In North Carolina, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a call that a child was wandering alone on the road on July 7th.

Dispatching an officer to the Waxhaw Indian Trail Road, the child was located and secured, but being autistic and non-verbal, the officer had no idea where the boy had wandered away from.

Being that the responder was a K-9 Unit, and was working alongside his trusty 1-year-old bloodhound Remi, Deputy B. Belk utilized the dog’s incredible sense of smell to “reverse” the normal scent tracking process to find the boy’s home.


“Normally, [scent dogs] track from where a person left to try to find where that person is currently. This time we were doing it reverse,” said Lieutenant Public Information Officer James Maye to CNN.

Continued below.

Over 200 plants will have their species name changed to remove an offensive South African apartheid-era racial slur after the results of a vote from the International Botanical Congress.

In a thoroughly debated session in the recent meeting in Madrid, the vote passed 351 to 205 to rename all current botanical species with the species name caffra to affra.

Margherita Bassi, writing for Smithsonian, explainsthat this means the coast coral tree Erythrina caffrawill be called Erythrina affra and that the decision marks the first time taxonomists have voted in favor of changing offensive scientific names.

Continued below.

We are looking into new technology atmospheric water generators for a potential drinking water solution. In the deep south, our average humidity is about 70%, making water from air possible (the humidity for the last month has been in the 90s). It is a little expensive. I am concerned about maintenance.

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Two Commandments of God

Mat 22:37 KJV "Jesus said unto him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." Mat 22:38 KJV "This is the first and greatest commandment." Mat 22:39 KJV "And the second is like unto it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Mat 22:40 KJV "On these two commandments hang all the law (Col 2:14,15) and the prophets." Rom 10:9-13 Eph 2:9-11

• Isa 5:20 KJV "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
• Isa 30:10 KJV "Which say to the seers, see not; and to the prophets, prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
• Jhn 8:44 KJV "You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

Snare=trapping device such as a trick or temptation

Tricking of Eve

2Co 11:3 KJV "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

Gen 3:1 KJV "Now the serpent (possessed by Lucifer) was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, yes, has God said, you shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" Gen 3:2 KJV "And the woman said unto the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:" Gen 3:3 KJV "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, you shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die." Gen 3:4 KJV "And the serpent said unto the woman, you shall not surely die:" Gen 3:5 KJV "For God does know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Gen 3:6 KJV "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." Gen 3:7 KJV "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."

• Mat 27:4 KJV "Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, “What is that to us? see you to that." Mat 27:5 KJV "And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself."
• 2Ti 3:5 KJV "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2Ti 3:6 KJV "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers (different) lusts," 2Ti 3:7 KJV "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2Ti 3:8 KJV "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." 2Ti 3:9 KJV "But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was."
• Exo 23:33 KJV "They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me: for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto you."
• 1Co 7:35 KJV "And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction."
• 1Ti 3:7 KJV "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
• 1Ti 6:9 KJV "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."

Power of Christ is the Answer to the Snare (Rom 1:16, 1Cor 1:18)

2Ti 2:23-26 KJV "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes’ (divisions)." 2Ti 2:24 KJV "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient," 2Ti 2:25 KJV "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" 2Ti 2:26 KJV "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."

• 1Co 10:13 KJV "There has no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."
• 1Th 3:5 KJV "For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain."
• Luk 14:29 KJV "Lest haply, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him," Luk 14:30 KJV "Saying, this man began to build, and was not able to finish."
• 1Co 9:23 KJV "And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you." 1Co 9:24 KJV "Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize (Rom 14:10 2Cor 5:10)? So run, that you may obtain." 1Co 9:25 KJV "And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." 1Co 9:26 KJV "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air:" 1Co 9:27 KJV "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (stranded)."

The Wiles of the Devil

Wiles=Devious or cunning strategies employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants

Eph 6:11 NKJV "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (trick to deceive) of the devil." Eph 6:12 NKJV "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness (Eph 2:2,3 Col 3:6) in the heavenly places."

