• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Joe Biden Missing in Action (this is getting weird)

Someone wants us to believe Biden really wasn't recuperating from Covid in Delaware or they want us to believe he was not behind his letter stepping down from the election. I have relatives that buy into conspiracy stuff. The look on their face when repeating it is like a hypnotized drone.
Some will have entered the age of “we-don’t-know-what-to-believe-anymore” sooner than others.
The trouble is that it’s not a long journey in time nor “reasoning”.
We’re told that “all politicians lie”, so often that when someone speaks the truth, many already look for the duplicity without regarding the facts on the ground. And get mad at this duplicity and rail against that, as if their suppositions were true.
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Tucker Carlson warns a 'spiritual battle' is under way in America — then he reveals its No. 1 target: 'Very obvious now'



Tucker Carlson believes the attempted assassination of Donald Trump is evidence of an ongoing "spiritual battle" in the United States. Speaking at a Heritage Foundation event at the Republican National Convention, Carlson shared his view that "deeper" forces, like evil, are behind attacks like the one that occurred at Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. "I think what happened on Saturday — the assassination attempt against President Trump — reminded a lot of people of this or awakened a lot of people to this," Carlson said on Monday.
"There is a spiritual battle under way," he added. "There is no logical way to understand what we're seeing now in temporal terms. You just can't. These are not political divides. There are forces — and they're very obvious now; they've decided, for whatever reason, to take off the mask — whose only goal is chaos, violence, destruction."

According to Carlson, the forces that he identified are "dedicated to the destruction of people," and he believes they have a common enemy: Christians.
Of course. Just as we all knew would happen.
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Who was the high priest when David ate the holy bread?

You asked how we reconcile those passages. I showed you. The original of Mark 2:25 did not mention who was high priest. Neither did it mention anyone being with David. David was actually alone. Some scribe or copyist at some point who knew a bit about the old testament embellished the wording of Mar 2 to make it sound grander or more authoritative. That's how the mistakes crept into the new testament. Matthew 23:35 and Matthew 12:40 are similar.
Late reaction, but do you have a source/reference for the original Mark 2:25-26 you mentioned that did not mention who was High Priest? Is that manuscript available online?
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What gospel did Paul preach to the Galatians?

Paul taught the same message that Jesus taught, that Peter taught, that all the apostles taught: the kingdom of God, the grace of God, Jesus Christ and Him crucified, forgiveness of sin, the return of Christ and the coming day of the Lord. The message Paul taught and preached must be the same message that was taught by Jesus and the apostles, otherwise it would be a false message. See 1 Galatians 1:8-9. The audience was different than that in Judea, but the message was the same.

When Paul was converted, he first went and preached Christ to the Jews in Galatia, then he went into Arabia for three years, where it is believed that Paul was taught by Jesus Christ.

When Paul went to Jerusalem the second time he was given the right hand of fellowship by the other Jewish apostles who had been teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus Christ in Judea. Giving Paul the right hand of fellowship can only mean one thing: Paul was teaching and preaching the same message of Jesus Christ that the apostles in Jerusalem were teaching and preaching.

Paul, Peter, and the other apostles all preached and taught about the grace of God, the Kingdom of God, and Jesus Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected; the perfectly sinless atoning sacrifice for any that would believe.
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Is hypnotism okay for Christians?

There are different forms of hypnosis. Some decades ago, a famous hypnotist came to town. Out of curiosity, I attended the show. He asked for volunteers. I went forth, doubting that he would be able to hypnotize me. Well, he didn't pick me. I went back to my seat and watched him making some people bark like dogs, quack like ducks, hop like rabbits, etc. People laughed. It was funny, I guess.

Is it okay for Christians to participate in this kind of hypnosis?

It is okay if it is for occasional entertainment and not habitual. The hypnotist did not induce the subjects to do anything they didn't really want to do.

There is also the Hollywood version of hypnosis. An evil master is able to dictate an innocent person to perform an act against his will upon hearing a special keyword (cue). Scientists disagree that hypnosis can do that. Hypnosis is not mind control. Christians should not engage in mind control.

