• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

The Blaze’s Pipe-Bomb Bombshell Appears to Bomb; The right-wing outlet claimed to solve the Jan. 6th pipe-bomb mystery

The Blaze’s Pipe-Bomb Bombshell Appears to Bomb

The right-wing outlet claimed to solve the Jan. 6th pipe-bomb mystery​

EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, the Blaze published the most hyped investigation from a right-wing media outlet in recent memory—an exposé on what it claimed was the likely identity of the January 6th pipe bomber.

In the Blaze’s telling, a female former Capitol Police officer who joined the CIA shortly after January 6th was “a forensic match” for the individual caught on camera footage the night before. The article, which included the woman’s name and several pictures of her, purported to be buttressed by “gait analysis” comparing the ex-officer to videos of the bomber.

The article’s claims ... were quickly picked up by leading Republicans, including Trump appointee Kari Lake and several Republican members of Congress. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), the chair of the House’s new January 6th subcommittee ... Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). Rep. Anna Paulina Luna declared on X that “a capitol police officer placed a pipe bomb at the RNC on J6,” adding that the Blaze story was proof that Republicans would “all be in the gulag” if not for Trump.

Two days later, it seems like that excitement may have been more than a little overcooked. Rather than matching the Blaze’s reporting, rival January 6th reporters on the right are casting doubt on its conclusion.

In a sign of how things are going, Luna has quietly deleted her post about the woman’s identity.

When Trump took office again, MAGA expected answers. But, frustratingly for the right, the installation of Trump diehards like Kash Patel and Dan Bongino as the leaders of the FBI hasn’t turned up any more information.

After landmark lawsuits resulted in rulings against InfoWars and Fox News over conspiracy theories, putting them on the hook for massive amounts in damages, right-wing pundits have tended to go after more vaporous groups like the “cabal” or even just an unnamed “they,” the better to avoid the prospect of a similarly damaging libel suit. The fact that Baker had named and published photos of a specific person gave the impression that he might actually have the goods.

Now it gives the impression of an imminent damaging libel suit.

CBS Bay Area says "dozens of mostly peaceful protestors" at Turning Point Event, Justice Department investigating violent riot

On Monday night, dozens of mostly peaceful protestors gathered near the Turning Point event on the university's campus, and scuffles broke out between police and some protestors, videos of the demonstrations show. At one point, somebody threw smoke bombs, CBS News Bay Area reported

They just don't seem able to help themselves. Did any news outlet report "mostly peaceful protestors" at J6?

Florida Man says "poor decisions" led to “rightful” arrest, termination after he threw tea on a Pride flag and then tore it down

Sir, this is a Starbucks.

Fired For Pride Flag Stunt At Starbucks

Tucker Kemp, 31, was busted in late-October following an incident at a Starbucks in St. Petersburg, Florida, not far from where he worked as a sales manager for the Dignity Memorial funeral home chain.

Kemp, cops reported, told a Starbucks manager he was “offended by the flag and the fact that they should put up an American flag.” Kemp subsequently “decided to take matters in his own hand,” according to an arrest report. He doused the Pride flag with his drink, ripped it off the wall, and then stuffed it in the trash.

“I made some poor decisions that led to my rightful arrest and termination from my career at the funeral home,” wrote Kemp [to the judge]

His Facebook intro declares, “Priorities: 1.God 2.Family 3.Business.” His updated LinkedIn profile describes him as a “Dynamic sales leader open to career opportunities

Why Zohran Mamdani won and New York will pay a terrible price

Zohran Mamdani has been elected mayor of New York, the USA’s most populous city. Mamdani, 34, is a self-professed Democratic Socialist and a Muslim. He was elected with just a shade over 50% of the vote in a 3-way race with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

How did New York City, arguably the world capital of capitalism, elect a Democratic Socialist (on a good day) and a Communist (on a bad day) mayor? If one takes issue with the word Communist, I would submit as evidence Mamdani’s statement that “you must seize the means of production” (emphasis supplied).

Mamdani ran on a platform including free childcare up to and including age 5, a rent freeze on the city’s over 1 million rent-controlled apartments, free (and “fast”) bus service, and government-run grocery stores.

When you break the race down by income groups, the results are surprising and informative. Mr. Cuomo won among the lowest income group (under $30,000 by 50% to 42%) and the highest income group ($300,000 or more, 62% to 38%). However, the former governor lost everywhere in between to the young Socialist. Among the $30,000 to $49,999 group, Mamdani won (52% to 40%).

