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timothyu · 2025-11-28T12:21:29-0600

RDKirk said:
If it's a false flag attack, I still can't guess which fly he is flying under.

But now third world immigration/migration has become unlawful.

rambot · 2025-11-28T12:20:17-0600

PloverWing said:
To be fair, there are secondary sex characteristics one can observe without anyone taking their pants off. When I meet someone, I make an initial guess about their sex based on things like facial hair, voice pitch, and so on.

As to the question of whether we should categorize people by their bodies (sex) or who they are inside (gender), I generally base my pronoun use on gender rather than sex, if the other person has told me their gender.

[my emphasis].

As opposed to what is "inside", gender is the outward expression (what society sees us as) and what we want society to see us as.

Perhaps you are referring to inside because people will say they "Feel" a certain way?

hedrick · 2025-11-28T12:17:28-0600

This is really a response to your previous posting on this topic.

Hell (gehenna) was a Jewish concept in the 1st Cent. Whether or not it was a physical place (there's some doubt about that interpretation), it was a place of punishment. We don't have as much data as we'd like, as details are more plentiful in later Jewish writings. But it is very likely that it was seen as a place of torment. Is 66:24 was originally about worms eating dead bodies. But by the 1st Cent it was understood as part of the torture of hell.

However, there are a couple of issues to note. First, it was common to believe that most people got out. Hell was eternal, but people didn't necessarily stay there eternally. Indeed there was an axiom that all Jews had a place in the world to come (though that leaves non-Jews open), and some set a maximum of one year in hell (maybe: this is based on later writing). Again, we simply don't know how common various views were in the 1st Cent. But it's not a mistranslation to see it as equivalent to the Christian hell in temperature; we just need a warning that some thought some or almost all got out. Ist Cent views on the afterlife were varied, just as they are now.

Second, gehenna is used almost entirely by Matthew. The other writers speak less of judgement, and use a broader set of metaphors. It is used once in Mark, in a context that includes hyperbole (9:43-47), and once in Luke hypothetically. (12:5).

RileyG · 2025-11-28T12:15:56-0600

Hans Blaster said:
You doubt that gender reassingment surgery is more common now than 70 years ago because medical practices have improved? Are we getting your assertion correct?

What have you to back that claim (if it is your claim) as it seems rather obvious that improved medical technique is a major factor.

Ohhhh that makes more sense. I read that wrong.

rambot · 2025-11-28T12:09:26-0600

Prayers for their families. I've seen that one has passed.

RileyG · 2025-11-28T12:08:45-0600

A2SG said:
Largely due to advances in medical care and treatment.

-- A2SG, science marches on!

I doubt that.

Always in His Presence · 2025-11-28T12:08:34-0600

d taylor said:
-

No, as the Apostles were part of the foundation of the Church not the superstructure.

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Eph 2 - I believe it refers to the 12 - the Apostles of the Lamb

Where does Barnabus fit in?
Or the 70 others?

timothyu · 2025-11-28T12:08:07-0600

Larniavc said:
Civilians invariably see them as an occupying force.

Civilians throughout history have always been an occupied people. It would be considered delusional to think we are not under constant control and surveillance but convincing ourselves otherwise is how the system has always worked throughout time.

Always in His Presence · 2025-11-28T12:05:25-0600

essentialsaltes said:
Trump's FBI spent $1M on 'special redaction project' ahead of Epstein files release
That's according to a recent Bloomberg article, which reported that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly allocated nearly $1 million in overtime pay to agents in an operation known as the "Epstein Transparency Project," with some reportedly maligning the effort as the "Special Redaction Project." The initiative involved an estimated 1,000 FBI agents working out of a facility in Winchester, Virginia

Bloomberg reported that between March 17 and March 22 of this year, the bureau spent $851,344 alone. Agents also clocked 4,737 hours of overtime pay between January and July of this year, poring through the DOJ's remaining evidence pertaining to the deceased sex trafficker.

The New York Times reported in July that the DOJ's remaining Epstein documents number roughly 100,000 pages, and that FBI agents combed through them on four separate occasions earlier this year. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly instructed the FBI to flag any mentions of Trump in the files.

#1: With thousands of pages, no doubt it would be a huge effort to properly redact all this, turning 'Jane Doe' into Victim #17 consistently across all documents. A million bucks doesn't bother me.
#2: This work was already completed -- as early as 8 months ago, and several re-checks since then -- back when it seemed Trump was going to make good on his campaign promise to release the files.
#3: Thus, there's no need for further delay.
#4: Obviously, we have yet to evaluate the completeness of the release and the extent of the redaction.

What does that have to do with the topic of the thread - about a meeting that never happened?

d taylor · 2025-11-28T11:58:41-0600

Always in His Presence said:
A little Biblical history and perspective first.

