Singer, rapper, and songwriter, Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, credited God for his success after receiving three Grammy nominations for 2026.

On Nov. 7, it was announced that Jelly Roll and Christian musician Brandon Lake were nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for their collaboration on Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” Jelly Roll was also nominated for Best Contemporary Country Album for “Beautifully Broken,” and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen.”

The nominations came as a shock to Jelly Roll, who shared his excitement in a social media video. He said he first learned of the nominations while in Australia and described the moment as “probably the craziest thing that’s ever happened” in his life.

Continued below.

Hi all! Wow, I haven’t posted here in over a year! Just an update that now I have an almost 1 year old daughter!! She’s such a cutie, loves to point at everything, stand up, wave at everyone, and call me Dada! Lol. Hope you all are doing great, looks like this place is still pretty slow, haha.

Rescued One said:

Be compassionate to those who have PTSD and terminal illnesses insread of judgmental. Jesus wept.

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A mind-blowing passage from the Scriptures reminds us that if we care for these, it’s like we’re caring for Jesus (“you did it unto me”)!

stevevw said:

Lol I think you said something similar before about it all being about sex. I am pretty sure the womens movement was much more than sex. In fact it was gender and not sex. The civil rights revolution was about race. The culture wars are now about identities of all sorts. Its much more than sex.

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You're right. It was about the autonomy of women in general. But the "culture" was always about identities. The question is who is going to impose them.

stevevw said:

The breakdown of the family is not just about sex. Though sex is a big part and thats just a natural and core aspect of being human. If sex is part of marriage and relationships and thats part of the family.

But if progressive ideas around sex which relate to marriage and the family contribute to the break down of society and poor outcomes for every one. Then yes the progressive beliefs and ideas around sex have destroyed society.

The point is while you macke a mockery and conflation that its all about men missing out on sex. Which only makes my point that sex itself is what has been perverted and reimagined within the Godless ideologies where men and women are the gods of sex. This is the very problem that is destroying society.

The lies that women or men are the gods of their own bodies and over when and where and who they can have sex. This leads to many, many further pproblems and we are seeing the end results of a few decades now of progressive counter culture. And its not a pretty picture. The ideas of freedom and happiness and liberation have turned out to be lonliness, depression, anxiety and dispair.

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Yes, and on the other hand it is Christinas who insist that men are God's not only of their own bodies but of women's bodies, too.

Would Christianity still dominate the United States if it were reimagined as a small town of 100 people?

That's the premise of a new report from Pew Research Center, which offered fresh analysis of America's religious landscape through the lens of Pew's sweeping 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study (RLS).

The study, conducted from July 17, 2023, to March 4, 2024, surveyed nearly 37,000 U.S. adults and paints a portrait of a community where belief — or the lack thereof — shapes neighborhoods, generations and daily life.

Noting that the U.S. has a population of roughly 262 million adults, with Christianity claiming about 162 million adherents and 76 million people reporting no religious affiliation, Pew researchers acknowledge that grasping the full scope of faith in America can feel overwhelming.

Continued below.

Guojing said:

When you say Acts 21 is no longer possible, are you answering yes to my clarifying question? I just want to understand where you are coming from.

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Historical context: occurs after Jesus resurrection with primarily cultural Jews around the 40’s ad. James, the brother of Christ, is the head of the Jerusalem church which is composed of primarily cultural Jews that have embraced Jesus as their messiah but still retain the law because the temple is the center of their culture and activities. They are not willing to give that up. Paul comes to visit with some gentiles to bring tithes to the church. The Jews believe that Paul is teaching other Jews to forsake the law and that he invited a gentile into the temple which would have defiled the temple. The Jews try to kill Paul and the centurion saves him when Paul reveals his Roman citizenship.

Physical context: Paul, along with eight gentiles arrive in Jerusalem. They are welcomed initially and go to James house were the elders were also present. The next day Paul purifies himself at one of the purification pools and goes to the temple were there was a large crowd and they seize Paul. They take him out of the temple and shut the doors so that the temple would not be defiled. They beat Paul outside of the temple among the large crowd until the Roman soldiers arrive so this is still outside of the temple. The soldiers took him toward the barracks with the crowd following where Paul addresses the crowd outside of the barracks.