Among the $50,000 to $99,999 group and the $100,000-$199,999 group, Mamdani won 58% to 38%. Among the $200,999-$299,999 annual income group, Mamdani won 56% to 42%. So Mamdani won decisively among all but the lowest and highest income groups.

When broken down by age groups, Mamdani won 18 to 29-year-olds 77% to 20% and among the 30-44 age group, 70% to 27%. Cuomo carried the 45-64 age group 49% to 47% and those 65 and over voted for Cuomo 54% to 38%.

Continued below.
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Violent Protests Erupt Outside Turning Point USA Event at UC Berkeley

At the University of California Berkeley on Monday (Nov. 10), a bloody clash erupted as hundreds of people protested a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event. The final stop of the “American Comeback Tour” occurred two months after TPUSA cofounder Charlie Kirk was assassinated on a Utah campus. The Berkeley stop also was the organization’s first visit to California since Kirk’s death.

Video of the melee showed masked protesters chanting and waving signs. One man wearing a “Freedom” T-shirt had blood dripping down his face. Some protesters lit firebombs, hurled glass containers, and threw rocks at police in riot gear. According to news reports, four people were arrested.

Event cohost Frank Turek, a Christian apologist who mentored Kirk, recalled telling Kirk how much he wanted to attend the Berkeley event. “It is so progressive and liberal in [its] views,” Turek said of the university, “and I wanted to provide evidence that Christianity was indeed true.”

Chaos Outside UC Berkeley’s TPUSA Event


Continued below.

Missouri Pastor Defends Polygamy After Taking Second Wife

Rich Tidwell, a Missouri pastor, is arguing that the Bible allows for polygamy after announcing his marriage to a second wife, who is expecting his eighth child.

Tidwell, the pastor of Ormond Church in Canton, argues extensively in a sermon titled “David’s Two Wife” and a long-form article titled “On Plural Marriage” that the Scriptures nowhere prohibit men from marrying multiple wives. In fact, he argues, polygamous marriages are “divinely ordained.”

Ormond Church describes itself as a place “to hear God’s Word, to grow strong in faith, and to serve Jesus together in love…as we draw closer to the Resurrection!”

Continued below.

Trump’s Truth Social AI ChatBot Keeps Fact-Checking Him

According to The Bulwark, Trump’s social media company quietly rolled out a new “AI-powered search tool” just weeks after he signed an executive order banning so-called “Woke AI” in the federal government. The irony? Trump’s own AI isn’t just “woke” — it’s wide awake.
...
Did Trump’s tariffs cost Americans money? “Yes.”
Did he lie about the 2020 election being stolen? “Yes.”
Was January 6 Trump’s fault? “Yes.”
Has he ended any wars since returning to office? “None.”
Have grocery prices gone down? “Short answer: No.”

Democrats finally vote to open Government

Interesting how both Republicans and Democrats now , all agree, that the Democrat senators' vote to reopen the government,a vote to end the shutdown, is what actually ENDs it, since all the republicans were ALREADY voting to open it under the clean "CR" these 14 times.


www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/which-8-senate-democrats-voted-with-republicans-to-end-the-government-shutdown/ar-AA1Q7wmX?ocid=BingNewsSer

Prior to this moment of unity, the "spin" was that "we have a Republican President, Republican Congress, Republican Senate - so then it is Republicans that are keeping the government shut down no matter how many times they all vote to open the government and resume negotiations".

Air Traffic related Labor unions were not confused by the Democrat talking point rhetoric. They were all asking the Democrats to reopen the government.

I wonder how many , laid-off, out-of-funds victims of that 40 day shutdown were actually "confused" by the "it must be Republicans shutting down the government, blame them" song and dance. Only to see in the light of today that it was Republicans voting to restore funding, and avoid having people go without paychecks and until we see 8 democrats vote with them, it was simply "not enough" to budge the bolder Democrats were creating.

The more Democrats pour contempt on their fellow Democrats that voted relief for the victims of the Schumer Shutdown, the more blatantly obvious they make it that it was in fact Democrats that were victimizing Americans by the shutdown.

