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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.
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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.
Stealing from God's glory? I wanted to be famous for God.
- By Michie
- Daily Devotionals
- 0 Replies
In 1989, I went off to college at Liberty University to become a young champion for Christ. What I didn’t realize then that I realize now as a 54-year-old man is that my ambition may have been more selfish than noble. My goal was more misguided than godly. Truth be told, I wanted to be great for God for my own sake. I didn’t really want to magnify God’s greatness to the world.
I recently began this new Bible reading plan and came across Genesis 11:
Certainly, there are worse things to be famous for. But I have learned along the way that my desire to make a name for myself is futile, vain, and unproductive to the advancement of God’s Kingdom on earth. In Genesis 11, we see God sending a spirit of confusion over their lives so that they were dispersed and unable to do what they wanted to do. They wanted to make a name for themselves.
Continued below.
www.christianpost.com
I recently began this new Bible reading plan and came across Genesis 11:
Toward the beginning of time, humanity wanted to make a name for itself. If the truth be told, when I went off to college, I wanted to make a name for myself. I wanted to be famous for God. But did I want God to be famous in me?
Certainly, there are worse things to be famous for. But I have learned along the way that my desire to make a name for myself is futile, vain, and unproductive to the advancement of God’s Kingdom on earth. In Genesis 11, we see God sending a spirit of confusion over their lives so that they were dispersed and unable to do what they wanted to do. They wanted to make a name for themselves.
Continued below.
Stealing from God's glory? I wanted to be famous for God.
I have learned along the way that my desire to make a name for myself is futile
www.christianpost.com
11 indicted in Chinese marriage fraud scam to gain US citizenship China used scheme to gain unauthorized access to military installations
- By Michie
Eleven individuals have been indicted in Florida for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to arrange fraudulent marriages between U.S. citizens and Chinese nationals in order to obtain legal immigration status, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The indictment, unsealed this week, accuses the defendants of recruiting Americans, especially U.S. military personnel, to participate in staged marriages with Chinese nationals in exchange for cash payments.
The scheme allegedly ran from March 2024 through February 2025 and involved activity across several states, including Florida, New York, Connecticut and Nevada.
According to the indictment, one of the primary defendants, Anny Chen, 54, of New York, worked with others to recruit service members for sham marriages and helped coordinate photo sessions to create the appearance of genuine relationships.
Continued below.
www.christianpost.com
The indictment, unsealed this week, accuses the defendants of recruiting Americans, especially U.S. military personnel, to participate in staged marriages with Chinese nationals in exchange for cash payments.
The scheme allegedly ran from March 2024 through February 2025 and involved activity across several states, including Florida, New York, Connecticut and Nevada.
According to the indictment, one of the primary defendants, Anny Chen, 54, of New York, worked with others to recruit service members for sham marriages and helped coordinate photo sessions to create the appearance of genuine relationships.
Continued below.
11 indicted in Chinese marriage fraud scam to gain US citizenship
Eleven individuals have been indicted in Florida for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to arrange fraudulent marriages between U S citizens and Chinese nationals in order to obtain legal
www.christianpost.com
Lawmakers gather for prayer, repentance in DC amid deep divisions: 'Holy desperation'
- By Michie
- General Politics
- 0 Replies
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, joined Christians from around the country earlier this week at the Museum of the Bible for a national day of repentance, while highlighting the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide.
Speakers at the four-hour 2026 National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance, which was hosted by the Family Research Council (FRC) on Wednesday, also urged listeners to remember the Christian heritage of the United States and to return to God as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.
'Let us be found faithful'
Continued below.
www.christianpost.com
Speakers at the four-hour 2026 National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance, which was hosted by the Family Research Council (FRC) on Wednesday, also urged listeners to remember the Christian heritage of the United States and to return to God as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.
'Let us be found faithful'
Continued below.
Lawmakers gather for prayer, repentance in DC amid deep divisions: 'Holy desperation'
Lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La , and Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, joined Christians from around the country earlier this week at the Museum of the Bible for a national day of
www.christianpost.com
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'Does DHS ever not lie?' Firestorm ignites as FBI blows apart ICE shooting narrative
The inconsistency was flagged by Cato Institute immigration expert David J. Bier, who told his followers on X that the affidavit shows an ICE agent shot a man while he was fleeing – not acting in self-defense – as DHS initially claimed.
“An FBI affidavit admits that an ICE agent shot a man while he was fleeing from 10 feet away, not--as DHS claimed--while the agent was being beaten with a shovel,” Bier wrote.
“This is part of a pattern where DHS's initial account of any controversy includes many inaccuracies,” he added in a follow-up post.
The revelation quickly sparked sharp criticism online.
“Does DHS ever not lie?” conservative analyst Bill Kristol wrote on social media Friday.
“An FBI affidavit admits that an ICE agent shot a man while he was fleeing from 10 feet away, not--as DHS claimed--while the agent was being beaten with a shovel,” Bier wrote.
“This is part of a pattern where DHS's initial account of any controversy includes many inaccuracies,” he added in a follow-up post.
The revelation quickly sparked sharp criticism online.
“Does DHS ever not lie?” conservative analyst Bill Kristol wrote on social media Friday.
'White saviors'' use of whistles causes bitter internal rift inside anti-ICE movement
- By Michie
- General Politics
- 0 Replies
Organizations from Seattle to Maryland tell predominantly white activists to quit 'White Savior' behavior during ICE operations
Immigrant groups have a message for their mostly White allies: Quit blowing the whistle on ICE.
Fox News Digital has reviewed days of messages inside Signal chat rooms that reveal that a new internal feud has erupted inside the anti-ICE protest industry, pitting immigrant-led organizations against predominately White "rapid response" networks that have made whistle-blowing a dramatic part of anti-ICE protests.
In one dismissal, a "rapid responder" in Seattle reported back that "immigrant networks are being weird."
Groups from Seattle to Montgomery County, Md., are telling mostly White "rapid responders" to back off a dynamic described by activists as "White Savior," reminding them they are not cameo actors in an "action movie" against ICE.
Continued below.
'White saviors'' use of whistles causes bitter internal rift inside anti-ICE movement
Organizations from Seattle to Maryland tell predominantly white activists to quit 'White Savior' behavior during ICE operations
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Mahmoud Mahrdani-Karaji and his brother Mansour, Iranian prisoners of faith.
- By LoricaLady
- Persecuted Christians
- 0 Replies
December 2021, Mahmoud Mardani-Karaji and his brother Mansour were arrested by plainclothes officials, during a Christmas celebration at a house-church in Fooladshahr, Isfahan. They were later released on bail.
On 16 January 2025, Mahmoud and his brother Mansour were each sentenced to four years in prison, two years in exile, fined, and deprived of social rights for five years on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic through promoting Christianity”.
Mahmoud began serving his sentence on the 16 December, 2025.
Prison Address:
Dastgerd PrisonIsfahan City,
Isfahan Province
Iran
If writing to a Prisoner of faith:
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).
Release International prayer requests for Iraq.
- By LoricaLady
- Persecuted Christians
- 0 Replies
Saturday 7 February 2026 – Iraq
Pray for comfort and healing for ‘Jameela’, a Syrian war widow who fled to Kurdistan and is now undergoing treatment for cancer.
Friday 6 February 2026 – Iraq
Pray for our partner in Kurdistan and its Hope for All Nations Church in Erbil as well as its growing Arab, Kurdish and Farsi ministries. Pray that those who have fled persecution in other parts of Iraq and neighbouring countries would find peace and hope through the ministries.
Thursday 5 February 2026 – Iraq
Pray for Christian internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees in camps in Kurdistan and across northern Iraq who fled ISIS or the Syrian war a decade ago. Many were dependent upon US-funded aid which was cut abruptly and now have nothing and nowhere else to go. Pray too for those trying to help them, often volunteers with limited resources.
Wednesday 4 February 2026 – Iraq
Give thanks that the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region remains a rare beacon of religious freedom and tolerance for the Middle East, where Christians are free to live and practise their faith. Pray that the new Kurdistan Regional Government can continue to provide peace and stability for all religious and ethnic minorities.
Tuesday 3 February 2026 – Iraq
Pray for peace and stable governance for Iraq, which would benefit the minority Christian population. Regional conflicts often spill over into Iraq, exacerbating cycles of Shia-Sunni violence there, which in turn affects Christians and other minorities.
Monday 2 February 2026 – Iraq
Pray for ordinary Iraqi Christians, who are often at the bottom of the social order; discriminated against at school, in business or employment, and by the authorities. Many want to leave the country but have nowhere to go. Rev Faiz says: ‘Christians have no jobs, no security, no future for their children and most cannot afford to leave.’
Sunday 1 February 2026 – Iraq
Pray for Rev Canon Faiz Jirjees and his assistant, Sinan, at St George’s Church in Baghdad, the sole Anglican church in Iraq. Their ministry is exhausting, so pray that God will give them good health and continued energy and inspiration. Pray too for God’s protection on the church and its school and health clinic.#48 in Christian persecution, Chad.
- By LoricaLady
- Persecuted Christians
- 0 Replies
What does persecution look like in Chad?
In Chad’s unstable and increasingly authoritarian context, Christians – especially converts – face layered forms of persecution. Christians are subject to surveillance, harassment and arbitrary repression. Conflict in the southwest has stoked intercommunal tensions. Violence between Christian and non-Christian communities has resulted in displacement, property destruction and cycles of retaliation.Islamic extremist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), remain active around the Lake Chad Basin. These groups continue to attack Christian villages, burn churches and abduct believers, particularly in rural zones with limited state protection. Their actions contribute to insecurity and religious polarisation.
Additionally, authoritarian policies add additional pressure, and several factors like corruption and crime have made the rule of law less trustworthy.
Christian converts in Muslim-majority regions face threats, beatings and forced concealment. Even private worship can trigger punishment.
Who is most vulnerable to persecution?
In Chad’s border regions around Lake Chad, Islamic extremists, including Boko Haram, continue to operate, with foreign fighters expanding their reach. In central Chad, churches encounter opposition from followers of traditional African religions, who resist Christian outreach. Religious identity closely follows political geography: the north remains predominantly Muslim, while the south is mostly Christian. Muslim-background converts in eastern and northern Chad must worship in secret to avoid persecution and rejection by their families. Converts from traditional religions in the south face significant pressure to participate in non-Christian rituals.Meet IDPs in Chad, worshipping after an attack
What has changed this year?
Chad climbed one place on this year’s World Watch List, as its persecution score rose slightly. Chad’s legal and political environment continues to be highly repressive, marked by hostility, restrictions on free expression and assembly, and widespread nepotism. In June 2025, several street evangelists were arrested and accused of espionage. Poverty is acute, and the country remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters and regional instability.Although Chad is constitutionally secular, Islam is the dominant religion and permeates social and political life. Christians, who are often viewed as outsiders or aligned with foreign agendas, face hostility. In this climate, believers – especially converts from Islam – are subject to increasing pressure, including social ostracism, threats or physical attacks. Churches report tight surveillance, and evangelical communities often encounter barriers to registration. In the south west, tensions between Christian and Muslim communities have escalated into violence, contributing to broader insecurity and deepening mistrust. This year alone, there were several attacks and conflicts.
What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Chad?
Open Doors works through local churches in Chad to offer persecution-preparedness training, economic empowerment programmes and other support to help Christians understand persecution and remain resilient.How can you pray for Chad?
- Believers who follow Jesus in regions where Islamic extremists are active can be targeted for violence. Pray that God will change the hearts of these militants and that His people will be protected.
- Christians in some parts of Chad who convert from Islam can face heavy pressure from their families and communities. Ask God to give these believers hope and peace.
- Chad experiences instability in part because its neighbouring countries face violence and displacement crises. Pray that God’s hand will be on this part of sub-Saharan Africa, that His peace that passes understanding will help the church in Chad remain strong and show Christ’s hope to the whole nation.
A PRAYER FOR CHAD
Dear Lord, we pray with our brothers and sisters in Chad who endure violence and severe pressure because of their faith in You. We ask You to sustain them, be with them, and give them the joy of Your salvation. Bring them refreshment. Help converts find community. Please bring peace and stability to this country so that Your people can worship You without fear. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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