Thi

fhansen said:

And yet we can, and must, be able to discern between right and wrong, justice and injustice.
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:24

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This is a good point. We are incapable of righteous judgement unless we have been born again and are walking after the spirit.

Perhaps a righteous judgement would have us avoid the popular movements of social Justice in the world today and promote the Justice of God found in the cross alone.

Jesus did not come to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.

essentialsaltes said:

Definitely a concern. Obviously, if someone (Houthis) had the temerity to attack a civilian US ship, the US would respond by dropping bombs on their leaders.

Venezuela doesn't have the wherewithal to do that, but we'll see what Maduro does. It's probably good PR for him to stand up to Trump, but it would likely be a poor choice to take on the US Navy.

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Venezuela should have the wherewithal to do that, yes Maduro should fight hard to ensure Venezuelan terrorists get to poison the USA humans with drugs that make money which keeps cartels funded --like it was under the Biden Admin. Yes indeed!
It'll probably be great PR for him and the anti-Trumpists in Congress, if he stands up to Trump and his the US Navy bullies.

ChubbyCherub said:

More confusion and more prayer required for me, trying to wrap my head around our ability/inability/requirement to honor the Sabbath and/or not eat pork or all of the other things that our church does not teach nor uphold because a) the law of the land changed it for whatever reason in the year 'dot' and I have no idea about it because I was not born in the year 'dot' and b) some suppose that Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law and, in doing so, made the old law invalid c) suggesting that the old law is invalid is some sort of heresy because Jesus came to fulfill the law and not abolish it (despite Paul saying that only slaves were bound to the law and Christ is freedom (paraphrased, please cite scripture if you know it off the top of your head) d) some saying Paul had no authority to say what he said and do what he did and we should only follow Jesus but how we follow him ...well ... see point b) and c) above..

And so, it makes me feel like believing in Christ, as the Savior of us all, the Son of God, who died for our sins doesn't matter because we are not upholding the old law. Or, if we do, we are not upholding Christ because we can't do the two things together. This is contrary to what Jesus Christ said gave us salvation so where do we go from here?

Where are our churches so we can learn correctly? Didn't Jesus know how fractured we'd be? Without guidance from those who have had the 'law' passed down from the year 'dot' to teach us, translate for us, instruct us in what is/isn't required, we're left to the church and, yet, the church is of man?

If I read the bible one way, someone else reads it another way........

I'm exasperated.

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My brother there is only one church that teaches this unbiblical doctrine, the SDA. No other church teaches this nonsense. The gospel of good news is sufficient for salvation. The old law was not invalidated but fulfilled. Fulfilled means to complete not to invalidate. The Mosaic law was given TO Israel at Sinai and no one was able to keep it perfectly until Christ. The law never had a
the means for repentance and that is the result of Jesus sacrifice, justification. Read Galatians.

BTW- Col. 2:16 teaches that no one can judge you for keeping or not keeping the sabbath but the interpretation of this verse is twisted by the SDA. Also, since the law was given to just Israel the food laws never applied to you or the gentile church. In fact, the apostles during council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) determined exactly that.

If you want to keep the sabbath then by all means go right ahead. God deserves worship every day of the week not just on Saturday which is why Heb. 4 teaches that TODAY is the day. I don’t see how God would actually condemn believing Christians just because they worship on a Sunday instead of a Saturday. The very thought is just absurd.

Don’t let the unbiblical doctrines of the SDA church confuse you. Remember what Jesus said about legalism. It didn’t go very well for the Pharisees did it? Read scripture, talk to your pastor, and spend time in prayer.

Trump punts to Pete (or is he throwing his war secretary under the congressional bus?)
Will Hegseth release the video?

President Donald Trump on Monday said he will let Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth decide whether to release the full video of a controversial military strike on alleged drug smugglers off the coast of Venezuela, backing away from comments last week when he said that “whatever” footage the Pentagon possesses “we’d certainly release, no problem.”

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump denied saying Wednesday that he was open to releasing the video — despite doing so on camera — and then attacked the journalist who asked him about his previous comments, calling her “fake news.”

“I didn’t say that. You said that,” Trump said. “Whatever Hegseth wants to do is okay with me.”