And why those "Eight"? Because they were immune from the threat of being primaried/bullied in the next election.
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Bear Grylls says writing about Jesus was the ‘hardest thing’ he’s ever done: ‘It’s a battleground’

Bear Grylls has dangled from helicopters over Arctic ice fields, crossed shark-infested waters and scaled the world’s highest peaks. But, according to the British adventurer, the “hardest and best thing” he’s ever done wasn’t surviving the wild, it was writing The Greatest Story Ever Told, a book about Jesus.

“This is the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done,” the 51-year-old author and TV host told The Christian Post. “I’d give up every Everest summit, every Emmy, every TV show I’ve done to have written this book.”

From “Man vs. Wild” to “Running Wild with Bear Grylls,” Grylls, a former British Special Forces soldier and Everest mountaineer, has built a global audience by showing how courage and endurance can overcome even nature’s most brutal challenges.

But his greatest burden today, he told CP, is sharing with the world the hope that can only come from a relationship with Jesus.

Continued below.
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What do you do when your pastor embraces gender ideology?

Seeing local news coverage of a church picnic usually wouldn’t raise an eyebrow. But this one caught my attention — it was hosted by a pastor I’d once known well, and the event was promoted as a “celebration of love and inclusion” for those who had attended the town’s pride parade.

At first, I assumed it might be an outreach — a chance to share the Gospel with people who rarely set foot in church. But a quick look at the church’s website told a different story. This congregation, once solidly Evangelical, now proudly affirmed LGBT identities and behaviors.

A friend who shared my concern asked if I would join her in meeting with the pastor. She had known him for years — he had baptized her daughter when she was a young teenager. Back then, he spoke clearly about the goodness of God’s design for male and female. I remembered hearing him lament that professors at his seminary were “pushing pro-gay theology” and how dismayed he was by the drift in the Church.

Now, the drift had reached his own pulpit.

When we arrived at his office, the change was visible before a word was spoken. Rainbow symbols appeared in the artwork on his walls and in the books on his shelves. My friend began by sharing the heartbreaking story of how her daughter had been drawn into gender ideology during the pandemic.

Continued below.
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Ohio school district blocked from enforcing pronouns policies by federal appeals court

A federal appeals court has barred an Ohio school district from enforcing policies that opponents say compel students to use preferred pronouns for students who trans identify, as litigation surrounding the matter continues.

In a divided en banc ruling last week, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the parental rights advocacy group Defending Education in its litigation over a policy in the Olentangy Local School District in Ohio that plaintiffs warned could punish students for referring to trans-identified and nonbinary students using their given name and pronouns as opposed to their preferred name and pronouns.

The 6th Circuit granted Defending Education’s request for a preliminary injunction, ruling that it was likely to succeed on the merits of its First Amendment arguments. The en banc ruling overturned earlier rulings from a federal judge and a 6th Circuit panel.

Continued below.

  • Locked
Woman calling churches

There is a woman who is calling churches (and now other institutions) with audio of a crying baby in the background asking for formula foe their child as they had no money.
Woman Pretends to Need Baby Formula & Exposes Churches That Refuse to Help

The results at this point have been a distinct condemnation of Christians in America.

What has been a particular salt in the wound is that other organizations have so far been proven to be far more consistent that churches in providing relief. I believe she's set to continue and will update results. You can find this story on multiple sites if you don't like this source.

Now, I can certainly say that this is not any kind of scientific study but as I understand she makes videos of these calls. The results are irrefutable.

American christians: What happenned? You are, purportedly the most charitable group but...if it isn't going to a woman with no baby food is it maybe just going back into your own congregations or salaries? Something needs to change.
I can't imagine just as a human being allowing that to happen.

Midrash "VaYera" Torah Portion "Gen 18:1-22:24"

“VaYERA” (and he appeared) GENESIS 18:1-22:24


YHVH appears to Abraham at his tent, yet it also says that “three” men appeared to him. He addresses them as LORD (YHVH), how is that? One can only wonder. Could one of them be YHVH incarnate and the other two ministering angels? We might see a representation of ELOHIM “Av” (father), “Ben” (son), and “Ruach HaKodesh” (Holy Spirit)? This could lead to a lengthy discussion. All we know is that Abraham receives them with great hospitality. They eat and then they bless. This is pretty much how it works even today. We receive blessings from HaShem, but many times, we bless others, help others, and blessings follow.

Abram addresses the "men” (Shelosh anashim) as “Adonai”. In one Hebrew-English translation, the word “lords’ is used, yet in another, the word “Lord” is used. But in both translations, the word “Adonai” is used, which is “Master,” and it is one of the names of G-d. The “men” are indeed God, walking and talking with Abram.

