welcome to CF.

Hvizsgyak said:

Yes, very much so. You must not know too many people then.

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I guess that's true. I don't know anyone who is completely unaware of the ice ages.

I made my suggestion to another poster to this thread. You may look for it if you want.

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Ok.

My main job here and to people I talk to is to let them know the Earth has gone through several climate changes.

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I still find it hard to believe that anyone at all interested in the earth's climate has never once heard of the ice ages. That's like someone saying they're interested in US history but have never heard of this thing called "the civil war".

I will tell people to not get upset when pushy people such as climate activist get in their face and tell them that the "sky is falling" and something needs to be done - now. The right people will make better decisions when needed to react to the situation.

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Why don't you think something needs to be done now?

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,
Repent of your sins, and your sins ban.
Surrender your lives to Christ today,
Believe in His Word, His Word obey.

Delight in His Word, rejoice in truth,
Forsake all your sins which are uncouth.
Submit to God’s rule now in your hearts,
And not from His Word may you depart.

Believe in His Love, His Love supreme,
For it is sincere, not from a dream.
He cares about you and where you’ll go,
He cares if you live in truth, Him know.

Reject not His Love, comes from above,
Forsake not His will, with Christ, in love.
Believe in His care, not unaware,
In fellowship then with Him do share.

Walk daily with Him in where He leads,
Take time in His Word, and on it feed.
Tell others ‘bout Him, His grace we know,
Forgives us of sins, His love bestows.

Then follow Him and now do His will,
The Spirit within, your life let fill.
Be all that God wants for you to be,
Surrender to Him down on your knee.

An Original Work / January 21, 2025
Christ's Free Servant, Sue J Love

A bill that would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrants who entered the country illegally if they commit certain crimes passed the Senate as Catholic bishops reiterate their call for “meaningful immigration reform.”

The Laken Riley Act would subject immigrants who entered the country illegally to detainment if they are charged with or arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault on an officer, or a crime that results in death or serious bodily injury. Those detentions could lead to subsequent deportation proceedings.

The House of Representatives passed a similar bill with the same name earlier this month but did not include assault on an officer or crimes that involve death or serious bodily injury in its version. House lawmakers can either pass the Senate version or offer their own amendments to the bill, which is expected to pass in some form.

Under current law, officials are allowed to detain immigrants who are in the country illegally when they commit those crimes but are not required to do so. The legislation is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old woman who was murdered by José Antonio Ibarra — a Venezuelan national who was in the country illegally and remained in the country after an earlier arrest for shoplifting.

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eclipsenow said:

The rest of the New testament is pretty clear that judgement day and the new heavens and new earth and resurrection of the dead all happens together.

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I Agree 100% the scripture repeats this truth again and again to many's denial Rev 20:1-6 is 100% in the Lord's eternal spiritual

eclipsenow said:

That revelation 20 seems to space them out by a thousand years indicates more about the type of apocalyptic symbolism that revelation is written in than any kind of future timetable for us to take literally. It's just not literal. It's apocalyptic symbolism and there are dozens of other books written in the same genre between 200 BC and 200 AD. Reading it literally is like reading Romeo and Juliet at the balcony scene where Romeo says Juliet is the sun. Does that mean she's a ball of hydrogen a million miles wide fusing away to generate thousands of degrees on the balcony? I don't think so.

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I Agree 100% well said, "one day is a thousand years" is symbolic of the fact God lives outside of time, eternal

eclipsenow said:

This is what happens when we get genres mixed up. So for interpretive principles I would read the rest of the New testament first and use that to guide us when reading revelation. Going the other way is a recipe for disaster and how cults start

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I Agree 100% it's called the cult of Millennialism and the false teaching that a Kingdom on this earth follows the return of Jesus Christ

My concern with this article, is NOT beating on Gen Z.

From a Christian point of view, I am more interested in discussing what
Christians think "justice" means, and where "violence" fits into justice.

From the Christian point of view (Paul, at least) the "law" exists to punish
those who engage in evil actions.

Can society be controlled, legally, without "violence"?

CNN —
The one-time Georgia prosecutor accused of impeding the investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s killers is set to stand trial more than four years after the Black 25-year-old’s death, which fueled nationwide protests over racial injustice.

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Mt 11:

2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy b are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.