Coolerranch said:

*Takes a sip of magic tea* May God bless you even if it may seem as though satan has gotten an advantage or is worth believing. For God will send someone to help you whether it be the Holy Spirit, or angels, or a person to remind you that you're being helped by these beings.

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I am sure it is happening with prayer, from me, and from any others if they do, there is help coming, which is from God. I do what I see to do according to what God's will is, and trust God as I know I can, in which I would walk with God, I would not want it another way. I am in good shape still even while with the real vulnerability with good choices I made, even for quite a long time, though much of what I talk about is dismissed by most others. Many will miss out on some good things that could be for them.

essentialsaltes said:

The pastor noted Department of Homeland Security agents have tear-gassed protesters in the area and that locals reported seeing children among those detained with zip ties by federal agents during a recent high-profile immigration raid in a nearby apartment building. DHS has denied the latter claim, although evidence of similar actions has been reported elsewhere.

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America really is the 80s mini series ‘V’.

Factotum said:

Thanks, but I can't take credit for those facts. lol

You gotta credit Congressional Acts, like IRTPA'04 and USAPA'01...

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The term “international terrorism” means activities that—
(A) involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State;

(B)appear to be intended—
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and

(C)occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or transcend national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum;

I had a concealed carry permit for ten years, until Ohio opened up concealed carry without the need for a permit. A permit does still give you perks, but I have no desire to conceal carry anymore.

I think the problem with open carry, at least where everyday people are concerned (non-criminals) is that there is a mindset that seeing someone open carrying a gun is automatically thought of as intending to do something wrong. It makes people uneasy. However, if you live in an area of the country where it is normal, people don't give it a second thought.

It wasn't too long ago that we had gun racks in vehicles, which I consider to be a form of open carry.

I would have no problem open carrying on my own property, or keeping a rifle in a rack in a truck on my property, if there is a need for it, like say living in bear and mountain lion country, or where there are a lot of snakes (big ones). In populated areas, I would not open carry unless there is a gun event where everyone is open carrying.

Unless I lived somewhere where it was appropriate to do so, a town where everyone does it, or on a remote property to protect myself from predators, I wouldn't do it. Not because it bothers me, but because of the way other people react.

As a Christian, I don't have the desire to conceal carry or open carry as I've moved away from gun use. I just sold two rifles this last Sunday. I do admit that it would be pretty cool to live in an area where people open carry.

Dale said:

When Fantine commented that “Fewer educated people own guns” you asked, “Got proof for such a statement?”

I think I am quoting the same source that Fantine used, but here it is.

<< Overall, about three-in-ten adults with a high school diploma or less (31%) and 34% of those with some college education say they own a gun; a quarter of those with a bachelor’s degree or more say the same. Among whites, about four-in-ten of those with a high school diploma or less (40%) or with some college (42%) are gun owners, compared with roughly a quarter of white college graduates (26%). >>

To summarize:

Adults with High School Diploma
31% own a gun

Adults with some College
34% own a gun

...with Bachelor’s Degree or more
25% own a gun

Pew Research gives further statistics but I will stop here for simplicity.


Source:
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2017/06/22/the-demographics-of-gun-ownership/

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The cited study also says,

“Two-thirds of gun owners cite protection as a major reason for owning a gun” Shall we conclude that higher educated people are easier targets for criminals? Or maybe that higher educated people feel someone else will save them if attacked ? What is the point here?​

Apple Sky said:

Yes @Kathleen30 is exactly right. Satan influences until the end of days. He knows the Bible inside out & knows the past & the future.

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I agree that Satan knows the bible. We have only to consider the way he tempted Jesus in the wilderness to see that. What I am asking you and Kathleen is what evidence you have that people of Luther's day knew about NASA, Einstein, etc.

Gene2memE said:

Yep, you want your military lawyers bowing to the political tides and ideology of whoever happens to be in power at the time ...!

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Sir can you please list a Presidential Administration, after the day of 14jun1775, where military lawyers did NOT bow to the political tides and ideology of whoever happened to be in power at that time?

That

rjs330 said:

UK under Massive Islamization: 11 Incidents Act as Evidence

The period between 2000 and 2025 has witnessed a undeniable trend towards the Islamization of the UK, a shift that has sparked alarm

organiser.org

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That shows demographic change. Absolutely nothing more than that (with the exception of a healthy dose of Replacement Theory).

Apple Sky said:

Yes @Kathleen30 is exactly right. Satan influences until the end of days. He knows the Bible inside out & knows the past & the future.

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Don’t give Satan too much credit. He is very good at predicting the future and manipulating people to influence the results. However, he is not all-knowing and often gets things wrong. I have known my wife for over 30 years, and I can predict what she will do about 60% of the time. Imagine watching people for thousands of years. He would be able to predict human behavior at a high percentage and influence humans to meet his predictions, but he is not anywhere close to God. On top of that, God often changes things in ways Satan could never predict. Satan does not know the future, but he is very good at predicting what might happen. Probably, he can do it much better that the weather stations. Whether or not Satan could predict the space program in much detail from 1700AD is doubtful.

As an addendum to my post above, only once have I heard a Christian male take a hard line on the "the man is the head of the household".

My wife (who is Protestant) and I were at a place called Marian Valley some years ago which was the only time we've been there. Marian Valley as it's name implies is dedicated to a Marian view of things.


But at one point we crossed paths with this chap who went to some length to stress the headship of the male, and as was to be expected he had a mousey wife who wasn't saying anything.

My wife wasn't impressed and it left a sour taste. I'm not as much into Marianism as some Catholics although I believe she is very important. It's unlikely my wife will go back as she's Protestant anyway, but if we did I think that episode would probably come back to her.

Generally speaking though I haven't seen Christian men in any denomination that I've been involved with taking a chauvinist view of male-female relations.

BNR32FAN said:

I don’t believe that carrying a sword was an immoral act. My point is that they don’t appear to have been carrying swords because of the dangers of persecution during their ministry.

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My only reason for responding the way I did is the fact that many anti gun proponents use scripture to try and make the gun the problem. My only point was the weapon is not the problem it is the person using it . If it was the weapon that was bad I do not believe Jesus would said to get one in any context.

Fervent said:

Not at all, and there is no such thing as "semi-pelagianism". The imago dei survived the fall, marred though it may be. The calvinist doctrine of total depravity is nothing but a misanthropic view of man that errs in the opposite direction to Pelagianism, with the truth lying in the middle.

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Fervent said:

Because I don't agree with Aquinas regarding some supernatural sense existing before the fall. I take the Orthodox view that what man lost is not a part of himself, but access to the continual sustenance of God.

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Fervent said:

Which ECFs? Only one who came close, to my knowledge, is tertullian and he's not exactly orthodox for a number of reasons.

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St. Augustine. Calvin was thorough going Augustinian. To note they are Catholic on record from way early on who held Justification by Faith Alone. Let me find my book that gives all the resources from the ECF.

Fervent said:

Death, so mortality.

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Aren't all sinners already dead sin?

Fervent said:

Semi-pelagianism is not a thing, except among Calvinists who try to smear John Cassian by associating him with a monastic group in france that was anathematized for their beliefs about baptism. I'm well aware of the smears that Calvinists have attempted, and their lack of historical veracity.

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Okay, but I suggest you read up on the Council of Orange 529 AD.

Fervent said:

No, the false dilemma Calvinists present between Pelagianism and Calvinism.

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I have no idea what you are saying here.

Fervent said:

What question is that, exactly?

That's a question for those who reject God. Those who refuse to surrender love their sin beyond the point that God will tolerate, but that doesn't negate the genuine nature of the offer in the way that Calvinist doctrines render the gospel message void for those who happen to not be among the elect.

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This did not address the question friend. If everyone according to what you believe receive the Gospel and fully understand it and the outcome of rejecting it. Why would anyone reject it? Hoe come some believe while others do not?

Even though true I am not anti-Semitic . There are many scriptures to prove Jerusalem is the harlot city. Revelation 11:8 Too many people today don’t realize that if that day is not Far off they will be worshiping the man of sin. Revelation 12:9 People refuse to believe that Satan has indeed deceived the world. The big revival they say is coming is when they are worshiping the man of sin. Then if you try to warn them you make yourself a target.