Cultural context: there is a lot to cover here but I’m going to just summarize. Jerusalem is the center of life for the Jews including the temple were they would congregate along with other Jews from other cities that would travel to Jerusalem to worship or attend special days or festivals. This was the center of cultural Israel. The Jews were cultural people whose life revolved around the Torah and the Law. The law had been given to Moses to give to Israel because they were God’s chosen people so it made them unique among the rest of the people inhabiting the Lavant. The Jews considered preaching against the law to be a capital offense so James had to thread lightly when teaching the Jewish converts about salvation by faith without the works of the law.

On the other hand, the churches that Paul planted were primarily gentile that also included Jews. Paul could teach salvation by faith without the treat of death but with opposing groups of Jewish converts promoting the law. Apparently the problem was particularly problematic in the Galatian church. The rest of the Apostles that left Jerusalem were also able to teach salvation by faith. BTW- based on accounts by early church fathers James was eventually martyred (stoned) for his Christian believes.

Situational context: the events of Acts 21:27-40 happened because of the clash of Christian doctrine of salvation by faith apart from the works of the law and the converted Jews that refused to give up what their ancestors had believed for 15 centuries.

A proper exegesis of all the elements of context would not be possible in this platform since it would take many pages to unpack it but this will do as a summary. As you can see the cultural Jews in Jerusalem still attended all events in the Temple and the Temple still ruled their lives. The law, among the Jews, continued for his reason. James had to be careful of what and how he preached the gospel of good news. A few years later, and prophesied by Jesus in Matt. 24, the temple will be destroyed and the Jews would be expelled from Jerusalem ending the temple life and dispersing the Jews.

The events of Acts 21 cannot happen again because all if its context can not be repeated. The cultural Jew in Jerusalem and the temple are no longer there. The law among the gentiles was never a problem because the apostles ruled in the council of Jerusalem that they are not under the law. The problem of continuing under the law was a problem unique to the converted Jews which Paul argues against in his epistles to the churches.

I hope this helps and clears my position. You do with this as you will. I have stated my case.

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Amen

stevevw said:

Why. If each side is so polarised now and sees the other sides policies as a threat to democracy and even peoples existence. Then why would not each side see the other as ideas and beliefs as bad and wrong and damaging for society.

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Only one side sees things that way. The other side just doesn't want to be told what to do by a religious faction of dubious moral credibility.

stevevw said:

To the Christians progressive policies are sin and seen as destroying the fabric of society. To the progressives Christian based policies are seen as hateful and bigotry and a threat to identity politics and ideology. Why pretend this is not the case.

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Because what is really at risk is not society but merely anglo-Protestant culture.

stevevw said:

I think you allude to the real issue when you say as a society we should be willing to allow contradictory and potentially harmful ideas because we are suppose to allow all beliefs no matter what. JUst because Christians think X behaviour is sin doesn't make it sin. Because we cannot allow one single moral truth.

If the different groups are fighting over what is best and truth for society. Then what if one side is right. What if the sin that Christians percieve is actually wrong and is destructive for society. Or if the religious belief is crazy and bad for society.

It seems a silly way to determine what is allowed and how we should order society based on subjective beliefs that could be potentially destructive because we are suppose to allow all beliefs and ideas no matter what. Based on an ideological belief in itself that there is no sin or moral truth or God and moral lawgiver.

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That why we don't do it that way and why the laws of a secular state are not considered, in themselves, to be moral precepts.

stevevw said:

But hey thats the way the world is and Christians must accept and adjust for this. But I think in the end it will be the world who will not accept the Christians and Jews because its a spiritual battle between good and evil.

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You need to think that over. ".Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." --Abraham Lincoln.

stevevw said:

When was that. I don't think it was very significant. Because primarily Dems/Labor is anti big business and corps. They are traditionalls higher taxers of the rich to support the large social programs they support. If it happened it was either on the fringe or not significant.