There is hypnotherapy. In a hypnotherapy session, a trained therapist guides the willing subject to address his concerns, like weight problems, stress, anxiety, phobias, self-esteem, bad habits, etc. It works on some people. In this case, the Christian patient should ensure the therapist is a fellow Christian brother.

Is hypnotism okay for Christians?

Mind control is not okay. Christians should stay away from any entities trying to control their minds. In the case of hypnotherapy, it could be okay but be warned. 1 Peter 5:


Let the peace guide you. As for me, I'd rather rely on Jesus than on a Christian therapist to overcome my personal problems.
Hypnotism is demonic, according to Deuteronomy. Also, 1 Thessalonians says we should abstain from evil.

Deuteronomy 18:9-13 (NIV): When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God.

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GUILTY

I’m not going to back through all the posts to the one that shows that they’ve actually fallen 3%
While you're not looking, here's some more info to chew on: Statement by Acting Secretary of Labor Su on January jobs report

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 353,000 jobs in January, bringing the total jobs created under President Biden to 14.8 million. The unemployment rate held at its steady, low rate of 3.7 percent. This continues a two-year trend of a jobless rate under four percent, the longest stretch in more than 50 years.

And: Inflation vs. wages: How rising prices stack up against growing pay

'Since February 2020, the Consumer Price Index has climbed a cumulative 20.8%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Over that same period, average hourly earnings rose 22.3%.'

In short, you won't find any information that says that overall wages have not increased faster than inflation.
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toxic christian parents

Parents should love their kids regardless of their kids beliefs. Parents should encourage their kids to find their own path in life. Parents should be there for their kids, giving them love and support and building up their confidence. Once kids turn 12 parents should start letting go of control, letting their kids make their own decisions. Parents shouldn't be over controlling, shouldn't goad, ridicule, coerce or blackmail their children.
Now we have your opinion. Christians should obey God and teach their children to also obey God. As for teaching methods, God didn't instruct us to goad, ridicule, coerce or blackmail others. You sound as if you have a chip on your shoulder. I'm sorry you were mistreated.
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My step mum is getting baptised into the Mormon church. As a Christian should I attend?

So my step mum raised me since I was about 10 years old. My real mum moved away and has remained in my life but we don’t speak often. I became a born again Christian a few years ago and while I don’t support the Mormon church (I am aware that their baptism isn’t a true Christian baptism), I feel bad to not be there for my step mum since she wants me there. I am also worried it will make her hesitant to attend my own events if my faith is involved. I don’t want to cause division between us so I am confused about what to do… any biblical advice appreciated Sorry if this is the wrong thread/forum for this question.
When I was a Mormon I attended my aunt's church hoping she would attend the Mormon church with me. She didn't. But her church, I think, was Jesus Only.
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Primary Cause of Lupus Discovered–and A Possible Way to Reverse It

Lupus-effects-on-the-skin-credit-Nephron-CC-BY-SA-3.0-1024x683.jpg
Lupus effects on the skin – credit Nephron, CC BY-SA 3.0

A team of scientists from Northwestern Medicine and Brigham and Women’s Hospital have identified the cause of lupus, a devastating autoimmune disease that affects 1.5 million Americans.

In doing so they also believe they’ve found a cure, or at least a more sophisticated treatment, and are currently working on developing a pharmacologic method of delivering the potential cure-like molecule.

Lupus erythematosus, to use its full name, involves the body’s immune system attacking its own native cells, causing a variety of skin complications, while also potentially life-threatening damage to the heart, kidney, and brain. The cause of lupus isn’t well understood, and the scientists at Northwestern criticized existing treatments as “blunt instruments.”

Continued below.

CRISPR Identifies Commonly Available Drug That Works as Cobra Venom Antidote

In a scientific paper demonstrating multiple breakthroughs, scientists at Sydney and Liverpool have identified a commonly available blood thinner that doubles as an antidote to cobra venom.

The study relied on CRISPR gene modification technology to identify cells immune to snake venom and use them as case studies to figure out what would be the best mechanism for preventing necrosis from snake bites.

