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House Passes Trump-Backed Rescissions Package Slashing $9 BILLION in Bloated Spending — FOREIGN AID, NPR, and PBS on the Chopping Block — Two Republic

The said part is that Congress gave him a signed BBB (big bad bill) and he sent it back.
Not cruel enough.
Not anti first amendment enough.
What? Poor children might be fed? No!
Not bad enough. SMH.
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Limits on discussing abortion in OBOB

"Contraceptive mindset" is an excellent way to put it. While I've always seen abortion and euthanasia as horrific crimes, even before coming back to the Church, I was a slow learner when it comes to contraception...

...The writer Mary Harrington makes the observation that the Pill was the first time in history that medical practice wasn't used for the purpose of correcting something abnormal or broken and making it whole, but about taking something that was healthy and unnaturally modifying it for a non-medical end. This was something of an eye-opener for me. And of course St. Pope Paul VI's prophetic warnings in Humanae Vitae have proven to be exactly correct.
I was slow too brother. I thought what is the big deal with birth control? If a couple is not refusing to have children, why can’t they regulate the number?
What did not realize is that contraception destroys a marriage and turns it into a mutual masturbation contract, which is disgusting. Is it no wonder that we have gender confused roles today when we are only expected to pleasure each other and not fulfill our duty?
Contraception destroys masculinity all the while telling a man he is free, but he does not realize that he forfeits his manhood in favor of becoming an acronym, what I term as a dynamically inserted libido delighting object, not a husband.
When she is tired of him, she develops disdain for him and throws him away. There is no respect for men, no respect for women, which all stems from a disdain for God’s command in favor of bodily pleasure.
Yes, the thief does come to kill, rob and destroy. Rob the couples of dignity, kill the babies and destroy the family. Great plan. Could it come from anywhere else but Hell itself?
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Would appreciate a little help

Welcome to CF!

The “Looking for a Church” section of the site may help with the denominational aspect. Not so much the work issue. A local church in my area that is non-denominational offers services on Saturdays so that would also be a good solution if there was one in your area, but you have to closely vet those! Go with Wednesday!
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How do I rid my heart of remaining bitter roots?

Hi ReuleauxMan, :)

Thank you for opening up with such vulnerability and depth. Your story is powerful, and your heart for Jesus—even after all the emotional injury you’ve endured—is deeply moving. The fact that you’re actively seeking healing, not just for yourself but with a desire to avoid bitterness and even wish repentance for your abusers, shows a maturity and humility that only comes from walking closely with God.

You asked some incredibly deep questions, and I’d like to humbly offer a few thoughts and encouragements:

1. Forgiveness Without Closure

Yes, it is possible to forgive those you may never see again. Forgiveness isn’t about saying “what happened was okay.” It’s about saying I will not carry this weight anymore—I trust God with the justice. Turning them and their offense over to Jesus is not just valid, it’s powerful. Jesus knows injustice intimately, and He is a faithful High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). You may never get the apology, but you can still hand the pain over to the One who sees it all.

2. Forgiveness ≠ Reconciliation

Your instincts are right—some people are unsafe. Forgiveness doesn’t mean opening yourself up to further abuse. It simply means you’re no longer letting them live rent-free in your head or heart. Like you said, forgive, but don’t forget in the sense of discernment. The Apostle Paul fled cities when things got dangerous, and Jesus did walk away at times (John 8:59). It’s okay to walk away too.

3. About Bitterness and C-PTSD

Bitterness is sneaky—it often feels like strength, like protection. But over time, it becomes a weight. And for someone like you, who has autism and C-PTSD, I want to affirm that your nervous system is not your fault. You freeze not because you are weak but because your body is protecting itself the only way it knows how. This isn’t moral failure—it’s injury. Be gentle with yourself.

One practical tool: when a bitter or resentful thought arises, pause and name it. “This is bitterness rising. Lord, I give it to You again.” You may have to do this 100 times a day at first, but every time is a victory. Forgiveness is often a process, not a one-time event.

