The most important preparation for marriage is honesty. You must be willing to tell yourself the truth and face uncomfortable things about yourself. You need to understand who you are and who you wish to become before you talk to anyone. Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses will allow you to gauge what you can tackle on your own and the areas where support is needed.

Ideally, you want a complement. Someone who sees your potential and is willing to invest in your betterment. He doesn't think he's better or more important. But a co-laborer in the journey who recognizes your contribution and needs your help as well. That's why knowing what you're good at is important. Don't underestimate a quality because it isn't grand. There's a person craving the same this moment.

Now address your fears and don't be ashamed. If you want security admit it. This isn't the time to be superwoman. You need to be objective and consider the things that allow you to rest well at night and in peace. The things that bother may have no effect on someone else but that's okay.

The purpose of the exercise is to make an informed choice and for the other to know what he's getting. Relationships built on truth have a stronger foundation than those built on deception. Don't allow your mistakes to make you timid but acknowledge how you've learned from them and moved forward.

The final component is worthiness. If you don't believe you're deserving of love and care nothing matters. When you believe those words you'll decline situations which may meet your needs temporarily or sate the loneliness. But it won't give you the things you've determined you needed most. You are your greatest advocate besides the Lord. If you won't champion you who will?

You must understand that no and not now isn't never and view the time between it's fulfillment as an opportunity to do the things which may be difficult later on. Like school. When you marry you have more demands. How would you like your life to look when you do?

That's the fun question. Once you've talked the hard stuff paint a picture. Describe your life. How do you look? Where do you live? How are the kids? Do you have more? What do you do for a living? How do you spend your free time? What is your relationship like? Do you travel? How's your lifestyle?

Articulating your heart's desire is important. That's how you determine what matters most. If you want to see the world choose a man with a similar wanderlust. When you know your dreams you'll know who's speaking your language or not.

Take all you've discovered in prayer to the Lord with thanksgiving and entrust it's fulfillment in His timing and ask Him to prepare you and He will.

~bella

tonychanyt said:

Luke 3:


John mentioned three or four Passovers during Jesus' ministry.

John 2:


John 5 was a possible Passover:


John 6:


John 11:


Jesus' public ministry was >2 but <4 years. Taking the middle value, he probably died at 33.

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In His mid-30s, so probably between 33 and 37, assuming a birth year of 4 BC and a death year of 30 AD or 33 AD.

chevyontheriver said:

Well, Sola Fide IS explicitly mentioned in the Bible in the book of James. The only place where those two words are found together in the Bible.

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Indeed, where it is written that one is NOT saved by faith alone.

HARK! said:

Even Heathens understand when they are being stolen from. Our father in heaven will leave all without excuse; because he reveals himself though his creation. Even Heathens have some sense of morality.

Even a two year old understands the word "mine." He understands when someone is unrightfully taking something from him.

As he morally matures he will learn that everyone has their own "mine."

Esteem to our Heavenly Father for revealing to Baum, the injustice that was set before him and the fellow countrymen of his day, and the injustice, bondage and death, that was thrust onto the world as a result of its' expansion.

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I guess I'm not understanding how something true or useful that is in your posts above somehow dismisses the points that I made in my posts. The points made within my posts above have nothing to do with economics and "just weights" but rather a different set of matters. By the way, did you read sections 10 & 12 in your linked article?

In reflection upon the genre of article you chose to post, I've likewise linked the following, and I we can all see that like so many authors of fiction, there's an underlying allegory built within it:


My apologies if The Wizard of Oz is somehow a work dear to your heart, but I'm more concerned with---and bothered by---his Theosophical philosophy, whether it seems he was quickened and enlightened by the Spirit to produce a Populist allegory, ... or not.

And in inferential reflection, just because we all may appreciate the work of Susan B. Anthony, which I do, doesn't also mean I have to appreciate the work and influence of her compatriot, Matilda Joslyn Gage.

Everyone has different ideas about what to include as far as morality. God's will includes:
1 Peter 2:13-14 (KJV)
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

So God intends rulers to punish evildoers. The question though is how and what does this entail. Rosseau had idea to "force men to be free." By "the general will", "Rousseau means a volition or a desire to pursue a common interest or good. It could be considered the shared, collective commitment to a common ideal or value of a people." https://study.com/academy/lesson/general-will-overview-significance.html#:
That is like the Post-Liberal position of Vance. However, you could have all kinds of common values, Christian or otherwise. Adultery could be a crime, cohabitation, or other sexual practices. Speech as well. The Constitution would protect some of these things in the USA because the founders knew that even "Christian" ideas often did not have a consensus so they leaned heavily on individual rights which I think was a great choice.