The authors describe snake bites in general as “the deadliest neglected tropical disease” and report that around 140,000 people every year die from them, with another 400,000 permanently wounded.

Continued below.

Baby Bird Rescued in Texas Panhandle Wrapped in a Warm Tortilla Until Wildlife Experts Arrived

orphaned-newborn-owl-Taquito-wrapped-in-tortilla-Wild-West-Wildlife-Rehabilitation-Center-1024x552.jpg
Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – FB

Being that it took place in America, as far as volunteers at the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center were concerned it was a story that could only happen in Texas.

A family in the north Texas city of Amarillo found a baby bird lying cold and abandoned on the ground in their yard during a swim party and barbeque.

The mother acted fast, tossing a tortilla on the stove before using it like a warm blanket to scoop up the chick.

Afterwards the WWWRC was alerted by the family that they had found what they thought was an owlet, but what turned out to be a Mississippi kite.

“Undoubtedly, it was an inventive method to keep the baby warm, and surprisingly, it was effective,” the wildlife center said in a Facebook post. “Wildlife rescue is always filled with lively and unexpected moments.”


The young bird is doing well and has since been given the name Taquito.

Continued below.
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Prayer for workplace struggles and stress

Father I pray for HeartOfSilver to also be given peace and rest.

Is 30:15
For this is what the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said:
“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”

Ps 46;10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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SS Director Cheatle Maintains "Full Accountability"

Wish I could 'AlexB23', I will endeavor to all the while knowing, it has been a good number of years since watching that doc. I am not ruling out it being a 60-minutes episode.
Thank you, brother. 60-minutes was good. I like PBS Frontline as well. :)
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The First Resurrection

I will answer this because of my conviction. The Mother Church was active 1500 years before the protest. They had over 1500 years in comparison to the Protest churches, which have been around for only 500ish years. 1500 years is a long time to keep a record of wrongs. Fortunately, the Same God of the Protestants is the Same God of the Catholics and He, Being Love Incarnate, keeps no record of wrongs.

I cannot indict either as having more acts of atrocity. Under the guidance of Protestants, Salem happened. I can further say that many puritans enforced torture and death in light of "doctrinal" adherence in the early formation years. Instead of seeing one party as more guilty than the other, I see us as all bound together.

I will state that the Protestant bodies seem to focus on the Spiritual delivery of the gospel and spoon feeding the saints with a bit of physical ministry allotted to a small percentage of individuals here and there.

The Big "C" Mother Church has perpetually out performed the Protestant Physical Bodies in matters of the Physical Gospel. I can't ignore this. Catholics are called to physical ministry in whatever their capacity is, by nature of the doctrines.

I would say that Atheist's militant, not Agnostics and soft Atheist's are more in line with Satan's doctrine than most think. They believe that the entire Law is specifically "Do as thou wilt" (No Love to motivate, Hate taught as normal and necessary) and that there is no Satan.

As for the war against the invisible Body, Paul said Jesus Christ shouldn't be divided, yet the Devil has made over 29,000 successful amputations and separations.

There's only One Jesus. The rest has happened, is happening in real time and is to happen as God described.
I cannot ignore Jesus' teachings and accept wrongdoing.
Matthew 5:43-48; John 13:34, 35; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:14, 17-21

Jesus said, at John 16:2-4 2 They will ban you from the synagogue, yet an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. However, I did not say these things to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

When Jesus starts gathering the weeds, he won't be pulling out individual weeds, like we do, when we have a few weeds in our garden.
Jesus will be pulling heaps upon heaps of them, and the collection will be very great in comparison to the wheat. Matthew 7:13, 14

This has been a pleasant and thought provoking discussion.

Thank you, as well, CoreyD
I really hope it was more than thought provoking, but that is still positive.
Thank you.
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Scripture-engaged Americans place higher importance on civic engagement, poll finds

This kind of narcissism is the root of the problem. This isn't about whether people are well-intentioned or not (I'm sure the people at Jonestown or Waco believed they were doing the right thing, too), but whether policies attack the human rights of others.
Define human rights and why we as Christians have to sacrofice Christian society in order to support these rights.