Abraham shows hospitality to these “men” in that he prepares for them 4 items of food: water, bread, milk, and meat.” It is a great mitzvah to show love and hospitality to others who are outside of your family. Blessed are the foster parents and those parents who adopt unwanted children from other homes and bring them into their own homes as their “adopted children,” just as Adonai has adopted “all believers” into HIS family through our faith in Yeshua. In that way, ALL believers are “B’nei Elohim” (sons of God)

Adonai repays Abraham’s kindness to those “three men”. Not only does He grant Abraham and Sarah a son, “Yitzchak,” but generations down the line, He provides “water” in the desert through the “ROCK” that was split, He provides “Bread” (manna) in the desert, and of course, the cattle of the Israelites produced “milk and meat”. On another level, we see “Yeshua” in all of these. Yeshua is the “Living Water,” the “Bread of Life,” and the Torah is our “Milk and meat”. I guess we can say that all believers start by digesting the “milk’ of the Word, the easy stuff to understand, and when we mature, we can digest the “meat,” the more difficult stuff to understand.

Can we bless “Adonai?” We know that He blesses us in many ways and forms, but how do we “Bless” YHVH? “Baruch” (bless) comes from the word “Berek”, which means “knee”. When we “bow” the knee in praise and worship, we are, in fact, “blessing” Adonai. We come to pray, asking for “this and that,” but do we just come and thank HIM for just who He is?

He announces the birth of “Yitzchak,” yet Sarah laughs in disbelief, “within herself” not even out loud, or, just barely audible, yet YHVH hears her and asks, “Why did Sarah laugh? Yeah, but thou didst laugh.” Can anything be hidden from the LORD? Even inside us, HE KNOWS what is going on inside us, within the heart, within our minds, HE KNOWS ALL THINGS, even the “not so kosher” things. Something to think about the next time we think we are alone. We really are NOT alone.

Abraham intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah, yet there were not even ten righteous residents of Sodom. Had Abraham asked, “Will you not spare Sodom for only ONE righteous person?” what do you think that the LORD would have answered? Maybe YES? If that had been so, then perhaps Lot and his family might have never left the city! Lot was still considered a “Tzadik,” a righteous person, yet he was living in a sinful and totally corrupt city. That is a dangerous position to be in, to be comfortable in a place where you have no business to be in! or participate in activities that the Lost World does. “By the skin of their teeth,” one might say, the angel drags Lot, his wife, and two daughters out of there before the judgment of destruction begins.

However, we can think back to when the scripture says that “Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom”. He wasn’t there yet; he was close, but then, he was INSIDE Sodom. He even bought a house, perhaps even started a business. We read that he was “at the gates of Sodom” when he invited the angels to come spend the night with him and his family. Those who were at the “gates” of the city were “greeters’ sort of saying, perhaps, “city officials and judges.” Maybe Lot was involved with politics. We can only guess; The Torah doesn’t go into detail about Lot’s life inside Sodom.

We know that before, he had many cattle. What happened to his cattle? Did he sell the cattle to buy the house? What happened to his tents? Traded it all for a life of “excitement?” inside the city? We must say that when families move to places or into corrupt neighborhoods, one might expect that the families also can suffer under corruption.

It isn’t easy to maintain one’s testimony in a pagan society or workplace, but it isn’t impossible. Lot was considered “righteous” in the New Covenant, yet his family suffered. When the angels led Lot and his family (wife and two daughters) out of the city, they were told not to “look back,” yet we remember that Lot’s wife DID look, and behold, she became a pillar of salt. She longed for her lifestyle in corrupt Sodom.

On the other hand, Lot’s daughters had sex with him and produced two sons: Moab and Ammon. The capital city, Amman, in Jordan, is named after “Ammon,” and the Moabites were also a corrupt, idol-worshiping people. But God has his hand in ALL situations. Remember that “Ruth” was a Moabitess, yet she became a “Y’hudit” and became part of God’s people, and Ruth is in the genealogy of Messiah Yeshua. Adonai can make a negative situation or decision and do something with it, something wonderful.

