I know this is a subject that not many people want to talk about, but this is a huge problem in the church today in America. It is the “elephant in the room” that no one wants to mention, and so it is not dealt with. But childhood and spousal abuse and sexual addiction and adultery are real problems that are not adequately and biblically being dealt with today.

And so that leaves many children and spouses in abusive situations. And the answer is not always for them to go someplace else. Sometimes “someplace else” is actually worse. And that doesn’t actually solve the problem or help the addict to be free. So, we the church need to step up and deal with these issues, and give support to the hurting, and exercise godly correction to the unrepentant. For this is happening in Christian households a lot!

Her Story

Lost and all alone, and feeling so unloved,
Father was abuser, not felt mother’s love.
Felt so utterly hopeless, no way out it seemed,
Not the fairy-tale childhood that of many dream.

Frightened of her father, terrified it seemed.
Tried she to escape him. Life not so serene.
Never knew what hit her. All came by so fast.
So many abuses, numerous and so vast.

She believed in Jesus. Trusted in his love.
Sought him out for comfort. Looked to him above.
Trusted in his promises. Believed in his Word.
Best words coming from his love that she ever heard.

Met the man she’d marry, life with him to share.
Not the perfect romance. Loved him everywhere.
Not turned out like magic. Not a fairy tale.
Didn’t turn out like she’d hoped. Marriage for her failed.

Turned out he’s an addict, much like was her dad,
And he would not change for her, which did make her sad.
Then she remained with him as a faithful wife
For she did still love him, to stay with him for life.

Through it all she learned to not put trust in man,
To put her hope solely in God, to follow His life’s plan.
She learned to trust Him with her life, always, ever now,
And when life kicks her in the gut, to Him her life she vows.

An Original Work / September 10, 2022

NevaehStetson said:

It’s the KJV Bible, but I might also get another Bible that’s ESV! And I love Ponyo, I watched it more than five times! I basically was born off Miyazaki Hayao’s films as there was so many DVDs my mother had! So I was basically born off Anime!

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I recommend the NKJV and ESV also, a more modern version of the KJV for Gen Z folks such as us.

Heck yeah, anime is good. I am gonna watch The Boy & The Heron (2023) some time this week, maybe tomorrow. If you ever want any classic anime recommendations, just PM me, or ask in the anime section.

Sword of the Lord said:

What did the totally moral and not at all biased cardinal say after Hamas attacked Israel last October? What has he said about Hezbollah's unprovoked constant rocket attacks on Israel for the past year that has finally gotten a response? Yawn

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I don't understand how anyone can feel bad for Hezbollah. The organization reportedly uses its pagers to enable fellow members to commit atrocities. Why should I feel anything?

Abuse is not a subject limited to spousal or parental physical abuse. It covers a vast array of ways in which people are being abused (hurt, taken advantage of, lied to) every day. And not everything is as it appears on the surface. We don't always know what other people are going through every day of their lives all over the world.

Wolseley said:

voting for Kamala Harris instead of Trump is like voting for Adolf Hitler instead of Barry Goldwater.

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Exactly. I couldn't agree more.

And you are not exaggerating, in your comparison of Harris to a Hitler.
So many uninformed voters really do not know what the Democrats have planned for America.
They would do well to revisit the history of Nazi Germany, before voting for Harris or any Democrat.

You'd be better off going on Instagram. Twitter attracts a different audience. There's more women on the other. As for your relational preferences, you don't encounter it in christian circles because most men desire a woman that's soft and feminine. He wants an opposite not a bro and you'll find the same in secular circles.

That doesn't mean tomboys don't exist but you're unlikely to see it promoted in christian culture. Look up the hashtag #cleanbeauty and you'll find some. Their look is more sporty and natural and some women have adopted it.

~bella

The Liturgist said:

Thus we can assert that the Gospel and the Creed are materially immutable, as is the Holy Tradition itself.

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Reinterpretations is not the same as change when it comes to Gospel and Creed, Tradition, if it is living, is another matter.

Attributing all the "problems" with "rupture with tradition" is really a bit simplistic. The Church and the world were ripe for new life since the 1950's. Changes in Church practice and thinking were inevitable and needed in some cases.