Why as a Christian should we be especially concerned with human rights when said regime of human rights only serves to strengthen non Christian governments?
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National Eucharistic Congress Ends With Prayer for ‘New Pentecost’ for U.S. Church...

It is so sad to hear paper-thin words that flow so professionally, so well-practiced. But when there is no unction in the depths of the soul, no trembling in the heart under the weight and glory of Truth, how can there be supernatural fruitfulness to bring joy in the heavens?
Isa 66:1 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
Isa 66:2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD. But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
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Why Christianity must be a cause

But that wasn't the end of it, was it?

Read the entire exchange.
MAT.19.16-26
Correct. I was simply pointing out that Jesus started by asking if the rich young ruler had kept the commandments. He then went on to show what the young man should do to be saved. Jesus said to sell everything he had and give the money to the poor. Sadly, the young man loved his money so much that he did not want to give it up and follow Jesus. We must be willing to give everything up for Him.
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Hand in Hand by DeGarmo and Key

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When you look out of your window late at night
Whisper  a prayer for the friends you made in life
Do  you remember
The ones that helped you make it through?
Are you ready to lend a hand
When  others need you, too?

Hand  in hand
We walk together
Hand  in hand
We'll serve the Lord forever
Hand in hand

Our only treasure that won't rust of fade
Are  friendships that stand on love given away
So love one another
And love the Lord with all your heart
'Cause that's the way that friendships last
And the place that we should start

Hand in hand
We walk together
Hand in hand
We'll serve the Lord forever
Hand in hand
We walk together
Hand in hand
We'll serve the Lord forever
Hand in hand

Love one another
And love the Lord with all your heart
'Cause that's the way that friendships last
And the place that we should start

Hand in hand
We walk together
Hand in hand
We'll serve the Lord forever
Hand in hand
We walk together
Hand in hand
We'll serve the Lord forever
Hand in hand

(Hand in hand)
We walk together
(Hand in hand)
Hand in hand
(Hand in hand)
We walk together
(Hand in hand)
As we serve the Lord together

Knowing when to step down

In "L’Osservatore Romano", the deputy director of Vatican media, Alessandro Gisotti, writes on Joe Biden and the value of saying farewell. The decision by the American president recalls the decision made by Nelson Mandela in 1999 when he chose not to run for a second term as South Africa’s president.

Stepping back has a cost – a great cost. You don’t necessarily have to hold a position of power or a high-profile office. Sometimes even giving up our established work habits or a hard-won position can be very difficult. That is why whenever a prominent public figure chooses to step back, to take a leave of absence, he or she immediately captures public sympathy and esteem. We experienced this in a striking way on February 11, 2013, with Benedict XVI’s historic renunciation of the Petrine ministry. We grasp it - albeit in a different sphere - just as evidently in these last 24 hours after U.S. President Joe Biden announced that he will give up his run for a second term in the White House, leaving it to his party to choose a new candidate to challenge Donald Trump (Biden has, however, already indicated Vice President Kamala Harris as his preference to succeed him in the Oval Office).

Continued below.

Boycott Hell from DeGarmo & Key

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We got a job to do.
We're running out of time to do it.
You've got a gift to use.
Get out in the world and use it.
Bury your foolish pride.
We gotta unionize.
Oi, don't you think it's time
To boycott hell?
Boycott hell!

We got the strength to win,
Standing arm-in-arm together.
Forget our differences.
We can change the world forever.
Bury your foolish pride.
We gotta unionize.
Oi, don't you think it's time
To boycott hell?
Boycott hell!

Don't let a neighbor go.
Form a holy picket line.
We gotta let them know.
Dontcha think it's time
To boycott hell?
Boycott hell!


Don't let a neighbor go.
Form a holy picket line.
We gotta let them know.
Dontcha think it's time
To boycott hell?
Boycott hell!

We got a job to do.
We're running out of time to do it.
You've got a gift to use.
Get out in the world and use it.
Bury your foolish pride.
We gotta unionize.
Oi, don't you think it's time
To boycott hell?
Boycott hell!
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