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

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

Former Intel CEO urges Christians to harness AI: 'Another Gutenberg moment'

LITTLETON, Colo. — The former CEO of Intel exhorted an audience of Christians earlier this week to harness the burgeoning potential of AI technology, which he hopes can become "a force for good in this era."

"I believe deeply that technology is neutral," said Pat Gelsinger, who led Intel from 2021 to 2024 and now serves as executive chair and head of technology at Gloo, a technology platform that connects various organizations within the faith ecosystem.

“It's neither good nor bad," Gelsinger said of AI during his keynote address to hundreds at "AI for Humanity: Navigating Ethics and Morality for a Flourishing Future," which The Christian Post and Gloo hosted Tuesday at Colorado Christian University.

"It's how we shape it, how we use it, how we form it," he said. "And we, as the Christian community, we as believers, will we be shaping technology as a force for good? Are we going to show up to be bending the arc of technology for good?"

'We must be engaged'

Continued below.

The Feast of Tabernacles or "Sukkot" It's HERE

The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. What is it all about?

Bible References to read: Leviticus 23:34-36; Numbers 29:35; Deuteronomy 16:13; John 7:37-38


In the Bible, God spoke about keeping several celebrations, called "Moedim" or "appointed times," where His people could meet with Him and celebrate fellowship with Him. Many might say, "Well, this was under the Law, we are not under the law anymore." so, why should we celebrate these? Well, each and every festival is a "shadow that points to Messiah Yeshua/Jesus but from a Hebraic perspective. Whether or not a person chooses to celebrate is a personal decision, but I would like to tell you what this festival is about, even if it is for the sake of knowing.

We are in the months of the High Holy Days. The Hebrew month of "Elul" goes from August to September. It is considered a "Time of Repentance and soul-searching. A time to "Turn back to God" (Teshuvah) and realize where we have gone astray, where we have wandered off the straight and narrow path, and get back on the "right path."

The first of the High Holy Days (Fall Feasts) is "Yom Teruah" or "Rosh HaShannah." It is the time for Shofar blowing, announcing a new calendar year from the time of creation up to the present. The next sacred day, 10 days later, is "Yom Kippur." A day of fasting and soul searching. According to tradition, it is the day that God's books of judgment are closed, and our fates are sealed. We know, however, that God's grace and mercy extend 24 -7, 365 days a year. The last of the High Holy Days is now. The Feast of Tabernacles, or "Sukkot. This year, it started on Oct 7th, and continues for 8 days and ends on Oct 14. The "8th" day is special, as Yeshua was there on the 8th day and said,

"If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" John 7:38

This is a time for joy and happiness; we are commanded to rejoice during these 8 days. We have reason to rejoice since you are alive and well, you have food on the table, and you have Spiritual food, which is the Word of God. Above all, we have salvation. Eternal life with God.

The festival time is also known as "Zeman HaSimchateinu" (Time of rejoicing) and also "Hag HaSif" (Harvest Festival) when the last crops are harvested, like the grapes, pomegranates, olives, dates, etc. It is believed that the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving, thinking of Sukkot. It lasted 3 days, and they celebrated a bountiful harvest with the help of the Wampanoag Native American Tribe.

It is also customary to wave the "LuLav," which consists of an "Etrog" (similar to a lemon), a "Palm frond" (branch of the palm tree)
"Hadas" or "Myrtle branches with leaves, and "Aravah," which are "willow branches with leaves."

These are symbolic as they represent the "heart" (the etrog or lemon), the "eyes" (myrtle leaves, since they are shaped like eyes) "the mouth" (Aravah, or willow leaves, since they are shaped like a mouth), and "our backbone" (the palm frond, or the young shoot) since it is straight.

The message here is that our faith must be strong and straight like our backbone, and that our eyes and insight, vision, always are concentrated on God and his Word, and that from our mouths will only proceed wholesome and positive words and blessings.

There is the libation service, when the priests brought forth water from the Pool of Siloam and poured it out on the altar at the Temple, while blood from an animal sacrifice was also poured out on the altar. The blood and the water would come together and mix.

This reminds us of the death of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus when the Roman soldier pierced the side of Yeshua with the spear and out came "blood and water," proving that he was indeed dead. Yet we all know that he rose from the dead on the third day. This is celebrated today by pouring out grape juice with water from two separate containers, and they mix.

Remember that we ourselves are "living tabernacles," our bodies encase our spirit and soul. Our "tabernacles" are wearing down and someday will return to the ground, yet will be resurrected someday in the near future, as incorruptible bodies. We await that blessed day.

Sukkot also celebrates the coming of Yeshua to dwell among mankind for 30-some years. God as man on Earth. God came to "Tabernacle" among men. The first time He came in fire and smoke on Mt. Sinai, then He came to dwell in the Mishkan (The Tabernacle in the desert) and was with the Children of Israel for 40 years. Then He moved to the Temple. Then He came to Earth as a baby in Bethlehem, "Beit-Lechem" (The House of Bread). It is only fitting that the "Bread of Life" be born in the "House of Bread." Then He came back to Earth after the resurrection as the Holy Spirit on Shavuot or Pentecost. And He is STILL HERE WITH US.

If you want to find out more about Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles, you can go to the "Hebrew 4 Christians.com" website and look for "Holidays" and then scroll down to "Fall Holidays" and find "Sukkot" or "Feast of Tabernacles"

This is also the time when we start reading the Bible from the beginning again, from Genesis 1:1. The Bible is a never-ending study of God's wisdom for all of us.

