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Apple Sky · 2025-12-14T15:15:46-0600

Belk · 2025-12-14T15:04:30-0600

FreeinChrist said:
Sign language services 'intrude' on Trump's ability to control his image, administration says

The Trump administration is arguing that requiring real-time American Sign Language interpretation of events like White House press briefings “would severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public," part of a lawsuit seeking to require the White...

www.pbs.org

The Trump administration is arguing that requiring real-time American Sign Language interpretation of events like White House press briefings “would severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public,” part of a lawsuit seeking to require the White House to provide the services.

Department of Justice attorneys haven’t elaborated on how doing so might hamper the portrayal President Donald Trump seeks to present to the public. But overturning policies encompassing diversity, equity and inclusion have become a hallmark of his second administration, starting with his very first week back in the White House.

The National Association for the Deaf sued the Trump administration in May, arguing that the cessation of American Sign Language interpretation — which the Biden administration had used regularly — represented “denying hundreds of thousands of deaf Americans meaningful access to the White House’s real-time communications on various issues of national and international import.” The group also sued during Trump’s first administration, seeking ASL interpretation for briefings related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How petty can a person be! It hurts his image??

How petty? I don't know. fairly certain we have not reached the nadir of rectitude yet.

Christsfreeservant · 2025-12-14T15:01:49-0600

“Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:12-16 NASB1995)

Now, for those of us who live in the USA, which may be true of other countries, as well, the requirement to be circumcised in the flesh (which God no longer requires), in order to prove faith, is not the issue, although it still could be for some people. But using this discussion as a “spring board,” i.e. as a starting point, I will be looking today at several parallel situations we are being faced with in the USA (and perhaps in other countries, as well).

So, what are people of faith, or of prospective faith, being compelled to do today in order to demonstrate faith in Jesus Christ, i.e. that which is not required of God? Well, some of them are being compelled to be more like Jews and to take on some of the Old Covenant liturgical and ceremonial laws and customs in order to be more like Jews. And they are being strong armed into supporting the physical nation called “Israel,” which is mostly pagan. But that is not of God, but is of human flesh, and contrary to God’s will.

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

Also, the people of my nation are being compelled to accept a diluted and altered gospel message which is not of God, but of human flesh, which removes God’s requirements of us to die to sin and to walk in obedience to his commands, in the power of God, by his grace, and in daily practice. So they teach the Scriptures out of context, and they twist them to teach lies in order to convince the masses that all that is required is lip service only, i.e. a profession of faith in Jesus absent of true repentance and obedience to God.

And then there are the legalists who add on to the gospel what is not of God, but which is of man, which is what the Judaizers were doing, too. And so they make requirements about certain days of the week or about food and drink and clothing and religious formalities and customs, but while some of them are living hypocritical lives, while they are “straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.” For they obsess over tiny insignificant details while they ignore larger problems involving moral purity, sin, and disobedience to God.

So, why do they do this? Partly it has to do with control over the people, to get them to do what they require or desire, because they are obsessed with power. And so they want us to be like minions, all following the same false gods, believing the lies they tell us so that they have control. And then there is the issue of greed, either for money and/or for positions of power and control. And then it has to do with pride, with them looking good to the people to make a good showing so that they will be praised and worshiped.

But then there are those who are the charlatans (fakes, swindlers, con artists and pretenders) and the “wolves in sheep’s clothing” who make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ in order to deceive the masses, but who are truly out to kill, to steal, and to destroy the sheep of Jesus’ pasture by getting us to believe their lies and to put them into practice. Their goal is to get us to reject God’s commands of obedience and death to sin, and to convince us that we can keep on in our sin and still have salvation from sin.

But Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

[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]

Seek the Lord

Based off Isaiah 55
An Original Work / July 20, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love
Musical Instrumentation by Mark Bradley

“Come to Me all you who thirst; come to waters.
Listen to Me, and eat what’s good today,
And your soul will delight in richest of fare.
Give ear to Me, and you will live.
I have made an eternal covenant with you.
Wash in the blood of the Lamb.”

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him.
Let the wicked forsake his way, in truth.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will receive mercy.
Freely, God pardons him.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,”
declares the Lord, our God.

