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Belonging to Abba · Jun 8, 2024

I think maybe I was worrying too much. I researched it more and found a Google support page that says they limit the number of accounts that can be verified by one phone number to prevent spammers from creating accounts. Because I was able to verify the account with someone else's phone number, I think that I have cleared the hurdle, so I decided to log into Google Play today.

linux.poet · Jun 8, 2024

rita727 said:
In short, recently I felt led to fast and pray for 30 days. I've broken the fast early 2 or 3 times already. At around day 3.

My issue is that I feel so pointless on this fast.

I mean, why are you fasting? What is the point?

If you can't tell me, maybe it's time to lay off the fasting for right now and find another spiritual discipline to do that has meaning for your life right now.

Fasting helps you grow new brain cells and perform neurogenesis, so it's useful when you're learning something new spiritually or taking on a new task. If your life is fairly stable and predictable, you may want to go for a different set of spiritual tools to increase your spiritual passion. You may want to look around to take on a new spiritual challenge first, then go for fasting.

BelieveItOarKnot · Jun 8, 2024

Kokavkrystallos said:
Ah, yes, but we should also realize, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19)

And 54:17 also, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD"

Raising the enemy is usually in prep for the destruction of same, ala pharaoh, who is, allegorically, a picture of a blinded slave of Satan.

Ezekiel 29:3

Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.

We should easily connect this to:

Romans 9:17

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Paul shows us how that power to resist is imbued in Satan and his own:

Romans 7:13

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

and

1 Cor 15:56

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

It is also a picture of the "beast" (the spirit of devils-Rev 16:13-14) rising from the sea (humanity-Rev 17:15)

linux.poet · Jun 8, 2024

AMBASSADOR HAT

This thread has been moved from The Prayer Wall to Praise Reports, as it is a praise report instead of a prayer request.

linux.poet · Jun 8, 2024

Dear Lord, I pray for healing for Dave's teeth. In Christ's Name, Amen

tonychanyt · Jun 8, 2024

James 2:

14 What good is it, my brothers [G80], if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what goodb is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Could the word "brother" refer to some stranger?

Lexically no, according to BDAG, ἀδελφός:

① a male from the same womb as the reference pers., brother
② a pers. viewed as a brother in terms of a close affinity, brother, fellow member, member, associate fig. ext. of 1.
ⓐ one who shares beliefs
ⓑ a compatriot
ⓒ without ref. to a common nationality or faith neighbor (of an intimate friend
ⓓ Form of address used by a king to persons in very high position

Lexically, a G80-brother is someone who is in some way close to you. The context in verse 14 confirms that as well.

On the other hand, concerning the final judgment, Jesus told his disciples in Mat 25:

35 "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Jesus' disciples thought that they were just helping some strangers.

37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers [G80], you did it to me.’

According to Jesus, these strangers were brothers (or later became brothers). These brothers symbolize King Jesus. The same symbolism continues in the next verses:

41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these [brothers], you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

In fact, the Greek word for hospitable is G5382 philo-xenos, literally meaning "loving strangers".

Who are my brothers?

The word "brothers" is ambiguous. Lexically, it means someone who is close to you in some way. Metaphorically, it could mean some strangers who might not have been close to you when they needed your help but who ultimately become believers. The point is this: Help strangers. You may see them in heaven.

Kokavkrystallos · Jun 8, 2024

AlexB23 said:
I have no idea, I am not the guy on Reddit. Quora is trash, while Reddit is a dumpster fire. Heck, the AI on my laptop is better than that. But yes, we better be careful in 2024. Storms are gonna be big this year.

The radios can help Africans and Asians get the gospel from anywhere though, so the guy on Reddit must have been high on something.

It's probably not too well known about the wind up radios, though they've been in use at least 14 years! I only learned about them in 2020, and that was on Christian radio shows not a lot of people listen to.

