Screengrab/Joe Rogan Experience/YouTube

I appreciate the many secular, even atheistic and non-Christian voices that have pushed back against radical trans-activism. They spoke loudly and clearly and boldly and fearlessly. Good for them! But if America is to be changed in a lasting, positive way, we cannot only push back against what is wrong. We must also present what is right, namely, that human beings are created in the image of God, thereby endowed with morality and purpose and significance, and that He created us male and female. That’s why those of us with a biblically based faith must lead the way.

To be sure, we will not fight this battle alone, and that’s why I’m appreciative of all those who have taken a stand against radical transgender activism, in some cases, at real personal cost. At the same time, we cannot fully align ourselves with trans-opposing atheists who mock the Bible or gay and lesbian activists who embrace same-sex “marriage” while rejecting the transgender grooming of children.

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You can look at 1 Timothy 3:1-10 > this shows the qualifications of a pastor or deacon. Even though someone is a Christian, still the person must meet these qualifications in order to be trusted to lead God's people.

Likewise, you can expect to be tested before you are trusted to lead the church with piano or song.

Your past before becoming a Christian, though, should not be considered . . . if you are clearly changing out of that bad behavior and other wrong things of personality - - - and learning how to relate in love and how God's love has us becoming emotionally >

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)

"Do all things without complaining and disputing," (Philippians 2:14)

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:14)

So, I say you should encourage him to examine you. And you, too, be sure to evaluate if and who you trust and how you trust each person. But I would say, that in examining someone, you do not evaluate only by what a person looks like!!

"'Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.'" (John 7:24)

I have seen how someone can be absolutely charming, intelligent, talk Jesus, be talented and beautiful. But then she might run through a string of men in bars, looking for a husband, be intoxicated at a church event, then marry someone and want a divorce within months. That is not a role model person who should be appearing in front of a church and managing ministries. Ones like this need to get with Jesus and learn how to be and how to love, how to do things in Jesus Christ's rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30, Colossians 3:15), and how to test reliably about who they trust and for what they are trusting each person . . . not just praising everyone for being so great, without evaluation.

So, not only should you be evaluated, but you need to learn how to evaluate. And learn to live in Jesus Christ's way of loving with rest for your soul >

"'Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matthew 11:29)

And yes there will be people who do not know how to evaluate you and ones can be even abusive. You need to be ready to love them and forgive them, and do not automatically trust them just because you forgave them, but test >

"Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

How we are spiritually and emotionally can be what we are spreading to help others to become the same way. This includes during your prayer, not only in public in church. So, maybe we could say, never mind if you are up front ministering, because also you are ministering while you are alone and praying or doing other things.

So, how to be is important > this is what can spread >

"rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4)

God sees deeper than you eyes!! And He will make sure you do what He really wants you to do.

I remember dreaming once that the tomb was found with Jesus’ bones in it. I quickly woke up at the thought because immediately even in a dream I knew it was not true. I posted all the info on what a farce this was. This should not concern you in the least.

Some bread options to learn to prepare.

-flatbreads
-water rolls
- sourdough bread (just flour, water, starter -which can be made from flour & water), & salt) and time and ...patience.

Xeno.of.athens said:

I'd change #1 to "The 73 canonical books of the holy scriptures are our primary foundation for faith and life and it to them that we go for answers to difficult questions, but we rely finally and fully on the wisdom given by the Holy Spirit for the proper understanding of what the holy scriptures teach."

And I'd change #3 to "And Faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is all One, the Glory Equal, the Majesty Co-Eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father Uncreate, the Son Uncreate, and the Holy Ghost Uncreate. The Father Incomprehensible, the Son Incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost Incomprehensible. The Father Eternal, the Son Eternal, and the Holy Ghost Eternal and yet they are not Three Eternals but One Eternal. As also there are not Three Uncreated, nor Three Incomprehensibles, but One Uncreated, and One Incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not Three Almighties but One Almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not Three Gods, but One God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not Three Lords but One Lord. For, like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by Himself to be God and Lord, so are we forbidden by the Catholic Religion to say, there be Three Gods or Three Lords. The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father, and of the Son: neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

So there is One Father, not Three Fathers; one Son, not Three Sons; One Holy Ghost, not Three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is afore or after Other, None is greater or less than Another, but the whole Three Persons are Coeternal together, and Coequal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped."

You also ought to add #3a to teach about the incarnation, "we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man.