• Job 8:13 KJV "So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:" Job 8:14 KJV "Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web." Job 8:15 KJV "He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure."
• Rom 13:12 KJV "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." Rom 13:13 KJV "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying." Rom 13:14 KJV "But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
• 1Co 10:12 KJV "Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." 1Co 10:13 KJV "There has no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1Co 10:14 KJV "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."
• 2Co 2:11 KJV "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us (Christians): for we are not ignorant of his devices."
• Isa 59:5 KJV "They (Isa 59:1-21) hatch cockatrice' (viper snake James 3:8) eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eats of their eggs dies (Rev 20:13-15), and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper." Chapter Matt 23
• 2Co 4:3 KJV "But if our gospel be hidden, it is hid to them that are lost:" 2Co 4:4 KJV "In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image (Heb 1:1-3) of God, should shine unto them."
• 1Pe 5:6 KJV "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:" 1Pe 5:7 KJV "Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you." 1Pe 5:8 KJV "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1Pe 5:9 KJV "Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
• Pro 20:25 KJV "It is a snare to the man who devours that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry."

Denominational Entrapment, Rejection, and Apostasy

This is Rejection of Christ through denominational emotionalism. The truths such as principles of Christ, faith toward God, Resurrection, and Eternal Judgment are Christian Doctrines. Mixed along with emotional denominational beliefs such as perfection, repentance from dead works, baptisms, and laying on of hands.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works (denominational) and of faith toward God, Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms (denominational), and of laying on of hands, (gift no longer used-denominational uses) and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Heb 6:3 And this will we do (continue with), if God permit (allow). (Revelation 2&3 Denominationalism)

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened (informed), and have tasted (sampled is not accepting) of the heavenly gift (Jesus), and were made partakers (to participate with like going on a date) of the Holy Ghost,

Heb 6:5 And have tasted (sampled emotionally excited denominational) the good word of God, and the powers of the (New) world to come (having some knowledge of prophecy),

Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away (denominationalism starts with gradually less excited), to renew them again (bring back) unto repentance (changing of their mind); seeing they (would) crucify to themselves (for the emotional excitement) the Son of God afresh (do it all again for emotional pleasure), and put him (Jesus) to an open (public) shame (worthlessness).

The House of the Unclean Spirit

Luk 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says I will return unto my house whence I came out. Luk 11:25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and garnished. Luk 11:26 Then goes he (unclean spirit) , and take (asks) to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself (unclean spirit); and they (eight unclean spirits) enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Luke 11:24-28 This is an Old Testament Verse

Jesus was still in his ministry explaining the worthlessness of self reformation or moral denominationalism 2Pet 2:17-22. along with Rev 2&3.

This fact check originally appeared on PolitiFact.

MILWAUKEE — The 2024 Republican National Convention opens Monday with the unprecedented and grisly backdrop of its presumptive nominee having survived an assassination attempt.

Former President Donald Trump arrived for the convention in Wisconsin Sunday, a day after a shooter fired a bullet that Trump said struck him in the upper ear just minutes into a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Authorities say the suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, shot and killed Corey Comperatore, a former volunteer fire chief, and critically injured two more attendees before the Secret Service returned fire and killed him.

Twenty-four hours later, Crooks’ motive remained unknown. Members of Congress joined prominent social media accounts in filling the void with evidence-free assertions about what inspired the suspect and his political beliefs.

In an Oval Office address Sunday evening, President Joe Biden pleaded for Americans to “lower the temperature” of their politics, saying political differences should be resolved at the ballot box.

Trump decided to keep his plans and fly here Sunday, saying he did not want to let a “potential assassin” delay his arrival.

There are many unanswered questions.

On Trump’s to-do list heading into the RNC was revealing his running mate. With the assassination attempt dominating the news and the mood, will Trump reveal a name? Will Trump speak? We’re waiting to see how the assassination attempt will influence the lineup and the themes.

Social media platforms flooded with ‘staged’ claims​

Continued below.

Assurance

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.

Jud 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Rom 8:27 And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Eph 1:4 According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved. Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Eph 1:13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Called to the New Birth

1Jn 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.

