I've studied for decades, and read all of the Bible multiple times, continue reading the Bible daily, and now I'm praying in accordance with Mark 11:24, Jesus telling us to 'believe that you have already received it'. Yet though I will to do this, thoughts occur in my brain involuntarily such as,

1. "You're just engaging in wishful thinking."
2. "This probably isn't going to happen."
3. "Your experience and observations of the world are better explained by atheism."
4. "Your petitions haven't been granted because God wants you to be 'Eastern Orthodox', or Mohammedan, or some other religion."

Although I try repudiating these thoughts as demons whispering to me, by recalling Sacred Scripture, by engaging in logcal argument, by prayer for the demons to be banished from me, and continue asking God to give me more faith and unwavering faith, the thoughts continue, and it appears to me I genuinely believe them - that when I die everything will be over, life done - because I am discouraged, downhearted, depressed, sad, rather than excited about being healed soon, rather than be happy that God is bringing about a greater good every moment I'm not healed, rather than be content knowing no matter what happens God will make it right.

What do you think? Is there some way to stop doubting? to be finally convinced the Gospel is true?

Deadly Blast Rips Through Military Explosives Facility in Tennessee

A powerful explosion ripped through a military explosives facility in Tennessee on Friday morning, leaving multiple people dead and missing, officials said. Video from the scene showed damaged vehicles and charred debris scattered around the area.

The Hickman County Sheriff's Office said that there had been an explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems, a military explosives plant.

Accurate Energetic Systems specializes in the development, manufacture, handling and storage of products and explosives for military, aerospace and commercial demolition markets

Trump gets a Qatari jet and a golf course in Qatar; Qatar gets an air base in Idaho.

“Today we’re signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatar Emiri air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho,” Hegseth told reporters. “It’s just another example of our partnership.”

Hegseth said that the facility would host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots.

I want to know if I made a big sin or not. While discussing with my father about the fate of the lost, I told (about all the lost people) or I made my father understand that (I told these words clearly) all the lost people that will be judged are evil people. Is this a sin? I became worried if I made a sin by putting the banner "evil people" on those that will be judged and punished after the last (and general) resurection.

Do you support the Democrats or the Republicans, and why?


Personally, I lean toward the Democrats. I like that they seem to genuinely care about the environment and are willing to take action on issues like climate change and clean energy. It’s frustrating to see how often Republicans downplay or ignore these problems.


I also appreciate that Democrats tend to focus more on helping working people, supporting affordable healthcare, fair wages, and education. They seem to care more about ordinary families than big corporations.


Another big reason for me is how the Republican Party continues to stand by Donald Trump. I think it’s wrong to support someone who has been involved in so many criminal cases and who encourages division and violence. It says a lot about their values as a party.


Anyway, that’s my opinion. What about you?

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 to Maria Corina Machado​

for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 goes to a brave and committed champion of peace – to a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.

Ms Machado has been a key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided – an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government. This is precisely what lies at the heart of democracy: our shared willingness to defend the principles of popular rule, even though we disagree. At a time when democracy is under threat, it is more important than ever to defend this common ground.

Venezuela has evolved from a relatively democratic and prosperous country to a brutal, authoritarian state that is now suffering a humanitarian and economic crisis. Most Venezuelans live in deep poverty, even as the few at the top enrich themselves. The violent machinery of the state is directed against the country’s own citizens. Nearly 8 million people have left the country. The opposition has been systematically suppressed by means of election rigging, legal prosecution and imprisonment.

Ahead of the election of 2024, Ms Machado was the opposition’s presidential candidate, but the regime blocked her candidacy. She then backed the representative of a different party, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, in the election. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers mobilised across political divides. They were trained as election observers to ensure a transparent and fair election. Despite the risk of harassment, arrest and torture, citizens across the country held watch over the polling stations. They made sure the final tallies were documented before the regime could destroy ballots and lie about the outcome.

