• 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.

Prayer..

Not sure who will read this.. this forum here "Word of Faith" is not like it use to be. I ask here as you know because you know and believe.

Since my son Jacob (Jake) was little had this bump on the top of his head. Still there Doc says nothing to worry about. What comes to mind is "to help his faith". As Peter and John said "that name faith in that name healed this man". Like the dream I had just few years ago all it said was " you do not invoke/speak the name of Jesus enough". Its written these signs shall follow.. its written lay hands on the sick and they shall. So I put my hand on his head told it to go way.. said I am tried of this being here. Hes 33 today lol and things happened he do move back home since like hmm this March? Hes doing great has great paying job.. he had lost one but got a better one.

So since he is under my roof you know I have a right to speak.. to this now gone bump.. cyst. In that name above ever name.. asking you to agree where to shall agree. So we like our brothers Peter and John.. we tell it cyst to go in Jesus name. To you Father alone get all the glory and praise

Public or private revelation?

I am copying this from my other thread.
it is a subject that deserves its own discussion: I said….


“I don’t understand why people are not shouting about the science of Eucharistic miracles from the rooftops.

I accept the magisterium, but I have never understood the ambivalent attitude to modern day miracles. : it seems as if the church is trying to limit what God can say to his people since the ressurection. Why?

Such as Fatima and Eucharistic miracles are God communicating outrage at the “ indifferences , outrages and sacrilege’s” against our Lord in all the tabernacles of the world.
Our Lady said it at Fatima.
Many of the Eucharistic miracles are the result of abuse or dropping of a host.
This was very public, designed to be public not private, so that “ All might see and believe”

Eucharistic mirackes ARE a revelation,
even if the message is not new.

it’s clear popes believe it too : so why the reluctance?
I can understand why they are worried about making mistakes , but with multiple events like Eucharistic miracle science , shouldnt they Trust God more?
A bishop in buffalo ( and others too ) destroyed one even before testing!!

Thoughts please?
on the ambivalent view to what they claim is “ private revelation”

I was at Fatima today again, I did the pilgrimage of knees again.
I can’t stay away, I am drawn to it!

The Problem of Suffering

The Cause of Suffering
God is not just the source of life for everything, He IS life. Therefore when we sin we literally separate ourselves from the source of life; the natural consequence of which is non-life/nonexistence. When sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience our very existence started to unravel, from our genes through to our spiritual condition. Every man has chosen sin at least once in his life, even with the supernatural empowerment from The Lord us Christians sometimes fall during our sanctification, and thus all are morally culpable for Adam's transgression even though we all fell in him. Therefore when death entered the world so to did survival. Additionally, because all mankind bears the image of God, we have real choice. And therein, real consequences.
The Existence of Suffering
To our God life is objectively more valuable than death (it's considered an enemy of God 1 Corinthians 15:26) which is why suffering is permitted to exist for a time. It’s also why God permits genetic aberrations to exist for a time; because people who are born with a bodily disability (including your brain) are alive. The person who suffers from the genetic aberration would not have come into existence if their two parents did not meet and copulate to pass on their genes which produced the aberration. Their life is unfathomably more valuable to God than their non-existence or death and therefore suffering is permitted to exist for a time in order that they may live/exist. Therefore, if as a result of sin being introduced into the world (edit: and as a result of real choices with real consequences) it is required to bear suffering for a time in order to live, the only reason said suffering is permitted to exist is because the life of a person is objectively more valuable to God than the death of them or them never coming into existence.
Animal Suffering
The very existence of death for mankind means that animals are going to suffer. So their suffering is caused by us and is also permitted to exist by The Lord in order to provide man, who is objectively more valuable to The Lord, with life. Nevertheless animals are still valuable and their suffering is still a tragedy, though it is one that is caused by our sin. After all, vegetarianism is the natural & desirable state of man due to the killing of animals for food only being permitted post-flood in Genesis 9:3 (however there's nothing wrong with eating meat Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 8:8, Mark 7:18-19).
Secular Objections
If the genesis for your morality is biology, then morality is inherently subjective. As the value ascribed to each individual moral stance or action are different from person to person and you have no authoritative transcendent standard which imparts value to and imposes parameters on specific behaviours, or in general, things that have physical properties (i.e. matter). The lack of a universal authoritative standard by which to evaluate morals therein also means that two people who morally oppose each other would be equally correct in their moral stances and you couldn't say one person's morals are wrong, only that their morals are different. Therefore, if you want to evaluate behaviours from person to person or ascribe any kind of value/hierarchy to morals you need to assume the truth of a moral stance or standard in order to judge or weigh evidence against said behaviours. To judge by a standard is not relative. So assuming human flourishing (empathy, kindness, love) as a standard by which to judge things is to assume without justification a moral truth which doesn't exist within the paradigm.