Mat 16:15 He says unto them, But whom say you that I am? Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in heaven. Mat 16:18 And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mat 16:19 And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Act 2:22 you men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by (1) miracles and (2) wonders and (3) signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know: Act 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Act 2:24 Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Joh 3:4 Nicodemus says unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

The New Man

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Eph 4:24 And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Joh 3:4 Nicodemus says unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again. Joh 3:8 The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not not tell whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Sealing of Christian Saints

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Eph 1:13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

2Co 1:21 Now he which stablishs us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; 2Co 1:22 Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Apostate (Revelation Chapters 2&3)

Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

2Pe 2:20 For if after they (moral denominationalist) have escaped (broken free) the pollutions (foulness) of the world through the knowledge (recognition) of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again (1st) entangled (twisted together) therein, and (2nd) overcome (defeated), the latter end is worse with them (moral denominationalist) than the beginning. 2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known (recognized) the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from (refuse acceptance) the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them (moral denominationalist) according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those (moral denominationalist) who were once enlightened (experienced), and have tasted (experimented with) of the heavenly gift (salvation), and were made partakers (have emotional part in) of the Holy Ghost, Heb 6:5 And have tasted (experimented with) the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, Heb 6:6 If they (moral denominationalist) shall fall away (diminish), to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Users on X, Truth Social, Rumble and Gab have benefited from a series of major events to spread baseless falsehoods as their followers and engagement skyrocket.

After the assassination attempt against former President Donald J. Trump, calmer voices on both sides of the political spectrum called for “lowering the temperature” of today’s toxic political discourse.

By the time President Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race eight days later, the temperature was as scorching as ever.

The internet has churned out a torrent of anger, recrimination and baseless conspiratorial theorizing that has all but drowned out what proved to be short-lived appeals for civility.

The emergence of Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic front-runner touched off new paroxysms of disinformation and explicitly hateful comments. More than one in 10 posts mentioning her on X on Sunday included racist or sexist attacks, according to PeakMetrics, which tracks activity online. They included false claims about her race and whether she was ineligible to run for the presidency because she was not a citizen. (She is a citizen, and she is eligible to run.)

Continued below.

Hey there folks, Im Joseph 50ish guy near Glasgow in Scotland.

I became a Christian in 1992 in a charismatic evangelical church in the south of England.

When i moved back to Scotland i found my Christian journey a great deal harder to engage with, and thus over the years ive come and gone from different churches. And am now still in that neverzone.

I work fulltime as a carer for an elderly family member and thus spare time is at a premium.

In the coming days and weeks whilst i get used to this place I may pose some questions that are important to me, and would hope i can become part of this community.

For now thanks for having me and lets see how this part of journey pans out.

Joseph

Out of all the euphemisms for dying, “meet your maker” is the most intriguing from a Christian perspective. The word “death”, used alone, seems too abrupt and final to describe a process that ends with an exit from this world and an entrance into another realm. Like a child exiting the womb only to enter a new reality, death finds us saying “The Big Adios” to this life, while meeting Jesus a moment later in the next.

For many, facing the reality of death is easier if it’s kept within the nebulosity of figurative language. Diverting to the abstract can enable avoidance of a process that culminates in a “face-to-face” meeting with God. “Dirt nap” and “kicking the bucket” fall short of describing the most meaningful conversation of your life this side of eternity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains:

Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven—through a purification or immediately,—or immediate and everlasting damnation (CCC 1022) .

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The term “retribution” is often viewed as punishment but can also mean reward. The Merriam-Webster definition is “the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter”.

The Particular Judgment is placed at the “moment of death” as stated above. While no detailed account is available, this one-to-one encounter will be with none other than the second person of The Blessed Trinity. A judgment will be rendered immediately, then realized in the General Judgement when the Second Coming occurs.

The Gospel of Matthew gives us this extensive picture:

Continued below.

Bill Barr complicit in misleading voter fraud statement’s release – watchdog​

The former attorney general Bill Barr was personally involved in a decision to release an unusual and misleading justice department statement on the eve of the 2020 election suggesting there may have been voter fraud in Pennsylvania, according to a new inspector general’s report that was released on Thursday.

The 76-page report from the justice department’s Office of the Inspector General focused on the department’s handling of an investigation into nine military ballots that were found discarded in the trash in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Barr briefed Trump on the ballot issue before it was public and the president subsequently disclosed it in a radio interview. David Freed, the US attorney overseeing the matter, also released a statement and letter detailing the investigation.

The announcement was highly charged because it came at a time when Trump was warning the election would be rigged because of mail-in ballots. It was also highly unusual – justice department policy does not allow employees to comment on ongoing investigations before charges are filed, except in limited circumstances.