Please keep me in prayer as it is time to return to the USA (to Miami, FL) for 3 weeks to spend time with family. I will write again in the first week of November.

Shalom

Ben Avraham
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Listen to Godly Counsel

“Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise the rest of your days.
Many plans are in a man’s heart,
But the counsel of the Lord will stand.
What is desirable in a man is his kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.” (Proverbs 19:20-23 NASB1995)

The counsel that Christians should be listening to must not contradict the counsel of God. It must not be opposed to the will of God for our lives. So we are not to listen to and to heed all counsel that we receive from anyone who gives it to us, but we must pray for spiritual discernment, for not everyone has the mind of God. And not everyone has our best interest in mind, either. And not all church pastors have the mind of God in the counsel that they give to the church or to individuals within the body of Christ.

So, just because Pastor so and so, or Doctor so and so gives you counsel, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is good counsel or that it is not opposed to the counsel of God. I have been given bad spiritual counsel and bad medical counsel many times in my lifetime, and some of the bad medical counsel did some serious damage to my body. The Lord had me stop taking medicine 17 years ago, but doctors still try to get me to take meds. And I am going through a series of medical tests right now, so I am praying for wisdom.

And discipline doesn’t necessarily mean punishment. If we are disciplined spiritually, it can just mean that we make it our aim to please God in all that we do and are and speak, that we are serious students of the Scriptures, that we take God and his word to heart, that we are walking in obedience to our Lord’s commands, and that we are self-disciplined in the area of resisting the devil, fleeing temptation, and no longer giving way to sin, in practice. And disciplined physically means getting proper nutrition and exercise.

So, if we are to be wise, we need the counsel of God, and we must pray for much wisdom when receiving the counsel of other humans, including from pastors, elders, and medical doctors, too. And with regard to physical ailments, God doesn’t always heal in the same way with everyone. The apostle Paul pleaded with God 3 times to remove a “thorn” (not sin) from his flesh, but God said that his grace was sufficient. Joni Eareckson Tada was not healed physically, but God has used her greatly to minister to others.

I am praying for God’s will to be done in my body, whether in life or in death. I am praying for healing, but I am also surrendering my life to the will of God for my life. God has allowed this time of suffering physically in my body for a reason, and I am trusting him with the results. And I am taking all the counsel I receive from humans to the Lord in prayer to make certain that I am following the leading and the counsel of God over and above any worldly wisdom. For God has allowed this time of testing for my good.

It is good for us always to seek the counsel of God in whatever decisions of consequence that we must make in this life. We should not be quick to make decisions without the counsel of God, especially in matters of life and death. And then we must submit to the will of God, trusting him to work all things for our ultimate good, even if it is physically painful. For the Lord never promised us that life would be easy. He said that the Christian life is a life of suffering, but which is for our good, to make us more like Jesus.

[Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 10:16-39; Matthew 24:9-14; Luke 6:22-23; Luke 21:12-17; John 15:18-21; John 17:14; Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 3:7-11; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12-17; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5; James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Hebrews 12:3-12; 1 John 3:13; Revelation 6:9-11; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 11:1-3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:1-18; Revelation 14:1-13]

And with regard to human kindness, this must be according to the word of God and not according to humanistic philosophy. For humans often regard kindness as only saying to them what makes them feel good, even if it is lying to them. But lying to people to make them feel good is never kind! Kindness is in speaking the truth of God’s word to people for their freedom from slavery to sin so that they can now serve the Lord in walks of surrender to God in obedience to God, so that they have eternal life with God, in truth.

[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; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 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]

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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Listen to Godly Counsel
An Original Work / October 10, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

West Bank Christians threatened. Pastor arrested, wife harassed.

  • Oct. 09, 2025 | Israel​

    West Bank Christians Threatened

    [12] prayers in [2] nations have been posted for Christian converts.
    Muslims make up around 20% of the population of Israel including the West Bank and Gaza, while Christians are less than 2%.
    Radical Muslims in the West Bank have threatened to kill a Christian convert from Islam and his family, including his four children. After receiving the death threats, the man and his family fled from Bethlehem to hide in a larger city. They request prayer that Israeli authorities will allow them to stay. Another West Bank convert to Christianity was confronted by his parents and his village imam with an ultimatum: Return to Islam within a month or be imprisoned by local Palestinian officials. Read More.
  • Oct. 09, 2025 | China​

    Pastor Arrested, Wife Harassed in Ongoing Persecution

    [9] prayers in [1] nation have been posted for Pastor Chang Shun.
    Pray for the children of persecuted Christians in China.
    Pastor Chang Shun of Maizhong Reformed Church was detained on June 29, 2025, on suspicion of "organizing illegal gatherings." His wife, Li Yunyan, reported that he has faced ongoing persecution by the authorities since 2021, including detentions and fines. She said local authorities forcibly entered their home to arrest her husband in June and also detained several of their house guests for questioning before expelling them from the city. Since her husband's arrest, Li Yunyan has been harassed and followed, and her two young children fear for their father. Read More.

UK group calls for end to Shariah 'parallel' marriages that put women, underage girls at risk of abuse

NHS apologizes for guidance extolling 'benefits' of first-cousin marriage amid growing Muslim population, claims 'economic advantages' to keeping money in same family

A campaign group has come out strongly against Shariah marriages and called for several measures to be put into place to strengthen the civil framework of marriage.

The Coalition for Marriage (C4M) suggested in a statement on Wednesday that Britain’s marriage laws and protections for women and children are being undermined by confusion over religious and civil ceremonies, which is leading to "parallel" marriages.