The reason I posted this in the Christian section is because our secular friends lack a morality that's unable to be authoritative over other kinds of morality because they have no ability to claim moral truths due to morality being inherently subjective in their paradigm. So they don't have a problem of evil or suffering because evil doesn't exist in their worldview; as we would be just matter smacking up against matter without any basis for ascribing value authoritatively to any specific thing. It's all arbitrary desire under a Naturalistic/Materialistic paradigm.
Closing thoughts
I'm an Adventist so my understanding of Gehenna isn't Eternal Conscious Torment/Suffering. For that reason the objection (Edit: the objection of Hell) wouldn't affect the position I hold as nonexistence is a natural consequence of sin due to what I mentioned in the first paragraph about sin separating us from God. However my being an Adventist has no bearing upon the view of Anihilationism/Conditional immortality, I just mentioned it because it means I grew up with that view and therefore didn't have the cultural enforcement of Eternal Conscious Torment. I believe the case for Conditional Immortality is far more scripturally sound which is why I believe it.

Please feel free to pick apart the arguments or pose objections. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Also if you want to have a chat or ask some questions feel free to shoot me a message, my inbox is always open.

Hallelujah & God bless you all:heart:.

Edit: Phrasing & clarity
Edit 2: I also in no way meant to minimise the suffering people experience. Some of the language I used and the way I phrased things may make it seem that way; however, I was speaking in a clinical way in order to describe the perspective/reasoning and not with a view to the degree in which suffering or it's effects are felt.

New neuroscience research shows liberals are bleeding hearts

New neuroscience research shows liberals experience more empathy than conservatives when they imagine others suffering


A recent study in Israel used brain scans to explore the differences in empathy between political liberals and conservatives. The researchers found that when imagining other people suffering, liberals tended to show stronger brain reactions associated with empathy compared to conservatives. This pattern of brain activity was linked to participants’ self-reported political beliefs. The study was published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.

Previous studies have suggested a link between political ideology and empathy. These studies indicated that individuals with left-leaning ideologies tend to experience higher levels of empathy. However, since those studies relied on self-reports and questionnaires, it was unclear whether the reported differences in empathy were due to actual differences or simply how individuals perceived and reported their own levels of empathy.

Texas judge still fighting to deny wedding ceremonies to gay couples

After Hensley was warned by the judicial conduct commission, she filed a lawsuit claiming the investigation and warning “substantially burdened the free exercise of her religion, with no compelling justification.” She seeks damages of $10,000. She has been represented by the First Liberty Institute, a high-profile religious liberty legal group based in Plano. The legal group also has strong ties to suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Her lawsuit alleges that the commission violated her rights under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Her lawsuit was dismissed by a lower appeals tribunal, but last month, the Texas Supreme Court said it will hear arguments on whether to revive the state judge’s lawsuit.

This new brief, submitted last week by Hensley’s legal team, argues that though the Supreme Court used the First Amendment and not state law in the 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis case, the decision is also applicable in her lawsuit. The First Amendment case decided last month said a Colorado web designer cannot be forced by the state to compromise her beliefs and serve same-sex couples.


God Bless Texas!

Who is the angel of the Lord?

The angel of the LORD in the OT sometimes spoke in the first person as God. In some instances, he seems to be the preincarnate Christ.

The angel of the lord in the NT never spoke in the first person as God. The term "the angel of the Lord" is ambiguous.

The following is from Wiki:

The (or an) angel of the LORD (Hebrew: מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה mal’āḵ YHWH "messenger of Yahweh") is an entity appearing repeatedly in the Hebrew Bible on behalf of the God of Israel.

