I have my good days and my bad days. Today happens to be a bad day. Please pray for my mental health, my living situation and pray I have the strength to leave a toxic relationship with my sons father.

Recently, I've been battling really bad depression. So bad, I can barley get out of bed.

Please pray for me.

Anway I could silence the politics section? I came here to read about Jesus not politics. To much hate in this section. Keeps showing in my feed. There will never be a perfect politician. Humans are not perfect in nature. The only perfect ruler is Jesus Christ. Having this section is asking for propagandist to create accounts and polute the minds of good Christians. I've got news for you guys most of these politicians are Free Masons(They will ALL lie, cheat, steal and some of them may even kill to get there way). Who does the bible call the prince of this world? It's all fixed. If the powers that be don't want someone in power they won't allow them to be in power. The whole system is fixed left and right(Blood and crypt). Don't put your faith in man put your Faith in Jesus Christ.
I would appreciate any assistance on silencing this section. I want to read about the Christian faith not political propaganda. Mods you guys should really rethink this section.

A gift from the Lord this morning, for all of us.

Sitting here and saw a dove land and sit on the railing. Started recording. The dove dropped down and started eating. Then a group of sparrows all landed on the railing at once, saw the dove and dropped down and joined in. I suddenly had the thought, hey, its like Jesus has drawn in His disciples for a meal. Then a cardinal lands on the rail, and then drops down to join in.

Jesus and His disciples are drawing them in!

We have a ministry of one, brothers and sisters in Christ. The next one. Let's keep praying for God to keep bringing them to us, and He will!

To the genuine seeker. When you look at yourself maybe you see a raven, who can't approach a Holy God.

He sees a cardinal.

Come, child, come as you are, to His Son!

Matthew 3:16-17 NIV

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 17:5 NIV

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"

Hey I just picked up a new flat screen TV for my apartment, this is slick! It connects to my internet router via WiFi and I can now stream YouTube videos on my TV in my apartment! Both of my churches, Grace Chapel and Life Center, live-stream their services on YouTube so now if I ever miss church for any reason I can just bring up the service on my TV! I also have access to any worship music in the entire world for free! I also was just able to access the IHOP (International House of Prayer) prayer room live stream on my TV (they do 24/7 prayer and worship in their prayer room), I am now watching the live stream on my TV right now! If you ever get a new TV you should get one that has WiFi and you can do this too!

"Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion—you’re the Empire"

Erm Donald is carrying a red light saber, so uncontestably a sith lord.

Awhile back I had bought a book written by Kristin Kobes Du Mez called "Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation".

I had hopes that this book would explain to me why some of the crazy people I encounter on Gab are the way they are. However, I find the book somewhat difficult to read. It seems that it was written for people who had grown up in false Christianity or they are familiar with the false Christianity that is present in the United States. I had concerns about the accuracy of the information presented in the book. I also didn't like some of the political things the author brought up. I felt that her political beliefs compromised her writing and prevented her from calling out falsehood accurately (or made her look like a hypocrite at times).

I was wondering if anyone else has read this book, or has attempted to read it? What did you think of it?

The death of beloved Pastor William Schonemann of New River Bible Chapel in Arizona has been ruled a homicide as sources reveal disturbing details about what police found when his body was discovered inside his home on Monday.

In a news release provided to The Christian Post on Wednesday, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said officers found 76-year-old Schonemann dead at his home after they responded to a call at 7:31 p.m.

Investigators indicated that they observed evidence of “foul play” at the scene but did not elaborate.

Continued below.

Trump said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he’s following lawyers’ advice as he tries to execute rapid deportations, arguing that giving immigrants due process is time-consuming.​

In an interview last month with “Meet the Press,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “Yes, of course,” when asked whether every person in the United States is entitled to due process.

Trump, however, isn’t so sure.

“I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump replied when asked by “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker whether he agreed with Rubio.

