It is the difference between the way of weeping and the way of depersonalization. Both may be superficially similar in consequence, but different in basis. The first takes the care of the suffering self and extends it the the suffering of others. The second takes the detachment in concern of the suffering of others and applies it to the self.

Fake ICE agents terrorize immigrants amid Trump’s crackdown​

A Noticias Telemundo investigation documented a marked increase in cases of people posing as federal agents to rob, intimidate and even injure or rape immigrants.

Although neither the federal government nor local authorities publish specific records of people impersonating immigration agents, an analysis by Noticias Telemundo, based on court records, police reports and news articles, suggests that the number of such crimes has increased over the past year.

Our investigation documented at least 31 cases in 2025 alone — a sharp increase compared to an average of 5.3 incidents per year in the previous decade. Overall, we identified 84 instances of impostors posing as immigration agents between 2014 and 2025.

In the case of the Mexican immigrant, he said at least four assailants robbed him and the other immigrants in the house at gunpoint. He was struck in the head with a weapon; another immigrant who lived in the house said his forehead was split open with the butt of a gun; it required more than 10 stitches and staples. The assailants also pointed a gun at a baby as they demanded money from the infant’s parents, the immigrants said.

The recorded incidents include intimidation, robbery and sexual assault, as well as so-called “immigration operations” carried out by armed vigilantes against what they describe as an “invasion” of foreigners in the U.S.

According to an internal security bulletin obtained by Noticias Telemundo, the FBI warned in October that criminals were “taking advantage of ICE’s higher public profile and media coverage to target vulnerable communities and commit criminal activity.”

The FBI warned in the bulletin that these incidents make it “difficult for the community to distinguish” between legitimate officers conducting lawful law enforcement actions and impostors engaging in criminal activity, which damages trust between the local community and law enforcement officers.

In the past, impostors typically stole from immigrants. However, John Tobon, a retired deputy director of Homeland Security Investigations (ICE’s investigative arm), told Noticias Telemundo that these crimes have recently become “much more aggressive and violent.” [Just like the authentic ones!]

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN said:

I'm not surprised, I get a lot of videos, about how evil Muslims are. How they're taking over America and other countries.

Click to expand...

We see posts on this forum saying that.

Michie said:

The U.S. Department of War on May 22 released a second tranche of declassified files on unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs, including more than 50 videos and documents detailing military encounters and historical sightings that officials say remain largely unexplained.



The release adds 64 files to materials made public earlier this month under President Donald Trump's directive for greater transparency on UAPs, the official term for what are commonly known as UFOs. It includes roughly 51 videos, six PDFs, and seven audio files.

“This is an unprecedented, historic undertaking that requires coordination between dozens of agencies and the review of tens of millions of records, many existing only on paper, spanning many decades,” a Department of War statement accompanying the release said. Officials added that additional records will be released “every few weeks” as materials are discovered and declassified.

The site has received more than 1 billion visits since the first release on May 8.

Among the new videos are infrared footage from 2022 showing four UAPs flying in formation over water near Iran, and 2021 footage captured by a U.S. Air Force Reaper drone near the Jordan-Syria border depicting a UAP with apparent instantaneous acceleration and abrupt directional changes. Officials noted the object showed no traditional propulsion or strong thermal signature.

Continued below.

Pentagon releases second set of declassified UFO files - Zeale

The U.S. Department of War on May 22 released a second tranche of declassified files on unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs, including more than 50 videos and documents detailing military encounters and historical sightings that officials say remain largely unexplained.

zeale.co

Click to expand...

I took a good look at them but was rather unimpressed. I got the impression that they were not mechanical.

David Lamb said:

Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to reply again. I do appreciate it, even though I don't agree that unsaved sinners can be saved after the mortal body is dead.. When I look at the New Testament, I see the gospel being preached with urgency. Why would this urgency be needed, and why did Paul and others go through such trials for the sake of preaching the gospel, if people who aren't saved before death will get the opportunity to do so afterwards? (But I'll stop there, as my main point was to thank you, and I don't want to detract from that.)

Click to expand...

I believe that the urgency, that the early church felt, is because they understood the Fathers heart better than we do, the idea that Jesus conquered death and it is a gift of God not something they have to earn, or work hard at to attain, was such good news that it had to be shared.
The Jews missed God when He stood in their midst, because Jesus did not fit their idea of who the messiah was to be, the Gentiles missed God because the idea that a God would sacrifice himself for his creation and take their mess into himself and as 2 Cor 5:19 says " in Christ God was reconciling the cosmos to himself, not counting peoples trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation" , no god that they had ever heard of would do that, sure god will save those who follow and are obedient, but to take the punishment for people on himself, that was totally absurd.
Also when you have had a encounter with the Father, and share in the heart of Jesus, you love as he does, and that love compels us to get as many people into the kingdom now and spare them the loss of the inheritance, and the lake of fire, because when you love with the heart of Jesus, you do not want to see anyone have to go through that, but its not eternal, Jesus paid too high a price and he will not be cheated, he will get 100% of what he paid for.

Stephen, a deacon in the church (the body of believers in Jesus Christ), was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit and power who did great wonders and signs among the people. But there were those who opposed him who stirred up the people against him. And when asked if the accusations against him were true, he then went through the history of the Jews, beginning with Abraham, covering both the good and the bad in their history. And then he ended his history lesson with these words to the Jews who were there:

Acts 7:51-53 NKJV


The Stiff-necked

What does it mean to be “stiff-necked” in heart and ears? It means to be haughty, obstinate, stubborn, and unwilling to change in heart, mind, and behavior, and to submit to the one in authority, who is God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. And to be uncircumcised in heart and ears is to be spiritually rebellious, stubborn, and unwilling to surrender to God and to his commands. It is to be lacking in biblical faith and in obedience to our Lord out of a rebellious heart, unwilling to change and to follow Jesus.

And in what ways did they resist the Holy Spirit? Well, it was the Holy Spirit who spoke through Moses and through the prophets and through Jesus Christ and through the apostles, and through all of God’s messengers who were speaking under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and not in their own flesh, speaking the words and messages of God to the people. So when they resisted and rejected the messages of God spoken through his messengers down through the ages, they were indeed resisting the Holy Spirit.

And not only did they not listen to God’s messengers and to their messages sent from God to the people, but they often persecuted, mistreated, beat, falsely accused, falsely incarcerated, and put to death those who were speaking God’s messages, which were for their good. And they falsely accused Jesus of wrong he did not do, and they had him arrested, put on trial, beaten beyond recognition, and nailed to a cross where he was put to death because he spoke the truth that the people did not want to hear.

Even though they, as a people, were given the commands of God, which they were to follow, they did not keep the law of God. Now they may have remained faithful to some of their religious rituals, and to some of the liturgical, ceremonial, sacrificial, purification, circumcision, dietary, and/or Sabbath laws, but they were guilty of not obeying God’s moral laws. For they resisted the Holy Spirit, and they murdered their Messiah and the prophets before him, for they were stubborn and unwilling to obey our Lord.

So it Continues

And it is not that much different today. Many who profess faith in God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit – are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears. And many of them are those who resist the Holy Spirit and those speaking the biblical messages of God to the people today. And they, as well, are religious in form and in practice in some areas but while they ignore the moving of the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit, and God’s messages he is giving today through his messengers.

And I am definitely not saying here that we should accept every word or action spoken in the name of God, or as though it is from the Holy Spirit, or every spiritual gift or prophecy supposedly coming from God to the people. For there are many liars and deceivers among us. There are many fakes. There are many who go beyond what the Scriptures teach and they make up their own gospel and messages and gifts supposedly coming from God. So we must be spiritually discerning here, for not everyone is from God.

But the Scriptures teach us: “19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies. 21Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.” So, we are neither to reject it all nor are we to accept it all just because it sounds good, or it looks good, or someone tries to convince us that this is of God, and of the Holy Spirit. But sadly so many people are accepting and participating in what is clearly not of God while they and/or others reject what is truly biblical and of God and of the Spirit of God.

And far too many people professing faith in Jesus Christ today have gone the way of the world and of compromise of faith and conviction, whose ears are closed to the truth of the Scriptures unless they are hearing only the feel-good stuff. Many are being convinced that an acknowledgment of faith in Jesus is enough to secure them forgiveness of all sins and heaven as their eternal home, but while they are still living in sin and in disobedience to our Lord. But unless they repent and obey God, they will not be saved from hell.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

Teach Them

Based off various scriptures
An Original Work / May 24, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Open up the blinded eyes of
Those who walk in sin’s darkness.
Turn them to the light of Christ
And to His righteousness.
Turn them from the pow’r of Satan.
Turn them to the peace of Christ,
So they may receive forgiveness
And eternal life.

Teach them to put off their old selves
And their former way of life,
And to put on their new self,
Reborn to be like Christ;
To not copy worldly customs;
Be transformed in life and mind;
Obey freely His word in them,
Pleasing unto God.

Teach them how to love their neighbors
Truly as they love themselves;
Be a witness; share the gospel;
Satan’s lies dispel;
Comfort all who mourn in sadness;
Share Christ’s love and joy today.
Do this through your life and witness
For your Lord always.

