Oompa Loompa said:

You get a gold star for reading.

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I will treasure it always.

Aldebaran said:

What is the moon's job? To provide light at night, correct? Most of the time, it doesn't do that. Going through its phases, it puts out little light until it is nearly full. On cloudy nights, it's prevented from providing any light at all.

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You could say the same about the sun, especially in the U.k

durangodawood said:

Well, his question was about after WW2. Not for WW2.

Since then congress for sure has ceded war declaring authority to the exec branch, contrary to what the constitution requires.

I dont see how that excuses the president tho. He still swore an oath to uphold the constitution.

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In that case, still Congress. The USA hasn't officially been at war with anyone in the technical sense after that from what I remember since, and please correct me if I remember wrong, USA hasn't declared a war even once after that.

One objection I get, when dispelling the notion that we need some anointed 'authority' or such at every church meeting or bible study, is "You'll have HERESY and CHAOS if you just let the ignorant masses of people read for themselves!!"

Having led and participated in over 400 bible study meetings, maybe visiting over 100 different groups, in nearly every denomination. And of those 400, less than 10 times did it seem to be getting off doctrinally. And of those, only two, or three times, did it seem to be anything close to cultic or unbiblical. I've heard over a thousand odd takes on scripture when in a bible study group, but of those nothing really that couldn't be reasoned through to a correct or satisfactory agreement, generally. Generally there is someone in a group that has enough grasp of scripture, and pushes back (if I dont). But even if nothing is said, its hardly ever a life or death over doctrine issue. I had to let my own pastor make a mistake or two just last week in our mens bible study, you cant argue over every point, and these different takes are generally fairly slight.

I am an Evangelical theologically, theology is in my DNA, I strive to teach correct doctrine, and I am hyper dogmatic about my beliefs - Yet I enjoy, and really like to hear other people express their ideas and views of scripture (thats why I've heard so many different takes on scripture). And if it's my group, I want to know where their understanding is at, and what they are thinking about the subject. Still, I am just a disciple communing with other disciples. Gods Word is the Authority.

The best bible study I participated in was a theological debate style group where the only doctrine of agreement was that you agree that:
'The Bible is Gods Word, and that you had to make all your arguments from scripture'. Cultists bail almost immediately, and the rest of us get to hash out our thoughts with some really great conversations ...

So what I'm saying is: I believe the notion that - there will just be chaos and heresy - is a heresy in itself.
That argument created the rift of Clergy/Laity, the hierarchy and institutions, and the dark ages of christianity.
Let Gods Word , His Scriptures, be our Authority and let live.

SabbathBlessings said:

If He completed the law as if to say because He "completed" we do not need to keep it

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Because He kept it for the Jews, which nobody could do. Gentiles Christians are never under the Law but under Grace!

SabbathBlessings said:

why would He say this in the very next verse?
Mat5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

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Jesus was still teaching the Law at that time. I believe until the Temple was destroyed 40 years after His ascension the law was still in force. But with no more Temple there could be no more law. Also, one cannot keep the law and Grace.

SabbathBlessings said:

Can you please tell me when this was completed?

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His death "finished" all the OT prophecies concerning His expiation for our sins (Jhn 19:30). His death was our condemnation; His Life and ascension is our growth in our faith in Him (Eph 4:15).

durangodawood said:

Well, his question was about after WW2. Not for WW2.

Since then congress for sure has ceded war declaring authority to the exec branch, contrary to what the constitution requires.

I dont see how that excuses the president tho. He still swore an oath to uphold the constitution.

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You get a gold star for reading.

essentialsaltes said:

McDonald's is losing its low-income customers. Economists call it a symptom of the stark wealth divide​

Industry-wide, fast food restaurants have seen traffic from one of its core customer bases, low-income households, drop by double digits, McDonald's chief executive Christopher Kempczinski told investors last week. Meanwhile, traffic from higher-earners increased by nearly as much, he said.

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It's a tale of two consumers this holiday season — and they're both at Walmart​

Retiree Eileen Gowlak, 86, used to buy her clothes from Walmart when the retailer would have a big sale. But those days are over.

“I noticed the clothing went up, and they don’t have the sales they used to have,” Gowlak said outside a store in North Bergen, New Jersey, in November.

