As Christians, we are commissioned by Christ to spread the tenets of our faith. This is a central part of our mission. However, I'm curious about the motivations of atheists who actively engage in discussions with believers. Are they driven by a similar sense of purpose, perhaps inspired by some philosophical stance or secular mission?

I struggle to understand atheism as a real and sincere stance. Why would someone choose to identify as an atheist instead of agnostic, which seems less definitive and more open to change? Could it be that atheism is sometimes a front for those who are actually uncertain about the existence of God?

This brings me to another point: the nature of belief and disbelief. The Bible recounts how God hardened Pharaoh's heart in Egypt, preventing him from freeing the Israelites and leading to the plagues. Could a similar phenomenon be at play with atheism—a kind of spiritual blockage?

My intention is not to attack but to understand. I wonder how to engage atheists in a way that encourages them to share their perspectives without feeling defensive. How can we have a respectful conversation about their beliefs and the reasons behind them, especially when their views seem dismissive or even antagonistic towards Christianity?

The number of students failing tests on basic medical knowledge has increased 10-fold in some subjects since 2020, the Free Beacon reported.
And a majority of students are now flunking standardized tests on emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics among some cohorts.
The collapse in standards has turned the institution into a 'failed medical school' according to one former member of the admissions staff.

DEI and the like are wreaking havoc in our nation.

"What America First Legal has uncovered after months of investigative work paints an unfortunate picture of the rule of law in Washington. A former President of the United States — the most democratically accountable officer under our Constitution — was subject to a politicized referral concocted by the Biden White House that led to an armed FBI raid of his home — where his wife and youngest child live — and is now subject to prosecution," America First Legal Vice President Dan Epstein said.

We are looking more and more like a banana republic.

Faulty thinking has you blinking,
On the verge of wrong decision.
Can’t decide this way or that way,
‘Cause you’re lacking truth and wisdom.

Pleasing flesh is most what matters.
Life is filled with empty chatters.
Pride in self, so self you flatter.
Not live for God, for self, rather.

Anger fills your heart with temper,
Frustrated with all that matters.
Peace of God is so far from you,
‘Cause His wisdom your life shatters.

But that must not end the story.
Jesus calling you obey Him,
Trust Him with your life and vision,
Give your life in service to Him.

Give up all your sinful habits,
Die to self and to sin daily,
Live your life to please God fully,
And in Christ you’ll rejoice gaily.

An Original Work / May 25, 2024

I heard someone say that Israel never existed longer than 80 years without being conquered by some degree or dispersed. Is this true?

Also, how many times was Israel gathered and separated?

I'm doing a little study on discipleship programs in churches. I'd like to know as much as possible. If a church has them, how often do they meet, what's its purpose and its goals? I'd like to learn how different churches tackle this issue of discpleship training, or more in general, different "ideas" of what an ideal church looks like.

Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley says she plans to vote for former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election months after she exited the race without endorsing him and as she continues to receive votes in Republican presidential primaries.

In remarks at the Washington-based conservative think tank Hudson Institute Wednesday, Haley responded to a question asking, "Who do you think would do a better job in the White House, Joe Biden or Donald Trump?"

"As a voter, I put my priorities on a president who's going to have the backs of our allies and hold our enemies to account, who would secure the border, no more excuses," she said.

Continued below.

Hello, all.
I would like to request prayer for my husband and myself. We are working through past hurts, and desire greatly to be in Christ in our marriage. Personally, I am struggling greatly with forgiving myself of past mistakes I have made that have caused great hurt, even though he has forgiven me. I desire greatly to move forward into a new life with him, but I am struggling with forgiving myself and letting go. Please, pray for us. Please pray for me to let go of my past mistakes. Please pray for healing of our hearts and our marriage. In Christ's love.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) is now among the leading candidates to become Donald Trump’s running mate, according to a report. The New York Times cited sources familiar with the former president’s thinking who said Cotton has emerged as a top contender in the Republican veepstakes alongside other current favorites North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), and J.D. Vance (R-OH).

