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Yarddog · 2025-11-09T01:11:33-0600

Landon Caeli said:
If we are to be truly Christ like, we would be compassionate to everyone,, not just the poor... Or the immigrant...

Did Jesus heal everyone? No. Did he love everyone. Yes. I feel compassion for all but I give to the needy.

Landon Caeli said:
Jesus forgives the sins of all.

No, he died for all but all do not receive forgiveness.

Landon Caeli said:
And he fed all.

No, he fed those that came out to listen.

Landon Caeli said:
(I say this because I think it's a very valuable statement)

If only it were accurate.

Perpetual Student · 2025-11-09T01:03:59-0600

Landon Caeli said:
You really don't get it?

What do I really don't get? Please be clear.

Fantine · 2025-11-09T00:49:53-0600

Nithavela said:
Perhaps the minimum age for voting should be raised for women.

Psychologists have proven females hit physical, mental and emotional maturity before males.
So perhaps---no definitely not.

7thKeeper · 2025-11-09T00:42:59-0600

Sportsballfan said:
View attachment 372929

FaithT · 2025-11-09T00:38:06-0600

Michie said:
In an age where comfort is idolized and suffering is to be avoided at all costs, the Catholic crucifix remains a bold proclamation: We preach Christ crucified(1 Cor. 1:23). For many Catholics, the choice to display and venerate a crucifix—rather than a plain cross or a resurrected Christ figure—is not merely a matter of preference. It is a theological statement rooted in the heart of the Church’s liturgical and devotional life.

While the Church emphasizes the crucifix in her liturgy, it’s important to acknowledge that some people are drawn to crosses that depict the Risen Lord in glory. This image can serve as a beautiful reminder that the story does not end at Calvary. Even so, I believe there is a compelling case to be made for crucifixes that portray Christ crucified.

DO NOT EMPTY THE CROSS OF ITS POWER.

St. Paul powerfully exhorts the early Church in Corinth, “We preach Christ crucified…Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:23–24). Earlier in the same chapter, he warns, “Do not allow the cross to be emptied of its power” (v. 17). These words stand in stark contrast to more sanitized or sentimentalized versions of Christian imagery. The crucifix, with the suffering body of Christ nailed to the wood, refuses to let us forget the cost of our redemption.

Continued below.

Crucifixes Should Display Christ Crucified, Not Resurrected - Catholic Exchange

Discover why the Church insists on displaying Christ on the crucifix—not a plain cross—as a sign of the true power of redemption.

catholicexchange.com

I always wear a necklace with either a crucifix or a plain cross. Sometimes I just like wearing a plain cross for its simplicity. Is that wrong?

HARK! · 2025-11-09T00:36:09-0600

Soyeong said:
Joseph knew that it was a sin to commit adultery in Genesis 39:9, which is one of the Ten Commandments, so your claim is demonstrably false.

That is one of my favorite examples of where we see Yah's eternal Torah being observed before Moses.

There are many such examples.

In the beginning was the word.

9Rock9 · 2025-11-09T00:17:41-0600

Fervent said:
It's funny how different paths come to similar conclusions. For me, I've never concerned myself with being orthodox though I didn't want to invent beliefs whole cloth. In the end, I found myself in agreement with a lot of EO doctrine regarding soteriology, the role of tradition and Scripture, and other key issues...but find the mytho-history position compelling(and fits nicely with an iconic/canonical view of Scripture) largely from drawing on a variety of unnamed sources. So to be in agreement with someone who is staunchly reformed is interesting to me.

I've always admired Orthodox Christianity. I find the mystery and mysticism appealing. However, I am still a staunch Protestant in some of my convictions like sola scriptura and justification by faith alone.

I find the Orthodox view of the afterlife intriguing, but idk enough about it to actually have an opinion on it either way.

I always figured I'd make a good monk, but that's not really a thing in evangelical Protestantism.

I guess I'd describe myself as Evangelical in beliefs, but prefer Eastern styles and aesthetics.

FaithT · 2025-11-09T00:16:06-0600

Michie said:
No need to be sorry LB. I get it. There just comes a point in time where we have to just go with the honor system. Be assured that the Lord knows. I’m one of those people that won’t take communion because I do not want to heap anymore condemnation on my head. I know there are a lot of Catholics that may not even be aware of that.

My friends’ husband never goes up to Communion because for some reason he won’t go to Confession.

Isaac the Recluse · 2025-11-09T00:09:37-0600

Chesterton said:
...

That we're talking about your priest does set a new light on all this.

Even in the biggest game of Chinese whispers I doubt the calming of the tantrum could be misunderstood as something sinister. And from a safeguarding point of view, sounds you handled it perfectly.

The "you can hang around us here" all hangs on the intonation. It could actually be a very open, positive invitation to get to know the family better.

And maybe the family simply have rules for themselves about not mixing church social time and family time.

Speak to the Father if you’re still weirded out. Maybe ask him if you're overthinking all this.

In any case, if there's other ways to view Little League, there's your answer to that part.

God bless you, brother.

GodAndChocolateVanilla · 2025-11-09T00:07:27-0600

I think today I will do some Drawing and Digital Art Drawing!! ^w^ :clap:

NxNW · 2025-11-09T00:01:02-0600

FAITH-IN-HIM said:
Do you believe that if the United States reduces its military spending, US adversary such as China, Russia, or Iran will also decrease their military capabilities?

Irrelevant.

.Mikha'el. · 2025-11-08T23:57:46-0600

I am watching a History channel series called Truthseekers. This episode is about Noah's Ark.

Reluctant Theologian · 2025-11-08T23:51:32-0600

rachelrising said:
Well for me in my life I go by (Galatians 3:28) that we are all equal before God, there is no Jew or Greek. God appears passionate about though about trying to call the Israelites which I will support him with, some may wonder why given history how they left him but that is what it looks like in the Bible. I love the lion of Judah really as that represents Jesus and David line roots as well. I find geography interesting, especially how the world was shaped and where my parents descend from. I cannot claim to be an expert on all the other tribes. My parents come from a country with tribes and I am not into them.
I have read that some say that Jesus will not return until more take up the Cross which I find interesting to.

I like Romans 11 and the image of the Olive tree. I have changed it to God's Olive as someone wrote. Some people may want to claim it for themselves though and their own portion.

We're one in Christ and equal before God (heart-to-God), but that doesn't mean there are not still different roles/responsibilities in this life. In Christ master and slave are one, but Paul still exhorts slaves to obey their earthly master, and masters to treat their slaves well and remember they also have a heavenly master. Man/woman are one in Christ but Paul and Peter still emphasise their asymmetric roles towards one another in marriage and in the Church. Being one in Christ does not mean we all have the same station or identical (earthly) obligations in life.

Israel is not an abandoned project by God.

Be blessed!

Truth7t7 · 2025-11-08T23:49:30-0600

Tuur said:
Trump gets something that many miss: Those who voted for him enjoy the discomfort of the Left when he tweaks them and they jump on cue. Those who voted against the other candidate instead of for Trump enjoy it as well. I know an elderly couple who, on election night 2016, stayed up not for the returns but to watch the unhappiness of news anchors reporting the results. That was what they enjoyed seeing. They aren't alone. And that's how various mems about schadenfreude got to be a thing. The Left's not going to like what anyone on the Right does, anyway, whether they troll them or not.

Donald J. Trump could oversee and help find the cure for all cancer and the left would complain about that

I enjoyed watching the recent Nobel Peace Prize winner (Maria Machado From Venezuela), she dedicated the prize to President Trump knowing well he deserved it, showing herself receiving it was a big political disgrace to the deserving recipient Donald J. Trump

johansen · 2025-11-08T23:34:25-0600

i would reply, but i'm not catholic, so, i highly suspect you do not want my opinion.

Gnarwhal · 2025-11-08T23:25:11-0600

Not for nothing but Taylor Marshall just put out a book called Christian Patriot, and I know he stresses the distinction between nationalism and patriotism, and says patriotism is a good whereas nationalism not so much. It's either problematic itself or can at least lead to other modes of thinking that are.

BCP1928 · 2025-11-08T23:25:00-0600

Oompa Loompa said:
Sure. If I just quit my job

Yeah. Like I said previously. My household can be "at or below the poverty level" if I were to legally divorce my wife and continue living with her. She would be legally left as a single, unemployed mother of four and just raking in all the benefits and subsidies while I just kept working my same home and bringing home the same income. This is the game that so many people are playing. This is the political incentivisation of the single mother. Heck, why should a woman not get herself knocked up by multiple men and rake in thousands of dollars in entitlements and child support? Would it not be foolish to get married and lose the additional income and subsidies? I will tell you that I personally have family members who are single mothers with multiple baby-daddies who refuse to get a job and live better than I do, who consider people like me a "sucker and loser" because they have manipulated the system more than I.

If you can make more money living on welfare than you can by working then your employer is screwing you over. Quitting and living on welfare would be the right thing to do if you can't get a better paying job.

CoreyD · 2025-11-08T23:14:37-0600

Job 33:6 said:
But again, the point here that you're ignoring is that nothing material actually comes into existence.

According to Job 33:6 on an internet forum?
Of course I am ignoring that. Why should I not ignore a claim from someone who makes claims constantly without any reliable source backing her up?

Do you swallow everything every person opens their mouth and tell you, when they cannot support what they say?
Is that not gullible?
I'm not doing that.

So, you are saying no house came into existence; No shoes came into existence; No plant came into existence... right?
Please... please name one reputable scientist that agrees with you.
To originate means to begin to exist.
Did the areophane have an origin? Was there a time it did not exist?

Job 33:6 said:
God isn't transplanting hearts. It's not about physical matter coming into existence.

J. You make some wild absurd claims, I have to say.
When you support these wild claims, you would have said something worth considering.

You obviously can't support any of your claims, because I gave you the opportunity in one of my previous response to you, and you had nothing to say. So, it looks like we aren't going to be hearing anything factual from you at any time.
However, life is full of surprises. Surprise me.

Hans Blaster · 2025-11-08T23:10:37-0600

BPPLEE said:
Makes one wonder how an ignorant, dim witted old man became a billionaire

Inheritance

BPPLEE said:
and was elected president twice

he's not the only one.

GodDoesListen55 · 2025-11-08T23:00:05-0600

Anonymous0210 said:
why is that?

I have a lot going on right now, and I am feeling just a little drained, that's all.

RandyPNW · 2025-11-08T22:55:17-0600

Douggg said:
Randy, the 24 elders were wearing crowns of gold - Revelation 4:4.

So I don't think they are angels, but significant figures in the bible who loved and worshiped God. We are not told each one's specific personal identity.

In Revelation 5:10, the 24 elders said...

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

So, I don't think the 24 elders are angels.

The symbolism carried by the 24 elders may symbolize something that they're doing on behalf of men, or they may be keys to identifying who they are. I happen to believe they are angels because I don't believe this heavenly scene conveys the presence of men, but rather, of angels in the millions, and probably many more.

In the OT we have the cherubim who are thought to be angels with special callings. And they also had appearances with symbolic inferences to men.

The cherubim in the garden of Eden were associated with a flaming sword that guarded the way to the Tree of Life. A sword infers a human weapon.

In Isa 6, seraphim had faces, feet, and carried a live coal in their hand. These anatomical features also infer something human.

In Eze 1, the cherubim had human faces and had feet that appeared like bronze. Again, the inference is human, though we know these were angelic creatures. The fact the cherubim in Rev 4 had crowns of gold infers something human, but is also likely angelic.

The centerpiece of the story of Revelation is the Lamb's sacrifice on behalf of men so that we may enter the Kingdom of heaven. So, these angels around the throne, including the cherubim, are carrying out acts on behalf of mankind, who were called from the beginning to rule on earth.

We are called to be lords, in a sense, over a chaotic earth, by remaining true to the judgment of God and true to the image of God for which we were created. Once man fell, it became the job of those redeemed by Christ to reflect God's truth and righteousness, through which He will judge the wicked earth.

Gen 1.26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

.Mikha'el. · 2025-11-08T22:43:29-0600

I am watching The Twister: Caught in the Storm now

fhansen · 2025-11-08T22:36:17-0600

Dikaioumenoi said:
What are you talking about? Who says "the means is strictly His regenerating them"?

Well, not according to me but I believe your theology maintains that a person is regenerated first? And then believes, repents, etc. as a result?

Dikaioumenoi said:
Are you intentionally being obstinate? You're not even listening to what it is I'm saying. Look at the verse:

"No one can come to me..."

That is a statement of inability, not unwillingness. How does one obtain the ability to come to Christ? The verse continues:

"...unless the Father... draws him."

So who is able to come to Christ? Those drawn, and only those drawn. If you are not drawn, you cannot come. You said, "He gives enough grace for them to come." Yes, that's called drawing:

"No one can come to me... unless the Father draws him."

If not A, then not B. If not drawn, then not able. The drawing is the grace of God that enables sinners to come to Him. So, is it possible for someone to come to Christ if the Father does not succeed in that enabling activity?

Why? Methinks you're the one being obstinate here. Enabling someoone to do something simply doesn't mean they'll do it! So of course the Father can enable without succeeding. I've worked with drug addicts and they can be given all the reason and means to change, but that doesn't mean they will. They have to want it, as we must with God once we see the treasure He offers, and then continue wanting it, continuing to value that treasure, to value Him and our relationship with Him.

Dikaioumenoi said:
What does the rest of the verse say?

The group He's speaking of: those who came, and in light of the fuller counsel of Scripture, remained and persevered to the end in doing good, being holy, producing good fruit etc, He will raise up.

Dikaioumenoi said:
I'm asking out of curiosity; the point isn't a relevant one. Plato is Classical, Modern is Modern. Neither is Koine. The language has changed significantly between those three periods. Words in Classical Greek frequently carry specialized meanings limited to philosophical contexts, and Modern Greek is even further removed, with vast lexical and semantic drift. Appealing to Modern Greek usage is like using Modern English to define the meaning of words in Shakespearean English. It's anachronistic.

But it's a case of a certain possible meaning from the two time periods I referred to, that sandwich the period in question, with both at least offering or establishing a reasonable pattern, while you've maintained that the word must adhere to a certain meaning only, without offering anything other than opinion as far as I know. Anyway, from my understanding, being no expert in either Greek or Plato, he said this in line 238 of Phaedrus as one instance of his use of the word:
"Now when opinion, guided by reason, leads and prevails, this is called temperance; but when desire, leading unreasonably and dragging (ἑλκούσης) us toward pleasures and having become the master within us, is given the name hubris (wantonness/arrogance)."

Dikaioumenoi said:
And in all of this you still fail to recognize that this whole line of argument -- trying to attach a softer meaning to ἑλκύω -- is undermining your position, not helping it.

Ok, except that I don't see how God, making it possible to come without making it inescapable, such that there's no excuse for a person to fail to come other than their own prideful willfull stubborness, and as if justice, itself, demands that they do come, that they accept the light after all He's shown and done for them, should be a problem with all of Scripture in general or specifically here as the word is used in the sense of "appeal", "coax", "persuade". Maybe you can point me to your post where you explained it and I'll reconsider.

Tom D · 2025-11-08T22:29:29-0600

Johann Weisman had everything: good income, status, and a life of extravagance. A celebrated doctor turned
businessman, he lived in a world where nothing came cheap. He scoffed at meals below $20, considering
them an insult to his refined palate.

One evening, to celebrate securing a new contract, Johann and his business partner Hans set out in search
of a fitting restaurant in Vienna. Their demanding tastes and fussiness turned the search into a prolonged
ordeal, as they scoured the city for an establishment that could match their impossibly high standards—even
though every venue they encountered was among the most expensive in town. They sneered at each upscale
spot, dismissing the polished menus and lavish decor as unworthy.

At one glittering venue with sky-high prices, Johann spat, "This dump has the unrefined charm of a grimy
cafeteria built for drifters," while Hans derided another, branding it "a pathetic food truck on wheels that dares to
charge extortionate rates." At yet another high-end restaurant, Johann smirked and added, "This looks like a place
for the homeless." Their disdain was palpable, their arrogance unrelenting.

After nearly 5 hours of scrutinizing menus and scoping out venues, they finally settled on an upscale location
that promised a first-rate experience. Bringing with them aged whiskey and expensive cigars, the pair were
preparing to indulge freely. But they were kicked out after only 20 minutes—abruptly told it was closing time.
They staggered out into the city streets, their judgment clouded by their revelry. They didn’t notice the black
van parked nearby until it was too late.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The van screeched forward, headlights blinding. Before Johann could react, rough hands yanked him back. A
hood was shoved over his head, muffling Hans’s protests as they struggled. Their kidnappers moved swiftly,
bundling Johann into the van while leaving Hans behind. Johann’s world blurred into darkness.
Johann’s new reality began in a dim room in the beautiful rural town of Bad Goisern on Lake Halstatt. His two
kidnappers' goal was to demand a ransom of 2 million.

The two kidnappers were Robert and Rune—known to their friends as Rob and Run. They sat slouched in the
dim room, their cigarettes dangling lazily from their fingers. A half-empty bag of fast food sat between them,
grease stains spreading across the table.