It said that Minister for Courts Sarah Sackman had “got it wrong” when she told Parliament that people appearing before Shariah councils do so “in common with Christian, Jewish and other courts of faith.”

C4M said her claim was inaccurate because only civil marriages create legal rights and duties in the U.K., and that while Christian and Jewish weddings are integrated into that legal system "through authorized officiants and registered places," Shariah marriages "don't comply" unless a civil marriage is also conducted.

"Stop legitimizing private forums as ‘courts’ in official speech," C4M said.

"There is no parity with the family courts in law or effect."

The coalition wants Sackman to "return to the House to correct the record."

Continued below.

Praise Report: My Father’s Surgery Went Well! Please Pray for the Next One

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Thank you so much for all your prayers for my father. His surgery yesterday went very successfully, and I truly thank God for His mercy and healing hand over my dad. Your prayers and words of encouragement have meant so much to me and my family during this time.

My father will be having another smaller surgery this coming Monday, 13 October, and I humbly ask for your continued prayers — that everything will go smoothly, that God will guide the doctors’ hands, and that my dad will recover quickly and comfortably.

I also want to give thanks for my lady boss at work, who has been so kind and supportive — she even bought gifts for me and my father during this season. May the Lord bless her abundantly for her generosity and compassion.

Thank you all once again for standing with me in prayer. May God bless each of you richly in His love and grace.

In Christ,
Jane Chai

My Testimony of Finding God - Would Orthodoxy generally Accept This?

Apologies if this is the wrong section to post my thread, but I specifically wanted to hear from Orthodox Christians since I'm already an inquirer at my 'nearest' church as well as inspired to join due to my online research from what I heard from numerous Orthodox monks and fathers who seemed to align with my experience(also forgive my grammar, I was unable to sleep last night). Without further ado, here is how I went from someone who grew up in his mother's new-age "Christian" church, left it for atheism, then "over night" became a Bible-reading, God-worshiping, Christ-believing Christian:

Like most, I've lived a DEEPLY sinful life(think male-St. Mary mixed with some St. Moses minus the m*rder) in addition with struggles with substance addiction. My atheist stint ran from around 12 years old to 37. My current living circumstances see me residing at my folks business miles away from all my hometown friends along with those I made from an out-of-state move. The last remaining friends abandoned me due to my toxicity, so I was alone regarding peers. Depressed due to isolation, living situation, no achievements, and not where I wanted to be in life neither local nor figuratively speaking. My old modes of thinking started to return along with foolish ideas-I understand some of this might be best saved for confession but omitting it will lead to narrative confusion about my story. The foolish ideas included s**cide via volunteering for the ongoing conflicts. Of course that wasn't the only misguided reason for such an insane choice(a desperation for purpose and inclusion among the seemingly growing Left-wing population of the U.S.), yet being well old enough to know what war actually entails and seeing the horrific footage coming out of said conflicts shook me from a irrationality and wreakless inhumanity.

I found myself looking out my bedroom window one evening(May 14 around 7pm) considering my life and the choices that lead up to such crushing loneliness and desperation. It all made me realise not only was I alone due to my inability to trust and love others, but my wanton life of sin that I was actually considering traveling overseas to commit the one last grave sin I managed to avoid-taking a life. I didn't want to harm anyone, in fact it went against some of my previous choices such as attending EMT school. Scared and desperate for an out was where I found myself. "I need a way out. I don't, I *can't* do this! What if I die there, then my parents will have one child left, and my nephews one less male figure in their lives. I absolutely can't do this"! The feeling felt like a literal weight hanging from my sternum(what I now realise was the weight of my sins).

Suddenly I heard what sounded like heavy vehicles driving over gravel. I wondered what in the world was my dad doing, was he having another truck come deliver gravel or dirt? It grew louder and louder until finally, He was upon me. It was like a heavy presence directly above me, and I can't tell whether I cowered in fear or if His very presence is what pushed me down. "What the **** is this? What's going on"? Then I heard, "I'm God".

"God? As in God-God? THAT God"?! I immediately bent over and began to cry because I knew I was in trouble. The guy who spent a good portion of his live being blasphemous, immature, budding criminal delinquent scumbag was about to be taken to hell by God Himself. It was then He suddenly flooded and encapsulated me with love. "You, you...forgive me?! But everything I've done! I don't believe this"! My legs buckled and I felt two arms(the sensation was similar to when a limb falls asleep but no prickly sensation) around my torso caught me, and there was an 'understanding' Jesus Christ was holding me up. Then a bunch of images flashed in my mind-most seemed to be ancient Middle Eastern cities or locales-but what further clued me in on the God I was speaking with was an image of an egg and sperm. Upon seeing that image I said, "sometimes abortion can save a woman's life so are their exceptions?" which I received a firm yet gentle "No". I then asked if it meant I have to hate non-believers, gay people, Muslims, feminists, ect, and there was an "understanding"(seems He doesn't always communicate with words or images) by the love and mercy He was showing me the answer was obviously no. It made me cry even harder while saying, "Oh my God, you ARE good! I'm sorry I was so wrong about you"! He then told me we are all His children, He hates all these wars(they deeply sadden Him), and He wants us to know Him.