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It's an interesting list. A few months ago, that list probably had Scott and Vance on it, but it would also certainly have featured:
Nikki Haley (who has recently endorsed Trump, perhaps in a vain hope to get back on the shortlist)
MTG
Kristi Noem (who may have shot her chances along with her dog)
Elise Stefanik
Kari Lake (who may not have had much chance, but she spent enough time at Mar a Lago angling for it)

If the list is accurate, it may indicate that the campaign has made at least one major decision about the veepstakes.

Revelation 6 : 2And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

As school kids we were taught that stars are suns , so how could suns fall to the earth ?
Even if one of them came close wouldn't we burn up?

Yet our bible says they fell to the earth.

Thanks

"SBA’s MOU with Michigan proves that the agency is more concerned with registering voters than performing its official duties," Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, told Fox News Digital.
"This outrageous misuse and abuse of Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars will not go unpunished under my watch. Chairman Williams and I will continue shining a light on the SBA and exposing Biden’s bad actors."
The data for the maps was compiled after the committee says it became aware of a video recording of an SBA adviser discussing SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman traveling to battleground states and "indirectly campaigning for Biden," according to the committee, and inviting Democratic members of Congress on the trips at a higher rate than Republicans.

Once again taxpayer dollars are being used for political purposes.

My body is trying to pass a kidney stone right now. Our book study is at church is in 2 1/2 hrs., I don't want to miss it, but I'm in a lot of pain.

This is my 3rd kidney stone in the past couple weeks.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Royce White, podcaster who railed against Jews, wins Republican nod in Minnesota​

Candidate has described himself as an ‘antisemite,’ said Jews invoke Holocaust to cover for corruption, and called Israel the ‘lynchpin of the New World Order’​

Royce White, a former professional basketball player turned right-wing podcaster, won the state party’s endorsement at its convention over the weekend. More than two-thirds of the delegates voted to endorse White, though the state party said its endorsement came with “reservation.”

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, Royce has also opposed his own party’s “unwavering support for Israel,” calling Israel “the lynchpin of the New World Order.”

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His endorsement has also raised some scrutiny of his failed 2022 election bid

GOP Senate Candidate Spent Thousands in Donor Funds on Strip Clubs, Luxury, and Mysterious Wire Transfers​

At five in the morning one week after Republican Royce White lost his 2022 Minnesota congressional primary, his campaign shelled out more than $1,200 in donor funds to a vendor 1,800 miles away not typically associated with political expenses—an all-nude strip club in Miami, Florida, called “Gold Rush Cabaret.”

Several campaign finance experts characterized some of the expenses as potentially illegal spending.

The unusual expenses include a total of more than $100,000 in mysterious wire transfers and checks reported as paid to the campaign; hefty tabs at spicy nightspots; getaways at posh hotels in at least seven states; thousands of dollars in limousine services; unexplained cash withdrawals; eye-popping purchases from electronics, sporting goods, clothing, and musical instrument retailers; and the DribbleUp smart basketball training app that White himself admitted might be personal use.

“We’re not talking about small stuff,” said Brendan Fischer, a specialist in campaign finance law and deputy director of Documented. “This takes us well outside the realm of FEC fines. This looks a lot like the kind of thing that people go to jail for.”

The incident comes as pro-Palestinian protests at the university intensified this week.
Seventeen activists were arrested by police after occupying an administrative office on Wellington Square on Thursday. All 17 have been released on conditional bail.

Fascism isn't gaining strength only in the U.S. DEI, CRT, and other hateful and racist philosophies are thriving in Europe as well. Will the U.S. citizens continue to accept tyranny?

Brooklyn rappers accused of murder conspiracy join Donald Trump at Bronx rally

Rappers Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow — who were indicted last year as part of an investigation into a vast murder conspiracy by two Brooklyn gangs — exchanged warm words with the presumptive GOP presidential nominee in Crotona Park.

Sheff G, known to the government as Michael Williams, was out on bail set last month at $150,000 cash or $1 million bond for conspiracy charges and multiple counts of murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon in the case covering 27 different acts of violence — including a dozen shootings.

Thirty other members of the 8 Trey Crips and the 9 Ways gangs — which allegedly teamed up to wage a yearslong campaign of violence in Brooklyn — were involved in the criminal case against Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said last year.