God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the substance of His mother, born into the world. Perfect God and Perfect Man, of a reasonable Soul and human Flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching His Manhood. Who, although He be God and Man, yet He is not two, but One Christ. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into Flesh, but by taking of the Manhood into God. One altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by Unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one Man, so God and Man is one Christ. Who suffered for our salvation, descended into Hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, He sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies, and shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done evil into everlasting fire."

The other numbered points will need more work, but without a clear statement of what is believed about the Blessed Trinity and the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ the statement of faith is incomplete.

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Hi Xeno, trying to move the discussion to this thread: Talking about a Statement of Faith I wrote. You'll see my response there.

What are Marian Apparitions? Is there any historical or scientific evidence to support Mary appearing or are these incidents hoaxes? What impact did Mary’s alleged appearances have in history? In this episode, I sit down with philosopher Father Robert Spitzer to discuss all things Mary. In particular, we talk about the three most famous apparitions: Guadalupe, Fátima, and Lourdes. We discuss the incredible supernatural clues and evidence we have that can make these events so believable.

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1:58

Journey from Jerusalem to Antioch through Alexandria, Rome, of course, Constantinople and, finally, to Carthage.


Mike Aquilina's new book now available through Ignatius Press. (photo: Courtesy photos / Ignatius Press )

‘Rabbles, Riots and Ruins: Twelve Ancient Cities and How They Were Evangelized’

By Mike Aquilina

Ignatius, 2024

206 pages, $17.95



Cities have always been rough places. When too many people are crowded together, there’s no telling what can go wrong: riots, vandalism and even murder. And when people with dearly held diverse views get in each other’s faces, sparks can fly — followed by fire.

That’s especially true when those diverse views are religious in nature.

Yet ancient cities for all their flaws were the launching pads for Christianity’s miraculous growth. It’s where the fundamentals of the faith were fought over and confirmed as well as the places where the Christians were often brutalized and martyrs were made.

Even the New Jerusalem of the Book of Revelation was predicted to be a grand city:

Continued below.

The first episode of this two-part ‘Saints vs. Scoundrels’ airs Sunday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.


Saul Alinsky (l) speaks on Aug. 2, 1963, and Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen works from his desk on Oct. 23, 1956. (photo: Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0/Public Domain)

One wrote a manifesto called Rules for Radicals. The other wrote titles such as Seven Pillars of Peace, The Divine Romance and Freedom Under God. Both were natives of Illinois. Both shaped generations with their diverging philosophies.

Beginning this weekend, both will square off on EWTN’s Saints vs. Scoundrels.

One is the self-professed radical Saul Alinsky (1909-1972), whose political theories inspired such leaders as community organizer-turned-president Barack Obama. The other was an Emmy Award-winning bishop whose insights reached millions of homes. His name was Fulton Sheen (1895-1979).

Alinsky is known for the infamous line, “If there is an afterlife, and I have anything to say about it, I will unreservedly choose to go to hell.” Alinsky came from an Orthodox Jewish home but largely considered himself an agnostic in life.


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Stephen3141 said:

It is inconsistent for Trump to admit that he lost a close election,
when he is planning to claim that he won the next election,
regardless of the official vote count.

Trump has continuously trashed the (very accurate and transparent)
voting system in America. Why would anyone believe anything he says
about a vote count, in some election?

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The proverbial forked tongue. The thing is that since any reasoning based on a lie will end up in a contradiction, it also means that in cross-examination, the person who is lying or deceived will ultimately end up talking out of both sides of their mouth.

The legal community has historically used the word "infant",
top refer to children who have not yet come of age.

This androgenous word, would solve the problem.

May be it was dick cheney, who actually shot at trump

HarleyER said:

Very wise advice. It is very important to have a budget. I've always been of the philosophy to give a little, save a little, spend a little (on oneself). By God's grace, that has worked out very well.

I'm always hesitant to talk about giving as it is a personal matter. Today, my wife and I only give to 1) organizations that help faithful pastors who now in their retirement face financial difficulties, 2) organizations spread the word of Christ through media, 3) missionaries that I'm personally knowledgable about the missions, 4) good, gospel preaching seminaries that will train the next generation of pastors and leaders of the gospel, and 5) our local church. We have been know to give money to individuals on a case by case basis and according to a set criteria. I no longer support secular organizations as the government seems to have plenty of programs that support those purposes. What is lacking are funds for the cause of Christ in my opinion.

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Thank you. It is good that you give to organizations that help pastors in financial trouble, missionaries and Gospel distribution organizations. Yeah, secular organizations can be a bit risky to give to, which is why I will start giving more to Christian owned organizations.

