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  • 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.

Do you believe a Christian can no longer be a believer?

So you understand and agree with the point I originally made about 1 Corinthians 10:13 (coppied below for convenience)?

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Co 10:12–13)​

Do you see in 1 Co 10:13 that every time a person succumbs to temptation that it reprepresents a failure to take the way of escape that God provided?​
He does provide a way of escape ... but often people don't take it ... this is true.
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ICE arrests illegal immigrant in Massachusetts accused of stabbing coworker with scissors, trash bin attack


DHS says the crowd shouted obscenities at the ICE agents, saying that they were "going to kill you and your kids."

Witnesses at the scene painted a different picture

...Fitchburg police officers remained positioned between the agents and the crowds, repeatedly telling concerned neighbors that they could not interfere in the arrest.

...Ojeda-Montoya was taken into custody around 9 a.m. and transported to Cumberland County Jail in Scarborough, Maine, according to a DHS spokesperson. She will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings

"The role of the Fitchburg Police Department in this type of situation is to keep the peace. Keeping the peace includes making sure both the public as a whole as well as the federal law enforcement agents are safe," police said. "The Fitchburg Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws, nor do we interfere with the lawful actions of other law enforcement agencies."

Fitchburg's mayor, Sam Squailia, released a lengthy statement on Friday, saying in part:

"As outlined in the Fitchburg Police Department’s press release, our officers were called after the stop had already escalated. These unannounced federal actions place our local officers in an impossible situation. When federal agents report they are 'in danger,' our officers are obligated to respond. Our officers do not participate in federal immigration enforcement, they respond to keep the peace, to prevent escalation, and to protect the safety of everyone on scene. Our officers’ have a limited role: scene safety, de-escalation, traffic control, and people’s rights protection. "

Ojeda-Montoya was arrested back in August of this year. She has not been tried or convicted.

Kudos to the Fitchburg police.
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end the filibuster?

The 60 vote supermajority is our only hope of getting the parties to work together now and in the future.
We've seen the crazed ideologues planted in the courts by the Federalist Society, which has rewritten the meaning of the Constitution to match its oligarchial goals. This would never have happened in the past, although a few snuck through (Thomas, Alito.)
Although I'd be thrilled to see no filibuster when Democrats are in power, the potential for damage is overwhelming at the current time.
The failed experiment of ending the filibuster for judicial appointments will make our country suffer for generations.
same could apply if democrats are in power there is a reason for the 60 votes and that goes for BOTH parties. I am sure that at some point in the 200+ years of this country for at least two years one party has had 60 votes ( or whatever the number was at the time before there were 50 states. It is not like it is 90 votes or anything.
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Palisades Fire live updates: Wildfires spread in Los Angeles, prompting mandatory evacuations, as Santa Ana winds expected to intensify

The Los Angeles Conservancy said Friday afternoon that 32 properties it considered historic because of their architectural or cultural significance were claimed by the fires, which have destroyed or damaged more than 9,000 structures.

Some of the historic buildings, including ... [Will] Rogers’ Western-style Palisades home, had formal landmark status on the National Register of Historic Places

Will Rogers State Historic Park to reopen after being ravaged in Palisades fire

  • The fire destroyed Rogers’ historic 31-room ranch house and roughly 300 trees planted by the cowboy-humorist, though staff saved some artifacts.
Will Rogers State Historic Park, which has been closed since the Palisades fire ripped through it 10 months ago, will reopen to the public on Saturday, providing a sprawling green oasis in the devastated community.
About half of the park’s nine miles of hiking and equestrian hiking trails will open, as will the 99-year-old polo field, lawns and picnic spaces, according to California State Parks.

The Palisades fire incinerated Rogers’ century-old wooden ranch house — a place filled with Navajo rugs; custom, Western-style Monterey couches and chairs; and a vast book collection that included signed first editions by Helen Keller, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harry Houdini. Flames also tore through Rogers’ white-and-green horse stable, which had an elegant central rotunda.

[During the fire] Maintenance and restoration staffers started sprinklers atop the buildings and on hillsides, she said, and workers spent about two and a half hours stuffing State Parks pickup trucks and personal vehicle with historic treasures.

They saved paintings, pottery, sculptures, Native American rugs, and the typewriter that Rogers used to compose his newspaper columns. But a tour favorite — a stuffed roping calf given by a friend, artist Ed Borein, who had grown tired of Rogers lassoing him — burned. So did the furniture, book collection, and a newly restored hand-crank barrel piano.

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Underground Chinese bishop who said his life ‘consists of speaking about Jesus’ dies at 90

An underground Chinese Catholic bishop from the Diocese of Zhengding has died at 90 years old.

Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo, a Catholic bishop in China renowned for his unwavering adherence to the Church despite decades of persecution at the hands of the Chinese government, passed away on Oct. 29.

A member of the underground Church, unsanctioned by the Chinese government, Zhiguo was bishop of the Zhengnding Diocese in the Hebei Province. He was known for having a missionary spirit, promoting priestly training, caring for children with disabilities, and maintaining communion with Rome.

Born on May 1, 1935, in Wuqiu Village, Jinzhou City, Zhiguo was ordained a priest in 1980 by Bishop Fan Xueyan of Baoding, who later consecrated him as bishop, according to Vatican News’ Chinese-language site.

Continued below.
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Maybe you'd never guess...

Trump is trying to assist Latin American governments as stable trading partners instead of China filling the vacuum.



Much more work needs to be done for US farmers but a start has been made with soybean sales resuming with China.


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‘This is our faith in action:’ Catholic groups expand food aid amid SNAP cuts

As federal food benefits have been frozen during the government shutdown, Catholic dioceses and charities around the country are holding emergency food drives and launching fundraising efforts.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will resume once the government passes a bill to fund the federal government — but, more than a month into the shutdown, there is no set end date in sight.

Two federal district judges at the end of October moved to compel the Trump administration to pay for SNAP benefits, but because Congress has not yet authorized funding for federal government operations, the Trump administration asked an appeals court on Friday to block the orders and continue with partial SNAP payments.

The pause in SNAP benefits is estimatedto affect about 42 million Americans.

Continued below.

Amid clown protesters, Boston men’s march for life remains ‘prayerful’

Here is a roundup of recent pro-life and abortion-related news:

Amid clown protesters, Boston men’s march for life remains ‘prayerful’​

Hundreds gathered in Boston last Saturday for a men’s march for life, which drew a rambunctious crowd of protesters dressed as clowns and inflatable dinosaurs.

The fourth annual National Men’s March to Abolish Abortion and Rally for Personhood began at Boston Planned Parenthood and concluded about three miles away at Boston Common.

While counterprotesters — some dressed as clowns or wearing inflatable dinosaur costumes — played instruments and yelled on the sidelines, marchers carried on in a “prayerful and well-composed” manner, said march co-founder and president Jim Havens, who called the event “outstanding.”

At the rallying point at Boston Common, an estimated 50 Antifa members also showed up. Another counterprotester wore a pony costume and carried a megaphone.

Continued below.

Will MAGA condemn Texan gerrymandering and sign a petition for all States and Feds to have independent Commissions handling redistributions?

I would fully support such legislation....but, if gerrymandering is perfectly legal, and Texas is going to do it to favor the GOP, I see no problem with California or any other state doing the same thing. What's good for the goose and all that.

-- A2SG, how dare democrats do what republicans are already doing!!
Precisely. Republicans are angry and indignant that the democrats are leveling the playing field. I suspect that if all blue state were to do this, we'd finally see some progress in eliminating corruption in redistricting.
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Republican congressman introduces resolution condemning Christian persecution in Nigeria: ‘America cannot be silent’

Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., has introduced a resolution condemning the violent persecution of Christians in Nigeria and calling for decisive U.S. action to hold perpetrators accountable. The move follows President Donald Trump’s recent announcement designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

The resolution, supported by at least 20 House Republicans, demands that the U.S. government pressure Nigerian authorities to protect Christians and end impunity for attacks by armed groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and Fulani militants, according to a press release from Moore’s office.

Moore’s measure urges the repeal of Nigeria’s blasphemy laws, the release of prisoners jailed for religious offenses and the safe return of displaced Christians to their homes. It also calls for direct humanitarian aid to victims through faith-based and nongovernmental organizations.

“The United States must make it clear that we will not tolerate the slaughter of Christians or the persecution of anyone for their belief in Jesus Christ,” Moore said in the statement. “I want to thank President Trump for his bold and unwavering leadership in defense of Christians in Nigeria.”

Continued below.

Can unbelievers lose their damnation?

A theological question that gets debated regularly is whether or not believers can lose their salvation. But what about unbelievers? Can they lose their damnation?

Believers are able to enjoy the assurance of salvation as they trust Jesus to be forgiven of their sins and earnestly seek to say "no" to temptation. Unbelievers, on the other hand, are on the path to damnation, rather than salvation.

The worst possible outcome for an individual is to end up in Hell. Jesus often spoke about this horrific place. When the Lord described those who lose their soul, He was essentially speaking about people who refuse to lose their damnation (see Mark 8:36).

I am very glad that "Christ died for sins once for all," (1 Peter 3:18) and that "God wants everyone to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).

I am also thankful that unbelievers can "lose" their damnation by gaining Heaven and "losing" Hell.

Comedian Bill Maher has claimed for years that the concept of Hell is used by religious groups to scare and control people. Sadly, Bill completely misses the point. Jesus spoke regularly about Hell in order to warn people about its existence, while explaining how to stay out of it.

Bill Maher will turn 70 in a couple of months. Time is running out for him, just like it eventually does for each one of us. But some Christians continue to pray for Maher's conversion. Unbelievers lose their damnation by repenting of their sins and believing in Jesus as Savior.

Continued below.

George Santos claims to understand grace after prison release: 'No one is beyond redemption'

Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., penned an op-ed this week explaining that his recent prison sentence humbled him and helped him to understand the nature of grace.

"When I entered prison in July, I thought I knew what to expect. I thought humility would come gently. Instead, it came like a storm," Santos wrote in a Wednesday piece for The Spectator titled "George Santos's prison diary."

Santos, who became the sixth member of Congress and first Republican to be expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 311–114 in December 2023, was sentenced in April to 87 months — more than seven years — in federal prison after pleading guilty in August 2024 to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

On Oct. 17, President Donald Trump commuted Santos' sentence, characterizing it as excessive and noting Santos had been "horribly mistreated" by prison authorities, who subjected him to 41 days of solitary confinement because of an alleged death threat against him.

Continued below.

‘Traditional family values’ Michigan lawmaker Bryan Posthumus appears in adult hookup sites

Gonna play devils advocate here, but.. this was more than 10 years ago, and years before he got into politics. Perhaps he turned over a new leaf?
I agree that that is worth considering.
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Do Not Worry: Sermon on the Mount Series - Devotional Saturday

"You worry too much!" I'm sure you've heard someone tell you that before, I know I have. On today's Devotional Saturday, we're going to look at what Jesus say's about worrying, and how we shouldn't continue to worry!
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A challenge to a faith we've all come to know

I consider Galatians 5:16-18 to be the key passage dealing with not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. It informs us that the flesh can not be reformed because it is in adversarial opposition to the Spirit. It tells us that we thwart its desires when we carry out the desires of the Spirit because their desires are in adversarial opposition to one another. And it tells us that walking in the Spirit is not another form of legalism because being led by a person is different than being led by the precepts of law.

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Ga 5:16–18)​

Our sin nature and human spirit was cleansed by the blood of Jesus when we were born again, it is the flesh and it's habits that The Holy Spirit is dealing with. We are no longer dominated by sin in our lives because of the blood of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is to constantly have victory over the flesh, so I would disagree about the flesh not being reformed. We are not living in a war where no side has victory.

How are we to move on to "perfection" (a word used by the writer of Hebrews) if the constant struggle of the flesh and The Holy Spirit is a stalemate?

I don't think I understand the question. What does it mean to be "plagued with sin" -- a problem that people are plagued with today that wasn't experienced by people in NT times?

It's just a question that I posed on here.