One thing we remember from Parashah “Noach”, the Torah says that “Noah was righteous in HIS generation.” Does that mean that if he were living in the time of Abraham, he might not have been considered so righteous? If yes, why? Did Noah plead for the lost world before the flood? Did he ask YHVH to save the world IF there could be found a handful of righteous people? We know what transpired during the years that it took Noach to build the ark. He was a preacher and warned the people of judgment. No one responded

In the book of Enoch, we know that Enoch warned the giants of impending judgment. In Noah’s case, the Torah is silent. We do see that Abraham pleads for the innocent people in Sodom. We know that there were probably infants and very young kids who were innocent. Sad to say that they, too, were destroyed; however, they are in heaven today because they died as innocent creations.

The command of the angel to Lot and his family was “don’t look back,” yet Lot’s wife DID look back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Does it really matter what YHVH turned her into? Might as well have been a loaf of bread, a donut, a fudge brownie, a…that fact of the matter is that she DID turn and look back. This is meaningful, indicating that she “longed” for that life of Sodom. She might have thought, “I’ll take one last look and…ZAP…instant saltine cracker. Perhaps she gazed on the very “essence” of YHVH in destruction mode.

We also read about the birth of “Yitzchak” and later the separation of “Ishmael” and “Yitzchak”. We see a separation between the “chosen” and the “world”, but also, we see today the “wheat” and the “tares” growing together, not to say that all the Arabs are evil, there are many born-again Arabs who are the descendants of Ishmael, those who love the LORD. But for the most part, the Arab world and Israel are enemies.

We come to the last part, the final test, “Take your son, your ONLY son who you love, and offer him as a sacrifice” Now God didn’t say “Sacrifice him” only “offer him as a sacrifice” Today, we offer ourselves as “living sacrifices” before YHVH to do his perfect will, and to serve him. Abraham was willing to bring the knife down on his only son Isaac, yet the LORD did not allow him to do so, as it was a test to see his obedience, and to see if he was willing to follow through with “sacrificing and spilling Isaac’s blood”.

When we read this account, we see symbolism. The “donkey” that took Father and Son to Mt Moriah, the donkey that took Yeshua to Jerusalem, later to be led to Mt. Calvary. The wood that was laid on Isaac’s back, compared to the cross beam that was laid on Yeshua’s back, or Yeshua’s back that was laid on that cross beam. The altar of stone, which Abraham built, compared to Calvary’s hill, which is pretty much made of stone, made by our heavenly Father. The fire that was in Abraham’s hands could symbolize the fiery judgment that Yeshua took on our behalf.

Isaac symbolizes ALL of us. Yet when Abraham was ordered to take him off the altar, so we were “replaced” by Yeshua. Isaac was replaced by the ram, which was caught in the thicket. The “ram” is “Yeshua”; the ram’s horns were caught in the thicket, and around the head of our Mashiach was a crown of thorns.

Isaac could not be the sacrifice for sin because he, like all of us, was born in sin. The ram took Isaac’s place as Yeshua took our place. In some translations, there are some interesting words spoken by Abraham. “God will provide himself as a lamb,” other translations read; “God will provide for himself a lamb.” I like the first one since it explains what God did: He came down and became the sacrifice lamb, in our place. What Abraham said was prophetic

God was not willing that anyone should perish, but for ALL to have eternal life. He was not willing that Abraham should give up his only son, but God was willing to give HIS unique SON, Yeshua, for the payment of our sin, once and forever. Yeshua is both “echad” (unity of ONE) and “Yachid” (unique, only, one of a kind)

Yeshua was willing and did undergo suffering for our sins, up there on that cross for a few hours, and thus made the “new covenant” that through his death and sacrifice, we might be saved. That is why the "New Covenant" based on the blood of Yeshua is better than the old, based on the blood of kosher animals. HIS sacrifice was made ONCE only, for all time. Receive HIM as LORD and Savior (if you haven't already), don't die in your sins.

Pope Leo Declares Jesus Alone Saved the World. Mary No Longer Called Co-Redemptrix.

Well, looks like the new Pope wants to get closer to the Protestant denominations. He puts out a decree that firmly rejects the claim that Mary is Co-Redemptrix...

"Pope Leo Declares Jesus Alone Saved the World, Rejects Title of Mary as 'Co-Redeemer

A decree from Pope Leo's office firmly rejects the claim that Mary, Jesus' mother, helped save the world from damnation, settling a debate that has baffled the Catholic community by stating that Jesus alone redeemed humanity by his crucifixion and death.