Around this time Christ let me go and I paced around my room while he left me with his last bit of info telling me to tell others about Him and never stop believing in Him. The experience then abruptly ended and I felt an other-wordly bliss and sense of peace for the entirety of the week followed by other strange feelings such as intensely and distinctly feeling people's "vibes"(e.g. I could feel my mother's anxious nature and my dad's anger). It was very taxing both emotionally and physically. I'm now back at 'baseline', and have found an Orthodox church to begin the inquirer portion as well as a former Protestant convert(Calvinist to be specific) at the church who was accepting of my story. I plan to put this past my church father since I'm aware of what a prelest is(is it even possible for an atheist to experience prelest?), yet I feel...confident it was our heavenly Father who came down on me that day since much of what He showed me is in line with Scripture. Not to mention stepping into an Orthodox church was unlike any church experience I had before. The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly there; my first visit was like an assuring and safe presence washing over me, and the 2nd(after falling into sin) was like being under a microscope which felt like it revealed my sin to all others present along with cleansing me of said falls.
I sincerely hope this doesn't cause controversy(or at least too much) after all we are expected to be honest in our word and deeds, yes?
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The History of the “Two Laws” Theory in Romans 3:20

Romans 3:20 declares, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Some interpreters have argued that Paul is speaking of two distinct laws: the ceremonial law, which could not justify, and the moral law, which continues to bind believers. This reading, however, is a later development in Christian history rather than Paul’s own intent.


In the early church, figures like Irenaeus, Origen, Chrysostom, and Augustine typically read Paul’s reference to “the law” (nomos) as the Mosaic law in its entirety. They emphasized that the law reveals sin but does not bring righteousness, and they did not suggest that Paul was distinguishing between two different laws.

A more formal distinction emerged in medieval theology. Thomas Aquinas articulated a tripartite division of the Mosaic law: moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral law expressed timeless ethical principles, the ceremonial law governed Israel’s worship and sacrifices, and the judicial law regulated Israel’s civic life. Although Aquinas did not claim Paul himself made this division, his framework shaped subsequent readings of Romans.

During the Reformation, Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasized justification by faith apart from works of the law. To preserve the ongoing authority of the Ten Commandments while rejecting salvation by works, they leaned on the moral/ceremonial distinction. Calvin in particular stressed that the moral law still bound believers, while the ceremonial law had been fulfilled in Christ. This approach encouraged Protestants to interpret Romans 3:20 as if Paul were distinguishing between different kinds of law.

In the centuries that followed, Protestant confessions such as the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) codified this division, and it became common for preachers and commentators to read Romans 3:20 through that lens. The two-law theory thus served as a theological tool in debates over antinomianism, allowing Christians to affirm both salvation by grace and the necessity of obedience.

Modern scholarship, however, has largely set aside the two-law framework as an anachronism. Studies of Second Temple Judaism have shown that Jews of Paul’s day viewed Torah as a unified covenant, not as divisible into moral and ceremonial parts. Scholars such as E.P. Sanders and proponents of the “New Perspective on Paul” argue that Paul’s concern was not with distinguishing kinds of laws but with showing that Torah as a whole cannot justify. For Paul, the law in its entirety reveals sin, but righteousness comes only through faith in Christ.

In sum, the theory that Paul spoke of two laws in Romans 3:20 reflects later theological developments, especially medieval and Reformation attempts to reconcile Paul’s teaching with the continuing role of God’s commands. While historically influential, it does not appear to be what Paul himself meant.
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Former Police Officer Arrested for Posting Trump Meme in Kirk Discussion



A Tennessee man was arrested on Monday for making “threats of mass violence” after posting a meme in a Facebook group where people were organizing a vigil for Charlie Kirk.

Larry Bushart Jr., 61, a former police officer, posted a meme of President Donald Trump in the Perry County community group page as members of the page were organizing a vigil to honor Kirk.

“‘We have to get over it.’ – Donald Trump, on the Perry High School mass shooting one day after,” the text on the meme read.

However, members of the group interpreted Bushart’s post as a threat against their local high school, which is also called Perry County High School.
“Investigators believe Bushart was fully aware of the fear his post would cause and intentionally sought to create hysteria within the community,” Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems told The Tennessean.

As a result, Bushart was arrested early Monday morning and charged with making threats of mass violence on school property and activities.​

The image:
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Renewable energy outpaces coal for global electricity generation in historic first, report says

Renewable electricity use rose to 34.3% of global consumption in the first half of 2025, while coal's use fell to 33.1%, the energy think tank Ember found. Renewable energies include sources like solar, wind and hydro, as opposed to fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.

Populous developing countries like China and India led the charge in making the switch to renewable energies, Ember reports. Meanwhile, Western societies including the European Union and the United States increased their consumption of coal during this period.

China has been the largest driver in the move to renewable energy sources, accounting for 55% of global solar generation growth. The United States' share, by contrast, was just 14%. Renewables might slow as the Trump administration moves to sharply reduce clean-energy development.

"China took technologies that were originally developed in the United States back in Bell Labs in the 1950s and figured out how to scale them up, and just relentlessly year after year make them cheaper and cheaper and slightly better performing each time to the point that the cost of solar panels has fallen by well over 90% and the cheapest solar panels in the world are being manufactured in China," Cohan said.

in related news...

California says goodbye to coal and hello to cleaner electricity

One of the most consequential moments in California’s drive to beat back climate change will take place next month. The state will stop receiving electricity from the Intermountain Power Plant in Central Utah, meaning our reliance on coal as a source of power will essentially be over.

My colleague, Sammy Roth reported on the historic breakthrough recently in The Times, detailing how the state has gradually been moving away from burning coal, which spews greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, thereby warming the planet and exacerbating droughts, wildfires and other scourges.

As Sammy reported, the U.S. got nearly half its electricity from coal-fired plants as recently as 2007. By 2023, that figure had dropped to just 16.2%. California drove an even more dramatic shift, getting just 2.2% of its electricity from coal in 2024 — nearly all of it from the Intermountain plant.
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Trump’s Name Chanted in Israel AND Gaza After Peace Deal: ‘Nobel Prize to Trump!’