The guessed term malakh YHWH, which occurs 65 times in the text of the Hebrew Bible, can be translated either as "the angel of the Lord" or "an angel of the Lord". The King James Version usually translates it as "the angel of the LORD"; less frequently as "an angel of the LORD".[1] The Septuagint (LXX) sometimes uses ἄγγελος Κυρίου (an angel of the Lord), sometimes ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου (the angel of the Lord): in Genesis 16:7–11, it gives first the sounded word without a Greek article, then, in all the subsequent mentions with the article,[2] as in the anaphoric use of the article.[3]

A closely related term is "angel of God" (mal'akh Elohim), mentioned 12 times (2 of which are plural). Another related expression, Angel of the Presence, occurs only once (Isaiah 63:9).

The New Testament uses the term "angel of the Lord" (ἄγγελος Κυρίου) several times, in one instance (Luke 1:11–19) the angel's name is Gabriel.

The word Angel found numerous times in the scriptures simply means 'messenger' and can either refer to a heavenly entity who delivers a message from God or a human messenger. There is a difference between an angel and the Angel of the Lord: the Angel of the Lord is the only angel appearing continually throughout the old testament referring to himself as the Lord and God in the first person, while the other angels mentioned in the scripture reference to the Lord God as a hallowed third person always humbling themselves and not accepting any type of glory.

Examples of use of the Hebrew term מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה are found in the following verses, here given in the King James Version translation:

  • Genesis 16:7–14. The angel of the Lord appears to Hagar. The angel speaks as God himself in the first person, and in verse 13 Hagar identifies "the LORD that spoke to her" as "The God Who sees".
  • Genesis 22:11–15. The angel of the Lord appears to Abraham and refers to himself as God in the first person.
  • Exodus 3:2–4. The angel of the Lord appears to Moses in a flame in verse 2, and God speaks to Moses from the flame in verse 4, both instances referring to himself in the first person, the text seemingly conflates the two as one.
  • Numbers 22:22–38. The angel of the Lord meets the prophet Balaam on the road. In verse 38, Balaam identifies the angel who spoke to him as delivering the word of God.
  • Judges 2:1–3. The angel of the Lord appears to Israel.
  • Judges 6:11–23. The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, and in verse 22 Gideon fears for his life because he has seen the angel of the Lord face to face, which is similar to when others in the Tanakh (Old Testament) fear they will die because they have seen God.
  • Judges 13:3–22. The angel of the Lord appears to Manoah and his wife and, in verse 16, tells them to offer to the LORD if they are to make an offering ("And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah [...] if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD."). Later Manoah thought he and his wife will die for they "have seen God"
  • Zechariah 1:12. The angel of the Lord pleads with the Lord to have mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah.
  • Zechariah 3:4. The angel of the Lord takes away the sin of the high priest Joshua.


Appearances of the "angel of the Lord" may leave the reader with the question of whether an angel or YHWH had appeared. Apart from the view that "the angel of the Lord is just that—an angel",[7] there are a variety of interpretations, e.g. that the angel is an earthly manifestation of the God of Israel or of Jesus Christ.

Ancient Chinese records contemporary with Christ's Birth, Death & Resurrection

This guy explains some ancient Chinese writings that coincide with the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Check out this 6-min video:
“癸亥日蚀, 天人崩.” (後漢書 志第十八)
“Eclipse on the day of Gui Hai, Man from Heaven died”. History of Latter Han, Annals, No. 18, Gui Hai.

Here is some more written detail:
In the second month of the second year [of Jian Ping, emperor of that time], the comet was out of Altair for more than 70 days…It is said, ‘Comets appear to signify the old being replaced by the new.’ Altair, the sun, the moon and the five stars are in movement to signify the beginning of a new epoch; The beginning of a new year, a new month and a new day…The appearance of this comet undoubtedly symbolizes change. The extended appearance of this comet indicates that this is of great importance.

Confronting the Proof-Texting of John 20:22

John 20:22 as a proof text for conversion indwelling is hermeneutically weak:

Here is what the text clearly states...

1. Jesus breathed on His disciples.

2. Jesus told them to receive the Holy Spirit.

That is it!!

This passage does not specify the following:

1. Whether or not the disciples received the Holy Spirit at the time Jesus breathed on them.

2. Whether or not they spoke in tongues at that time, if they did receive the Holy Spirit.

So, we need to look at evidence outside of this text to determine what happened here.

Problems:

1. He immediately included the phrase, "as my Father hath sent me, so send I you," before he breathed on them. Why don't we see the disciples leaving to go and do the work? Luke, the parallel passage answers this question: He is breathing as a symbolic act of prophecy referring to the Day of Pentecost:
"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem. until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49)

Making John 20:22 contradict the parallel passage in Luke is hermeneutically unsound.