MehGuy said:

While many seem to like to wallow in rejection misery, deep down they only care about the rejections they receive from attractive women.

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Have you ever read something and thought to yourself how the heck did we get here? That's what I felt with that sentence. ~lol

MehGuy said:

In fact, I find it funny. I observe unattractive women often believing that society can change the beauty standards to their benefit. While men tend to gravitate towards the opposite idea. That society can never change the beauty standards for their benefit.

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I used to have these conversations years ago before the body positivity trend emerged. It's like you said. They wanted to change the culture to even the scales and make it more favorable for themselves. I told them they won't because they're not dating themselves. They'd have to make some hard choices and work on the areas they could improve along with their softer skills.

The reason they think like that is because women lie to one another all the time about their appearance. They get accustomed to false affirmation and they're shocked when men feel otherwise. I've never been in that camp. I don't tell a woman she's pretty unless I genuinely believe she is.

MehGuy said:

Men's pain is valued in society, but more in the heroic context. Incels like the idea that they are uncovering a brutal reality of being an unattractive man. That they can embrace the pain and that wallowing in it is just proving how much of the pain they can face.

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Wow. You took one for the team. I wouldn't last too long around them before asking what's wrong with you? I understand being hurt and trying to work through the pain. But adopting a victim mindset and living from that position is a turn off male or female.

~bella

Bradskii said:

I presume you meant the Capitol.

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Yes, thank you.

• Homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality, transsexualism and transgenderism may not be promoted* on CF (including member profiles). Several debate forums allow homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality, transsexualism and transgenderism to be discussed from a political, legal, historical, and civil rights point of view. Please check the Statement of Purpose thread for individual debate forums before posting. Homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality, transsexualism and transgenderism may be discussed, without promotion*, in the Congregational in line with each group's beliefs there. You may post without promotion* in the Struggles with Sexuality and Ask a Chaplain forums solely for the purpose of seeking support with personal struggles related to these issues.

Homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality, transsexualism and transgenderism may be discussed, without promotion*, in the Congregational in line with each group's beliefs there. You may post without promotion* in the Struggles with Sexuality and Ask a Chaplain forums solely for the purpose of seeking support with personal struggles related to these issues

Israel Attacks Lebanon live: Hezbollah Responds as Israeli Raids Kill 569

At least 569 people, including 50 children, have been killed and 1,835 wounded in Israel’s fierce bombardment of various parts of Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah fired a barrage of missiles at Israeli air bases and attacked a naval base with drones in response as world leaders and the United Nations called for urgent de-escalation.

Israel, meanwhile, has continued its attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing at 37 people since dawn this morning, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense

About a week ago Trump bizarrely declared, ‘Israel, I believe, has to defeat’ Kamala Harris. He did the same thing in 2016 asking Russia to help defeat his opponent, Hillary. I'm not sure if Netanyahu is doing it because of Trump's request. I believe he would've done it anyway because he is a terrorist, wants this to hurt Biden, and is trying to do as much killing of Abras before the elections. Netanyahu knows no one is likely to try and stop his murdering spree.
American corporate media again holding Israel to rock bottom standards as they committee atrocities against the Arabs. Hamas October 7 attack left about 1,139 dead and it was the major news story for a while. The total number of Arabs dead from Israeli attacks is over 40,000. Yesterday Israel killed about 550 Arabs, and it was barely covered by corporate media. Netanyahu and his racist Administration is just as bad as Hamas terrorist. The U.S. should cut funds going to Israel till they stop the slaughtering of innocent lives, but sadly, they won't.

I have to sit near the door because there's no air conditioning and I have asthma. The lady who sits behind me is always complaining about what the priest is doing during Mass. She complains about the bulletin, about the raffle, and pretty much anything else she can think of. She speaks under her breath, but I can hear her and it's annoying. I'll be glad when winter is here and I can move far away from her.

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN said:

I don't either . But I can tell people are bring lied to , By programing on the right. You can blame CNN and MSNBC . But they're not the huge problem.

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They seem to want social media censorship.

