It seems to me the greatness of a few who rose out of misery doesn't really compensate for the misery of the many others who never "made it"; the cost of societal misery is a very high price to pay for occasional genius, but without a doubt the poverty we see in this world does drive a few to become great. It fills them with depth of experience and some wisdom to make for greatness. Poverty is terrible, yet in it there is still something of God to be found and seen. Mother Teresa said something along the lines of, 'among the dying poor, we see Christ in his most terrible disguise', There's a lesson in those words.

The poor you shall have with you, always .... said the Lord, he said it without intending to teach that poverty was inevitable or excusable, Gandhi mentioned that poverty is the worst form of violence. And Confucius taught all his lessons to make society orderly and well rules so that poverty might be reduced. The Buddha taught denial of desire as the path to perfection. But in those few words the Lord taught that he, himself, was the only proper answer to earthly poverty.

Matthew 26:6-13 ESV Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, (7) a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. (8) And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? (9) For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." (10) But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. (11) For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. (12) In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. (13) Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

Christians, you are called to alleviate poverty, to reduce it, go generously give of yourselves, of your gifts, of your wealth, of your compassion to end the poverty that afflicts those around you.

The Sapporo High Court ruling said not allowing same-sex couples to marry and enjoy the same benefits as straight couples violates their fundamental right to have a family.

The court doesn't have the power to overturn the current marriage law, which has been interpreted to restrict marriage as between a man and a woman.

[Six lower district courts have also made similar rulings]

However, unlike the Sapporo ruling, none of the low-level courts clearly deemed the existing marriage law unconstitutional

Asked why they believe their country is the only one in the G-7 that doesn't yet allow same-sex marriage, [SSM poster boy] Katsuyama told CBS News Japan's ruling political party has close ties with fringe religious sects and staunchly conservative anti-LGBTQ groups.

A powerful right-wing minority in Japan's parliament has managed for years to block major changes to the country's marriage laws.

I feel guilty and like a bad person for wanting more in life.
I know that we should just be thankful to God under all circumstances and
if I have a warm bed to sleep in, food on the table, a decent job, a couple
parents who love me, and a pretty average life living in a first world nation
quality of life, no wars.......I know I should just be thankful that I have this which is probably
more than 75% of the world.

But why do I feel like it's not enough. I feel guilty for feeling this way and desiring
more in my life and it's not just wanting more materials, money, dream job etc.,
but even just wanting friends, relationship, love....it's like that's asking for too much
and I'm a bad person guilty to even think and desire for such things as to have good friends,
good community, loving relationships.


I realize that when you lose your health and then get it back, it feels like the most amazing thing
ever. To just wake up painfree, with energy, and normal functions all back...you feel so amazing
and like that's all you just be content with in life...just to be healthy. Of course that is wonderful
and who wouldn't want to have good health? We take it for granted probably more than anything
else in life.

But do I just say...."Ok, I choose not to strive for anything more, I choose not to dream bigger,
follow my pipe dreams because that's selfish. Let me just live because I have health, and food
and a bed to sleep in. That should be good enough for my life and if I want anything more than
that, I must be a really selfish awful person."

So, what is the message that we are to receive from this? It reminds me a bit of John 8 where it says, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him…” but then in his discourse with them told them that their father was not Abraham, and not God, but the devil (see John 8:31-59). So “belief” is not necessarily the kind that saves from sin and promises eternal life with God. For people can intellectually acknowledge the truth of something but then not really commit themselves to what that faith requires.

And so we have to take into consideration what the Scriptures teach on the subject of faith and what the word “faith” really means. For Jesus Christ is the author and the perfecter of our faith, a faith which originates with God, is persuaded of God, and is gifted to us by God, and is not of our own doing – not of the will nor of the flesh of man. We can’t even come to faith in Jesus Christ unless God the Father draws us to Christ, i.e. unless he first persuades us as to his righteousness and of our sinfulness and of our need to forsake our sins and to follow Jesus in obedience to his commands.

[Hebrews 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 4:17-24; Titus 2:11-14; Galatians 5:16-24, etc.]

