Threads about improper personal enrichment coming from Trump supporters always makes me throw up in my mouth....


Just a little bit

Jelly Roll’s wife, Alisa DeFord, addressed online outrage following her husband’s viral Grammy Awards speech. She said it was “insane” that some have labeled Jelly Roll a “performative Christian,” adding that Christians have “judged them more” than anyone else.

At this year’s Grammy Awards, Jelly Roll won all three categories in which he was nominated and delivered a faith-filled acceptance speech.

DeFord, married Alisa DeFord, 46, in 2016. The couple have full custody of the two children Jelly Roll had from previous relationships. Alisa DeFord previously worked as a high-end escort and produced adult content on OnlyFans. She said she quit escorting in 2020 and stopped posting on OnlyFans in 2023. Her story includes a troubled childhood, domestic violence, sexual assault, and suicidal thoughts.

Alisa DeFord: ‘People Are Weaponizing the Bible’​

Continued below.

'Judged More by Christians Than Anything'—Jelly Roll's Wife Fires Back After Grammys

Jelly Roll’s wife, Alisa DeFord, addressed online outrage following her husband’s viral Grammy Awards speech.

churchleaders.com

The Church of England’s General Synod has voted to end plans for stand-alone blessing ceremonies for same sex couples in churches after extended debate. The decision also closes a years-long process that had examined whether such ceremonies could be introduced.

Members this week approved a motion from bishops to conclude the Living in Love and Faith process and halt further work toward permitting special services for same-sex couples in civil marriages, The Telegraph reported.

The vote followed hours of discussion and confirmed that agreement between conservative and liberal factions had not been reached.

The Synod supported forming new working groups on relationships, sexuality and gender to continue discussion in the future rather than advancing blessing ceremonies now, according to Church Times.

Continued below.

Richard T said:

BYD going gangbusters. America just can't make a economical vehicle anymore. I'll assume the Chinese will be shut out in the USA for a time, but I see those Chinese Ev's all over Asia.

Click to expand...

The Chinese may not be making an economic electric vehicle either. It's hard to pierce the screen around a communist government's economic picture.

And, no, the Chinese government has never stopped being communist. They've never even claimed they were no longer communist.

The Hidden Sufferings of Christ – A Reflection on the Apostolate for the Dying

There are some books that do not simply inform the mind—they awaken something in the heart. The Hidden Sufferings of Christ – Apostolate for the Dying is one of those rare works. It does not shout, it does not argue, and it does not try to impress. Instead, it quietly opens a door into the mystery of Christ’s compassion, especially toward those who stand at the threshold of eternity.

For many readers, this book becomes less a text and more a summons. It invites us to stand with Christ in His most hidden work: the silent, unseen accompaniment of souls who are dying, often alone, often afraid, often forgotten. It reveals that the Lord’s Passion did not end on Calvary. His Heart continues to labor in love for every soul who approaches the final moment of earthly life.

A Hidden Ministry in the Heart of Christ

The book’s central insight is simple but profound: Christ suffers with the dying. Not metaphorically, not poetically, but truly. His compassion bends toward every soul in its final struggle. The agony of Gethsemane, the loneliness of the Cross, the thirst for souls—these mysteries are not locked in the past. They are alive in Him, and He invites us to share in them.

This is not a morbid spirituality. It is a spirituality of mercy.

To pray for the dying is to step into the Heart of Christ at the very moment when His love is most urgent. It is to stand beside Him as He reaches for a soul who may be confused, resistant, despairing, or simply exhausted. The book teaches that our prayers—quiet, hidden, unknown—can become a bridge of grace at the most decisive moment of a person’s life.

The Apostolate of Presence

One of the most beautiful themes in the book is the idea that praying for the dying is a form of presence. We may not be physically at their bedside, but spiritually we stand with them. We accompany them. We refuse to let them die alone.

In a world that fears death, avoids it, and hides it away, this apostolate is a gentle act of defiance. It says:

“You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. Christ is with you, and I will stand with Him for your sake.”

This is the kind of love that does not seek recognition. It is the love that mirrors Christ’s own hidden suffering—quiet, faithful, and poured out for others.