The efforts of the collective opposition, both before and during the election, were innovative and brave, peaceful and democratic. The opposition received international support when its leaders publicised the vote counts that had been collected from the country’s election districts, showing that the opposition had won by a clear margin. But the regime refused to accept the election result, and clung to power.

--

White House says Nobel Committee places 'politics over peace'​

The White House on Friday criticised the Nobel Prize committee's decision to award the peace prize to a Venezuelan opposition leader instead of U.S. President Donald Trump.

"President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will," White House spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a post on X.

"The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace."

Last week, I commented on the Apostle Paul’s command to Christian husbands “to love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Eph. 5:25) in my column, "Doug Wilson's view on Christian marriage is blasphemous."

Numerous readers have requested that I expand commentary on the meaning of that comprehensive apostolic instruction.

God considered the institution of marriage to be so sacred and special that He used it as an analogy to describe His relationship with His Chosen People (Israel) and Christ’s relationship with His Bride (the Church).

As the Apostle Paul noted, Jesus died for the Church, giving Himself as a sacrifice that He might redeem humankind. What higher sacrifice can one make than to give his life for another? Husbands are to give themselves in service to their wives, including, if necessary, the sacrifice of their lives.

The husband is to “so love his wife even as himself” (Eph. 5:33). The Apostle Paul amplified these instructions using the word agape, which is morally the highest form of love, in that it is “an in spite of kind of love” that endures all and forgives all. Just as Jesus loved each of us while we were still sinners in rebellion against Him (For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life,” Rom. 5:10).

In fact, agape love is identified as a fruit of the Holy Spirit in one’s life (Galatians 5:22). It is not “natural” to fallen man to love with agape love. Only the redeemed who have the Holy Spirit abiding in them as a consequence of the new birth have the capacity for the agape love with which Christian husbands are commanded to love their wives.

Continued below.

LITTLETON, Colo. — The former CEO of Intel exhorted an audience of Christians earlier this week to harness the burgeoning potential of AI technology, which he hopes can become "a force for good in this era."

"I believe deeply that technology is neutral," said Pat Gelsinger, who led Intel from 2021 to 2024 and now serves as executive chair and head of technology at Gloo, a technology platform that connects various organizations within the faith ecosystem.

“It's neither good nor bad," Gelsinger said of AI during his keynote address to hundreds at "AI for Humanity: Navigating Ethics and Morality for a Flourishing Future," which The Christian Post and Gloo hosted Tuesday at Colorado Christian University.

"It's how we shape it, how we use it, how we form it," he said. "And we, as the Christian community, we as believers, will we be shaping technology as a force for good? Are we going to show up to be bending the arc of technology for good?"

'We must be engaged'

Continued below.

Former Intel CEO urges Christians to harness AI: 'Another Gutenberg moment'

Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger exhorted an audience of Christians earlier this week to engage actively with burgeoning AI technology, which he hopes can become a force for good in this era

www.christianpost.com

The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. What is it all about?

Bible References to read: Leviticus 23:34-36; Numbers 29:35; Deuteronomy 16:13; John 7:37-38


In the Bible, God spoke about keeping several celebrations, called "Moedim" or "appointed times," where His people could meet with Him and celebrate fellowship with Him. Many might say, "Well, this was under the Law, we are not under the law anymore." so, why should we celebrate these? Well, each and every festival is a "shadow that points to Messiah Yeshua/Jesus but from a Hebraic perspective. Whether or not a person chooses to celebrate is a personal decision, but I would like to tell you what this festival is about, even if it is for the sake of knowing.

We are in the months of the High Holy Days. The Hebrew month of "Elul" goes from August to September. It is considered a "Time of Repentance and soul-searching. A time to "Turn back to God" (Teshuvah) and realize where we have gone astray, where we have wandered off the straight and narrow path, and get back on the "right path."