“My word that goes out of My mouth is truthful.
It will not return to Me unfulfilled.
My word will accomplish all that I desire,
And achieve the goal I intend.
You will go in joy and be led forth in peace.
The mountains will burst into song… before you,
And all of the trees clap their hands.”

Login to view embedded media
They Try to Compel You
An Original Work / December 14, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

AtlBo · 2025-12-14T15:00:48-0600

God bless you. God, the God of life, has nothing but good news for us when we turn to Him, determined to live fully in His counsel, as Jesus lives in God. The peace of God and the presence of God be upon you in this time of physical turmoil you are experiencing. May the love of God become your anchor and your fortress and may you walk in God's counsel, goodness, and mercy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Dave... · 2025-12-14T14:57:15-0600

Anne69 said:
The thumbnail uses a photo of Clint Eastwood, but the situation itself is not real
This kind of thumbnail is extremely common on YouTube. Here’s what’s going on:

1. The image of Clint Eastwood is real
It’s a genuine photo of him — usually taken from a movie still, interview, or press image.

2. The scenario is fake
Clint Eastwood did not tell Joel Osteen anything, and Joel Osteen did not tell Clint Eastwood “Get out of here, old man.” The thumbnail is designed to look dramatic, but it’s not depicting a real event.

3. The text is added for clickbait
The phrase “GET OUT OF HERE, OLD MAN” is not something Clint Eastwood said in real life. It’s simply added to provoke curiosity.

4. The two men were never in that moment together
The thumbnail is a composite — two unrelated images placed side by side to create a fake confrontation.

5. The video itself is a storytelling/dramatization channel
These channels often use:

celebrity faces

dramatic titles

emotional thumbnails …to get views, even when the story is fictional or loosely inspired.

Searched MS Copilot and this is what it came up with. Hope this helps you.

Thanks.

It didn't sound real. Even though the message was one that I agree with. I never heard of a "thumbnail". I can't keep up with the slang. I gave up trying to when "new words" to describe old things became popular. Word! :swoon:

perplexed · 2025-12-14T14:51:42-0600

TDS phantasia is real
imagination can be a powerful thing

Belk · 2025-12-14T14:49:07-0600

Oompa Loompa said:
It is a good answer. But the point that I was trying to raise is that if people have difficulty trying to identify what about our cultural identity that is uniquely American, how can they possibly know when it is lost?

I can't say that I have an answer to that question. Though it does concern me that we should find it difficult to identify something uniquely American about our culture. For me I think it not so difficult, but it has to do with being a nation of immigrants who work together to be a beacon of freedom and ingenuity. That does not seem to resonate so much right now with our trying to kick everyone out.

SamInNi · 2025-12-14T14:49:03-0600

Just today I've been re-editing my Christian Forums blog post about the Christmas Season. I'm uncomfortable with Christmas at the best of times, but after a very recent bereavement at home (my precious mother), Christmas has an intrusive unbiblical edge I could well do without. It's predominant character among unbelievers, and many genuine believers too, reminds me that it can't be demonstrated in any context that God gave us the Christmas Festival, and it shows.

I can sympathise with those who struggle to cope over the Christmas season. We are many.

NxNW · 2025-12-14T14:48:14-0600

HARK! said:
They debunk the chart.

Chart debunked. Moving on.

Your math doesn't math.

NxNW · 2025-12-14T14:47:49-0600

FaithT · 2025-12-14T14:43:03-0600

I

Michie said:
Catholic leaders in Australia have responded with prayer and condemnation of antisemitism following what police described as a terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday that left 12 people dead and 29 others injured.

Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney called for prayer and the intercession of the Virgin Mary in the immediate aftermath of the Dec. 14 shooting, which authorities said included one of the alleged gunmen among the dead.

“As we follow the horrific news coming from this evening’s shooting at Bondi Beach, let us pray for those who have been killed or injured,” Fisher said in a statement released shortly after the attack. “May Our Lady, Queen of Peace, intercede for all affected, and for our beloved city at this time.”

The archbishop also offered prayers for the “many who were forced to run for their lives” and for emergency service workers responding at the scene.

Continued below.

Sydney archbishop urges prayer after deadly attack leaves 12 dead at Bondi Beach Hanukkah event

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher and Bishop Conference President Timothy Costelloe call for prayer after a terrorist attack leaves at least 12 people dead.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

it seems like attacks of this nature were more common here in the USA but now they’re everywhere. It’s so scary.