Here is my side by side table that I made comparing the verses in Revelation 11 to the verses in Revelations 12. I made the table in two parts to cover all the verses. The 7th trumpet sounds, resulting in the third woe - Satan cast down to earth having a time, times, half time left. Basically the second half of the 7 years.

Three family members charged in the killing of a 3-year-old girl during an “exorcism” ritual at a San Jose church in 2021 have been ordered to stand trial in the case, authorities said.

The trio pleaded not guilty Monday to one felony count of child abuse resulting in the death of toddler Arely Naomi Proctor, court records show. Their next trial setting hearing is scheduled for Aug. 14; all three are being held without bail. If convicted, they each face 25 years to life in prison.

Proctor died Sept. 24, 2021, inside Iglesia Apostoles y Profetas, a Pentecostal church run by Trigueros Hernandez, authorities said.

Claudia Hernandez-Santos told police that she believed her daughter was “possessed.”

“Arely looked different. Her eyes were different. They looked empty and it ‘wasn’t her,’” she said, according to court records.

As counterintuitive as it may seem, the universe has no center, and it has no boundary.

Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Spurlock has passed away from cancer at the relatively young age of 53:


If you are of a certain generation, this guy was iconic. Even greater than Michael Moore, IMO, in terms of producing this type of investigative journalism mixed with empathy, humor, and entertainment.

Trump just made more promises to oil industry campaign donors​

In a rambling fundraising pitch to oil executives in Houston on Wednesday, former president Donald Trump promised them that he would immediately approve their projects and expand drilling in a second term

The event, organized by three oil executives, underscores how Trump is courting an industry that ranked as a main beneficiary of his time in the White House, as he seeks to narrow President Biden’s fundraising advantage.

One co-host of Wednesday’s fundraiser was Kelcy Warren, the billionaire chairman and CEO of Energy Transfer Partners, the builder of the Dakota Access pipeline.

Warren appears to be firmly in Trump’s camp. In addition to co-hosting the Houston fundraiser, where attendance cost $250,000 per person, he donated $800,000 to the Trump campaign throughout the 2024 campaign cycle.

Another co-host of the Houston fundraiser was Harold Hamm, the executive chairman of the oil giant Continental Resources and a pioneer of the country’s fracking boom.

The third co-host of the fundraiser was Vicki Hollub, the CEO of Occidental Petroleum

“Be generous, please,” he said to end his speech, after making policy promises and touting his energy record. One person involved in the event said it raised more than $25 million.

Trump promised the oil executives that he would open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to drilling.

At the Houston fundraiser, Trump again griped about wind energy, claiming that turbines kill bald eagles and that wind “doesn’t work,”

He also mocked energy-efficient and water-saving appliances, calling them a “scam” and “the energy hoax.”

The fundraiser covered a range of other topics. He bragged about his golf game — saying he had improved over the past 25 years — and ... bragged about his ability to save Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) from impeachment, saying his critics backed down after Trump weighed in to defend Paxton.

“I’m the greatest [election] denier in history.”

Despite the oil industry’s complaints about Biden’s policies, the United States now produces more oil than any country ever has, pumping nearly 13 million barrels per day on average last year.

A massive gathering of Christians across California reportedly broke a record over the weekend when participants collectively held the nation's largest-ever baptism.

Baptize California, an event that unfolded Saturday and Sunday at various locations throughout the Golden State saw a historic number of people immersed at individual churches and during a main-stage event at Huntington Beach.

The two-day extravaganza showcased countless examples of life change and spiritual renewal, featuring speakers, worship music from leaders like Sean Feucht, and more.

The Stunning Numbers​

Continued below.

Pair of brown noddies (by Phil Guest, CC license); and red-footed booby (by Gregg Yan, CC license)

18 years after rats were eradicated, Tromelin Island off the coast of Madagascar is a thriving colony of seabirds once again.

The same story happened over and over during the age of exploration: Europeans brought rats or rabbits on board their ships and dumped them on delicate, pristine island ecosystems.

Hundreds of islands became desolate wastelands this way, damage that has for the most part been reversed, as GNN has reported, in one of the greatest conservation stories ever told.

Continued below.

Should there be a flag for women priests?