[Per WaPo: Barr met with Trump before Freed made his statement, according to the report, and told Trump the discarded ballots were votes for him [later it would turn out that 7 of 9 were for Trump, with the other two unknown] — details that had not yet been made public. The next day, Trump repeated that information on a national radio show.]

investigators quickly became aware that evidence might not exist to support criminal charges. The seasonal employee who discarded the ballots appeared to have a mental disability, FBI agents noted on 22 September, and was “remorseful”, “felt horrible” and “never voted/doesn’t vote/didn’t pay attention to it”. The suspect, who was quickly fired, reportedly believed incorrectly the military ballots were fraudulent and discarded them without telling anyone.

Freed and other justice department employees considered releasing a statement in late October 2020 when they decided to close the investigation without charges. The department’s public integrity section had wanted to issue a press release to correct the false public impression about the possibility of fraud, but ultimately the department did not. It was not until 15 January 2021 – well after election day – that the Department of Justice released a statement saying it was closing the investigation.

Barr’s behavior “was certainly not consistent” with [DOJ] guidance, the report said. Barr did not agree to a voluntary interview and the inspector general does not have the power to subpoena testimony from former justice department employees.

Freed, who was the US attorney for the middle district of Pennsylvania at the time, violated justice department policies on not commenting on ongoing investigations and a requirement to consult with the department’s public integrity section before making a statement.

see also

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.—Mt 7:15-16.

Many traditional Catholics today rip on the ultra-leftists because it’s easy to knock out of the park really low-hanging fruit like “Clown Masses” or social-justice warriors to oppose Eucharistic rallies because it detracts from the poor or even pro-abortion “Catholics.” Trads tackling people that far left on the political and theological spectrum are after “easy likes” on Twitter and Instagram.

The bigger problem is that neo-conservative (non-traditional) priests who may be found making pro-life statements or be seen headlining at a national “Eucharistic Congress” will often give heretical answers for nearly every doctrinal question except those two (pro-life and True Presence.) In other words, it’s not good enough to say “Don’t kill babies” and “Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.”

In my article titled 40 “Smaller” Heresies of Modernism, I admitted that such heresies only seemed small. But really, there is no such thing as a small heresy. As you look through that list, I guarantee you that nearly every single American-based clergy-celebrity (except those who are traditionalists in the Catholic Church) will side against the Catholic Church’s classic Magisterium on those 40 issues. For example, if you were to ask a superstar bishop or priest headlining at the recent Eucharistic Congress about the death penalty or evolution or patriarchy or suicide or ecumenism or hell, you would get a radically different answer from me.

Continued below.

Catholic philosopher Wolfgang Smith died last Friday at age 94.

Smith was one of the first in the movement to restore classical metaphysics to physics. Recall all physics must operate with a metaphysics, even when this is denied or the metaphysics is unspoken. The classical metaphysics which Smith championed is now re-blossoming, and this is in great proportion due to Smith.

He was humble to the point of nervousness about his efforts. No, that’s not the right word. “Fear and trembling” are better. His writings evince a deep concern to reconcile his work with dogma. This is expressed best in the book In Quest of Catholicity, a collection of correspondence between Smith and Fr Malachi Martin. Smith had just given the 1998 Templeton Lecture on Christianity and the Natural Sciences, “From Schrodinger’s Cat to Thomistic Ontology“, which he had earlier worried his colleagues would not take well.

Continued below.

I am starting a certificate in divinity program in the Fall at a local college. This is something I am doing for personal/spiritual enrichment

I currently belong to the EFCA Church, and the program is in-line with heir theology/doctrine

but I wanted to ask: what are some good books or study programs I can start looking at now to improve my knowledge in theology? Doesn't have to be completely in-line with the EFCA. Any recommendations would be great

Peace in Christ.

We must come out from among the churches of fleshly-minded men where they worship God in vain as they are teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (their church handwritings of ordinances/dogmas). They prioritize their commandments over God's which are written upon our hearts and minds to keep and serve.

Mar 7:6-8 KJV
(6) He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
(7) Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

They lay aside the commandment of God in order to hold the “tradition”…that is, the transmission…of men. The handwriting is the “transmission” of men handed down from one generation to another.

(8) For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

We are His offspring….and not the other way around. We do not worship Him by our church handwritings of ordinances….which are “graven by and art and man’s device/deliberation.” He is not the product of our own hands...our own church handwritings.

Act 17:28-29 KJV
(28) For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
(29) Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

Yet, the churches of men who are doing such things (keeping and serving the works of their church scribes....the "craftsman") have changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an IMAGE (a handwriting of ordinances) which are made like the outside nations’ documents (their governmental “constitutions”, by-laws, statutes of men, etc).