PloverWing · 2025-12-14T14:41:35-0600

So many! It's hard to pick. I love Christmas music, both sacred and secular. I'll go with these:

Favorite Christmas carols:
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
O Come, All Ye Faithful

Favorite religious Christmas songs no one's ever heard of:
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
A Stable Lamp is LIghted

Favorite Advent song:
People Look East

Favorite secular December songs:
The Christmas Song
Silver Bells
The Holly and the Ivy

Belk · 2025-12-14T14:39:42-0600

ThatRobGuy said:
No, what I'm saying is that you had replied to my reply to another user. And that user was conveying something different than what you were conveying. I didn't mean that you (individually) were providing mixed messages.

Ah! Thanks for the clarification.

Anne69 · 2025-12-14T14:38:18-0600

The thumbnail uses a photo of Clint Eastwood, but the situation itself is not real

This kind of thumbnail is extremely common on YouTube. Here’s what’s going on:

1. The image of Clint Eastwood is real

It’s a genuine photo of him — usually taken from a movie still, interview, or press image.

2. The scenario is fake

Clint Eastwood did not tell Joel Osteen anything, and Joel Osteen did not tell Clint Eastwood “Get out of here, old man.” The thumbnail is designed to look dramatic, but it’s not depicting a real event.

3. The text is added for clickbait

The phrase “GET OUT OF HERE, OLD MAN” is not something Clint Eastwood said in real life. It’s simply added to provoke curiosity.

4. The two men were never in that moment together

The thumbnail is a composite — two unrelated images placed side by side to create a fake confrontation.

5. The video itself is a storytelling/dramatization channel

These channels often use:

celebrity faces
dramatic titles
emotional thumbnails …to get views, even when the story is fictional or loosely inspired.

Searched MS Copilot and this is what it came up with. Hope this helps you.

FreeinChrist · 2025-12-14T14:36:41-0600

Sign language services 'intrude' on Trump's ability to control his image, administration says

The Trump administration is arguing that requiring real-time American Sign Language interpretation of events like White House press briefings “would severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public," part of a lawsuit seeking to require the White...

www.pbs.org

The Trump administration is arguing that requiring real-time American Sign Language interpretation of events like White House press briefings “would severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public,” part of a lawsuit seeking to require the White House to provide the services.

Department of Justice attorneys haven’t elaborated on how doing so might hamper the portrayal President Donald Trump seeks to present to the public. But overturning policies encompassing diversity, equity and inclusion have become a hallmark of his second administration, starting with his very first week back in the White House.

The National Association for the Deaf sued the Trump administration in May, arguing that the cessation of American Sign Language interpretation — which the Biden administration had used regularly — represented “denying hundreds of thousands of deaf Americans meaningful access to the White House’s real-time communications on various issues of national and international import.” The group also sued during Trump’s first administration, seeking ASL interpretation for briefings related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How petty can a person be! It hurts his image??

timothyu · 2025-12-14T14:36:35-0600

The adversarial spirit will live on but contained. God's Will will be done, not the will of either elohim or man.

Dave... · 2025-12-14T14:33:01-0600

Did this really happen? Clint Eastwood rebukes Joel Osteen? Or is this AI?

Login to view embedded media

jonojim1337 · 2025-12-14T14:29:22-0600

RDKirk said:
I think we have to recognize some nuances.

For sure, "...He removes kings, and sets up kings...."

That does not imply those kings are performing God's moral edicts given for His people to follow. It means kings and nations are merely God's means toward His eventual just, good, and eternal end.

Your point is correct, but in this discussion it raises the question of "What difference does that make?" with regard to how Christians respond to them. If we were to presume that it was actually Satan who put those rulers in place, we'd also have to say, "God allowed Satan to do so?"

So, what difference does it make in terms of our response to the dictates of those kings?

To the extent that those kings give commands that coincidentally fall in line with God's commands to us...fine.

I can give an answer, though, to my own question: "What difference does it make?"

What Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:13 command is that Christians avoid rebellion and unnecessary social contention. We don't dispute local authorities on some basis of, "You're not the boss of me!"