The first of the High Holy Days (Fall Feasts) is "Yom Teruah" or "Rosh HaShannah." It is the time for Shofar blowing, announcing a new calendar year from the time of creation up to the present. The next sacred day, 10 days later, is "Yom Kippur." A day of fasting and soul searching. According to tradition, it is the day that God's books of judgment are closed, and our fates are sealed. We know, however, that God's grace and mercy extend 24 -7, 365 days a year. The last of the High Holy Days is now. The Feast of Tabernacles, or "Sukkot. This year, it started on Oct 7th, and continues for 8 days and ends on Oct 14. The "8th" day is special, as Yeshua was there on the 8th day and said,

"If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" John 7:38

This is a time for joy and happiness; we are commanded to rejoice during these 8 days. We have reason to rejoice since you are alive and well, you have food on the table, and you have Spiritual food, which is the Word of God. Above all, we have salvation. Eternal life with God.

The festival time is also known as "Zeman HaSimchateinu" (Time of rejoicing) and also "Hag HaSif" (Harvest Festival) when the last crops are harvested, like the grapes, pomegranates, olives, dates, etc. It is believed that the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving, thinking of Sukkot. It lasted 3 days, and they celebrated a bountiful harvest with the help of the Wampanoag Native American Tribe.

It is also customary to wave the "LuLav," which consists of an "Etrog" (similar to a lemon), a "Palm frond" (branch of the palm tree)
"Hadas" or "Myrtle branches with leaves, and "Aravah," which are "willow branches with leaves."

These are symbolic as they represent the "heart" (the etrog or lemon), the "eyes" (myrtle leaves, since they are shaped like eyes) "the mouth" (Aravah, or willow leaves, since they are shaped like a mouth), and "our backbone" (the palm frond, or the young shoot) since it is straight.

The message here is that our faith must be strong and straight like our backbone, and that our eyes and insight, vision, always are concentrated on God and his Word, and that from our mouths will only proceed wholesome and positive words and blessings.

There is the libation service, when the priests brought forth water from the Pool of Siloam and poured it out on the altar at the Temple, while blood from an animal sacrifice was also poured out on the altar. The blood and the water would come together and mix.

This reminds us of the death of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus when the Roman soldier pierced the side of Yeshua with the spear and out came "blood and water," proving that he was indeed dead. Yet we all know that he rose from the dead on the third day. This is celebrated today by pouring out grape juice with water from two separate containers, and they mix.

Remember that we ourselves are "living tabernacles," our bodies encase our spirit and soul. Our "tabernacles" are wearing down and someday will return to the ground, yet will be resurrected someday in the near future, as incorruptible bodies. We await that blessed day.

Sukkot also celebrates the coming of Yeshua to dwell among mankind for 30-some years. God as man on Earth. God came to "Tabernacle" among men. The first time He came in fire and smoke on Mt. Sinai, then He came to dwell in the Mishkan (The Tabernacle in the desert) and was with the Children of Israel for 40 years. Then He moved to the Temple. Then He came to Earth as a baby in Bethlehem, "Beit-Lechem" (The House of Bread). It is only fitting that the "Bread of Life" be born in the "House of Bread." Then He came back to Earth after the resurrection as the Holy Spirit on Shavuot or Pentecost. And He is STILL HERE WITH US.

If you want to find out more about Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles, you can go to the "Hebrew 4 Christians.com" website and look for "Holidays" and then scroll down to "Fall Holidays" and find "Sukkot" or "Feast of Tabernacles"

This is also the time when we start reading the Bible from the beginning again, from Genesis 1:1. The Bible is a never-ending study of God's wisdom for all of us.

Please keep me in prayer as it is time to return to the USA (to Miami, FL) for 3 weeks to spend time with family. I will write again in the first week of November.

Shalom

Ben Avraham

The counsel that Christians should be listening to must not contradict the counsel of God. It must not be opposed to the will of God for our lives. So we are not to listen to and to heed all counsel that we receive from anyone who gives it to us, but we must pray for spiritual discernment, for not everyone has the mind of God. And not everyone has our best interest in mind, either. And not all church pastors have the mind of God in the counsel that they give to the church or to individuals within the body of Christ.