Turkey's Erdogan: Islamic countries should form alliance against 'Israel's growing expansionism'​

Psalms 83
With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
8 Even Assyria has joined them
to reinforce Lot’s descendants.[b]
9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 who perished at Endor
and became like dung on the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, “Let us take possession
of the pasturelands of God.”



Revelation 17
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

NBB said:

what i learned about USA politics, is that anything the left don't likes can be labeled by them as russian propaganda or far right.

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How many times do conservative cry Communism compared to liberals?

Michu said:

2 November, 2024. In the jewish calender its Parashat Noach ( Noah ) aswell as 1st Cheshvet (the time the second temple were completed, 1 Kings 6:38)
Thought it were interesting as Jesus referred to his own body as the temple, and we making up the body of christ.

Now on 2 november we also got All souls day or The feast of all Souls as the day also is called among other names, which is the day after All saints day.

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If this is the case, though, the Shia Islam armies surrounding Israel will be destroyed by God NLT 2 November.

Things have been going great even more. I am his cornhole playing partner as well. Seen my cornhole game set up and said cool. We played against a couple guys yesterday and won all 3 games. Right into the hole most of the time.

John Calvin was not trained in first-order logic. No one was at his time. Nevertheless, let me analyze his writing on the doctrine of reprobation in Institutes of the Christian Religion. Book III, Chapter 23, Section 1:

The human mind, when it hears this doctrine, cannot restrain its petulance,

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"petulance" is an emotive word. It belongs in rhetoric, not in a formal argumentation setting. I prefer to stick to objective logic when I argue.

but boils and rages as if aroused by the sound of a trumpet.

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He exaggerated the human mind's reaction. Again, it is rhetoric, not logic.

Many professing a desire to defend the Deity from an invidious charge admit the doctrine of election, but deny that any one is reprobated (Bernard. in Die Ascensionis, Serm. 2). This they do ignorantly and childishly

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more emotive words

since there could be no election without its opposite reprobation. God is said to set apart those whom he adopts for salvation. It were most absurd to say, that he admits others fortuitously, or that they by their industry acquire what election alone confers on a few. Those, therefore, whom God passes by he reprobates,

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He did not use the word "therefore" in the FOL sense. I am having trouble following his reasoning. For my taste, he needed to arrange his argument more linearly.

and that for no other cause but because he is pleased to exclude them from the inheritance which he predestines to his children. Nor is it possible to tolerate the petulance of men, in refusing to be restrained by the word of God, in regard to his incomprehensible counsel, which even angels adore.

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Calvin's argument seems to be based on emotive rhetoric and what computer science people call spaghetti logic.

I like to invite modern-day Calvin scholars to express themselves in my subreddit according to its rules.

OSV News) — On the occasion of St. John Paul II’s 1984 visit to Fairbanks, Alaska, at the start of a trip to Far East nations, President Ronald Reagan highlighted the pontiff’s work to ensure “rights and dignity of the individual and for peace among nations,” and committed the United States to that cause.

“In a violent world, your Holiness, you have been a minister of peace and love. Your words, your prayers, your example have made you — for those who suffer oppression or the violence of war — a source of solace, inspiration, and hope,” Reagan said. “For this historic ministry the American people are grateful to you, and we wish you every encouragement in your journeys for peace and understanding in the world.”

Reagan and St. John Paul II: A historic relationship​

The pope acknowledged Reagan was just returning from his own — as Reagan described — “mission of peace” in China, thanked the president for his kind welcome and reaffirmed their friendship. He otherwise didn’t speak much about Reagan but echoed the sentiment about the importance of justice and peace, saying that the diversity of Fairbanks “provides the context in which each person, each family, each ethnic group is challenged to live in harmony and concord.”

Continued below.

Iraq​

Pray for peace in Iraq, which is buffeted by political storms in Iran and other neighbouring Middle Eastern states. Pray for wisdom for its national leaders and for the regional authorities in Kurdistan and for peaceful progress on settling Kurdistan’s political future.
YES - I will Pray

Iraq

Pray for all the displaced people and refugees living in camps across Kurdistan. Ask that God would grant wisdom, courage and compassion to the authorities who are seeking long-term solutions and considering whether to close some of the camps.
YES - I will Pray

Iraq​

Pray for the vocational training activities provided by our partner in Kurdistan. May they provide new hope as well as new skills and opportunities for those who are learning together.
YES - I will Pray

Iraq​

Pray for the widows, children and other vulnerable people who rely on food parcels from our partner in Kurdistan. May these packages be of spiritual encouragement to them as well as meeting their physical needs.
YES - I will Pray