The men of the outside world/nations that do not have the Spirit of God are like the beasts: birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. They keep and serve their documents that they use to govern and judge themselves rather than have God govern and judge them. We must not copy them in doing these things....making church documents that are patterned after their behavior...their documents.

Rom 1:22-25 KJV
(22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

God gave up those who are keeping and serving their church handwritings of ordinances…the image… to uncleanness….and they dishonor their own mortal bodies between themselves in the gatherings of their “churches”. We become “one flesh” with them when we sit together with them as they worship their “images”.

We are unclean when we sit together with them. We must come out from among them who are worshipping and serving the “creature”…that is, the ordinance…more than the Creator.

(24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
(25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

They change the glory of the immortal/undecaying (through continued existence) God.

We are to inherit “eternal life”….an age-lasting life…in this mortal body. As His people, we are to display the glory of God by never mortally dying. We are to show forth His salvation in this dark and dying world by continuing to mortally live and never dying.

But instead, the churches of fleshly-minded men have changed that glory for “images”…..their handwriting of ordinances…to keep and serve.

Their handwritings are like a “calf” in “Horeb” (meaning "desolation"). The church handwriting of ordinances is the “calf”…..the abomination of “desolation/Horeb”. They worship the “molten image” …the calf….more than they do God.

Psa 106:19-20 KJV
(19) They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

The “ox” eats “grass”…that is, their mortal flesh (“grass”). They mortally perish for doing these things.

(20) Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

All mortal flesh is as grass. When we keep and serve the commandments of men, we mortally perish. We are dead to the rudiments of the world....their handwritings...their documents....with Christ. Why go and be subject to church ordinances which are patterned after the world's documents?

Col 2:20-23 KJV
(20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
(21) (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

We PERISH mortally by the using of the handwritings of church ordinances.

(22) Which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

They do absolutely NOTHING to save our mortal flesh. They are empty and do not profit our mortal bodies.

(23) Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

But when we do the word of the Lord, we ENDURE into the age….having an age-lasting life.

1Pe 1:23-25 KJV
(23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
(24) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
(25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

He who does the will of God ABIDES here in this earth mortally into the age (having an age-lasting life).

1Jn 2:17 KJV
(17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Those who serve their handwritings of ordinances have changed their glory for that which does not profit as their teachings and commandments of men do not do anything to save their mortal flesh. Their writings do not hold any "water"....no living water....no living words of life and spirit. Yet they hew out their own handwritings which are empty and do not have living water in them.

Jer 2:11-14 KJV
(11) Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
(12) Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
(13) For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
(14) Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?

Before this gets memory-holed, and Democrats start engaging in revisionist history. And this is from CNN

Throughout Church history, Christians have frequently been happy to expel each other from the Church. That is no less true today, but what is the proper attitude of the Christian when it comes to schism?

With the excommunication of Archbishop Viganò, the rumors of further crackdowns against the Traditional Mass, the renewed accusations against Traditionalists of being “schismatically-minded,” and, further afield, the rift between Constantinople and Moscow, the word “schism” seems to be extremely popular today. Folk who have no authority to do so happily excommunicate each other—and some take delight in such treatment, as a sort of badge of honor (depending upon who has supposedly expelled them from the Church). There is—and we shall see, has always been—a certain sick joy on either side of schism.

One of the first grounds for schism can be seen as early as A.D. 200, when the antipope Novatian intruded himself into the Roman See because the immediate successor of Pope Fabian, Cornelius I, allowed the lapsi—those who had succumbed to pagan blandishments—to return to the Communion of the Church with minimal penances. The first antipope, Novatian did raise some really important questions; and, for a time, no less than St. Cyprian of Carthage took a similar view. From that day to this, one cause of schism has been a perception that the Church hierarchy—including the pope—are simply not strict enough with regard to erring Catholics; and history would repeat itself with the Donatists and the Luciferians.

This tendency generally arises after a period of persecution of the Church. When things settle down a bit, some of those who have suffered the most for the Church deeply resent those who did not, or even temporarily left. There is a huge temptation to think about one’s own sacrifices in difficult times and become resentful that some should “skate.” It is, in a sense, a bit like the parable of the laborers in the vineyard.