2. According to Vincent's Word Studies, the fact that there is a missing article in front of "Holy Spirit" in the Greek points to this "breathing time" to the Day of Pentecost:

"The article is wanting. the gift bestowed was not that of the personal Holy Spirit, but rather an earnest of that gift... (Vincent's Word Studies, John 20:22)."

3. If the disciples received the Spirit at this moment, then Thomas never received it. Thomas was not there:

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came (verse 24)."

4. The Holy Spirit is only to come one time, not two:

"When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me (John 15:26)."

5. The timing of the above promise that Jesus was to receive from the Father is clearly stated:

"Therefore, being by the right hand of god exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear (Acts 2:33)."

In other words, there was no "secret" coming of the Holy Spirit. There was only one coming, and it took place on the Day of Pentecost.

5. Jesus had to be glorified first, which includes full ascension:

"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 (But his spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given: BECAUSE that Jesus was not yet glorified)(John 7:37-39)."

When does this take place? When one enters into glory (Luke 24:26), one is glorified (1 Timothy 3:16). Peter further clarifies the timing of the glorification in Acts 3:13, which is post ascension.

The consistent interpretation of John 20:22 is that Jesus' words and actions did not impart the Holy Spirit but were prophetic and symbolic actions in anticipation of the Day of Pentecost (which Jesus and the Gospel writers consistently taught throughout ALL the Gospels). Nowhere does Jesus nor the Gospel writers teach TWO comings of the Holy Spirit. The Gift of the Holy Spirit is THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT HIMSELF, which is the INDWELLING.

When does this take place in clear Scripture? This gives us the timing.

"So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed." (John 17:1–6)

On the road to Emmaus, the Lord said, "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory? (Luke 24:26). Thus, after Jesus is raised from the dead, he has not yet entered into his glory in his post-resurrection body.

If it is argued that this, his body is glorious because it has been raised from the dead. We are reminded of John 1:14, of which the apostles testify, "we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

This text speaks of his earthly ministry. However, it is doubtful that it has any reference to his physical outward appearance. His political and social rank was inglorious, despised, and the cause of rejection.
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Good news for Democrats



A New York appeals court on Thursday ordered the state’s congressional map to be redrawn, siding with Democrats in a case that could give the party a fresh chance to tilt one of the nation’s most contested House battlegrounds leftward.​
Wading into a long-simmering legal dispute, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Albany said that the competitive, court-drawn districts put in place for last year’s midterms had only been a temporary fix.​
They ordered the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission to promptly restart a process that would effectively give the Democrat-dominated State Legislature final say over the contours of New York’s 26 House seats for the remainder of the decade.​
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Burning of the Bible

What do you say to THAT?

Disbelief as Swedish police allow Hebrew Bible to be burned outside Israeli embassy​

The application, which was approved on Thursday, grants permission to a person “to express an opinion” in a public place.​




I think it is terrible.
  • Informative
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Jim Jordan Questions FBI Director Christopher Wray, As He Mentions The Long List Of Unlawful Actions Brought Upon American Citizens, "Dare To Watch"

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan Questions FBI Director Christopher Wray, As He Mentions The Long List Of Unlawful Actions Brought Upon American Citizens By The FBI "Dare To Watch"

"Dare To Watch" The 6:38 Clip

We are His Disciples If..

Jesus told his disciples that one of them would betray him. He was speaking of Judas Iscariot, although he did not name him. But Jesus did tell them that “it is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So then he dipped the morsel and he gave it to Judas, and then Satan entered Judas. And Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” And Judas immediately went out. But no one at the table understood what Jesus was saying and that Judas was the one who was going to betray the Lord.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:31-35 ESV

It was all in God’s plan that Judas would be the one to betray Christ and to hand Jesus over to the authorities. It was God’s plan all along that the authorities would then arrest Jesus, put him on trial for a crime he did not commit, that they would then beat him mercilessly, mock him, spit on him, crown him in mockery with a crown of thorns, then hang him on a cross to die as though he was a common criminal. For in Jesus’ death on that cross, he who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

So, after Judas went out to betray Jesus, and Jesus stated, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him,” he was speaking of the death he was about to die on a cross for our sins. For Jesus died on that cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness and so that we might now live for him and no longer for ourselves. And he shed his blood for us on that cross to buy us back for God (to redeem us) out of our lives of sin so that we would now honor God with our bodies and serve him with our lives. For Jesus died to deliver us from slavery to sin so we’d now be slaves of God.

[1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 6:1-23]

Then Jesus let his disciples know that soon he was to no longer be with them, but that where he was going they could not come, at least not at that point. For in chapter 14 we read that he was going to prepare a place for them, for us, and that one day he is going to come back for us who serve him with our lives, who are his true disciples, and he is going to take us to be with him for eternity. And it is then when our salvation will be complete and our marriage to Christ will be spiritually consummated. But only for those who are walking in obedience to him, in practice, and not in sin.

Now, after Jesus told his disciples (the 11) that he was about to leave them, then he gave them a new commandment that they love one another. And that commandment is for us, too, who are followers of Jesus Christ. And this love is not human-based love, based on feelings, but this love is from God, and this love prefers what God prefers, which is what is holy, godly, morally pure, honest, upright, and faithful. So, when we love others with this love we are going to do for them what is good and godly and morally pure and honest, and we are not going to sin against them deliberately and habitually.

And other people will know that we are the Lord’s disciples by our love for one another. But we must understand what kind of love, because it is not what we may think of as love. For many people are calling it “love” when we lie to people to make them feel good about themselves, even in their sin, and when we don’t confront them in their sins, and when we don’t call them to repentance and to obedience. They think it is love just to be “nice” to people and to say only pleasant things to them which make them feel good. But we are to be those who speak the truth in love to them.

For Our Nation

An Original Work / September 11, 2012

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: We’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.

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Skills test for certification

EDIT TO UPDATE: Thank you everyone for the prayers. I passed my test.

Tomorrow at 1:00 PM Pacific US time, I am having a skills test so I can again work as a certified nursing assistant. Please pray God grants me the clarity of mind and ease of movement to remember every step as I am tested, and that performance anxiety will not get the better of me. Praise Him for the job He already lined up for me, and pray please for the strength to keep doing it consistently. Praise Him that after the accident I had some years ago, and for so long I couldn't hold a job at all, He has healed me enough that I can even consider working in this field again. I was a CNA in the 1990's. I'd really like for my body to be fooled into thinking I'm still that young. :D Thank you.

Same-sex marriage grounds for firing Catholic school’s guidance counselor, appeals court says

A Catholic high school in Indianapolis, Indiana, retained the right to fire a school guidance counselor whose same-sex marriage violated the school’s employment contract and church teachings, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

The sinners prayer. A lie straight out of the pits of hell.

I can stay silent no more. Many people are falling for this "sinners prayer" that basically teaches that all you have to do is confess Jesus and you will be saved. In fact, billions of people are getting "saved" with this false lie from the devil. People think that all they have to do is confess Jesus once and then never go to church, never bear fruit, and many of them never think about Jesus ever again. But hey theyre saved because a pastor had them repeat a prayer once 60 years ago and gosh darn it, that prayer saves! This couldnt be more wrong. Jesus said to be a follower of him you must pick up your cross DAILY. The Christian life is a daily effort and war it's not something you make a one time decision on. You ARE saved by faith dont get me wrong but the faith that saves is NEVER alone. Saying a couple of magic words once and then not bearing any fruit ever again is NOT saving faith. In fact, Jesus talks about what happens to these kinds of people in John 15:1-6.


John 15 1-6 ESV:

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

What Jesus is saying here is that there are two kinds of followers those who bear fruit and those who don't. Those who bear fruit cannot do so without the sovereign hand of God guiding them every step of the way. Apart from God our works will always be like filthy rags even in our best efforts. Then there are those who do NOT bear fruit. They will be gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.


Repentance is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Repentance does not save you but rather repentance is a God given evidence that you are saved, sealed, and redeemed. But if you think you are saved yet live in constant and unrepentant sin and your life is categorized by constant willful sin than you are a liar and the truth is not in you as John says in 1 John 4-10. If your heart has never broken into a million pieces because you've committed the same sin over and over again than that's a CLEAR sign that the Holy Spirit is not in you because the Holy Spirit works repentance into the heart of men.

Sinning as a true Christian is like somebody is sawing your heart in half and brings you to the loving and tender mercy of God. Repentance isn't just saying you're sorry once it's a constant battle between your flesh and the Holy Spirit. Christians want to be like Jesus. Our hearts thirst for the righteousness that will one day be fulfilled.

You are saved by faith but the faith that saves is NEVER alone.

How Well does Your Faith Correspond to Your Daily Experience of Life?

Funny, as I wrote that question it occurred to me that it can be taken in two ways. The first way, that I had in mind, had to do with faith being corroborated by daily experience of life... Confirmed, affirmed and supported by life as lived.

The second way has to do with living our lives in conformance to our beliefs.

Perhaps they are related.

I ask the first because so many of our beliefs seem to me to be pie in the sky (ascension, second coming, miracles, Trinity, angels, last days, etc. I don't know about you but I don't experience any of that in my life in a way that is easy to identify. It s all faith. And it doesn't really affect my behavior. The aspect of my faith that affects my behavior is the morality, the self giving, the virtues. And yet all that can still be lived without the faith. Faith gives it meaning and purpose.

So a lot of the content of our faith is not very important to me. What is important to me is that there is a God. Jesus is our personal means of knowing unity with God. And he tells us to follow him.

Hmmm
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Gallup: Nearly three-quarters of American adults vexed about what’s going on at the border

More than 7 in 10 U.S. adults remain seriously concerned about immigrants crossing America’s southern border, according to a new Gallup survey.

The polling company reported Friday that 39% called the border situation a “crisis” and 33% described it as a “major problem.” Another 22% viewed it as a “minor problem” and 5% said it is “not a problem.”

The 72% of Americans who see the border as a crisis or major problem is statistically unchanged from the last time Gallup posed the question in 2019.


Trump 2024!

Kentucky’s ban on gender-transition care takes effect as federal judge lifts injunction

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky’s ban on gender-transition care for young transgender people was restored Friday when a federal judge lifted an injunction he issued last month that had temporarily blocked the restrictions.

The latest ruling by U.S. District Judge David Hale means the Kentucky prohibition takes effect, preventing transgender minors from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

Was Jesus a carpenter?

Mark 6:
3 Isn’t this the carpenter [tektōn]? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Wiki:
In modern scholarship, the word has sometimes been re-interpreted from the traditional meaning of carpenter and has sometimes been translated as craftsman, as the meaning of builder is implied, but can be applied to both wood-work and stone masonry.[8] In his 2021 article in Neotestamentica, Matthew K. Robinson argues that, due to its vagueness (particularly from influence from the LXX), tektōn in Mark 6:3 should be translated according to contextual clues. Referencing ancient literature and recent archeological evidence, Robinson argues that the best translation for tektōn in Mark 6:3 is "builder-craftsman."[10]

International Standard Version:
This is the builder, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon, isn't it? His sisters are here with us, aren't they?" And they were offended by him.
This nuance puts deeper meaning in the following verses:

Mark 13:
2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

John 14:
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Matthew 16:
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 21:
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “’The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Lolo Jones on turning into a 40 year old you know what...

It's sad what the world has turned into...

Looks like I have a lot to look forward too.

Kevin Sorbo really true to the Christian Faith

I would like to know your thoughts on people who condone sin. I ask this question as it relates to Kevin Sorbo and his attitude towards homosexuality, reflecting a non-Christian attitude. I have come across various statements that he has made in his memoir True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life


He recounts early in his modeling career working around a homosexual. This what he had to say, "Very early in my modeling career I worked with a guy named Chris, a photographer in Dallas who openly gay. I’m straight. No big deal. I view sexuality as a private matter and I respect people’s privacy.

Sorbo thinks it is no big deal to be a homosexual? Then there is a statement from the Daily Beast where it makes it clear that he has no objection to homosexuality. "I don’t care what someone’s sexual preference is. That doesn’t bother me in the least.

I am very disappointed with Kevin Sorbo after watching several interviews where he expresses his apathy toward the sin of homosexuality because of his apparent contradiction in his stance. While he criticizes the cultural wave of 'wokeism' imposed on society, he also claims to have no issue with the LGBT community, stating that he has worked with gay individuals throughout his career without being bothered by their lifestyle. He has developed a level of desensitization due to his extensive exposure to a working environment where a substantial portion of his colleagues identify as homosexual. Witnessing what seems like apathy towards what I believe to be sin is disheartening. As Christians, we are called to be the salt of the earth and not to condone sinful behavior. Unfortunately, it appears that Sorbo is accepting homosexuality as moral, which goes against the teachings I hold dear. When someone like Kevin, I don't care if someone is gay or transgender, he is essentially saying to condone their lifestyles. No honest Christian would ever say I am not bothered by homosexuality or other sin.