(CNN)
A Washington Post-Ipsos poll last month showed even about half of Republicans said Trump didn’t deserve one. Just 22% of Americans overall said that he did.

But on Wednesday a Trump Nobel suddenly became more plausible with the announcement of a phase-one ceasefire deal in Gaza.

Much remains to be ironed out, and time will tell how successful it is. The news also didn’t seem to arrive in time for this year’s prize announcement, which happens to be Friday.

But even some nonpartisan foreign policy experts and Trump critics are starting to take the possibility more seriously, albeit for next year.

“If the peace plan moves forward, Mr. Trump may have as legitimate a claim to that Nobel as the four American presidents who have won the peace prize in the past,” longtime New York Times national security reporter David Sanger wrote, “though with less bombast and lobbying.”

And it came after Trump took some remarkable steps. His administration has made a point to build relations with Middle Eastern leaders and make them a key part of the process. And perhaps most notably, Trump has exerted an unusual amount of pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Letita Jamews indicted for fraud

Justice Department indicts Letitia James after pressure from Trump


A federal grand jury in Virginia has indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statement to a financial institution

Pope Leo says faith and love for migrants are connected

"The Church, like a mother, accompanies those who are walking," Leo wrote in the document released by the Vatican on Thursday.

"Where the world sees threats, she sees children; where walls are built, she builds bridges. She knows that her proclamation of the Gospel is credible only when it is translated into gestures of closeness and welcome. And she knows that in every rejected migrant, it is Christ himself who knocks at the door of the community."

The pope praised the longstanding tradition in the church to welcome migrants, citing the efforts of the Catholic charities umbrella group Caritas Internationalis. On Thursday, Leo also sent a message to the Catholic Charities USA Network, which has been impacted by the freeze of federal funds for nonprofit organizations, praising their work with migrants and encouraging them to continue their efforts as "agents of hope."

The exhortation, "Dilexi te" (I Have Loved You), divided into five chapters, is addressed to "All Christians." It was signed on Oct. 4, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and follows in the footsteps of his predecessors, who starting with St. John XXIII issued forceful document urging nations and believers to care for the poorest in society.

"No Christian can regard the poor simply as a societal problem; they are part of our 'family,'" Leo writes. "They are "'one of us.'"

Family Advice

So I am a 30 year old Christian, I have an older sister who is not and never has been Christian, in fact, she's more the opposite, and is involved in a lot of 'things of the world' including worshipping demonic things and also her own issues regarding her own sexuality and gender.
We are friends on social media as expected from family members, however she has shared a couple of very hurtful posts recently, one stating 'If you can't conceive, then that's God's will' (after I had a loss) and another post insulting the cross and what seemed to be targeted at Christians. I have since removed her from my socials.
I couldn't help but mention to her that her posts are hurtful. It's ok to have opinions, but sharing them with the intention to hurt people when you know your family members fall in to a certain category isn't nice.
I got a lot of hateful messages back and comments such as 'I'll do what I want' and 'I don't care'.

I love her obviously, but I feel like for the past few years, she has become distant and selfish, for example, I have never missed celebrating her birthday and always got her a card and gift, but she doesn't even send a birthday message, which is fine, I don't give to receive. She is also constantly going on about her mental health, but not actively doing anything about it.
A big part of me thinks and probably knows that she doesn't seem to like me or my husband because we are Christians. (she's never like him) and she once stated 'He doesn't like me because God doesn't like gays'

I am a very respectful person and want to live a content, peaceful life. So the easier the better.
After speaking to her about the post, she got her girlfriend to send me a very hateful message saying things like 'You go above and beyond to insult and hurt *name*' and 'you're bullying someone who has only ever wanted to build a relationship with you' and 'Lastly THEIR name is **, If you want to be shown respect, try showing it'.

She has only shortened her name recently, so it is quite difficult to get in to the habit of that name after over 25 years of calling her by her full name. One thing is, I don't and will never follow 'they/them' pronouns, never. I don't follow those beliefs and I don't think its fair for a small minority of people to force others to follow their beliefs.

Just like, I can't (not that I would) say, 'well, you have to come to church, because that's what I believe, and that's that'. I am ok with other people believing what they want, but not forcing it upon others.

TLDR; My sister has disrespected my faith for years, now she is posting insulting, hurtful things on socials aimed at Christians and also my personal circumstances. She hasn't liked me for years and bothered about birthdays or anything (when I have given to her every year) and then expected me to change my beliefs and refer to her as they/them, which is not happening.

My question is; How do I move on from this. Many Christians say to 'change your company' which, I barley see her anyway and I wouldn't want demonic influences in our home and in front of our future children etc.
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Prayer for legal trouble

I know compared to a lot of other people this is going to be minor... but I'm now fighting with my landlord over a bill... A month ago I noticed a broken window on the property I'm renting with my husband. We have no kids and only cats and I noticed the window is double pain glass and broken from the outside. Our landlord is a company, its not a single entity. I put in a maintaince repair request, was never notified of anything as they approved the request, got their own vendor and repaired the window. I then was handed a 1,000 dollar bill. I didn't break the window, it is not due to anything I did or my husband did, I was not notified I would be covering the cost and I also had zero say in the vendor. I'm currently in the process of arguing with them, but also looking for a lawyer because after reading my lease, they can't do this... I'm awaiting a reply from 1 lawyer to see if I have a case.