I find it funny that the website would codify a rule against victory over sin. If people's lives on here amount to nothing more than a constant struggle with sin year after year after year, then people on here don't have The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not winning the war for them because He is not there in the battle.
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Incarnation of the Word

Deep thing of all deep things

Almighty God willingly became part of His own creation

The infinite entered into the finite

The eternal one confined Himself in time and space

Right after the fall of men, seed of a woman promised

Through the prophets, words of God made manifest to us

But in the last days, God revealed Himself through His Son

Jesus, the Christ

The Word became flesh

Born of a virgin

Tabernacled with us

Full of grace

And full of truth

21 Volcanoes Awakening: Alaska to California Chain Reaction Explained

I only stumbled across this by accident. This sounds pretty ominious. It seems some ancient volcanoes are awakening. Not just one but a chain of them from Alaska to California. Some of them ancient monsters that have been dormant for almost a million years.

Some engulfed in ice and potentially could cause massive flooding and mud slides. Many earthquakes and tremors are occurring and there could also be massive earthquakes.

Nevermind global warming this is happening now and soon and will poison the atmosphere more than any human made pollution in one week if it goes off. Let alone the potential devastation from all the natural disasters that come as a result.

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anyone know anything about Gematria?

If you divide each number in the Fibonacci sequence by the previous number, you get a value that approaches Ф more closely the higher the numerical values in the Fibonacci sequence are.

If you divide the two Fibonacci numbers f2220/f2219, the result matches Ф to 926 decimal places


1762606762857.jpeg


f2019 =
39496686472772163397874981928532586937785000709985018165227544505583956123892491583992043369010510473
85247487182391994962865614469262648818010570797721294722578492755512584782206543582603736371692471456
55532984789099567982455987591686523392448384886703286324769254401913936917419203129353462418000348

f2020 =
63906981155943558665134927398528713938196200043745871355763079787265151995322001898071485437809065533
30626730359600717487382502427309564797464987891361609676660424806600864939566234376426028653405900329
06541161269573624067458665079353663697128421389300140388885722273984907422877223586713672357091891665
48965693916054419169307250217586108972590100204080980670597873094617540854443783530320723473081393553
497241453257464515

From the 926th digit of this result, the following three digits are 888!

1762607074445.jpeg


1762607117893.jpeg


f888 =
17042744758500729686359484158429089109203378912667344414446366147213244111051532910176783885547703752
8819542860407946827372937133572246650870983571624734000338513658722542956142033546656

f887 =
105329955223425693626361637911416227912198933629226946103020279889117725154960205237795007418050283828
402747261891594496

f888/f887 yields a match of 370 with Ф! Numbers


370 is the gematria of Shalem

Melchizedek was king of Salem!

The expression

King of Salem
מלך שלם


has a gematria of 460

melech Shalem (King of Salem)
מלך שלם
13. מ Mem 40
12. ל Lamed 30
11. כ כּ Kaf/Khaf 20
Σ 90
21. שׂ שׁ Shin/Sin 300
12. ל Lamed 30
13. מ Mem 40
Σ 370
370
+90 = 460!

1762607397968.jpeg


Starting with the first decimal place of Ф, the numbers 460 follow at position 370.

The number 370 appears for the first time in π at position 555

1762607484074.jpeg


The word Christ appears exactly 555 times in the King James Bible

1762607542593.jpeg
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The deity of Jesus Christ

In the beginning was the Word

And the Word was with God

And the Word was God

He was in the beginning with God

All things came into being through Him

In Him was life

And the life was the Light of men

The Light shines in the darkness

Jesus, the Christ

Messiah of the Most High

Blessed be the Lord

Blessed be the Lord indeed

The Last Lifeline

When things have reached such a pass, in order to return to health, we may have to pull up the old evil by the roots. The saintly king Josiah did not simply encourage the worship of the true God, while permitting the well-established and well-heeled idolatry to go on in his midst. As soon as he was of age to command, “he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images,” smashing the altars of Baal, reducing the images to dust, and strewing it over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. (2 Chronicles 34:3-4)

Bishops against Bishops: the Proven Solution

Faithful Catholics compare today’s bishops with the saintly bishops of old and they find the former woefully lacking in manly courage. They do not seem to act like men of God should – with zeal, filled with faith and charity.

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