Login to view embedded media
Resisting the Holy Spirit
An Original Work / May 25, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

The man accused of deliberately driving a car into pedestrians in central Modena, Italy, on May 16, injuring eight people, has been identified as a 31-year-old Italian citizen of Moroccan origin with a history of voicing anti-Christian hostility.

Salim El Koudri, who has held Italian citizenship since the age of 14, has been detained over the attack. He is accused of driving his car into pedestrians in Via Emilia Centro before attempting to flee the scene. Reports said he was carrying a knife and attempted to use it against a passer-by who intervened.

Information has surfaced showing that Mr El Koudri sent emails to the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in April 2021 in which he expressed resentment and hostility towards Christians. In those messages he demanded employment “consistent with his qualifications” and referred to Christians in abusive terms, threatening to burn “your Jesus Christ on the cross”.

Continued below.


Read more on smry.ai

So, why i am suffering, and have many problems, and this injustices?
God is and wants to be very sweet with you and help you.

Keep believing, keep praying and don't give up. Don't blame him for the injustices of man.

…AND IT SHOWS THAT FIDUCIA SUPPLICAN ADMIRERS ARE FEARING, LIKE SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM LOVERS, THE WORST! DOES THAT MAKE SENSE, MY TITLE, THAT IS?​

This is what Fr. James Martin, SJ writes on his Facebook page, the second of two posts.You should read the comments. Commenters are inviting LGBTQ++++ Catholics to join the Judgement Free Zone of the Anglican/Episcopal Communion, in other words to go into schism, similar to the Sedevacantists!

Here’s his post (with my most humble, powerfully astute, comments embedded in RED):

To answer questions I've been getting about the Holy Father's comments on blessing same-sex couples today, in a press conference on his way back to Rome: First, we should trust the discernment of the Holy Father in this, as in all things. In addition to his teaching role as the Vicar of Christ, Pope Leo XIV is a kind, wise, thoughtful and prayerful man. And what he says, even in a press conference, needs to be seen in light of this, and appreciating his knowledge of the needs of the universal church. (Absolutely, but I would caution the pope, any pope, to avoid off-the-cuff remarks on such important subjects and never pose answers with the preface, “I think, I believe, In my opinion—just don’t do it—popes should always speak authoritatively and off-the-cuff remarks are dissected to death—but even the opinionated type language points to the fact that the pope is Catholic and it isn’t his opinion about this, that or the other that counts, but the Deposit of Faith and Morals of the Church and all who are invited into the Church but also repent! Repent! Repent! Conversion must take place even in something as intimate and personal as one’s sexual identity and expressions!)

In terms of his comments, it seems, at least to me, that Pope Leo is not abrogating "Fiducia Supplicans," the Vatican document from 2023 that allows priests, under certain conditions, to bless “same-sex couples.” (That’s the language used.) (Nice try and like Pope Leo, Martin says, “It seems, at least to me, that Pope Leo is not abrogating “Fiducia Supplicans.” That is their fear and they should fear it as Pope Francis initiated canceling one pope’s documents in favor of his own reversal documents. Why should Pope Leo be any different in canceling Fiducia Supplicans? )

One of the many conditions was that these blessings would not be formalized, that is, as a kind of planned liturgy. To that end, the German bishops' proposal would be, as I read it, to formalize these blessings more, a move that flows out of the German bishops' sincere desire to listen to the voices of German Catholics raised during their synodal processes. But the Vatican (and the Holy Father) oppose this move, as the Pope said today. Overall, though, "FS," even though it has proven controversial in some parts of the world (while warmly welcomed in others), still stands. (I think Cardinal Marx should be disciplined similar to what appears will happen to the FSPPX priests who will soon be illicitly ordained bishops. What is good for the goose is good for the gander! Cardinal Marx must be disciplined! No?)

The Holy Father's larger point is that to move beyond "FS" would be to risk unity in the church, and he is correct. One of the things that was hammered home for me in the Synod was how things that can seem tepid in the West ("What's the big deal about blessing same-sex couples?," as I heard often) are white-hot in other parts of the church ("Fiducia Supplicans is blessing sin," as I heard just as often). (Fiducia Supplicans as written does permit the blessing of sin, but Pope Francis, after all the push back he received, moderated that position and said no, individuals are being blessed, not the couple or their relationship—but we know what has transpired and Fr. Martin is being a bit duplicitous here, because almost immediately he blessed a homosexual couple and their relationship and put it on his Facebook page, almost gloating over Pope Francis opening the door to change the anthropology and dogmas of both marriage and Holy Orders—hypocrisy anyone? )

One of Pope Leo's overall desires for the church is for unity, which he restated again today. (Remember that his papal motto is "In the One, we are one.") (Our unity is not in amoral or immoral ideologies or opinions, but in the “Splendor of Truth” which of course is Jesus Christ and His call for conversion from our sins to His Holiness, His Perfections!)