So, it is possible for you to believe that something is true but to not really receive that truth into your life and to apply it to your life. And that appears to be the case here with some of the Pharisees who believed Jesus’ words, but who denied him by their refusal to confess that belief and then to put that faith into practice. And there are many people who openly profess faith in Jesus Christ but it is superficial only because they do not put that faith into practice. So faith is more than just an acknowledgment of something.

Now some people may interpret this to say that they had no say in the matter at all for it was God who hardened their hearts. But if we read this in the full context, I believe that we will see that the people chose not to believe in Jesus, and they chose to harden their hearts against the truth when it was presented to them. And, as a result of their obstinance, the Lord gave them up and he handed them over to do whatever it was their sinful hearts desired (see Romans 1:18-32).

Now please know that the Scriptures teach that if we deny Jesus that he will deny us when he returns for his faithful bride. So it is not enough to believe intellectually, and it is not enough to just make a verbal confession of faith in Jesus Christ, but our lives must be surrendered to the Lord. We must now walk (in conduct, in practice) according to the Spirit and no longer according to the flesh. Sin must no longer be our practice. For if sin is what we obey, it will lead to death. But if obedience is what we obey, it leads to righteousness and to sanctification, and its end is eternal life (Romans 6:1-23).

So, denying Jesus Christ isn’t verbal only and it isn’t just a lack of a verbal confession of Christ as Savior and Lord. For many give lip service to the Lord whose hearts are far from him. So denying Jesus and his gospel message and denying genuine God-persuaded faith in him really does come about when we love the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. For many professers of Christ will not share his gospel message out of fear of the rejection of humans. For they will desire the approval of humans over the approval of God. But that can’t be!

For Jesus said that if we are going to come after him that we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. And he said that whoever loves his family more than they love the Lord is not worthy of the Lord. And he said that whoever does not take up his cross and follow him is not worthy of him. And he said that no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. So he must be first and foremost in our lives and all else should follow after that.

[Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 10:32-38; Matthew 15:7-9; Matthew 22:8; Luke 9:23-26,62; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 1:15-16; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 1:4]

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897
Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

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They got 'em, guys! That retail theft ring ran by illegal alie... oh wait...

Friends,

I have been active here for 10 years and one issue stands out from the rest.

Due to the lack of evidence of the miraculous in the church there are strong temptations to interpret scripture in such a way as to teach a season of diminished activity from the Holy Spirit.

This assumption gets so strong that any claims of God directly intervening by His Power are dismissed as fake or worse.

Teachers are happy to preach a powerless church as if 'reality' somehow trumps what we read was normal in the early church.

Returning to first Love is presented as a personal challenge rather than a word of rebuke to a Church that has ceased to function as evidence of His Kingdom on earth testifying with the signs of the Kingdom associated with The King Himself, as we see in Luke 7:22

Yet we know that Godliness without Power is an offensive denial... 2 Tim 3:5

God's Love and God's Power are inseparable.

So I had a hand in discipling a Doctor who had experienced a beautiful conversion to Jesus and was thirsty for His Word. With his wife he was eager to serve his new found Master in any was possible.

They invited my wife and I to dinner and asked about praying for their house to be blessed.

I could see that his newly filled heart was open to the Holy Spirit noted his passion to do right, so I followed his desires in this regard.

"Can I anoint the doors and windows with oil" he asked.

"Of course" I said.

So he went around the house dedicating all the entrances to Jesus putting oil on the lintels.

When he came to the back door - as he reached up with the oil - a rush of power knocked him backwards down several concrete steps.

Now he was six foot seven, no small man - totally laid out - overcome by God's presence and power.

We expected him to be seriously injured but he was just fine - basking in God's Love.

So this was nothing we did - we were witnessing God's Love and Power profoundly at work. 1Kings 8:11


Returning to first Love will see also a return of His Power.


Love you all.

If a thousand years for us is but a day for God, in God's eyes this should make the earth 7 + 6 = 13 days old, am I right ?

I am extremely depressed. I am trying to fight my depression. I lost my family due to having problems with them. I was angry at them because they said some pretty mean things about Mom. And then I did something that really upset them. I won't go into details of what I did. It wasn't illegal but it's still upset them. I did it out of anger. I did this to myself I know this. But I didn't think this one through. I lost all my friends. I just couldn't handle having friends. And of course I can't just simply ask forgiveness. I did ask my family to forgive me, but they were too angry. I don't blame them. I stopped talking to them myself. I even changed my phone number.

I just need tools to help fight my depression. I will be seeking professional help. I don't think my depression will go away but I just need tools to help fight it. I'm not going to reach out to people or even go to church. I just don't understand why God created us to be in relation with other people it kind of makes me mad. And so I'm fighting the desire to have relationships. But it makes me depressed that I don't have relationships. I did all of this to myself. So those who may tell me that, I don't disagree with you. I just need tools to fight this depression. If anyone has any advice that does not involve me going to church or reaching out to people, please help

as long as it goes with Scripture. Thanks

These top 2 photos are from Gaza, the last one from Ukraine.







Don't think this cannot expand to include Europe, and even America. For some reason a lot of folk still think America is untouchable.
Revelation 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell..
Jeremiah 4:26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger.
The present politics of everybody seem to be rushing headlong towards this. The end could be very very soon.

I do not affiliate myself with the PC(USA) in any way, shape, or form I am a member of the conservative PCA (The Presbyterian Church in America). However as a conservative Bible Believing Presbyterian, I find this news to be shocking and appalling but am not surprised given the PC(USA)'s history. While this news isn't finalized yet and won't be until June it very likely will be passed and is a massive step down in Biblical Christianity.

To those who are in the PC(USA) who are conservative and would object to this being forced in their own denomination. Given what heresy the PC(USA) has embraced over the past 50 years and it's rapid decline in Biblical doctrines and attendance will this be the final nail in the coffin for you or will you continue to stand firm and fight for biblical doctrine in the PC(USA)?

I mean, it seems a no Brainer to me to leave the PC(USA) given its very large decline over the years and leaving to a more Biblical Presbyterian Church would be a valid non cowardice action but, I also like to see Christians continue to fight for more Biblical doctrine in their churches. But, I think this is a battle that nobody would win, as the mainstream PC(USA) has become nothing but completely unbiblical and heretical but, fight on I guess. As Christians we should want Biblical teaching in our churches and should have access to it. We all should have the right to worship God in the way he is meant to be worshiped. If this country truly had freedom of religion there would also be room for those who also want to follow Jesus.

'Tis getting more serious up north....

IDF Strikes Hezbollah Stronghold Deep in Lebanon; 100 Rockets Fired at Northern Israel​

After Israeli jets struck Hezbollah targets in Baalbek, more than a hundred kilometers from Israel's northern border, Hezbollah launched one of the largest rocket barrages of the war towards the Golan Heights.
Israeli Air Force fighter jets launched airstrikes overnight and during Tuesday, targeting Hezbollah military compounds and command posts in the Baalbek area deep in Lebanon.

In response, Hezbollah fired over a hundred rockets towards the Golan Heights on Tuesday morning, some of which were intercepted.

According to the army's statement, the compounds that were hit belonged to Hezbollah squads who were planning to launch several aerial projectiles toward Israel. It also said that the strike was carried out in response to Hezbollah's earlier launching of drones toward the Golan Heights.

Here's another area that's been simmering and could boil over at any time.

Is Rev 13:14,15 refers to AI (Artificial Intelligence) i.e image of the beast who speaks etc?

Putin Warns The West That Russia Is Ready For Nuclear War

Youtube 1:12

Hi, posting this in intro as I am new. Moderators, please move as needed. Thank you​

bullet pt summary
- gift of healing, both natural and holy spirit (hearing, etc improves when praying, trained at CHM)
- was on healing teams, however multiple priests were moved due to the priest shortage and the teams fell apart
- currently live in the North near Canada, due to the inability to pray for healing for multiple years, considering a move South where ministry is more active
- feel increasing unsettled and need to make a change, however have children so hesitant about moving, also have NOT been "invited" anywhere, i.e could easily move and still not be in ministry
- $ is less of a concern, in PP and can do telehealth
seeking input and thoughts, thank you

So much truth , so powerful! Had to share


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I am in the final stages of my dissertation for a PhD in Christian Leadership at Liberty University. My study centers on the different theological perspectives regarding the relationship between faith and works. In order to remain objective and charitable, I am using an expert panel comprised of a Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic pastor/priest and then am administering a short survey to their congregants. I have been looking for a Roman Catholic priest to serve as the expert panel member for several months and this has completely stalled my studies. Any recommendations or help would be appreciated.