A Call to Intercession

The book does not burden the reader with guilt or obligation. Instead, it awakens a desire. It shows that praying for the dying is not a task but a privilege. It is a way of participating in Christ’s redeeming love at the very moment when a soul needs it most.

Many who read this book find themselves praying spontaneously throughout the day:

• for those dying in hospitals
• for those dying suddenly or violently
• for those dying without the sacraments
• for those dying in despair
• for those dying unprepared
• for those dying alone

This prayer becomes a rhythm of mercy woven into ordinary life. It becomes a hidden ministry of the heart.


A Spiritual Work of Mercy for Our Time

We live in an age where death is often sanitized, rushed, or treated as a medical event rather than a sacred passage. The book reminds us that every death is a spiritual battlefield, a moment of immense grace, and a moment of immense vulnerability.

To pray for the dying is to stand in that gap.

It is to offer Christ the companionship He sought in Gethsemane. It is to offer the dying the mercy they may not know how to ask for. It is to offer the world a quiet antidote to despair.

A Personal Word

For many who take up this apostolate, something unexpected happens: their own fear of death softens. Their trust deepens. Their sense of Christ’s nearness grows. They begin to see that death is not an end but a meeting—one that Christ Himself prepares with tenderness.

This book does not simply teach a devotion. It forms a heart. It shapes a way of seeing the world. It invites us into a companionship with Christ that is intimate, hidden, and deeply fruitful.

And in the end, it leaves us with a simple truth:

To pray for the dying is to love with the Heart of Christ. To share in His hidden sufferings is to share in His hidden victories.

The Hidden Sufferings of Christ – A Reflection on the Apostolate for the Dying

There are some books that do not simply inform the mind—they awaken something in the heart. The Hidden Sufferings of Christ – Apostolate for the Dying is one of those rare works. It does not shout, it does not argue, and it does not try to impress. Instead, it quietly opens a door into the mystery of Christ’s compassion, especially toward those who stand at the threshold of eternity.

For many readers, this book becomes less a text and more a summons. It invites us to stand with Christ in His most hidden work: the silent, unseen accompaniment of souls who are dying, often alone, often afraid, often forgotten. It reveals that the Lord’s Passion did not end on Calvary. His Heart continues to labor in love for every soul who approaches the final moment of earthly life.

A Hidden Ministry in the Heart of Christ

The book’s central insight is simple but profound: Christ suffers with the dying. Not metaphorically, not poetically, but truly. His compassion bends toward every soul in its final struggle. The agony of Gethsemane, the loneliness of the Cross, the thirst for souls—these mysteries are not locked in the past. They are alive in Him, and He invites us to share in them.

This is not a morbid spirituality. It is a spirituality of mercy.

To pray for the dying is to step into the Heart of Christ at the very moment when His love is most urgent. It is to stand beside Him as He reaches for a soul who may be confused, resistant, despairing, or simply exhausted. The book teaches that our prayers—quiet, hidden, unknown—can become a bridge of grace at the most decisive moment of a person’s life.

The Apostolate of Presence

One of the most beautiful themes in the book is the idea that praying for the dying is a form of presence. We may not be physically at their bedside, but spiritually we stand with them. We accompany them. We refuse to let them die alone.

In a world that fears death, avoids it, and hides it away, this apostolate is a gentle act of defiance. It says:

“You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. Christ is with you, and I will stand with Him for your sake.”

This is the kind of love that does not seek recognition. It is the love that mirrors Christ’s own hidden suffering—quiet, faithful, and poured out for others.

A Call to Intercession

The book does not burden the reader with guilt or obligation. Instead, it awakens a desire. It shows that praying for the dying is not a task but a privilege. It is a way of participating in Christ’s redeeming love at the very moment when a soul needs it most.

Many who read this book find themselves praying spontaneously throughout the day:

• for those dying in hospitals
• for those dying suddenly or violently
• for those dying without the sacraments
• for those dying in despair
• for those dying unprepared
• for those dying alone

This prayer becomes a rhythm of mercy woven into ordinary life. It becomes a hidden ministry of the heart.