ChubbyCherub said:

some saying Paul had no authority to say what he said and do what he did and we should only follow Jesus but how we follow him

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This is precisely why this continually comes up within the church. There are some who believe Pauline teachings are uninspired. It is completely understandable to focus deeply on Jesus’s direct words, yet for those who do, neglecting or twisting Paul’s inspired letters can unintentionally lead to an incomplete and unbalanced understanding of the New Testament's unified message.

David Lamb said:

So you believe Satan revealed to scientists who lived in Luther's time that hundreds of years later,

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Yes @Kathleen30 is exactly right. Satan influences until the end of days. He knows the Bible inside out & knows the past & the future.

Servus said:

A picture paints a thousand words. Haiti is on the same island as a lager country that doesn't have the same problems. So people in Haiti who don't like living in Haiti can go over to the Dominican Republic next-door. In other words the US is just one of many places Haitians can go to ro seek refuge from the gang activity taking place in Port-au-Prince.

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The DR is one of the places they have gone. But the DR has about the same population as Haiti, so I wouldn’t expect them to be able a sizable influx, especially compared to a country like ours that’s far larger and wealthier.

In thinking about this further I have expanded my view. I agree that the two most obvious churches that are closest to the original or were at least built on that original format. Is the Catholics and Orthodox.

Primarily I could see them unifying out of all churches and denominations because they are at least open to supporting the fundemental ways the early church worshipped. Especially the sacrifice of the bread and wine, the body and blood of Christ.

This is the one factor I think of all things that will unite. Just like the early church it was central and really apart from some prayers and praising and readings this was it. There was no Ted Talk or profound sermon. It was fellowship in the body of Christ.

But unlike some denominations who have no chance of uniting because they are divided. They either dismiss it or reimagine it into how they think it should be done. A modernisation to conform with the world more than Christ.

In saying that I think there are many within all denominations who are of Christ church. They may either partake in it with an honest heart if their church offers it. Or are willing and wanting to do so.

This is where I think Gods spirit comes in. As this is so fundemental and a truth I think all Christians know. But for whatever reasons have been side tracked or denied this. But as the spirit can come over people and then the church I think this can bring Christ spirit to existing groups of Christians who have strayed who will want to go back to partaking of the bread .

On the other hand there will be churches and denomionations which become more worldly and lose their way and we can tell by the fruits and know that we should stay away. We too could be blinded and fooled if not strong in the faith.

I was only thinking this as I am starting to go to a local church associated with a Homeless Hub I work at. A few of the homeless guests go there and they also provide a meal.

I am thinking wow how is this not reflecting Christ church even though they are not Catholic or Orthodox. They are very basic, some bible readings and a bit of a sermon. But not a preachy one and just a down to earth one about lifes struggles and how God offers hope and salvation.

I think these smaller churches or gatherings are probably capturing more closely the essense of sharing the bread of Christ. They just don;t specify it or state the need for it. Certainlt the sharing of a meal beforehand is sort of the same. So I sometimes wonder where the line is.

Its hard to know and Gods spirit works when two or more are gathered. But I sort of believe that Christ is with this small church, they are living His words. Even though they are not practicing this the same way as the Catholics or Orthodox.

December 9, 2025

Our Morning Offering – 9 December– Tota Pulchra Es, Maria


One Minute Reflection – 9 December – ‘ … Thou enabled the world to read the Word, the Father’s Son!’

Feria (Second Sunday of Advent) propers (EF)

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent (EF)

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent readings & commentary (OF)
Saint Juan Diego, Hermit—Optional Memorial

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent; Opt Mem of St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (USA)

Daily Gospel

ADVENTCAzT 2025 – 10 – Tuesday 2nd Week of Advent

Saint Leocadia of Toledo Virgin and Martyr

Saint Juan Diego Visionary of Our Lady of Guadelupe

Saint Juan Diego, Hidden Keeper of the Tilma

Saint Juan Diego

Saints of the Day

Sermons for Everyday Living - St Juan Diego 12/9/25

There are 3 Marian feasts this week and they’re perfect for Advent

Audio version of Gueranger
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Sometimes the child grows to the point where he has to treat his parents like children. You may have to set boundaries and explain that consequences are a result of their not being able to discipline their own behavior.