The gift of the Eucharist helps us to become the body of Christ for others, Pope Francis said in a video message sent to the 2024 International Eucharistic Congress in Quito, Ecuador, on Sunday.

The Eucharist teaches us how to have, the pope said in his message recorded at the Vatican, “a profound brotherhood, born of union with God, born of allowing ourselves to be ground, like wheat, so that we can become bread, the body of Christ, thus participating fully in the Eucharist and in the assembly of the saints.”

The 53rd International Eucharistic Congress is taking place in Quito, Ecuador, Sept. 8–15, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the country’s consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Continued below.

jim456c said:

I listen sometimes to Perry Stone and many other prophecy guys...sometimes he can be an idiot but I mostly like him and record his talks so I can listen at night.
He posted another dream thing he has had before about tsunamis in the USA. This is an interesting recurring dream because I and other believers have had this one too. The version I had was 3 years ago and it took place just above the Los Angeles basin up towards Santa Clarita where the 6 flags theme park used to be. That is about 1000 ft above the basin.I saw the whole basin getting flooded also but I was ok because I was up higher in the San Gabriel Mts or close to them. The water filled the basin .I am not an LA guy at all but always liked visiting it mostly for the food. Just a few times. Anyway Stones version is very similar and I also had one about some kind of major water disaster up by Eureka Ca. But it didn't destroy the place permanently, some people managed to survive and stay there. That will probably be the case on the Cal. coast south too..it will reduce the population a lot but won't kill the culture there forever. I think we will see land disasters in the next 3 years ,if I had to guess. If you live there get prepared to leave for awhile while it recovers. Have a place up north to go to. Thats what I would say is the best plan.

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I saw some of the Perry Stone episode with Mario Murillo doing the interview. Both a California Tsunami and ine on the east coast around South Caroline. These could very well be valid but I thought it was rather hyperbole that some of the scripture references he used were about fleeing to the mountains. From what I read going about 12 miles inland would protect you. "Waves of this type are called Mega Tsunami. They are so great that they can reach several hundred meters in height, travel at the speed of a jet aircraft and get up to 12 miles (20 Kilometers) inland." Source: Mega Tsunamis | Wave of Destruction: Also for South some parts of S. Carolina there are barrier islands.

I will share two things about prophecy that I think are important. First, a better translation.
Hebrews 11:1 (GW) Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see.
You do not hope for a Tsunami. You can have faith for one though. Heb 11, says Noah feared, that is not hope. Plus the saints that were martyred, stoned etc. Heb. 11:36 So faith is evidence of what is expected is a far better biblical translation.
A second thing that I heard from the late David Pawson, was that sometimes you can start out in prophecy and it is from the Lord and then you can at some point shift to being in the flesh. I am not saying Perry did this, but you do not always need a 40 minutes interview to speculate on all the possible things. Stone seems reasonable but I know that some other youtube prophets are so much about entertainment that if they had a word from God you would have to sift through a lot of minutes to find it. If it was even true in the first place.

Given Harris' past, if I were liberal I might be concerned too that she is not principled but instead just an opportunist. As a President an opportunist might actually move to the center. She would have to cast aside some of her handlers though and her pick of Walz is as far left as one can get.

You write a very nice synopsis of Vance and his policies. Except that Vance has his priorities wrong. Support for Ukraine saves American lives. The new axis of evil is forming and America is involved already. We are fortunate that Ukraine has degraded and exposed Russia so it is far less of a threat. We all will have to thank Biden when the Middle East or Chinese fronts open up or widen for US involvement. Vance and some GOP on the right will be shown they were wrong. Russia and China are far more connected than what most realize. Last years trade figures show a 40% increase and there are many other signs.

Of course this is all speculative, but there are quite a few experts that suggest this. The opposing blocs are hardening.

The alternative is that the USA will not fulfill its commitments to the Philippines or Taiwan. That is possible but it would be a huge set back to USA being the world leader and more nations would cozy up to the Chinese so likely that would be kicking the can down the road.

Whether we realize it or not and want to admit it or not, we are all philosophers. We all have a world view and thus a philosophy of life.

Metaphysics - what is there beyond what we perceive with the senses?
Axiology - what and how do we value
Epistemology - what and how do we know?
Logic - How do we reason?
Ethics - what is right? What should we do and not do?
Political Philosophy - How should we govern?
Aesthetics - what is beauty? What is art?

Ed Parenteau said:

Since he brings up those who "keep His commandments", I'm assuming he believes one must keep them in the flesh and therefore work your way to heaven.

