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Hades/Sheol, and it's absence from reformed theology.

Hey Randy

I thought that it was interesting that in Revelation, Jesus is said to hold the keys to Hades and death. Death signifying the act, and Hades the place we go after the act.

I agree, great subject and one that is not spoken about enough. I think that OT believers were kept in Hades until atonement was made, and the righteousness of God that is imputed to us as indwelt NT believers was established. Until then, or, until Christ was lifted up, the agent that paces us in Christ, the NT indwelling, was not yet given, and that which justifies us was only in promise up until the Holy Spirit was given. OT believers had to wait for the reality of it, the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Promises don't cleanse temples (us), blood does.

Romans 3:24-26 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Where does Abrahams bosom fit into this? Here God's Word explains.

In Galatians 3:14,

14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

16-19 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.

22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

25-29 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Dave
So very well said! Thank you.
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New belief among teenagers. What do you think?

They don't believe they ARE those animals. Rather, they are simply highly identifyig with an animal. This sort of thing is as old as the hills. Let me address two forms.

1. It is really super common for children to pretend to be animals, and some of these kids have a special preference for one animal. When I was a kid, my best friend and I would spend every recess pretending to be horses. I STILL have a vivid memory of how it feels to be galloping across the plains with my main flowing in the breeze. My daughter was a cheetah. Not only is this not alarming, it's actually a very GOOD sign, because children who do this are developing a greater sense of empathy.


What some people see as insanity, other people might see as spiritual yearning or a vivid imagination. Children are both naturally relational in their ontology, and also have vivid imaginations. Nevertheless, actual therians are fairly rare, even in younger generations.

2. In many other cultures it is quite common for people to have a totem animal. A totem animal is the spirit of that animal which inspires you, guides you, and even gives you strength for what comes your way. Think of it as a kind of patron saint.

It's also not an idea completely foreign to western culture, especially in pre-modernity. Not animals per se, but personifications of abstractions or systems.
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Families of 2 Trinidadian nationals killed in strikes sue Trump administration

I figured this would occur. Seems those boat strikes were not all narco terrorists and the Trump Administration is going to have to defend their actions. Likely, more cases will follow. Senator Rand quoted some stats how at least some of the suspected vessels the Coast Guard boards do not have drugs. Why the USA has to make a show out of everything is horrible. Better to defer to the courts rather than vigilante justice. Interdiction too is possible without killing the boat occupants. Another alternative explored in the EU is to buy the boats up that smuggle. Other nations enforce laws too on how fast a craft may go, making seizures more easy.

Here the murdered suspects may be legitimate workers going back home after some work, one even to care for his aging mother.
If true this is not MAGA but instead crimes.

Bible distribution brings happiness. Kurdish-Iranian Christians lose contact. 2 Pastors survive deadly attack.

  • Jan. 29, 2026 | East Africa​

    God's Kingdom Expands Through Bible Distribution

    [12] prayers in [3] nations have been posted for Bible distribution.
    Audio Bibles are an effective means to ensure every believer has a copy of God's Word.
    Front-line workers in Kenya and Ethiopia report that distributing Bibles has provided new opportunities to advance the gospel in predominantly Muslim areas of the country. Last year, courageous Christians distributed 800 Bibles in 11 communities, some of which have been known to be hostile to the gospel. "Some of the beneficiaries of this Bible distribution included new believers from Muslim and traditional backgrounds whose lives would forever be impacted by the Scriptures," a front-line worker said. Read More.
  • Jan. 29, 2026 | Iran​

    Contact Severed with Kurdish-Iranian Christians

    [9] prayers in [2] nations have been posted for Kurdish-Iranian Christians.

    A pastor who serves Kurdish-Iranian followers of Christ in Iran lost contact with them in early January when the Iranian government cut all forms of communication within the country because of wide-scale demonstrations against the Iranian regime. Kurdish-Iranians number around 5 million inside Iran and are predominantly Muslim. A small number are believed to be followers of Christ. Read More.
  • Jan. 29, 2026 | Burkina Faso​

    Two Pastors Survive Deadly Attack

    [8] prayers in [2] nations have been posted for Christians in Burkina Faso.
    Many Burkinabe rely on small motorcycles or bicycles for transport.
    On Nov. 24, 2025, jihadi militants attacked the small village of Langnoassi in the northern part of the country, killing four men. They also burned homes, storage buildings and several motorcycles and bicycles. Two pastors managed to escape, but they lost their homes, household belongings and motorbikes in the attack. Christian villages in Burkina Faso have been regularly attacked by Islamist rebel groups in recent years. Read More.
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No Place For Repentance

What the scripture does not fully address is whether the no room for repentance is for something sought with tears is eternal or temporal. Once Esau's birthright was taken away there was nothing that could be done. It was a temporal loss not an eternal one. These temporal losses occur all the time. Things like you treat your spouse bad and they leave you. You are called to ministry but you fail to yield to God. You have a new job opportunity and you fail to follow through.
The next point is huge. If in these severe setbacks one becomes bitter then it will seriously effect the Christian walk. You can cry all you want but some things do not come back, you can change your mind but it is too late.

I got this interpretation for an event in my own life. some mistakes you can not take back. Others also interpret it this way.
"
ESAU’S VAIN TEARS

Hebrews 12:17THESE words have Been often understood as teaching a very ghastly and terrible doctrine, viz., that a man may earnestly and tearfully desire to repent, and be unable to do so. Such teaching has burdened many a heart, and has put obstacles before many feeble feet in the way of a return to God. It seems to me to be contradicted by a thousand places of Scripture, and to involve something very much like a contradiction in terms." See MacLaren's Expositions
here: Hebrews 12:17 Commentaries: For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

So while we may miss a blessing, the point is to not become bitter. Instead, follow through with God.
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When does God consider that we are His child?

Eph 4:6 " One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" God is the Father of all, most just don't know it yet, the darkness in them is covering the light in them, Matt 6:23" If the light that is in you is darkness , how great is that darkness" God is in all but the darkness can cover that light. Yes God is the Father of all.
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Illinois police release bodycam video of fatal shooting of Black woman in her home

Sean Grayson sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatal shooting of Sonya Massey

[Her daughter] addressed Grayson with the same words that Sonya Massey said to the former deputy before she was fatally shot, WICS reported: "Sean Grayson, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."
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Report says majority of TV, film viewers find content with faith themes more appealing

Research reveals American media viewers want “more accurate” depictions of faith in storytelling.

Consumers of all ages and backgrounds said faith in entertainment is broadly appealing, according to research released this week.

The Jan. 28 report “2026 Faith & Entertainment Index: Faith, Storytelling, and Its Influence on Modern American Audiences” was conducted by HarrisX in partnership with the Faith and Media Initiative.

Film viewers “want better, more accurate, more complex depictions of faith and storytelling,” said Allison Brady, market research and operations leader at HarrisX.

“We wanted to understand from consumers themselves what are the ways that the film and television industry can do this better and why certain stories land better than others,” she said.

In order to find answers, researchers surveyed professionally recruited respondents of U.S. adult consumers who watch television or movies at least weekly. The survey was carried out in two waves, from Sept. 9–18 and Nov. 13–25, 2025.

Continued below.
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When Trump admin declared open war on gender ideology this happened

President Trump recently critiqued Supreme Court justices who are “fighting hard” for men to be able to compete in women’s sports.

“A couple of them, I can't imagine it. But I think anybody that rules that way should lose a lot of credibility,” the president said last Tuesday, referring to Little v. Hecox, in which the Court heard arguments on January 13. The Court will decide whether the Constitution prohibits states from protecting girls and women’s sports.

“All you have to do is look at the records, look at weightlifting records, look at swimming records, look at track and field,” President Trump added. “This is not fair. It's very demeaning to women.”

Indeed, it is.


Continued below.

Are modern songs and choruses any better than older ones?

I kind of like the older traditional song lyrics. Often they sang bible verses or had simple biblical truths. Like Amazing Grace. A simple song about the experience of Gods grace on a sinner. It sounds like it comes from real life experience.

The Johny Cash gospel era was good. But even the early African American gospel and blues.

I think at one stage gospel music was mainstream. Because it was born from real life struggles.

But sometimes I think modern contemporary Christian music can be too much about feelings. About being in love with Jesus. Making it all about feeling good and a wonderous experience.

I like the bold and straight hitting gospel blues, rock and contemporary is good as well. So long as its saying something. Challenging and strengthening me.

They say Christian music sort of follows secular music trends and tastes. I think this is true to an extent. I remember Christian rock and heavy rock when rock was big in mainstream music.

In that semse I think mainstream music has lost a bit of its realness. So this may also influence Christian music. Thats not saying that there are some great original Christain musos out there at the moment leading the way.

But in saying all that music is a matter of taste and personal preferences. So who am I to know lol.

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DO YOU FEEL DISCOURAGED?

Yes and when you have that realisation that God is there and that His will was right and best all along. But there for the grace of God go I.

I think its rare to hear the great words of the prophets and men of the bible. It was like a testimony to the world. It was not just words but it was born out of experience and realisation of God. Especially in that God was revealing Himself as the Creator and Father God. A personal God.

I wish there could be great men and women that will speak out like this again to the world. Speak with authority and truth that when all hear it they know it is truth. No worldly evidence is needed. It is believable because it is spoken truth and reality.

I believe that Gods spirit comes when His church needs it. With all the bad stuff that has been happening. Especially all the whitenoise of words and narratives all fighting for the truth. People are confused and cannot believe or trust anything that is said. The truth is turned into a lie and a lie the truth.

But the great men of God speak from the heart, from the spirit with truth and authority. The world needs to hear them again. Not TedTalk and TV Evangelists, But great Christians who will rise up and remind the world of the Almighty God. Christ truth will cut like a sword that it cannot be denied.
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10 Ways Assisted Suicide Kills Society’s Soul

The human scheduling of death endangers us all by killing the very soul of society. Comfort care and surrendering to God’s plan is the most beautiful way to prepare to meet Him. It may not always seem to be the easiest, but given Church teaching, it is not going to be easy to meet God in the next life after rejecting His authority in this one.

Apologetics 101

Apologetics is the art of defending religious doctrines through systematic argumentation and discourse, making reference to both faith and reason as appropriate, in light of Saint Peter’s admonition to ‘Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence’ (1 Peter 3:15).

“The Church needs to promote apologetics, which is aimed at affirming the truth of Christian revelation, the harmony of faith and reason, and a sound understanding of freedom.” -Pope Benedict XVI

Apologetics, 101

A Reply to Apologetics 101: Question 1: Proving that God Does Indeed Exist

Apologetics 101, Question 2: The Scandal of Evil

Apologetics 101, Question 3: Must God Be Good?

Apologetics 101, Question 4: Life, Soul and Substance

Apologetics 101, Question 5: The Immortality of the Soul

Apologetics 101, Question 6: Creation Ex Nihilo

Apologetics 101, Question 7: A Designed versus Random Universe

Apologetics 101, Question 8: Potency and Evolution

Apologetics 101, Question 9: Faith, Reason and Christianity

Apologetics 101, Question 10: How do you know the Bible is a reliable source of truth about God?

Apologetics 101, Question 11: How do you know for a certainty that Christ performed miracles?

Discouraged about waiting until marriage

You are so right! Men rely on porn because REAL WOMEN keep rejecting them. And a woman has to right to say," NO!" But it is so discouraging

Given your background I would expect a rational approach to the subject. What you've deduced is factually incorrect and morally flawed. It's akin to saying the devil made me do it. Sin is a choice. Whether it's pornography or another vice. Holding others accountable for indulgence is irresponsible and devoid of regret.

It wouldn't matter if the man was rejected once or often over a period of time. The word is infallible and doesn't bend according to circumstance. It is a sin and he is wrong and that can't be debated.

to be rejected when a woman will not even date you. Last year, in 2025,I did not even had one date, I only asked Christian women out ,because I did not want to be unequally yoked.

You have walked the earth over seventy years and reference one in your example. During that period did you respond to every occurrence of interest from the opposite sex or only the ones that met your criteria or mutual appeal?

It is so frustrating when I "play by the rules", and I get no accomplishment. This part of life really is a disappointment.

This is an oxymoron. Holiness isn't a bargaining chip and the prize is righteousness not the desire of ones heart. Living as the Lord instructs should be enough and if it isn't you've run in vain.

There comes a point when we must view our decision with the collective in mind. Every decision impacts another eventually. Your choice to choose one in the past made others inaccesible and so on. We don't always have the opportunity for do-overs and some mistakes have greater consequences.

You've chosen to reside in a state where 16 women out of a 1,000 will marry. A little research would have shown you that number holds true across the country with a few exceptions in mind. But 22 is the greatest and that's a far cry from half. It's important to broach problems from several prongs and resist the draw of emotion and apathy for resolutions.

Most women aren't marrying. Nor are the majority christian either.
Most women aren't seeking companions in their seventies or sixties either.
Nor are most men desirous of women after they reach a certain point chronologically.

It isn't a quagmire but it requires a bit of truth serum nonetheless. You'll need to assess yourself from head to toe and defer to the facts. Not potential, personality or resources. What is she taking on with you? That's the question a woman considers for someone in your season. The more forthright you are in your examination the better it will be overall.

The majority will assume you have challenges and have silent concerns regarding your vitality. They don't want to be a nurse. Most men who've been alone for a time usually neglect their health. Their diet is bad, they eat out a lot and don't exercise and neglect has a price.

Everything has its season in life and we fare best when we move with the current rather than against it. You can't ignore your part in the problem and it should have been resolved 20 to 30 years ago at best. The challenges we endure in the end are usually borne by those who've walked with us when we're vibrant.

You're asking her to roll the dice for the sake of...

At seventy years of age no woman is giving anyone a chance. That's for girls and couples with a horizon ahead. You make rational decisions when you mature and weigh the costs. All you need to determine is what you're working with and how bad you want it.

When you own your mess you stop pointing fingers and feeling sorry for yourself. Life doesn't happen to us and oftentimes we're part of the problem. You didn't get where you are without cause and you're too old to be blaming women. It sounds ridiculous and you lived through a different era. You didn't enter adulthood with a gender war and assault on marriage.

But that's how the good times work. Most never assume they'll end and when they do they're caught off-guard.

~bella
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Thomas Aquinas on the Evil Eye

What did the Angelic Doctor believe about the power of people to harm you with a look?​


We all know that this is the traditional method of appreciating a fine performance of the heavy metal variety:


Ronnie James Dio

People wrongly assume this is some kind of Satanic salute, with the index and pinky fingers making little devil horns (hence “throwing up the horns”). In fact, it was popularized through the late, great singer Ronnie James Dio, of Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio. Ronnie was the proud grandson of a nonna from the old country, who would make the traditional gesture to ward off the malocchio, or “evil eye.” It wasn’t a salute to the devil: it was protection against him.

The gesture is found in multiple cultures and religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, and typically has a similar apotropaic function: removing negative energy. It was later adopted by wiccans and satanists as a “horn” gesture a symbolizing the goat, horned god, Satan, or evil in general (its exact opposite meaning in every other culture for thousands of years) because, as extensive scientific research has proven, they are idiots.

“Fascination,” or the evil look (from the latin fascinum, for “bewitching”), is one of the most ancient and widespread forms of folk belief. Every culture has some form of it: mal de ojo in Spain, mauvais oeil in France, boser blick in Germany, jettatura in Italy, isabat al-ayn in Arabic, kako mati in Greek, and on and on. I have volumes filled with lore about the evil eye from around the world, as well as the charms and gestures invoked against them.

Continued below.

Serving God and Loving Others

Mark 9:33-37 NASB1995: They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”

How were children generally regarded by adults in Jesus’ time on the earth? From what I understand, they were not of much regard at all, and they were considered more as a bother or as a nuisance or as those who they had to endure, but they were not welcome or included among the adults (or just among the adult males). Women were not regarded by men much higher than children, from what I recall, and were often treated more like they were slaves, as though they were beneath men, rather than treated with value.

But Jesus treated both women and children with dignity, with love, with compassion, and with caring. He held the children in his arms and he ministered to them. And he took time with the women, and he listened to them, and he had conversations with them, and he included them in the ministry, and he honored them for their walks of faith in obedience to the Lord. And he healed their diseases, and he answered their questions. He treated neither children nor women as though they were less than men.

Now, whether you are male or female, the goal in life is not to “one up” the other to gain superiority over anyone. It is not to be about who is better at this than someone else, or who has more money or more power or more prestige. Men should love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. And pastors are to lead by example, not with an iron fist. And women are to treat their husbands with dignity, and yield to their positions as head, but never to submit to what is sinful (immoral/wicked).

[Proverbs 24:17-20; Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:8-12,43-48; Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 10:27; John 13:33-35; John 15:12; Romans 12:9-11,14-21; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; 1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 John 4:7]

And all of us, no matter who we are, should not be trying to prove ourselves superior to the other, hoping to outrank or to outthink the other just to prove we are the best. All of us should humble ourselves and surrender our lives to the control of God as Lord of our lives. All of us should have that child-like trust in the Lord to where we submit to his Lordship over our lives and yield to his wisdom. All of us are to come under the authority of God and to be thankful for his grace which not one of us deserves, in our own flesh.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Acts 26:18]

In Harmony

Based off Romans 12:9-21; 1 Peter 3:8-17
An Original Work / September 2, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love


Love each other truly.
Cling to what is good.
Hate all that is evil.
Never lack in zeal.
Serve the Lord with fervor.
Joyful in hope be;
Patient in affliction;
Praying faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Share with all God’s people
Who are found in need.
Do not be conceited.
Sympathetic be.
Love, and show compassion
In humility.
Keep your tongue from evil.
Peaceful you must be.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

God sees who are righteous;
Listens to their prayers.
But He’s against evil –
Is His to avenge.
Do not fear what they fear.
Suffer patiently.
In your hearts, make Christ Lord.
Serve Him faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

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Serving God and Loving Others
An Original Work / January 29, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

With or Without Honor

Greetings Christsfreeservant,
Thank you for this ever timely and relevant message. For new congregation members in particular, the lessons and significance of the Pentecost are often some of the more challenging teachings to bring across, just as they are important. Very nice work in putting this together.
Thank you for your encouraging words, inhocsigno. All glory to God.
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How old was Mary when she gave birth to Christ?

Her pregnancy was not the subject of the "until" clause. And on that bit of ridiculous hubris from you, I believe we are done.
Prove from Scripture that Joseph was married prior to being married to Mary!

If Joseph never produced children with Mary; there'd be no reason to state that he "didn't know her until....".
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