First and foremost is Jesus Christ -

Heb 3:1Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

There is the Original 12:

Simon (Peter)

Andrew (his brother)

James (son of Zebedee)

John (his brother)

Philip

Bartholomew (Nathanael)

Thomas (Didymus)

Matthew (the tax collector/Levi)

James (son of Alphaeus)

Thaddaeus (Judas son of James, also called Jude or Lebbaeus)

Simon (the Zealot/Cananite)

Judas Iscariot (the betrayer, later replaced)

Judas was replaced by Matthias - After Judas Iscariot's death, Matthias was chosen by lot to replace him and is explicitly numbered "with the eleven apostles" (Acts 1:26). He is therefore referred to as an apostle. They held a unique position (role) in the Gospels -

Rev 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The Reader will notice that the writers of their Gospels - Luke and Mark were not part of the 12. - yet many refer to them as Apostles

Luke 9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

The reader will note that the 12 were called disciples when they were with Christ and Apostles when they were sent out -

Keep reading:

Luke 9:10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done.

Same 12 people - their titles changed from disciple to apostle because they were sent out on a specific journey.

Luke 10:10 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

EXACTLY the same direction from the Lord - EXACTLY the same authority and results.

Apostle - transliterated - apostolos - a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):—apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Then there is Paul - an Apostle to the Gentiles

Barnabus - Acts 14:4 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out

James - Gal 1:19 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

None will ever be to the level of the 12 -

But there are numbers called by God and sent who bear the Title Apostle who preached the Gospel, cast out demons and healed the sick.

When I think of modern times, I think of Dr. Billy Graham, who preached the Gospel to over 1 billion people - ministered to Kings and President, who's ministry saw tens of millions come to Christ for Salvation.

-

No, as the Apostles were part of the foundation of the Church not the superstructure.

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Always in His Presence · 2025-11-28T11:58:37-0600

Oh, a nephew's baby momma

timothyu · 2025-11-28T11:57:01-0600

Robban said:
One question I have heard asked is," What was an egg doing on a wall in the first place?"

Perhaps he was a Watcher. They fell also.

BCP1928 · 2025-11-28T11:56:28-0600

AV1611VET said:
Ya ... no facts have ever been disagreed with before, have they?

You must really have problems with Percival Lowell now!

What facts did he disagree with?

timothyu · 2025-11-28T11:54:51-0600

Dan1988 said:
Yes, I am a born again Christian, in other words "a follower of the Lord Jesus". I thought that was obvious, or is your question loaded

So, like Jesus, your only gospel is of the Kingdom?

concretecamper · 2025-11-28T11:53:39-0600

Are there still Apostles today?

Yes

timothyu · 2025-11-28T11:52:46-0600

Dan1988 said:
But my Pastor is highly educated in Theology.

Biblical or denominational?

DaisyDay · 2025-11-28T11:50:27-0600

rjs330 said:
Another judge over reaching.

Upholding the laws that Congress passes is overreaching.

timothyu · 2025-11-28T11:50:19-0600

Mark Quayle said:
We are considered worthy only because of Christ's worthiness and none of our own. The quality of our faith has nothing to do with our intelligence nor comprehensions, but depends on whether the source of it is God himself or not. This life is not for this life.

But who will we be if we are not us now. Most people see themselves as flesh.

BNR32FAN · 2025-11-28T11:49:04-0600

dogs4thewin said:
I think his point was that not everyone in the third world brings in drugs and addicts will buy from whomever they can not just people from x y z country.

Close, my point is that people should be judged by their actions, not by their race or nationality. America’s crime problem is primarily due to American citizens and all I see Trump doing is going after immigrants regardless of whether they’re criminals or not. What I don’t see is him going after criminals in general. To me that’s a problem when innocent people are being stereotyped as criminals because of their race, nationality, or poverty level. Thats not judging people by their actions which I have a huge problem with.

ladodgers6 · 2025-11-28T11:48:40-0600

Fervent said:
It's rather ironic you speak of pride, while claiming to speak for God in the image that you and other Calvinists have crafted Him. It is precisely because I know God is just that i know the unjust picture painted by Calvinists is false.

Are you gonna address the questions or just use ad hominem tactics to avoid the tough questions?

Your synergistic outlook thinks a sinner's will is bound because God is Sovereign; a sinner's will is bound because of Sin. This is the point you are missing.

Say it aint so · 2025-11-28T11:29:25-0600

NxNW said:
View attachment 373733

Sociopath.

Say it aint so · 2025-11-28T11:24:30-0600

rjs330 said:
There is no reliable evidence that it reduces suicide rates.

The Righterzpen said:
"Gender affirming care" (According to Medicare data) increases suicide stats by double compared to "cis gender" population.
Another stat I saw cited that almost 20% of 10 year post op transgender individuals commit suicide. (40% attempt) I think that may be the HIGHEST suicide rate in any population. (At last it's the highest stat I've ever seen.)