Continued below.

MS-NOW moderator Mrs. Tur has been righteously roasted for her question to a panel on May 18: “What about this passage from [House Speaker] Mike Johnson declaring that our rights do not derive from government, they come from you, our Creator and heavenly father. Is this him putting God over the Declaration of Independence?”

Speaker Johnson, of course, was quoting from the Declaration itself: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

But we can hardly blame Mrs. Tur for her historical illiteracy. Quite a number of my students express surprise that the Founders believed in God at all. They have never been told! Even those who do know and understand the language of the Declaration of Independence are usually amazed to learn how much the Founders said about God in their various writings, and how deeply their faith influenced their actions.

What were they taught in school? What were they not taught?

Continued below.

Every year on Memorial Day, I pause to reflect on the extraordinary courage of the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States. As an American‑Israeli, this day carries deep meaning for me. I grew up in a country shaped by the bravery of those who fought for freedom in World War II, and today I raise my children in a nation where service and sacrifice are woven into daily life.

Memorial Day is not just a date on the calendar, but a reminder that the freedoms we enjoy — freedoms we often take for granted — were purchased by people who were willing to give everything. It is a day to honor those who never came home, and to remember the families whose lives were forever changed by their loss.

When I think of American sacrifice, my mind often returns to World War II. The world was drowning in darkness, and yet American soldiers crossed oceans to confront evil head‑on. They liberated camps, saved lives, and helped restore hope to a shattered world. Their bravery is not just history. It is a legacy. It is a blessing. It is something I thank God for every single day.

And in more recent years, American service members have continued to stand for what is right — fighting terrorism, protecting the innocent, and defending the values that both America and Israel hold dear. Their sacrifice has made the world safer for all of us.

This year, Memorial Day feels especially personal. My daughter Meyora is currently serving in the IDF. I am so proud of her — proud of her strength, her conviction, and her willingness to protect our people. But as every military parent knows, pride and fear often walk hand in hand.

Continued below.

Morning Prayers

Divinum Officium (EF)

The Morning Offering (OF)

Daily Quote..."Mother of the Church" is a title by which we honor Mary not only as the Mother of Christ, but as the spiritual mother of all faithful people and the entire Body of Christ." — Pope Paul VI

Monday in Pentecost Week propers & commentary (Gueranger)(EF)

Monday in Pentecost Week propers (EF)

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church readings & commentary (OF)
Monday after Pentecost

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church; Memorial Day (USA) readings & commentary (OF)

Daily Gospel

Redemptoris Mater (especially Part III, Section 2)
On the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the Pilgrim Church

The Legacy of Mary’s Motherhood from Guadalupe to the Vatican

Why Catholics Celebrate Mary as ‘Mother of the Church’ the Day After Pentecost

Maria Magnificata. Short Meditations for May, the Month on Our Lady’s Life. 25th Day — Jesus is placed in His Mother’s arms

Saint Gregory VII, Pope

Saints Bede, Gregory VII, and Mary Magdalene de’Pazzi

Saints of the Day

Sermons for Everyday Living - Our Lady Help of Christians 5/25/26

The Spirit is poured out constantly (Pope’s homily)

Saint John Paul II’s Pentecost

Sacred Remembering: Memorial Day and the Eucharist

The Priests Who Carried No Rifle And Went Forward Anyway

Audio version of Gueranger
Login to view embedded media
Monday after Pentecost: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Login to view embedded media

Thank God, they waited in Jerusalem for "power from on high"! Pentecost Sunday and the gifts was initiated by Him and by Him "they will cease", and not by those who never wanted anything to do with it in the first place!

Acts 7:44-50 NKJV


The Church

When I was growing up as a child, and throughout a good portion of my life, the building where Christians met for church services was called “the House of God.” And the room where the services were held was called “the Sanctuary of God” and “Holy Ground.” And the church was not who we the people were. The church was the building, the place where Christians met to hear the Scriptures taught and to sing praises to the Lord in worship of God. It was a place we went to and then we left until we went there again.

And today, that is still how many people view “the church,” as a building where Christians meet for weekly church services. And these churches are not only defined by physical location but also by church denomination. I was often asked by others what I was. Was I a Baptist, or a Presbyterian, or an Episcopalian, or a Lutheran, or a Methodist, and so on. “Church” was not just a building that you went to once or twice a week, but it was a particular church denomination, or else it was regarded as “non-denominational.”

And “church” was also a place where we learned government worship in the singing of patriotic songs. And we were taught to put hand over heart and to pledge (vow) our allegiance (worship, fidelity) to our government and to our nation, which was regarded as “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” But it has never been that. We are not a people all under the one true God, under submission to his authority and rule, and we are surely not indivisible, and liberty and justice for all is not existent.

But none of that describes the biblical church. Yes, in the Scriptures we are taught about the church in various locations, such as in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, and so on. But “the church” was the people of God, those who by faith in Jesus Christ had been crucified with Christ in death to sin and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but now as servants of righteousness in the power of God. They were all those within that one city who were worshipers of the one true God.

So, with regard to “church membership,” if we believe in Jesus Christ, and if we are following Jesus with our lives in obedience to his commands, in practice, we are already members of the church, the body of Christ. So we do not need to become members of these institutions of human origin called “church” which are mostly divided by church denominations and are largely incorporated under (partnered with) the government in unholy unions, most of which are also being marketed to the world, all of which God forbids.

[Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-17; Acts 5:27-32; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Philippians 3:18-19; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22; Revelation 13:5-8; Revelation 18:1-5]

Our Gatherings

And our gatherings are not restricted to just one particular location or day in the week or hour of the day, either. For we now worship God “in spirit and in truth” wherever we are located and regardless of what day of the week that it is. And the Scriptures teach that we are to gather together with the body of Christ daily for mutual encouragement and edification, and for instructing one another in the faith, and in how we are to live, exhorting one another every day so that none of us may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Therefore, we the church, the body of Christ, should be gathering together daily for mutual spiritual encouragement and exhortation. And the location does not matter as long as it is somewhere appropriate. And the gatherings don’t all have to be in physical locations, either. I am seeing much more of the biblical body of Christ in operation on the internet than in many of these physical gatherings where only a few select people lead in singing and only one man usually does all the preaching (prophesying, exhorting).

But the Scriptures teach that all of us who are the church, the body of Christ, have been given spiritual gifts to be used within the body of Christ for mutual encouragement and edification so that we help one another to grow to maturity in our walks of faith, in obedience to our Lord, in holy living. And God has given us all our assigned “body parts” which we are to operate in within the gatherings of the church to help one another to walk faithfully in service to the Lord Jesus in obedience to his commands in his righteousness.

[Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:14-18,42-47; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:15-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:9; James 5:19-20]

Lord, Move Me

An Original Work / October 16, 2011
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Be my desire, my heart set on fire,
Lord, move me to worship You only, I pray.
Fill with Your Spirit, my heart overflow.
Lord, may I long for You; Your word to know.
Teach me to walk with You, Lord, in Your power,
And may I serve You, Lord, right now in this hour.

Lord, how I want to obey You forever.
Help me to hear You, Lord, so I will not stray.
Teach me to love You; adore You always.
Envelope me, Lord, with Your grace today.
Meet me in my need, and show me Your mercy.
Forgive me for all things, as I humbly pray.

Counsel me, lead me, direct me, and guide me,
So I follow You, Lord, where’er You lead now.
I love to hear You speak Your words to me.
I am so grateful that You set me free.
Wash me, and cleanse me, and make me like You, Lord,
And I will live with You for eternity.

Login to view embedded media
God’s True Tabernacle
An Original Work / May 25, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Michie said:

AI overview:

Iran International is considered a widely viewed and influential Persian-language news source, but it is also viewed as a highly polarized outlet with a clear anti-government bias. Its reporting should be consumed critically, as it often reflects the views of the Iranian political opposition in exile.
YouTube·FRANCE 24 English +1

Reliability and Editorial Stance:

• Independent yet Biased:The network is known for breaking stories out of Iran
  , especially regarding protests and human rights abuses. However, its coverage heavily favors the Iranian opposition and tends to amplify narratives critical of the current Iranian regime.
• • Funding Controversies: The network has faced significant scrutiny over its funding. While Iran Internationalmaintains its editorial independence, investigative reports have revealed that its parent company has received substantial funding from Saudi-affiliated sources. This has led critics to argue that the outlet promotes foreign policy interests that align with Saudi Arabia's historical rivalry with Iran.
    The Guardian +5

Journalistic Standards and Censorship:

• Regime Censorship: Because of its aggressive coverage of the Iranian regime and its role in broadcasting during domestic protests, the Iranian government has branded Iran International a terrorist organization. Domestic access to the channel is restricted, forcing viewers to rely on satellite dishes or VPNs.
• Credible Threats: The network's journalists have faced severe security threats, which in 2023 forced the network to relocate its broadcast operations entirely from London to Washington, D.C. after warnings from UK police.
  Facebook·FRANCE 24 English +2

When assessing its coverage, it is best to view Iran International as an important—though partisan—voice in Iranian media. It is highly effective at uncovering information suppressed inside the country, but it is also essential to verify its breaking claims through other reputable, independent news organizations.

Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying. I just noticed it posted events on the Iranian side far faster than U.S. news outlets. It's reporting seems fair enough but to me, the U.S. reports somewhat lacking.

Valletta said:

You're making that up, Trump is not going for a deal that will allow a future nuclear weapon! He has stated that time and time again.

Click to expand...

AI report:
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regularly verified that Iran was adhering to the limits set by the JCPOA. This included restrictions on its centrifuge count, uranium enrichment purity, and heavy water stockpile.

The United States withdrew from the agreement and reimposed nuclear-related sanctions. In response, Iran initially continued to honor the deal but demanded that other signatories provide the economic relief promised.

There was a very good deal in place and any new deal will need to mirror that deal. And Trump's offer is similar.

saved24 said:

Please pray for my nephew Joel, wife and children. Please pray that they find a home. It's hard when the rent is high, and they want them to pay the first and last months rent before they can rent. He applied for some jobs, praying he gets one. He is looking to find a cheap trailer to buy so they can live in there for now. Please pray that things work out for him. Thanks.

Click to expand...

Praying for your family and that God provides for all their intentions and goals.

Some might also say they never heard the Bible predicted the split of the Roman Empire into an eastern and western branch. First, you have to accept the fact that Daniel 2 and 7 said there would be four empires. Not 5, not 6 or 7. Just 4 before the kingdom of God begins to fill the earth. (You may really not know what the kingdom of God is,) All the end time prophecy after this only expands on this original vison. Meaning. It gives you more details as time goes on. Daniel 2 names the first empire as Babylonian, Daniel 8 names the next two as Medo\Persian and Greek. Daniel 9:24-27 In relation to the messiah prophesies when he comes the city and sanctuary will be destroyed by Titus. Daniel 11 prophesies Rome's conquest of the last section of the Greek Empire, (Egypt.) Daniel 12 the 1st century. Then Rome is named all over the New Testament as the fourth empire.

So what about the split into an eastern and western branch? Revelation 13. The lamb like animal with two horns. If this is a new empire then the Bible just falsified itself. It already said there would only be four. But as I stated, what is being shown to John in Revelation is just further detail regarding the original vision. The two horns of the lamb illustrated the split. The fact that it is a lamb illustrate the empires claims of Christianity that happened when the empire split. the lamb animal speaking the worlds of the dragon is self explanatory.

Here is further knowledge about it. Rome already registered all the people to be taxed. the New Testament starts with that story. The number 666 is the number of years from the beginning of this age of the four gentile empires when Nebuchadnezzar first conquered Judeah. 597 BC until the end of the Old Covenant age 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed. 597 BC to 70AD equals exactly 666 years. There is no year -0-. That is why it does not equal 667 years.

Fascinating and faith building, isn't it? That the Bible would be so hyper precise with its prophecy? Of course, if you have bought into the narrative that these prophecies are all about the end of the world and a second advent of Christ where he now builds a physical brick and mortar kingdom on earth. then I guess you must pay this no mind at all.

Tinker Grey said:

You sent me down a rabbit hole. Most of the websites report historical sundown towns.

But, there is a fair indication that such towns, official or not (hence your quotes), exist. I can't guess what the actual risk is.

However, it sickens me that anyone should have to consider such things in the US. I'm sorry.

Click to expand...

When I was in high school, this was in 1969, our school played a basketball game against a still-for-sure sundown town in Oklahoma. We had very strict rules: Nobody went there in a private vehicle, we all rode the school bus. We got off the bus, went right into the gym, stayed in the visitor's bleachers, did not leave for snacks or anything, went in small groups to the restroom, played the game, got back on the bus, and drove straight out of town.

Please strong prayers for my son Jakeb. He has been feeling bad and suffering for so long now. Please ask God to heal him of his pain, stomach problems and mentally too. Please ask Jesus to heal him. I ask in the name of Jesus. Thank you and God bless you. Carmen.

Palmfever said:

Romans 8:30 which you included states this;
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
On it's own without this following word it can be misconstrued.

Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.

This I believe may support your conclusion.

Click to expand...

Palmfever said:

Romans 8:30 which you included states this;
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
On it's own without this following word it can be misconstrued.

Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.

This I believe may support your conclusion.

Click to expand...

AND seems. THAT THERE many posting that may. not DISPENSATIONAL. and what makes me laugh. is that most of those

that that do not understand what DISPENSATION MEANS and they are DISPENSATIONALIST whether. they know to

OR NOT !!

# 1. There is the o-call. CASSICAL DISPENSATIONAL. SAYING that the BODY OF CHRIST BEGAN at ACTS 2

# 2 The next group is ACT 9 where the BODY of Christ began with Pauls salvation at ACTS 9:5. as he was saved

by the Christ himself

#3 ACTS 11 DISPENATION. WHERE SOME SAY THE BODY BEGAN

# 4. ACTS 13 DISPENSATION. WHEREB SOME say the BODY BEGAN

#5 Called HPER - DISPENSATIONALIST

# 6 Called ULTRA - DISPENSATIONAL. who begin the BODY OF CHRIST at Acts 28

And be GLAD to answer and questions why I. am ACTS 9 !!

dan p

“Everyone in our community is entitled to their own views, but this was neither the time nor the place. Commencement is a time of celebration, recognition, and unity,” said Grasso. “The chair’s remarks were expected to be congratulatory, not a platform for personal or political expression. Introducing such commentary in this setting was inappropriate and did not align with the purpose of the occasion.”

Don't think the students don't here this stuff in the classrooms.

FreeinChrist said:

Yes, we do get the deed, but have to pay a yearly property tax forever. Those are suppose to be used for things like schools and emergency services like police and fire departments and EMS and other public services.

Click to expand...

That seems reasonable. We do something similar 'cept it's called council taxes. Goes to pay for the upkeep of local amenities. It's based on the value of your land, not the value of the property. So if I had a one bedroom shack next to my neigbour's 4 bedroom house then we'd pay the same. Which is currently about U$1400 p.a.

Afternoon brother and I greatly appreciate the detailed and engaged response. I can't speak for you but I find it very hard to find fellow believers that are interested enough to have this kind of discussion, let alone with their hearts invested, so as always please consider my points below not as argument but merely a shining of light upon "small differences". I'd wager that on key issues you and I would vastly align.

John Bauer said:

But most of my points? Now I am curious: What did you disagree with?

Click to expand...

I think any substantive points of disagreement were raised in the rest of my post, so mostly here I was just framing my post as coming from a place of mostly mutual agreement rather than a buffet plate of general discontentment.

John Bauer said:

I wonder what “unbearded” was intended to suggest?
So you are Reformed, but not 1689 LBCF?

Click to expand...

I have often encountered fellow Reformed-types who have granted conversational merit based on the presence of, and indeed even size of, one's beard. It may well be a partially subconscious tactic on my part to announce my beardlessness up front, so as to strike more surprisingly and effectively from a position of perceived weakness.

For the record I'm a Canadian PCC Presbyterian, with my church leaning strongly on the "traditionalist" mode that I think is an ever-decreasing subset of that denomination's otherwise progressive majority. Personally I'm not tied to any particular creed - my acceptance of any creed or confession is directly proportional to its biblical adherence, so I guess that I'd have no huge issues with WCF, 1689, etc. I'd favor the latter's Believer's Baptism on scriptural grounds, but I don't lose any sleep either way. If I had been only paedobaptised then I'd probably want Believer's Baptism second pass.

John Bauer said:

My argument assumes that what Paul says in one place (Acts 17:28) would be consistent with what he writes elsewhere (Rom 11:36)

Click to expand...

Agreed and likewise I see Rom 11:36 and Acts 17:28 both saying effectively the same thing. There may well be an interesting off-thread discussion to be had in, I believe, the very slight difference between them.

John Bauer said:

There are no maverick molecules, as R. C. Sproul put it

Click to expand...

Funny, I'd pegged you for a Sproulite early on based on your Coram Deo signature. Sproul was and continues to be a huge benefit to me, and instrumental in the formation of my positions. Same, perhaps even more so, with Piper (and by extension, Lewis and Edwards).

John Bauer said:

It looks to me, then, like what you are calling “biblical panentheism” is actually a classical Christian view of divine sovereignty, creation, providence, and omnipresence with an unfortunate label—for you deny the theological distinctives that would make panentheism, well, panentheistic.

Click to expand...

Agreed, and going forward I'll probably just describe myself as a "Classical Theist" or, if I purposely want to create a bit of cognitive dissonance in my interlocutor, a "Biblical Panentheist" as described. As best as I can tell, looking at Stanford's non-trivial page on Panentheism, my particular "flavor" of panentheism is still within the bounds of their broad definition and subtypes.