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Strong's Greek: 4624. σκανδαλίζω (skandalizó) — 29 Occurrences

BDAG thinks G4624 was more serious than stumbling:
① to cause to be brought to a downfall, cause to sin (the sin may consist in a breach of the moral law, in unbelief, or in the acceptance of false teachings)
ⓑ σκανδαλίζεσθαι ἔν τινι (Sir 9:5; 23:8; 32:15) be led into sin, be repelled by someone of Jesus; by refusing to believe in him or by becoming apostate fr. him a person falls into sin Mt 11:6; 13:57; 26:31, 33; Mk 6:3; Lk 7:23.

Berean Standard Bible:

Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”

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The warning was directed at those who might struggle with faith because Jesus' ministry or identity did not align with their expectations.

English Standard Version:

And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.

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On Biblehub, 20 versions used 'offended'; 12 used 'stumble'; 7 'fall away'. I tend to go with BDAG.

Looking ahead, as Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Donald Trump’s election as the 47th president of the United States last November has been dubbed the greatest comeback in American political history.

Consider the state of Trump’s political fortunes four short Januarys ago. Following a bitter defeat in 2020 and the ensuing riot at the U.S. Capitol, Trump was denounced by many, including in his own party.

But in the proceeding years, Trump regained the trust of voters while fending off a highly coordinated opposition. He even literally dodged a bullet. And on Jan. 6, his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, ratified his victory. Talk about a comeback.

Key Catholics in the Cabinet​

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Prayer and introspection are key elements in easing divides.

How might Catholics engage secular culture with a view to diminishing the polarization and hostility that colors so much contemporary social discourse, especially on the heels of the presidential inauguration Jan. 20?

Zina Gomez-Liss, a parishioner at Sacred Heart parish in Newton, Massachusetts, is mildly optimistic that polarization and political discord might ease if Catholics in particular remain “guarded by our better angels.” Quoting Abraham Lincoln from his first inaugural address in 1861, Gomez-Liss told the Register that the recent presidential election campaign seemed to leave the world “changed and more fearful.”

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Philippians 4:
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do,
and the God of peace will be with you.

2 John 1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from
the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Benediction

2 Corinthians 13:
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind,
live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

All Blessings and Beatitudes and Exhortations of Holiness Be With All

At least 66 people have been killed in a fire that engulfed a popular Turkish ski resort hotel, leaving some to jump out of windows.

The fire broke out at the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) during a busy holiday period when 234 people were staying there.

An initial toll of 10 dead was raised significantly in the hours after the fire by Turkey's interior ministry. At least two people died after trying to jump to safety.

It took 12 hours for the fire to be put out. Four people have been arrested, including the owner, the justice minister says.

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Leviticus 19:

18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

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Jesus updated that love in John 13:

34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

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The old love commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.
The new love commandment: Love one another as Jesus loves you.

Jesus didn't abolish the old love commandment but fulfilled it, renewed it, and upgraded it to the new. It was called new because Jesus demonstrated the new standard for love. He was the new standard.

Six decades later, John recalled this teaching in 1J 2:

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.

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By now, Jesus' new commandment to love was well-known among believers. They had heard it many times already. John, now, called it an old commandment. However, not to confuse it with Le 19:18b, John elaborated:

8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you,

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That's what Jesus called a new commandment earlier.

which is true in him [Christ] and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

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true light in Christ

9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

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Jesus called believers to love one another with his love. You shouldn't hate your brother.

In this passage, John discussed the same love commandment in J 13:34. It was new when Jesus commanded it. Six decades later, John referred to it as an old commandment in 1J 2:7.

After lying hidden beneath metres of volcanic rock and ash for 2,000 years, a "once-in-a-century" find has been unearthed in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii in Italy.

Archaeologists have discovered a sumptuous private bathhouse - potentially the largest ever found there - complete with hot, warm and cold rooms, exquisite artwork, and a huge plunge pool.

The spa-like complex sits at the heart of a grand residence uncovered over the last two years during a major excavation.

"It's these spaces that really are part of the 'Pompeii effect' - it's almost as if the people had only left a minute ago," says Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, who has revealed the new find exclusively to BBC News.

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Apple Sky said:

Hence -Why did Azariah write about her in the book of Azariah prophesy's ?

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There is no book of Azariah.

The Prophet Azariah is mentioned only once in the Bible, in 2 Chronicles ch. 15, and there is no mention of lilith/lilitu in Azariah's prophecy to Asa. This is the only thing recorded about the Prophet Azaraiah, a short mention in 2 Chronicles 15:1-8.

If you found something claiming to be a book of Azariah then what you found is a forgery.

