When a naturalist encounters a scientific challenge he cannot explain naturally, he cannot claim a supernatural explanation to his problem without contradicting his belief in naturalism. Having examined sufficient evidence to be a supernaturalist, a biblical creationist does have the option of claiming a supernatural explanation, but when is it appropriate to do so?

Of course, the most obvious time that it is appropriate to say “God did it” as a response to a proposed scientific difficulty with Creation is when the Bible explicitly says He did something. From time to time, however, we might come across a new quibble, about which Scripture is silent, and to which we cannot immediately give a reasonable answer. It would be easy to respond to such quibbles by simply saying “God did it” as our answer to the problem. Such an answer, however, becomes a form of the “God of the Gaps” argument, where God is inserted to solve a problem (or as proof that God must exist in order for the problem to be solved).

The other day I met a priest named Fr. Douglas. I'd never heard of a St. Douglas so I searched online and cannot find one except one 16th century RC saint. Two questions: is there an EO saint named Douglas? And, for some reason I'd always assumed that priests take the names of saints. Is that not necessarily the case?

Can you pray for the conversion and salvation of my cousins who support pride nonsense and that they return to the sacraments?

Thanks in advanced

Riveting new book exposes the devastating impact of ‘gender-affirming care’ on young bodies and minds. ‘These real, lived stories are the greatest weapon in combating gender ideology,’ says journalist Mary Margaret Olohan.

Mary Margaret Olohan first noticed it as a journalist around 2020-2021.

Stories and reports about “gender-affirming care” circulating across media outlets. The phrase, what Olohan calls an outright “euphemism for transgender surgeries, hormones and puberty blockers,” was a “very coordinated effort to make this seem all palatable to the public.”

“And it was around 2021 that lawmakers were introducing legislation such as the Safe Act that would protect children from these procedures,” The Daily Signal reporter and author of DeTrans: True Stories of Escaping the Gender Ideology Culttold the Register. But these efforts were met with hostility by the liberal media and advocates of gender ideology.

The book comes at an all-too-critical time, as WPATH just recently admitted to the fact that the “science” behind “gender-affirming care” had been doctored itself. And just as Olohan’s book exposes these lies and the butchering they caused of young teens who took the advice from medical professionals to heart, Olohan told the Register that the leak confirmed these disturbing facts:


“So-called ‘gender-affirming care’ is experimental and dangerous and the transgender-promoting ‘experts’ know it. They knew that testosterone was causing tumors in some female patients. They knew that girls were losing their ability to have kids from these drugs. They knew that some patients were unable to actually give informed consent due to their serious mental-health problems. And yet they publicly continue to praise and laud ‘gender-affirming care’ and claim it is pivotal for youth who identify as transgender. These are incredibly harmful lies to vulnerable minds, and the detransitioners in my book believe they were betrayed and deeply harmed by these lies.”

Continued below.

If you put your faith in a physical object, then it is wrong. We should trust God. Lucky charms are superstitions. They may even be idolatry if you worship them. God dwells in you. Practice How to hear God instead of lucky charms.

Should a Christian own a lucky charm?

I don't. When I see others have them, I think they understand neither science nor God.

• Dry land and plants were created.
• Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar and God spares Issac.
• God descended on Mount Sinai and delivered His Law to those whom He had redeemed.
• The regathering of Israel from the Babylonian exile is described as a resurrection on the third day in Hosea 6.
• Messiah rose from the dead.

God had been working wonders on the third day for millennia. He designed all of history with Jesus at the center, with every third-day deliverance pointing directly to Him. He is only the firstfruits. And someday, the third day is coming for us all.

I acknowledge there's a lot of pain and evil in the world right now, but I want to offer comfort and encourage you all to prepare for the third day. I believe we are close to witnessing the day of God's plan for new life and covenant faithfulness.

May this message from the Lord help to strengthen your faith and bless your soul today. Amen.

While the Episcopal Church has not exactly been a bastion of conservatism and Christian orthodoxy for many years now, its recent unveiling of an LGBT “pride” logo signaled its final capitulation to secular forces.

The church — the American branch of the Anglican Communion — had already lent its public support to questionable causes over the last century.

The original Anglican branch was the first Christian denomination to approve the use of birth control in 1930, a controversial decision and capitulation to secular culture that paved the way for the support of gay rights in the 1970s and “trans” rights in the modern day.

On May 16, the Episcopal Church took things to the next level with a news release touting a “Pride shield.”

The church’s ancient shield was revised to include elements of the LGBT “Pride” and “Pride Progress” flags.