Like any diplomat posted to a foreign nation, we follow the local laws and to the greatest extent possible we avoid being designated persona non grata for mere reason of being churlish.

I think the problem is that some translations make you think one becomes a priest or a king by matter of faith, but if you’ve actually read the Bible then it is clear that there is an order of succession in both offices, even if the cornerstone of it all, is faith in Christ of course.

Strong in Him · 2025-12-14T14:27:43-0600

Kathleen30 said:
Ok let’s move on and give it a break ❤️

If you had not kept quoting my posts and answering something I was asking Apple Sky, we would have moved on ages ago.

camille70 · 2025-12-14T14:26:55-0600

Valletta said:
The Biden administration pushed as much toward a completely open border as they could get away with. Letting in 10 to 20 million people swamped our resources, the human trafficking skyrocketed to a level of slavery not seen since the civil war, 31% of the women who made the trip were sexually assaulted, only some of the children that went missing (62,000) have been rescued by this administration, many of them were in forced labor or sexual slavery, unvetted illegal criminals have committee horrible violent crimes, and more.

Source?

Strong in Him · 2025-12-14T14:25:25-0600

keras said:
What pretentious tripe!

Really?
What was it that led the Magi to Bethlehem to worship Jesus?
How did Saul of Tarsus meet Jesus?
Do you know how Constantine became a Christian? He saw the Chi-Rho sign in the clouds, had that sign painted, overnight, on the shields of his soldiers, and they won their battle the next day.

In addition to this, God spoke to OT Joseph in dreams, and to Joseph in the NT through dreams and an angel.
All could be said to be celestial signs.

keras said:
I stand by how if a Prophecy can be literally fulfilled, then it will be.

But it was Jesus and the Apostles who told us if a prophecy was being fulfilled -you don't have that authority.

Incidentally;

keras said:
We are now 40 days from the Day when the Lord could send His fiery wrath.

(Nov 4th 2025)

keras said:
30 days

(Nov 13th 2025.)

did we miss something?

1Tonne · 2025-12-14T14:25:24-0600

timothyu said:
1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”

Quoting 1 Corinthians 3:19 doesn’t refute this view. Paul is not condemning careful study of Scripture.
Many modern annihilationist arguments rely on the assumption that death must mean non-existence, an idea drawn from contemporary thinking, not the Bible. Scripture consistently describes death and destruction as ruin, separation, and judgment while the person continues to exist (Eph 2:1; Luke 15:24; Mark 9:48; Rev 14:11). Letting Scripture define its own terms is true wisdom, not worldly reasoning.

JulieB67 · 2025-12-14T14:23:32-0600

RamiC said:
BTW, I will not be bothered by any of them, since not one of them will invalidate John 3-16

Exactly. He resorts to calling it a "cult" to believe in this verse because he and the ECT doctrine falls apart with it. They know they have to add to this verse to fit their doctrine.

jonojim1337 · 2025-12-14T14:21:26-0600

The Liturgist said:
“Chief bridge builder,” not “Priest king”, in some cases held by the Emperor, for example, Julius Caesar held the office at a young age, but not necessarily. Archbishops Leo, whose unprompted intervention at Chalcedon inadvertently contributed to the schism between the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, was the first of many Roman archbishops to use this title(they took the title of Pope, previously used exclusively by the Popes of Alexandria such as St. Alexander, St. Athanasius the Pillar of Orthodoxy and St. Cyril the Great, in the sixth century) including St. Gregory Diologos, whose Orthodox status is unquestioned.

Priests have absolutely no right to the office of priest-king. This is a royal title and reserved solely for Caesar or “Emperor” however in some cases Emperor is a lower title than Caesar.

The Liturgist said:
The fact that Manuel I Komnenos may have claimed descent from St. John does not make it the case; all Orthodox sources I have agree St. John the Beloved Disciple was one of three members of the twelve who was celibate and unmarried, the others being his brother St. James the Great, and St. Thomas “the Twin” the Apostle to Edessa, Seleucia-Cstesiphon and India.