Iraq​

Pray for the safe houses operated by our partner which provide sanctuary to those who have fled persecution or abuse. Pray for comfort, protection and a lasting peace for those who find refuge there.
YES - I will Pray

Iraq​

Pray for the Hope for all Nations church run by our partner in Kurdistan which recently received its official licence. Pray God’s blessing on its ministry to Christians who have fled persecution elsewhere and to new Muslim-background believers.
YES - I will Pray

Iraq​

Pray for Rev Canon Faez Jirjees of St George’s Church, Baghdad. Thank God for his steadfast ministry and leadership and pray for continued strength, wisdom and peace for him and his family and God’s blessing upon all those to whom he ministers.
YES - I will Pray

Sign up for email prayer alerts​

To lift up persecuted Christians in your prayers and see God at work in their lives
Subscribe

Children’s Prayer Sheet​

It’s not only adults who can pray for our persecuted family. Every month we produce a prayer sheet aimed specifically for children. Each sheet has specific activities and prayers which will help children learn more about how persecution affects children in other countries.
You can visit our Children’s Prayer Sheet page here.

When Colombian President Gustavo Petro came into office last year, he touted a plan for “total peace”. But church leaders continue to be harassed, extorted and murdered due to the violence around control of territories between armed guerrillas, drug gangs and other armed groups. Christians in these areas who dare to speak publicly about corruption and violence face attacks for their bold witness. Essentially, any action that a group views as defiant or opposes their illegal activities is enough to lead to violent attacks or immense pressure.
In some indigenous communities, there is sometimes significant opposition toward Christian missionaries and anyone who has converted from traditional practices to follow Jesus.
There also seems to be a growing intolerance toward Christian views in the public sphere, especially about issues concerning life, family, marriage and religious liberty. Sometimes, Christians can be accused of hate speech and intolerance, which can promote self-censorship.

Meet Thiago​

“I would like to tell [the armed rebel group] that I forgive them in spite of all the evil they did, because maybe they didn’t know or hadn’t thought about what they were doing, and that I don’t … I don’t hold grudges.”
Thiago (name changed), a Colombian teenager whose brother was forcibly recruited and later murdered by an armed militia group.

What does Open Doors do to help?​

Open Doors strengthens the persecuted Church in Colombia through Bible distribution, training, trauma care, community development projects, emergency relief aid, and education and safe houses for children.

Please pray​

• Ask God to protect church leaders and help them to serve Him, despite the danger.
• Pray for strength for believers who are viewed are traitors by their indigenous groups.
• Ask God to protect and preserve the Open Doors Children’s Centre.

Sabeen Rahil and Elias Johny Al Arja in Bethlehem. In the background behind them is the bell tower of the Church of the Nativity, which stands on the site where Jesus was born. | Credit: Marinella Bandini

On Aug. 3, Sabeen Rahil and Elias Johny Al Arja, two young Christians from Bethlehem, were officially engaged. According to ancient tradition there, engagements are a public act and already bind the future spouses together with a priest’s blessing and the exchange of rings.

The couple will marry next year and have decided to begin their life together and raise their children in Bethlehem, despite the prolonged war in Gaza, the severe impact of the war on the local economy, and the escalation of violence in the region.

The couple told CNA that their decision is deeply rooted in their Christian faith and their desire to encourage other Christians to do the same in order to build a new society where Christians feel fully at home in the city where Jesus was born.

Continued below.

As anyone ever been to Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania or Branson, Missouri? They are known to put on Bible stories and turn them into musical, in somewhat style of Broadway.

I've seen Joseph some years ago. This Labor Day weekend, I went to see Daniel at the cinemas, which was beyond incredible.

The shows playing right now are Esther in Branson and Daniel in Lancaster. This coming Christmas, The Miracle of Christmas will be playing. Then the next year, Noah will be in Lancaster and David will be in Branson.

You can even stream Sight and Sound shows from the comfort of your own home.

So Sight and Sound is actually worth checking out.

timewerx said:

Not anymore.

20 years ago, what you said would be true.

But now with social media strongly pushing tattoo into mainstream, I'd be thinking anyone with tattoo is just like everybody else obsessed with fads.

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The tattoos aren't always real. I used to follow a model years ago with a signature look. One day she did a photoshoot showing their application. You couldn't tell they were fake because she had a professional and the images were tweaked. The same could be true for someone with means but you'd never know.

~bella

This is a pretty blatant case of bigotry by the school. It can’t be a safety concern because they field a co-ed soccer team: Soccer - MVCS

All Praise, Thanks, Glory, Honour & Victory to God for ensuring the widespread adoption of green, renewable & clean energy throughout the world: