essentialsaltes said:

Virginia Democrats release long-awaited 10–1 congressional map​

The case is now before the Virginia Supreme Court, which is expected to hear arguments later this month.

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In victory for Democrats, Virginia Supreme Court says redistricting vote can go forward​

In a big win for Virginia Democrats’ efforts to counter President Donald Trump’s GOP gerrymanders in other states, the Virginia Supreme Court said the state can hold its special election on Democrats’ own redistricting plan. The referendum vote is scheduled to take place on April 21.

Democrats will still have to defend* that plan in court, but the order means that the ongoing legal case will not prevent a redistricting referendum from going forward.

Because a decision in the redistricting case will come after the referendum takes place, the Supreme Court could theoretically void the results of that vote if it rules against Democrats. In practice, a decision overruling voters would be unlikely. [Not in red states!]

essentialsaltes said:

[This is an obvious ethical monstrosity.]

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AKA normal.

essentialsaltes said:

Woman shot by Border Patrol in Chicago asks judge to let her release evidence​

Marimar Martinez is blocked from releasing evidence in her case by what’s known as a “protective order.” Though standard, her attorney says it’s “become an albatross” around her neck and “keeps the entire country in the dark.”​

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Some evidence has been released. Feds have potty mouths, so no link.

Newly released body camera footage shows ... federal immigration agents cruising through Chicago’s South Side with guns already drawn. ... one of them saying, “Do something, [ladydog].” And then it shows the Border Patrol vehicle swerving directly into Marimar Martinez’s car — before an agent jumps out and fires five shots at her.

What a mess!

essentialsaltes said:

Utah Supreme Court Upholds Block on Gerrymandered Congressional Map​

A district court ruled last month the 2021 map unconstitutionally violated the redistricting reforms voters approved through Proposition 4,

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Naturally, Utah Republicans are trying to undo Prop 4.

'Never seen anything like it': Thousands of Utahns want their names removed from Prop 4 repeal​

With just days left to collect signatures in the effort to repeal Proposition 4, county clerks have received more than 2,300 requests from people asking for their signatures to be removed.

More than 85,000 signatures have been verified statewide, according to state data.

During last year's effort to repeal HB267, a bill banning public unions from collective bargaining, more than 320,000 signatures were turned in statewide.

Chapman's office received only 12 requests for signature removal during that referendum — a "huge contrast compared to this."

Better Boundaries, the group behind Proposition 4, launched a campaign earlier this month to encourage voters to remove their names from the petition after KSL reported misleading claims by some petition gatherers.

"When Utahns passed Proposition 4 in 2018, they were clear about what they wanted. Utahns should know exactly what they're signing, and if a repeal effort can't win on the facts, it shouldn't try to win through misleading petition practices."

Utah County also flagged several signature packets as potentially fraudulent, after several gatherers were reported by Utahns for Representative Government.

The repeal effort has received support from President Donald Trump, and his son, Donald Trump Jr., released a video last week with Hunter Nation, urging Utahns to sign.

Good.

Fr. Z

My mother is actively dying now. It has been a long hard path. Probably tomorrow she will go to the hospice. As she approaches her 91st birthday, she is finally succumbing to pulmonary fibrosis. I have reason to believe her other “dies natalis” is much nearer.

With this in mind, something happened today that I’ve prayed for for years.

Today, the local parish priest, a good friend by now, heard my mother’s confession, received her into Holy Catholic Church and confirmed her.

He was exactly the right priest for the questions and explanations. To him I will be always grateful.

As it turns out, her mother converted. Her only sibling, her brother converted. Her only child, her son converted and is a priest. She looked at me when I came into the hospital room after Father had left and, with a smile said, “I’m Catholic!”

The room was full of the scent of Holy Chrism and it was quite strong on her forehead as I went to her.

Her confirmation name is “John”.

Continued below.

the devil, in order to disturb your soul that it may not enjoy such great blessings, will suggest a thousand false fears, and will also cause others to raise them in you (St. Teresa of Avila).

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Satan is the father of lies. One of the biggest lies is that we are not forgiven. If Satan wants to remind us of our past, then we should remind him of his future! Do not fear but embrace the truth! You are loved unconditionally and forgiven of your sins, which are wiped clean and forgotten! Should we not do the same with others and ourselves?

The enemy wants to control our minds. Ever notice that when we find ourselves wanting to forgive others or ourselves that we have a whisper in our ear as to why we shouldn’t forgive? The enemy often tells us that we need to be treated differently. It could be that we aren’t “respected.” How about, “I shouldn’t be talked to that way?” Ever hear that one whispered to you or have that thought come into your mind? When that occurs we know that the enemy is at work, trying to control our thoughts and minds.

In order to counter these tactics, we must use the weapons that God has given us to win this battle with the enemy. There are seven steps that lead us to victory on the battlefield of the mind.

The first, and most important, is to surrender our lives, our hearts and our souls to Jesus. When I pray over people, the Lord has given me insights through the “word of knowledge,” as to whether or not their hearts are open to the Lord’s love and healing. Many times there is lack of forgiveness, sin that is serious and unconfessed and weak faith. The first thing I do in these circumstances is ask them to pray the “sinner’s prayer” with their hearts and give their life to Jesus. The Lord can’t fill what is already filled with people’s own desires. We must surrender our hopes, fears, dreams, will, sins, family, finances and anything else we are putting ahead of the Lord. When we are an empty vessel, everything changes. Lack of forgiveness melts away and miracles flow into our lives. If we are not empty of our own flesh, we will not achieve victory on the battlefield of the mind.

Continued below.

This Mardi Gras, have your cake and eat it for breakfast

Last month, while most cities were boxing up their holiday decorations, New Orleans slipped seamlessly into its festive attire. During Carnival season, there’s hardly a terrace or street corner without a fleur-de-lis, strands of shining beads, or garlands in purple, green, and gold. At Birdy’s Behind the Bower, even the cinnamon rolls receive a carnival coating—a sweet nod to a beloved Mardi Gras tradition.

Continued below.

Birdy’s King Cake Cinnamon Rolls​

YIELD: 24 ROLLS

FOR THE DOUGH BASE​

• • 2 cups milk
  • ⅔ cup high-gluten flour

FOR THE DOUGH​

• • 4 cups milk
  • 4 cups high-gluten flour
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 8 tsp. yeast
  • 4 tsp. salt
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup soft butter

FOR THE FILLING​

• • ⅓ cup high-gluten flour
  • 1 tbsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp. salt
  • 1½ cups brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING​

• • ¼ lb. cream cheese
  • 14 tbsp. softened butter
  • 4 tbsp. milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • ½ tsp. salt

FOR THE MARDI GRAS SUGAR​

• • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • Purple, green, and gold (or yellow) food coloring

PREPARATION​

1. Create the dough base: Whisk milk and flour in a medium pot over heat until thick like a roux. Use a rubber spatula to scrape roux into a large mixer.
2. Make the dough: Add each ingredient individually into the mixing bowl on top of the roux. Mix with the dough hook attachment on speed 1 until incorporated. Increase to speed 2 and mix until you have a smooth dough, about 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Prepare a medium or large mixing bowl with pan spray. Use a bowl scraper to scoop dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic and leave to proof for 30 minutes.
4. Prepare the filling: Combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl. Melt butter and add to the bowl along with the vanilla. Use a gloved hand to combine; set aside.
5. Prepare the frosting: Gather all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and combine with a hand mixer.
6. Shape and bake rolls: Generously flour your work surface. Turn out the dough and flour the top.
7. Using a rolling pin, roll dough into a large rectangle, approximately 3 feet x 1 foot. Spread the filling on it by hand, leaving a couple of bare inches at the top of the rectangle.
8. Begin rolling the bottom of the rectangle onto itself longways. Pull tight between each roll as if you’re rolling a sleeping bag.
9. Cut into 24 even-sized rolls, and arrange them on two large parchment-lined sheet pans. Spray tops of rolls with pan spray and wrap loosely in plastic wrap to proof for up to one hour.
10. Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before frosting.
11. While rolls are baking, prepare sugar: Divide sugar evenly between three lidded containers, one for each color. Add two drops of food coloring into each container, and shake well to combine.
12. Decorate and serve: Plate the cinnamon rolls on a platter and sprinkle with Mardi Gras sugar in your desired pattern. Enjoy!