In a lengthy note titled "Mater Populi Fidelis" or "Mother of the Faithful People of God," the Vatican's doctrinal office instructed Catholics to no longer give her the title of "co-redemptrix" or "co-redeemer" as it "carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ" as the Savior.

The October 7th document was approved by Pope Leo XIV and signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and says the previous title creates confusion to the "truths of the Christian faith."

"She is the mother who gave the world the author of redemption and of grace, who stood firm at the foot of the cross (cf. John 19:25), suffering alongside her son and offering the pain of her maternal heart pierced by the sword (cf. Luke 2:35)," the document said. "From the Incarnation to the cross and the Resurrection, she was united to Christ in a way that is unique and that far surpasses any other believer."

"Mary's incomparable greatness lies in what she has received and in her trusting readiness to allow herself to be overtaken by the Spirit," it continued.

The note claims that Mary was the first and perfect disciple of Jesus, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

(link: Mary, mother of Jesus and all believers, is not co-redeemer, Vatican says)

According to the Catholic News Agency, the title of "Co-redemptrix" has been a point of debate for decades, as some Catholics have called for Mary's "title" to be declared dogma, while opponents say it exaggerates her importance and could isolate Catholics amongst other Christian denominations.

The late Pope Francis also strongly opposed granting Mary the title of "co-redeemer," and according to Reuters, he suggested the idea was "foolishness." "She never wanted to take anything for herself from her son," Francis said in 2019.

Additionally, Benedict XVI, Francis' predecessor, also opposed the title. However, his predecessor, John Paul II, supported the title until the mid-90s when the doctrinal office began to voice skepticism.

"Everything comes from Him – Christ – as the Letter to the Ephesians and the Letter to the Colossians, in particular, tell us; Mary, too, is everything that she is through Him. The word 'Co-redemptrix' would obscure this origin," Benedict once said.

Fernández presented the document during a conference at the Jesuit headquarters in Rome last week and said its teaching becomes part of the church's "ordinary magisterium" and must be considered authoritative, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reports.

"Any gaze directed at her that distracts us from Christ or that places her on the same level as the Son of God would fall outside the dynamic proper to an authentically Marian faith," the note said in part." Pope Leo Declares Jesus Alone Saved the World, Rejects Title of Mary as 'Co-Redeemer' | CBN News



"A decree from Pope Leo's office firmly rejects the claim that Mary, Jesus' mother, helped save the world from damnation, settling a debate that has baffled the Catholic community by stating that Jesus alone redeemed humanity by his crucifixion and death."

"In a lengthy note titled 'Mater Populi Fidelis' or 'Mother of the Faithful People of God,' the Vatican's doctrinal office instructed Catholics to no longer give her the title of "co-redemptrix" or "co-redeemer" as it "carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ" as the Savior."

"The late Pope Francis also strongly opposed granting Mary the title of "co-redeemer," and according to Reuters, he suggested the idea was "foolishness." "She never wanted to take anything for herself from her son," Francis said in 2019. Additionally, Benedict XVI, Francis' predecessor, also opposed the title. However, his predecessor, John Paul II, supported the title until the mid-90s when the doctrinal office began to voice skepticism."

Source: Cindy Wooden, "Mary, mother of Jesus and all believers, is not co-redeemer, Vatican says," United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 4 November 2025.

"In a lengthy doctrinal note titled 'Mater Populi Fidelis' ('Mother of the Faithful People of God'), the dicastery said the title co-redemptrix or co-redeemer 'carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ" in salvation. And, regarding the title co-mediatrix or co-mediator, it said that Mary, 'the first redeemed, could not have been the mediatrix of the grace that she herself received.' However, it said, the title may be used when it does not cast doubt on 'the unique mediation of Jesus Christ, true God and true man.'"

"The church believes that those in heaven can pray and intercede for people still on earth, and, among those chosen and glorified with Christ, first and foremost is his Mother,' the note said. 'Therefore, we can affirm that Mary has a unique collaboration in the saving work that Christ carries out in his Church. With this intercession, Mary can become for us a motherly sign of the Lord's mercy.'"