When Welker tried to point out what the Fifth Amendment said, Trump suggested that such a process would slow him down too much.

“I don’t know. It seems — it might say that, but if you’re talking about that, then we’d have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials,” he said.

“But even given those numbers that you’re talking about, don’t you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?” Welker asked.

“I don’t know,” Trump replied. “I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said.”

The Supreme Court has already made it clear to the Trump administration in three different recent decisions that it has to allow basic due process rights for immigrants based on the long-standing understanding of the laws.

Brothers and sisters in Christ,
I (21) come to you tonight with a heavy heart, asking for your prayers and guidance.

There is a girl (20) I love deeply. From the beginning, our connection felt truly special—we had amazing chemistry, we complemented each other in every way, and I truly believed she was the one God had sent into my life. She approached me first, made plans for a future together, and made many heartfelt promises. She was a virgin, inexperienced in love, and everything between us felt pure and full of potential.

But recently, everything changed. She told me she no longer feels the same, and all those promises faded. I’ve been left confused and heartbroken, unable to stop thinking of her. A part of me still feels that she’s struggling with her feelings too—that maybe she’s afraid, unsure, or overwhelmed.

Yesterday, before I go to sleep, I’ve asked God from the depths of my heart to give me a sign. I need to know: Did He allow this separation for a reason, to help us both grow and maybe reunite when we are ready for something stronger and lasting? Or is it truly over forever?

I am ready to accept either path. I trust His will, but I need clarity. I am constantly anxious, stuck in uncertainty, and unable to move forward. I’m not asking for comfort—I’m asking for truth, so I can finally walk in peace, whatever that may look like.

Please, if you can, say a small prayer for me tonight. Ask that God reveals the truth to me in a way I can understand, and if it’s His will, that He brings healing and eventual reconciliation—or peace to move on.

May Christ be with all of you, and thank you for listening.

I'm sure it will be neutral and perfectly balanced . Telling the glorious story of how the founding fathers fought to ensure the President had unfettered power without checks and balances.

My dad ended up going through a turbt surgery and they did a biopsy only to find out he has aggressive prostate cancer. Once he recovers from the surgery, he's going to follow-up with the doctor and figure out how bad the cancer is, if it has spread and what to do next. Please pray for him to get well, and for the cancer to not have spread. Please pray for my mother also who's in permanent afib, heart failure and dealing with neuropathy where her feet are progressively getting more numb and painful.

We are reminded of the exceptional expression of kindhearted religion in James 1:27:


Some say this is glaringly simple to follow Jesus' call:


Is it simply a matter of; those who are spiritually dead to tend to burying the dead? Would this pertain predominately to those who head up the long-train of lukewarm-to-cold Churches as the Spirit himself would have already identified through Jesus, 'those outside of the body'(1Cor 5:12) from every fold?

I am quite sure, ''widows'' occupy both criteria of the above spiritualities. How do you handle the vulnerability of verse-60 today?

Back in the 70s pyramid power was all the rage with people claiming that they could sharpen razor blades , grow healthier plants and do all kinds of amazing things.

I personally thought it was all a load of bull so I didn't get into it , but a friend of mine did. He would sit inside his framed pyramid and claim he would go into some kind of twilight zone where he would see beautiful fields of colored flowers and other nice things , said it was wonderful.

Then one day I visited him only to find the pyramid had been pulled down and so I asked why?
He said it freaked him out , said he was seeing aliens and demons and all kinds of horrors and things attacking him etc.

I laughed and said well you shouldn't be messing with things you know nothing about , and that was about it.
So does anyone here have any similar stories , or even stories relating to razor blades , plants or anything else , or even knowledge of the whole thing being total nonsense.

I couldn't take my friend seriously because he was a heavy dope smoker and I just figured he must have freaked out.