So, just because Pastor so and so, or Doctor so and so gives you counsel, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is good counsel or that it is not opposed to the counsel of God. I have been given bad spiritual counsel and bad medical counsel many times in my lifetime, and some of the bad medical counsel did some serious damage to my body. The Lord had me stop taking medicine 17 years ago, but doctors still try to get me to take meds. And I am going through a series of medical tests right now, so I am praying for wisdom.

And discipline doesn’t necessarily mean punishment. If we are disciplined spiritually, it can just mean that we make it our aim to please God in all that we do and are and speak, that we are serious students of the Scriptures, that we take God and his word to heart, that we are walking in obedience to our Lord’s commands, and that we are self-disciplined in the area of resisting the devil, fleeing temptation, and no longer giving way to sin, in practice. And disciplined physically means getting proper nutrition and exercise.

So, if we are to be wise, we need the counsel of God, and we must pray for much wisdom when receiving the counsel of other humans, including from pastors, elders, and medical doctors, too. And with regard to physical ailments, God doesn’t always heal in the same way with everyone. The apostle Paul pleaded with God 3 times to remove a “thorn” (not sin) from his flesh, but God said that his grace was sufficient. Joni Eareckson Tada was not healed physically, but God has used her greatly to minister to others.

I am praying for God’s will to be done in my body, whether in life or in death. I am praying for healing, but I am also surrendering my life to the will of God for my life. God has allowed this time of suffering physically in my body for a reason, and I am trusting him with the results. And I am taking all the counsel I receive from humans to the Lord in prayer to make certain that I am following the leading and the counsel of God over and above any worldly wisdom. For God has allowed this time of testing for my good.

It is good for us always to seek the counsel of God in whatever decisions of consequence that we must make in this life. We should not be quick to make decisions without the counsel of God, especially in matters of life and death. And then we must submit to the will of God, trusting him to work all things for our ultimate good, even if it is physically painful. For the Lord never promised us that life would be easy. He said that the Christian life is a life of suffering, but which is for our good, to make us more like Jesus.

[Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 10:16-39; Matthew 24:9-14; Luke 6:22-23; Luke 21:12-17; John 15:18-21; John 17:14; Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 3:7-11; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12-17; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5; James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Hebrews 12:3-12; 1 John 3:13; Revelation 6:9-11; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 11:1-3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:1-18; Revelation 14:1-13]

And with regard to human kindness, this must be according to the word of God and not according to humanistic philosophy. For humans often regard kindness as only saying to them what makes them feel good, even if it is lying to them. But lying to people to make them feel good is never kind! Kindness is in speaking the truth of God’s word to people for their freedom from slavery to sin so that they can now serve the Lord in walks of surrender to God in obedience to God, so that they have eternal life with God, in truth.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; 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 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

What the Lord Says

Based off Isaiah 43:1-44:5
An Original Work / February 24, 2014
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

This is what the Lord says to you:
Fear not, for I have chosen you.
I have summoned you by your name.
You are mine. I died, you to save.

When you go through your trials, so deep,
I will be with you; you will not sink.
You are so precious always to me.
Trust in your Lord, Savior and King.

This is what the Lord says to you:
He who gave salvation to you;
Who delivered you from your sin;
Takes your burdens now upon Him:

Forget the former things of your life.
Give of your heart not now up to strife.
See all the new things I have for you.
Walk in vict’ry. Trust in what’s true.

This is what the Lord says to you:
He who made you; who will help you:
Do not fear what humans may do.
Walk in freedom. Follow what’s true.

Drink of my Spirit given for you.
Trust in my mercy, for I love you.
I have a plan for all of your life.
Follow my ways. Do what is right.

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Listen to Godly Counsel
An Original Work / October 10, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

NHS apologizes for guidance extolling 'benefits' of first-cousin marriage amid growing Muslim population, claims 'economic advantages' to keeping money in same family

A campaign group has come out strongly against Shariah marriages and called for several measures to be put into place to strengthen the civil framework of marriage.

