HarleyER said:

Apparently you're not old enough to remember the Civil War. The south thought they were in the right and, in the beginning, they were very successful at stopping, and even winning, many battles with the north. But the infrastructure, the factories, and even the ability to repleish troops were in the north. I don't wish to simplify the complexities of the Civil War, but one of the deciding factors was failure of the south to be able to replenish their infrastructure and troops.

Same with Ukraine. If Europe and the US stopped suppling troops and weapons, Ukraine will fold. Already they are having problems with getting enough troops. It is just a matter of attrition. Their best deal is to take what they can get is what Trump is offering.

BTW-, if you recall, it was Bill Clinton, along with Russia and the UK, who convinced the Ukrainians to get rid of their nukes in exchange for security. A poor decision on the part on Ukraine and a pretty stupid decision of the Democrats. They trusted Russia far more than Trump (as Hillary demostrates). As always, Republicans are left to try to solve the mess.

https://www.npr.org/2022/02/21/1082124528/ukraine-russia-putin-invasion

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The oldest person that I’d ever met was born in 1874, so no I do not “remember” the American Civil War.

I do, however, read books, and them thar books tell me that the CSA sent emissaries to England/France to see if the CSA could get official recognition as an independent nation (unto itself); which would have solidified the CSA’s claim to independence and not just a bunch of traitors with guns.

Ukraine, though, does exist independently from Russia.
So your point has gone missing.

"My ways are not his ways nor his ways my ways." "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know"

Landon Caeli said:

I'm surprised bone density changes so drastically in space. What would 25 years do? Now I'm curious.

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A person would basically turn into a jelly fish I would think.

From what I'm reading.

They lose 10% bone mass every six months
And 20-30% of muscle mass every six months
(and they're getting hit with a heavier than usual dose of radiation, as they're not being protected by the atmosphere)

They do take precautions and do strength and cardio training while they're up there to offset some of that as best they can. But I'd venture a guess and say that it's highly unlikely a person could survive up there in zero gravity for 25 years.

Best case scenario, they'd probably just have to continue living up there if they went 25 years, as they'd be past the point of no return with regards to be able to survive in gravity again.

I'm sure you've seen those videos of astronauts returning home after a 2–3-month mission up there, they usually have to be pushed in wheelchairs for a first few weeks they get back

tharkun73 said:

A 10-Step Program from Me to God​

1. Some things undeniably exist (I cannot deny my own existence).
No one can deny his own existence without affirming it; one must exist in order to deny his own existence, which is self-defeating. What is undeniable is true and what is unaffirmable is false;

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"Affirmable" by what system of laws? There is more than one.

tharkun73 said:

hence, it is undeniably true that I exist. This does not mean that my existence is rationally inescapable (i.e. I don’t have to exist). It is logically possible that I do not exist, but since I do, I cannot deny it.
2. My non-existence is possible.
Since something undeniably exists (pt. 1), this existence falls into one of three categories: impossible, possible, or necessary. Let’s look at these one at a time. First, my existence is not impossible; the fact that I undeniably exist proves that my existence is actually possible; therefore my existence is not impossible. Second, my existence is not necessary (a necessary existence is one that cannot not exist). A necessary being would not have either change or multiplicity, both of which I experience. A necessary existence would be pure actuality with no potentiality at all. This means that a necessary being would be changeless with respect to time and space (i.e. it would be omnipresent and eternal ) Also there could be only one necessary being, because to be able to distinguish between two (or more) necessary beings would require a potential difference between them, exactly what a necessary being cannot have. Further whatever qualities this being possessed, it would possess infinitely. Being pure actuality means it could not gain or lose an attribute or any degree of an attribute. Finally, a necessary being would be an uncaused being, because to be caused means to move from a potential existence to an actual existence; therefore, a necessary being must be uncaused because the only other choice is a self-caused being which is impossible. Now, my existence is not impossible (because I do exist), and my existence is not necessary (because I change in time, space and knowledge). Therefore my existence must be a possible existence (I am, but I might not be). And hence, my non-existence is also possible; I am contingent as well as limited and changing.