Please pray for me for a resolution. Thank you <3

Katie Porter Abuse Allegations Resurface After Interview Outburst




Porter is a former congresswoman who ran unsuccessfully for US Senate in 2024. She is a former law professor and protege of Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Former Biden administration Health and Human Services Director Xavier Becerra, one of Porter’s top rivals in the gubernatorial race, responded to clips of the interview picked up by social media, writing, “I’m not interested in excluding any vote. Every Californian deserves affordable health care, safe streets, a roof over their head and a living wage.”

And former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also weighed in, writing that “We need a leader who will solve hard problems and answer simple questions.”

Liberal commentator Mehdi Hasan on X called it a “car crash interview,” while Republican strategist Matt Whitlock wrote, “This Katie Porter crashout is INCREDIBLE.”
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Speaker Johnson Refuses to Seat Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva


"Adelita Grijalva won a special election on Sept. 23 for the Arizona seat that was long held by her father, former Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.). But despite decisively winning the seat, she has not yet been sworn in.

The move delays a months-long effort to circumvent House leadership on a bill compelling the Department of Justice to release the so-called Epstein files — with Grijalva being the 218th and final signature needed on the procedural gambit called a discharge petition to force action on the measure. "

Why the delay by Speaker Johnson?

In April, Johnson swiftly seated two Florida Republicans after their special election.

Men now surpass women in church attendance, especially among Gen X, millennials: Barna

In a shift that has become much more noticeable in five of the last six years, men, especially among millennials and Generation X, have been outpacing women in church attendance. The trend spiked significantly this year, a new Barna report has found.

Data collected as part of Barna’s ongoing State of the Church initiative with Gloo show that following the COVID-19 lockdowns, men have been outpacing women in church attendance by significant margins. This year, Barna researchers found that 43% of men reported attending church weekly, compared with 36% of women.

“Across every generation, women are trailing men in weekly church attendance, especially among Gen X and millennials,” Barna researchers wrote.

Married fathers with children under 18 were found to be leading the way in church attendance, while single mothers trailed both married mothers and fathers on the measure. Just 24% of single mothers reported that they attend church weekly.

The gap in church attendance between men and women this year is the largest ever recorded by Barna since they began tracking the trend decades ago.

Continued below.

7 reasons for the trans conflict with Christianity

Recently, the United States has experienced shocking acts and threats of violence against Christian communities and Christian voices that highlight a growing and troubling conflict.

On August 27, a person identifying as transgender opened fire during Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, killing two young children and injuring many others. Authorities are investigating it as an anti-Catholic hate crime. Less than a month later, on September 10, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University during a public event of Turning Point USA.

  • Sophie (Nicholas) John Roske attempted the assassination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on June 8, 2022, in Chevy Chase, Md.
  • Audrey (Aiden) Elizabeth Hale was responsible for the mass shooting at The Covenant School, a Christian elementary school, on March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.
  • William “Lily” Whitworth, who identified as transgender, plotted shootings against three Colorado Springs schools and at least one church, and was arrested in March 2023 and sentenced on January 30, 2024
These tragedies have intensified the question: why is there such aggressive hostility in some quarters — especially among some who identify as transgender — toward Christian values? To be clear, not all trans-identified individuals share hatred or seek conflict with the Christian faith. But these incidents suggest there is a strand of antagonism that intersects with cultural, ideological, and moral disagreements.

I believe there are seven core reasons why transgender ideology often clashes with biblical Christianity.

1. The Bible teaches binary gender (Genesis 1:27)

Continued below.
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Praise & Thank Jesus Christ for ensuring that a deal so that the 7-Oct-2023 Israeli hostages could be freed by this weekend. Amen

Praise & Thank Jesus Christ for ensuring that a deal so that the 7-Oct-2023 Israeli hostages could be freed by this weekend:

Was listening to a program talking about mental health.

Was listening to a program talking about mental health. (My mental health issues Part #1)

Unlike other people with their mental disorders or disabilities, I can describe exactly what's going on with me, and it's not at all a mystery to me. When I'm around a bunch of different sources of noise, or people talking (including other people's televisions, and media and whatnot sometimes) (or when I'm around a combination of both actually) I am constantly picking up on everything and immediately applying it to something about me, or having to do with me, and applying it it all kinds of different ways all of the time and always, some of which are sometimes very disturbing, although not always disturbing always, but either way, me or mind makes it about me or something having to do with me, or something that I was just experiencing/doing, and it is something that I am not at all doing willingly. And with a lot of different noise/sources/voices around, it is constantly shifting, and changing, constantly and very, very, very quickly. I can shut a single source down almost immediately, but with a lot of different sources/voices, it is happening too fast for me to be able to keep up most usually, or shut them all down immediately or completely, cause the second I pick up on on one voice/source, and shut it down almost immediately, it changes to another one after that almost immediately, and it's too much for me to be able to keep most of the time, and almost always. And it's not ego either, or me willingly desiring to make everything about me, but this all happening/being done to me 100% completely involuntarily, as I've all but completely killed my own ego by now, almost 100% completely. If it's supposed to be some form of communication, then I don't think it is at all meant for us human beings. And even if it was some form of communication, or I could make some sort of sense of it (which I can't, but if I could) then how could I ever be sure of the source really? Like I said, I don't think it's meant for us human beings. But this is why I wear headphones and listen to something else when I'm out in public, and am out among a bunch of these different sources that very much act like a lot of very, very different, always constantly changing and shifting voices to me actually. It's schizophrenic in a nutshell basically, and that is what it feels like when I'm out in public actually. So it's a very great limitation/mental disorder/disability, and there seems to be no way of eliminating it or completely getting rid of the problem right now 100% completely, because it's not me doing it to myself willingly. And even though I say all of this, there are still some of you who are going to think that I am somehow making this up, or am being dishonest, or am lying, or that it's not as bad as I'm making it out to be maybe, but I 100% guarantee you that you can't make something like this up, and unless you personally have or experience these problems yourself always, then you just don't know how debilitating/disabling they can be actually.