Shalom

"My yoke is easy and my burden is light, says the Lord.
-> and you will find rest." Matthew 11:28-30
Through repentance and rest you can be saved. (Isaiah 30:15)

Can you please pray for me that the Lord will remove everything that prevents or would prevent me from attaining this rest?

And Psalm 143:10
"Lord, teach me to do what pleases you."
in Jesus' name?

Thank you for your prayers!
May the Lord bless you abundantly (Luke 6:38, Job 42:10) and may he bless Israel in Jesus' name. Amen!

Soli Deo Gloria

PS And I pray that the Lord will send out harvesters into his harvest (Matthew 9:38).

Texas will give participating families about $10,000 to pay for their kids’ private schooling. Other details about the program, set to launch in 2026, are unclear.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday signed legislation authorizing a private school voucher program into law, marking the grand finale of an oftentimes ugly conflict that has largely defined Texas politics this decade.

Senate Bill 2 will allow families to use public taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s education at an accredited private school or to pay for a wide range of school-related expenses, like textbooks, transportation or therapy. The program will be one of the largest school voucher initiatives in the nation.

Click to expand...

I think this is amazing. Hopefully this becomes a trend with more states.

This youtube vid apparently claims to be a sermon by Billy Graham or an adaptation of one.

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Does anyone know if this is actually Billy Graham speaking about contact with the dead?

A lot more law enforcement work needs to be done.

What I want to do in this short written piece is talk a little bit about the book of Hebrews from the New Testament. This will by no means be a comprehensive commentary of the book. It is just to highlight what I got out of it in this reading.

Hebrews 1:10-11
"In the beginning, Lord,
you established the earth,
and the heavens are the works of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain.
They will all wear out like clothing;"

This verse, quoted from Psalms 102:25-28

Psalm 102:25-28
"Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you will remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
but you are the same, and your years have no end.
The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their offspring shall be established before you."

This seems to be the heartbeat of the book of Hebrews. It all has to do with the fact that Christ is supreme. He breaks the old covenant to make a new and better one in its place.

Hebrews 1:13
"Now to which of the angels has he ever said:
Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool?"

I am flagging this verse because it seems clear this could be used as a very good apologetic against Jehovah's Witness people.

Hebrews 2:1, 3-4
"For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away... it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will."

This means it is possible even for an apostle to fall away from the faith. It also means one of the ways to "test" whether a person is especially "called" for the work of Christ as an apostle or prophet and even perhaps an evangelist that signs and wonders will follow them in their work of faith.

Hebrews 2:10-11, 17
"For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people."

And the author further elucidates that those who are called will suffer in the same way Jesus was said to endure hardships. For if it was Christ who suffered most, then it is also the case that we will suffer as well...

Hebrews 3:3-6, 14
"For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house. Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future. But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast. For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start."

But lest we become prideful and think we can do it without effort, the author warns us,

Hebrews 3:19 "They were unable to enter [the promise land] because of unbelief."

This leads me to this...

It seems this parallelism to the Old Testament that the author uses is to show us all manner of things relating to the new and better covenant. Notice also that the author says that we have yet to enter into the promise land. It is an already/not yet thing. For the author says,

Hebrews 4:9
"Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people."

What this is talking about is the blessed hope: Christ's return to the earth. There is a deposit of the Holy Spirit now until Christ returns. But that day has not arrived yet. There remains time for those to be gathered into the household of God.

Therefore,

Hebrews 4:11
"Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest,"

Because Christ is just like us, it says,

Hebrews 5:2
"He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness."

But let us not forget that it is God who calls and He calls with a holy calling.

Hebrews 5:4-5
"No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God"

Therefore, if you feel especially called, you must show yourself approved by your authority figures.

And there does seem to be the idea that these "called ones" must necessarily know about this "message of righteousness, whose Senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil," (Hebrews 5:13-14).