3. Whatever has the possibility not to exist is currently caused to exist by another.

Since my non-existence is possible (pt 2), I have only a potential existence. This existence is either self-caused, caused by another, or uncaused. A self-caused being is a logical impossibility. My existence cannot be uncaused either for this would be a necessary existence, some thing I do not have (pt 2). Therefore my existence must be caused by another. Also, an important point to realize is that all causality of existence is current. This is because I am right now a contingent being; its not that I once was contingent and now am not. Whatever was once contingent will always be contingent. I cannot move from a contingent existence to a necessary existence. It is incorrect to talk of existence as if it were something you could get all at once; what we have is not existence as much as a continual moment by moment process of existing. Therefore, my current cause of existing must come from beyond me.

4. There cannot be an infinite regress of current causes of existence.

This can easily be shown because either the series as a whole is sufficient grounds for all contingent beings or it is not. If the causality is from within the series, then there is a mutual self-causality going on. But if each contingent being is an effect, no amount of adding them up will provide a cause for these effects. Making the series longer or infinitely long does not lessen the need for a grounding cause to explain it. In fact, it only makes it worse. If a chain with 5 links needs a peg to hang on, a chain with 5 thousand links would need an even bigger peg to hang on. If the causality is not from within the series, then the series is dependent on a being outside of the series and, hence, follows pt 3. Another point can also be made: there cannot be an infinitely long series of causes of contingent beings because there could not even be a one-link chain between the cause of being and the being caused. How can something that is an effect with regard to its own existence be a cause for another’s existence? As contingent beings, we are in a state of potentiality regarding being and cannot simultaneously be in a state of actuality for the existence of another. Only a necessary being can cause the existence of a contingent being. We are responsible for what we become, but are not and cannot be responsible that we are.

5. Therefore, a first uncaused cause of my current existence exists.

This follows from the above premises. If I undeniably exist and if my non-existence is possible, then I must have a cause that actualizes my existence. But the cause of all contingent existence cannot be contingent itself, i.e. it must be a necessary being and, as a result, un-caused. There is then an un-caused cause of the existence of all that is caused to exist, of which I am an undeniable example.

6. This uncaused cause must be infinite, unchanging, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-perfect.

From point 2 it was shown that an uncaused cause must be infinite, unchanging, non-temporal, non-spatial, unique and necessary. We need only show that it is also all-powerful, all-knowing and all-perfect. First, power means being able to effect a change in another. But as shown in points 4 and 5, the uncaused cause is what is currently causing the very being of all that exists. Also the uncaused cause is infinite in being; therefore, it has unlimited causal power. This does not mean that it can do the impossible, because the impossible cannot be. But it has the power to make come to be whatever can come to be. Second, I am a knowing being. I cannot deny knowing without an act of knowledge. But as a contingent being, my current cause of knowing is grounded in the uncaused cause. Therefore, the uncaused cause must be a knowing being as well. Also, since the uncaused cause is infinite, simple, eternal, and unchanging it knows anything that it is possible to know infinitely, simply, eternally and in an unchanging way. It is important to realize that not everything in the creature’s knowledge can be attributed to the Creator. Some things are due to the finite and limiting potentials in which the causal power is received. Because of this, ignorance and other imperfections cannot be attributed to the Cause of the world. Finally, for the same reason that the cause of knowing must be all-knowing, the cause of goodness must be all-good. Therefore, the infinite and necessary Cause of all good must be infinitely and necessarily good. The unchanging Cause of all changing things must be unchangingly good. The cause of personhood cannot be less than personal himself. He may be superpersonal, but he cannot be sub-personal. (It must be remembered that we are the cause of the becoming of good acts by our free choice, but the Creator is the cause of the being of all good.)

7. This infinitely perfect Being is appropriately called “God.”

“God” would be defined as the Ultimate who is deserving of worship. God is that which has ultimate intrinsic value—what can be desired for his own sake as a person. In contrast, any ultimate commitment to anything that is less than what is ultimately and intrinsically worthy of our admiration and submission is a commitment to a false god, and hence, idolatry. It may be a religious commitment, but it is a commitment to something that is less than religiously worthy or adequate. If points 1-6 are sound, then we have good reason to believe that an ultimate value worthy of our worship or ultimate commitment does exist. Nothing has more intrinsic value than that which is the ultimate ground and source of all value. Hence, nothing is more worthy of worship than the infinitely perfect uncaused cause of all else that exists. Therefore, it is appropriate to call this perfect cause “God.”

8. Therefore, God exists

We may conclude that God exists. What in religion is known as the ultimate object of worship or commitment is by reason known to exist. Philosophy leads us not to unmoved mover but a real concrete ground for our being. The God the heart needs, the head has good reason to believe really exists.

9. This God who exists is the same as the God described in the Christian Scriptures.

The God described in the Bible is said to be eternal (Col 1:16, Heb 1:2), changeless (Mal 3:6, Heb 6:18), infinite (I Kings 8:27, Isa 66:1), all-loving (John 3:16, I John 4:16), and all-powerful (Heb 1:3, Matt 19:26). However, there cannot be more than one infinitely perfect, changeless, eternal being. There can be only one infinite and necessary being as shown above in pt 2. There cannot be more than one because there would have to be a difference to distinguish them. But to have a difference means to lack something that another has and, therefore, the one lacking would be less than perfect. Since there cannot be more than one such being, then the God described in the Bible is identical to the one concluded from the above premises.

10. Therefore, the God described in the Bible exists.

If there is only one God, and the God of the Bible is identical in characteristics to him, then the God described in the Bible exists. This does not mean that everything that the Bible claims that this God said or did, he actually said or did. But we can conclude two things: 1) the God described in the Bible does exist, and 2) any Biblical claims about Him are possibilities insofar as that they are not inconsistent with his nature. This is a Theistic universe.

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ozso said:

Also according to what I looked up the "$" symbol is frequently used for Ukrainian hryvnia.

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The hryvnia sign (₴) is a currency symbol, used for the Ukrainian hryvnia currency since 2004. ₴

Peace in Christ.

Again, if we always bear about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus (keeping His “daily” sacrifice), the life of Jesus shall be made manifest (shine) in our mortal bodies/flesh.

This manifestation of His life in our mortal flesh is the revealing of the Son of man to the outside people of the world who will then “see” Him in us.

When He appears/manifests, then we shall appear with Him in glory to those who are in outside deep darkness who shall see His light shine through us. Those on the outside world who will then “see” Him and believe shall be saved. We His people HEAR and believe His testimony of these things....while the outside world will only believe when they SEE His life being made manifest in us. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Him as they believe by HEARING. Think of doubting Thomas here who only believed by SEEING Him.

2Co 4:10-11 KJV
(10) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
(11) For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

But right now, His manifest life in the mortal flesh of anyone is being hid. His manifest life is in the “heart/belly of the earth.”

Mat 12:40 KJV
(40) For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The enemies of the cross of Christ are denying His life from being made manifest to this world because they do not understand the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God. They are removing the "daily" sacrifice (the power of the cross) from those they are deceiving and are not preaching the gospel of truth and so no mortal flesh is being saved.

They have no understanding because they are only “serving” Him (supposedly) to fill their belly. They "follow" Him because they are getting fed. They are not allowed to be entrusted with the gospel of truth because of their earthly-mindedness.

The Son of man is in the heart of the earth because they are earthly -minded preachers. They are only minding earthly things: how to get their earthly needs met by “preaching” the Word of God.

Their end is destruction of the moral body as they prevent the life of Jesus from being made manifest in the mortal bodies of those they are deceiving. The Son of man is in the heart/belly of the earth...the earthly-mindedness.

Php 3:18-19 KJV
(18) (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
(19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Their end is mortal death (aka “perishing”) because of their lack of understanding of the gospel of the glory of Christ as they are serving their “god”…which is their “belly”…and so the life of the Son of man is not being made manifest in the mortal flesh of those they are preaching to….leading many down the broad way to their mortal destruction.

2Co 4:3-5
(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost (perishing):
(4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

They are false prophets....deceivers...who do not confess/acknowledge in their "preaching" that Jesus Christ IS COMING now in the flesh....in our mortal flesh.. They are denying Him. The Son of man....the life of Jesus...is being prevented from appearing in the mortal flesh of anyone that they are deceiving.

2Jn 1:7 KJV
(7) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

There is no understanding to the false prophets who cry “peace” (where there is none) to those who put food in their mouths. That is what they are "preaching" for....for their earthly necessities.

It is “night” unto them as they do not understand the Scriptures because of it. They shall not have a “vision”…a revelation of the Scripture of Truth. The Scriptures and the gospel is "dark" unto them...meaning they are not given understanding of them.

Mic 3:5-8 KJV
(5) Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
(6) Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
(7) Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.
(8) But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.

They only “serve” for reward…for hire…preaching for money...and so everything is in heaps.

Mic 3:11-12 KJV
(11) The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
(12) Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

But IF the Son of man be lifted OUT of the “earth”, then He will draw all people unto Him. The people will on the outside world shall then see His manifest life in our mortal flesh.

Greek: ek = “out”

Joh 12:32-33
(32) And I, if I be lifted up from (OUT) of the earth, will draw all men unto me.

By the keeping of His daily sacrifice….bearing about the dying of the Lord Jesus in our mortal bodies, then the life of Jesus shall be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

This is the “death” we are to die so that we may live and that the outside world may “see” Him and live just as the people looked to the bronze serpent on the pole that Moses put up and also live.

(33) This he said, signifying what death he should die.

The Son of man is to be lifted out of the “earth”…the earthly mindedness… so that we may manifest His life.

We who receive His mercy must renounce the hidden things of dishonesty…no longer handling the Word of God deceitfully….

2Co 4:1-3 KJV
(1) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
(2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

His “visage”…His view…was so marred by the false prophets so that His manifest life could not be seen by the outside people of this world who are sitting in deep darkness. His form is being marred so that they cannot “see” Him.

Isa 52:13-15 KJV
(13) Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
(14) As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

But when He appears in His people (His people being sprinkled among the nations), then the kings of this world shall shut their mouths at Him for that which they hand not been TOLD to them they shall then SEE.

(15) So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

The Son of man must be lifted up…for God so loves the world….the outside world that is in darkness…that He gives His only begotten Son so that they world may “see” and believe in Him and be saved. When Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, they LOOKED at it.

Joh 3:14-17 KJV
(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.
(16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

samaus123456789 said:

Isaiah 7 14 is a double prophecy

According to Isaiah 7 written about 735 BC a virgin was going to give birth before Pekah son of Remaliah, who was king of northern Israel, and ruled from Samaria, and Rezin who was king of Aram Syria, and ruled from Damascus were both dead. They died 732 BC in kings/chronicles. It was saying once they were dead their kingdoms will no longer be a threat to you people in the southern kingdom of Judah so I (God) will give you a sign they will be dead soon. In the next verse a woman gives birth naturally not a virgin, the kids name is (some weird name) not Immanuel, and the age of the two kids is different, before choose right/wrong in ch 7 vs before can talk in ch 8. No the prophecy was not fulfilled in ch 8 (some commentaries say it was). I believe a virgin gave birth at Isaiah's time, and then the NT reveals it was a double prophecy about Jesus also.

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I believe in dual prophecies, but I do not believe this is one of those.

It is obviously referring to Christ

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.[i] 15 Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings.

Mat 1:22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Grafted In said:

The bread was leavened.

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See Was the Bread of the Presence leavened?

Grafted In said:

Does that make a difference in this case?

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I don't think it does in this case.

It’s really impressive how much emotion can be packed into just one minute of film. A project like this shows how important strong performances are, even in short films. Taking acting for film classes can help actors develop the subtle expressions and authentic reactions that make moments like these so powerful. It’s crazy to think how much of a story can be told with just small looks and gestures.

When we study the Old Testament writings, we need to study them in light of the New Testament writings which are under the New Covenant. And Jesus taught New Covenant. Also, what was written to the people under the Old Covenant may not also apply to us under the New Covenant, but there may be parallels between the two. Much of what was written to the people under the Old Covenant is repeated for us under the New Covenant, just perhaps not in all the same ways. And that is the approach I will take.

Under the Old Covenant, God’s people were the Jews. They were the nation of Israel under the One and Only True God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit – the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For Jesus Christ was always with God, and he has always been God, and he was with the children of Israel of the Old Covenant, just not in physical form to where they recognized him as such. In 1 Corinthians 10:3-4 we read that the Israelites, in the wilderness, drank spiritually from the spiritual rock, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is God: [John 1:1-36; John 8:24,58; John 10:30-33; Hebrews 1:8-9; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; Romans 9:5; John 20:28-29]

But when Jesus Christ gave his life up for us on that cross, and he put our sins to death with him, so that by faith in him we can now die with him to sin and live to his righteousness, he did away with the Old Covenant, and he made Jew and Gentile, by faith in Jesus Christ, into one nation, one people under God. The Jews who rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior were cut out of biblical Israel, and the Gentiles who believed in Jesus were grafted into Israel, so Israel is now Jew and Gentile by faith in Jesus Christ.

[Genesis 17:7-9; Genesis 18:19; John 8:18-19,38-47; Romans 2:28-29; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 9:4-8,25-28; Romans 11:1-36; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 3:16,26-29; Galatians 4:22-31; Ephesians 2:11-22; Ephesians 3:6; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-16; Hebrews 8:6-13;1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:22; Jude 1:5; Revelation 2:9; Revelation 3:9]

But Jesus’ death on that cross, although it meant death to the Old Covenant, and the birth of the New Covenant, did not remove God’s moral laws for his people Israel (both Jew and Gentile by faith in Jesus Christ). All throughout the New Testament, under the New Covenant, we are taught that faith in Jesus Christ, which is persuaded of God, and not of our own doing, must result in us dying with Christ to sin and us walking (in practice) in obedience to our Lord. And if sin is our practice, and not obedience, we are not saved.

Thus, under the New Covenant, by faith in Jesus Christ, we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength. And to love God is to obey him, for if we do not obey him we do not love him and we do not know him and we are not of him and we are not in fellowship with him. Now this does not mean that we will never sin, but that we should have died with Christ to sin and we should now be walking in obedience to his commands as a matter of life practice, in the power of God.

And not only are we, by faith in Jesus Christ, to be obedient to our Lord and to his commandments under the New Covenant, but we should be teaching God’s commandments (New Covenant) to our children, and to our grandchildren (where allowable), but not in words only, but by how we live in daily practice. We need to be setting the right example before them as to what it means to be followers of Christ. And this does not mean that we will do this perfectly, but that this needs to be what we practice.

For we are not to be hypocrites who speak one thing with our lips while we live the opposite. We share Jesus Christ with others, not just with our lips, but by our actions. But our actions need to match with biblical Jesus and not with the “Hollywood” version of who they think Jesus was. And our actions are to be the same no matter who we are with, i.e. it should be natural for us to live and to speak the Christian life in every aspect of who we are and in what we do, in practice. This doesn’t mean we are perfect, though.

And when this says to tie the commandments of God as symbols on our hands and on our foreheads and on our doorframes of our houses and on our gates, if we do this literally and physically, as an outward show of righteousness, but we don’t live what we are professing, for it is for show only, then it is pointless. I would rather take this figuratively to mean that God’s commandments should be impressed on our minds and on our hearts and on our way of living as a matter of what we put daily into practice.

[Matt 7:13-14,21-23; Lu 9:23-26; Jn 10:27-30; Ac 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,15-17; 1 Jn 3:4-10]

For Our Nation

An Original Work / September 11, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: We’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.

Login to view embedded media
Hear, O Israel!
An Original Work / March 5, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

This probably means that they had him in their crosshairs for a bit and decided to do it now for publicity.

I doubt many people remember the Abbey Gate attack. I do remember that the USA retaliated by blowing up some children.

Let's hope they got the right guy this time.

Fantine said:

Praying for a just, longstanding peace and an end to Russian aggression anywhere in Eastern Europe.

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Yes! In Jesus holy name.

BPPLEE said:

Joe has a future in television on The Walking Dead

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He didn’t run, he’s been irrelevant since June ‘24, you’re allowed to cease any time.

Bradskii said:

The World Clown Association (World Clown Association) has apparently issued a press release saying that they have not been, or are now connected to or associated with DOGE in any way. A spokesclown said that any public comments about DODGE that used terms like 'clown show' or 'bunch of clowns' might lead people to associate that department with members of the Association and could put those members at some risk. He asked if the public might take a moment to understand the stress that hurtful comments such as those noted put on genuine clowns and their families.

Elon Musk was approached for a comment but has not replied.

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When you’ve lost the clowns…

FaithT said:

I could never be able to make one…..too clumsy and I’d give up too quickly.

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I about gave up a few times!

chevyontheriver said:

I’m gonna try that too. See you then unless something really big happens.

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We’ll miss you, too.

Lady Bug said:

It's something I really don't recommend unless circumstances make it that way, which in my case, is happening. I don't find the "homelessness" enjoyable. Sorry if I'm dragging the subject, lol.

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It’s ok.

tonychanyt said:

You confuse the word 'life' with 'live'.

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Ran, run, running.

I believe that God is speaking this same message to my nation (the USA) today. For she touts herself as a Christian nation, one nation under God, with about ¾ of the population proclaiming some element of faith in Jesus Christ. But so many have now gone the way of the world, living to please the flesh, living in deliberate and habitual sin against the Lord Jesus and not in walks of surrender to his will and in obedience to his commands. And the gospel message has been altered to make the way for them to keep on in sin.

