stevil said:

Reality doesn't show at all what you are attempting to portray by that chart.
Typically if you are going to present something like this you ought to provide a link to your source, so that we can see for ourselves the context.

Here is a site for you
Sweden: death rate 2010-2020 | Statista
It shows the total deaths in Sweden for years 2011-2020. We won't count 2021 because it is only a partial year.
2011 - 89,938
2012 - 91,938
2013 - 90,402
2014 - 88,976
2015 - 90,907
2016 - 90,982
2017 - 91,972
2018 - 92,185
2019 - 88,766
2020 - 98,124

It is quite clear looking at these facts that 2020 was an obvious outlier with the previous years ranging from 88,766 to 92,185 and giving an average yearly death rate of 90,674. 2011-2019 A range of 3,400 over a period of 9 years with no clear upward or downward trend. But then all of a sudden 2020 came (with the Covid pandemic) and there was the highest death rate of the previous 9 years with 98,124 which is well above the average by 7,450 and above the max from the previous 9 years by a staggering 5,939 and an increase on the previous year by 9,358.
By overall deaths Sweden had a disastrous year in 2020. If someone looked at these stats and didn't know about the pandemic, they would immediately point to 2020 and ask "What the hell happened there?" - this was most likely due to the pandemic and Sweden's disastrous do nothing response to the pandemic.

When you look to what happened in Denmark over the same period
Denmark: number of deaths 2020 | Statista

2011 - 52,516
2012 - 52,325
2013 - 52,471
2014 - 51,340
2015 - 52,555
2016 - 52,824
2017 - 53,261
2018 - 55,232
2019 - 53,958
2020 - 54,645

The 9 years of 2011 to 2019 gave a range of 3,892 from 51,340 to 55,232 and an average yearly death rate of 52,942. 2020 for Denmark did not reach the maximum of the previous nine years which happened in 2018. It was an increase on the previous year by 687 and an increase on the average over the past 9 years of 1,702. 2020 was not an outlier. A person looking at these stats would not be immediately drawn to 2020.

The data for Norway shows a better story for 2020 than for Denmark
2020 was not an outlier, the highest death rate year was 2012 of 41,992 whereas the death rate in 2020 was 40,612 which was lower than the previous 5 years.

The data shows a similar story for Finland although the chart is per 1,000 inhabitants rather than a total count
Finland - death rate 2010-2020 | Statista
2020 was not an outlier, 2018 had a higher death rate.

By all accounts Sweden failed its people in 2020 by doing almost nothing to combat the deadly pandemic leading to several thousands of unnecessary deaths.

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Let's update these charts, shall we?

Using your source, updated with 2021 - 2023 data.

Sweden:
2011 - 89,938
2012 - 91,938
2013 - 90,402
2014 - 88,976
2015 - 90,907
2016 - 90,982
2017 - 91,972
2018 - 92,185
2019 - 88,766
2020 - 98,124
2021 - 91,958
2022 - 94,737
2023 - 94,385

Sweden average 2011-2019: 90,674
Sweden average 2020-2023: 94,801
Increase during pandemic era: 4.55%

Denmark:
2011 - 52,516
2012 - 52,325
2013 - 52,471
2014 - 51,340
2015 - 52,555
2016 - 52,824
2017 - 53,261
2018 - 55,232
2019 - 53,958
2020 - 54,645
2021 - 57,152
2022 - 59,145
2023 - 58,384

Denmark average 2011-2019: 52,842
Denmark average 2020-2023: 57,331
Increase during pandemic era: 8.29%

I reiterate:

whatbogsends said:

The chart contained rates of cumulative excess mortality, and that Sweden, despite your insistence, hasn't simply sacrificed thousands of people. Their overall health outcomes are still generally very good, even if their Covid numbers look drastically worse than other Scandinavian countries - although i will state again that this is not over, and current trends are better for Sweden compared to its Scandinavian peers, although obviously, that can very well change.