God Bless.

Another thing that I probably also need to mention about this, which has been/still is a side effect from some of the times that this has been disturbing, is also having/developing PTSD from it now actually, which also makes me sometimes anticipate any and all, especially unanticipated/unexpected noises, as sometimes potentially disturbing or triggering, so headphones is definitely the way to go for someone like me, as they are like a lifeline for me. I apologize to all of you that I can't seem to deal with it or handle it any better or differently.

God Bless.

(My mental health issues Part #2)

I'm saving this and these for the next time I see my therapist here in a few weeks.

For example, when I was talking with you last time and you mention dogs sometimes, I sometimes identify with them sometimes in my mind mentally, and when you mentioned your church choir leader last time, I identified with that or him for a minute last time temporarily, as if I was him, or was like him somehow, or in some kind of way actually, or that someone or something was trying to tell me that I was in some kind of way actually, but I was able to shut them, or those thoughts, or those voices, down, almost immediately, and so, it wasn't a big deal really, and none of you even knew that that was going on with me and in my mind at the time mentally. But, when I'm around a lot, or a lot of different sources/ones going on/off all of the time around me, my mind is doing this with all of them all of the time and constantly, and very, very fast with everything, and it's always changing or shifting voices/sources very, very, very quickly, and it's hard to shut them all down immediately all of the time usually. And sometimes, something happens with what's happening on the outside of me that let's me know that something, or someone, knew, or always knows, just exactly what was going on with me, or was happening right then to me at the time mentally, or with what I was just identifying with and how I was identifying with it, actually. Which can feel like a very great violation sometimes of my privacy, which can sometimes be very, very intimidating, or scary, and can sometimes trigger me all of the time and constantly, so that I'm always triggered, or am always on edge all of the time mentally, until I am out of that situation again actually. It can't all be true, but when I'm around a bunch of different sources constantly, I don't have the time to try to discern truth from fiction, which is why I just try to shut them all down immediately. Discerning the truth from fiction can take a lot of time actually, so unless I actually have the time to get a break, and sit around and think about it, and can remember a lot of what was just happening, I can't most of the time actually. Over the course of my total amount of time living with this mental disorder, or disability, I've identified as almost everyone and everything over my total course of time having this, and so I don't think there is any kind of way that all of it can be true ever, etc. And if it ever was or is, then I don't have any kind of idea as to what to say to that or about that ever exactly, etc. It took me quite a while to even be able to know that this is what was going on, or happening with me, and those times we're very, very bad, because they were also very, very confusing, so at least I know now what's happening, and can now write about it now, or tell it to the rest of you now, at least somewhat clearly.

God Bless.

When you, or me, or anyone identifies with something, you first have to ask yourself if you are in any way like that person, place, or thing, or animal, or not, in this specific situation or circumstance, or this specific context or not, exactly? And then also how, or in what kind of way (or ways) (multiple or plural) exactly? If there is even any kind of truth in it at all exactly? Which takes at least some time at least to be able to discern that, or figure that all out exactly? But that you also don't have the time for at the time when there is a lot of it happening or going on very, very quickly like it always happens or does to or for someone like me when there is a lot of different sources to potentially pick up on all of the time exactly. So, there is really no mystery anymore as to just exactly what is happening or going on anymore exactly, but it's more just exactly which way should you apply it, or just exactly what you're supposed to do with all of it all of the time exactly? Like I said earlier, I don't think it's possible for all of it to be true, and so that means that at least some of it has to be false, but with the way it happens to someone like me with a lot of different sources to potentially pick up on sometimes, there is not enough time to be able to figure that all out ever, or ever dwell too long on any one thing, or one or more of those things as quickly as they are/it is changing/happening, until you can get back out of that situation once again temporarily.

God Bless.

Was listening to a program talking about mental health.

Was listening to a program talking about mental health. (My mental health issues Part #1)

Unlike other people with their mental disorders or disabilities, I can describe exactly what's going on with me, and it's not at all a mystery to me. When I'm around a bunch of different sources of noise, or people talking (including other people's televisions, and media and whatnot sometimes) (or when I'm around a combination of both actually) I am constantly picking up on everything and immediately applying it to something about me, or having to do with me, and applying it it all kinds of different ways all of the time and always, some of which are sometimes very disturbing, although not always disturbing always, but either way, me or mind makes it about me or something having to do with me, or something that I was just experiencing/doing, and it is something that I am not at all doing willingly. And with a lot of different noise/sources/voices around, it is constantly shifting, and changing, constantly and very, very, very quickly. I can shut a single source down almost immediately, but with a lot of different sources/voices, it is happening too fast for me to be able to keep up most usually, or shut them all down immediately or completely, cause the second I pick up on on one voice/source, and shut it down almost immediately, it changes to another one after that almost immediately, and it's too much for me to be able to keep most of the time, and almost always. And it's not ego either, or me willingly desiring to make everything about me, but this all happening/being done to me 100% completely involuntarily, as I've all but completely killed my own ego by now, almost 100% completely. If it's supposed to be some form of communication, then I don't think it is at all meant for us human beings. And even if it was some form of communication, or I could make some sort of sense of it (which I can't, but if I could) then how could I ever be sure of the source really? Like I said, I don't think it's meant for us human beings. But this is why I wear headphones and listen to something else when I'm out in public, and am out among a bunch of these different sources that very much act like a lot of very, very different, always constantly changing and shifting voices to me actually. It's schizophrenic in a nutshell basically, and that is what it feels like when I'm out in public actually. So it's a very great limitation/mental disorder/disability, and there seems to be no way of eliminating it or completely getting rid of the problem right now 100% completely, because it's not me doing it to myself willingly. And even though I say all of this, there are still some of you who are going to think that I am somehow making this up, or am being dishonest, or am lying, or that it's not as bad as I'm making it out to be maybe, but I 100% guarantee you that you can't make something like this up, and unless you personally have or experience these problems yourself always, then you just don't know how debilitating/disabling they can be actually.