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....President Biden made the right decision to exit the presidential race. It's rare for any political decision to rank so high....

"In the latest New York Times/Siena College poll, released on Thursday, 87 percent of registered voters approved of his decision to drop out. Only 9 percent disapproved."


Share of Americans, or U.S. voters, who…

The Hollywood adaptation of Conclave, Robert Harris’s thriller about a conspiracy to rig a papal election, won’t be in cinemas until November. But judging by the trailer released last week, its starry cast, crafty plot and spectacular cinematography – jets of smoke scattering cardinals as an explosion shatters the Sistine Chapel – will instantly erase memories of The Two Popes, Netflix’s risible Oscar-nominated fantasy in which Benedict XVI secretly chooses Cardinal Bergoglio as his successor.

Perhaps only four cardinal-electors are conservative Latin Mass ritualists, and none stands a chance

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Harris’s novel was published in 2016 and diplomatically set some years in the future, since the unnamed Holy Father lying dead of a heart attack in the Casa Santa Marta was clearly meant to be Francis. When he dies, all cardinals under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote are locked in the Casa between the rounds of ballots. Their mobiles are confiscated and wifi turned off. But what happens if, during the election, the Dean of the College of Cardinals – an Italian in the novel, but played by Ralph Fiennes as the English Cardinal Lawrence in the movie – watches one of the frontrunners sabotage a rival between ballots? And what if a cardinal created in secret by the old pope turns out not to be what he seems?

Some of the details in the book haven’t worn well. Harris’s deceased Holy Father, humble and principled, is nothing like the vindictive, scandal-haunted Francis of 2024. One of the four leading candidates, the Italian Cardinal Tedesco, is a raging traditionalist with dozens of allies among the electors. No such creature could exist today. Perhaps four cardinal-electors are conservative Latin Mass ritualists, and none stands a chance – unsurprisingly, given that 92 of the 120 eligible cardinals were created by Pope Francis.

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In light of the recent high-profile conversions of Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance, Tammy Peterson, Candace Owens, and questionably the enigmatic Russell Brand, many have asked why they chose to enter the Catholic Church. Their answers to this question are public, especially Ms. Owens. She has detailed on several platforms what it is that brought her home to Catholicism. Her reasons, and those of her fellow converts need not be summarized here.

The sad reality is that many, too, leave the Catholic Church. They do so without fanfare but with some good reasons. Many leave the Church looking for succor. They either drift away from religion altogether, find comfort in pantheism, some amorphous “spirituality”, nature, the occult, yoga and meditation, or some protestant denomination. Why are they leaving is being asked too infrequently, and almost never by the correct people. Whether or not the defectors know it, they leave because the Catholic Church today is hiding its depth and its raison d’être to a large degree. Aside from access to the Sacraments, the Church today routinely covers its light with a bushel basket. And regarding the seven Sacraments, access to the pearls was even limited during the Covid response, leaving many to wonder just how important they are to a Catholic Church who left us without them for so long.

At best, the Church does not realize that it is in competition with the secular world for the attention of those in the pews. The Church is not equal to the task of wresting away from people their attention for an hour per week, and if that isn’t bad enough, just as often the Church is distracted itself.

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The world yawns. It can’t be blamed on Israel, and it can’t be fit into the media narrative of Christians as white oppressors and Muslims as brown victims. And so it doesn’t exist.

“ICC Releases Report on Concerning Religious Persecution Trends in Nigeria,” International Christian Concern, July 10, 2024:

7/10/2024 United States (International Christian Concern) — International Christian Concern (ICC) released a report on Wednesday outlining the concerning religious freedom conditions for Christians in Nigeria.

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Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount in Mt 5 and ended it in (ESV) 7:

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,

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teaching,
διδαχῇ (didachē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 1322
Strong's Greek: 1322. διδαχή (didaché) — 30 Occurrences

NASB Translation:
instruction (2), teaching (27), teachings (1).

29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

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was teaching
διδάσκων (didaskōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1321

NKJV:

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

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The same lexeme G1322 appeared in (NKJV) Heb 6:

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

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On this occasion, NKJV decided to translate G1322 as "doctrine".

BDAG:
① the activity of teaching, teaching, instruction ② the content of teaching

I think NKJV overstated G1322 in Heb 6:2. Berean Literal Bible:

instruction about baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

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Moreover:
about baptisms,
βαπτισμῶν (baptismōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 909: Dipping, washing (of a ceremonial character). From baptizo; ablution.
Strong's Greek: 909. βαπτισμός (baptismos) — 5 Occurrences

G909 appeared only 5 times in the NT.