Multipurpose radios bring Gospel to Africa

February 8, 2010
Africa (MNN) — It's not easy to listen to a radio or charge a cell phone without electricity. With modern technology, however, this is no longer an obstacle.

"It's been possible through the support of a number of people and churches to distribute in the last several months over a thousand windup radios to people who live in places where electricity is generally unavailable," says Lee DeYoung of Words of Hope.

These windup radios not only provide Words of Hope's regular programs to people all across Africa, but they now maintain the capability to charge cell phones. This is a significant help, since many have cell phones but do not have electricity. Radio recipients are then able to save the money it costs to get their phones charged. Of course, this likely piques even greater interest in listening to the radio as well.

Most importantly, those that have a radio are able to hear the message of the Gospel.

"[The radios make] it possible for more and more to hear the Gospel on a regular basis, and many of these invite others to listen," says DeYoung. "So it really becomes a focal point for group listening and to extend the Gospel. We're grateful for this technology which, relatively inexpensively, makes it possible for people who are among the neediest to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ every day."

Multipurpose radios bring Gospel to Africa - Mission Network News

Africa (MNN) -- Windup radios charge cell phones, bring hope

www.mnnonline.org

And here's how the Gospel gets into North Korea,

Spreading the Gospel to North Korea through Radio - International Christian Concern

By Gina Goh 08/04/2021 North Korea (International Christian Concern) – North Korea, the isolated authoritarian nation of North Korea remains no.1 on the Open Doors “World Watch List” of countries where Christians are targeted and persecuted. Under the reign of the Kim family, North Koreans are...

www.persecution.org

What this all means is the Gospel is being preached to all nations, and even in some of the deepest jungles of the world.

As for the deep jungles of Borneo, that was already evangelized before our lifetime, and I'm almost 63!

The story of Borneo Bob | God Reports

In 1939, Bob and Reena and their children set out for Asia with just $12 and God’s promise from Isaiah 58:11: “The Lord shall guide thee continually…”

www.godreports.com

Robert “Borneo Bob” Williams and his wife Rena began their missionary career in Indonesia (then known as the Dutch East Indies) in 1939. Over the next six decades he established schools, clinics, a small boat ministry and a seminary that has trained and sent out hundreds of native Indonesian pastors, teachers and evangelists.

His life story was chronicled in the book, A Promise Kept – the 70-year Ministry of Borneo’s Jungle Evangelist.

Unreached people groups: Unreached People Groups | Global Frontier Missions

There are supposedly many. But if you look at that 10/40 window, I've emailed and talked on phone with people in some of those places, like Vietnam, China, Philippines, and India. And I've either shared the Gospel, or talked with people already saved. And right there is a way to reach them: with modern technology you can call them or email them. It's not difficult at all.

Michie · Jun 8, 2024

Gnarwhal said:
It's something I've been meaning to do for a long time for a few different people, but I always balk at the arrangements.

Mine does it for 10 dollars per Mass.

KevinT · Jun 8, 2024

It's the classic problem of "lumpers" vs "splitters". Using an "-ism" can sometimes save time. Like saying one is a "Christian" establishes many elements with one word. But it also lumps Protestants in with Orthodox Catholic believers. I understand that simply adopting a particular "-ism' often allows a person to hide behind a name and not properly inspect their beliefs. But sometimes, if one does think the entire issue through, there can be value in names of generalized concepts.

I realize you were specifically addressing eschatological terms, and not general Christianity. And also you were speaking only for yourself and what your personal stance is. But when I read this, it struck me as you being opposed to all the named "-isms" in general.

Best wishes,
KT

AlexB23 · Jun 8, 2024

Chrystal-J said:
When I got engaged to my late husband, we were in NYC during Pride Month. I saw topless women marching in the street. There were men with whip marks on their back, dressed in leather. It was like their whole identity was focused on sex. I didn't understand why they were so obsessed with sexuality. It's a pretty pathetic thing to center you're life around.