This becomes another example of the Roman Catholic Church changing its teachings while leaving itself enough wiggle room to claim that it hasn't really changed; it only clarified. This should be sufficient evidence that its teachings are not from God. God doesn't need to clarify Himself or rewrite the past to fit current teachings.
The claim that the dead can interceed for the living contradicts the Scriptures. The dead are unaware of events on the earth (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6).
See "The Deification of Mary" for citations showing the extent the Catholic Church developed their ideas about Mary before rejecting them. At least in this change, the Roman Catholic Church moves a shade closer to the truth that pre-existed it.
Mary No Longer Called Co-Redemptrix – La Vista Church of Christ

Prefer Not The World

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 NASB1995)

This word translated as “love” is agapaó (agape) which means “to prefer.” Most always it is used in the biblical context of to prefer to love, to prefer what God prefers, to live through Christ, choosing his choices, and obeying them in his power. It mainly means to prefer what is righteous, holy, morally pure, upright, honest, faithful, and obedient to God and to his commands. But sometimes it just means “to prefer,” such as in this present context.

And so when this says that we are not to love the world, first of all this is not speaking of the people of the world who we are to love, preferring what God prefers, and obeying God and his commandments. But what this is teaching is that we are not to prefer what is of the world, i.e. what is carnal, which is of the flesh and of the lusts of the flesh and of the eyes and of the pride of life. We are to have no part with what is worldly and fleshly and against God.

For to love (prefer) the world would mean to give preference to the world and to its sinful passions and desires over and above God and in place of God. For to prefer is to favor, desire, choose, wish for, and to want, instead of the alternative, which in this case is God and his righteousness and his holiness. And many professers of faith in Jesus Christ are in this category of those who are preferring the world and its pleasures over and above God.

If that is where you are, professing faith in Jesus Christ, but preferring the things, the character, and the behaviors of this sinful world over holy living and righteousness, godliness, moral purity and obedience to God and to his commands, then according to what this teaches, the love of God the Father is not in you, because all that is of this sinful world, and which appeals to human flesh and to sinful desires, is not from the Father, but from the world.

And then we have this statement that, “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” And what this is letting us know here is that if we continue to live according to the lusts of the flesh and in accord with sinful desires, that regardless of what faith in Jesus Christ we profess, we will die right along with the world, and we will not have eternal life with God, even if someone promised us that we will.

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

For by God-gifted faith in Jesus Christ, which is not of our own doing, we are crucified with Christ in death to sin and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but as slaves to righteousness in walks of obedience to God’s commands. We are no longer to permit sin to reign in our mortal bodies to make us obey its desires. For if sin is what we obey, it results in death. But if obedience to God is what we obey, it results in sanctification, and its end is eternal life with God (see Romans 6:1-23).

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

So believe what the Scriptures teach in the correct biblical context. Believe the gospel of salvation taught by Jesus and by his New Testament apostles in the appropriate context in which they were originally written. Do not put your hope and faith in Scriptures which are pulled out of context and which are altered to make them say what they don’t say if taught in the proper biblical context. Search the Scriptures for yourselves and believe God.

As the Deer

By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1


As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

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Prefer Not The World
An Original Work / November 11, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Stepping from Fog into Sunlight: What is your "Holy Ground" moment?

When the house lights dim and the first chord rings out, something shifts inside me—like stepping from fog into sunlight.

Share your "holy ground" moment: What sound, smell, or sight instantly shifts your perspective and tells you, "I am now in God's presence"?

Is entering worship only in a Church?

Finally, what's one sentence that captures that feeling?

Cluttered room - too many books and clothes

Now that I’ve gotten a job, my room is now the thing that is overwhelming me - my closet and dresser drawers are very full. I have bags piled on top of my dresser in front of the mirror and carts in walkways.

I don’t just want to get rid of all of my stuff though. A lot of it is valuable clothes that I just want to wear and wear out, and other stuff I want to sell. I have unfinished sewing projects and other unfinished projects that I want to finish. And I’m tired from work.

If you all could pray about knowledge and strength for what to do with all of this stuff that God has over-provided me with, I would appreciate it. I start a better job in a week that is going to be even more exhausting that my current one, and so I’d like to tackle this problem the best I can before that happens. Thanks!

Trump proposes 50-year mortgage


In another attempt to make homebuying more affordable, President Donald Trump floated the idea of a 50-year mortgage in a social media post. In response, Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte, who oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, posted that they are “working on it,” and that it would be, “a complete game-changer.”
I think this is a wonderful idea. You get to save some money per month, and when you die halfway into paying back your mortgage, your legacy lives on.
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The Octopianist

Warning - some incidental profanity.