Rather, the called person knows to repent of "dead works" or that which is unfruitful. For if you have all discernment, but do not do the right thing, then you are crucifying again the Son of God (Hebrews 6:1-8). This really opened my eyes in a big way. It is not that we always do wrong continually. Rather, those who are approved will be fruitful and full of good works from the heart. For it says,

Hebrews 6:11-12
"Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance."

So just because God has worked powerfully in your life is no guarantee that you will not fall away from the faith--even as one especially called.
However,

Hebrews 6:17
"God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath"

So that leaves us with the idea that God will continue to demonstrate His power through these chosen ones. It is promised to them. For God cannot swear by anything except Himself because a person always swears by something greater than themselves. But there is nothing greater than God. So He swears by Himself that he will continue to be with these called ones to give them assurance of their task at hand--as long as they do not harden their hearts.

So remember,

Hebrews 7:7
"Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior."

That is, the layperson is blessed by the priest in the same way the called are blessed by the High Priest, which is Christ.

And Christ is always there to bless us as it is written,

Hebrews 7:24-25
"[H]e remains forever, He holds his priesthood permanently. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them."

But given Christ is a High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek, that since He exists without beginning or end, let us remember,

Hebrews 8:7, 13
"f that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away."

Hebrews 9:1, 9-12, 15
"Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sanctuary. This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience. They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order. But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these." Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year."

But what does all this mean?

Hebrews 9:22
"According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

So, these called ones who were before us,

Hebrews 11:39-40
"[W]ere approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us."

Therefore,

Hebrews 12:1-2
"[L]et us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?"

They are the ones,

Hebrews 12:23-24
"[W]hose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel."

And lastly, just a minor thing, but...

Hebrews 13:23-25
"Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with you all."

Timothy and the author of the letter (presumably) were in prison in Rome for a time. This is interesting because it may point to Paul being the author of Hebrews or that the letter was translated by Silas (Silvanus) or it could have been written by Silas himself. I can only speculate why Timothy was released before the author of the letter, but it could be because he was said to be a very reserved person so as not to cause a ruckus in prison. Of course, it could have been a different time when Timothy was in prison in Rome. We don't know for sure.

This post mentions topics like suicide and religious trauma. Just a gentle warning.

Hello Catholics of this forum. I don't know what to do, and I've been anxious and depressed for a few days now. I'm an ex-Catholic. I left the Church around November 2023. There were many reasons that caused me to leave, notably mental health struggles and trauma. It's hard to accurately describe just how much being Catholic traumatized me. It's a lot to go into, but basically it worsened my OCD diagnosis, made me have an obsessive and unhealthy fear of God, constantly worry about mortal sin, make me feel like I'm damned to hell, etc. God felt like an abuser to me, and I was constantly at confession to remedy the mortal sins I thought I committed. And when I went to confession, I often found no solace — sometimes I even faced judgment. One time I was told that I was responsible for my cat's death, and I spent the whole car ride home crying. I've seen so many hateful Catholics online that are abusive or mean to LGBTQ people online, mean to Protestants, or cheering for the idea of people being in hell. I have had so many scary and negative online experiences with Catholics. Even typing my experience in the Church causes me to become anxious, afraid, and angry. Even worse, I don't want children, but according to the Catholic Church, I have to have a child in order to marry someone. So I am not allowed to love just because I struggle with mental illness and don't want to pass it to children, and because I don't feel capable of being a capable parent? And yet when I was Catholic I was turned down for being too mentally ill to be a nun! I can't seem to win no matter what I do...I can't describe the level of anger I have towards the Catholic Faith.

But I want to note that my experience in Catholicism hasn't, of course, been all negative. I met the kindest priest and one of the kindest people in the world who regularly guided me, loved me, and showed me great pastoral care. I had a good friend, Rachel, who truly loved me. When I was a child, I had wonderful memories of going to mass on Easter Vigil, smelling that "Catholic smell" and soaking in the mysticism of the whole thing. I still pray the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Surrender Novena, and other novenas. I worship like a Catholic currently, even though I'm Protestant (keep reading)

But I still have a visceral fight or flight response to a lot of Catholic things and the response I feel is rage, sadness, or fear. And it boiled over when I left in November. I left with a lot of sadness and pain, lost and deep in sin. I left Christianity altogether. It was a very, very painful time. I was suicidal and attempting suicide.