Gross stuff. I agree entirely with you. This junk belongs in a bedroom (if even that), and definitely not anywhere near me. NYC is a bad city, full of billionaires, pride, and sin.

Diamond72 · Jun 8, 2024

FaithT said:
But Catholics, too, though, right?

The Catholic Church teaches that science and faith are complementary. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that there can never be a real discrepancy between faith and reason. Methodical research in all branches of knowledge, conducted scientifically and in accordance with moral laws, does not conflict with faith. In fact, Catholic scientists—both religious and lay—have led discoveries in various fields 1.

Moreover, Catholics generally accept that science is compatible with the idea that God created the Universe. Pope Francis and the Church continue to look toward science as a positive force 2. So, while faith and reason may differ in their approaches, they need not be at odds. Instead, they can enrich our understanding of the world and its Creator.

tonychanyt · Jun 8, 2024

New King James Version, Job 6:

6 Can flavorless food be eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

in the white
בְּרִ֣יר (bə·rîr)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7388: To flow (like slime)
Strong's Hebrew: 7388. רִיר (riyr) — 2 Occurrences

I.e., raw egg white or albumen.

of an egg?
חַלָּמֽוּת׃ (ḥal·lā·mūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2495: (a plant), probably a purslane
Strong's Hebrew: 2495. חַלָּמוּת (challamuth) — 1 Occurrence

These two words were obscure.

Pulpit Commentary:

Professor Lee suggests "the whey of cheese" for "the white of an egg;" others, "the juice of purslaine."

New International Version:

Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow?

English Standard Version:

Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?

New American Standard Bible:

Can something tasteless be eaten without salt, Or is there any taste in the juice of an alkanet plant?

Legacy Standard Bible:

Can something tasteless be eaten without salt, Or is there any taste in the slime of a yolk?

Brenton Septuagint Translation:

Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?

No one knows what exactly H7388 H2495 was. From the parallelism, it seems to mean something tasteless.

WarriorAngel · Jun 8, 2024

If we take a page out of a suffering souls handbook [post death] they have these in common.

1. So lucky for mercy.
2. I deserve to purge for His Holiness is unfathomable on earth.
3. It's my darkness I must suffer in til I can obtain the Light.
4. Please help me, pray for me my loved ones or sympathetic militant.
5. Rather do time than have complete loss.

JustOneWay · Jun 8, 2024

I prefer my President to not be a convicted felon and a sexual abuser, regardless of their policies. Either way, Donald will never see his face on any American currency. Russian maybe, bur not American.

Richard T · Jun 8, 2024

Too bad the article does not discuss lying witnesses, unethical lawyers, evidence that is forbidden to be introduced, judges bias in all the decision-making and juries that are quite fickle. Also, in science testing is reproduced by others to verify findings. To do that in a courtroom you would need to try cases independently with different judges for at least several times.

Michie · Jun 8, 2024

This Friday June 7th, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. First, here are five facts about the Feast Day from Catholic Digest:

1. The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus took centuries to become a universal celebration
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus goes back to the 11th century. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque had multiple visions of the Sacred Heart between 1673 and 1675. However, it wasn’t until 90 years later in 1765, that the feast was officially celebrated in France. In 1856, Pope Pius IX made the feast of the Sacred Heart into a universal celebration.
2. The first feast of the Sacred Heart was actually celebrated in 1670
Even before St. Margaret Mary Alacoque had her visions of the Sacred Heart there was a recorded celebration of this feast. St. Jean Eudes composed the first Office and Mass of the Sacred Heart. The first feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated on Aug. 31, 1670 in Rennes, France.
3. The feast takes place on the 19th day after Pentecost
The feast of the Sacred Heart is scheduled to be celebrated on the Friday after the octave (eighth day) of the feast of Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi is traditionally the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. However, in the United States, Corpus Christi is instead celebrated on the following Sunday. Despite this, the feast of the Sacred Heart still takes place 19 days after Pentecost.
4. Jesus made 12 promises to those who honor the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque:
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will comfort them in their trials.
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and, above all, in death.
5. I will shed abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners will find in My Heart an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls will become fervent.
8. Fervent souls will rapidly grow in holiness and perfection.
9. I will bless every place where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. The names of those who promote this devotion will be written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
12. I promise thee, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
5. Congregations, states, and groups are consecrated to the Sacred Heart
In 1873, President Gabriel Garcia Moreno issued a petition that led to Ecuador becoming the first country consecrated to the Sacred Heart.