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i brought that Verse up because it refers to the 144,000 during and after A.D. 70. (Nazarenes and Ebionites)

He didn't buy it recently. He bought it back in 2017. Supposedly for the Louvre Abu Dhabi. But it went to the Lourve in Paris where it was shown for a little while. But, the Saudi's threw a hissy fit when the French wouldn't display it beside the Mona Lisa (for security reasons).

From there it went back to Saudi where its whereabouts have been a bit uncertain. Some say on the Prince's yacht. Some say in storage somewhere in Saudi, some say in storage in Geneva.

In any event, the plan as far as is known, is for it to be hung in a new museum in somewhere in Saudi. Some say that will be a complex called Wadi Alfann others say it will be in yet another branch of the Louvre in Riyadh.

But, the purchase and eventual display of the painting is all part of the Saudi's massive investment in sports, entertainment, art, architecture, etc. Its a effort to try and turn the image of Saudi from an oppressive oil rich regime to one where (they hope) the arts, sports and entertainment will cause them to be seen in a better light and bring in tourism dollars. Similar to UAE / Abu Dhabi.

Xeno.of.athens said:

Canon 24. (Greek xxvii.)​

That nothing be read in church besides the Canonical Scripture

Item, that besides the Canonical Scriptures nothing be read in church under the name of divine Scripture.

But the Canonical Scriptures are as follows:

• Genesis.
• Exodus.
• Leviticus.
• Numbers.
• Deuteronomy.
• Joshua the Son of Nun.
• The Judges.
• Ruth.
• The Kings, iv. books.
• The Chronicles, ij. books.
• Job.
• The Psalter.
• The Five books of Solomon.
• The Twelve Books of the Prophets.
• Isaiah.
• Jeremiah.
• Ezechiel.
• Daniel.
• Tobit.
• Judith.
• Esther.
• Ezra, ij. books.
• Macchabees, ij. books.
  • The New Testament.
    • The Gospels, iv. books.
    • The Acts of the Apostles, j. book.
    • The Epistles of Paul, xiv.
    • The Epistles of Peter, the Apostle, ij.
    • The Epistles of John the Apostle, iij.
    • The Epistles of James the Apostle, j.
    • The Epistle of Jude the Apostle, j.
    • The Revelation of John, j. book.

Let this be sent to our brother and fellow bishop, Boniface, and to the other bishops of those parts, that they may confirm this canon, for these are the things which we have received from our fathers to be read in church.

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But there were still questions being raised about what authority the deuterocanonical books had compared to the core canon throughout history. Different church fathers had some various stances, etc. There is reason why these books have been distinguished from the rest and called Deuterocanonical, and this term was coined by a Catholic, not a Protestant.

The original Hebraic Canon has not been known to contain these books.

truthpls said:

A tub has to stand on it's own legs and if the guest said things that can be shown false, why would anyone care if they had a degree or not? Looking at Tucker we find this

"Tucker applied for admission to several prestigious universities but was turned down. With the help of his future father-in-law, he was eventually accepted by Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut."

Tucker Carlson | Biography, Education, Family, & Facts | Britannica

Tucker Carlson is an American conservative pundit who from 2016 to 2023 hosted Tucker Carlson Tonight, the most-watched cable television news show. He is known for bringing far-right viewpoints into the mainstream of American politics and for his close relationship with Pres. Donald Trump. He...

www.britannica.com

It is commonly said that history is written by the people who won the wars. So having 'credentials' from institutions in some countries would not be a positive thing in many cases when researching what probably actually happened. Let's face it, universities in some western countries could not so much as tell you the difference between a man and a woman. If we looked at the media we might find a lot of degrees and education in people there. However, most of the media lately seems to be in the same choir of propaganda dispersal rather than any sort of search for truth. So when I see someone (especially in admitted ignorance) claim that alternative sources must be bad and wrong because they lack 'credentials' that says to me that they have chosen a belief set and automatically dislike other opinions.

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What??? I wasn't talking about Tucker in my post above. Did you read my previous post?

Hammster said:

How many have given billions to Ukraine and Israel?

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Several of them have given billions to Ukraine in the last few years. (None is so foolish to give billions to a wealthy country like Israel.)

That's too bad.

Makes sense. I think those who believe in God have a better outlook on life because everything isn't an accident or random. Just my opinion, though.

To be fair, Jesus warned us about these "preachers."

Quiboloy arrested

Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and self-appointed son of God, has been arrested after several months of evading capture, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos.

In an interview with TV reporters, Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Police Regional Office-11 (PRO-11) director, declined to categorically answer questions if Quiboloy was arrested or surrendered. He suggested that questions as to the details should be addressed to the DILG secretary.

He said Quiboloy was brought to Manila via a C-130 plane, which earlier landed at the Tactical Operations Group (TOG)-Davao at the Old Airport in Sasa located near the KOJC compound.

