I happened to stumble on a story from history while on my phone one day—it was really inspiring for me, so I wanted to share it with others. The story goes like this: Alexander the Great was one of the most successful military commanders in history. He became very ill on his return journey from his victorious military campaign, and just as he was about to die, he shared his three last wishes with his generals. First, he wanted his physicians to carry his coffin back, and he wanted the road to the cemetery where his coffin was to be taken to be strewn with gold, silver, and precious stones. Lastly, he wanted both of his hands to be placed so they were outside of the coffin. Alexander explained that by doing so, he wished to impart three lessons upon the living. First, no matter how great a physician’s skill, they cannot save people’s lives; they cannot determine a person’s life and death. Second, it isn’t worth it to spend an entire life in the pursuit of wealth; it’s a waste of precious time. And finally, each one of us comes into this world empty-handed, and we will leave empty-handed. We can’t take a single thing with us.

Alexander the Great passed with great regrets, and while on his deathbed he used his own personal experiences to warn others: Devoting a lifetime to accumulating wealth is useless, as no matter how rich you are, it can’t buy a life back, and it certainly can’t extend your life by a single second. Sadly, he didn’t have this revelation until he was on the brink of death. Something that the Lord Jesus said popped into my head: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). It really is true. As for we humans, life is greater than all else, and if we lose our lives, no matter how much money we have, it may as well be a heap of rubbish. It is of absolutely no use. Even though Alexander the Great used his own personal experiences to share this lesson with those after him so that they wouldn’t make the same mistakes he did, unfortunately, this has not brought about an awakening for people. Most are still going down the wrong path that Alexander did in their pursuits—they’re busy from dawn till dark every day, rushing to and fro, working hard, and some even employ all sorts of other tactics just for the sake of earning more money and enjoying a high-class lifestyle.

What about you—what are you chasing in your life right now? Is it wealth, success, or something that truly matters? Take a moment to reflect…

Learning always said:

Good question. This is a very very important topic.

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Good question. This is a very important topic because doing God’s will touches every part of our faith and life. It’s not just about obeying the commandments, but also trusting God’s plan, living by faith, and carrying out the work He gives us.


If you’d like to explore this more deeply, here’s a resource that might help Jesus is my Savior☀️


What do you think God’s will means in your own walk with Him?”

More than half a dozen American public school students testified about anti-Christian and other faith-based forms of discrimination in an education-focused hearing conducted by President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission.

The Sept. 8 hearing was the commission’s second meeting since the president created it earlier this year. The commission’s inaugural meeting in June focused on broader threats to religious liberty stemming from federal, state, and local government actors and questions about the proper role of faith in public life.

The archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a member of the commission, made his first appearance at Monday’s hearing after missing the first hearing due to his train being canceled. He emphasized the importance of the commission’s work on education and broader concerns.

Dolan, who took part in this year’s conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV, discussed cardinals from around the world approaching him in pre-conclave meetings “to thank us for our strong defense of religious liberty” in the United States.

Continued below.

Pommer said:

It’s either that or the government admit that its own people are too stupid to take care of themselves so the government has to “help” them by making substances illegal.

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It’s kinda funny how when it comes to protecting people from deadly drugs outright bans and harsh penalties for dealers is the go-to but that goes right out the window when we’re talking about deadly weapons and gun retailers/manufacturers.

@Carmenls you should post a prayer request in the Lutheran subforum as well as we have some extremely pious Lutheran members who will pray for you and your son.

I will be happy to let you all know, when it's officially announced.

Michie said:

A wide brimmed one but yeah.

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Almost like mine, but a bit more well worn.

Yeah he does have a So Cal way of speaking but you’re right there’s a different sort of accent to him too!!

Becoming Like Little Children (Chapter Talk)

When Jesus says we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven, could He be revealing what we already are? We are children. What we call “mature adulthood” is often just a more sophisticated childishness: seeking control, always needing to be right, defending our egos.
Children are innocent, open, and disarming. They soften our hearts—until, of course, life happens and they “grow up.” But the real miracle is when adults become childlike again—through the long process of dying to self—and rediscover what true maturity is: simplicity, trust, and openness to love. That, I believe, is the path to the kingdom. Let us continue to walk that path—together, in humility, and with God’s grace.Amen.