Continued below.

I've had this rash in the intimate area for a couple of years. I'm pretty sure it's not an STD because I went to the doctor. I wish I would get healed from it because at times it is killing me, yet God has not answered my desperate prayers for healing. WHY?!

Far-right parties are predicted to win a record number of seats in the European Parliament, a result that, if confirmed, would deliver a stinging rebuke to Brussels’ political mainstream and add uncertainty to Europe’s future direction.

After three days of voting across the European Union’s 27 member states, an exit poll showed that far-right parties were set to win around 150 of the parliament’s 720 seats, which will likely make it harder for mainstream parties to form majorities needed to pass laws.

Most of the far-right gains were concentrated in countries that elect large numbers of seats: France, Italy and Germany.


Europe’s drift to the right has been a long journey that’s seen the continent’s mainstream increasingly accommodate people with Euroskeptic views that were once fringe.

The projected gains for the hard right in the European parliamentary elections may seem modest in terms of pure numbers, but they are significant.

The results represent a major challenge to the pro-Europe mainstream officials who dominate the institutions of the European Union.



While, domestically speaking, it's easy for people to chalk it up to Trump and the GOP radicalizing the far-right part of the base and residuals of past racial attitudes, the fact that it's occurring in Europe (and in countries that have been notably more progressive than the US and don't have the same levels of ideological/racial baggage), should make people question the "conventional wisdom".

If it was merely happening only in the US and other countries were maintaining the status quo, then the theory of "if it weren't for Trump, this shift wouldn't have occurred" may have some merit.

Since it's happening in other places where there is no Trump (and for that matter, where Trump wasn't/isn't well-liked), would mean that even if Donald Trump never existed, there would merely another "outlet" people would be using as their "vessel" for propping up a bulwark against what they see as the excesses of the left.

(for instance, the rallying behind Geert Wilders that was seen late last year in the Netherlands, Milei in Argentina, etc...)

Which, if the latter is the case, then people may be focusing their efforts in the wrong areas if they're looking to stave off the far-right gaining ground. In the countries that seemed to have successfully staved off these kinds of pushes, they didn't do so by strengthening their left/far-left, they did so by having their far-left reign it in a bit and making some concessions in order to bolster the centrists.

...which makes perfect sense logically speaking. If someone is on the fence between center-right and far-right, who's more likely to be able to wrangle them back inside the overton window? Centrists, or the Left?...

IE: If you have some who's teetering on the bring of falling into the far-right trap, who's more likely to stop them from making that jump? Someone like an AOC who they have almost zero overlap with? Or someone more in the center with whom they may share positions on half the issues?

The party on the right wins and he dissolves parliament in the hopes he can retain power.

In fact, the right has won in some very big places in Europe.

Will the US follow suit? I hope so.

For example, a new Biden campaign pushes the long-debunked accusation made in The Atlantic that Trump refused to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in 2018 because he thought the troops buried there were "suckers" and "losers. "This story was debunked four years ago, as more than a dozen Trump administration officials who were with Trump on that trip have now disputed the Atlantic report, including former national security adviser John Bolton — who is no fan of Trump.
Desperate Biden Campaign Continues to Push Long-Debunked Hoax

They tell the fake stories over and over. Often Joe will modify a story--it doesn't seem to bother the mainstream media.

In a recent "interview with KDKA News in Pittsburgh when he [Trump] was asked whether he supported any restrictions on a person’s right to contraception.
“We’re looking at that, and I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly, and I think it’s something that you’ll find interesting,” Trump said. “I think it’s a smart decision. But we’ll be releasing it very soon.”

Trump later walked back his remarks after they were widely published, drawing a strong backlash.

Then, last week, the Senate Majority leader called for a vote on a bill that would guarantee a woman's access to contraception, effectively preventing states from placing restrictions on contraception.

"Nine Republicans ducked the vote; all other male Republicans voted against it. Two female Republicans and all Democrats present voted for it."

Prior to the vote:
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) underscored the significance of the moment. “What message do we want to send our constituents? That we support their right to birth control? That we support access to IUDs, to Plan B? Or that we are okay taking that right away, and letting politicians make medical decisions for women in this country,” she said. “I know where I stand — with the overwhelming majority of people who support that right. And soon we will know exactly where every Republican senator stands, too.”
linl

Where does the GOP stand on contraception?

Hello,

Why should I continue being a Christian if God has given me a rubbish adulthood?

I am single and try hard to find someone, I live in one room and I have no mortgage to get a house or a flat, I have no savings, I don't have a car, God can't seem to heal my mental illnesses, no children, I always struggle for money and I don't know if Christians need to keep the Law of Moses or not.