Now, here's the video that shows the raising of the largest Sacred Heart of Jesus flag in the world. The flag location is in Walton, Kentucky, and can be seen from I-71 between exit 72 and 77. Note, the company lifting the flag is named St. Joseph's Company: Crane Service. Perhaps not a coincidence.

Finally, the challenge: share the video with family and friends, and let's make it one of the top viewed videos on You Tube and for the month of June.

Video below.

The largest Sacred Heart of Jesus flag in the world with a challenge to our readers

everydayforlifecanada.blogspot.com

timewerx · Jun 8, 2024

LoricaLady said:
P.S. We are also told not to toss our pearls before the swine or give what is holy to the dogs. The Lord knows whether or not there is fertile ground in a heart. We don't.

That's right. Simply making friends doesn't mean you have shared what is holy because unbelievers can also make friends. That's what I believe.

You're only sharing what is holy when you share the Gospel to another.

Michie · Jun 8, 2024

Mosaic found in extremely early Christian prayer hall removed from prison home, to be displayed at the evangelical-backed Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C.

Last week, expert conservators working at an archaeological site in a northern Israeli prison quietly completed the job of packing up and loading onto trucks one of the most important discoveries made in Israel this century.

The Megiddo Mosaic, which decorated one of oldest Christian prayer halls ever found, will soon fly overseas for a 9-months loan to the Museum of the Bible, Haaretz has learned.

The ancient worship space is located in a maximum-security prison that was built on the site in the 1940s, during the British Mandate. Since its discovery in 2005, the mosaic and the remains of the prayer hall have not been accessible to the general public for security reasons, according to Israeli authorities.

Lending the mosaic out will enable a key historical artifact to be seen by the public for the first time. But some consider the venue chosen to be highly controversial, and the deal showcases Israel's increasing political and cultural ties with far-right, messianically-bent evangelicals in the United States.

Continued below.

Israel lending 'Jesus mosaic' from Armageddon to controversial Bible Museum in U.S.

***

www.haaretz.com

GoldenBoy89 · Jun 8, 2024

hislegacy said:
Maybe Biden is taking notes.

Here’s hoping.

hislegacy said:
He wants his opponent jailed.

Unlike Trump, Joe has never expressed any desire to lock up his opponents. He’s never campaigned on that promise. I guess we can file this along with overturning Obamacare as yet another failed empty promise from the felon candidate.

RandyPNW · Jun 8, 2024

Marilyn C said:
Hi Randy,

If you look at the diagram above you will see the great truths that the Holy Spirit has clarified over the centuries and across the world to the Body of Christ. People were martyred for some of those truths. How blessed we are today to know about all of them.

There has indeed been a stream of movements in historic Christianity with truths rising to fight each challenge. And the Church has expanded, in the process, into a global phenomenon.

We cannot, however, confuse the nominal Church with the spiritual Church. These will always be associated, but imperfectly. The true Christian movement ultimately breaks off from nominal Christian entities that fall too far from apostolic doctrine and the Scriptures, as well as from normal Christian morality.

I would agree, generally, with your sense that these movements represented an historic advance of the Gospel. You may call that "maturation"--I'm fine with that with the qualifying elements I've already given you. A very interesting read I've already given you: Maureen Gaglardi's "Path of the Just" on the Tabernacle. I don't agree with everything she says, but she's quite an interesting figure--I read it back in the early 70s. You may not be able to find this book without a later re-print.