An ancient road built in the days of Jesus that led from the Pool of Siloam up to the Jerusalem Temple Mount has been opened to the public for the first time.

The so-called “Pilgrim’s Path” is believed to have been built on the orders of King Herod or Pontius Pilate. Archaeologists have spent two decades excavating the road, which runs underneath a predominantly Palestinian neighborhood.

Among the finds discovered were a Jewish ritual bath and a podium, possibly used for public announcements or Scripture reading. Many of the finds have been in relatively good condition, as counterintuitively, the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans ensured that the road wasn't worn down by use.

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Hans Blaster said:

OK, there Mr. Partisan-attack-guy.

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There ya go again - default position making things personal.... sad really =

MarkSB said:

Riiight. Just like all those 2020 election cheating claims.

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I was referring to the quoted post -

Legislation aims to combat child marriage

LAHORE, Pakistan — In a landmark move welcomed by Christian rights advocates, the governor of Pakistan’s Punjab Province on Wednesday signed into law an ordinance raising the minimum legal age of marriage to 18, and making child marriage a non-bailable offense punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Gov. Saleem Haider Khan signed the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026 into effect under Article 128(1) of the Constitution, as the provincial assembly is not currently in session. The ordinance takes immediate effect across the country’s most populous province, home to more than 120 million people, including a significant Christian minority.

The ordinance replaces provisions of the nearly century-old Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, under which the legal marriage age was 18 for men and 16 for women. The new measure eliminates that gender-based distinction by setting 18 as the minimum age for both sexes.

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Dave... said:

Why did Paul contrast the Law with Abrahams faith when speaking of justification in Romans 4, since the Law didn't exists when Abraham had his faith?

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Was not P simply stating that faith in God and the Law were the same thing, trusting in the Will of God over our own?

A day after former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson declared war against processed foods in a Super Bowl commercial, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that his agency's war with ultra-processed foods, which he says are poisoning the population, is “spiritual.”

“Most cases of juvenile diabetes, you can actually lose the diagnosis by simply changing your diet. And … many doctors don't know how to give that kind of advice. Eighty percent of physicians say they don't feel competent to give nutritional advice because they're learning pharmacology in medical school and there's a pill for every ill,” Kennedy said during a discussion at the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation on Monday.

“We're not focusing on what the causes are and how to prevent them. And if we're going to beat this, that's what we have to do. You know the primary culprit is ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, 70% of the food that our kids eat is ultra-processed foods, and it's killing them,” he added. “It's a spiritual warfare.”

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Danthemailman said:

Speaking of Gene Simmons.

Gene Simmons Responds to ‘I’m Not from the Ghetto’ Rock Hall Rant Backlash (Exclusive) https://share.google/L5XwkIHK2UkibRys8

Ultimately, Simmons jests, "One, I admire and respect hip-hop. Two, it is not rock 'n' roll. And three, when are Led Zeppelin and AC/DC going to be inducted into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame?"

Gene should have simply said, "these are two different genres of music that should have two different award ceremonies," and left it at that. He could have left out the, "I'm not from the ghetto" wisecrack.

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He could have pointed out how goofy the rock hall of fame is sometimes. They induct performers like Dolly Parton and Belafonte ( both perfectly talented but not rock & roll). Yet it wasn’t until 2025 that Chubby Checker & Bad Company were finally inducted.

“Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves,” he writes. “Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities.”

Strong in Him said:

Because you're not all knowing, all powerful, able to be everywhere at the same time, eternal or perfect.

God has many names; El Shaddai, Adonai, Jehovah, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah Elohiym, Jehovah M'Kaddesh, Jehovah Nissi, Shepherd, healer, Lord, Abba and so on. Each describes an aspect of his character.

What's your point?

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And in 1 Cor 12:12 we are one BODY in CHRIST //

And in 1 Cor 12:15 we are. CHRIST FOOT

In verse 16 we are HIS EAR

IN. verse 17 we are HIS EYE 'S and are his HEARING. and HIS SENSE OF SMELL.

So we are CHRIST , now about that IF you ARE part of the BODY of . CHRIST ONLY !!

And and this what the APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES is just. one thing that. he teaches SAVED BY GRAVE

IN. ROM 10:9B ANDB 10 AND IN EPH 2:8. !!

dan p

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What does this suggest about the nature of abstract thought and human/animal distinction?

Akita Suggagaki said:

Good bye Earth as we have known it.

Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change​

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/climate/trump-epa-greenhouse-gases-climate-change.html

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Pretty sad.

FaithT said:

I’ll probably fail the first day.

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Don't worry about it.

Anon0 said:

I definitely struggle with prayer it's a lot of silence most of the time mixed in with my mind drifting. Its hard.

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Try the prayers in Eph 1 and Eph 3 to pray for yourself and others. Many find those quite good.

BBAS 64 said:

Good day, Jonas

The best NT scholar in MHO that handles the Parables would be DA Carson..

There are many web links for DA Carson on the Parable of the soils that you may find helpful.

His excellent work on "Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament" is a must have.

In Him,

Bill

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Good day Bill,

I couldn't find an analyse from D. A. Carson, but here is what Matthew Henry had to say about the stony soil: no root means no union by faith to Christ our root. Such people are pleased by the word of God, and it makes some effects in them, but it doesn't rule or transform them. As for the outside, changes happen quickly (comp. v.5b), but there is no change in the inside (comp. Matt. 23:25-16). Such people are also like the man that started building a tower without first counting the costs, so that he couldn't finish it (Lk 14:28-29), altough he may have been very quick and enthousiastic to start the work!

That's enough for me to conclude, that with the sprouting and the springing up of the seed, Jesus didn't want to illustrate for us the new birth, but the effects of the word of God in the hearts of the 3 different categories of its hearers that have at least some degree of reception of it, but may or may not produce fruit at the end. What is highlighted in the illustration of the wheat without fruit, and of the clouds without water in Jud. 1:12, is the possessing of the form of godliness while lacking the power thereof (II Tim. 3:15).

NAYEREH ARJANEH​

IRAN​

On July 7, 2025 Nayereh Arjaneh and her husband Qasem Esmaili were arrested at their home for attending a Christian seminar in Turkey. She was initially released on bail and later convicted of “promoting deviant propaganda and teachings contrary to Islamic law” and “providing financial and material support to groups affiliated with Zionist Christianity.”

Nayereh received five years in prison for each offense, plus two years internal exile in Kerman province and a two year travel ban. She is serving both sentences concurrently. Her husband received a prison sentence of three years and six months but has been given permission to delay his prison term as he is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Nayereh began serving her 10-year sentence in December 2025.

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Semnan Central Prison
Semnan Province
Region 1
Iran

SAMPLE LETTERS TO PRISONERS


Please DO
Write in English and write as neatly as you are able to. Your letter must be legible to be translated (Many people study English, so there will often be someone to translate your letter).

• Express your Christian love and tell them that you are praying for them (then do!) They, in turn, will be praying for you!
• Keep your letter brief and loving – one page is enough.
• Include Bible verses.
• Hand write the address on envelopes accurately and mark it AIRMAIL; make sure the postage is correct.
• You may include a snapshot of yourself, your family or your prayer group if you want to make your letter even more personal and special.

Please DON'T
Do not write about politics or criticise the government.

• Never mention the source of your information or the name of any organisation such as Voice of the Martyrs. It is not dangerous for a prisoner to receive letters from an individual, but if an organisation is mentioned, they may be accused of links with “foreign organisations” and receive even harsher sentences.
• Use words that might imply some kind of hidden activity e.g. “thank you for the Christian work that you have done in Vietnam” might imply that the prisoner had done some covert work for a foreign organisation to subvert the government.
• Build up hopes and expectations of prisoners – and likewise, don’t make any offer of help unless you intend to act on it!
• Use religious jargon, sermonize, or be presumptuous about the prisoner’s situation, needs or feelings.
• Quote verses which refer to war, fighting, armour, weapons (eg ‘the sword of the spirit’, ‘fighting the good fight of faith’, ‘the armour of God’ etc).

