The Gospel message of redemption and grace took center stage on “Star Search” Tuesday night when contestant Bear Bailey performed “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” transforming a live Netflix competition into an explicit proclamation of faith.

Bailey’s performance of the song, popularized by Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake, led to a Gospel presentation on one of the world’s largest streaming platforms. “Star Search” is the second-most popular show on Netflix.

Bailey testified about addiction, imperfection and salvation through Jesus Christ, while Jelly Roll responded by openly preaching about redemption, the Holy Spirit and God’s grace before a national audience.

“I’m a very imperfect person loved by a perfect God and Jesus. Jesus has redeemed me,” Bailey said moments after finishing the song. “Drug addiction. I’ve lost everything because of addictions, and I’m not perfect, but I serve a God who is, and he believes in redemption. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being emotional. I’m just thankful for God. I thank you, Jesus.”

Continued below.

What books were the most formative for you as an orthodox person?

Public health experts have criticized the withdrawal from the WHO saying it will put the U.S. at a disadvantage when it comes to responding to health crises at home and abroad.

"The U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization is a shortsighted and misguided abandonment of our global health commitments. Global cooperation and communication are critical to keep our own citizens protected because germs do not respect borders," Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, told ABC News.

For a country to leave the WHO, the United Nations says there are criteria including giving one year's notice and paying all the dues it owes.

The U.S. gave one year's notice when Trump signed the executive order. However, the U.S. currently owes more than $270 million to the WHO for the 2024-2025 period, according to the U.N.

"ICE did NOT target a child. The child was ABANDONED," Homeland Security wrote on X on Thursday. "On January 20, ICE conducted a targeted operation to arrest Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an illegal alien from Ecuador who was RELEASED into the U.S. by the Biden administration."
"As agents approached the driver Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias fled on foot — abandoning his child. For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias," it added.

There are SO many similar stories. In this case Vice President Vance read about the child on his way to Minneapolis. Vance also has a five-year-old, read the disturbing story, and researched it himself. Thus he was able to get the facts out when asked about it by the press just hours later. The original fake news stories, misleading the public, are typical of the stories put out by Governor Walz and the media. And sometimes by the time the facts get out such tales become gospel for anti-administration activists.

President Donald Trump has officially launched his Gaza Board of Peace, amid concerns from European nations over its membership and the potential involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Gaza Is Entering Second Stage of Cease-Fire Plan, Says U.S., as Committee Leader Is Named​

IMHO:

1. This is what leadership looks like and the world is following - some complaining, but they are following
2. Trump has brought together generational enemies and they are sitting on a Board of Peace
3. The UN has been talking about brining peace in the Middle East for decades - but little to no action.
4. The countries in Europe who will complain about the how - will be among the first to benefit from these actions
5. The Abraham Accord will be expanded and strengthened.
6. The media will either ignore it - or do as they have in the past years - degrade, accuse and disavow.

New York’s congressional map must be redrawn, state judge rules​

The judge said one district dilutes the votes of Blacks and Latinos.

The ruling will likely be appealed in an appellate state court and it's unclear if the ruling will stand through the midterm elections in November.

New York adopted its current congressional map in 2024, after procedural and legal challenges to maps drawn by the state's independent redistricting commission and later the state legislature after the 2020 census.

But if it stands, it could be a boon for Democrats in the midterms, potentially allowing them to flip the GOP-held 11th District if it gets redrawn by the redistricting commission in a way that would make it favor Democrats.

The House Oversight Committee passed bipartisan resolutions Wednesday to hold the Clintons in contempt over subpoena noncompliance in the Jeffrey Epstein probe.

"The Clintons think they’re entitled to a special brand of immunity. They were lawfully subpoenaed to appear before Congress. They refused. @GOPOversight is now holding them in contempt." pic.twitter.com/cU8U6bbxR1
— Rep. Scott Perry (@RepScottPerry) January 20, 2026

"They believe their last name entitles them to special treatment,”
— James Comer

Members of both parties voted to hold the former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton accountable for willfully defying lawful, bipartisan subpoenas.