AlexB23 · Jun 8, 2024

Michie said:
The Archdiocese of Washington is set to ordain 16 men to the priesthood later this month, an increase of 10 compared with 2023.

According to the archdiocese, the Mass of Ordination will take place June 15 at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass will be livestreamed on the archdiocesan YouTube channel.

The ordinands this year include a former ER doctor, several who served in the armed forces, and a former D.C. police officer. Last year six men were ordained, according to the Catholic Standard.

Local parishes throughout Maryland and D.C. are hosting Holy Hours in the weeks prior to the 2024 ordination, and Catholics are invited to pray before the Blessed Sacrament for the men who will become priests.

Continued below.

16 men to be ordained to the priesthood in Washington, DC

The ordinands this year include a former ER doctor, several who served in the armed forces, and a former D.C. police officer.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

Cool. We need more priests as a society.

chevyontheriver · Jun 8, 2024

Michie said:
A Dutch bishop has described the Vatican’sFiducia Supplicans declaration, which permits nonliturgical blessings of homosexual couples, as an attempt to “make peace with a secular society.”

However, Auxiliary Bishop Rob Mutsaerts of the Diocese of ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands warned: “Peace at the expense of morality and truth” is a “most merciless peace imaginable.”

“God loves everyone. He loves all sinners, but he hates your sins. He fervently hopes that you will return to him, just as he hoped for the prodigal son’s return. He wants nothing more than for you to share in his love,” Mutsaerts wrote in a foreword to a new book that attacks the declaration.

Titled “The Breached Dam: The Fiducia Supplicans Surrender to the Homosexual Movement,” the book was written by José Antonio Ureta and Julio Loredo de Izcue.

Continued below.

Dutch bishop: Fiducia Supplicans too much ‘in tune with zeitgeist’

Auxiliary Bishop Rob Mutsaerts of the Netherlands warned: “Peace at the expense of morality and truth” is a “most merciless peace imaginable.”

www.catholicnewsagency.com

This bishop is likely going to remain an auxiliary bishop for as long as pope Francis lives. Maybe he will even be Stricklandized.

However he's right. The dam is breached. The zeitgeist is flowing our way without restraint.

chevyontheriver · Jun 8, 2024

Wolseley said:
Design a church by workshop, and all you get is another well-meaning, but essentially irrelevant social agency that tries to be all things to all people, regardless of stance or moral standard. The Faith is stripped of its exceptional nature; there is nothing for people to strive for, because there's no goal that needs to be met. The USCCB has been busy planting both feet firmly in this world, and airily dismissing the spiritual requirements necessary for eternal salvation.

"A flavorless and textureless work of committee-craft" is exactly right. I am reminded of the old saying that a camel is a horse designed by a committee, and that's essentially what we have here. And speaking of camels, as for the truths of the Faith as juxtaposed against the bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo of the "synodal process", let us not forget the words of our Savior to the religious leaders of His time: "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:24)

Did you notice that before the first synod on synodality silliness they had listening sessions and opportunities for input (skewed as it was) and this time they pretty much didn't? I had no chance to tell them what BS this synodality synod stuff has been so far. I think they didn't want to hear it. So the bureaucrats and activists made a bureaucrat and activist document irrelevant to the actual faith. All in NGO-speak. These hijackers are really annoying me.

AlexB23 · Jun 8, 2024

Teresa W. said:
Just wanted to know that I appreciate your analyses very much. Your formatting is much easier for me to read than a long wall of text that I usually give up on. Plus I find them to be very solidly based on scripture.

Hey, thank you. I do not like long walls of text either (have seen a lot of those on the forums), so that is why these analyses are divided into three parts: verse, explanation and relevance.

These are a hybrid between devotionals and exegeses.

Here are the rest of the devotionals: bible analysis

essentialsaltes · Jun 8, 2024

Hello Senator.

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