Priced out of Walmart, Gowlak simply isn’t buying new clothes right now. She is prioritizing groceries, and she’s not alone.

For millions of Walmart’s core customers, who tend to be lower- or middle-income and live in rural or suburban areas, wage growth is slowing, spending has fallen, and inflation and tariffs are making everyday purchases feel too expensive.

So Walmart, the country’s largest retailer, has in recent years been warming to high-income shoppers. The company recently reported stronger-than-expected quarterly sales, as well as market share growth driven primarily by more affluent customers.

Experts describe these divergent groups of consumers as the two legs of a “K-shaped” economy. The wealthy, flush with gains from the stock market and higher wage growth, are driving an outsize share of consumer spending. On the other leg of the “K,” the rest of the population is stagnating or falling behind.

Other budget-friendly companies are also seeing more well-to-do shoppers. Dollar Tree’s CEO said last week that most of its new customers make more than $100,000 a year. Dollar General’s CEO, too, said it has seen growth particularly among higher-income shoppers.

“It concerns me when I hear that affluent customers are shopping at lower-price retailers like Walmart and TJX because it’s a sign that things are getting expensive all around,” said shopping expert Trae Bodge.

“Obviously, if you’re more affluent, you can afford to buy the things you need. But if you’re seeking out lower prices, then where does the lower-cost consumer go?”

BCP1928 said:

According to that article it was Congress,

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Like I said to yarddog. Would you like to reread my question and try again? With emphasis on "after WW2. Wow. Three people who did not read the question.

Rising number of Brits leaving Christianity turning to paganism​

I wonder why ?

I’m sorry

Teofrastus said:

This means not taking sides with Radical Orthodoxy (John Milbank, Catherine Pickstock), which advocates a defense of sacramental ontology and continues the tradition of nouvelle théologie, supported by Hans Boersma. These are highly significant issues. As Christians, we must cultivate an understanding of these matters before we risk falling into the pit ourselves.

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this seems over educated jargon, not for the common people whom the gospel was intended for. But since Christ has such depth it is definitely food for you. But where your faith lies I don’t know. It’s not clear if the ‘trickster’ is a respectful term. It might be a colloquial term that suits philosophers fancy.. it could be derogatory.

i accepted what for a long time I was to afraid to admit. I had to forsake my sin and admit Jesus made sense and that there was going to be blessing for following. But until I forsook my sin it was hard to bear. How is the truth’ a trickster?!

BPPLEE said:

So they can come here and live in poverty, with low paying jobs and government assistance. It’s not sustainable.

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Not only is it unsustainable, it's a dumb idea to start with. You need to pay attention to what "liberals" here really want to do, instead of just making it up.

7thKeeper said:

Do you enjoy being this wrong?

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Well, his question was about after WW2. Not for WW2.

Since then congress for sure has ceded war declaring authority to the exec branch, contrary to what the constitution requires.

I dont see how that excuses the president tho. He still swore an oath to uphold the constitution.

7thKeeper said:

Do you enjoy being this wrong?

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Like I said to yarddog. Would you like to reread my question and try again? With emphasis on "after WW2. I know I struggle with reading comprehension at times, but dang.

Yarddog said:

Joint Address to Congress Leading to a Declaration of War Against Japan (1941)

EnlargeDownload Link Citation: "Day of Infamy" Speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 8, 1941; SEN 77A-H1, Records of the United States Senate; Record Group 46; National Archives. View All Pages in the National Archives Catalog View Transcript On December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese...

www.archives.gov

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Okay? Would you like to reread my question and try again? With emphasis on "after WW2."

RamiC said:

There is very little trust in the main churches.

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I don't think it's a question of "trust". It's more a matter of prodigal sons (and daughters) being comfortable in the pig sty.

timothyu said:

There is a difference between defending institutional religion, or the will of God.

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Yes, that's why I'm criticizing institutional religion, while defending aspects of it.

Oompa Loompa said:

True. So who formally declared war after WW2? Hint: It wasnt Congress.

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Do you enjoy being this wrong?

Strong in Him said:

At least you're not denying that you can't see it.

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The only thing I'm denying at the mo, is that we have never been or walked on the moon.