Humility allows us to understand that ‘doing it my way’ may not always be the best way at all. We all have insights about one another; we see each other foibles and shortcomings, often before the person being observed knows. Or in fact, may never know. This of course, goes for me as well. Many in this room see things about me that I am unaware of. Yet I see them in others and will often react instead of responding. If this is not learned, how we see our reflection in other community members, then the monastic life can be one long drawn out ordeal that can lead to bitterness and isolation from the life of the community.

We are called to love ourselves, others and to serve one another. In Monastic life, we have our own unique ways of doing that. All forms of service to the community are very important, from being abbot to mopping the floor, when this is forgotten then someone else is burdened, and the one who burdens does harm to his own heart and soul, even if not believed or understood. It is a form of self-wounding, which in the end that is what sin is. I can wound myself and then blame the community for my pain and feelings of isolation.

To seek to grow in humility is also to seek inner healing, for when we learn to have compassion towards ourselves, then we can also show compassion and empathy not only for community members but also for those who are in our far past and are the origin of some of our struggles. So as we grow in humility we can be those who heal and not strike out and wound as we were wounded. For men this is often undervalued when it comes to others, however, another matter when we experience it ourselves. Empathy is learned from experience. It is the often gut-wrenching pain that others can cause me without realizing it that helps me to see how it can distress those I live with when I treat them in a harsh manner.

When Jesus says that we have to become little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven…… Could he be in reality telling us what we in fact are….children….and that what we often take for being a ‘mature adult’ is in reality, a form of childishness? Being in control, dominating, always being right, is that really what we are called to be. Children are childlike by nature and most adults love that. They make us smile and with children we drop our defenses fro a least awhile. Of course, there is nothing remarkable about this, it is in their nature. Until of course, life happens and they become ‘adults’, some may be so called ‘mature adults’. The true miracle is when ‘mature adults’ become childlike and enter the kingdom of heaven while on earth. It is a long process of death to self which is in reality the doorway to a broader reality that is true adulthood I believe.—Br-MD

BassLine said:

I worked with APL (A Programming Language) from its development at IBM in the 1960s, before it ever ran on a computer, until I retired from programming for pay in 2023.

That Wikipedia article doesn't really do a good job of explaining it. APL is an incredible language, with applications ranging from a formal description of the IBM 360 operating system in the IBM Systems Journal in the 1960s, to current mathematical and database applications in engineering, education, finance, insurance, and medicine. There is a fully featured non-commercial version and a lot of instructions available from Dyalog APL (I have no financial ties to them)

This is a bit off-topic in this thread. I’d be happy to continue an APL discussion in a private message if you would like.

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Yes please, I'd like to know more about APL.

Pretend that you forgot how to understand his language.

How can I keep my dog from killing squirrels in the yard?

Xeno.of.athens said:

The KJV is written in English to be specific, it is written in Jacobean English it is definitely not written in Hebrew and in Greek. you are of course correct. There is no Greek word that is spelled "rapture".

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An all can used internet to see the Greek and Hebrew word you want to. see its spelling and what it means in. the

Greek and Hebrew text at any. time that you want day . or night and one showing. the Greek o r Hebrew text has
any where from 8000. to 20,OOO. at any. one time ,. and it shows the English with the Greek or Hebrew , and its meaning. called BIBLE HUB. !!

dan p

Using a sourdough starter, numerous recipes can made such as cookies, pancakes, pretzels, crackers and biscuits.

Vinegar pie, potato pancakes, bread pudding, sugar creme pie, rice pudding, & egg drop soup recipes were used during the depression.

RileyG said:

No. It has St. Dymphna, and the other side has "pray for us." All the beads are blue, and it came with a prayer card to St. Dymphna.

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Ok. I thought you bought the same one I did. Mine has a St Dymphna medal with”pray for us” where a crucifix would be and the centerpiece is the rose. It also came with a card that has instructions on how to pray the Chaplet.
Can you post a picture of yours? Mine looks exactly like the picture I posted last week. I got mine from Etsy. Where did you buy yours?

MehGuy said:

I have my DS and 3DS somewhere. Not sure where my Gameboy or Gameboy Advance is. Sadly I think I sold the Gameboys long ago.

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I think they have to be somewhere. I have a huge collection of stuff I don't need. lol

Ban them!

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer and protect our sister in Christ! In his holy name, I pray! Amen!

Lord, have mercy on the people of Nepal and fill them with your abundant wisdom and peace! Amen!

Michie said:

She passed this morning at 9:30 am. Thank you all for the prayers.

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Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen!

Lord, have mercy on the persecuted!