So, what is the solution? What can be done to change all that? What this teaches here is what the New Testament teaches, too, and it is the message of the gospel, too. For Jesus died on that cross to put our sins to death with him so that we, by God-persuaded faith in him, might now die with him to sin and walk in obedience to his commands in holy living, in daily practice. So we are to stop doing wrong, and we are now to do what is right in the sight of God, in the power of God, by the grace of God, in obedience to God.

If we are willing and obedient to our Lord and to his New Covenant commands in the forsaking of our sins and in our walks of faith and obedience to him, then we have the promise and the hope of deliverance from our bondage to sin and heaven as our eternal destiny. But if we resist and rebel, and so we continue in deliberate and habitual sin, and not in walks of obedience to our Lord, then we will die in our sins and we will not have eternal life with God, regardless of what faith we profess with our lips.

I believe that my nation (the USA) is presently under the judgment of Almighty God because the church at large here in America has forsaken the ways of the Lord to go after the ways of the world, and few are they who are actually walking in obedience to our Lord in surrender to his will in walks of righteousness and holiness and not in deliberate and habitual sin. And sin doesn’t have to be something really horrible like murder or adultery, but it can be the sin of ignoring God’s will for your life and pleasing yourself.

And because of the sinful condition of my nation, as a whole unit, I believe that is why the things which are presently taking place are happening in America. Now some people see these changes as a good thing, and I do believe that God has sent the present leaders as his instruments of judgment on my nation to “clean house,” so to speak, but I also believe that this is kind of like what Habakkuk wrote about where even more evil people are being used of God to discipline his wayward people to bring them back.

So, I pray for the people of my nation to be confronted with “the Holy One of Israel,” but biblical Israel, comprised of all who believe in Jesus Christ, whether Jew or Gentile by physical birth. And I pray that the rebellious ones, who are living for themselves, and not for the Lord, will be brought to their knees in order that they would look to Jesus for their salvation from their addiction to sin so that they will now walk with the Lord in his ways, according to his will and purpose, and in his power, strength, and wisdom.

And I pray that all of us will be drawn to closer walks of faith and obedience to our Lord, and that, with the time we have remaining, that we will be spreading the truth of the gospel to the people of the world, but not just in words only, but in practice, by our deeds. I pray that we will be examples of what biblical faith should look like as we give testimony to Jesus Christ and to his saving grace. And I pray we will all spread the truth and not the lies so that many will die to their sins and now walk in obedience to God’s ways.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-21; 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 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

For Our Nation

An Original Work / September 11, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: We’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.

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If We are Willing and Obedient
An Original Work / March 4, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Parashah: “T'rumah” (elevated offerings) EXODUS 25:1-27:19

In this Torah (Bible) study we see that a request is made for a “free-will offering” so that the Tabernacle can be built and the furnishings for the same. As we remember, when the Israelites left Egypt, they left with quite a treasure which the Egyptians gave them so that they would leave. We could consider this “back pay” for all their work for four hundred years. The root word for "T'rumah" is "rum" (elevate)

Egypt had quite a wealth in gold, silver, gems, fine fabrics, etc, and now, Egypt remained poor and in ruins while the Children of Israel left with the “spoils of war” a war which YHVH fought against the gods of Egypt, and won. So, in a battle, the spoils of war belong to the victor. So, while the Israelites were protected, God fought against the demonic entities, in the guise of the “gods of Egypt” Pharaoh included. So, rightly, the riches and spoils of Egypt belong to YHVH, being carried by HIS people.

So, where in the desert are the people going to spend it all? they are just carrying it around, a lot of extra weight and burden, might as well put it to good use. The plan is to build a place where YHVH can come down and live with his chosen people. It isn't that YHVH can only live in one place, He is eternal, everywhere, yet He will “rest” with His people, minister to His people right there, visible by a cloud by day and fire by night. The “invisible God” will be “visible” in those two ways.

In “Yitro” The Torah was given to Israel, and the marriage “Ketubah” was given in the form of the Ten Commandments, written in stone, In “Mishpatim” “justice” was given, and some more commandments explained by YHVH through Moshe, and now, YHVH is saying “Take ME into your life, make ME a place to dwell among you”

We look at 25:8, and something is interesting; “.and let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them…” Thus said Adonai speaking to Moshe. The word “to dwell among” is “Shakhn’ti” and it not only means “to dwell among” it also means “to dwell inside” and that is the way it is today, the “Ruach Elohim” the “Spirit of God" dwells “inside” of every born-again believer. God is our “neighbor”. The word “neighbor” in Hebrew is the word; “Shakhein” and we can see those letters in the word “shakhn’ti” The three main letters in the word “Shakhein” are “sheen” “kaph” and “nun” “sh” “k” “n” we can also see those letters “inside” the word “Mishkan” (tabernacle) and the word “Shekinah” (the Shekinah glory) today we know it as the Spirit of God, who dwells inside every believer. So, YHVH is our “neighbor” who dwells inside of us 24-7.

Hebrews 3:6 states that "All believers are the "House of Adonai", so, if we are HIS house, why the Tabernacle? It is a place of "encounter" where God will meet with His appointed leaders (the Levites and priests). Just like we meet in buildings to learn God's Word and to fellowship with other believers. The synagogues and church buildings are for our sake and not for God's sake. HE is everywhere, from the ultimate corners of the universe to our own back yards.

The building project was, one could say, financed by Egypt. For 4 hundred years, Israel worked for a hard taskmaster, “Pharaoh and Company” working as brick masons and field hands, now, Israel has a new master, The Creator of the Universe, the Maker of Man, the future “Yeshua Ha Mashiach” A place will be built for HIM to minister to his people, and every piece of furniture will reflect who HE IS.

Gold, silver, precious stones, fabric, and wood. Now there is a question, where did the wood come from? Is there any [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]im and Acacia trees in the desert? If one looks at the desert of Saudi Arabia today, even through “Google Maps” or “Google Earth” one can see almost no trees, just bare mountains. But we are talking about a desert almost 4000 years ago, it was probably very different, it had to be, remember that the Israelites brought with them cattle and sheep, what are they going to eat? Sand? No, there had to have been vegetation, trees. They could have cut the trees down in the desert and fashioned them into boards for the “Mishkan” (tabernacle) or they might have brought them out of Egypt, already cut and fashioned, perhaps some of the Egyptian lumber yards just gave them all that, since not all of the Egyptians were rich in gold and silver (just an idea)

This is a “free-will offering” Moshe states, “of every man whose heart maketh him willing”. So it was not forced, it was “of free will”. We know that the people gladly gave, so much that later on, Moshe has to say,

“Stop giving already, we have enough”. Can you imagine a pastor or rabbi from a church or synagogue that would say that to his congregation, “OK brothers and sisters, we have enough money for all of our needs, you can stop giving..” I don't think that will ever happen, When one gives of his or her time, talent, and treasure, God gives back many times over. Money is like a conduit, it should flow like water through a pipe, to be spread out, not “backlogged” Today, we use the three "Ts" in giving "Time, Talent, and Treasure"

Adonai has promised us that He would provide for ALL of our needs, through his abundance in grace, both in spiritual ways, physical, and material ways, if we will only trust Him. He provided bread (Manna) and water to the Israelites throughout their 40-year journey in the desert. He will provide for us too, if we will trust him for our provisions.

There are two words; "Mishkan" (Tabernacle as a whole) from "Sh'ken" (to dwell close) and "Mikdash" (sanctuary) from the word "Kadosh" (Holy, or Holiness) So, God will dwell with His people in all Holiness, as He dwells with us all the Tabernacles of our bodies and souls.

So, the building project consists of the “tent of meeting” (The tabernacle/Mishkan) with its wooden boards, bars, clamps, and curtains of linen, the furniture that would go inside; The brazen Altar, the brazen Laver, the Menorah, the table of shew-bread, the incense altar, and finally, the Ark of the Covenant, (Aron Ha Kodesh). Each and every one of these pieces reflects who Yeshua is and his finished work on Calvary's cross.

The Ark of the Covenant is mentioned first, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, both inside and out.

Inside this box would be the tables of the Law, the “Torah” It symbolizes the purity and sinlessness of YHVH. The wood; the humanity of Yeshua who was YHVH in the flesh, both God and man. As it was covered with gold inside and out, it symbolizes that we also should be, through the Holy Spirit, “pure” inside and out, both physically, and spiritually, where people can see and where only God can see, inside us. The Torah, God's teaching and instruction to us, is inside the Ark, as the “Living Torah” who is Yeshua is inside of us, and also, his teaching, his “Torah” inside of us, to understand, learn from, and put into action in our daily lives.

The Cherubim that are on top of the Kaporet look down upon the mercy seat, and they remind us of God's Holy Angels that are around us and who protect us. The “Shekinah Glory” the “Holy Presence of YHVH” was on top of the “Kaporet” (the cover) and when the high priest would sprinkle blood on the cover, YHVH would see the blood. The blood on the cover symbolized (before Yeshua) that the sins of man were “covered” for one year, but after Calvary, the sins of all of us were “erased” “wiped away” and “blotted out” forever.

Here is something interesting; The Cherubim were at either end of the Kaporet, looking down where the "Spirit of God" would dwell. In John 20:11 it states that there were "two angels in the tomb" where Yeshua was laid when Mary came in. Where were they? they were sitting where Yeshua had been laid, on either end of the (perhaps the stone slab) where the body was laid. One at the head, and the other at the other end, which reminds us of the Ark cover. The high priest would sprinkle blood 7 times on the Ark Cover once a year. How many wounds did Yeshua have on his body? On the head, the torn flesh by the flagellum, the nail wounds on the right hand and the left, the nail wounds on his right foot, and on his left foot, and the spear wound on his side (7 wounds) Just coincidence?

The 7 branch Menorah (candlestick) was made of pure gold, with 7 branches, the “perfect number of God” The six branches would extend from the center branch, just like we, believers, depend on the center branch, or “trunk” for our sustenance, there were “6” branches, (number of man) connected to the “7th” main branch. This Menorah symbolizes “Yeshua” as the “Light of the World” and the oil inside it as the “Ruach Ha Kodesh” (The Holy Spirit) We see the “wicks” that are inside the lamps as “believers” who depend on the “oil” (the Ruach HaKodesh) for our continuous growth, as part of the body of Messiah Yeshua.

The table of shew-bread symbolizes Messiah Yeshua as the “Bread of Life” with the 12 loaves of unleavened bread. The bread was to be there, “continuously” The priests would eat the bread on the sabbath and more bread was placed on the table so that there would be “always the presence of “the Bread of Life” As believers, the living Torah is our spiritual bread, and we must partake daily of this bread. No wonder Yeshua was born in Bethlehem, yet in Hebrew the name is “Beit-Lechem” the “House of Bread” Again, the table was made of Acacia wood overlaid with gold, the purity of the sinless presence of God and the humanity of Messiah Yeshua.

Then there is the table of Incense, also made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. This is where coals from the brazen altar were placed, and incense burned. The incense symbolizes our prayers, which go up to Heaven as the sweet-smelling incense smoke also goes up.

The curtains of the tabernacle were to be made of fine linen, with the colors, blue, purple, and scarlet. These colors remind us of “blue skies of heaven above” “purple” (the color of royalty, Yeshua the King), and scarlet, (the color of blood) reminding us of Yeshua's blood that was shed for all our sins, past, present, and future. And of course, the wooden planks that remind us of the humanity of Yeshua.

In the outer court of the tabernacle, there is the brazen altar, made of bronze and filled with water. This is where the priests washed their hands and feet. Bronze symbolizes judgment, imagine when the priests approached the still waters in the bronze laver, they would be able to see their reflection in the water. Imagine that is us looking into a mirror, what do we see? The image of a holy God, yet tainted with sin, we need to judge ourselves, and turn from our sinful ways, repent of our sins, like Yeshua said, “Your sins are forgiven, GO, and SIN NO MORE.

Finally, there is the brazen altar, which is the first thing a person would see inside the tabernacle. It symbolizes Yeshua who was judged for our sins. It is made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze. The bronze symbolizes the judgment that Messiah Yeshua went through to pay our sin price. The animal sacrifices were placed on the grills which were on top of the altar. The animals symbolize our Messiah Yeshua, their blood symbolizes HIS blood, and the fire symbolizes the “fires of judgment” that Yeshua endured on the cross of Calvary, once and only once. It was sufficient, for our sins, past, present, and future. Let not his sacrifice for sin be for naught. If you have never placed your faith in Yeshua as Messiah, Savior, and LORD, do it now.

Shalom, have a good and godly week. For what good is a week if it is not a godly week?

com7fy8 said:

Well, where we live is a thing of this life. Yes, give thanks for what God has given to us. And what matters is how we use things for God.

"and be content with such things as you have" (in Hebrews 13:5)

With God we can make *~His~* good use of all we have.

Click to expand...

amen. God, give me solvency, gimme grace

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