Pray that there is reasonable amount of check-and-balance that will hold India's Prime Minister named Modi accountable for his actions:

The archbishop of the U.S. military services said U.S. troops in good conscience could refuse orders to invade an ally.​

The archbishop of the U.S. military services said Sunday that he does not believe military action to take control of Greenland could be justified – and that U.S. troops in good conscience could refuse orders to do so.

Speaking to the BBC on Jan. 18. Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services said he “cannot see any circumstances” in which an American military operation to take control of Greenland or another ally’s territory could fulfill the criteria for a just war.

The archbishop also said administration rhetoric on Greenland “tarnishes the image of the United States.”

Broglio previous served in the Holy See’s Secretariat of State as a Vatican diplomat, including as Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic and Apostolic Delegate to Puerto Rico.

The archbishop was also previously elected as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; his term as head of the USCCB ended in November of last year.

Asked whether he is concerned about Catholics serving in the military who might be asked to participate in a military operation to take control of Greenland, Broglio responded, “I am obviously worried, because they could be put in a situation where they’re being ordered to do something which is morally questionable.”

“And it would be very difficult for a soldier or a Marine or a sailor by himself to disobey an order such as that,” he continued. “But strictly speaking, he or she, within the realm of their own conscience, it would be morally acceptable to disobey that order. But that’s perhaps putting that individual in an untenable situation, and that’s my concern.”

Continued below.

An internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement document in May shows that ICE told officers and agents they can forcibly enter homes of people subject to deportation without warrants signed by judges.

The memo, dated May 12, which reads that it is from ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, was shared with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., by two whistleblowers.

Lyons notes in the document that detaining people “in their residences” based solely on administrative warrants is a change from past procedures.

“Although the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not historically relied on administrative warrants alone to arrest aliens subject to final orders of removal in their place of residence, the DHS Office of General Counsel has recently determined that the U.S. Constitution, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the immigration regulations do not prohibit relying on administrative warrants for this purpose,” the memo reads.

The group Whistleblower Aid, which is representing the whistleblowers who shared the memo with Congress, said, “This ‘policy’ flies in the face of longstanding federal law enforcement training material and policies, all rooted in constitutional assessments.”

This, in its full context, is not teaching that we are never to judge another person’s actions or attitudes or words. What this, and other passages of Scripture like this, is teaching is that we are not to judge other people hypocritically, unjustly, by human standards, by our own traditions, by comparing others to ourselves, or in hate, with the wrong motives, prejudicially, by appearances, and/or without first giving the person a hearing or a chance to defend himself. For not all judging is wrong.

For, as followers of Jesus Christ we are to judge with a righteous judgment, to judge sin within the church, to judge disputable matters between Christians, to judge what is being taught to see if it is biblical, to judge false teachers and false teachings and doctrines, to judge the works and the workers of darkness, to judge false Christians, and to test the spirits to see which ones are or are not of God. So don’t fall for the teaching which teaches we are never to judge anyone about anything they are doing.

For, in today’s passage of Scripture, it is not saying to never judge anyone, or what anyone is doing, or any circumstances, or things being taught, etc. Today’s passage is primarily focused against hypocritical judging, where we might criticize someone else for doing something wrong while we might be doing much worse than what they are doing. So we are first to get rid of the wrong we might be doing and then we can see clearly to help a brother or a sister in Christ to free themselves of any known sin in their own lives.

[Matthew 7:1-5; John 7:24,51; John 8:15-16; Romans 2:3; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:1-6; 2 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4; Galatians 6:1-5; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 5:19-20; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 1 John 2:18-25; 1 John 4:1; Jude 1:22-23; Revelation 2:2]

In Harmony

Based off Romans 12:9-21; 1 Peter 3:8-17
An Original Work / September 2, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Love each other truly.
Cling to what is good.
Hate all that is evil.
Never lack in zeal.
Serve the Lord with fervor.
Joyful in hope be;
Patient in affliction;
Praying faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Share with all God’s people
Who are found in need.
Do not be conceited.
Sympathetic be.
Love, and show compassion
In humility.
Keep your tongue from evil.
Peaceful you must be.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

God sees who are righteous;
Listens to their prayers.
But He’s against evil –
Is His to avenge.
Do not fear what they fear.
Suffer patiently.
In your hearts, make Christ Lord.
Serve Him faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

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In The Way You Judge
An Original Work / January 22, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Can someone explain to me why this is considered 'heresy' amongst some Orthodox?