But God did bring me back to Him, through a very loving, kind, and open/progressive church of the UCC denomination. I feel loved, accepted, and most importantly *safe* there. They don't make me feel anxious, every time I go there I feel the love and warning presence of God. I've taken such a love and interest in the Bible and my relationship with God is the healthiest it's been since I became Catholic in 2021. I love being Protestant. I love Protestant theology, which makes me feel that God is loving and not punitive, and it puts my anxiety at ease. I experience less OCD and scrupulosity. I just feel better, period. I practice like a Protestant, but I worship like a Catholic. I go to a Protestant church but at home I pray the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet.

But I had a dream that perturbed me. Lately I've been having an intense desire for the Eucharist. I want the Real Presence. I want to touch and taste God. I need that physical union with God and I really miss that. I've been feeling this for months. A few nights ago I had a dream I was in Mass. I saw the priest break the bread and hand it to the congregants. I was leaned down, the Mass was in a candlelit, dark church, like the opening of Easter Vigil. The priest gave me the Eucharist through the bread. I looked at it and became sad that I couldn't take it. I said to the congregant next to me, "I can't take this. I'm not Catholic. I can't be Catholic". And she said she will pray for me. It felt like I was speaking to real people. I know this sounds cliche, but it felt like I talked to the real saints in heaven. I don't know. It could all be a product of my mind, but it has pained me a lot.

I want the Eucharist so much, the Real Presence, and if God is calling me to Catholicism from my dream, then I need His help. But I don't want to be Catholic. I don't want to feel like I'm losing my soul and being traumatized again. I don't want to develop PTSD over this. I used to cry when I heard Christian content because it was so triggering. I finally got to the point where I can feel safe with God. I don't want to be hurt again. I'm afraid. I am so very, very afraid.

Pray that Australia's reelected Labor party who won by a landslide miraculously respects & favors Christian concerns in the culture war:

Hello, everyone! I'm Katie. I live in California, and I've been a Christian on and off throughout my life. I fervently love my Savior and can't do anything without Him. I work as an administrative assistant at a small, local church. My background is in social work and crisis intervention. I love the Christian mystical tradition and I love to embody prayer into my self-care. I believe God is wholly loving, merciful, and good. I like to have gentle discussions with people who need a listening ear. I'm always hear if you are struggling in your faith (or just need someone to talk to in general). I love much because I've been loved much. In my free time I like to read, study Japanese, exercise, spend time with my parents, and talk to friends. Let's chat .

CNN —
In an announcement that many investors knew was coming but didn’t believe would actually happen, famed investor Warren Buffett said Saturday at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting that he would step down as CEO at the end of the year.


While there may not be an immediate effect like when Bob Iger or Jack Dorsey resigned from their respective orgs, these types of things always have the potential to disrupt stock values, like when Jack Welch stepped down and retired from GE (which caused a multi-year decline spanning over a decade).

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. - Romans 3

Zac Poonen claiming that the Jew's have the advantage because early on they were taught the fear of God. Zac lamenting the lack of the fear of God in we Gentiles...

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. - Psalm 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. - Proverbs 9:10

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I am a member of an LCC/LCMS church. she is part of a Pentecostal church. she denies original sin and the presence in the communion claiming it is symbolic




today she told me about this "fellows program" by the csl lewis institute


when i read this this reminds me of life at kip mackean's icoc church in the late 90s with the heavy shepherding/ discipling stuff

i am already active in my church and i don't need this "fellows program" plus i work 9 hours mon-fri 9-6 with an hour of lunch

how do i tell me mom that i am not interested in this?