Mark 7:

4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.

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they wash.
βαπτίσωνται (baptisōntai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 907

And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.)

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the washing
βαπτισμοὺς (baptismous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 909

Now back to NKJV, Heb 6:

2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

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English Standard Version:

and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

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What was the doctrine of baptisms in Heb 6:2?

According to ESV, it was the instruction about washings.

A Manhattan federal court sentenced Bevelyn Beatty Williams, a 33-year-old pro-life activist, to three years and five months in prison July 24, 2024, for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act by preaching outside an abortion clinic. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Bevelyn Williams

A Manhattan federal court sentenced Bevelyn Beatty Williams, a 33-year-old pro-life activist, to three years and five months in prison July 24 for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

Williams was convicted of “interference, including by threats and force, with individuals seeking to obtain and provide” abortions, according to the Department of Justice. The wife and mother was sentenced after preaching the Gospel outside an abortion clinic and allegedly injuring a clinic worker’s hand and blocking the entrance.

“I was persecuted as a Christian standing for my beliefs when it comes to life,” read a statement from Williams on her fundraising page. “This is devastating news. Not only is this bond extensive for the accused crime, but she made it very clear in the courtroom that she was going to make an example out of me.”

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On July 25, 1968, St. Paul VI published Humanae Vitae, an encyclical on the regulation of birth and the dangers involved in the use of artificial contraceptive methods and their imposition as state policy. At the time the encyclical was rejected by many even within the Catholic Church.

The document, published at the beginning of the sexual revolution, continues to draw mixed reactions, which is why it's necessary to take a closer look at five key points that allow us to better understand the encyclical, the context in which it was written, its prophetic message, and its validity even today.

1. It is ordinary, definitive, and irreformable magisterial teaching.​

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Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was fooled into boarding a U.S.-bound private plane with Joaquin Guzmán, El Chapo’s son, who was also detained, a DHS official said.

A longtime senior leader of the Sinaloa cartel, Ismael Zambada Garcia, or “El Mayo,” and a son of famed drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán were taken into custody Thursday by U.S. authorities in Texas, according to senior Mexican and U.S. officials. It was a major blow to the Sinaloa federation, a global drug-trafficking syndicate considered the No. 1 supplier of fentanyl to the United States.

A Department of Homeland Security official with knowledge of the arrest said Zambada was fooled into boarding a private plane bound for the United States with the former drug lord’s son, also named Joaquin Guzmán.

The elder Guzmán was arrested in 2016 and convicted of multiple drug charges in the United States. He is serving a life sentence in a Colorado maximum-security prison. He and Zambada were considered co-founders of the Sinaloa cartel.

U.S. had targeted Sinaloa cartel fentanyl production​

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that U.S. authorities had “taken into custody” both Zambada and the younger Guzmán on Thursday in El Paso. They face multiple U.S. charges, including for involvement in the cartel’s “deadly fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks,” according to his statement.

The operation appeared to be part of a deal with Guzmán; it was not clear what potential benefits his family might receive. The two men were arrested in El Paso by the FBI, officials familiar with the operation told The Washington Post.

El Chapo’s son Joaquin had been under pressure from his family to turn himself in to U.S. authorities, according to a former U.S. official with knowledge of the joint investigation by the FBI, DEA and Homeland Security Investigations agents.

[Zambada] is also in a position to provide U.S. authorities with information on corrupt Mexican officials, Callery noted. “We’ll see who he is willing to give up,” he said.

At the Christian school I teach at. A good friend and co teacher quit after this last school year. Now she is trying to teach at another Christian school. I have an idea, but I want to see what people think.

First of all, I decided to start filming talks I have with some of my Christian friends, just asking them about their thoughts on certain topics. It’s something I just want to start posting on my YouTube page. So I decided to film my talk I had with her one time regarding the homosexual agenda. I have it on my YouTube. I want to show it here below. I just have the impression she should show this to her future interviewer at the next Christian school she plans to be in. I’m thinking this might show a lot of her Christian character and also her skills. But I want to see what everyone thinks first. Watch our video below and see if it’s a good idea to show any Christian employer. Do you think this reveals any skills or talents?

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