I came across this statement on Tik Tok but, as I'm new to Orthodox and the church I am exploring is Ecumenical, am I doing the right thing?

Sorry, I don't know if it's called a church or a parish. Still getting to grips with terminology, God bless, CC

Aside from the following results, I don't wish to entertain any and all justification of relieving themselves of this still present, greatest gift (1 Corinthians 14:5) under the performing confines of liturgy, however rigorous that justification that rose up against His holy will, which will have no part and instead, willingly instructs to turn aside from any such 'disruption'! What else are we to glean, but a quench in itself. To those who are the exception, Catholic and all other liturgists, glory to God! But to those happy to suppress His spontaneous direction, isn't it time to for once in your worship entertain rather than shun convenience to this loving detail? The following is directed at all liturgical expression (not just Catholics) that maintains the same strict un-responsiveness.
GPT-4o mini - "In a Catholic Mass, if a congregant were to express themselves as though they were interpreting tongues or prophesying, several factors would come into play concerning the church's teachings and the response of both clergy and fellow congregants.

Understanding the Context​

Catholic worship is rooted in structured liturgy and particular doctrinal beliefs. While the concepts of tongues and prophecy are acknowledged, they are typically viewed through the lens of Catholic tradition and doctrine.

Reaction from the Congregation and Clergy​

1. Immediate Reactions:
   • Disruption: The expression of tongues or a public prophecy during the Mass could interrupt the flow of the liturgical service, potentially leading to confusion among congregants.
   • Concern: Other attendees may react with concern or surprise, as spontaneous expressions not aligned with the liturgy may be seen as inappropriate.
2. Clergy's Role:
   • Pastoral Response: The priest or deacon leading the Mass would likely intervene to restore order. They may remind the congregation of the prescribed form of worship.
   • Clarification: The clergy may seek clarification from the individual afterward to understand their experience and discern its nature.
3. Theological Consideration:
   • Interpretation of Tongues: In Catholic teaching, the interpretation of tongues is viewed as a charism (spiritual gift) but is understood as being distinct from liturgical worship in the Mass context.
   • Guidance from Church Authority: Any claims of prophecy or tongues would need to be carefully evaluated within the framework of Church teaching, possibly by a pastor or local bishop.

Overall Impact on the Individual​

• Personal Reflection: The person expressing this may experience a mix of emotions, ranging from confusion to zeal, depending on their understanding of the experience and its acceptance by the community.
• Potential Consequences: If their expression is deemed disruptive, it may lead to discussions about proper conduct within the Mass or even pastoral counseling to explore their experiences while remaining biblically aligned."

Nancy Lacore, who served in the Navy for 35 years as a Navy helicopter pilot, three-star admiral and the chief of the Navy Reserve, announced a run for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District on Tuesday.

"After decades of service to our country, a career that started as a Navy pilot and finished as a three-star admiral, I was removed from my position without cause. I still have more to give, more to fight for, more work to do -- and I am not done serving," the now-retired officer said in an X post announcing her campaign.

South Carolina's 1st District, a right-leaning seat that includes Charleston, was won by President Donald Trump in 2024 and 2020. The seat is currently represented by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who is running for governor of South Carolina.

She joins a crowded Democratic primary field, including Coast Guard veteran Mac Deford, who lost the 2024 Democratic primary race.

On the Republican side, physician Sam McCown, State Reo, Mark Smith and Alex Pelbath, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who flew the final American flight out of Kabul, Afghanistan in 2021, are competing in the June primary.

I go to a good but VERY strict school in england our school detention policy says that anty student getting 3 detentions in a term will automatically go into a 4 hour 30 min satuday detention. well last tuesday i kept messing about in my maths class my teacher told me several times to behave or she would give me a detention, i ignored her and threw a paper plane across the classroom , she then shouted RIGHT THATS IT DETENTION 1 AND A HALF HOURS FRIDAY EVENING it was only at the end of the lesson that i remembered this would be my 3rd detention this term which means satuday detention, i went up to my teacher and said how sorry i was and begged her to let me off , she said NO as i had been warned several times to behave but ignored the warnings, so therefore deserved the satuday detention. last satuday i served my saturday detention it was MISREABLE , he is the timetable
8:45 am REGISTRATION AND SCHOOL UNIFORM INSPECTION , we had to be smartly dressed our white school shirts had to be ironed our collars done up ties neat and tidy shoes polished and school blazer done up,
9am--11am PUNISHMENT ESSAYS we had to sit at our desks in TOTAL silence and write an essay on why we were being punished, i had to write an essay on why its unacceptable to get 3 detentions in a term
11am --11:15 am 15 mute break
11:15am--13 :15 PUNISHMENT ESSAYS back to our desks and write an essay on what we had learned from satuday detention.
13:15 am TIDY CLASSROOM BEFORE GOING HOME we had to pick up any litter before we could go home.
saturday detention was a misreable experiance my parents said i deserved it what do you think ?

If anyone is caught in any trespass (sin), it could mean that they are caught in the act of sin by someone else who witnessed their sinful act, or that they have been overtaken by or are in slavery (addiction) to any particular sin, or it can mean that they are surprised that they were tempted into acting upon a particular sin, not realizing their own vulnerability in that particular area of the flesh. But whichever one it is, it is clear that this Christian engaged in some kind of sin against God, but to what degree we do not know.

But when we understand what it means to “restore” such a one, I believe it gives more clarity to us with regard to what it means to “be caught” in sin. For this word “restore” is the same as a medical term for setting dislocated limbs (legs, arms). And that is a painful elongated process where a doctor maneuvers the dislocated joint back into place, followed by having to use crutches or a brace to stabilize the joint, often followed up with physical therapy to stabilize and strengthen the joint to prevent future dislocations.

When we think of restoring the fallen Christian back to a right relationship with God, in these terms, this doesn’t sound like just one sin took place, or that it was something unexpected, although a dislocated joint can be something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly. But it is the restoring aspect of this that suggests this is something more deep seated in a person’s life, and so it will take some time to help that person back to spiritual health and restoration, to help them back to a healthy relationship with God.

Now someone who is still “struggling with” (regularly still giving in to) a sinful habit should not be the one to attempt to help another Christian out of their sinful addiction. And I believe men should help men, and women should help women, with few exceptions. But the main criteria for us to help another out of their sin is that we be those who are living holy lives, pleasing to God, in walks of obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in the power of God; that this not be a weak area for us, and that we follow God’s word.

And following God’s word is critical. For there are far too many recovery programs out there to help people overcome their addictions which are not biblically based, and which make the people dependent for life on that program, and which teach them they will always be addicts. Many of them do not allow the teachings of the Scriptures in their programs and rely much on modern day psychology, instead. And some of these programs actually just serve as a place to vent and to commiserate, but not to heal.

And then we need to be teaching them the gospel of our salvation from the Scriptures. For although our salvation from sin, which comes from God, does not demand absolute sinless perfection, or we are cut off from God, it does demand that we turn from our sins to follow our Lord in walks of obedience to his commands, as a matter of life practice. And it warns us that if we make sin our practice, and not obedience to our Lord’s commands, and if we do not turn from our sins, we will not inherit eternal life with God.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

So, in bearing one another’s burdens, it is critical that we teach them the truth of the gospel and that we do not coddle them in their sins and make a path for them to continue living in deliberate and habitual sin. For it is not compassion which pampers addicts in their sin, but it is selfishness, wanting them to like us. Yes, be loving, be kind, and be compassionate. But that includes speaking the truth of the gospel to them in love. And that sometimes means “tough love.” For they need to hear the truth which saves.

For Our Nation

An Original Work / September 11, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love
Recording Via Gerry Peters, music producer and arranger

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: We’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.

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Bear One Another’s Burdens
An Original Work / January 22, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

When God first called me 21 years ago to write down what he was teaching me each day from my times spent with him in his word, he also called me to post these writings on the internet for other people to read. Now I had never done anything like that before, so I went searching for places on the internet where I could do that. Some of those sites were receptive to me, and some of them were not. Some of the people were receptive to me, and others were not. But I persevered. And some of those sites I did have to leave.

Then the Lord led me to create my first blog, and I lasted about three months on there before I gave up on that one, because I was getting no responses, and so I thought no one was reading. But two years later, almost to the date, he had me back on there writing, and I am still posting on that blog every day, now for about 16 years. And I still get hardly any responses, but I do know that people are reading these posts, and that encourages me.

Then, two years later he had me begin another blog, which was not intentional on my part, but which just fell in that direction. But it was intentional on God’s part. And, again, I was getting no responses. But this one lady, Hazel, put a “like” on just about every post, so every day I would thank the Lord for Hazel, even if she was the only one reading my posts and giving a response. Just knowing that someone was reading encouraged me.

So, why am I telling you all this? Because sometimes we can lose heart when we don’t see how God is working visibly before our eyes. After 21 years of posting these writings on the internet I still do not get many responses, but I can see that people are reading, at least I can in some cases, though not in all, and that encourages me. But should that be necessary for me to obey God? No! I have to write even if I am not aware at all if anyone is reading what the Lord gives me to write and to post.

And I have to trust the Lord that where he calls, he will provide, and he is working where I cannot see him working, and that is okay. My job is just to obey him and to do what he tells me to do, and he is the one who plants the seed and makes it grow. So I am not to lose heart when I cannot see the results, thinking that nothing is taking place, for I don’t know what God is doing. So, don’t give up just because you don’t see the results. If God has called you, obey him, do what he says, and leave the results to him.

What the Lord Says

Based off Isaiah 43:1-44:5
An Original Work / February 24, 2014
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

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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Do Not Lose Heart
An Original Work / January 21, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

This is a serious problem that I am glad is being addressed.

The order never should have been given in the first place, it escalates situations. ICE is dealing with a lot of people who have no respect for the law and are used to being coddled and given their way. Mobs are being egged on by political leaders. ICE needs to use pepper spray and other chemical agents to disperse crowds, those are proven alternatives to try before having to use a weapon. Without such measures they will need to aggressively defend themselves and civilians in the area. The radical leaders have demonstrated they are willing to see people killed in order to get what they want. That being the case, the DOJ has one course of action, see that those who assault officers get serious prison time. That will take the wind out of the sails of the rest.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has criticized Orthodox and Catholic church leaders in Jerusalem for disparaging "free-church believers" by claiming in a joint statement that Christian Zionism is a “damaging ideology” that threatens the unity of the Christian community in the Holy Land and undermines the authority of the historic apostolic churches.

In the Jan. 17 joint declaration, titled "A Statement from the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem on Unity and Representation of the Christian Communities in the Holy Land," the leaders claimed they have an exclusive role in representing local Christians, claiming that outside Christian groups that have a more pro-Israel stance don't speak for the Christian body.

“The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in the Holy Land affirm before the faithful and before the world that the flock of Christ in this land is entrusted to the Apostolic Churches, which have borne their sacred ministry across centuries with steadfast devotion," the statement reads.

Continued below.

Behind the storm itself, Arctic temperatures could freeze snow and ice, potentially creating long-duration power outages and paralyzing travel for days. Meanwhile, there's growing confidence that this system could develop into the most significant snowstorm for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and New York tri-state area in years.​

Click to expand...

​

Experts have warned that if you are in the affected areas, prepare like a hurricane is coming. Stock up on food, water, and make necessary precautions. Mass power outages and harsh road conditions to be expected. I just wanted to share in case anyone isnt tracking it.

If something bad happens somewhere, like a massacre for example, nightterrors and sleep-paralysis are usually reported in a big scale. They say 1 in 3 people have experienced it based on difficulties in their enviroment also in most countries. Most doctors will say that vivid nightmares when awake is due to mentall illness like scizophrenia. I haven`t really denied that possibility because I can see that most patients who experienced it, has glazy eyes.

But, what is not known is why you experience these nightmares when awake. Some say it`s an adrenaline-dump right before you awaken, I think that is due to the nature of the nightmare, it scares you so the body excrete it. The feeling of heaviness in bed, is usually explained as sleep-paralysis, to prevent you from moving when dreaming.

Why are you awake when this happen, that`s the real question. People see shadows in front of the bed and in door-ways, floating faces moving towards you, they crack teeths also from the intensity of the dream.

I`ve been reflecting over dreams myself a little, and I know that when you dream, you only observe it, you don`t really think about the dream. But when you have nighterrors it`s a little different because you`re awake. What`s your opinion on the subject?