A Spiritual Work of Mercy for Our Time

We live in an age where death is often sanitized, rushed, or treated as a medical event rather than a sacred passage. The book reminds us that every death is a spiritual battlefield, a moment of immense grace, and a moment of immense vulnerability.

To pray for the dying is to stand in that gap.

It is to offer Christ the companionship He sought in Gethsemane. It is to offer the dying the mercy they may not know how to ask for. It is to offer the world a quiet antidote to despair.

A Personal Word

For many who take up this apostolate, something unexpected happens: their own fear of death softens. Their trust deepens. Their sense of Christ’s nearness grows. They begin to see that death is not an end but a meeting—one that Christ Himself prepares with tenderness.

This book does not simply teach a devotion. It forms a heart. It shapes a way of seeing the world. It invites us into a companionship with Christ that is intimate, hidden, and deeply fruitful.

And in the end, it leaves us with a simple truth:

To pray for the dying is to love with the Heart of Christ. To share in His hidden sufferings is to share in His hidden victories.

The one baptism St. Paul mentions is ordinary Christian Baptism.

Fantastic news! One of the many steps by the Trump administration that saves lives. The decrease in drug deaths in the U.S. has been dramatic.

WordSword said:

It's ok of course if we differ in our understanding concerning this subject. I used to post 1 article per week for the last 10 years but are getting few now. About 20 years ago I was able to find some of these writings but they're mostly out of print, being 3 centuries old. One Book is free to view online. It is a daily devotional that contains the center of all the articles of the Plymouth Brethren's writings.

"None But The Hungry Heart."

None But The Hungry Heart

Click to expand...

Yeah, that's understandable.

The above passage of Scripture is the “Verse Of The Day” on Bible Gateway, which is the Bible source I use for writing on the internet. My first thought was, “I just taught on the subject of ‘love’ recently,” so I began to look at the other verses to see if I should write on something else. And, as I was contemplating this in my mind, I looked over to my left, to a little sign made for me by one of my grandsons which says, “A Little Sign to Say I Love You.” But partly covering the word “say” was a red lady bug with dark spots.



And here’s the thing. When Jesus lived on the earth he often spoke to the people in parables. So, parables are not anti-biblical as long as they agree with and support the teachings of the Scriptures. I like this definition:


So, when I see something like this bug, and the Holy Spirit prompts me, I know to look at the meanings of the words in the image. So, what is a bug? It can be many things, but what stands out to me is that it is an infection, a poison, an impurity of some kind. And “spot” (in this case multiple dark spots) is also a blemish or a moral flaw (sin), which are multiplied. And dark is used consistently throughout the Scriptures to symbolize the opposite of light, such as lies, deceptions, immorality, wickedness, i.e. sinful behaviors.

Okay, so this “bug” is positioned on the word “say,” which has to do with expressing thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and/or information, either in verbal or in written form. So this would seem to indicate that there is an impurity, a lie, a deception in the words spoken, “I love you.” (This has nothing to do with who gave me this sign. This is a parable only!) And “a little sign” could be a slight (an insult) and/or an insignificant indication of actual love being present in the words spoken. So, “I Love You” is a lie, and thus an insult.

Now in the USA today, February 14th is traditionally referred to as “Valentines Day.” This celebration has pagan roots to it, and the “love” being spoken of is typically of romantic love, not the kind of love being referred to in this passage of Scripture. But it is also used in the context of friendship love, too. And the color “red” is the color associated with the holiday, which interestingly enough was both the color of the little sign and of the lady bug. Like, “though your sins be as scarlet,” so symbolic of sin (Isaiah 1:18).

So, when Jesus gave the commandment to love one another as he loved (loves) us, he was not speaking of romantic love, and he was not speaking of fake artificial love (the sign was made of plastic) spoken falsely in words only but with little to no evidence of actual love being put into practice. For how did Jesus demonstrate his love for us? He sacrificed his life for us on a cross to put our sins to death with him so that, by faith in him, we will now die to sin and live to God in walks of surrender to him in obeying our Lord.

