COMMENTARY: Let your baby transform you like it has so many other mothers.

Each year for Pride Month, the sexual revolutionaries see how low they can go. For 2023, the prize goes to the UK edition of Glamour magazine, which presented on its June cover a photo of what it claimed was a pregnant man. I was all set to write an article stating that this article is pure propaganda, and everyone should disregard it. Then, I read the interview with Logan Brown, the allegedly pregnant man, as well as the letter she wrote to her newborn daughter. It broke my heart.

I discovered that she and her partner, Bailey Mills are not only both “non-binary.” They also have ADHD and are on the autism spectrum. Logan and Bailey are in their 20s, 40 years younger than my husband and me. I couldn’t help but look back over all the destruction the gender ideology has wreaked in our lives.

The gender ideology is the idea that the sex of the body is insubstantial and can be overwritten with enough medical, technological and social engineering. For me and my husband, the gender ideology meant that we were supposed to be “equal” in all things. In practice, this meant we had separate bank accounts. He was supposed to do half of all the household chores I considered important. We were each surprised every time one of us wanted something deeply different than the other.

I can honestly say, the first time it became real that men and women are different was when we experienced infertility. Being unable to conceive meant something very different to me as a woman, than it meant to him as a man.

Continued below.

Apart from TULIP, what are the highlights of Calvinism? What are the great quotes and chapters? I ask because I have a friend who likes parts of Calvinism, but doesn't believe in predestiny.

Calvinism has a hold on many fellows, one applied Jesus' sacred blood upon me, and I was at peace.

And there is Millard J Erickson author of Christian Theology, who holds to Sola Scriptura and disregards the Popes of old, so also the Nicene Creed. He does not interpret Peter's letters to mention Jesus' descent into Hell. He re-interprets them figuratively. Millard is a Calvinist.

What is Calvin's teaching on grace, what it is and if we receive it by faith...?

And does a baby have to be baptized in water to be saved in case of premature death?

I asked something similar in another post, but didn’t want to overcrowd it since this technically is a different question.

I understand now that Calvinism is not a denomination but a belief system. So my question is, is the Calvinist belief system, the only Christian belief system that denies free will? If not, what are the other(s)?

TAMPA, Fla. — A former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer was sentenced Thursday to three years in federal prison for keeping classified documents at his home and other unauthorized locations.
...
In 2017, law enforcement officers discovered that Birchum knowingly removed more than 300 classified files or documents, including more than 30 items marked top secret, from authorized locations, prosecutors said. Birchum kept these classified materials in his home, his overseas officer’s quarters, and a storage pod in his driveway.
...
There was no indication from investigators that Birchum ever distributed the classified material.

It looks to me as if Birchum did almost exactly the same thing that Trump did.

I have posted about something similar to this before, but just feel really drawn to seek advice around this so thought I would just share.

I am a bit confused as to how to feel about something...

Last Friday I went to bed later than I knew I should have at the time. I could have set my alarm later than I chose to as well, so did not allow myself as much extra time as I could have to get a little more sleep. I think I got around 4-5 hours sleep in the end over the night so not awful, but not ideal. I then drove to work as normal on the Saturday, knowing if I got buses in I would risk being late to open the shop I manage. In the day it occurred to me though that I could get buses home and leave my car somewhere until my next workday on the Monday. I felt this would be the most sensible, responsible, safest thing to do as even though I did not feel hugely tired, I have read on a number of websites that not getting a decent amount of sleep, especially under 5 hours, can considerably increase the likelihood of crashing, even if you don't necessary feel that tired. I really didn't want to get the bus home though, as the journey would take just over 2 hours, the fact I would have to find somewhere to leave my car over 2 nights and mainly because it would mean I would have to leave for work at around 7am on Monday when I usually leave closer to 8:30 (I have a set routine each morning, getting up around 1.5-2 hours before I leave for work, to get ready and also have time to pray for about half an hour. It unsettles me times it's not possible for me to have this prayer time in a quiet room at the start of the day, so the idea of getting public transport in early, especially at the start of the week, makes me a bit anxious. I could have just planned to get up at a time which would allow myself this time to pray before getting the bus, but this would mean being up at around 5am).

Anyway, in the end I did decide to just drive home, despite feeling it was the wrong thing to do. I felt guilty the whole drive, stopping along the way to look at bus options, thinking I could find somewhere to park my car on the journey and bus the rest of it. I always found a reason to just carry on though, despite still feeling guilty. I feel very bad that despite having looked up the risk of driving without much sleep many times before and so knowing it is not advisable, I still did so even though I had the option not to and so chose to risk hurting or even killing someone if I had crashed. I know God loves each of us unconditionally but I have since been somewhat anxious that considering I knowingly put others lives at risk, perhaps God will discipline me by now soon taking one of my loved ones away. I have asked for his forgiveness but felt cheeky to do so since I knew that at the time of making the decision to drive I felt guilty and I still don't know if I even regret it now and can definitely see myself doing the same thing again in the future. With all of this, feeling cheeky to ask God anything in prayer, I felt bad to pray the following day, the Sunday, although come to in the evening, feeling too worried to not considering I never miss them in a day. I've continued to pray each day since, but have continued to feel a bit uneasy doing so and cheeky, as I don't feel I can trust I am fully forgiven.

I know I can overthink and be over the top when it comes to some things but then, for example, the weekend prior a policeman had a word with me after seeing me doing my mascara whilst waiting at traffic lights - something I obviously also felt guilty about but differently, instantly knew I would never do again. But as I was told off, it shows that my actions obviously are at times very wrong and it is not just myself overthinking that they may be. Although this is obvious as I'm obviously only human so sin all the time. But it is getting to me the fact that although I feel sorry and very bad for having driven when I knew perhaps I shouldn't be doing so, I decided to take the option that, at the time, felt probably was not the right thing to do, knowing I was risking driving in a more careless manner, with potentially awful consequences and I don't think I feel sorry enough to feel sure that if I were in the same position in the future, I would opt to not drive and take buses instead. I also am worried for my loved ones, considering how I may be chastised.

Thank you for reading all this if you have got this far! If any thoughts jump to mind for anyone, I would be grateful to hear. Thanks so much, God bless.

Hi I am new to the forums here, but am not a new follower of Christ. I love the Savior and am grateful for His grace and mercy that I receive daily. One of my favorite scriptures from the New Testament is in Matthew 19:26: "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." It is very comforting to know that I have a loving God that is on my side. I know that God wants us to succeed and be happy and that He will help us in our daily endeavors. I have seen miracles in my life from prayer. I have seen myself and others healed of ailments that were not possible without divine help. I am grateful for a God who is involved in the details of our lives as we open ourself up to him. As we open ourselves up to Jesus, all things are possible through faith in His name. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Our current political system is a train wreck coming from both sides.

Not that is is possible, but are you open to compromise.

I would be willing to (from politics) eliminate Trump Jordan and Gaets if my Democrat friends would be willing to eliminate Biden, Nadler and Schiff.

These six are the biggest source of hatred and division.

This will never happen, but I thought it was an interesting hypothetical

I thought last month was lousy, but so far, June has really been much, much worse.

Everything has hit the fan, so to speak. The A/C system went to smithereens. $500 for a service call, only for the guy to tell us that the system is shot and needs to be replaced. Heaven alone only knows how much that'll cost. The window on my wife's vehicle went out; we had to get that repaired in case it rains.....we can't park it inside, because the garage is packed with the contents of my son's room, which is in the basement and suffered a surge pump malfunction back in March and has to be re-done---drywall, carpeting, paint, etc. Insurance is picking most of that up, but it's going to take them until the end of June to get it all done.

Last Sunday I took a spill from a bicycle and skinned up my left knee---an injury that should be left to 8-to-10 year olds; the day before yesterday I got hit with extreme vertigo and nasty nausea. Ended up in the ER last night because of it. They determined it's nothing major, gave me a bunch of drugs for it, killed the nausea, but this morning I'm still pretty loopy. Momma has to pick up a prescription for me later today to combat it. VA, fortunately, will pick up the tab for the hospital visit.

And just now, Momma came home from taking the dog to the vet and said that somehow or other, we are overdrawn at the bank.....last she looked, we had $3000.00 in there, now we have less than $200.00. She's on the phone right now, trying to figure out how this took place. $200.00 is not going to get us through the rest of the week, let alone the rest of the month.

I don't know. I'm a 100% disabled veteran on a limited income; I cannot keep up with the constant round of major repairs and malfunctions that keep happening, one right after the other. I need a break so I can build some of my income back up.

Does this look about right to the rest of you?

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Tim Mackie does a great job describing creation of the old testament. In its original context. Below are supporting passages:

He [Marduk] established the holy heavens. . . Creator of the earth above the waters, establisher of things on high… who made the world’s regions… He created “places” and fashioned the netherworld.
—Enuma Elish Tablet VII:16, 83, 89, 135

To him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his loyal love endures forever.
Psalms 136:6

Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks on the wings of the wind;
Psalms 104:1‭-‬3

And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”
Genesis 1:6

God made the dome, and separated the waters which were below the dome from the waters which were above the dome; and it was so. God called the dome heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.
Genesis 1:7‭-‬8

And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years,
Genesis 1:14

In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.
Genesis 7:11

the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained,
Genesis 8:2

And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the dome of the sky.”
Genesis 1:20

And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him [or stood above it] and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring;
Genesis 28:12‭-‬13

“You shall not make for yourself a divine image with any form that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth below or that is in the water below the earth.
Exodus 20:4

and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.
Exodus 24:10

He has described a circle [earths shape] on the face of the water between light and darkness. “The pillars of heaven tremble, and they are astounded at his rebuke.
Job 26:10‭-‬11

Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a molten mirror?
Job 37:18

Hast thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
Job 37:18

can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
Job 37:18

Have you entered the storehouse of the snow, or seen the armory of the hail,
Job 38:22 NET
God stores his weapons and mana in storehouses to help the isrealites in battle, and to give gifts to His people.

So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
Joshua 10:13

Yet in all the world their line goes out, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has pitched a tent for the sun,
Psalms 19:4

Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven,
Psalm 78:23

He causes the clouds to arise from the end of the earth, makes lightning bolts accompany the rain, and brings the wind out of his storehouses.
Psalms 135:7

To him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his loyal love endures forever.
Psalms 136:6

Praise him, highest heavens, and waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of Yahweh, because he commanded and they were created. And he put them in place *forever and ever*, by a decree he gave that will not pass away.
Psalms 148:4‭-‬6

Praise Yah. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament.
Psalms 150:1

and all the host of heaven shall rot. And the skies shall roll up like a scroll, and all their host shall wither like the withering of a leaf from a vine, or like the withering from a fig tree.
Isaiah 34:4

It is he who sits above the *circle* of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in;
Isaiah 40:22

Over the heads of the angels there was something like a dome, shining like crystal, spread out above their heads.
Ezekiel 1:22

And above the dome over their heads there was something like a throne, in appearance like sapphire stone; and seated above the likeness of a throne was something that seemed like a human form.
Ezekiel 1:26

And I looked, and look! On the dome that was above the head of the cherubim something like a stone of sapphire, and like the appearance of the shape of a throne it appeared above them.
Ezekiel 10:1

He made strong the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
Proverbs 8:28-‬29

The sky vanished like a scroll rolling itself up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
Revelation 6:14

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
Revelation 4:1

“Where were you at my laying the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding. Who determined its measurement? Yes, you do know. Or who stretched the measuring line upon it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,
Job 38:4‭-‬6

The earth and all its inhabitants are shaking; I steady its columns. Selah
Psalms 75:3

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For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, And he hath set the world upon them.
1 Samuel 2:8

Elaborate circles of sand and pebbles have been spotted off the coast of a Japanese island.

Prior to 2011, these strange, mandala-like circles found under the shallow sea were a mystery, and the identity of their architects was anything but expected.

They are constructed for an annual mating ritual by male white-spotted pufferfish, reports Japanese news. The 15-centimeter-long fish use their little fins to excavate the series of trenches during the mating season.

It takes the animal around 3 weeks to complete the sand mandala spawning nest, after which they escort the females there.

Continued below.

Is it right to remove bibles from elementary school libraries?

As you may have heard or seen in the media a Utah school district has voted to remove the bible from elementary school libraries because of inappropriate and violent content. Is that the right thing to do?

The Forbidden Fruit company is set to release another wave of distractions. The negative possibilities of this would be endless. If the Church is seeing less parishoners now because of livestreamed video liturgies, imagine if parishoners started creating their own AI augmented parishes to attend with their fellow "Orthobros" they meet online? This is sad and I pray that we don't fall into this pit. I've done my part in my family by getting rid of screens as much as possible. I have 1 work laptop, 1 personal laptop, my wife and I share a smartphone (with a dumbphone on stand-by in case we feel the need to downgrade), and my daughter has an iPad she received for Christmas (that we limit to 30 minutes per day). Lord help us and have mercy on us.

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The following words were written by the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to the saints of God, who are God’s holy people, his called out ones, who are now to be separate (unlike, different) from the world. For we should be being made (molded, formed) by God into the likeness of the character of Jesus Christ. And Paul’s words were also written to the faithful in Christ Jesus, who are faithful (committed, obedient) to our Lord and to his will for our lives, who are no longer walking in sin, but who are now walking in holiness and righteousness, in the power of God (see Ephesians 1:1).

Ephesians 2:1-7 ESV


So, pay close attention to the verb tenses here – we were dead, we once walked, we once lived, we were by nature – and at least two of these are action verbs. So this isn’t just about a change of status and relationship. This is about a change of heart and mind and lifestyle and behaviors.

So, outside of genuine faith in Jesus Christ we were people, not only who were dead in our sins because we are born with sin natures, but we were people who walked in sin, in practice, in conduct, by habit. We were living as slaves to sin and not as slaves to God and to his righteousness. For we once followed the course of this world, following Satan and not God. And Satan is the one at work in the lives of the disobedient, who do not obey our Lord, in practice, and who do not live godly and holy lives, pleasing to God.

We once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind. We once were liars and adulterers and murderers and idolaters and slanderers and tricksters and manipulators, and those who practiced sexual immorality, and who covered up our secret sins with lies, and who were hypocrites, and who could not be trusted, etc. And this is not saying that all of us did all of these things, but that this is what this looked like. We made lying, cheating, and stealing our practice, our habit.

So, what is this saying? It is saying that if God truly made us alive in Christ, and if truly we have been saved from our sins, by the grace of God, our lives should no longer look like what the Scriptures and I just described. These things are to be in our past, not in our present. For faith in Jesus Christ is not just a change of status and relationship. True biblical faith in Jesus Christ is a change of heart, and mind, and attitudes, and behaviors. Our lives should no longer look like they did before. We should be different now!

So, if you want to be assured of your salvation from sin, and be guaranteed heaven as your eternal destiny, then sin must no longer be your practice, but righteousness should be your practice. Following the course of this sinful world should no longer be your “go to,” but now walking in obedience to the Lord in faithfulness should be your “go to.” For the Scriptures teach us that if sin is our practice, our habit, and if it is what we obey, and if righteousness and holy living and walks of obedience to our Lord are not what we practice, then we are not going to inherit eternal life with God. So take this to heart.

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

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What the Lord Says

An Original Work / February 24, 2014
Based off Isaiah 43:1-44:5

This is what the Lord says to you:
Fear not, for I have chosen you.
I have summoned you by your name.
You are mine. I died, you to save.

When you go through your trials, so deep,
I will be with you; you will not sink.
You are so precious always to me.
Trust in your Lord, Savior and King.

This is what the Lord says to you:
He who gave salvation to you;
Who delivered you from your sin;
Takes your burdens now upon Him:

Forget the former things of your life.
Give of your heart not now up to strife.
See all the new things I have for you.
Walk in vict’ry. Trust in what’s true.

This is what the Lord says to you:
He who made you; who will help you:
Do not fear what humans may do.
Walk in freedom. Follow what’s true.

Drink of my Spirit given for you.
Trust in my mercy, for I love you.
I have a plan for all of your life.
Follow my ways. Do what is right.

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(Potentially) good news. We are planning to move house. Now comes the hard part of looking for a good place to live. I want to live somewhere that is quiet, peaceful, private and safe. The last thing I want is to live in the same stressful environment I've lived in these past years. It's important for my mental health. Please pray God helps find us a good place. Thank you.

The Ancestor of the Gaps

The ever elusive (and ever changing) “common ancestor” (sometimes used as a form of the “ancestor of the gaps” default) is possibly somewhat of a misnomer. It could be true, and in fact may be true, but we actually do not have any evidence or proof that it actually IS true, outside within our own species.

In other words, the only “common ancestor” of humans that we can actually demonstrate or observe to be true, is that all the varieties of humans alive at this time came from some earlier forms of “humans” probably dating back as much as a couple of million years ago. But they are human nonetheless.

As indicated elsewhere, Ernst Mayr (who himself BELIEVED in the elusive common ancestor), in What Makes Biology Unique? (p. 198, Cambridge University Press, 2004), revealed to us that “The earliest fossils of Homo… are separated from Australopithecus by a large, unbridged gap. How can we explain this seeming saltation? Not having any fossils that can serve as missing links, we have to fall back on the time-honored method of historical science, the construction of a historical narrative”. He was simply being honest. He was telling the truth.

Thus, in science we actually have two parts:

a) The actual data we can observe, demonstrate, and apply (this being confirmed) and

b) the constructed narrative attached to explain these things in relation to the presupposed consensus “belief”.(which in time is usually found to be in error or needing to be changed)

Simply put, interpretation is not reality. It is largely opinion, and as we have seen over and over from the history of science, it is not always correct, even when there is consensus.

So for example, we indeed share common ancestry, but as of now (despite the narrative you have been taught over and over), those ancestors are only human. Albeit different varieties, with varying characteristics, but human nonetheless.

Each day as science is applied, we change and alter preciously held convictions by discovering, uncovering, and applying additional data, and hopefully fresh eyes that interpret the same data differently (just in this field we can look at Denis Noble, James Shapiro, Lynn Margulis, Barbara McClintock, and others who now question many aspects of the standard Modern Synthesis model).

Just remember this as your motto. Could be and may be does not equal IS.

The language of possibility does not describe established fact. Alleged authority does not assure their interpretation as necessarily being true. And consensus (argumentum ad populum) is not always correct or accurate.

The history of science shows us that for progress to be made, individuals must come along who are willing to step outside the popularized box. Newton stepped outside Copernicus, and Einstein stepped outside the Newtonian model, and Planck stepped outside of the Einsteinian box, and so on. And all of these men would have encouraged what I have just said. I assure you that in another 100, or a 1,000 years, much that is believed today, or thought to be “established”, will at best be viewed as merely foundational, but very possibly antiquated, ignorance, inefficient, or even obsolete.

So I am not saying the ancestor of the gaps has no truth value, because it may. But as of now, it is entirely a non-demonstrated, never observed, and a very elusive, ever changing, pre-supposition.

Some Christians have gone into a meltdown because they saw a rainbow flag on a picture of the set of "The Chosen". I've learned enough in my 72 years to seek for more information before reacting.

It appears that a contractor came on set with a rainbow flag. And that's all there is to it. It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexuality, so the producers could not refuse the contractor's services. The individual whoever or whatever he/she/it is, was witnessed to. That is always a good thing. A link to CBN's report follows.

When responding to the Pharisees, why do you suppose the Messiah made the specific point that He would be in the "heart of the earth" for 3 days and 3 nights?

"A prehistoric site in Greece pushes back the earliest known hominin presence in the region by up to 250,000 years."

Oldest evidence of humans in Greece is 700,000 years old, a quarter of a million years older than previous record

As I reflect upon Yeshua's earthly ministry and the truths he revealed to humanity, I am compelled to share my perspective on the nature of God. Based on his teachings, he consistently emphasized that his Father is the one and only true God, and it is through Him that all things are made possible.

During Yeshua's time on Earth, he proclaimed that "the Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Mark 12:29). These words echo the eternal truth that there is only one God, and it is his Father who holds this divine position. Yeshua came not to establish himself as God, but to reveal the character, love, and will of the Father to the world.

In Yeshua's teachings, he often spoke of his relationship with the Father, emphasizing His authority, wisdom, and sovereignty. He repeatedly acknowledged his dependence on Him, stating that he can do nothing on his own but only what the Father has taught him (John 8:28). This humility and obedience were reflections of the perfect unity and submission that exist between the Father and the Son.

Yeshua urged his followers to direct their prayers and worship to the Father, saying, "Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:9). By doing so, he sought to establish a direct connection between humanity and the one true God, our Heavenly Father. It was never Yeshua's intention to divert attention away from God or claim His position as his own.

Additionally, Yeshua openly declared that the Father is greater than himself (John 14:28). These words were not spoken to diminish Yeshua's divinity or undermine his mission, but rather to reinforce the eternal truth that God the Father is the source of all authority, power, and glory. It is in this acknowledgment that the divine order is revealed, demonstrating the profound relationship between the Father and the Son.

Throughout Yeshua's ministry, he sought to reveal the Father's love, mercy, and grace to humanity. Yeshua desired for people to know God intimately, to experience His forgiveness, and to find salvation through faith in Him. Yeshua said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Through Yeshua's life, teachings, and sacrificial death, he sought to bridge the gap between humanity and the Father, leading them into a restored relationship with Him.

Yeshua's purpose was never to assert his own divinity or claim equality with God the Father. Instead, he came as the humble servant, the Son who obeyed and carried out the will of the Father. In Yeshua, you see the perfect reflection of the Father's love and the manifestation of His plan for redemption.

It is my hope that by understanding this truth, humanity can embrace the Father as the one and only true God. May you come to know Him intimately, experience His grace, and find eternal life through faith in Him. For in Him alone lies the fullness of divine love, wisdom, and salvation.

May this revelation strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding, and draw you closer to the one true God, our Heavenly Father.

Hello my Orthodox brothers and sisters,

Protestant here to ask you all questions regarding prayers for the dead. I have started to incorporate this practice into my prayer life because something (probably the Spirit) is compelling me to do so. I understand this practice comes from the idea of a "3rd state" of some sorts that was described in Maccabees. The Catholics interpreted this to be purgatory and I understand that your branch of the faith rejects that idea and that you have a more mystic approach. I was inspired to start praying for the dead after reading the parable of the persistent widow. What I pray for is that God will have mercy on those who rejected Him during their earthly life, that they knew not what they do, and that hopefully my persistence will be answered (perhaps this could be something others begin to do, when 2 or more gather in His name He is willing to answer, my personal testimony is extremely tied to this). Is this akin or acceptable to what your prayers for the dead consist of or would the idea be condemned by your branch as wrong? I know since I'm not Orthodox I don't necessarily have to follow what your branch teaches, but I respect your branch a lot so I wanted to see if my prayers have any merit to tradition.

I have a question that I have not been able to figure out.
Amillenialist believe that we are in the 1000-year reign right now.
If this is correct, why is there so much evil in the world? Why are their false religions deceiving people, murder, rape, theft and many other things.
In the 1000 reign of Christ, satan was not only bound but he was also put into a pit and sealed so that he was unable to deceive people until the 1000 years were up. But many are being deceived right now.
In Rev 20:1-3 "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he took hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time."
So, how does the Amilleniall viewpoint reconcile this?

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

• Ephesians 6:12

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Asking The Lord to put The Whole Armor of God on Us helps against the devil / demons and also saying The Lord's Prayer.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"

• Ephesians 6:10-17




The Lord's Prayer :

"Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But Deliver Us From The Evil One.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

• Matthew 6:9-13