Suicide rates general populations:
(Veterans = 14%)
(Police = .021%)
(Incarcerated in state or federal prisons = 8%)

Disparities in Suicidality by Gender Identity Among Medicare Beneficiaries - PMC

Suicidality is higher for gender minorities than the general population, yet little is known about suicidality in disabled or older adult gender minorities. This study used 2009–2014 Medicare claims to identify people with gender identity–related ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

RileyG said:
There's been many cases of trans teens who committed suicide after receiving so-called gender affirming care or socially transitioning or had affirming parents. Something tells me it's not as helpful as some claim.

Suicide-Related Outcomes Following Gender-Affirming Treatment: A Review

Abstract

Gender-affirming treatment remains a topic of controversy; of particular concern is whether gender-affirming treatment reduces suicidality. A narrative review was undertaken evaluating suicide-related outcomes following gender-affirming surgery, hormones, and/or puberty blockers. Of the 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria, the majority indicated a reduction in suicidality following gender-affirming treatment; however, the literature to date suffers from a lack of methodological rigor that increases the risk of type I error. There is a need for continued research in suicidality outcomes following gender-affirming treatment that adequately controls for the presence of psychiatric comorbidity and treatment, substance use, and other suicide risk-enhancing and reducing factors. There is also a need for future systematic reviews given the inherent limitations of a narrative review. There may be implications on the informed consent process of gender-affirming treatment given the current lack of methodological robustness of the literature reviewed.

Changes in Suicidality among Transgender Adolescents Following Hormone Therapy: An Extended Study

Results

Suicidality significantly declined from pretreatment to post-treatment (F[1, 426] = 34.63, P < .001, partial η2 = 0.075). This effect was consistent across sex assigned at birth, age at start of therapy, and treatment duration.

Conclusions

HT was associated with clinically meaningful reductions in suicidality over time, extending prior findings with a larger sample and longer follow-up. These study findings provide clinical evidence supporting the mental health benefits of timely access to HT in this population.

What I asked is "Now suppose the implementation of those gender affirming actions reduce suicide rates. If it does, is there more empathic value in that or just get rid of them regardless?" So forget about the studies for a second, If gender affirming care led to lower suicide rates would that be enough for those who are not supportive to those actions to reconsider?

Always in His Presence · 2025-11-28T11:21:43-0600

A little Biblical history and perspective first.

First and foremost is Jesus Christ -

Heb 3:1Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

There is the Original 12:

Simon (Peter)
Andrew (his brother)
James (son of Zebedee)
John (his brother)
Philip
Bartholomew (Nathanael)
Thomas (Didymus)
Matthew (the tax collector/Levi)
James (son of Alphaeus)
Thaddaeus (Judas son of James, also called Jude or Lebbaeus)
Simon (the Zealot/Cananite)
Judas Iscariot (the betrayer, later replaced)

Judas was replaced by Matthias - After Judas Iscariot's death, Matthias was chosen by lot to replace him and is explicitly numbered "with the eleven apostles" (Acts 1:26). He is therefore referred to as an apostle. They held a unique position (role) in the Gospels -

Rev 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The Reader will notice that the writers of their Gospels - Luke and Mark were not part of the 12. - yet many refer to them as Apostles

Luke 9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

The reader will note that the 12 were called disciples when they were with Christ and Apostles when they were sent out -

Keep reading:

Luke 9:10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done.

Same 12 people - their titles changed from disciple to apostle because they were sent out on a specific journey.

Luke 10:10 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

EXACTLY the same direction from the Lord - EXACTLY the same authority and results.

Apostle - transliterated - apostolos - a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):—apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Then there is Paul - an Apostle to the Gentiles

Barnabus - Acts 14:4 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out

James - Gal 1:19 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

None will ever be to the level of the 12 -

But there are numbers called by God and sent who bear the Title Apostle who preached the Gospel, cast out demons and healed the sick.

When I think of modern times, I think of Dr. Billy Graham, who preached the Gospel to over 1 billion people - ministered to Kings and President, who's ministry saw tens of millions come to Christ for Salvation.

Latest activity

Latest activity

Trump's FBI spent $1M on 'special redaction project' ahead of Epstein files release​

Suicide-Related Outcomes Following Gender-Affirming Treatment: A Review​

Changes in Suicidality among Transgender Adolescents Following Hormone Therapy: An Extended Study​

Results​

Conclusions​

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Trump's FBI spent $1M on 'special redaction project' ahead of Epstein files release

Suicide-Related Outcomes Following Gender-Affirming Treatment: A Review

Changes in Suicidality among Transgender Adolescents Following Hormone Therapy: An Extended Study

Results

Conclusions