Please remember the following nations in your prayers, they are small but in great need

Thank you for being part of the prayer team, please ask others to join us

If you wish to join us, please email me at keitherichobkirk@hotmail.com

LIBYA

Prayercast | Libya

Liechtenstein

Prayercast | Liechtenstein



Lithuania

Prayercast | Lithuania

Luxembourg

Prayercast | Luxembourg

Some years ago, I began research into not only our family ancestry but the study of genetics. In the course of this research, I have taken several DNA tests for the purpose of mapping and confirming genealogical pathways and ancestors. To date, I have logged over 33,000 "cousins" on ancestry.com. These are people who have descended from the same blood relatives that I have. The DNA test is valuable back five generations, or to about the mid-1700s. This has been a very valuable tool in my family tree research.
An offshoot of this research is finding genetic causes of mental and physical issues and strengths. Hundreds of thousands of genetic markers are tested from within DNA. Scientists have tested these markers and found groups of people who possess certain traits centered around certain chromosomal pairs. For instance, by looking at a certain pair of genes in your DNA, they can tell if you are genetically predisposed to traits. They compare many people who have the same pairings, and they also find physical and mental traits to be the same. In my genes, this has proven accurate in many cases. One case puzzles me. According to one group of genetic markings, I am allegedly 100% predisposed to neurosis. I am about to turn 70. I have never really noticed this issue in my life. It seems the older I get, the more "emotional" I seem to be. I do not think it affects my life that much. I find I actually pray more and seem to be more empathetic toward people. I also have to be careful what I read into people's motives because, in doing so, I may inadvertently assume something negative about them or what they want.
Neurotic thoughts and behaviors, by definition, are so extreme that they interfere with your personal, professional, and romantic lives. What’s more, they tend to be your default response to even minor problems.
Has anyone else had these tests done and experienced these results?



Resutls:

Reference papers and your DNA​

Genome-wide analysis of over 106 000 individuals identifies 9 neuroticism-associated loci.​

Smith DJ et al. 2016
Researchers performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of neuroticism in participants from three cohorts. Meta-analysis identified nine novel loci associated with neuroticism. A strong association was observed at a locus on chromosome 8 spanning 4 Mb and containing at least 36 genes. Other associated loci including interesting candidate genes were on chromosome 1 (GRIK3), chromosome 4 (KLHL2), chromosome 17 (CRHR1 and MAPT) and chromosome 18 (CELF4).
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27067015

Association analysis in over 329,000 individuals identifies 116 independent variants influencing neuroticism.​

Luciano M et al. 2018
Researchers identified more than 100 significant independent loci from a GWAS of neuroticism in UK Biobank participants;15 of these loci replicated in an unrelated cohort. These loci locate near CACNA1E, MSRA, XKR6 ,LINGO2, CELF4, ZC3H7B and BAIAP2. Genetic signals were enriched in neuronal genesis and differentiation pathways, and substantial genetic correlations were found between neuroticism and depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder and subjective well-being alongside other mental health traits.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29255261

Multi-trait analysis of genome-wide association summary statistics using MTAG.​

Turley P et al. 2018
Researchers introduce multi-trait analysis of GWAS (MTAG), a method for joint analysis of summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of different traits. They used MTAG to summary statistics for depressive symptoms, neuroticism and subjective well-being. In regard to neuroticism, the number of lead SNPs increases from 9 to 37 from GWAS to MTAG. Some of these SNPs located near PCLO, BSN CACNA1E and all encode important parts of the machinery that releases neurotransmitter from the signaling neuron.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29292387

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for neuroticism in 449,484 individuals identifies novel genetic loci and pathways.​

Nagel M et al. 2018
Researchers conducted a large GWAS meta- analysis of neuroticism from the UK Biobank study, 23andMe, Inc. and the Genetics of Personality Consortium. They identified 136 independent genome-wide significant loci (124 new at the time of analysis). Of the 17,794 SNPs in high linkage disequilibrium (LD) with one of the independent significant SNPs, most were intronic or intergenic and 3.8% were annotated as potentially having a functional impact, with 0.9% (155 SNPs) being exonic, of which 70 were exonic nonsynonymous (ExNS). These ExNS risk locus were locate near gene such as MAPT, FAM120AOS, GNL3 and ITIH1.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29942085

"All Chicagoans deserve to live near convenient, affordable, healthy grocery options. We know access to grocery stores is already a challenge for many residents, especially on the South and West sides," Johnson said. "My administration is committed to advancing innovative, whole-of-government approaches to address these inequities. I am proud to work alongside partners to take this step in envisioning what a municipally owned grocery store in Chicago could look like."

What's a good name? City Foods? Government Groceries?

If you're going to pile-on Wal Mart for leaving, don't forget Jeff Bezos' (of Amazon, and The Washington Post) Whole Foods left town, too.
Edited to provide a working link

The actor and comedian is also said to have behaved inappropriately at work during the height of his fame, including by undressing, making sexual remarks and acting aggressively.
Brand denies the allegations, revealed in a joint investigation by the Sunday Times, the Times and Channel 4's Dispatches, and says his relationships have been "always consensual".

So the normal answer here is 40, and it's not wrong, but does this passage in Deuteronomy 9 actually suggest that Moses went 80 days without food or water?

When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the LORD made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I ate no bread and drank no water.
Then the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, inscribed by the finger of God with the exact words that the LORD spoke to you out of the fire on the mountain on the day of the assembly. And at the end of forty days and forty nights, the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant. And the LORD said to me, “Get up and go down from here at once, for your people, whom you brought out of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. How quickly they have turned aside from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten image.” Deuteronomy 9:9-12 (BSB)

Then as Moses comes down from the mountain and smashes the tablets this is recorded...

So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, shattering them before your eyes.
Then I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. I did not eat bread or drink water because of all the sin you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD and provoking Him to anger. Deuteronomy 9:17-18 (BSB)


There is no indication there at all that Moses grabbed a bite to eat or even took a sip of water. So did Moses actually go 80 days without food or water?

No obviously, this is not a segue for me to say I think we need to go 80 days without food or water. Moses was able to do so because of the literal presence of God, divine intervention so to say.

I just find it interesting that scripture likely records Moses as going nearly 3 months without food or dink.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; One God, Amen. Many viewers requested a video on the literality of the creation days in Genesis 1. But, to be completely honest, I am making this video as a concession as I understand that this is a standard follow-up question to the video we have recently done on the Big Bang theory; however, I strongly believe that a scientific approach to Genesis 1 is an oversight of the fundamental message conveyed by the author. The language in the first chapters of Genesis is semi-poetic in nature. And, it is not meant to be read through a scientific lens. So, I will present in a future video, how a Christian ought to properly approach Genesis 1; but in the meantime, I will answer the question of the literality of the days for the sake of those who need an answer.

Article from Yahoo News

Donald Trump has refused to give a straight answer on whether he supports a federal abortion ban, but that hasn’t stopped him from attacking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on his restrictive six-week ban.

Click to expand...

[...]

Welker pressed Trump on his opinion on the Florida governor’s policy, which was signed in April. It gave Trump the opening to hit his presidential primary opponent for being overly limiting.

“I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake,” Trump said. “But we’ll come up with a number, but at the same time, Democrats won’t be able to go out at six months, seven months, eight months and allow an abortion.”

Click to expand...

Donald Trump is walking back his only worthwhile domestic accomplishment.

Hi Everyone,

A friendly reminder to wake up and set your mind on the things of God!

Often times I find myself mindlessly on social media. Take some time in the morning to fill your mind with wisdom and set your mind on God.

Check out this clip from Charles Stanley on setting your mind on things above!
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If you like the video feel free to like or subscribe! Any support is helpful

What was it like for you the first time you spoke in tongues?

I remember I had been coached by a Pentecostal elder on how to speak in tongues, and it felt so wrong and so I didn't do it. He told me to repeat a series of words really quickly and it would come. When I refused he kicked me out of his house and I went home and began praying. I told the Lord that I wanted to speak in tongues, but I wouldn't force the issue for the Apostles had no one to coach them, they just did. Well during my prayer, I heard the word "Pentecost" and knew that the Lord was telling me to wait until the day of Pentecost which was a few weeks away. I kept praying and sure enough, on the day of Pentecost that year, I began speaking in a new tongue.

Now here is where my question comes in. It was very much at first, what seemed like a series of just repeating syllables, with the odd nuance just every once in a while. Truthfully, though I wasn't coherent on what was happening, I very much began to doubt it was legitimate, so I tried to alter it some. I began to feel really convicted by that and returned to what was given. Now years later, I very much feel like I can engage this whenever I want and need, and the form is truthfully however it pours forth. Like a maturing process maybe? I don't know.

As a Baptist growing up, I always assumed if tongues were real, there'd be some super spiritual high that would accompany them and such. I can testify that very rarely, if at all, I've experienced that. It truly seems like a test of faith, or at least at first it did, to speak in tongues.

But what about you?

Fellowship thread disclaimer***

What was it like for you the first time you spoke in tongues?

I remember I had been coached by a Pentecostal elder on how to speak in tongues, and it felt so wrong and so I didn't do it. He told me to repeat a series of words really quickly and it would come. When I refused he kicked me out of his house and I went home and began praying. I told the Lord that I wanted to speak in tongues, but I wouldn't force the issue for the Apostles had no one to coach them, they just did. Well during my prayer, I heard the word "Pentecost" and knew that the Lord was telling me to wait until the day of Pentecost which was a few weeks away. I kept praying and sure enough, on the day of Pentecost that year, I began speaking in a new tongue.

Now here is where my question comes in. This AGAIN is a fellowship thread.

It was very much at first, what seemed like a series of just repeating syllables, with the odd nuance just every once in a while. Truthfully, though I wasn't coherent on what was happening, I very much began to doubt it was legitimate, so I tried to alter it some. I began to feel really convicted by that and returned to what was given. Now years later, I very much feel like I can engage this whenever I want and need, and the form is truthfully however it pours forth. Like a maturing process maybe? I don't know.

As a Baptist growing up, I always assumed if tongues were real, there'd be some super spiritual high that would accompany them and such. I can testify that very rarely, if at all, I've experienced that. It truly seems like a test of faith, or at least at first it did, to speak in tongues.

But what about you?

Maybe he doesn't know we had WWII already? And that he did not run against Obama?

But what makes me chuckle is his insistence that we have to show ID to buy bread:


I have never been carded for buying bread.

Hello Christian Forums,

I'm excited to join this community. I serve as a spiritual humanist chaplain in the beautiful state of Montana. I'm here to engage in thoughtful discussions about faith, spirituality, and our shared human journey wherever that may take us. Looking forward to connecting with you all.

Blessings and peace to one and all,
T. Owen Goodwin

The refusal of aging politicians to retire is having serious ramifications for everyone.

What's your favorite candy bar? I would have done a poll but there are too many to choose from.

Is on LAFF

How dangerous are shows and movies like Harry Potter? I went to a golf event today and when I came home she has a certificate of witchcraft from Hogwarts and a bunch of other stuff. Now I know it's not real, but I'm curious what kind of danger she may be putting herself in. I guess where does entertainment cease being entertainment?

From some of the posts here, I find this to be unusual...at least for Christians as not desiring marriage is more of a secular practice. The latter where they just find a boyfriend or girlfriend to live with for the long term pretty much.

Isn't the desire to get married a Christian thing? To "go forth and prosper"?

Of course, some admit to remaining single from the here on out, but I wonder if they are just telling themselves this to help them feel better? I know I'm guilty it. When I reach a point where I'm like "I'm done with dating!, I give up!" but a few months later, I'm back at it again, putting myself out there to find someone in my social circles.

I dunno, it just seems like you're going against human nature to couple up.

Of course we can copy/paste the contrarian Biblical arguements for the "It's not good for a man to be alone" with other such things.

Ten years ago today, I joined the forums. Now, just a moment or two ago, I went back to my original introduction thread with the intention of linking it here. Errrrr.... NO lol.

It was, without a doubt, the most painful thing I have ever read. Suffice to say, I've travelled a million light-years since then - to the point that I don't even recognise the 23 year old who wrote that post. It's as if I've lived four lifetimes in ten years.

I'm far from perfect, and the lord knows how sinful I am - which is why I refrain from offering Christian-based advice these days, because I'm actually pretty bad (dating multiple girls at times, experimenting with small doses of certain fungi, a heavy snus addiction, WAY too many late nights, etc) but I thank Him for putting me down this road. I honestly wouldn't trade lives with anyone - even if my squeaky clean 23 year old self would be disappointed with certain choices I've made, and I honestly wouldn't have done anything any different, even if I was made to redo the full ten years. Because life is good, God is good, and love is good, even if I'm not necessarily whiter than white.

Plus, I'm happy. In my intro thread I mentioned suicide, which was a SHOCK to me to even read. Suicide isn't even in the realms of the observable universe for me now; the thought just wouldn't enter my mind. So, let that be a lesson to you all, whenever you set goals or resolutions, always start number one on your list with "be happy".

I don't actually believe that I was put on this earth to be a "perfect" model for Christ anyway. I was put here to be relatable to those who otherwise wouldn't step into a church. My acts of service are ultimately my biggest strength, and my ability to listen and give people my time can only come from Him. My strengths are like superpowers (I guess that comes with ten years of daily practise.)

In some sense, you could call me a Christian in disguise, or an antihero. Unlike the devil, who enters the light and lures people into the darkness, I'm the one IN the darkness who lures people into the light.

But I'll say this, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to sharpen up around the edges a bit.

Little 3 minute fascinating video... In which I would not hesitate to declare came about by intelligent design...

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For certain young people of great potential in wisdom. That they themselves may thirst and call for their parents and reliable friends to help catalyse opportunities for them to share Scripture insights and lots of prayer intentions (and thereby show those parents and friends how to help).

Such a powerful title for the Theotokos.

Isaiah 66:24 “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

Mark 9:48 "thrown into hell, 48where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’

People think of this passage as representing Hell, perhaps it does in a symbolic way. However, this represent the war that takes place before Jesus returns. "Battle of Armageddon." It is portrayed as a great and final conflict between the forces of good (led by Jesus Christ) and evil (led by the Antichrist and his followers). The ultimate victory is seen as belonging to Jesus Christ, who returns to defeat and judge the forces of evil.

Every year the nations will send a representative to Jerusalem. They will go out and look at the corpses on the battlefield to see the remains of those who rebel against God.

Zechariah 14 16 Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them. 18 And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter in, then the rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

There is a thread on the second death that we are making no progress in understanding. This thread is an attempt to shed light on what happens to the people who do not come to a saving knowledge of the truth. It would appear they are destroyed. People can go to look and see how they ended up. The result of their sin and rebellion against God.

A rather nice little reflection on how humility, hospitality, gentleness and generosity might shape how we treat one another, even when we disagree.

I'm not sure if you will be able to tell, but I have completely taped over the cover of this edition, front to back. I had to. From light use and just sitting on a shelf for most of its 5 years with me, having bought it brand new, the matte cover was falling apart. Like disintegrating almost. Especially where the cover meets the spine. I want to get volumes 1-4, but they look like the same matte covers. I saw a review on Amazon when I was looking at the other volumes that summed it up perfectly: "Invaluable contents, indifferent cover."

Hello everyone,

For something to move, it first must go halfway, but first it must go half the way of the halfway, and so on and so on. That obviously makes motion impossible, since it must go through infinite halfways to reach it's destination.

Unless, it disappears and reappears somewhere else. That seems to solve the problem, but there might be an issue with this idea.

An object called A is not object called B because they are different. Object A cannot become object B because they are different. That would result in something being something that is different than it. Therefore, for something to first disappear and reappear somewhere else, it must first become something different.

So, how is motion possible?