-CryptoLutheran

2404 said:

Malachi 3 is a reference to John the Baptist but in Malachi 4 it speaks of the day of destruction and Elijah the prophet will be sent before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. John the Baptist's ministry did not precede the great and dreadful day.

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Except that's exactly what Scripture applies to John the Baptist,

"And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." - Luke 1:16-17

Compare with Malachi 4:5-6

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."

It might be, therefore, necessary on the basis of what Scripture says to re-evaluate what you believe "the great and awesome day of the Lord" means.

2404 said:

God doesn't send judgement without first warning the people.
Do you feel the church at large is issuing God's warning?
At the first coming of Jesus Christ, was the established church ready?

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The Church has, from the Day of Pentecost onward, declared the word of God concerning God's judgment of this fallen age and the wickedness of it; and thus the need for repentance and to be saved through the salvation found exclusively in God's Saving power through His Messiah, Jesus--who by His death and resurrection has attained victory over this world and the dark powers of this world and has been given kingdom and dominion over all things in heaven and on earth. This is why the Church preaches what she preaches, her kerygma--her proclamation--from the beginning and until now has been one and the same.

2404 said:

Consider the reformers such a Martin Luther, a necessary move of God at that time, Surgeon, Wesley etc.
And now we are at a most crucial point in time do you think we are just going to walk on through?

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I'm not particularly interested in Spurgeon or Wesley, not that they didn't have some good things to say; but I'm a Lutheran and I fail to see what invoking the name of Martin Luther is supposed to accomplish in this context (or what invoking Spurgeon or Wesley is supposed to mean for that matter).

-CryptoLutheran

Pastor and wife are longtime Christians, attend Episcopal Methodist Church

NEW DELHI — A Christian woman in central India suffered a miscarriage this month after tribal relatives who practice traditional religion beat and strangled her, sources said.

Kunika Kashyap was more than six weeks pregnant when she was admitted to Government District Hospital-Maharani in Jagdalpur, Bastar District, Chhattisgarh state in serious condition on Jan. 2. Tribal village headman Ganga Ram Kashyap, his wife and adult daughter had assaulted her that day after the headman began video recording her in hopes that he might catch her praying for a common relative — also a Christian — as evidence of some perceived crime, said her husband, Mandu Ram Kashyap.

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Joseph G said:

Excellent insight!

I've found that it is extremely helpful when moved to correct or rebuke a brother or sister (after muuuch prayer) to remind him or her that I am wide open to them to do the same with me - that I am in serious need of accountability and encouragement to battle my own weaknesses. And if they believe I have a plank in my eye, point it out!

You are right, though, it can be painful walking another out of serious sin - but the reward is great - freedom and a closer walk for them with the Lord (like the song!). I'm able to convey that hope along the way because it's been done for me and the friend who did so is only that much more dear to me because of it. As Scripture says:

Proverbs 27:6 NKJV

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

God bless!

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Joseph, thank you for sharing these encouraging insights.

The Israeli army and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the city of Jenin located in Samaria on Tuesday.

“On the directive of the Security Cabinet, the IDF, the ISA and the Israel Police have today begun an extensive and significant military operation to defeat terrorism in Jenin – 'Iron Wall,'” Netanyahu stated.

“This is an additional step in achieving the objective that we have set — bolstering security in Judea and Samaria,” the premier added.

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This is hilarious. His body language is spot on.

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1:06

There we go, @David Lamb, that's the analogy I was looking for. Genesis 1 is just Noah's flood, in reverse. That might be one of the easiest ways to think about it. Instead of flooding the earth, imagine that it's already flooded, then God un-floods it (see day 2 and 3 in particular). Then fills it with animals.

KJV, Mt 11:

6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

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Strong's Greek: 1722. ἐν (en) — 2777 Occurrences

This common preposition had many usages. BDAG:
⑨ marker of cause or reason, because of, on account of

New International Version:

Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.

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New Living Translation:

And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.

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Trust in Jesus and his words even when it is difficult. Stick to Jesus.

Biggest risk is all the deregulation we are going to see. Remember 2007 crash?

FAITH-IN-HIM said:

The issue with immigration policy in the United States is that neither side genuinely seeks to resolve the problem; instead, they engage in political maneuvering.

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Winner! But we allow this mess by allowing our politicians to play political games and keep us divided. If Americans were to come together and tell our politicians to fix this crap, they would. Until then we will have extremism on both sides of the immigration debate. I don't appreciate the treatment of the human trafficked.