the skin color and nationalities that we have, and who made us male or female, and who placed us in the nations where we grew up, knowing full well the kinds of treatment we would face because of our skin color or because of our race or because we are female and not male or because we are poor and not rich or uneducated and not educated, and the list goes on. And that was his plan for our lives.

Now God is not the author of evil, and he is not for evil, but against it, but since Adam sinned and we are all born in the image of Adam with sin natures, and we live in a fallen world, sin does exist, and evil people do evil, and God allows evil to exist, for a time. And he allows evil people to do evil against us sometimes, too. But all that he allows in our lives is ultimately for our good, to make us into the people God wants us to be.

For he never promised that life would be easy for us. He never promised that we would not have to suffer. In fact, he promised us who believe in him a life of suffering, of sharing in the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. He promises us that we will be hated and rejected and mistreated and have evil done against us. But he promises that he will carry us through it all and that through it we can grow to be more like Jesus.

And this is why it says here that in his book were written all the days formed for us when as yet there was none of them. And I think Paul said something to that affect, as well, when he told the people “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” So God had a specific plan and purpose for us even before he made us.

So, the point here, I believe, is that regardless of our circumstances or who our parents were/are and where we live and what nationality we are, etc., God made us who we are to live where we have lived and to experience some of the things we have experienced in order to make us who he wants us to be. But we must accept his sovereignty over our lives and yield to his will and purpose for our lives and then become the people he wants us to be.

And this can only happen as we surrender our lives to him, die with him to sin, and now live for him and to his righteousness in his power, strength, and wisdom. And he will turn our sadness into joy, and he will take what was intended for evil in our lives and turn it into good, perhaps for the salvation of human lives (as was the case with Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel). So, let the Lord make you into who he wants you to be.


Now, in the New Testament we are taught that we are to love our enemies, not hate them, and that we are to do good to them, and not evil, and that we are to pray for them and to bless them, not curse them (Luke 6:27-28). But we are to hate the evil, as God hates evil, and we are not ever to join in with evil, but we are to forsake it and resist it and expose it for what it is and call people to come out of their sins and to follow Jesus Christ with their lives. And we are to pray to be rescued from all evil.

And we are not to want to get even or to do evil to others who do evil to us, but we are to forgive (not try to retaliate). But forgiveness is not granting permission to evil people to continue in their evil. When Jesus forgave he told people to “go and sin no more.” And when he forgives us it is with the expectation that we will “go and sin no more.” And if we keep on in our sin, then we are not forgiven, according to the Scriptures, unless we repent in truth and in righteousness and we now follow our Lord in obedience.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; Jn 6:35-58; Jn 15:1-11; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-24; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-11; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 10:23-31; 1 Co 10:1-22; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

But the bottom line for us here who have had evil done to us, like Jesus had done to him, is that we are not to hate and retaliate but we are to forgive and even love those who did evil against us, and pray for their salvation, and show them love and kindness. Can we set boundaries for ourselves, though? I believe so. The Scriptures teach us that we can. Jesus and Paul and Peter and John did, and they stood up for themselves when others were doing evil against them. And we are not to yield to evil nor to willfully participate in it.

[Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-17; Acts 5:27-32; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Philippians 3:18-19; Revelation 13:5-8; Revelation 18:1-5]

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897
Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

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Cops find son 'naked on top of his 74-year-old mom's decapitated body'

Everyday a family member is either killing or trying to kill another family member. This is not just available access to the news - there is a change in the togetherness of the families even from 50 years ago.

It’s advised in proverb’s don’t spare the rod so should we listen to this advice ?

In the debate last week Vivek Ramaswami asserted that J6 was "an inside job".

For those of you who think Speaker Pelosi orchestrated J6 and it was perpetrated by Antifa, BLM and FBI agents who had been extolled to assault the Capitol by Fed Ray Epps (or some variation thereof), I have one question...

Why did Donald do nothing for 187 minutes other than watch the attack unfold on TV?

I got to chatting with this...."Christian" woman, and she couldn't figure out, why at the age of my 50s, that I've never been married, and no matter what the reason I gave, that I keep meeting shallow women that play games, or whatever, that she finds it VERY strange and suspect that I've never married. That I date a lot (which I don't ) and found it odd that I'm Christian that assumed that I go out with a lot of women, but never married anyone of them.


That I wasn't a "risk" taker at marriage. Implied that I was afraid of it even. I said since my 20s I wanted marriage.

She said she is "Christian", she's divorced..;.once, and never wants to marry again. So it sounds like she wants to just date, and hasn't been on a lot of dates. She then contradicts herself that she's not "entirely opposed" to getting married again.

She claims to have gotten to America on her own (not via a green card marriage), and was married 25 years.

Then she goes on to say, "The maybe it's you"

I've gotten into quite a few of these conversations with these bitter, divorced women 40 and older and it's no wonder men my age tend towards the younger ladies...and these are the very reasons I suppose. They tend to grill me hard about my situation, and it's made me a bit self-conscious and it doesn't make me feel any better when they do this.

I said I found it a bit odd, being from South America, and Christian, that she came from a culture that was of a marriage minded capacity, and from that she thought I was saying that she got married for the purpose of citizen ship. So don't generalize!

I never said that, she put words in my mouth.

And I was like "Don't generalize ME/ or Judge mE (same thing in a way), because I'VE never been married!"

The conversation pretty much ended there.

It's a sad...sad world where even CHRISTIANS find a fellow Christian, that's never been married, as a dealbreaker, yes?

The mom who said she felt “frustration and anger” over the quiz also said her son, who is white, is often berated by teachers at the school who have reportedly accused him of being racist and “a product of the patriarchy that teaches young boys not to care about anything,” according to the Rantz show.
Seattle Public Schools said the quiz was meant to promote inclusion and was in line with lessons taught in the Ethnic Studies class.
The liberal approach to education is a disservice to our children.

Jesus doesn’t want just part of us
Not just part of us, but all our time
Doesn’t want just what we’ll give to Him
Wants our whole, not part, and not our mime

Our Lord Savior Jesus Christ and God
Gave His life up for us on a cross
So that we’d be forgiven our sins
So that we’d live not for self, but Him

People have it backwards nowadays
Think that all God wants is that we pray
Take some little time for Him each day
Then go merrily along our way

That is not how God has set things up
He desires we drink from Him His cup
Share with Him in death and righteousness
Live for Him so we’ll be heaven blessed

An Original Work / December 14, 2023

This negligence on the highest order on the part of Hyundai and Kia,
"Judge rules Hyundai, Kia lawsuit can move forward, saying ‘the level of fault is almost entirely on the defendants.'
Hyundai and Kia had hoped for a quick dismissal of the litigation hundreds of insurers brought forth after a spree of vehicle thefts. Instead, U.S. District Judge James Selna in Santa Ana, California, rejected the automakers’ argument for dismissal and ruled Hyundai and Kia must face the insurers' lawsuits.

The lawsuits in question aim to recoup more than $1 billion that insurers say they owe Hyundai and Kia drivers whose vehicles were damaged or stolen during a theft spree inspired by social media. The insurers argue that the lack of anti-theft devices in the 14.3 million vehicles made between 2011 and 2022 dramatically increased the likelihood of vehicle theft.

Hyundai and Kia argued that insurers assumed the risk of vehicle theft by collecting auto insurance policy premiums.

Selna rejected that argument, writing, "Though [the insurers] have received premiums, defendants allegedly failed to include any anti-theft device as required under federal regulations. Thus, the level of fault is almost entirely on the defendants."

A lack of immobilizers​

Much of the criticism Hyundai and Kia face stems from their failure to install immobilizers in many of their vehicles. These anti-theft devices are common in most vehicles and prevent cars from being hotwired.

TikTok videos showing how to steal vehicles without such a device triggered an avalanche of thefts in 2021. Federal statute states all vehicles must have starting systems that prevent normal activation of the engine if the key is removed from the starting system, according to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114.

A broader case​

Selna's ruling is the latest in a string of legal cases surrounding the automakers and the thefts. Hyundai and Kia also face legal challenges from several municipalities and victims in those areas seeking to recoup costs associated with vehicle theft and vandalism.

On Oct. 31, 2023, Selna provided preliminary approval of a class action settlement involving Hyundai and Kia and concerning more than 9 million vehicles. The settlement is valued at $200 million, of which $145 million will go to the drivers themselves.

Other lawsuits remain ongoing.

What's next?​

While the court battles continue, current owners of the Hyundai and Kia models that appeared in the TikTok challenge face a new obstacle - getting insurance.

"Auto insurers, as a result of all the spikes in thefts in those vehicles, stopped writing new business for those policyholders and probably were not renewing policies,".......ttps://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/judge-rules-hyundai-kia-lawsuit-can-move-forward-saying-the-level-of-fault-is-almost-entirely-on-the-defendants/ar-AA1lrHk7?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=84f667aa10164154906a64641b65093f&ei=131

This is sad. I enjoyed his work. both serious and comedic.

I am a 51 year old man who had a beautiful marriage of 18 years, 2 beautiful children, and in just 40 days I went from happily married to hell. On January 27th 2023 God needed my wife to make heaven a better place. For me the hardest thing about being a widower is the silence. It is coming up on one year and I am grieving more now than on February 11th. I am disabled and extremely lost. How do y'all deal with the greif and silence. Remember that there is nothing bigger than the little things. I miss my wife. God bless you and your family. Merry Christmas .