The Coalition for Marriage (C4M) suggested in a statement on Wednesday that Britain’s marriage laws and protections for women and children are being undermined by confusion over religious and civil ceremonies, which is leading to "parallel" marriages.

It said that Minister for Courts Sarah Sackman had “got it wrong” when she told Parliament that people appearing before Shariah councils do so “in common with Christian, Jewish and other courts of faith.”

C4M said her claim was inaccurate because only civil marriages create legal rights and duties in the U.K., and that while Christian and Jewish weddings are integrated into that legal system "through authorized officiants and registered places," Shariah marriages "don't comply" unless a civil marriage is also conducted.

"Stop legitimizing private forums as ‘courts’ in official speech," C4M said.

"There is no parity with the family courts in law or effect."

The coalition wants Sackman to "return to the House to correct the record."

Continued below.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Thank you so much for all your prayers for my father. His surgery yesterday went very successfully, and I truly thank God for His mercy and healing hand over my dad. Your prayers and words of encouragement have meant so much to me and my family during this time.

My father will be having another smaller surgery this coming Monday, 13 October, and I humbly ask for your continued prayers — that everything will go smoothly, that God will guide the doctors’ hands, and that my dad will recover quickly and comfortably.

I also want to give thanks for my lady boss at work, who has been so kind and supportive — she even bought gifts for me and my father during this season. May the Lord bless her abundantly for her generosity and compassion.

Thank you all once again for standing with me in prayer. May God bless each of you richly in His love and grace.

In Christ,
Jane Chai

Apologies if this is the wrong section to post my thread, but I specifically wanted to hear from Orthodox Christians since I'm already an inquirer at my 'nearest' church as well as inspired to join due to my online research from what I heard from numerous Orthodox monks and fathers who seemed to align with my experience(also forgive my grammar, I was unable to sleep last night). Without further ado, here is how I went from someone who grew up in his mother's new-age "Christian" church, left it for atheism, then "over night" became a Bible-reading, God-worshiping, Christ-believing Christian:

Like most, I've lived a DEEPLY sinful life(think male-St. Mary mixed with some St. Moses minus the m*rder) in addition with struggles with substance addiction. My atheist stint ran from around 12 years old to 37. My current living circumstances see me residing at my folks business miles away from all my hometown friends along with those I made from an out-of-state move. The last remaining friends abandoned me due to my toxicity, so I was alone regarding peers. Depressed due to isolation, living situation, no achievements, and not where I wanted to be in life neither local nor figuratively speaking. My old modes of thinking started to return along with foolish ideas-I understand some of this might be best saved for confession but omitting it will lead to narrative confusion about my story. The foolish ideas included s**cide via volunteering for the ongoing conflicts. Of course that wasn't the only misguided reason for such an insane choice(a desperation for purpose and inclusion among the seemingly growing Left-wing population of the U.S.), yet being well old enough to know what war actually entails and seeing the horrific footage coming out of said conflicts shook me from a irrationality and wreakless inhumanity.

I found myself looking out my bedroom window one evening(May 14 around 7pm) considering my life and the choices that lead up to such crushing loneliness and desperation. It all made me realise not only was I alone due to my inability to trust and love others, but my wanton life of sin that I was actually considering traveling overseas to commit the one last grave sin I managed to avoid-taking a life. I didn't want to harm anyone, in fact it went against some of my previous choices such as attending EMT school. Scared and desperate for an out was where I found myself. "I need a way out. I don't, I *can't* do this! What if I die there, then my parents will have one child left, and my nephews one less male figure in their lives. I absolutely can't do this"! The feeling felt like a literal weight hanging from my sternum(what I now realise was the weight of my sins).

Suddenly I heard what sounded like heavy vehicles driving over gravel. I wondered what in the world was my dad doing, was he having another truck come deliver gravel or dirt? It grew louder and louder until finally, He was upon me. It was like a heavy presence directly above me, and I can't tell whether I cowered in fear or if His very presence is what pushed me down. "What the **** is this? What's going on"? Then I heard, "I'm God".