I can't help but reflect on the story of Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus forgave but also instructed to 'go and sin no more.' We need to follow Jesus' example by addressing sin while showing love and compassion. In today's world, the challenges we face are partially due to individuals who claim to be Christian but are lukewarm in their attitude toward sin. Sorbo may want to convey his tolerance towards various lifestyles to be friendly and loving. However, if he is exhausted from the so-called 'woke' nonsense, I encourage him to acknowledge the biological reality that there are only two genders and that biological males cannot become females, and vice versa.


Then there is the issue of Sorbo and alcohol. As someone who identifies as a Christian, Sorbo's decision to promote and sell alcohol is disheartening, as it contradicts our faith's principles and teachings.


The Bible offers guidance on the topic of alcohol consumption, and several verses express caution and warn against its potential dangers. For example, Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." This verse highlights the deceptive nature of alcohol and its potential to lead people astray.


Furthermore, Ephesians 5:18 advises believers, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." This verse encourages us to seek spiritual fulfillment rather than excessive alcohol consumption.


It is disheartening to see someone like Kevin Sorbo, who has been regarded as a Christian role model, engage in a business that profits from an industry often associated with excess and negative consequences. The sole purpose of drinking alcoholic beverages is to impair one's sobriety, which can lead to poor decision-making and harmful actions.


Moreover, the Bible warns us about the love of money, stating in 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is the root of all evil." It is essential for individuals who claim to be followers of Christ to prioritize their spiritual values above financial gain.


The Bible offers guidance on the topic of alcohol consumption, and several verses express caution and warn against its potential dangers. For example, Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." This verse highlights the deceptive nature of alcohol and its potential to lead people astray.


The world could have more sober-minded people in the world instead of silly and obnoxious drunks.

If Sorbo is genuinely concerned about the trajectory of our nation, there are better ways for him to make a positive impact. Rather than profiting from alcohol, he could create content encouraging people to embrace qualities like godly masculinity, patriotism, and Christian virtues. These topics resonate with many and contribute to a more uplifting and virtuous society.


We must remember that the consumption of alcohol has been linked to numerous adverse outcomes, including accidents resulting in harm or loss of life. Such behavior can have devastating consequences, affecting individuals and innocent bystanders.


Kevin Sorbo's decision to sell a wine called "Christopher Street" on his website indicates his support for LGBT causes. The name "Christopher Street" is significant because it references the street in New York City where the Stonewall riots took place in 1969, considered a significant event in the history of the LGBT rights movement. By choosing to market and sell a bottle of wine with this name, Sorbo associates himself and his brand with the LGBT community and the historical struggle for LGBT rights. It suggests a willingness to support and acknowledge the LGBT community and its history.


Kevin Sorbo has built so much respect from Christians within the United States that he can do or say things that are not aligned with the Bible. For instance, he can celebrate "Pride Month" by waving the rainbow flag at an LGBT parade and still be considered a devout Christian who asked to speak on podcasts like the Babylon Bee. He is immune from any criticism.

Also, he often brags that he has atheists friends and I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 6:14
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

In summary, he has no issue with people who are homosexual or transgender, he consumes alcohol and associates with non-believers. How does make for a solid Christian?


Thank you for allowing me to share my perspective, and I would appreciate your feedback.

Sincerely,

Bastille Day

Today is the national festival in France. On July 14, 1789, a crowd of partisans stormed the Bastille in Paris, intending to free political prisoners. Though only 7 low level prisoners were released, the event is celebrated in France as the opening shot of the French Revolution, and the beginning of the end of the Bourbon monarchy, The First Republic of France lasted until 1804, when Napoleon had himself crowned as Emperor. Though the year before, he did agree to sell us the Louisiana Territory. Which nearly doubled the size of the US.

BTW, the First Republic of France battled Austria and Prussia, who were still monarchies. A song intended to inspire the French military in the conflict was very popular. Of course, it was La Marseillaise which became the national anthem. IMO, it is still the best of all national anthems. What other country's anthem mentions cutting throats, and spilling the enemy's blood into the dirt?


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