What are y'alls thoughts about this poll conducted by The Heartland Institute/Rasmussen.

One of the most provocative and encouraging statements I have found in the Bible is this one:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (John 14:12, NKJV)

For me, this means also that I should not put any limits on what I think I can or cannot do, or rather, what the Love, Power and Wisdom of God can do through me. I believe following Jesus is adventurous, do you also experience it this way?

It being Christmas season, I know there's a lot of pain going on over family estrangement.

I have been estranged from many family members for like 12 years. I know in a way it's justified because I have done things that have been wrong and have hurt others, but there is something specific I'm struggling with about it.

I have had no reciprocation from any of those family members from which I am estranged, despite trying to make peace and respect boundaries over a long period of time. No communication over Thanksgiving or Christmas consistently. No communication, period. My texts or calls are never returned....ever.

I don't really like these people, respect them, or have much of anything in common with them. Actually, the most important family member I have is my mom. She is the only one who has supported me unconditionally. Sometimes I feel guilt because although she is the only family member that matters, I am constantly struggling with why I feel such a hole in my heart over the siblings I have that either are self-interested, unforgiving, or simply don't care.

I know personally, and have read, that there are real and devastating consequences to long-term sibling estrangement. As I type, I can FEEL the cortisol and the adrenaline pumping through my veins and blood. I have tried to lose weight, but it is not possible if you are angry. Your cortisol levels will drive you to eat, and to eat unhealthy foods, to compensate for your stress.

I am trying to justify to myself and to you why I feel this need to reconcile, even though I have nothing in common with my estranged family members. I know that for me, closure and tying up loose ends is really important. I know people who went to their graves estranged from important family relationships, when a simple phone call would have solved the problem, and they let the estrangement go on for 30 years. I don't understand that kind of pride.

I love the idea of coming full circle with things, and I value making peace and being at peace with others. I have been able to make peace and live in peace with every single person I have ever known and ever hurt, and we are on good terms. But for some reason, this "untied knot" of estrangement with certain family members is really eating me up. It's like an itch that I can't scratch, because it really is the only itch in my life I have not been able to scratch, the only loose end I have not been permitted to tie up in my relationships.

Every time I have tried to communicate, the door gets slammed in my face.

In this situation, the worst part for me is being consistently tormented with the idea that I can't move on from the situation, because I am the only clear Christian witness in the family, and if someone important in the family dies, I am expected to be there and to be the "big guy."

It's very, very painful to continue leaving my heart open for years to those who don't want anything to do with me, and feeling like it might never end. Part of me believes though that this is a cross from God. It's almost like he's telling me, "now you get to feel what I feel. I love the world so much, and my heart goes out to everyone every single day, and most people want nothing to do with me. Still, my heart is open to them from birth until death, if they will only call out to me."

Anyone have experience with this? It sounds like I am torn between a lot of conflicting things.

What would you do in this situtation?

I've been praying for A's salvation nonstop since he mentioned it? We work at a rather liberal store (Target) that isn't friendly towards Christians.

Any advice is appreciated.

GOP clash nixes Johnson plan for floor showdown on surveillance reforms​

The House Rules Committee pulled consideration of the two bills after a GOP conference meeting that was staged as a debate over reforming Section 702 of the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act (FISA), which allows the government to spy on foreigners overseas.

1. The Apocrypha Has Different Doctrine And Practices Than Holy Scripture
2. The Apocrypha Is Never Cited In The New Testament As Scripture
3. The Apocrypha Has Always Been Rejected By The Jews As Scripture
4. The Books Of The Apocrypha Were Written During The Silent Years
5. The Septuagint Translation Proves Nothing
6. There Is No Evidence The Apocrypha Was In Septuagint At The Time Of Christ
7. There Is No Evidence Of A Greater Alexandrian Canon
8. They Are Not On The Early Canonical Lists
9. They Were Rejected By Most Church Leaders
10. There Are Other Books Apart From The Apocrypha That Are Cited As Scripture By Some Church Fathers
11. The Early Greek Manuscripts Are Not Decisive
12. The Apocrypha Is Not A Well-Defined Unit
13. The Councils At Hippo And Carthage Are Not Definitive

There was one great Hebrew scholar among the Christian Church living in the era of Saint Augustine - Jerome the translator of the Latin Vulgate. Jerome rejected the Apocrypha as Holy Scripture in the strongest of terms. He refused to place it in his translation of the Old Testament. It was only after the death of Jerome that the Apocrypha was placed in the Vulgate - the official translation of the Roman Catholic Church. His expert testimony was rejected.

We can start there: