Good vs. Evil

Jesus healed a man born blind. The Pharisees interviewed him in Jn 9:

28 They reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.

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Strong's Greek: 3101. μαθητής (mathétés) — 263 Occurrences

Disciples of different schools were common.

Mt 9:

14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

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BDAG:
① one who engages in learning through instruction from another, pupil, apprentice
② one who is rather constantly associated with someone who has a pedagogical reputation or a particular set of views, disciple, adherent
ⓑ esp. of the disciples of Jesus
γ. Even after Jesus’ resurrection those who followed him were called μ. (generations later, as Socrates is called the μ. of Homer. … Ac uses μ. almost exclusively to denote the members of the new community of believers, so that it almost=Christian.

G3101 carried a sense of teacher-pupil apprentice relationship. In general, a G3101-disciple could have a range of seriousness. Jesus demanded the utmost from his disciples. Luke 14:

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

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Jesus commissioned his disciples in Mt 28:

18b “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples [G3100] of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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Ac 11:

25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

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Christians were disciples of Christ. After the book of Acts, none of the NT books had the word G3101.

All Becomes New said:

Okay. Just wondering if you were still going to give me an answer.

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yes, I will.

ThatRobGuy said:

Because the UK stats suggested that after their gun bans, the suicide rates remained the same, people just switched to a different method.

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However, Australia saw a significant drop in suicides following their gun ban (especially among men).


I think the lack of correlation between suicide rates and gun bans in the UK comes down to gun ownership rates - even prior to the 1997 ban, gun ownership was pretty uncommon, and the vast majority of guns in the UK were (and still are) hunting shotguns.

comana said:

Since voting has begun, why bother with anymore debates.

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Yeah .... that's what I'm saying ... too late in the "game"

ralliann said:

I don't know about online. But then again I do not do banking online, not through my phone like people do these days. I prefer a closed system like an atm.

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well ... it would be kindred to like how people register their vehicles online ... it asks for your vin number and plate number ... and if it's a match it pulls up your registration info.

Prayers for the persecuted Church in Yemen.

rambot said:

I don't understand anyone buying political merchandise.

They're all at least millionaires people.

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I agree.

I see it as a waste of money.

Michael 777 said:

It is not technology that is the problem, it is the sinful nature of man. Mankind has been committing atrocities for centuries, long before the introduction of "high technology". As long as the ruler of this world reigns, we will see leaders, politicians, the everyday man, bow down and commit terrible things in his name. Take way their technology and they will use clubs and rocks to do their evil deeds. They are blinded to the truth and only belief in Jesus can make them see.

Your fight against technology will only be frustrated, rather go and teach them about Jesus.

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I promote the regulation of technology,
not the banning of technology.

You are basically misunderstanding my argument.

The term triumphal entry is not in the Bible. It is actually more about Jesus approaching Jerusalem on Palm Sunday than entering it.

After Jesus had told the parable of the ten minas, Lk 19:

28b he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples,

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These places were on the east side of the Kidron Valley. Jerusalem was on the west side.

30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.

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Zechariah 9:9 prophesied Jesus riding on a colt humbly.

37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

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They were praising God, still on the east side of the valley.

Parallel account, Mk 11:

8 Many in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. 9 The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting:
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest!”

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Only John mentioned "palm". Jn 12:

13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

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Luke 19 continued:

39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

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At this point, the mood changed. Jesus wept over Jerusalem before he entered it:

41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

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Jesus prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem before he entered it.

Mk 11:

11 Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

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Mt 21:

10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

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The above verse was the closest description of a triumphal entry.

On balance, it wasn't exactly a triumphal entry description; it was more of a triumphal approach to Jerusalem.

Matthew 21:

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples.

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Mark 11:

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples.

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Luke 19:

29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples.

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John 12:

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.

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Jesus entered Jerusalem with humbleness and sadness.

The next day, Jesus cleansed the temple. Lk 19:

45 He entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

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Jesus approached Jerusalem with praise, joy, and some triumph. However, the excitement began to subside as he entered with humility and sadness.


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Brother Chautard wrote " Few and far between are the souls that belong to the last two, even to the last three categories." I write: the Church needs more members that belong in this "few and far between" fellowship. As the world grows darker, sin grows more common, more "normal", more acceptable and is even embraced more and more by "Catholics" and even "prelates" of the Church! This cannot stand, and will not stand. The patience - the tolerance - of God is not limitless. A day of Judgment will come, one day. And then will the Church have done, and have been all she could have been as living witness to His holiness, His glorious salvation for the poor lost souls?

The grace received and lived for others, for the lost especially - have we done and been all that that was due to our Savior? Have we lived in His Name? Or have we been as so many others, mere part-time Catholics, part-time disciples, part-time representatives of Christ for the world?

1Cor 12:26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
1Cor 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

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When one member is faithful, all are blessed in his light;
when one's eyes are set on Holy Glory, all are fortified in the trial;
when one's heart overflows to the poor, all are kindled aflame in Holy Love.

The Church is weakened by carnal compromise and she is uplifted by witnesses of Truth lived.

May we be awakened, and soon.

Wow. He is performing in a venue near me soon. I'm sure glad I didn't get a ticket. His brand of humor would not appeal to me.

Regarding the pagers, it's been confirmed that Israel managed to insert explosive charges into the devices. Short version: they established a series of shell companies that purchased (or established, not 100% clear on that part) a production line for pagers and other electronic communications devices. Then, they systematically went after Hezbollah operatives by tracking cell phone signals, which forced them to start using other communications devices (like pagers and walkie talkies). The shell company that Israel established had built up a reputation as a reliable supplier, and they probably offered a good price, so that company won the contract with Hezbollah to produce the giant order of pagers and walkie talkies that they were looking to place. Those devices were done on a separate production line and included 20g of plastic explosive with a trigger set to detonate when a specific code was received.

JohnB445 said:

Is this not recommended? I was thinking I will get a good idea when it comes to finishing the entire Bible. I will read scripture as the movie runs.

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the show chosen is really good, and its free to watch has 4 seasons and they are making more you can download app call the chosen. Its based on new testament books

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I wrote yesterday about how language is being manipulated and used to attack the truth. Immediately after writing that post, I came across a blatant example. Governor Tim Walz, candidate for Vice President, represents the most radical wing of the Democrat party. Among his atrocities in Minnesota are new teacher licensing rules set to go into effect in July 2025 before the start of the school year. [Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standard Board Standards of Effective Practice] The rules will force teachers to respect and affirm in the classroom a panoply of abominations, in fact all of the liberal talking points about gender, sex, diversity, etc. Here's some wording from the rules:

"The teacher fosters an environment that ensures student identities such asrace/ethnicity, national origin, language, sex and gender, gender identity, sexual orientation,physical/developmental/emotional ability, socioeconomic class, and religious beliefs are historically and socially contextualized, affirmed, and incorporated into a learning environment where students are empowered to learn and contribute as their whole selves."

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Got that? What exactly does it mean? Judging from the persecution of both Christian teachers and Christian students in the past, I can tell you:

Continued below.

“First step in solving any problem, is recognizing there is one.”

Part II

—SELF INJURY—​

The Roman Catholic Church is at war without and suffering self-injury within.

Below are some of the most pertinent issues which come to mind. We must acknowledge what is happening and seek the help of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ to heal these wounds.


The Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church on Earth. He must direct the affairs of this multi-faceted organization, so he gets dumped with every serious problem eventually—a daunting proposition!

Pope Francis has a unique style. He often talks ‘off script’ but also his Apostolic Exhortations can present a novel approach to issues too.

As expected of a Pope, Pope Francis’ advice is based in kindness, inclusiveness, charity, peace, and a deep caring for humanity. He is less rigid about ‘rules’…but knows who is in charge!

Unless talking ex cathedra [a.k.a. with infallibility] any Pope can err—we are all human and can mis-speak at times. Saint Newman has good advice for us!

Continued below.

Isn't it interesting that this wound up in one of the most unusual of places? Popeye cartoons.
And his girl friend, Olive Oyl.
Both perhaps Biblical references.

Greg Rakozy/Unsplash

There is only one Creator, only one worthy of adoration and worship, and only one whose name will be proclaimed throughout eternity. The rest of us are created beings, here for His pleasure and purpose. He is eternal. We are here today and gone tomorrow. He is essential. We are dispensable and disposable. Only God is God.

John the Immerser (the Baptist) understood this, telling the crowds who flocked to his baptism, “‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” (He was speaking here about Jesus.) He continued, “I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel” (John 1:30–31).

That was the whole purpose of his ministry: that Jesus might be revealed to Israel. Once that was done, John’s mission was completed. As John explained to his followers, who seemed concerned that Jesus was gaining more followers than he was, “He must increase. I must decrease” (John 3:30).

But we are always lifting up people. We are like the followers of Whitefield who wanted him to perpetuate his memory by forming a denomination under his name. They were concerned that others would get credit for his work. But his reply was always the same: “No, let the name of Whitefield die, so that the cause of Jesus Christ may live ... Let the name of Whitefield perish, but Christ be glorified ... I have had enough popularity to be sick of it.”

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A judge in Iowa has rejected a challenge to the tax exemption status of properties owned by a church, citing the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

An administrative law judge dismissed a petition last week by local taxpayers that sought to revoke the tax-exempt status of properties owned by Calvary Chapel Iowa.

Judge Jonathan Gallagher ruled that allowing such petitions could create a chilling effect on religious organizations, potentially deterring them from engaging in protected religious activities.

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Pastor Keion Henderson cries on the shoulder of televangelist T.D. Jakes. | Screenshot/TikTok/LetsHaveChurch

Keion Henderson, founder and CEO of The Lighthouse Church & Ministries in Houston, Texas, has professed his unyielding loyalty to popular televangelist T.D. Jakes after the arrest of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, with whom Jakes has been controversially linked, because he has been "good to me."

In an interview with former National Football League quarterback Cam Newton released on YouTube on Saturday, Henderson argued that the public has a "negativity bias" against Jakes. He even invoked a phrase from Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris' recent interview with CNN when she was asked about former President Donald Trump's implication that she "happened to turn Black" for political purposes.

"I'll just put it in the words of Kamala Harris when Dana Bash asked her a question about Donald Trump. Next question please," Henderson said when first questioned about the relationship between Jakes and Combs.

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According to central government statistics, since Oct. 1, 2018 there have been 379 disappearances of minors, mostly girls, in Morelos state alone. | Credit: Eakachai Leesin/Shutterstock

The Catholic Church has issued an alert to parents, priests, and catechists to “take all necessary security measures” following recent reports of the disappearance of minors and the confirmed existence of a gang dedicated to child theft.

In a circular letter dated Sept. 17, Cuernavaca Bishop Ramón Castro indicated that “reports of the disappearance of minors have been filed, and the media have reported the existence of a gang dedicated to the theft of children that has been corroborated by the authorities.”

One of the most recent cases is that of Joshua, a baby stolen in Cuautla, Morelos, on July 2. According to the local media outlet La Jornada, the minor was rescued along with other minors on Sept. 17 as part of a joint operation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General (FGR, by its Spanish acronym) and the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA, by its Spanish acronym) in Chiapas.

The FGR reported on Sept. 17 that five people were arrested in relation to the operation for their alleged participation in a minor trafficking ring.

According to central government statistics, since the Oct. 1, 2018, beginning of Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo’s term as governor of Morelos, there have been 379 disappearances of minors in the state, mostly girls.

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Xenophon said:

I love Ethiopia and have sorrow over the woes the people go through. It's been a long time since I was in Ambo. I wish I could get their mineral water here.

Many prayers.

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This is a silly thing to resurrect this very old thread over, but I was just thinking about this the other day because I finally found a place locally that sells Ambo's mineral water (or so the label on the bottle claims), so now I've gotten to try it, and my goodness, it is fantastic! I feel silly essentially "reviewing" water, saying that some water is better than other water, but it's true. Ambo mineral water is fantastic. Everyone should try it!