Side note: I did have some help, but in the wake of the Bishop Strickland shake-up, my commitments fell through.

After dropping off the kids at school. I came back to my BD laying in a pool of blood around his head. I was afraid to go inside bc I thought it was an assault but the ambulance said he may have had a seizure and fell which caused the blood.

He's in the hospital he had more seizures but they gave him meds and it'd helping.. I already called his Job and stuff. Please keep him in prayer.

I will too. I'm trying not to get too down.

When studying scripture it is always best to start with the plain(peshat) meaning of Hebrew before building to rez. [PaRDeS]. There are a few times where translations in English are entirely wrong when compared with the original message. One example is the relations between a man and virgin, but that topic is for another time. This discussion is to share the Hebrew involving translations in English concerning star constellations formally known as Orion and Pleiades. The chapters and verses start from amos and iyov and comparable words from other books. Those that desire to add their thoughts and critique are welcome to do so.

First is Job 38:31 I will bold the hebrew and english then offer an alternate rendering
כִּימָה in Hebrew is the vault of the stars.
כְּסִיל in Hebrew means Fool.
So the first half of the verse reads, "Can thou bind the vault of the stars with a cord"
The second half reads, "or loose the fool with a cord"

Second is Amos 5:8
The underlined is then rendered, "Him that maketh the vault of stars and the fool",

Third is a parallel of כְּסִיל Ps 49:11 Proverbs 10:1 Ecclesiastes 2:14

With the parallel context one can see the picture being given in more detail. I will offer additional scripture later on so that this can be digested and responded to.

I am in the final stages of my dissertation for a PhD in Christian Leadership at Liberty University. My study centers on the different theological perspectives regarding the relationship between faith and works. In order to remain objective and charitable, I am using an expert panel comprised of a Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic pastor/priest and then am administering a short survey to their congregants. I have been looking for a Roman Catholic priest to serve as the expert panel member for several months and this has completely stalled my studies. Any recommendations or help would be appreciated.

Side note: I did have some help, but in the wake of the Bishop Strickland shake-up, my commitments fell through.

That sentiment is commonly attributed to Margret Thatcher.

What if we here on this forum could talk about issues rather than partisan talking points and ad hominem attacks on political personalities?
What if we could work through the problems we see on our own?

Of course most of the big problems are beyond our influence. But at least we can have clearer objective view of the issues and then sort out candidates who align with our thoughts. And there are certainly plenty of issues, gun control, Middle East, southern border, energy resources, environment, etc, etc.

Why can't we just talk about the issues? Why do we always have to throw in the political catch phrases and labels that really do not help at all?

Unfortunately, I do not have solutions. But I am willing to listen to opposing points of views and look at data objectively that supports them. Mere opinion and rhetoric is useless. I have learned a lot on this forum over the years. But learning requires an openness to things we have not heard or seriously considered. That is the beauty of discussion if it stays impersonal and objective.

Barnett was in Charleston this week to give a formal deposition in relation to a defamation lawsuit he had filed against Boeing, the BBC reported. He was expected to appear for further questioning on Saturday, but failed to appear. He was found dead in his truck in the hotel's parking lot, the BBC said.

The death of John Barnett, 62, was confirmed by the Charleston County Coroner. The office said in a news release that he died from "what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound."

CNN —
When a man called to confess he had shot his wife, was armed with an AR-15 and planned to kill himself, police in Jefferson City, Missouri raced to the scene.

Heavily armed officers ordered the homeowner to walk outside with his hands up. From the doorway, a middle-aged man emerged. It was Jay Ashcroft, Missouri’s Secretary of State who minutes earlier was gearing up for a workout on his home treadmill.

“I just couldn’t believe this was happening to me,” Ashcroft, a Republican and the state’s top election official, said in an interview with CNN. “It was very surreal.”

At least four swatting incidents have been aimed at the homes of senior officials who oversee or work to secure elections since December. Aside from Ashcroft, who is running for governor in Missouri, those hoaxes involved officials’ homes in Maine, Georgia and Virginia. Each case remains under investigation, local authorities said.