I show my love to God but I get nothing back in return. What a cruel God! Where are his blessings? His love is an absolute joke.

PARASHA: “B’Midbar” (in the wilderness) NUMBERS 1:1-4:20


We start the new Torah Sefer called “Numbers” in English because it talks about “numbering” the tribes of Israel. We wonder why the reason for “numbering the people?” for this reason, we need to go back to the beginning to see.

In Egypt, Israel was a hodge-podge of undisciplined slaves working for Pharaoh, In Adonai’s timing, He sent Moshe, a “Messiah Type” to lead the people out of slavery to freedom. Once out of Egypt, came the task of taking Egypt out of the Israelites. They came to Har Sinai, ready to become a nation united under YHVH. The Ten Commandments served as the document in stone, a “Ketubah” to solidify the covenant. Now, the United Tribes of Israel under YHVH is established. But this is only the first part. Each Shavuot/Pentecost, we remember the giving of the “Torah in Stone” in the midst of thunder and fire.

Now that the nation is established, YHVH takes a count, why the count? As a nation, Israel needs an army! So, the count is taken to form the very first IDF (Israel Defense Force). I am sure that many of you who are reading this have served in one of the branches of the Armed Forces of the USA, or other countries. I myself served in the US Army from 1972-1984. I met many people and learned many things. It was a great experience and a special time in my life. Quite a few of my family members also served in the Armed Forces, the first being an ancestor of mine, Richard Ellis, who served in the Massachusetts Militia in 1640. I also served as a volunteer chaplain with the Armed Forces of El Salvador, where I now live. Also with the IDF as a volunteer helper during the summer of 2015.

YHVH takes up the count and “enlists” every man who is 20 years old and older. They will serve in the armies of Israel. All those who are …”20 years old and upward who are able to go to war.” After the numbering, part of daily life would have been practicing and learning how to use different combat weapons, back then would have been swords, spears, bows and arrows, and slingshots.

The term that is used is "lifting up the head" as far as "counting" went. The Midrash says that "Lifting up the head" could mean "prosperity and blessings" if the person was obedient, yet, the same term was used by Joseph when he predicted the outcome of the baker, "In three days, your head will be lifted off from you" (loss of life)

Every soldier has a job to do. Today we call these jobs MOS, (Military Occupation Specialties) One of mine was that of chaplain assistant. I was to assist a catholic chaplain who everyone called; “Father McCarthy” who had a bulldog named “Gus” who also went to chapel with him. 11 of the 12 tribes were called to be fighting men yet the tribe of Levi, was called to be the “chaplain tribe” They were exempt from combat duty, they would attend the Tabernacle and services. There were the cohenim (the priests) who would be the “chaplains” and the “Levites” who would serve as the “chaplain assistants” sort of speaking.

So, you are thinking, what does this numbering have to do with us as born-again believers in Messiah Yeshua? We are all soldiers in God’s army of believers. He’s got us all numbered. Yes, he has your number! We need to again, go back and look at our lives before and after Messiah Yeshua. Before, we were just a bunch of “hodge-podge lost sinners in the camp of HaSatan, until Yeshua took us out of that camp by shedding his blood on the cross of Calvary, when we accepted his sacrifice, we were officially “out” of the camp. Yet, there would still be a lot of “HaSatan and worldly influence” still in us, so, like the Israelites, “Egypt” was still in us.

When we accepted Messiah Yeshua as our Mashiach and Goel (Redeemer) we were added to the Commonwealth of Israel, now part of the Community, the “Adat” which began at Sinai 3500 years ago. We are the “olive branches” that have been “grafted into” the Olive Tree.

Now that we are members and citizens of “HIS People” we also are considered “soldiers” and in the LORD’s Army. However, we fight a different type of war. In this world, armies fight with RPGs, M-16s, Kalashnikovs, Berettas, M-60s, etc. We fight against, “spirits and principalities of darkness” it is a spiritual war against HaSatan and his demons. Only through the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) and the power of His WORD can we overcome the onslaughts of the enemy. He realizes he has lost the war, yet still continues to fight a losing battle, which was won at the cross 2000 years ago.

As the Cohenim ministered and had jobs to do, and the soldiers also had their jobs to do, we believers also had jobs within our “Kehilot” and “Adat” (congregations). That is why the Holy Spirit has given gifts of the Spirit so that we might all serve in different capacities in the body of the Messiah. In this way, the body grows and prospers. Some of us are rabbis, and pastors, who also serve as teachers. We also have ministers in music and praise, finances, maintenance, prayer intercessors, counselors, and the list can go on.