4. Learning to Respond Instead of Freeze

This takes time, practice, and grace. One small suggestion: rehearse loving but firm responses in advance. Even something like:

“That wasn’t kind. I hope everything’s okay with you.”
Or,
“I’d rather not be spoken to like that.”
You're not being cruel or confrontational—you're setting a boundary, which is healthy and Christlike. Even Jesus said, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” (John 18:23). That wasn’t passivity; it was controlled strength.
Also, try role-playing or journaling hypothetical situations. It might sound small, but preemptively preparing a response can lower the freeze instinct over time.

5. Bitterness Toward the Broken World

You mentioned rage at how trauma ruins people and how some turn away from God forever. That righteous anger is understandable. But remember, Jesus, too, wept over Jerusalem. He was heartbroken, not bitter. You’re in good company when you grieve evil.

Turn that passion into compassion, and keep praying for those still in darkness. Your story, even the painful chapters, may become part of their rescue someday.


You are already becoming “wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove” by asking these questions. The bitter roots may still have tips in your heart, but the soil around them has been made soft by Christ’s love and your willingness to be transformed.

Keep praying. Keep surrendering. Keep forgiving as often as it takes. This is sanctification, and Jesus is walking right beside you the whole way.


May His peace guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:7),– A brother in Christ

Hope this helps you. :)
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Bowling For Soup

They’re one of those bands that always puts me in a good mood, no matter what kind of day I’m having. Their songs are fun, catchy, and full of humour, but they also have a lot of heart behind them.


One of the best things about Bowling for Soup is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. They know how to have fun with their music, and you can really feel that in songs like “1985” and “High School Never Ends.” But at the same time, they’ve got tracks like “When We Die” that show a more emotional and reflective side, which I really appreciate.


I also love how down-to-earth and relatable they are. Their lyrics often deal with everyday stuff—growing up, feeling out of place, looking back on life—and they do it in a way that’s both funny and honest.


Overall, they’re just a great band to listen to when you need a laugh, a singalong, or even a little nostalgia. Anyone else here a fan?
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Rep. Jim Jordan to be questioned under oath on Ohio State Strauss sex abuse scandal

Oh a generalized catch-all…I see. That’s nice.
Odd though, how you reacted to the thread about Representative Jorda’s impending deposition with that particular emoji.
I’m a bit lost.

Oh, praying for survivors.

I obviously wasn’t clear.

My bad.
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How does the idea that most of Gods creation he will have to burn forever bring glory to God?

If you believe that "hell" was not revealed till Jesus, why would God let all of humanity up till Jesus not know that if they did not follow Jesus they would burn forever? Eternal hell is no place in the old Testament at all, that sounds kind of cruel of God not telling them they would burn forever and not just that their mortal body would die as was told to Adam.
You'll have to take that up with God. . .it's above my pay grade.
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anyone know anything about Gematria?

In Hebrew, the word bara is used to describe the act of creation. It appears 47 times in the OT and always describes an action of G-d.

In the beginning G-d created the heaven and the earth. Gen 1:1
בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ
Bereshit bara Elohim et hashamayim ve'et ha'aretz


Bereshit usually means In the beginning G-d created...

It is certainly not wrong to say,

As the first fruits, G-d created...

Christ was the first fruits of G-d.

But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 1 Cor 15:23

The six letters of the first word

בראשית
Bereshit


2. ב בּ Bet/Vet 2
20. ר Resh 200
1. א Alef 1
21. שׂ שׁ Shin/Sin 300
10. י Yud 10
22. ת תּ Tav/Sav 400

are sometimes compared to the 6 days of creation.

Bereshit contains the words for

20. ר Resch 200
1. א Alef 1
21. שׂ שׁ Shin/Sin 300

rosh (head)

and for

2. ב בּ Bet/Vet 2
10. י Yud 10
22. ת תּ Tav/Sav 400

bayith (house/household).

Christ is the head of G-d's household.

The first and last two letters in the word bereshit,

2. ב בּ Bet/Vet 2
20. ר Resch 200
10. י Yud 10
22. ת תּ Tav/Sav 400

form the word berith (covenant) while the remaining inner letters

1. א Alef 1
21. שׂ שׁ Shin/Sin 300

form the word esh (fire), which indicates that the act of creation itself was a fire.

The word of G-d is compared to fire, which often symbolizes His jealousy in relation to his covenant. G-d revealed himself to Moses as a burning bush

And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, G-d called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. Ex 3:2-4

and later as a consuming fire

For the Lord thy G-d is a consuming fire, even a jealous G-d. Deu 4:24

Fire surrounded Mount Sinai

(I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to shew you the word of the Lord: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount saying, Deu 5:5

The fire of G-d consumed the holy sacrifices

And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. Lev.9:24

Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight. Judg 6:21


and was present in the service of the prophets

And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of G-d, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of G-d came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 2 Kgs 1:12

Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Jer 20:9

Indeed, the word of G-d is comparable to fire itself

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Jer 23:29

a destructive force for those who take offense at the glory of G-d, but a source of warmth and comfort for those who heed the message.

In Bereshit the letter combination

2. ב בּ Bet/Vet 2
20. ר Resch 200
1. א Alef 1

bara, is often associated with the concept of creation, particularly in the context of G-d creating the world, it can also carry the meaning of cutting down or clearing in certain contexts.

21. שׂ שׁ Shin/Sin 300
10. י Yud 10
22. ת תּ Tav/Sav 400,

On the other hand, the verb s hith, can translated as to set in place or to put. This captures the essence of the word, indicating a deliberate action of positioning something.

Together with the second word bara, meaning to create, the first two word combinations can be read as create, clear, and set in place again, which is what G-d has done and will do again, because in Bereshit, as we have already seen, we have the word fire together with the word covenant.

G-d will destroy heaven and earth and create a new heaven and earth.

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Isa 65:17

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. Isa 66:22

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Pe 3:10

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Rev 21:1


And all of this points to the Son of G-d through the first two letters

2. ב בּ Bet/Vet 2
20. ר Resch 200

in Bereshit, bar = son (from Aramaic).

It is often used in names and titles, such as in Bar Mitzvah, which literally means son of the commandment and marks a Jewish religious ceremony for young men when they come of age. It can also be found in the Aramaic section of the Book of Daniel.


1752857959355.jpeg


From the perspective of the first sentence of the Torah, He is the Creator (bara = created, 2nd word), from the perspective of the first word, He is the head of the house of G-d, and from the position of the first two letters of the very first word, He is the SON OF G-D.

If the Redeemer is named at the beginning, even before the creation of man, then the decision to sin was predestined, was it not?

It was not predetermined, but calculated through the free will of man. G-d created humans with free will. He gave them the freedom to decide what they wanted to do with their lives. This means that they can choose to sin, but this brings suffering. However, G-d had a plan in place in advance to deal with this problem.
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Noah's Ark

I thought that was what everyone was going on about. What is Noahs flood and what are the flood stories overall as to what they represent to humans and even reality itself ie there are two different realities where one has no God or gods and these stories are purely su[erstition and make believe.
We're talking about a story in a book about a flood. Whether there was an actual identifiable flood which gave the author the basis of the story, or whether he just based it on the general idea that big floods are catastrophies is an interesting question, but it has nothing to do with whether or not God exists or the atheist versus theist worldview or anything like that.
Or the other where these biblical stories reflect a deeper reality about humans and a reality beyond the atheist and material reality.
That's the point of them, is it not? We certainly don't read the Noah story to learn about hydrology.
So it follows that we want to work out what these stories represent. For the Christians its Noah. And then whether Noahs story in the context of all stories. Which one best aligns with the evidence including lived experiences.
What is it that we want to work out? I don't quite follow you. Which one what?
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Israel-Hamas Thread II

I think there should be an application process for those who are willing to take part in the "moving forward" process, but they would have to pass psychiatric and general knowledge tests before being allowed to stay, and also, they should be required to learn Hebrew. Those who fall outside these guidelines, or reject them outright, should be transported somewhere else.

Aka. Full assimilation.
Landon, what you have described is called ethnic cleansing and is classified as a form of genocide. Please rethink this.
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Good Charlotte

Love them! I’ve always connected with their mix of pop-punk energy and emotional lyrics. Their music got me through some tough times and still hits hard today. The Anthem is my favourite song– such a classic and super catchy.

Their blend of punk energy and emotional honesty is something that really stuck with me over the years. They’re not just a nostalgic band for me—they’re one of my favourite bands.
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