And this word “love” is agape, which has to do with preferring what God prefers, i.e. all that is holy, righteous, godly, morally pure, upright, honest, faithful, and obedient to our Lord and to his commands. For the believer in Christ, it involves us denying self, dying to sin daily, and walking in obedience to his commands, in practice, by the Spirit. So, when we say that we love God, or that we love other humans, it should be this kind of love which is honest, faithful, and pure, and not fake, impure, and deceptive.

So, if you claim to love God, and to be in fellowship with him, but while you walk in darkness (in sin), and while you do not obey his commands, in practice, the Bible says that you are telling a lie. And if you say to your spouse, “I love you,” while you deliberately and habitually sin against them via addiction to sexual sin and adultery, don’t call it love. Don’t lie. Don’t give your spouse a valentines card and a hug and a kiss if you are secretly looking at sexually explicit images and committing adultery in your minds.

Don’t call it love if it is hate in disguise. For adultery against your spouse is hate, not love. And refusal to obey our Lord’s commandments and to walk in love and in moral purity is also hate, not love. For biblical love is not based in emotions and in lies to cover up sin. And a valentines day card is not proof of love. If cheating is what is taking place in the background, it is an insult. Be honest. Be sincere. Don’t lie. Don’t cheat. Repent of sins of adultery and idolatry, and now love purely as God, as Christ loves us and sacrificed for us.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Acts 26:18]

In Harmony

Based off Romans 12:9-21; 1 Peter 3:8-17
An Original Work / September 2, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Love each other truly.
Cling to what is good.
Hate all that is evil.
Never lack in zeal.
Serve the Lord with fervor.
Joyful in hope be;
Patient in affliction;
Praying faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Share with all God’s people
Who are found in need.
Do not be conceited.
Sympathetic be.
Love, and show compassion
In humility.
Keep your tongue from evil.
Peaceful you must be.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

God sees who are righteous;
Listens to their prayers.
But He’s against evil –
Is His to avenge.
Do not fear what they fear.
Suffer patiently.
In your hearts, make Christ Lord.
Serve Him faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Login to view embedded media
Don’t Call It Love If
An Original Work / February 14, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Known about this for years.

There are many “unfaithful departed” who i continue to pray for.

I trust God will use my prayers as he sees fit.

Regardless, it’s an important and informative letter!

8 Once more, the Adversary took him up to the summit of a very high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their glory,
9 and said to him, “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 “Away with you, Satan!” Yeshua told him, “For the Tanakh says,
‘Worship Adonai your God, and serve only him.’”

Mattityahu [Matthew] 4:8-10 CJB

SabbathBlessings said:

Interesting you left out verse 8

Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Click to expand...

I was quoting the portion we had been discussing. I did not quote the whole book. But if you want to discuss broader context, this also makes the point.

Paul's is writing to encourage a church that he did not plant and had only heard about from the one who did plant it. He says he had not seen their face in the flesh (Colossians 2:1)

Epaphras brought the gospel to them. Paul is writing to give them more instruction. And part of that instruction is to remain complete in Jesus, not to focus on other things that could distract. In that context we see:

All treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him.
They need not look to philosophy or other sources of wisdom. This was a reality in their day, as we see for instance in Acts 17 with Paul's interactions with Stoic and Epicurean philosophers. They looked to human wisdom and schools of thought. He says you don't need that, you have Christ.

He then goes on to say they don't need to focus on circumcision, on appointed times, etc. as we already looked at. They are complete in Christ.

Then he warns about worship of angels, and asceticism:

They need not be distracted by any of these influences, because they are complete in Christ.

God created us to thrive in His creation.

He gave us a few guidelines for your own good - not to bind us to law but to protect us from harm.

He had set up creation with natural laws and consequences for their violation.

There were Spiritual laws to be followed as well to help us avoid calamity with the unseen.

He cared about our wellbeing as a loving Father.

Sadly we blew it and ended up living in a giant mess of religion and rules rather than Love and understanding.

So He sent His Word in living form to demonstrate His Love and Wisdom, but our lives had become so twisted that we hated Him and rejected His message.

This did not change His love for us one tiny bit - the invitation to walk in life with Him still stands.

You want a blessed life? Then listen to the Fathers love letter and let it guide you in Truth and Peace.