Rob: "After we get the money, we’ll be set for life. A life of eating and drinking without work...or learning,.... Just
happy days ahead."
Run: "Yeah....our dream lifestyle is not far away...Ha, ha..."
Then they started to laugh, which got louder and louder, their mouths stretching wide, exposing every inch of
their cigarette-stained front teeth.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eventually, the kidnappers dragged themselves back to reality and walked into Johann’s room, the ransom
note clutched tightly in the first one's hand.

"Alright, doc," Rob said, leaning against the doorway with a smirk. "Time to make your family cough up the
cash. Two million bucks—that’s all we’re asking. Not too much."
Run chimed in, "Yeah, they’ll pay to get you back. I mean, who wouldn’t? You’re worth it, right?"
Johann, calm and composed, met their gaze. "My family’s wealth has declined a lot, We don’t even have two
thousand, let alone two million. They won’t pay you two million."
Rob and Run looked at each other for a while, then Rob’s smirk faltered, replaced by a confused frown. "What’re
you talking about? You’re rich!"
Johann: "You're wasting your time..."
The two kidnappers looked at each other, not knowing what to say.....

The two kidnappers grew increasingly frustrated. A few hours later, they inspected Johann's clothes and took
most of his money and valuables away, leaving only some coins.
Johann’s response remained unchanged, and boredom crept into the kidnappers’ routine, dulling their edge.
Cigarettes became their distraction, their escape from the monotony. They smoked constantly, the acrid fumes
filling the small room.

Noticing this, Johann attempted to turn the situation to his advantage. “This air,” he said one evening,
coughing dramatically. “It’s unhealthy. You’re smoking yourselves to death, and you’re taking me with you.”
The kidnappers laughed dismissively. “No, you’re bluffing, doc,” one of them sneered, exhaling a plume of
smoke. “We’ve been smoking our whole lives, and we’re fine. I don't think it's harmful.”
Johann frowned, retreating into silence. He bided his time, observing them as they grew more restless and
started chain-smoking even more.
Over the next few days, the smoke thickened, clinging to the air like a suffocating fog. Johann, who had been
coughing intermittently, noticed the kidnappers themselves beginning to cough more frequently. They rubbed
their throats, visibly annoyed.
Sensing his opportunity, Johann struck again. This time, his words carried more weight. “You see? Even you
can’t ignore it anymore. This air is toxic,” he rasped, clutching his chest. “It’s not just me—it’s affecting you
too.”
The kidnappers, though still skeptical, exchanged uneasy glances. Their growing discomfort validated
Johann’s claims, and he seized on their hesitation. “If I die,” he said weakly, “you lose everything. No ransom.
You’ll have nothing to show for your trouble. I need a specific medicine to counteract this.”
Their resolve finally faltered. Reluctant but desperate to keep him alive, they asked Johann what medicine he
needed. Johann provided them with a list of ingredients: vinegar, ground nutmeg, crushed chili peppers, and
adelwez. He explained that the ingredients must be cooked together and insisted the concoction be prepared
with all windows closed to retain potency.
Johann explained carefully, emphasizing that the ingredients must be cooked together in precise proportions
to ensure the mixture’s potency. He insisted the concoction be prepared with all windows tightly shut, claiming
that even the faintest draft could weaken its effectiveness.
Many people know it's dangerous to cook while closing all windows, but not them.
Knowing nothing of the risks, the kidnappers followed his instructions, bolting the windows and sealing every
crack.

The small, dimly lit room grew increasingly stifling, the air turning thick and oppressive. As the mixture simmered on their wood-burning stove, an ominous transformation began. A new toxic gas crept into the room, its presence subtle but a bit dangerous. Apart from that, the lack of ventilation caused carbon monoxide levels to rise imperceptibly, unnoticed by the kidnappers who remained focused on their ransom plans.
Johann, fully aware of the consequences, stayed low to the ground, breathing the marginally clearer air near
the bottom edge of the door. From his position, he watched intently as the effects of the gas began to take
hold. Gradually, their movements slowed, their once-brisk actions reduced to sluggish, clumsy gestures. Their
speech became slurred and incoherent, their heads drooping as if weighted down by invisible hands. Johann
remained still, his heart pounding, as the room sank into a suffocating silence.

One by one, they fainted. The older among them slumped heavily against the wall, his cigarette slipping from
his limp fingers to the floor below. The other stumbled forward, falling to his knees as he mumbled something
incomprehensible before collapsing in a motionless heap.

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