Otherwise who were the pro big business. A party cannot be both taxing big bisuness and pro big business at the same time. Where does the monet come from. What about the unions. They cannot be both on the big corps and the workers union at the same time.

Of course with Christ they can get through anything. But it won't be nice and it will be a worry for the rest.

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I see you have completely embraced the heresy of Manichaeism.

Personally, I wish our street preacher would pick a different verse to put on his sign. Many of the festival attendees grew up in churches, and they've already heard the message that God doesn't want them. The preacher is reinforcing that message.

But the first amendment to the US Constitution firmly protects our sign-carrying preacher, both as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Post #17 not valid but a result of my clumsy fingers. and tired eyes.

LoveGodsWord said:

Hello all this is a thread for sharing scriptures on MARK OF THE BEAST.

WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST CLICK ME?

There is a simple study from God's WORD * DANIEL AND REVELATION and history here beastsmark.com for those who may be interested in the scriptures and some more detail.

God's WORD teaches that GOD'S PEOPLE ARE IN EVERY CHURCH! Theye are all those who BELIEVE and FOLLOW God's WORD as much as God has revealed to them. *JOHN 10:16; ACT 17:30-31.

I would like to discuss the following scriptures here in this OP.

REVELATION 14:6-12
[6], And I saw another angel fly in midheaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people,
[7], Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment has come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
[8], And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
[9], And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
[10], The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out undiluted into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
[11], And the smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name.
[12], Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

...............

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION (linked to scripture studies in this thread)

Q1. WHAT IS THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL? v6 linked
Q2. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEAR GOD? v7 linked
Q3. HOW DO WE GIVE GLORY TO GOD? v7 linked
Q4. WHAT IS THE JUDGMENT ABOUT? v7 linked
Q5. WHO DOES BABYLON THE HARLOT WOMAN REPRESENT? v8; 17:1-5; 18:1-9
Q6. THE MARK OF THE BEAST IS OVER WHORSHIP v8-12
Q7. WHO IS GOD’S TRUE CHURCH IN GOD’S WORD? v12
Q8. WHAT DOES A BEAST OF KINGDOM REPRESENT IN DANIAL AND REVELATIONS?
Q9 WHAT ARE THE SYMBOLS AND MEANING OF MARK, SIGN AND SEAL?
Q10. WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST AND WHEN DO PEOPLE RECEIVE IT?
Q11. THE SEAL OF GOD HOW DO WE GET IT?
Q12. DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CIVIL SUNDAY LAWS HAVE ALREADY PASSED?
Q13. WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST, THE MAN OF SIN, THE BEAST AND 666?
Q14. WHO DID THE EARLY REFORMERS BELIEVE THE ANTICHRIST WAS? 1/2
Q15. WHO DID THE EARLY REFORMERS BELIEVE THE ANTICHRIST WAS? 2/2

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT

...............

FRIENDLY CHRISTIAN DISCUSSION AND SCRIPTURE ONLY PLEASE.

God bless you as you seek him through his Word.

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I'm a little late to this discussion. Sorry about that. Happy Advent though!

A1. The everlasting gospel is mentioned in Revelation 1:5-6 (NASB1995). "And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

A2. To Fear God means to respect His name and power, not confusing His compassion for weakness.

A3. We give glory to God by doing what the woman's offspring does in Revelation 12:17, "Who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

A4. The judgment is about exposing and purging sin from the holy presence of God. God's desire is to dwell among His people.

A5. Babylon is best understood using the Parable of the Wheat and Tares. She is the unrepentant in the Church that seek to love both God and the world. Within her gates are the "dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying." (Revelation 22:15) She is the result of not heeding the messages to the seven churches. Instead of keeping the commandments of God, she runs after the things of this world (Ephesus). Instead of being faithful to the point of death (Smyrna), she cowers in fear because she loves this life more than God. Instead of keeping pure doctrine, she mingles with nationalist teachings so she can keep her worldly influence (Pergamum). Instead of trusting in God as her King, she runs after her other lovers, the kings of the earth that submit to Satan. You get the idea.

A6-A7. See A5.

A8. The kingdom of the beast in Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 are the kingdoms of the world. 1+2+3+4=10. Therefore the ten horns represent global authority. These are the ones Babylon runs after.

A9. See A3. A mark on the forehead represents a testimony while a mark on the right hand represents deeds.

A10. The mark of the beast is the antithesis of keeping God's commandments and bearing testimony of Jesus. Believers who don't heed the seven messages will take the mark of the beast after the worldly messiah, the false messiah that seeks power over the kingdoms of this world (the four beasts/ten horns), presents himself as the world's savior, using miraculous signs to deceive people who love lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 13).

A11. We get the seal of God by heeding the messages to the seven stars and loving Jesus more than anything this world can offer.

A12. Jesus is Lord of all the days of the week. He is our the rest, the second Adam, the new creation. If we make anything about us, we stop following Jesus. He went to the cross. No servant is above his master, so we go to the cross as well. If we aren't willing to follow Jesus to the cross, what good does it do to debate whether one day is holier than another? We stand convicted as hypocrites.

A13. The beast, the antichrist and son of perdition, is the ruler of the kingdoms of this world. 666 is the gematria calculation of the false messiah (656) that rules over the kingdoms of this world (10). The transliteration of the Hebrew word for mashiach (messiah) into Greek language is messias. M(40)+E(5)+S(200)+S(200)+I(10)+A(1)+S(200)=656. The kingdoms of this world, as explained in A8 are the four beasts added together: 1+2+3+4=10. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” (John 18:36) The false messiah is the one that fails to the temptations Jesus endured in the wilderness. He gives everything up for worldly power. That is how Satan gives the beast is authority and dominion. At the time the Apocalypse was received by John, the beast was Caesar.

A14-A15. The Papacy. Homey don't play that. Babylon is everywhere. She is sitting next to Zion in the pews at every church this Advent morning. The only way to tell the difference is by her fruit. She lives for this world and not the kingdom to come. The wheat and tares will both be harvested at the end of the age.

rjs330 said:

No we don't. If you are illegal and a good guy you are still subject to the same deportation law as an illegal tgat is a bad guy.

Why shouldn't you be?

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Those who commit crimes get expedited deportation. If you're not familiar with the DACA then you're just speaking from ignorance.

Dan1988 said:

So you don't believe that God is almighty, according to your theory, God has no control over who inherits His Kingdom. You believe it's out of His hands, well I wouldn't give you 2 cents for that type of god.

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You do not need two cents, He will save anyone who asks, upon their request, no money needed, just contrition for sin.
Good manners is His strength, it is not a fault.

Welcome to the forums!

I think as Christians we can know the signs. We may not know the exact time but we can know the signs like the signs of a changing season. I think thats a good analogy because its never a definite time but a all encompassing experience with many smaller signs building and aligning. Just like as a storm comes you can sense the build up in the atmosphere.

It may pass over but I think each time this is building towards the end time and more signs are accumulated. Just like the spirit is showing you signs of the right way to go in life. You may at first not be sure and then it becomes clearer.

I also think like all things in God it is never loud or dramatic or sensational. It is a quiet and gradual revelation that is embodies through time.

I think theres a couple of assumptions in that as we move forward from Christs establish His church on earth we get closer to that end. There maybe be falling away and revivals. But gradually there will be many who do not believe and Christians will be persecuted in Christs name. That implies a cultural change from a Godly one to an unGodly one.

But it may be that what is happening now with many falling away and Christianity becoming less liked that this leads to another revival rather than the end time. This may happen again and again for a long time.

But I also think that each recycling gets closer to the final battle. Almost as though the battle lines are still being drawn and you can sense theres something brewing.

Like theres a growing awareness of what it is people are fighting for. Its not just land, politics, equality but something deeper about how we should order the world. Who is God of the world and over people.

Almost like its a self fullfilling prophesy in that society has made it about good verses evil and so this will become the reality.

If this is where we are at then I am not sure there would be any backing down, its like the battle lines are being drawn and people are signing up to their sides. The dark forces have been building up and are more established, Its certainly an uncertain time and future thats doesn't seem to be creating a heaven on earth or social utopia.

It sure looks like Trump gets away with it while having been just as involved as all others on Epstein's Island... like he would have been planning for.

Dan Perez said:

And need you if you can explain ACTS 15:1 ??

And certain ones having come down. from Judea were teaching the brethren , that you would be CIRCUMCISED after the

THE CUSTOM OF MOSES , you are NOT //. OV. IS A DISJUNCATIVE PARTICLE NEGATIVE and means you cannot EVER

BE SAVED ??

What say you. ??

dan p

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Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
The text explains it within itself.

Christsfreeservant said:

God’s biblical purpose and will for all of our lives, that we deny self, die to sin, submit to God's authority, surrender our lives to him, obey his commands, be his servants and messengers and teachers of the truth of the gospel, go where he sends us, and use the gifts he has given us for the mutual encouragement of the body of Christ.

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One "spanner in the works" with most sermons I hear about how husbands are to relate to their wives is the fact that Jesus taught we must "hate" our wives (and family) to be His disciple... (Luke 14:26) Login to view embedded media

Novena for the Holy Souls Day 9 11-30-25

My God! How was it possible that I, for so many years, have borne tranquilly the separation from Thee and Thy holy grace! O infinite Goodness, how long-suffering hast Thou shown Thyself to me! Henceforth, I shall love Thee above all things. I am deeply sorry for having offended Thee; I promise rather to die than to again offend Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, and do not permit that I should ever again fall into sin. Have compassion on the holy souls in Purgatory. I pray Thee, moderate their sufferings; shorten the time of their misery; call them soon unto Thee in heaven, that they may behold Thee face to face, and forever love Thee. Mary, Mother of Mercy, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession, and pray for us also who are still in danger of eternal damnation.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Prayer to Our Suffering Saviour for the Holy Souls in Purgatory below.

Prayer to Our Suffering Saviour for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemani, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here)

Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.

Our Morning Offering – 30 November – O Come, O come, Emmanuel


One Minute Reflection – 30 November – ‘ … You ask then how I knew He was present …’ St Bernard

Thoughts for an Extraordinary Advent

ADVENTCAzT 2025 – 01 – 1st Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent propers & commentary (EF)

The First Sunday of Advent propers & commentary (EF)

Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine's Instruction First Sunday in Advent (EF)

In Illo Tempore: 1st Sunday of Advent (EF)

The Tempestuous Collect for the First Sunday of Advent (EF)

A season of hope: sermon on the first Sunday of Advent (EF)

Scripture & Tradition: First Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent (Year A) readings & commentary (OF)

First Sunday of Advent readings & commentary (OF)

Sunday Reflections, 1st Sunday of Advent, Year A, 30 November 2025 (OF)

He Bids Us, Stay Awake! First Sunday of Advent (readings & commentary OF)

Advent is Apocalyptic (readings & commentary OF)

Daily Gospel

A Recipe for Readiness – A Homily for the First Sunday of Advent

Saint Andrew Apostle

Saints of the Day

Sermons for Everyday Living - Be Prepared 11/30/25

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I think Mary pleads with God to hold off on his wrath, but she can't stop it. She might be able to gain time, but even if she does it will only be because God has listened to her request. She was, after all, the Mother of God the Son.

I used to see a Catholic psychiatrist. Like me, he was a Protestant convert so it took him a while to get his head around the issue of Mary. He said "It took me years to work out where Mary fits into the scheme of things. I think she pleads on behalf of those in Purgatory".

I suppose it's one more of a million or so questions we'll be wanting to ask God when we see Him. I remember my old pastor saying in one of his sermons "I've got a few questions I'll be wanting to ask Him when the time comes..."