Quiboloy’s arrest took place on Day 16 of the police operation to serve the arrest warrants on Quiboloy and four of his five co-accused inside the KOJC compound since it started last August 24.

Quiboloy is facing charges of child abuse and qualified human trafficking, along with co-accused Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes. Paulene was arrested last July 11 at her residence in Emily Homes Subdivision in Barangay Cabantian here.

The suspects have two warrants of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 in Davao City and the RTC in Pasig City in April this year.

AFrazier said:

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Typical response...for an "expert"

MartyF said:

I give you a link to a book by an Israeli Jewish Historian - You give me nada. No sources - just suppose to take the word of an Atheist.

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You're employing a few different strategies here that make honest debate near impossible.

You're basically framing this conversation in such a way where the only sources you'll as "credible" are the ones that affirm your viewpoint, and find some reason to disqualify all the others as "invalid" so that you can portray any contrasting viewpoint as "mere opinion"

You're also doing some "selective quoting". You addressed the sources that you felt could be easily "dunked on" for superficial reasons. And neglected to include the ones from a few of the other sources I mentioned.

But here's more:

As well as carrying out unlawful killings, others abducted by Hamas were subjected to torture, including severe beatings with truncheons, gun butts, hoses and wire or held in stress positions. Some were interrogated and tortured or otherwise ill-treated in a disused outpatient’s clinic within the grounds of Gaza City’s main al-Shifa hospital.
(sounds like they're using civilian infrastructure for Hamas operations, correct?)


The United Nations has found troves of rockets hidden in three of its schools since the conflict began. “We condemn the group or groups who endangered civilians by placing these munitions in our school,” Chris Gunness, spokesman for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, said in statement.
(alternate link here, directly from the UNRWA press release: https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/cache-rockets-found-un-school-gaza)

Ramallah_(dpa) _ The Palestinian Authority's health ministry on Saturday accused the militant movement Hamas of turning some of its medical facilities in the Gaza Strip into detention centres.

After Israel stopped 23 days of aerial and ground attacks in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip last month, "Hamas unfortunately used several facilities, mainly a large number of hospitals, as stations for summons, interrogation, torture and detention," the Ramallah-based ministry said in a statement.

The sources I've cited in this iteration are sources that certainly aren't "Zionist sympathizers". The Palestinian Authority and the UNRWA are both very pro-Palestine entities that are very critical of Israel. Even they've reported it happening...

Unless you're making the suggestion that, though it's been a staple of the Hamas strategy since their initial takeover, they magically stopped doing those things after 2014?

MartyF said:

Palestinians have never had a chance to have an independent state.

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That's not true...in fact, they've had multiple two-state solution offers put on the table, and have turned them down every time.

They had a very fair offer in 2000 (that Bill Clinton attempted to help broker), and they shot it down.


The offer put forth was to form a Palestinian state initially on 73% of the West Bank and 100% of the Gaza Strip. In 10–25 years, the Palestinian state would expand to a maximum of 92% of the West Bank (91 percent of the West Bank and 1 percent from a land swap).

Had they accepted that offer in 2000 (given that we're approaching year 2025), they'd have been their own sovereign country at this point for nearly quarter of a century, and would've had 100% of Gaza and 92% of the west bank under their control.

Pommer said:

I wonder if they stored records in the “cloud”?

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I'm pretty confident that they'll have hidden that specific cloud in a secure place; possibly under a mattress. They're not idiots after all.

They arrested Jesus and took him to face the Sanhedrin in (BSB) Mt 26:

65 At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He deserves to die,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”

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Others
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

οἱ δὲ ἐράπισαν

BDAG δὲ:
① a marker connecting a series of closely related data or lines of narrative, and, as for. Freq. used in lists of similar things, with a slight call of attention to the singularity of each item
② a marker linking narrative segments, now, then, and, so, that is
③ a marker with an additive relation, with possible suggestion of contrast, at the same time
④ marker of contrast, but, on the other hand
⑤ marker of heightened emphasis, in combination w. καί but also

Whom did the definite article οἱ refer to?

ESV:

Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him.

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On Biblehub, 14 versions used "some" and 18 used "others".

A few spit in Jesus' face, and a few slapped him. Perhaps 1 or 2 did both.

Bob Crowley said:

I didn't realise the seriousness of his injury when it was first reported. The fisherman is still in hospital in a coma with a brain injury.

Update on father left in a coma after being hit by a whale

Jordan Mainstone, was fishing with his friend from a boat off Duranbah, near the NSW-Queensland border, when a whale appeared next to him at 9am on August 18.

www.dailymail.co.uk

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Dang man. We must pray for his healing, and for a swift recovery. I did not realize the seriousness either.