"God? As in God-God? THAT God"?! I immediately bent over and began to cry because I knew I was in trouble. The guy who spent a good portion of his live being blasphemous, immature, budding criminal delinquent scumbag was about to be taken to hell by God Himself. It was then He suddenly flooded and encapsulated me with love. "You, you...forgive me?! But everything I've done! I don't believe this"! My legs buckled and I felt two arms(the sensation was similar to when a limb falls asleep but no prickly sensation) around my torso caught me, and there was an 'understanding' Jesus Christ was holding me up. Then a bunch of images flashed in my mind-most seemed to be ancient Middle Eastern cities or locales-but what further clued me in on the God I was speaking with was an image of an egg and sperm. Upon seeing that image I said, "sometimes abortion can save a woman's life so are their exceptions?" which I received a firm yet gentle "No". I then asked if it meant I have to hate non-believers, gay people, Muslims, feminists, ect, and there was an "understanding"(seems He doesn't always communicate with words or images) by the love and mercy He was showing me the answer was obviously no. It made me cry even harder while saying, "Oh my God, you ARE good! I'm sorry I was so wrong about you"! He then told me we are all His children, He hates all these wars(they deeply sadden Him), and He wants us to know Him.

Around this time Christ let me go and I paced around my room while he left me with his last bit of info telling me to tell others about Him and never stop believing in Him. The experience then abruptly ended and I felt an other-wordly bliss and sense of peace for the entirety of the week followed by other strange feelings such as intensely and distinctly feeling people's "vibes"(e.g. I could feel my mother's anxious nature and my dad's anger). It was very taxing both emotionally and physically. I'm now back at 'baseline', and have found an Orthodox church to begin the inquirer portion as well as a former Protestant convert(Calvinist to be specific) at the church who was accepting of my story. I plan to put this past my church father since I'm aware of what a prelest is(is it even possible for an atheist to experience prelest?), yet I feel...confident it was our heavenly Father who came down on me that day since much of what He showed me is in line with Scripture. Not to mention stepping into an Orthodox church was unlike any church experience I had before. The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly there; my first visit was like an assuring and safe presence washing over me, and the 2nd(after falling into sin) was like being under a microscope which felt like it revealed my sin to all others present along with cleansing me of said falls.
I sincerely hope this doesn't cause controversy(or at least too much) after all we are expected to be honest in our word and deeds, yes?

Romans 3:20 declares, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Some interpreters have argued that Paul is speaking of two distinct laws: the ceremonial law, which could not justify, and the moral law, which continues to bind believers. This reading, however, is a later development in Christian history rather than Paul’s own intent.​

In the early church, figures like Irenaeus, Origen, Chrysostom, and Augustine typically read Paul’s reference to “the law” (nomos) as the Mosaic law in its entirety. They emphasized that the law reveals sin but does not bring righteousness, and they did not suggest that Paul was distinguishing between two different laws.

A more formal distinction emerged in medieval theology. Thomas Aquinas articulated a tripartite division of the Mosaic law: moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral law expressed timeless ethical principles, the ceremonial law governed Israel’s worship and sacrifices, and the judicial law regulated Israel’s civic life. Although Aquinas did not claim Paul himself made this division, his framework shaped subsequent readings of Romans.

During the Reformation, Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasized justification by faith apart from works of the law. To preserve the ongoing authority of the Ten Commandments while rejecting salvation by works, they leaned on the moral/ceremonial distinction. Calvin in particular stressed that the moral law still bound believers, while the ceremonial law had been fulfilled in Christ. This approach encouraged Protestants to interpret Romans 3:20 as if Paul were distinguishing between different kinds of law.

In the centuries that followed, Protestant confessions such as the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) codified this division, and it became common for preachers and commentators to read Romans 3:20 through that lens. The two-law theory thus served as a theological tool in debates over antinomianism, allowing Christians to affirm both salvation by grace and the necessity of obedience.

