Firm tied to Kristi Noem secretly got money from government contracts​

In the library I looked at the marvelous book The Faces of the Saints [The Face of the Saints by Wilhelm Schamoni]— pictures as near as possible genuine portraits—contemporary—of saints. Mosaics of the Fathers were some of the most beautiful. Saint Catherine of Siena, too, and another I have forgotten. More modern ones — some of the death masks frighten me. Saint Vincent de Paul looks very real — very much of a Gascon peasant, and tough as he can be, terrific energy in his face, fiery black eyes, and a mouth like a bear trap.
The one that most astonished me was Saint Francis de Sales — ponderous and unlike anything I would have imagined. One that most impressed me — Saint Benedict Joseph Labre.
One that scared me least — John Bosco. Also Saint Catherine of Genoa looked nice and normal for a mystic, and Louise de Marillac was a French housewife in her picture. Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi looked a little like my mother. Saint Aloysius Gonzaga was almost too beautiful.
Saint Teresa was funny — a plump little Spanish lady, like an innkeeper’s wife in that picture, with all due respect, but I love her. Saint John of the Cross I knew; looks surprisingly un-ascetic. The saint’s face that to me is most completely the face of a saint is the child’s face of Saint Francis of Assisi with big astonished eyes looking out from that over-ample hood — the thirteenth-century portrait.
Some saints I had never heard of I wanted to love as soon as I saw their pictures, like St. Catherine of Ricci. All of them had faces that had suffered: some more, some less, some very intensely.

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The Real Faces of Saints

What did the saints really look like?

weirdcatholic.substack.com

essentialsaltes said:

They've discovered that flattery gets you a nuclear submarine.

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US agrees deal to slash Swiss tariffs to 15% after golden charm offensive​

essentialsaltes said:

[Ex-prosecutor Joyce] Vance further added, "And, while every attorney general would likely have loved to possess a magic wand that would permit them to fix errors after the fact, that’s not how any of this works."

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Trump taps Ingrassia for new role after texting scandal​

DaisyDay said:

It's hard to reconcile 2% inflation with consumer prices dropping.

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• Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
• Jeremiah 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, says the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

• Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

• Acts 15:14-17, Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, says the Lord, who doeth all these things. KJV

• Romans 9:30-31 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Abraham1st said:

John addresses the book to the world, then a division is also made, because the world dd not know Him, and He came to His own, (according to the flesh. Romans 1:3.) and His own received Him not.

But as many as received Him, (which is when the Spirit was given, after that Jesus was glorified.) to THEM HE GAVE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM WHICH BELIEVE ON HIS NAME, not born of flesh and blood, not born by that will, of man, BUT OF GOD.

John Baptist testifies how we ALL RECEIVED OF HIS FULNESS, and grace for grace. The law given by Moses is not the fulness, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
As no man which includes Moses, ( Exodus 33:20.) has seen God at any time, the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, which is IN THE BOSOM of the Father, He has DECLARED Him. (THIS IS THE RECORD OF JOHN, when the JEWS SENT PRIESTS AND LEVITES FROM JERUSALEM TO ASK HIM, WHO HE WAS.)



John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.


John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.



John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?




Now Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews comes to Jesus by night calling Jesus Rabbi, and that they know through the miracles Jesus did, that He was A TEACHER, come from God, and that God was with Him. ( which is not faith)

Jesus immediately answering tells Nicodemus that unless a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. ( which is faith)

Jesus speaks the words of the Father (which is in Him) that a man has to be born of water and of the Spirit, to enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus, ( according to what was already told in John 1:12-13.) separates being born of the flesh, from being born of the Spirit.

(By faith) so is every one that is born of the Spirit, as we ALL hear the sound of the wind ( as we ALL received of His fulness/heard the words. John 1:16-17. Romans 10:18.) but cannot tell ( cannot believe) where it comes, and where it goes.

Nicodemus cannot HEAR the words of faith, and Jesus, TRULY, TRULY, said unto him, that they SPEAK THAT THEY DO KNOW, and TESTIFY WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN, and they RECEIVE NOT THEIR WITNESS. ( He came unto HIs own, and His own RECEIVED HIM NOT. John 1:11. But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that BELIEVE ON HIS NAME, which were not born of the flesh, but of God. John 1:12-13.)

Jesus testifies that Nicodemus DID NOT BELIEVE, (of the earthly testimony) and then how shall they BELIEVE if He tells them the HEAVENLY TESTIMONY.

No man has ascended up to heaven, BUT HE WHICH CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, EVEN THE SON OF MAN, which IS IN HEAVEN.

And as Moses LIFTED UP the serpent in the wilderness, EVEN SO MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM, should not perish, but have eternal life.




John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.



Peter and the apostles speak to Israel, and tell them how they are ALL WITNESSES, and they speak freely to them of the patriarch David, BOTH DEAD AND BURIED.

David knew that God had sworn to him with an OATH, that of the fruit of his loins ( ACCORDING TO THE FLESH) He would RAISE UP Christ to sit on his throne.

David SAW THIS BEFORE, speaking of the RESURRECTION of Christ, for his sou not to be left in hell, neither his FLESH TO SEE CORRUPTION.

Peter and the apostles being witnesses of the RESURRECTION of Jesus by God, testify how He being by the right hand of God exalted, ( ASCENDED ON HIGH. Psalm 68:18.) RECEIVED OF THE FATHER THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST.)

For David IS NOT ASCENDED INTO THE EHAVENS, ( no man has ascended up to heaven, but He which came down from heaven, even the SON OF MAN WHICH IS N HEAVEN. John 3:13.) but said, THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT YOU ON MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES YOUR FOOTSTOOL.

THEREFORE, let ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL KNOW ASSUREDLY, that Go has MADE the same Jesus, WHO THEY CRUCIFIED, both LORD AND CHRIST. ( the Lord saying to my Lord/BOTH LORD AND CHRIST.)

Wherefore He said, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN. (NOW, THAT HE ASCENDED, what is it but that He ALSO DESCENDED FIRST INTO THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH?)

(HE THAT DESCENDED IS THE SAME ALSO THAT ASCENDED UP FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS, THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS.)



Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: THOU HAST RECEIVED GIFTS FOR MEN; yea, for the rebellious also, THAT THE LORD MIGHT DWELL AMONG THEM.

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)




Jesus in the last day, that great day of the FEAST, stood and CRIED, IF ANY MAN THIRST, LET HIM COME UNTO ME AND DRINK, he that BELIEVES ON ME, as the scripture HAS SAID, out of HIs belly shall flow RIVERS OF LIVING WATER. ( this He spoke of the Spirit, which they that BELIEVE ON HIM SHOULD RECEIVE, for the Holy Ghost was given when Jesus was glorified.)

When they came to Jesus and SAW THAT HE WAS DEAD ALREADY, they BROKE NOT HIS LEGS, but one of the soldiers with a spear PIERCED HIS SIDE, and right away there CAME OUT BLOOD AND WATER. (THESE THINGS WERE DONE, THAT YOU MIGHT BELIEVE, THAT THE SCRIPTURE SHOULD BE FULFILLED, A BONE OF HIM SHALL NOT BE BROKEN, AND AGAIN, THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHO THEY PIERCED.




Psalm 34:20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Zechariah 14:8 And it shall be IN THAT DAY, that living waters shall GO OUT FROM JERUSALEM; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Luke 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?




Apostle Paul likewise addresses the faith AMONG ALL NATIONS, of God, concerning HIs Son Jesus Christ OUR LORD, made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and DECLARED TO BE THE SON OF GOD WITH POWER. ( GAVE POWER TO THOSE WHO RECEIVED HIM TO BECCOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM WHICH BELIEVE ON IS NAME.) whom they RECEIVED GRACE ( GRACE FOR GRACE) and apostteship for OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH AMONG ALL NATINS FOR HIS NAME.



Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

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Michie said:

Podcast weighs pros, cons of reported Trump administration plan

Is a half-century investment in owning your home worth it?

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte announced this week that the Trump administration is working on a novel approach to the home affordability crisis: a 50-year mortgage.

The still-unofficial proposal builds off of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s introduction of the 30-year mortgage under the New Deal and could offer more homebuyers the opportunity to qualify for financing.

Still, critics point out that given the average U.S. life expectancy of 78.4 years, the average 32-year-old homebuyer is more likely to leave the mortgage for their children to pay off than to leave them a home free and clear.

Pastor Mark Driscoll, senior pastor of Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, took on the topic in a Nov. 11 episode of his podcast titled “Trump 50-Year Mortgage is a GREAT Idea,” in which Driscoll and Landon Chase, real estate agent and CEO of Driscoll’s Real Faith Ministries, talked about the merits of such a proposal.

Continued below.

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What Is a 50-Year Mortgage?

What is a 50-year mortgage? Why are people taking them out and what are the pros and cons?

www.ramseysolutions.com

9Rock9 said:

Mytho-history is a theory that claims Genesis should not be understood literallt (or at least not literally in the modern sense.) instead, it is largely a figurative account that expresses important theological truths and to establish Yahweh as the one true God vs the pagan religions of the Ancient World.

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Genesis 1: A Polemic, Cosmic Temple, and Functional Creation

The opening chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1, is one of the most debated and cherished texts in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

kameronmazurek.substack.com

essentialsaltes said:

Well you said for yourself Blanche got what he wanted. It's just a shame that what he went looking for wasn't the truth.

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