God Bless.

Another thing that I probably also need to mention about this, which has been/still is a side effect from some of the times that this has been disturbing, is also having/developing PTSD from it now actually, which also makes me sometimes anticipate any and all, especially unanticipated/unexpected noises, as sometimes potentially disturbing or triggering, so headphones is definitely the way to go for someone like me, as they are like a lifeline for me. I apologize to all of you that I can't seem to deal with it or handle it any better or differently.

God Bless.

(My mental health issues Part #2)

I'm saving this and these for the next time I see my therapist here in a few weeks.

For example, when I was talking with you last time and you mention dogs sometimes, I sometimes identify with them sometimes in my mind mentally, and when you mentioned your church choir leader last time, I identified with that or him for a minute last time temporarily, as if I was him, or was like him somehow, or in some kind of way actually, or that someone or something was trying to tell me that I was in some kind of way actually, but I was able to shut them, or those thoughts, or those voices, down, almost immediately, and so, it wasn't a big deal really, and none of you even knew that that was going on with me and in my mind at the time mentally. But, when I'm around a lot, or a lot of different sources/ones going on/off all of the time around me, my mind is doing this with all of them all of the time and constantly, and very, very fast with everything, and it's always changing or shifting voices/sources very, very, very quickly, and it's hard to shut them all down immediately all of the time usually. And sometimes, something happens with what's happening on the outside of me that let's me know that something, or someone, knew, or always knows, just exactly what was going on with me, or was happening right then to me at the time mentally, or with what I was just identifying with and how I was identifying with it, actually. Which can feel like a very great violation sometimes of my privacy, which can sometimes be very, very intimidating, or scary, and can sometimes trigger me all of the time and constantly, so that I'm always triggered, or am always on edge all of the time mentally, until I am out of that situation again actually. It can't all be true, but when I'm around a bunch of different sources constantly, I don't have the time to try to discern truth from fiction, which is why I just try to shut them all down immediately. Discerning the truth from fiction can take a lot of time actually, so unless I actually have the time to get a break, and sit around and think about it, and can remember a lot of what was just happening, I can't most of the time actually. Over the course of my total amount of time living with this mental disorder, or disability, I've identified as almost everyone and everything over my total course of time having this, and so I don't think there is any kind of way that all of it can be true ever, etc. And if it ever was or is, then I don't have any kind of idea as to what to say to that or about that ever exactly, etc. It took me quite a while to even be able to know that this is what was going on, or happening with me, and those times we're very, very bad, because they were also very, very confusing, so at least I know now what's happening, and can now write about it now, or tell it to the rest of you now, at least somewhat clearly.

God Bless.

When you, or me, or anyone identifies with something, you first have to ask yourself if you are in any way like that person, place, or thing, or animal, or not, in this specific situation or circumstance, or this specific context or not, exactly? And then also how, or in what kind of way (or ways) (multiple or plural) exactly? If there is even any kind of truth in it at all exactly? Which takes at least some time at least to be able to discern that, or figure that all out exactly? But that you also don't have the time for at the time when there is a lot of it happening or going on very, very quickly like it always happens or does to or for someone like me when there is a lot of different sources to potentially pick up on all of the time exactly. So, there is really no mystery anymore as to just exactly what is happening or going on anymore exactly, but it's more just exactly which way should you apply it, or just exactly what you're supposed to do with all of it all of the time exactly? Like I said earlier, I don't think it's possible for all of it to be true, and so that means that at least some of it has to be false, but with the way it happens to someone like me with a lot of different sources to potentially pick up on sometimes, there is not enough time to be able to figure that all out ever, or ever dwell too long on any one thing, or one or more of those things as quickly as they are/it is changing/happening, until you can get back out of that situation once again temporarily.

God Bless.

Jordan Peterson Needs Our Prayers Now

The professor and speaker who stood by wife Tammy Peterson’s side during her cancer treatment and Catholic conversion is facing his own health challenges.

Christian psychologist Jordan Peterson, known to millions across the globe, is in dire need of prayer, said his daughter, Mikhaila Peterson, who posted a deeply personal update on social media over the weekend, imploring her followers to pray for her father.

In a viral video posted on Oct. 4, Mikhaila shared that her dad — who joined The Daily Wire in 2022 after rising to the international stage after his public criticism of a Canadian bill that moved to add gender protections to the country’s code of human rights (and subsequently has spoken with EWTN and Bishop Barron) — has spent almost an entire month in the intensive care unit fighting pneumonia and sepsis.

Calling her father’s condition “near death,” Mikhaila shared that “this summer has been exceedingly difficult,” calling the entire ordeal “terrifying.”

The author of the 2018 self-help book 12 Rules for Life, which has sold millions of copies across the globe, also catapulted the professor into the spotlight.

Continued below.

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