John Bauer said:

There is only one term in your post that garners concern: “There is no outside of God.”

That is ambiguous. It could be heard in a couple of different ways. It could be a denial of creaturely autonomy: there is no realm outside God’s sustaining power, presence, and providence. If so, that is just classical theism. Or it could be a denial of divine simplicity and immutability: creation is somehow inside God or a constituent within God’s own being: If so, that is antithetical to classical theism.

The phrase “pervaded by God” has the same ambiguity (although I noticed the huge “if” there). Classical theism can affirm that God is present to every creature and every atom by sustaining power. But it cannot affirm that God is a component within the creature; divine immanence doesn’t mean God is diffused throughout creation. He is wholly present everywhere without being spatially extended, distributed, or compounded with creation. So, what was the intended meaning?

Click to expand...

I came to the faith around my 50th year just a few years ago, and until then I was a strongly STEM-leaning materialist, albeit with many years of deep interest in Taosim, Chan/Zen Buddhism, heterodox thinkers like William Blake, Tolle, etc. So I'm grateful that God led me to him through these systems of belief and it's likely that my doctrine will always be flavored by them. Of course I know enough to jettison the parts of those systems that don't align with scripture, even if just in principle.

I'm far less inclined to be sympathetic to philosophically argued Christian positions such as Divine Simplicity or Immutability, particularly the farther they stray away from a biblical basis. Certainly I'm all in favour of the philosophical endeavour and don't ignore positions like these completely, but I do feel that it's possible to allow philosophy to erect unnecessary and even harmful guardrails where the Ancient Near East mind would not have been so constrained. I'm all ears if a brother believes that by not having a firm position on these positions then my doctrine is significantly harmed or weakened - after all I've done nothing for the last few years other than continued refinement and testing of my positions against scripture.

All that said as hopefully helpful background preamble, when I say "There is no outside of God" and "All of Creation is pervaded by God" what I mean is:

[EDIT: I wrote a paragraph or two of beautiful text here, weepingly beautiful even, where I started to explain my position, but now I realize that I was still playing by the musty old ontological paradigm of God vs. Creation that I think most of us feel makes sense, and certainly the materialist types want us to stick to because it fits their model too (they simply drop the God part and then declare victory because God doesn't show up under a microscope). So I've erased those paragraphs and now I'm going to really describe what I believe is the true biblical ontology].

Creation is a story being told by God. When you make up a bedtime story to tell your 4-year-old daughter, of a blue elephant named Tusky that gets into adventures and protects little girls who are afraid of the dark, the ontological status of Tusky is exactly the same as our status: Tusky is certainly alive and real within your story, while simultaneously being a product of your storytelling and marching entirely to your will. To ask "Is Tusky a part of John" or "Is there John within Tusky" are kind of category errors, and both can be said to be simultaneously true and false. For Tusky's friend Moop within the story, Tusky's actions seem authentic and free, and with causal validity. But ultimately it's all just Daddy telling a story to a very enraptured little girl.

How much can be gained by wondering whether the storyteller has parts? I don't know. From within the story it seems perfectly valid to argue that the storyteller is undivided and undifferentiated I guess: from that vantage point he's this great external telos from which all things flow. Is the storyteller unchanging? I don't think so. The storyteller that starts the telling is different by the time the story ends, especially if the little girl steered the story herself here and there herself. Or maybe it's that the storyteller changes inside the story if he's written himself in, but from the outside he doesn't change because feedback or not he's the one telling the tale?

I know Douglas Wilson's talked about this model, and I think Tolkien too. Calvin called Creation "the Theatre of God's Glory". How does one even say whether this is panentheism or not, or that an opponent of panentheism is even wrong?

John Bauer said:

I am reminded of a quote, though I have long since forgotten who said it: “If God did not exist, the universe would not exist. If the universe did not exist, God would nevertheless exist.” (I think it was William Lane Craig, but I’ve never managed to source it to him concretely.)

Click to expand...

That does sound like Craig... I even read it in his voice. This statement is true even in a narrative ontology.

John Bauer said:

When you say that Christians believe “that we live in a separate world of atoms and things,” what do you mean by separate?

Click to expand...

I meant that most Christians believe that the matter within the story is real. Not that it isn't real within the story, and certainly much of the Bible is grounded in inner-story teleology to describe the nature of our roles and what our missions are from moment to moment. We're expected to play our parts, loving God with believing loyalty. I don't believe that holding to a narrative ontology is necessary for salvation nor a crucial aspect of the Gospel, but I think it does have theodicean value and is an available option for sovereigntymaxxers