I may have a dark sense of humor. I'm not into DEI, I believe in the merit system. If the fish thing had turned out to be a good musician, I'd say let it live. Since it didn't, I think it would've been pretty funny if the guy had ended the video by eating Tako.

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New here and introducing myself

Hello all,


I’m new to this forum and from Canada. My profile lists my age as 45, though I am actually 40. I joined out of curiosity—to engage in online debate, discussion, and learning, as well as to use this as a social outlet.


I want to share a bit about myself. I try to make the best of my situation, though I do face challenges—mainly isolation. I receive disability benefits due to an autism diagnosis I received in my early 30s. I share this as a factual part of my situation; it is not something to debate, and I hope it is understood as context rather than judgment. I do view my diagnosis as a subjective medical opinion and view myself as having higher functioning autism.


I am aware that some perspectives, including certain Christian views, may frown upon using social assistance. For context, I was a contributing member of the economy for nearly 20 years before needing support. I also have intellectual property—original music, a TV script—and other talents that simply aren’t utilized today because I receive disability benefits. This is not a choice or a fault of mine; it reflects my neurology and circumstances, which are beyond my control. I hope this is understood rather than judged.


Despite challenges, I have held many positions in my lifetime, including being a professional musician for approximately 10 years. One of my primary goals is to find more meaning, to improve my income, and to become healthier socially by forming meaningful connections.


Currently, I am involved in a discrimination dispute with an employer. I was rejected from an interview after sharing my autism diagnosis. While the case is moving toward conciliation and I am confident in my legal position, the dispute has resulted in a loss of income and thre social benefits associated with employment for over a year. I try to focus on what I can control and remain optimistic about the outcome. The fact it has dragged on for over a year and may be even a few more years before any outcome is realized is something which bothers me. While it is an unfair situation, I am sure I will achieve a favourable outcome. The only issue is it will take a long time. I won't get justice today, and maybe not even within a year.

I have many interests: human rights issues, physical fitness (I used to run competitively as an amateur with moderate success), creative arts (I have composed original music), and learning about the stock market. I am curious and enjoy learning about a wide range of topics.


I do not view myself as a Christian, though I see value in learning about different faiths. For me, meaning comes from lived experiences and meaningful social connections. Like many people with autism, I experience isolation and unemployment. The vast majority of people with autism are unemployed, unfortunately and this is supported by statistics.


In summary, I am grateful for what I have, aware of my challenges, and focused on thriving. I hope to meet new, well-intentioned people and form meaningful relationships.
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James 5:16 - What does confess your sins to one another mean?

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Personally, I'm a very open book and have no fear of judgment because I know that we are all sinners and I do not judge others for their sin but try to instruct them in the ways of Christ.

That being said, I am reading that many are embarrassed or ashamed so this once popular action is not very popular, anymore?

I'm not sure it was ever popular in Protestant churches but I haven't lived since the beginning of when they were formed so am not an authority on this point.

Furthermore, is this why Catholics confess to priests?

Thanks, as always, for helping me! I know I always have lots of questions but you all are very good to me with your assistance.

God bless.

Supreme Court rejects Kim Davis’ request to reconsider landmark gay marriage ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a petition filed by former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis to reconsider the 2015 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.

In an orders list released Monday morning, the high court denied without comment a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of Kim Davis v. David Ermold, et al.

Additionally, the Supreme Court denied a motion from the Alabama-based conservative group Foundation for Moral Law to file a friend-of-the-court brief "out of time."

In June 2015, the nation's high court ruled 5-4 in Obergefell v. Hodges that states could not ban same-sex marriage, concluding that the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protected the unions.

Continued below.

Furious Democrats Call for Schumer to Be Replaced After Shutdown Cave

Furious Democrats Call for Schumer to Be Replaced After Shutdown Cave


Leftists, including some elected officials, reacted with apoplectic rage Monday after eight Senate Democrats caved to Senate Republicans by agreeing to vote to end the lengthy government shutdown.​
And while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer didn’t appear to be directly responsible, as it seemed the eight had negotiated a deal behind his back, the blame for the massive concession was still flowing his way.​
“Despite voting against the deal, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is emerging as the top target for not containing the defections,” Axios confirmed, citing the words of a a number of lawmakers.​
“Schumer is voting no,” a senior House Democrat told the outlet. “But that doesn’t mean [a] primary [challenge is] not coming.”​
IMHO - They are coming apart at the seams because they eat their own.

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