So thus far you’re proposing a “bloodline” from a celibate Christ to a celibate Apostle to the heir of the Byzantine Empire who was a member of the illustrious Komnenos dynasty, which was alas not the only dynasty to reign in Constantinople and not likely related to St. Constantine in any real sense; as far as heredity to Emperors before St. Constantine or St. Constantine’s heretical sons like Constantius, and Julian the Apostate (whose name is particularly apt in that he left Arianism to embrace neo-Platonism, which is to jump from tne frying pan into the fire, eschatologically, since the Arians deny Christ as the Incarnation of God and the latter deny him altogether, a bit like those driven by the modern day Jehovah’s Witnesses cult into atheism).

In the Latin version of things, JC adopted Augustus who then adopted Tiberius. So adoption is not ruled out.

On another note, Russian monarchs have claimed descend from Prus, a brother of Augustus. This is another way of how inheritance is passed on, that is, to the closest relative. It would also explain the existence of something called Prussia.

Constantine is not relevant to the foundations of Christianity so I’m just going to ignore that.

Mark Quayle · 2025-12-14T14:20:05-0600

SuperCow said:
False as the day is long. You continue in your notion of man as prime mover in his deeds.
- False that man is the prime mover in his deed. So I am not able to make my own choice.

Still unproven assumption. You are only restating your definition here.

SuperCow said:
You indeed do WILL to do what you do, and that, by what you deem more advantageous or desirous.
- You will do what you do...by what you deem more more advantageous or desirous. Now I am the prime mover after all, therefore now my initial statement is true and somehow I can make my own choice..

Same. Still assuming the one necessarily means the other. You've proven nothing here.

SuperCow said:
You choose according to your inclinations.
- Again I am making a choice according to my inclinations. Further solidifying that my initial position is true.

So the second two sentences contradict the first.

They contradict only if you assume that choice by definition makes the chooser the prime mover.

SuperCow said:
I am not disputing cause. I am disputing the logical incoherence that causing something that you know the result of can result in any effect that is not pre-determined, and if it is pre-determined then it is logically incoherent to suggest that anyone besides the causer has any choice.

Wrong. But at least a small change in subject. That's refreshing.

God does not 'inhabit' this reality in the same way we do. He did not make something without knowing ahead what would come of it. This is not some experiment where mere "chance" has more causality than God, and God must risk his project on CHANCE. You do not consider yourself to be "self-existent" like God, yet somehow you consider yourself able to choose uncaused to do so. That is, to use your terminology, logical incoherence.

Mark Quayle said:
No, I do not claim that God does not (nor that he does) have that ability. I claim it is logical nonsense, a figment of the imagination, words playing in the mind of presumptuous humans.

I did not intend "the source of choice" there. I intended the source of the ability to choose Christ, and the source of salvific Faith

SuperCow said:
Oh, but you are making a claim. You just don't realize it.

Which is it? A or B?

A. I have a choice whether to follow God.
B. God already knows whether I will choose to follow him or not.

C. You will choose because you must. You cannot avoid it. And God knows what you will choose— knew it before the foundation of the world. Argue against the Bible, if you will: Have you not heard of the Biblical term, "the elect"? Do you think the "Bride of Christ" is a haphazard compilation of indeterminate members?

SuperCow said:
If God knows that I will follow him, then there is no reality where I will not follow him.

True

SuperCow said:
Conversely if he knows I will not follow him, then there is no reality where I do follow him.

Also true.

SuperCow said:
You cannot say both, because to quote from you, it is logical nonsense.

Not at all. Both are true statements. It is only logical nonsense that both would happen at the same time in the same way.

Further, he uses your choices to bring whichever reality about. The fact that from your POV the human doesn't know what will happen doesn't mean that it is not already determined. In fact, ha!, lately the scientific community is claiming that all of time already exists. No wonder they are struggling to come up with ways to explain how that can be true, if multiple options are actually all possible. They cannot admit to a proper definition of GOD.

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The thumbnail uses a photo of Clint Eastwood, but the situation itself is not real​

1. The image of Clint Eastwood is real​

2. The scenario is fake​

3. The text is added for clickbait​

4. The two men were never in that moment together​

5. The video itself is a storytelling/dramatization channel​

The thumbnail uses a photo of Clint Eastwood, but the situation itself is not real​

1. The image of Clint Eastwood is real​

2. The scenario is fake​

3. The text is added for clickbait​

4. The two men were never in that moment together​

5. The video itself is a storytelling/dramatization channel​

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