The twelve tribes of Israel encircled the Tabernacle, with the tribe of Levi next to it. The “Mishkan” was at the center of the People. Also, YHVH should be the “Center” of our lives. The whole purpose of our life is to serve our God and Creator, while loving and supporting our brothers and sisters in the faith, reaching out to others who are lost, and teaching Torah to those who have ears to hear and learn. We are “numbered” in the eyes of Elohim, HE knows who we are, He has numbered the hairs on our head, and there is no such thing as “retirement” in the work of YHVH, well, there is…. It is called d-e-a-t-h.

It is also notable to mention that the Hebrew word "B'Midbar (in the desert) also contains the letters that form the words; Son (Bar) "In the Word" (B'd'bar) and "from the Word" (M'D'bar) what could this tell us? That God would keep his people "In The Word" and would direct their journeys "from the Word" as He keeps us "In His Word" and we learn and mature "from the WORD" and we are "born again" through the "Son" (Bar) (Aramaic)

Another detail which I would like to add to this midrash. When Adonai numbered the people, he chose leaders out of each tribe. In all groups of “chosen” there are “leaders”. They can be pastors, rabbis, Sunday school teachers, Torah teachers, counselors, etc. But every group needs a leader or leaders. If not, we have a lot of sheep running around without shepherds. We see the names of the leaders. Many ask about the meanings of the names. Well, here they are as follows. Starting with chapter 1, verse 5;

“Elizur’ = My God is the rock;” Shelumiel” = At peace with God. (I know, it sounds like “Schlemiel” but it isn’t. “Zurishaddai” = My Rock is Shaddai; “Nahshon” = Serpent, “Amminadab” = The (Divine) kinsman is generous; “Nethaniel” = God hath given; “Eliab” = God is Father; “Elishama” = God hath heard, or God hears; “Ammihud” = The (Divine) kinsman is glorious; “Gammaliel” = God is my reward. In later times, it was the name of many famous rabbis, like the rabbi of Apostle Paul; “Pedahzur” = The Rock hath redeemed; “Abidan” = The Father hath judged; “Ahiezer” = The (divine) Brother is a help; “Ammishaddai” = The People of Shaddai; “Pagiel” = The lot (or fate) is given by God; “Eliasaph” = God has added; “Deuel” or “Reuel” = God is a friend; “Ahira” my brother is a friend, or, evil. (depends how we read it)

Our life is a journey and we have been counted by God for HIS divine purposes. We have a job or jobs to do while on earth, for HIS Kingdom, we will be rewarded for our efforts, yet, do we do our jobs to reap rewards? or just because we Love the LORD! and want to be in fellowship with HIM?

Life goes by quickly. Before you know it, you'll be hitting the senior years. Do not faint in doing good works, we will reap the rewards for all eternity.

Pentecost/Shavuot June 12-13th 2024.

Ben Avraham

Zoom:84769255004, Code：2023
Time: American Eastern Time 6:00 PM to 10:00 AM , From Sunday 6:00PM to Friday 10:00AM

Thank you for caring and praying for China and Nations.

This Zoom Room was started by Chinese Christian in U.S.. They speak Chinese but not English in this Room. So it is difficult to English Speakers.

Welcome.

I know scripture says "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,' Matthew 24:12

but is anyone else noticing a pattern where loved ones and people you know are changing their behaviour and becoming
nasty and sarcastic, and at times, abusive.

I've noticed this with some family members now and also some friends.
They have no time for you, or becoming overly selfish and preoccupied
and, when you go to share, they say they have to go or are busy.

I've had some friends become abusive and seem to have no filter now and they will
say that they truly think about you.

This is with christians and non-christians.

My own husband, a christian man, turned on me 8 years ago and changes his personality and became
from being a gentle person, to an abusive person.

I've noticed a pattern.

Can anyone back this up?

It's like there has been a shift in relationships and how people interact with each other.

Thanks in advance.