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Norway had a similar trend to Denmark, although Statista only had data through 2022. 2021 was the worst since 2010, and 2022 was way worse than 2021. Denmark was 4.57% higher deaths than their previous average (and I'd wager it'd be higher than that if 2023 data was available).


Finland was the worst of the bunch, with an 11.74% increase of mortality in the pandemic relative to pre-pandemic baseline.

RileyG said:

Yup, they especially hate Catholics.

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Yes, and especially Catholic priests, because a priest can cut right through all of their balderdash---they have the academic background and the knowledge to twist the Witnesses up in knots.

I remember many years ago, sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee with my dad. The dog woofed, and we saw a car pulling up outside. Dad said, "Oh, boy. Jehovah's Witnesses. I'll handle this."

They knocked at the door, and Dad opened it up; they said, "Hello, sir; we were wondering if we might come in and share some scripture with you."

Dad said, "Well you know, this is great timing, because my pastor happens to be here at the moment....come on in, and we'll all share some scripture!" Then he turned around and hollered over his shoulder, "Hey, Father?"

He turned back around, and they were gone. They were scrambling back into their car, and they left as quickly as they arrived. Dad grinned, sat back down and picked up his coffee cup. I said, "What just happened there?", and he said, "Those J.W.s are scared to death of Catholic priests---they will not tangle with one for any reason whatsoever!"

The funny thing was, there was nobody in the house except for Dad and me---Mom had gone grocery shopping, and there was definitely no priest there at the time.

Bandit said:

I only know him online and we haven’t talked in a while.

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It might be a good idea to talk to him again.

Thanks for sharing. I added some of your info to the OP.

St_Worm2 said:

this could make for a very interesting, thought-provoking thread, especially if it's going to end up going where I think it is!

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Go ahead. I am interested in your viewpoint

loveofourlord said:

man old enough to be in the high risk age group gets covid, world shattering news!!!. Plus that was at a time when the vaccine was just coming out, and would have been true if everyone had gotten it, but hmmmm some people got this weird idea it was all fake and such and refused making it mutate.

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The denial is strong with this one...

I am not a fan of Trump or any politician. But I have been shocked to see how many people, including someone in my own family, has expressed regret over the fact that the shooter did not kill him.

If anyone is a Christian, they should know that they are breaking the commandment to not kill by simply having such a thought in their hearts.

And such an attitude helps to stir up a spirit of hate in this country.

The Bible tells us to guard our hearts above all things.

Please let us pray for people to leave things in the Lord’s hands, and not to think that some shooter is going to solve this nation’s problems.

We pray from the Agpeya, as that is our daily prayer book.

Perspectives on prayer:

Login to view embedded media "How should I pray?" with Fr. Gabriel Wissa (I get the feeling this may be directed at younger people)

Login to view embedded media "Come back to God" by HH Pope Shenouda III (For those struggling with prayer)

Laodicean60 said:

Oct 31, 2022 article? going back in history for the tit-for-tat.

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It's more just a reminder about the quality of a person.

But I love that the counter argument is "haha. Don't you have anything newer to remind us of what a cesspool of a person dt jr is?

JM said:

I'm not a pacifist but I've found many Lutherans online seem to be.

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Me neither actually.

essentialsaltes said:

DeSantis-stacked panel approves ‘dirty trick’ language for abortion referendum​

The language states that Florida’s abortion referendum will “negatively impact the state budget” if passed.

A Florida panel has approved language that will appear beneath an abortion ballot proposal in November that states the referendum will “negatively impact the state budget,” a move that reproductive rights proponents call “a dirty trick.”

Last fall, the panel approved language that said the [financial] impact of Amendment 4 was “indeterminate.” Since then, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (R) appointed new members to the panel who voted to change the financial statement that will be on the ballot.

One of those new members, Chris Spencer, represents DeSantis’s office on the panel. He said at a meeting last week the amendment would “result in a reduction in the provision of education services.”

[I guess fewer kids means less total per-student-spending, but surely that's a cost savings for the state, not an extra expense. Smaller government, less taxes. Fiscal conservative Yay!]

The other new addition to the board, Rachel Greszler, is a member of the conservative Heritage Foundation and a contributing author to that group’s controversial Project 2025 plan.

DeSantis’s office also hired Michael New, an assistant professor at the Catholic University of America, to advise the panel. At a meeting last week, New said if Amendment 4 passes, “the overall reduction in fertility will result in less federal funding … and a worse credit rating, hurting Florida’s fiscal output.”

[Sure, fewer people means fewer federally paid for school lunches, but... there is no one to go hungry.]

“They’re trying to cause confusion and hide the real issue: Amendment 4 is about ending Florida’s extreme abortion ban, which outlaws abortion before many women even realize they are pregnant,” [the amendment campaign director] said.

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Usually there’s restrictions on politicking within [certain distance in feet] at a polling place, but they got around this by placing the politicking on the ballot itself.
Crude but effective.

rvs said:

Please help me please please help me

please help me someone please

let me do an exodus thread, i'm not as advance

help me please

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Just go slow. I cannpt find what is the problem. Better just post one post in a day. That should solve it.

Sketcher said:

That's why I don't share enough personal info here to identify me. I also never use my social media in the same browser that I do my forum stuff or other general browsing in, so the cookies and cache are contained.

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You're very smart and your background certainly helps.

Public venues attract people from different walks of life and the worst thing you can assume is everyone is harmless. Being in settings with diverse populations that were sizable provided numerous opportunities to observe unhealthy behavior. The number of people who develop fixations and unrequited attractions is vast. You have others who follow you around the site liking your posts, commenting behind you or putting themselves in your face.

There was a time when groups had public outings and members would say they're going. For a while nothing happened. But people started checking the list and showing up but didn't say they were coming. You can imagine the reason why and it became a problem.

A similar thing was happening on Foursquare. I went to a social media conference and they warned us about the app and advised us to check in before exiting not when we arrived. Because people were watching the page and showing up but they didn't know them at all.

When people say they stalked someone's page, did background checks, and things along those lines. I'm side eyeing them in my head. Oftentimes they don't have a connection or it isn't serious. If they do it to them they'll do it to me as well.

~bella

Heartless, callous, given to pride,
Cruel masters, side by side,
Churning, burning, inside out,
Leading people, God to doubt.

Winsome lovers of the flesh,
Oh, their sins they do caress.
Given to mockery, for a laugh,
Then, on purpose, make a gaffe.

Hiding all their sins, in pride,
They take people for a ride.
Big deceivers, known for tricks,
They hurt people just for kicks.

Laughing all their way to hell,
They mock God and lies do tell.
Mysteries are in their bag,
While the innocent they gag.

Lovers, lovers of themselves,
They put God up on the shelf.
No regard for what He tells,
They are all about what sells.

Products, gimmicks, fun galore,
While God’s truth they do abhor.
Risky business, none do care,
If God’s righteousness they wear.

Numbers, numbers, please the crowd,
No humility; they’re proud.
People pleasing, that’s their deal,
Make the world love us, they feel.

God’s Word, they rebuke, in fun,
So, the people’s hearts, they’ve won.
Keep them laughing, back for more,
Keep them rolling on the floor.

An Original Work / November 30, 2019

essentialsaltes said:

Exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui found guilty on federal fraud charges​

Guo Wengui, the exiled Chinese billionaire, was convicted in a US federal court on Tuesday for defrauding thousands of his followers of more than $1 billion.

Guilty of nine out of 12 counts involving racketeering conspiracy and securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering, Guo, who is also known as Miles Guo, “faces decades in prison” when the judge hands down a sentence on November 19, according to the prosecutor.

Guo is a close ally to former President Donald Trump’s adviser Steve Bannon, who reported to federal prison earlier this month to serve a four-month sentence for defying a congressional subpoena.

During closing arguments, prosecutor Ryan Finkel told the jury that Bannon was paid $1 million by Guo because Guo wanted to “use Bannon’s notoriety and his fame to promote himself.”

Prosecutors said Guo used money raised from victims as his “personal piggy bank” to maintain his luxurious lifestyle in the United States, after governments of China and Hong Kong seized his assets for money laundering investigations in 2017.

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I’mma bookmark dis one

Why, my beloved,
Do you search near and far
For what never will satisfy
Your deep longings of heart?

Why must you flitter
From here and to there
Seeking for pleasure
In other affairs?

You seek not the wisdom
Of God in your heart.
From Godly counsel
You ever depart.

While playing your games,
The clock keeps ticking by
While you waste away time,
And God’s patience you try.

You certainly think that God
Does not keep track
Of your many adulteries,
While purity you lack.

Or else this you think –
God will not notice, not care
that although you snub Him,
you think you’re His heir.

So, let me be quick
To point out to you truth.
God’s Word not agrees with you
Who are uncouth.

God certainly cares when you
Leave Him for lust.
Yes, God is so loving,
But also He’s just.

Our Lord did not die
On that cross that sad day
Just to forgive you so
With sin you’d play.

Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Gave His life for our sins
So we’d live victoriously,
Holy within.

To sin and to self
We must die with our Lord,
And fellowship with Him,
Walk with Him, one accord.

The lust of our eyes,
Pride of life, must forsake,
If fellowship with our Lord God
We partake.

In holiness now we must walk,
Faith within,
Empowered by God,
Holy Spirit live in.

An Original Work / May 26, 2020

Questions:


We read in the Scriptures that Jesus Christ “bore our sins in his body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). And we read that (by faith) “our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Romans 6:6). And we read that if anyone would come after Christ that he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him (Luke 9:23-26). And this is “the word of the cross.”

And this is why the message of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, because it goes directly against human nature (our sinful natures) and the desires of the flesh and our own selfish wills. And this why so many people today, in the name of Christianity, are diluting and altering the message of the cross of Christ in order to make it more attractive and palatable to human flesh so that death to sin and living to righteousness and walks of obedience to our Lord are no longer required by these distortions of truth.

And those who are perishing are all who have not submitted to the Lordship of Christ over their lives, who have not surrendered their lives to the will of God, who have not been crucified with Christ in death to sin, and so have not been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer as slaves to sin but now as slaves to God and to his righteousness. Sin is still what they practice, and not righteousness, and not obedience to the Lord, so they are perishing because they do not follow Jesus in obedience.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2]

And that flows right into this next question as to what is meant by “being saved.” Well, the salvation that is taught by Jesus and by his NT apostles is not this one-time decision to receive Jesus into your heart that so many are passing off as the gospel of salvation today. Jesus and his NT apostles taught progressive salvation. We are saved (past), we are being saved (present active), and we will be saved (future) when Jesus Christ returns and he takes his bride to be with him for eternity, which is when our salvation will be complete and our marriage relationship to Christ consummated.

[Matthew 24:9-14; Romans 8:24; Romans 13:11; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:8-9; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 1:5]

But this salvation is conditional on us walking in obedience to our Lord and to his commands in holy living and that we are no longer walking (in conduct, in practice) in sin. For if we have the correct understanding of God’s grace and of our salvation from sin, we will understand that God’s grace delivers us out of our slavery (addiction) to sin so what we will now walk in obedience to our Lord’s commands in holy living, in the power of God, and by God’s grace which trains us to renounce ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives (see all noted Scriptures).

So, if we are preaching Christ crucified, we are teaching the purpose for why he was crucified and what he accomplished for us in his death and in his resurrection and in his ascension into heaven and in his sending to us the Holy Spirit to indwell us who follow the Lord. So we are preaching that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, that we might no longer live in sin, but now in righteousness and in obedience to our Lord. That, in a nutshell, is the essence of the gospel of Christ.

So, when this speaks of the foolishness and weakness of God, this is not stating that God is foolish nor that he is weak, but that to those who are perishing, the truth of the true gospel of our salvation is foolishness and it is weak, for they do not accept the true gospel and the true reason for why Jesus gave his life up for us on that cross. They think that their wisdom is better than God’s wisdom and so they reject his wisdom as though it is not worth their time. And so they promote their own truth which is a lie.

To Be Like Him

An Original Work / March 16, 2014
Based off Scripture

Crucified you are with Jesus.
To be like Him, oh, you’ll be,
Because He died at Calv’ry,
So from sin you’d be free.
Oh, what joy He brings into your life,
Giving life with Him endlessly.

Oh, what plans He has for your life.
Share the gospel faithfully.
Show the people He loves them.
Now His witness you’ll be.
Tell the world of sin about Jesus,
How He died for them on a tree.

Purifying hearts, He saves them,
Who believe on Christ, God’s Son.
Turning now from their idols,
New lives they have begun.
Jesus saves from sin; we’re forgiven.
Over sin, the vict’ry He won!

When He comes again to take us
To be with Him evermore,
There will be no more crying.
Gladness will be in store.
Heavens joys will now overtake us:
We’ll be with our Lord evermore.

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There are so many things which divide us as a nation, as a people, and as the children of God. We are divided by hatred, violence, political affiliation, denomination, race, religion, social status, culture, belief systems, etc. We are also divided by greed, love of power, idolatry, spiritual and physical adultery, wars of men, lies, deceptions, manipulations, betrayal, and rejection of Christ and of his followers, and by false prophets and teachers of the people, and false gospels of men, etc.

This song is a call to leave our idols, our desires for wealth and power, and the things which divide us as a people of God that are not of God, such as hatred, unforgiveness, pride, adultery, and all that is called sin in the Bible. We are to turn from our sins, and we are to make the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord and master of our lives, choosing to walk with him in full surrender to his will for our lives and in obedience to his commands.

A People Divided

An Original Work / July 4, 2011

Flick’ring torches; hatred; violence;
Crashing windows; guns of men;
We are a people divided
By our love of pow’r and fame.

Idols marching; they’re in chorus;
Their goal to destroy the church,
Tempting us to follow them in
Pure devotion; them we search.

Leave your idols. Follow your God.
Make Him your Lord God and King.
Be a living witness for Him,
And your off’rings to Him bring.

Repent of your sins and worship Him.
A living sacrifice,
Put your all upon His altar.
Leave your old life way behind.

Flick’ring torches; hatred; violence;
Crashing windows; guns of men;
We are a people divided
By our love of pow’r and fame.

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Christsfreeservant said:

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ ​

​

“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:10-17 ESV)​

Questions:

• What similar divisions does the church have today?​

• What is the relationship between baptism and the gospel?​

• Can you be saved from your sins and not be baptized?​

• What is the message of the gospel of our salvation?​

• What is the power of the cross of Christ?​

Whenever I read this passage of Scripture, what immediately comes to mind in relationship to the church today is, “I am Baptist,” or “I am Methodist,” or “I am Presbyterian,” or “I am Pentecostal,” or “I am Lutheran,” or “I am Episcopalian,” etc. This is not how it should be! The biblical church, the body of Christ, is not to be divided by church denominations. For we are all supposed to be of one heart and mind, which is the heart and mind of Jesus Christ and of the teachings of Christ and of his NT apostles.

And, if truth be told, a lot of these divisions are based on human interpretations of the Scriptures, sometimes based on personal prejudices, and much because Scriptures are being taught out of context to say what they don’t say if they are taught in their appropriate context. A lot of this has to do with what has been passed down from generation to generation, and so many people just accept what they are taught without question and without examination to see if what they were taught is actually the truth.

And I believe these divisions can be eliminated if we who believe in Jesus Christ would just read the Scriptures in context, word by word and chapter by chapter and book by book, as a whole, under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, without personal prejudice, and while putting aside all that we have been previously taught and believed so that we can just hear from the Lord what he wants to show us. When the Lord took me through this process, I saw so many things I was taught wrong and had to relearn.

Now, in Paul’s attempt to convince the Corinthian Christians that they were not to be followers of man, but of God, he made some very profound and interesting statements that I believe we need to examine biblically. Paul, although he was called of God to preach the message of the gospel of our salvation, baptized very few people. For, he said, “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” So what does that say?

Now I will defer here to a writing from a month ago titled, “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism,” because I believe it will help answer this question.

Now, regarding this ONE BAPTISM, I am finding that there are varied opinions on this subject, and that most seem to favor water baptism as the one baptism, but there is a problem with that theory. For many people are baptized with water in the name of Jesus Christ who have never been reborn of the Spirit of God and who do not know God because they do not obey him, but they have continued in their sins. They are just going through a religious ritual. And then there are the cases when people were saved and filled with the Spirit prior to water baptism (Acts 10:44-48).

And then we have John the Baptist’s words when he stated: “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 10:11-12) So, the indication here is that the baptism that we receive from Christ is not of water, but of the Spirit, in death to sin and living to righteousness.

“Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:3-7).

So, this is a spiritual baptism. And this can take place apart from water baptism, as well as water baptism is no indication that this spiritual baptism has ever taken place at all. So, I believe that our water baptism is more of an outward sign of an inward faith which has already taken place, and that this baptism into death (Romans 6) is of the Spirit of God, so this is also the baptism of the Spirit, since there is only ONE BAPTISM, and the only one that can literally bring about death to sin and living to God and to his righteousness is the one done of the Spirit and not in water. See:

[Matt 3:13-17; Matt 10:11-12; John 1:29-34; Mk 10:37-39; Ac 9:15-18; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 18:7-8; Acts 22:12-16; Rom 6:1-7]

Therefore, if we understand baptism in this light, it makes sense that Paul stated that Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel of Christ and the power of the cross of Christ in our lives. For the gospel message is that Jesus died on that cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By faith in him we are crucified with Christ in death to sin and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer as slaves to sin but as slaves to righteousness.

So sin is no longer to be what we obey, for if we obey sin, it leads to death, but if obedience to our Lord is what we obey, its end is eternal life with Christ Jesus, our Lord. For Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to (save) our old sinful lifestyles, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if for Jesus’ sake we deny self, die daily to sin, and follow him in obedience in holy living, then we have the hope of eternal life.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2]

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

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Ooh, I made a post about this. I like 1 Corinthians 1:10. Also, 1 Corinthians 12:24-26 has similar words.

Explanation:
1 Corinthians 1:10,12-13 admonishes the Corinthian church to have unity in their beliefs and actions, and warns against divisions that can arise from following different leaders or teachers. Paul asks if Christ is divided and emphasizes that they were all baptized in the name of Christ, not in the name of a particular teacher or leader.

Verse:
1 Corinthians 12:24b-26 (NIV): "But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

Explanation:
1 Corinthians 12:24b-26 further emphasizes the need for unity in the body of Christ, as God has put all the parts together with equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers, and if one part is honored, every part rejoices. This passage emphasizes the interconnectedness of all members of the body of Christ and the importance of working together and supporting one another, just as a machine has multiple parts which work in unison to perform a task.

Schism Devotional:

Richard T said:

Trump says Taiwan should pay the US for its defence as ‘it doesn’t give us anything’

Trump’s interview with Bloomberg will call into question Washington’s support for the island democracy should he win back the White House

www.theguardian.com

If you compare China 13.6 trillion in GDP versus Taiwan's GDP of 585 billion, are Trumps comments a concern? Does he really expect Taiwan to defend itself and pay for everything? China vs Taiwan Economies: 61 Stats Compared

His comments too on Taiwan taking over the U.S. chip manufacturing sector is worrisome too. Why? Because they are better competitors. They are more efficient. The secret sauce for Taiwan's chip superstardom

This efficiency is in part is driven by FREE MARKETS, which I hope Trump favors. as shown by the bullet points. Taiwan vs. US Chip Subsidies: Bolstering the Sacred Mountain.

• "Whereas policymakers in the US and South Korea direct government funds toward closing supply-chain weaknesses, Taiwanese policymakers allow companies to determine which technologies to lean into.
• Whereas lawmakers in the US and EU attach tight strings to the subsidies that administrative agencies dole out, Taiwanese lawmakers write vague laws that grant enormous discretion to government ministries.
• And whereas local governments in mainland China steer a significant share of the nation’s total semiconductor subsidies, Taiwan’s central government funds and manages the island’s most meaningful incentive programs."

So first, Trump's comments threaten the security of Taiwan and the entire region and secondly they threaten good competition. I know he is running against Biden, but he and many in the GOP need to shore up on foreign policy because this is worrisome. By saying Taiwan should pay the USA defense you have to admit that China loves to hear that. It shows a possible weakness in the USA commitment to defend Taiwan. It also implies that all of SE Asia at more risk and while he considers US defense of Taiwan an "insurance policy" the US friendly SE Asia nations help keep the USA safe as well. Does Trump for instance think the Philippines should pay for all of its defense? That is not in the treaty the USA signed, nor is it possible for such a poorer nation to defend itself. Sure the USA can be isolationist. The result though could be that most of S.E. Asia will be controlled by China, including the 3.4 trillion (out of 16 trillion) shipping that goes through the South China Sea. I know a lot of what Trump says will be tempered by some in the cabinet but there could be some real consequences for the world if the USA does not honor its commitments to both Taiwan and free markets.

Questions to be considered:
Is the USA competitive in chip manufacturing?
Does the USA have a commitment to defend Taiwan?

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I heard on the BBC World Service broadcast that the Chinese are generally thrilled at the prospect of a Second term for Trump, since he talked belligerently, but “started no wars”; (though there are Iranians and Kurds who would like to have his ear to hear their complaints about his first term ).

Gee, why would Chine want a second term in office if they thought he’d be “bad for them”!

Trump’s a chump, the epitome of all of Dunnger-Kruger politicians everywhere, who thinks himself as the “great negotiator” but settles for things (to get them done), rather than for “how good the deal” really was.

Diplomacy is glacial for a reason, he’s only going to have four more years, he’d better be ready to utilize the military since it seems he forget to push those buttons the first go ‘round!

Yarddog said:

I guess we need to list all of the crimes committed by illegals from 2017 to 2021 and blame Trump for those.

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It’s a grieving brother. I’m sure many feel the same regardless of who the president was at the time. It would be interesting to research it.

iluvatar5150 said:

What’s a bullet when you’ve already stared down the sun and won?

View attachment 351784

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Trump is one of the few people in history who has looked up at the sun and come away from it unscathed.

Thanks Gnarwhal!

I get EWTN but glad it can be seen other ways as well.

Michie said:

Former Brazilian soccer star Roberto Firmino is taking on the role of pastor of an Evangelical church in Brazil.

The former Liverpool striker held a consecration service at his founding church in Maceio last month and shared photos of the ceremony on Instagram with his 15.6 million followers on June 29.

The Champions and Premier League winner announced his gratitude for the ceremony welcoming him into his new pastoral role, calling it "a memorable and unforgettable night.

Continued below.

Brazilian soccer star Roberto Firmino becomes Evangelical pastor

Former Brazilian soccer star Roberto Firmino is taking on the role of pastor of an Evangelical church in Brazil

www.christianpost.com

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God bless this man for turning to his new pastoral role.

I feel that protesting in America is a waste of time. It seems to never end. Or others screw the meaning up. I just ignore it. Like the the leaders in charge. Also, I don't get why a lot of these people are protesting against soothing, they know nothing about.