Fire your doubts and questions upstairs and watch what happens.

This is not to suggest walking in this way with Him is always an easy life - and many prefer their own foolish ways.

Yet His invitation still stands -

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the Lord says: “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls.

Hearing His livIng, loving, Word personally and directly was always the plan leading to peace beyond belief.

Long before he became a cancer survivor and marriage mentor, Montell Jordan shot to fame in 1995 with his chart-topping hit “This Is How We Do It,” a song that helped define an era and launched a career marked by fame, fortune and global tours.

But according to the 57-year-old California native, the version of success he chased in his early years proved fleeting.


“Earlier in my life, success was dictated by the world’s definition: houses, cars, accolades, fame,” he told The Christian Post. “When I finally recognized that success is counterfeit, that was the turning point for my life. I decided I would rather be significant than successful.”

That shift in perspective was tested anew over the past two years, as Jordan faced prostate cancer, a journey he and his wife, Kristin, say ultimately strengthened their marriage, deepened their faith and reshaped their purpose.

Jordan announced over Christmas that he is cancer-free, news that arrived at a moment he described as nothing short of miraculous.

Continued below.

St_Worm2 said:

Hello Pierre, granted, the command that the Lord Jesus gives to the rich, young ruler (in v22) is a radical one to be sure, so why did He give it in this case? Do you think that Jesus' command in this verse was still part of His answer to the ruler's original question, "what must I do to inherit eternal life", and if so, how, or do you think that it served a different purpose of some kind, and if so, what was that purpose?

Click to expand...

Good question !! I think : yes, this requirement is part of the bundle for eternal life ; and,
any response i could make would be subjective.
Here's mine :
i think through these pieces of Scripture, Jesus is teaching men to switch the center of their concerns : From materialisticly serving their own selves first, they have to learn to serve the poor first. But the loss of materialistic goods is rewarded with spiritual ones the poor are rich with

St_Worm2 said:

Another point worth mentioning is that this passage in not only used by those who wish to deny the deity of the Lord Jesus (and the Trinitarian nature of the Godhead), it's also used as a "proof text" by those who insist that "works" (meaning the works that 'we' do) are necessary for salvation .. e.g. Luke 18:20. This is something that is taught widely, as I'm guessing that you are already aware, not only by various "Christian" cults, but also by several of our churches too

Click to expand...

I had already heard about it, without really knowing what to think.
But a long time ago, I had thought about the monopolistic turn that the value of “work” was taking in the official market. It seemed to me at the time that in this official market, it was the most efficient who came out on top and found work. My criticism at the time was that the least efficient among us (who may sometimes be just as willing) found themselves without the resource of employment. It was as if the servant with five mines had been given the mines of the one who had only two.
It still seems to me that, in our Western organization of work, where the master in the parable distributes to each worker according to his competence, our society invests 8 minas in the one (the most efficient) to whom the parable assigns five, and zero, respectively, in those (the least efficient) to whom the parable assigns two and one.
But I hope that in writing this, I am not making the parable say what it does not say. For in fact, the relationship between the one who received five minas and the one who received two is not addressed at all by Jesus. I hope I am not extrapolating too much.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

St_Worm2 said:

So, there is even more to discuss about this very interesting but (admittedly) difficult passage, yes? It certainly makes it easy to see how important the command that is given to us in 2 Timothy 2:15 is!

Click to expand...

Thank you for reminding me of the vigilance to which Saint Paul invites us at the end of 2 Timothy 2. In my case, it is certainly not superfluous.

God bless
Pierre

Puerto Rico passed a new law amending its penal code on murder to include the killing of unborn babies.

Puerto Rican Gov. Jenniffer González-Colon, a Republican, signed the amended Senate Bill 923 on Thursday, also known as the Keishla Madlane Law, which recognizes unborn babies as human beings.

The legislation was named after Keishla Madlane Rodríguez Ortiz, who, along with her unborn child, was murdered in 2021 by her lover, former Puerto Rican boxer Félix Verdejo-Sánchez.

González said in a statement on Thursday that “the legislation has the purpose of maintaining coherence between civil and criminal provisions by recognizing the unborn child as a human being.”

Continued below.