If someone is not quite fitting into either of them, where should they go? For example, for me, while I agree with the principal of sola scriptura, and have been in the Lutheran church, certain practices of Lutheranism I disagree with as opposed to Orthodoxy such as rejecting the essence-energies distinction, and having statues instead of icons. Another big one is the Lutheran liturgy is not historical like Orthodoxy. However, I think because of the issue of "free will" or monergism/ faith alone however you want to call it, Orthodoxy would reject that I don't believe in a synergistic theosis as opposed to a Lutheran one (as in Jordan Cooper). There is a substantial neglect of studying the liturgy and the church fathers in Lutheranism with most emphasis on Chemnitz and Luther, even though both churches are supposed to be patristic. I wonder if should just join Orthodoxy due to these problems, as I don't disagree with that much in Orthodoxy. I'm a big proponent of the Orthodox liturgy and patristics and the fact that Lutheranism rejects Maximus, and other fathers and bases the entirety of their beliefs on Luther's modifications bugs me. I'm not sure Luther had it right on everything, just maybe free will but his other stuff like 2 kingdoms, and statues being monergistic is nonsense in my opinion, and I disagree with Lutherans discarding patristics and liturgical.

Good day, I'm asking for prayer for salvation of George Washington Union, National Sovereign Sanctuary Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm for the United States and Jurisdictions, Honorable Order of Universal Co-Masonry, Le Droit Humain – American federation, Le Droit Humain – American federation, National Grand Lodge Prince Hall Origin, Grand Lodge of Alabama, King Solomon Grand Lodge, Olive Branch Grand Lodge, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alabama, Grand Lodge of Alaska, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska, Grand Lodge of Arizona & families. Thank you for all your prayer.

(Photo: Unsplash/Benjamin Combs)

For many enthusiasts, tending flower beds and growing vegetables is a spiritual activity that helps them grow closer to God. It has been this way throughout Christian history, perhaps inspired by the story of the very beginning of humankind in the perfect paradise of Eden.

Then from the earliest days of monasticism, to modern smallholders and homesteaders, faith and working on the land have been deeply associated with one another.

Biblical lessons

Of course for most people in the world, and in the West before the modern era, survival and life itself depended on the practice of horticulture. Everyone except the very wealthy would enrich their diet by cultivating vegetables and fruits in any ground that could be found, and a much larger proportion of the population worked as small farmers. Perhaps this is one reason why the Bible is full of references to and metaphors of plant growth to teach about spiritual life.

The fertility and abundance of good fruit is contrasted with the aridity and famine of a desert throughout. Jesus chose cultivation to illustrate spiritual growth in the parable of the sower; in Psalm 1 those who meditate on scripture are "like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season." Gardening therefore brings a deeper understanding of these passages, as well as awe of the beauty of the created world.

Eden

Continued below.

David Morrill of Portland, Oregon, was involved in conspiracy theory communities online until a mental health crisis forced him to confront his beliefs. He talked with his father about how he found his way back to reality. Their conversation is part of our Student Reporting Labs series on misinformation, “Moments of Truth.”

Watch the video above to learn more, and then answer the discussion questions in the upper-right corner of this page.

This lesson was originally posted here on PBS NewsHour Classroom on February 13, 2023. Check out more resources at NewsHour Classroom.



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discussion Questions for Moment of Truth: How Online Conspiracy Theories Led to This Man’s Mental Health Crisis

​

This is a very long, but also very interesting read. I hope that y'all may enjoy as well as be blessed by this article.

Hello brothers and sisters, I've been searching for a forum to discuss some of the lingering questions I have regarding the Bible and how certain things apply in modern times. I originally ended up on r/Christianity (as it was the first to pop up during my search) and I have been utterly disgusted by it. Seemingly half of the people on the board proclaim themselves as Christians while spewing the most vile, blasphemous rhetoric I have ever heard. It seems to me that these people are actually radicalized leftists who actively seek to disrupt and degrade our faith. They pretend to be one of us so they can say "well I'm a Christian and I believe such and such is true" in an attempt to muddy the water and create the illusion of support for things that are inherently wrong. (Abortion being one of the most prevalent topics).


I could go on and on naming specific examples, but I guess I'm just seeking some reassurance that there are true networks of Christians on the internet who operate in good faith. I truly hope to find my people here, and I want to thank you for allowing me to join.


-JW

So it appears my search is getting to an end. It doesn't matter how much I search, I just get to the same place. A complete and utter hatred for everyone and everything in this world.

First, I hate the people who cannot read the four characters of YHWH. They claim to be professors and experts, and they try to educate me, even though this should be obvious to anyone with half a brain, what the four characters mean. I wish them sickness and death, because their presence is just regurgiating.

Then I hate the people of this country. I know them on a level few people know about them. They are disgusting beings, with less of a soul than an animal.

In fact, I am so disgusted by this situation and the people around me, that I would rather die than to continue being a witness to this.

Now when Christ was in the world, all you had to do was to say his name basically and somebody would kill you. That's alot more merciful than my current situation.