Modern scholarship, however, has largely set aside the two-law framework as an anachronism. Studies of Second Temple Judaism have shown that Jews of Paul’s day viewed Torah as a unified covenant, not as divisible into moral and ceremonial parts. Scholars such as E.P. Sanders and proponents of the “New Perspective on Paul” argue that Paul’s concern was not with distinguishing kinds of laws but with showing that Torah as a whole cannot justify. For Paul, the law in its entirety reveals sin, but righteousness comes only through faith in Christ.

In sum, the theory that Paul spoke of two laws in Romans 3:20 reflects later theological developments, especially medieval and Reformation attempts to reconcile Paul’s teaching with the continuing role of God’s commands. While historically influential, it does not appear to be what Paul himself meant.

The image:

Renewable electricity use rose to 34.3% of global consumption in the first half of 2025, while coal's use fell to 33.1%, the energy think tank Ember found. Renewable energies include sources like solar, wind and hydro, as opposed to fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.

Populous developing countries like China and India led the charge in making the switch to renewable energies, Ember reports. Meanwhile, Western societies including the European Union and the United States increased their consumption of coal during this period.

China has been the largest driver in the move to renewable energy sources, accounting for 55% of global solar generation growth. The United States' share, by contrast, was just 14%. Renewables might slow as the Trump administration moves to sharply reduce clean-energy development.

"China took technologies that were originally developed in the United States back in Bell Labs in the 1950s and figured out how to scale them up, and just relentlessly year after year make them cheaper and cheaper and slightly better performing each time to the point that the cost of solar panels has fallen by well over 90% and the cheapest solar panels in the world are being manufactured in China," Cohan said.

in related news...

California says goodbye to coal and hello to cleaner electricity​

One of the most consequential moments in California’s drive to beat back climate change will take place next month. The state will stop receiving electricity from the Intermountain Power Plant in Central Utah, meaning our reliance on coal as a source of power will essentially be over.

My colleague, Sammy Roth reported on the historic breakthrough recently in The Times, detailing how the state has gradually been moving away from burning coal, which spews greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, thereby warming the planet and exacerbating droughts, wildfires and other scourges.

As Sammy reported, the U.S. got nearly half its electricity from coal-fired plants as recently as 2007. By 2023, that figure had dropped to just 16.2%. California drove an even more dramatic shift, getting just 2.2% of its electricity from coal in 2024 — nearly all of it from the Intermountain plant.

(CNN)
A Washington Post-Ipsos poll last month showed even about half of Republicans said Trump didn’t deserve one. Just 22% of Americans overall said that he did.

But on Wednesday a Trump Nobel suddenly became more plausible with the announcement of a phase-one ceasefire deal in Gaza.

Much remains to be ironed out, and time will tell how successful it is. The news also didn’t seem to arrive in time for this year’s prize announcement, which happens to be Friday.

But even some nonpartisan foreign policy experts and Trump critics are starting to take the possibility more seriously, albeit for next year.

“If the peace plan moves forward, Mr. Trump may have as legitimate a claim to that Nobel as the four American presidents who have won the peace prize in the past,” longtime New York Times national security reporter David Sanger wrote, “though with less bombast and lobbying.”

And it came after Trump took some remarkable steps. His administration has made a point to build relations with Middle Eastern leaders and make them a key part of the process. And perhaps most notably, Trump has exerted an unusual amount of pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Just curious - Trumps was out incredibly fast and pasted all over - where is Comey's?

Justice Department indicts Letitia James after pressure from Trump​

A federal grand jury in Virginia has indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statement to a financial institution

"The Church, like a mother, accompanies those who are walking," Leo wrote in the document released by the Vatican on Thursday.

"Where the world sees threats, she sees children; where walls are built, she builds bridges. She knows that her proclamation of the Gospel is credible only when it is translated into gestures of closeness and welcome. And she knows that in every rejected migrant, it is Christ himself who knocks at the door of the community."

The pope praised the longstanding tradition in the church to welcome migrants, citing the efforts of the Catholic charities umbrella group Caritas Internationalis. On Thursday, Leo also sent a message to the Catholic Charities USA Network, which has been impacted by the freeze of federal funds for nonprofit organizations, praising their work with migrants and encouraging them to continue their efforts as "agents of hope."

The exhortation, "Dilexi te" (I Have Loved You), divided into five chapters, is addressed to "All Christians." It was signed on Oct. 4, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and follows in the footsteps of his predecessors, who starting with St. John XXIII issued forceful document urging nations and believers to care for the poorest in society.

"No Christian can regard the poor simply as a societal problem; they are part of our 'family,'" Leo writes. "They are "'one of us.'"

So I am a 30 year old Christian, I have an older sister who is not and never has been Christian, in fact, she's more the opposite, and is involved in a lot of 'things of the world' including worshipping demonic things and also her own issues regarding her own sexuality and gender.
We are friends on social media as expected from family members, however she has shared a couple of very hurtful posts recently, one stating 'If you can't conceive, then that's God's will' (after I had a loss) and another post insulting the cross and what seemed to be targeted at Christians. I have since removed her from my socials.
I couldn't help but mention to her that her posts are hurtful. It's ok to have opinions, but sharing them with the intention to hurt people when you know your family members fall in to a certain category isn't nice.
I got a lot of hateful messages back and comments such as 'I'll do what I want' and 'I don't care'.

I love her obviously, but I feel like for the past few years, she has become distant and selfish, for example, I have never missed celebrating her birthday and always got her a card and gift, but she doesn't even send a birthday message, which is fine, I don't give to receive. She is also constantly going on about her mental health, but not actively doing anything about it.
A big part of me thinks and probably knows that she doesn't seem to like me or my husband because we are Christians. (she's never like him) and she once stated 'He doesn't like me because God doesn't like gays'

I am a very respectful person and want to live a content, peaceful life. So the easier the better.
After speaking to her about the post, she got her girlfriend to send me a very hateful message saying things like 'You go above and beyond to insult and hurt *name*' and 'you're bullying someone who has only ever wanted to build a relationship with you' and 'Lastly THEIR name is **, If you want to be shown respect, try showing it'.

She has only shortened her name recently, so it is quite difficult to get in to the habit of that name after over 25 years of calling her by her full name. One thing is, I don't and will never follow 'they/them' pronouns, never. I don't follow those beliefs and I don't think its fair for a small minority of people to force others to follow their beliefs.

Just like, I can't (not that I would) say, 'well, you have to come to church, because that's what I believe, and that's that'. I am ok with other people believing what they want, but not forcing it upon others.

TLDR; My sister has disrespected my faith for years, now she is posting insulting, hurtful things on socials aimed at Christians and also my personal circumstances. She hasn't liked me for years and bothered about birthdays or anything (when I have given to her every year) and then expected me to change my beliefs and refer to her as they/them, which is not happening.

My question is; How do I move on from this. Many Christians say to 'change your company' which, I barley see her anyway and I wouldn't want demonic influences in our home and in front of our future children etc.

I know compared to a lot of other people this is going to be minor... but I'm now fighting with my landlord over a bill... A month ago I noticed a broken window on the property I'm renting with my husband. We have no kids and only cats and I noticed the window is double pain glass and broken from the outside. Our landlord is a company, its not a single entity. I put in a maintaince repair request, was never notified of anything as they approved the request, got their own vendor and repaired the window. I then was handed a 1,000 dollar bill. I didn't break the window, it is not due to anything I did or my husband did, I was not notified I would be covering the cost and I also had zero say in the vendor. I'm currently in the process of arguing with them, but also looking for a lawyer because after reading my lease, they can't do this... I'm awaiting a reply from 1 lawyer to see if I have a case.

Please pray for me for a resolution. Thank you <3