Always in His Presence said:

Did I miss where he named an illegal order from the President either his first term or this one?

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The law exists regardless of whether the current president is in violation.

RamiC said:

There is very little trust in the main churches.

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I find that their interests lay else where these days such as Hollywood movies & space etc etc etc.

essentialsaltes said:

View attachment 374259

No, you, unilaterally, would not be allowed to do that. We The People can do that.

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I don't know if it's enhanced our National Security, but Trump has enhanced China's access to more advanced chips.

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Well, at least we're getting our $25%.

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The Supreme Court is NOT making US tariffs illegal, just the method that Trump has chosen on SOME of his tariffs, primarily the accross the board tariffs and those based on the national "emergency" of trade tariffs with individual countries.

He can keep his tariffs based on national security (including drug trafficking). Tariffs on specific products are not affected.

In any case, tariffs can always be passed by Congress, now or in next year's big, beautiful reconciliation bill.

Stuff of nightmares – the Lord’s Day of vengeance and wrath - Revelation 6:12-17

2 Esdras 15&16 These are the words of the Lord: I shall show sinners no pity, My sword will not spare those murderers who stain the ground with innocent blood.
My anger has burst out in flame, scorching the earth to its foundations and consuming sinners like burning straw. Woe to sinners who flout My commands, I shall show them no mercy. I well know all who offend against Me, I consign them to death and destruction.

See the clouds – full of fury and tempest, their appearance is hideous. They will let loose a vast storm over the land. There will be terror and trembling throughout the world, people will shudder, stricken with panic. Huge clouds will pile up and ravage the whole land and its inhabitants. A terrible storm will sweep over all that is high and exalted, with fire and hail and flying swords.

Strong is the arm that bends the bow and sharp the arrows that He shoots. Once they are on their way, nothing will stop them until they reach the ends of the earth. Calamities are let loose and will not turn back. The fire is alight and will not be put out. When the scorching heat bears down upon you, your strength and splendour will wither like a flower. When the Lord sends calamities, who can avert them? When His anger bursts into flame, who can extinguish it? When the lightning flashes and it thunders, who will not quake with dread? [a Coronal Mass Ejection]

But you, servants of the Lord, listen and learn. This is His Word: take it to heart and do not doubt what He says: Calamities are close at hand and will not be delayed. As a woman giving birth suffers pangs, then comes the birth; similarly calamities will come and the world will groan under the pangs that beset it. My people, get ready and when these disasters surround you, behave as if you are strangers on earth.

Listen, you whom I have chosen, says the Lord: the days of harsh suffering are close at hand, but I shall rescue you from them. Have done with fears and doubts! God is your guide. As followers of My commandments and instructions, you must not let your sins weigh you down or any wickedness gain the ascendancy.

Woe to those who are entangled in their sins and overrun by their wicked deeds! They are like a field where the path is entwined with thorns and there is no way through. They are separated off in readiness for destruction by fire.
Ref: REB Apocrypha

This passage from the prophet Ezra, describes very well how the Lord will act on the terrible Day of His vengeance and wrath. Isaiah 63:1-6, Ezekiel 21:7, Isaiah 33:14, Jeremiah 30:4-7, Isaiah 13:6-16, Isaiah 30:26-30; caused by a explosion on the sun.

But those Christian people who trust and believe in His salvation will be saved. They are told to be prepared – that is, be aware of what will happen, so as not to be taken by surprise. There is not a rapture, removal: ‘these calamities will surround you’. Isaiah 43:2

THEN; God’s righteous servants will soon gather and settle into all of the Holy Land:
Isaiah 30:29 For you there will be songs and gladness of heart, as you march to music, on the way to the Mountain of the Lord; the Rock of Israel. Isaiah 12:1-6

There is a difference between defending institutional religion, or the will of God.

It’s more common in Germany and England. Hunting round, commercial ammo there. 93 gr bullets is a favorite for their small deer.. I’m fist going like shooting it over 3000 fps. It’s a rarity but dealers don’t want to give me more than $350 for it. They don’t think I should sell it for any more. But I paid more than that. But it hasn’t sold.

fhansen said:

Or the best leaders act as servants.

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Yes but most forget that. Power takes over the mind. Look what happened to institutional Christianity