I feel rejected and scorned

Valletta said:

An illegal immigrant and suspected gang member is out on probation, free to roam the streets of Chicago even though he has been charged with domestic battery, has a previous weapons charge in Cook County and was ordered deported in 2022.

Suspected Tren de Aragua member released on probation in domestic battery case despite 2022 deportation order

33 year-old Venezuelan illegal immigrant Pedro Colmenares has been charged with domestic battery, and his deportation was ordered back in 2022.

www.foxnews.com

Same old Chicago leadership.

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Hopefully, the ICE catches and deported that criminal asap.

Richard T said:

So what if Ukraine agrees? They could always nationalize the leases, or declare bankruptcy. By the time the wealth is extracted Trump will be gone and they can renege. It is not like the USA is going to fight the Ukraine over a broken promise.

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I believe President Zelensky is making prudent decisions for his country. He requires financial support from the United States and Europe to sustain the war effort. If this agreement satisfies President Trump and allows Ukraine to continue its efforts, by the time( (4-5 years from now) Ukraine becomes a stable country capable of resource extraction, President Trump will no longer be in office.

I strongly doubt that the next Republican or Democratic President would honor this agreement. I certainly hope they will not. Even if the United States demands this agreement from Ukraine, by that time ( Ukraine will be part of the European Union. The United States will not engage in a conflict with Ukraine over $500 billion.

NIV, Ex 35:

3 Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.

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ESV:

You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.”

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How did they keep warm on the Sabbath day?

The Israelites prepared for the Sabbath by lighting fires or heating their homes before it began at sundown on Friday. Once the Sabbath started, they could not light or extinguish fires, so they relied on slow-burning fires. The prohibition on kindling fire meant they couldn’t actively refuel the fire, so they would need to put on extra clothing or sit around the hearth.

You just know that list started with plain "black" on it. But they knew it would get out.

According to Biblehub chronolgy:

37 CE, Peter saw a vision in Ac 10:

13 There came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

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It seemed that God had changed the dietary law.

48 CE, a decade later, Peter spoke in the Jerusalem Council, Ac 15:

10 "Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

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Dietary law was not a salvation requirement, and Peter did not want to burden the Gentile believers with unnecessary OT laws.

James ended the discussion by striking a compromise:

19 "Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.

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It was okay to eat ceremonially unclean animals, provided they were killed properly.

54 CE, 6 years later, Paul rebuked Peter in Ga 2:

11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

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This sequence highlights the ongoing challenges the early church faced in fully implementing the implications of Gentile inclusion, even years after God had shown Peter's vision.

This is very beautifully expressed.

For myself, I would extend the thought of sin to include all that pertains to the self rather than existence in God alone.

God contains the drama of the human experience, and much is to be taken literally.

Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor.

Who are we to interpret Jesus' words as it were figuratively?

Mt 3:

13 Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

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BDAG:
① the quality, state, or practice of judicial responsibility w. focus on fairness, justice, equitableness, fairness
ⓑ of transcendent figures … considered divine justice
② quality or state of juridical correctness with focus on redemptive action
③ the quality or characteristic of upright behavior, uprightness

Jesus wanted to fulfill both human and divine justice.

By being baptized by John, Jesus validated John's role as the forerunner who prepared the way for the Messiah. This act bridged the Old Testament prophecies and the New Covenant that Jesus would establish.

Jesus obeyed God's will and plan, including inaugurating his public ministry through baptism. It marked the beginning of His mission to start to fulfill the law and the prophets (Mt 5:17).

He fulfilled Ps 2:

7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

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The above verse was fulfilled in Mt 3:

16 When Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,c and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,d with whom I am well pleased.”

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By being baptized, Jesus identified himself with humanity, particularly with sinners, even though he was sinless (2C 5:21). He set an example for others to follow. Repent and be baptized (Ac 2:38).

Baptism symbolizes death and resurrection. Through His baptism, Jesus foreshadowed the transformative work of the cross, which he would accomplish for humanity.

How did Jesus’ baptism contribute to the fulfillment of all righteousness?

Jesus’ baptism was purposeful and aligned with God’s redemptive plan. It wasn’t about his need for cleansing but about fulfilling the righteous requirements of his mission—to validate John's role, stand with humanity, obey the Father, and initiate the work that would culminate in the cross and resurrection. It was a foundational moment in which Jesus became the righteous servant (Is 53), setting the stage for the ultimate fulfillment of God’s justice and mercy.

Maria Billingsley said:

I do not understand what the issue is. His letter was wonderful! This writer is twisting his letter to sound political when in fact it is a proclamation to the world that the Catholic Church stands by the poor , marginalized and disenfranchised.
Blessings

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It is a pastoral message that naturally ruffles feathers. Prophetic voices always do.

"The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality. At the same time, one must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival. That said, the act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness.

"The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (cf. Lk 10:25-37), that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.

"7. But worrying about personal, community or national identity, apart from these considerations, easily introduces an ideological criterion that distorts social life and imposes the will of the strongest as the criterion of truth.

"I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters. With charity and clarity we are all called to live in solidarity and fraternity, to build bridges that bring us ever closer together, to avoid walls of ignominy and to learn to give our lives as Jesus Christ gave his for the salvation of all."

I love Christian music! These are all in my top songs! Check out my thread on some amazing worship songs and artists! (WARNING: The list is a little long lol)

Vambram said:

24 Songs That Defined 2024 | Air1 Worship Music

www.air1.com

Your favorite Air1 artists served up the perfect soundtrack for 2024. From massive anthems of praise to intimate moments of reverence, the biggest singles of the year reverberated around the world with contagious melodies and meaningful lyrics. While perennial hitmakers like Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Josh Baldwin and Maverick City Music proved why they’re at the pinnacle of their craft, newcomers like Charity Gayle, Red Rocks Worship, Benjamin William Hastings and JWLKRS Worship garnered attention as they added their powerful voices to the worship pool brimming with fresh talent.
While we could spend days recounting all the music that poured out of our speakers over the past 12 months, we’ve narrowed down our massive list to two dozen selections that remain on repeat. Here are 24 songs that defined 2024.

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YES! Check out my thread about some amazing worship songs and artists! I love Air1

May God protect and save the unborn!

I've heard that israeli doctors have determined that the children of Shiri Bibas were killed by bare hands.

Musk gave an enthusiastic response on X: 'Will do, Mr. President!'​

President Donald Trump said Saturday he is happy with the work Elon Musk has done with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but he has one complaint — Musk hasn’t gone far enough.

Continued below.

okay said:

Funny you should say that. I ended up in a wonderful Episcopal perish that is 15ish minute from both home and work, so it has been easy to really jump in and become part of the community. One of the priests has just recently been ordained, but one of her homilies has already had a pretty profound influence on my relationship with God. I am new to the Episcopal church, but it seems to be a pretty good fit for me. My second choice was a UMC church and third was a UCC church. I am fortunate that there are a number of great churches nearby.

Changing churches has also prompted some great conversations with my 80+ year-old mother about theology, church and all things spiritual. She is a charismatic Baptist that reads a lot of Catholic mystics and has an enormous knowledge of scripture, so she has interesting perspectives. I have been shocked to learn how her views are changing in her old age; just like my late father did, she is becoming a liberal.

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Happy you found a spiritual home!

MarkRohfrietsch said:

They were active among some native groups; particularly in the North and Labrador. Even just an hour from my house in Southern Ontario, there is an Indian Reserve that is actually called "Moravia Town"; no Moravians left there either; last time I drove through there 40+ years ago, their Church had already been abandoned and deteriorated beyond use.

Delaware Nation at Moraviantown - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It seems the church has been fixed, but is now under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Church: St. Peter's Church, Moraviantown | Kent | The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Huron

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Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

DOGE's accomplishments over the past week include a legal victory​

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)spent another week slashing hundreds of millions in spending by the federal government, while dodging various legal attempts to block its cost-cutting efforts.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)spent another week slashing hundreds of millions in spending by the federal government, while dodging various legal attempts to block its cost-cutting efforts.

Here are some of DOGE's big wins this week:

Continued below.

Does the Lone Star State have the most "Christ-centered legislature" in America?

That's the claim made by Texas Lt. Gov Dan Patrick during his keynote speech this week at the Texas Policy Summit held by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a right-leaning nonprofit think tank.

Speaking at the event's keynote lunchThursday at the AT&T Executive Hotel & Conference Center in Austin, Patrick, 74, recognized a group of state senators he believes represents a larger Republican contingency of lawmakers who "put Christ first in all they do."

Continued below.

Walking in the Spirit I assume is to walk in love

Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

What a horrible story. I'm speechless.

Michie said:

Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39 were the first to be released on Saturday, followed by Omer Wenkert, 23; Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Eliya Cohen, 27​

Terror group parades Israeli hostages in front of cheering crowd before release​

Hamas freed six hostages on Saturday in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners as part of the fragile ceasefire agreement with Israel.

The first two men released were identified as Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39. Video footage showed the two men looking frail and scared as they were taken to a stage in front of a crowd while flanked by masked gunmen. They were handed over to the Red Cross and were on their way to the IDF.

An additional three hostages – Omer Wenkert, 23; Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Eliya Cohen, 27 – were subsequently released in the central town of Nuseirat. They were dressed in fake army uniforms, though they were not soldiers when they were kidnapped.

The three were put in Red Cross vehicles that then headed for Israel.

Continued below.

Hamas releases more hostages in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners as part of ceasefire deal

Hamas freed more hostages on Saturday in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners as part of the delicate ceasefire agreement with Israel.

www.foxnews.com

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It’s a measure of who values life more. Six to six hundred.

Praise & Thank Jesus Christ for freeing some 7Oct2023 ( Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Hisham al-Sayed, Avera Mengistu & Tal Shoham ) Israeli hostages:

They can't stop the mental manipulation. Sadly many want to believe this garbage the media is truly where satan resides.

Pr 3:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

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The above was Hebrew antithetic parallelism. The second line contrasted with the first, presenting an opposing or complementary idea to reinforce the message.

Lean on the Lord; Trust in the Lord. Do not rely only on your own understanding apart from the Lord.

Does it mean never using our own judgment or reasoning?

No, that's impossible; humans are reasoning animals. It means that while we do our reasoning, it should be guided by the Lord. Our reasoning should rely on God.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

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Strong's Hebrew: 3045. יָדַע (yada) — 942 Occurrences

BDB:

1. a. know
   f. recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
2. know a person, be acquainted with

Whatever you do or say, acknowledge the Lord that you know him. He will guide your paths. You will be walking in the Spirit.

How?

Regularly talk to God about your decisions, struggles, and desires. Ask for his guidance and wisdom. Listen to him.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.

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Again, lean not on your own selfish understanding.

The imagery of "leaning" suggests putting one's weight on something for stability, much like leaning on a physical object for support. However, it warns against making one's own understanding the primary source of that support. Instead, it encourages trust in God’s wisdom and guidance.