Do you honestly think that a man who can't comprehend why anyone would not like him as a person, let alone a leader, would even consider relinquishing his place of adornment? Europe, the Brits, even a vacant UN during a recent speech should give him a hint. Friendly late night talk shows are his only solitude.

Der Alte said:

The Greek word translated everlasting in John 3:16 is aionios. The Greek word translated eternal in John 12:25 aionios.

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Der Alte has volumes on this. . .

Few women struggle to love. Respect is more challenging when we're hurt or disagree.

~bella

Placed in an arc in the very place Pharoah ordered male Hebrew babies to be killed. Just like Noah and his family, Moses was "Shut up with God in Christ".
Such incredible beauty. Noah didn't close the door of the arc.
God did.

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In the heat of the early morning
On a hill they call the Skull
The roaring of the angry mob had settled to a lull
All eyes were cast upon the man whose hands and feet were bound
They saw him cry in anguish when they heard the hammer pound
They watched the bloody woven thorns with which His head was crowned
They watched the bloody cross of wood be dropped into the ground
The soldiers gambled for His clothes, they watched them win and lose
They saw the sign above His head that said "King of the Jews"

And the sky grew black as the night
(It is finished) And the people scattered in fright
The work had been done, redemption had been won
The war was over without a fight
It is finished

They searched His face for anger, for vengeance in His stare
Instead of eyes that burned with hate a look of love was there
He prayed for their forgiveness and bowed His battered head
And no one knew the meaning of the final words He said

The provision has been made
The foundation has been laid
He paid the ransom due and tore the temple veil in two
And opened up the way for me and you
It is finished

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There's a step that we all take alone
An appointment we have with the great unknown
Like a vapor this life is just waiting to pass
Like the flowers that fade, like the withering grass
But life seems so long and death so complete
And the grave an impossible potion to cheat

But there's One who has been there and still lives to tell
There is One who has been through both heaven and hell

And the grave will come up empty-handed the day
Jesus will come and steal us away

Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize
When the grave robber comes
And death finally dies

Many still mourn and many still weep
For those that the love who have fallen asleep
But we have this hope though our hearts may still ache
Just one shout from above and they all will awake
And in the reunion of joy we will see
Death will be swallowed in sweet victory
Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize
When the grave robber comes
And death finally dies
When the last enemy is done from the dust will come a song
Those asleep will be awakened - not a one will be forsakened
He shall wipe away our tears - He will steal away our fears
There will be no sad tomorrow - there will be no pain and sorrow
Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize
When the grave robber comes
And death finally

Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize
When the grave robber comes
And death finally dies

It's possible that some or certain kinds of sins could or can be a risk to your salvation or loss of rewards maybe.

And no individual is going to judged exactly the same each individually, etc.

And this is the truth, etc.

What you think it might depend on for each individual person individually one can speculate, but not ever really truly know until we are all standing before Him on Judgement Day, etc.

So for now, any and all sin can be a risk maybe, etc.

And we'd all do well to keep that in mind, as it will keep us all in our proper perspectives for now and until Judgement Day, etc.

God Bless.

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[Based on 1 Chronicles 15:22,27]

Kenaniah of the Levites appointed by the king
To teach the songs of Zion, to lead them as they sing
Your song is not forgotten, we hear it in our souls
Let it burn and burn within us
And fan the sacred coals

Kenaniah, Kenaniah, we will sing your ancient song
Kenaniah, Kenaniah, we will sing it loud and strong

Gathered for the battle, Kenaniah led the way
As the singers closely followed him, they all began to pray
The musicians all assembled, Kenaniah gave the word
Through the raging battle zone, the anthem could be heard

Kenaniah, Kenaniah, we will never let it die
Kenaniah, Kenaniah, we must lift it to the sky

Sing unto Jehovah of His wondrous ways
Sing a song of triumph, sing a victory song
And in the cloud of witnesses, Kenaniah sings along

Kenaniah, Kenaniah, through the ages it will ring
Kenaniah, Kenaniah, to Jehovah we will sing

RileyG said:

If it’s legal nationwide, all states must recognize it, correct?

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That’s my understanding.