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bling said:

It does not say: “Jesus spoke in the ears of Peter”, but he remembered and Jesus said the Spirit would give them a wonderful memory.

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The steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord. It would seem that he was reminded of what Jesus said in Acts 1 about Johns past water baptism right when the Gentiles were coming in. This is telling.it would seem that Peter was in some respect still following Johns water baptism. But it also looks like he was not needed to do this. And the Gentiles in Acts 10 were saved and filled with the Spirit and saved by grace before any water baptism.

bling said:

We agree when Paul says in 1 Cor. 1 “he is glade in he did not baptize more”, he was referring specifically to water baptism.

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But the point to notice is that he thanked God he baptized so few. If water baptism was as important as some make it he should have baptized everyone who got saved in Corinth.But he told them the gospel he preach abnd they believed was not connected to water baptism in 1 Cor. 15:1-4.when the baptism issue became an issue Paul says “besides” .. all this baptism talk. He pushes it aside and he even says that the cross of Christ could be made if none effect by men seeking to add a old testament ritual of water baptism to the gospel, and have all sorts of words to explain how a ritual is needed .But Paul says, not with the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. The cross is against all works of the flesh and manuscripts to justify themselves.

Paul said similar in Galatians 6 about circumcision how sone constrained them to do it lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

bling said:

Yet Paul did baptize some people in Corinth (household of Stephanas, Crispus and Gaius)

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Crispys was a Jew as we read

Acts 18: 8. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”

The other two may have been Gentiles there is some discussion about Stephany’s possibly being a Jew in the region.

But. These were early in the church when the Jewish issues were still strong and the Gentiles coming into the church were connected to the Jews. It seems Paul had a revelation about water baptism not being needed for him to do later. Paul also circumcised Timothy in Acts 16 even though he was not sent to circumcise. Don’t seems he condescended to the times they were in.

Paul also went into the temple with the Christian Jews in Acts 21 and there were still keeping all the law and sacrificing animals etc and keeping the customs

bling said:

and these are not Hebrew names and there seemed to be very few Jewish Christians in Corinth and Paul seems to be addressing only Gentiles in Corinth. Paul also gave the specific reason: “so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.” And, Paul did not give the reason: “Because water baptism is not needed or was it wrong”. Paul talks a whole lot about Jewish rituals especially: Jewish Dietery requirements, circumcision and Sabbath days, but never mentions the Gentile were not to be water Baptized.

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Paul did say that the Gentiles we’re not to be circumcised in Galatians 2 referring to Titus who was not a Jew but he did go along for a time with the Jewish believers when he circumcised Timothy in Acts 16 so as not to offend them.

I see water baptism similar Paul saw the Jewish custom and following diverse washings and carnal ordinances for a time . But when it became an issue (as circumcision did) he stood against it.

bling said:

Your not addressing the issue, the bible does not say: “Peter thought he was baptizing them into Jesus Christ, with water baptism, but was not”.

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Peter in that sane chapter seemed to argue with God a

bling said:

Again! I am not saying the water saved them, God does that.

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Maybe you’re not saying that but many many do. Many may even say “oh, no, water baptism is not needed for salvation, but you must do it or rise we would doubt your salvation.

bling said:

We know for certain Gentiles were water baptized.

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And the Jewish believers were trying to make the Gentiles come under the law and live like the Jews. But Paul had to withstand this.

Galatians 2: 14. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”

bling said:

I agree at least some Jewish Christians were trying to get the gentile Christians to become Jews to be Christians and this might have gone on even a little after 70 AD, but Gentile and Jewish Christians were water Baptized and that is not specifically shown to be wrong.

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Some among them also tried to get the Gentiles to be circumcised and keep the whole law to be saved and this was disputed much later in Acts 15, many many years after Pentecost.

Acts 15: 5. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 6. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.”

So, what I see is that Paul was aware of this tension and do as not to offend the Jews he went along with some of the rituals and other things for a time. This would remove a barrier of him working among them in ministry. But when baptism was becoming more than it was in the old. Covenant and among the diverse washings and carnal ordinances that were to pass sway in the tone of reformation? He took issues and he did similarly with circumcision as is evident in scripture.