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  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Virgin Mary Doesn’t Have ‘The Role Of Holding Back God’s Wrath,’ Vatican Expert Says

The central theological statement of Our Lady at La Salette directly contradicts Father Gronchi’s 2025 assertion. Mary told the children:
Come near, my children, be not afraid; I am here to tell you great news. If my people will not submit, I shall be forced to let fall the arm of my Son. It is so strong, so heavy, that I can no longer withhold it. For how long a time do I suffer for you! If I would not have my Son abandon you, I am compelled to pray to him without ceasing. (Apparition of Our Lady at La Salette, 1846, as cited in Corteville & Revet, 1921, p. 45)

Source: Our Lady's Words: Insights On Co-Redemptrix Debate
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Game based on Bible passage about killing everything that breathes

Isn't making a game that glorifies violence and sexual immorality a gross sin against the Lord?
The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. Psalm 11:5

The Bible does not glorify violence.
Rather, these accounts are there that we can learn from them how God feels about them, and the consequences.
In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire. Jude 1:7

If God did not recount these things for his people, they would not have clear examples that would help them avoid falling into the same conduct.
Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 1 Corinthians 10:6

I have in mind making a game based on the Bible, but it will be playable by all - adults and children, and both entertaining and educational.
I will certainly not be glorifying what God hates.
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I feel the church too hermetic..

I have been trying to approach christianity and lately orthodoxy after many readings and meditating on spiritual matters.

I was raised in italy within the catholic church and thats where as a child i felt and learned about Christ. I never got baptised though as my family decided to go back from where we migrated initially.

Keeping it short during my life (now approaching my 40s) i had my moments of ups and downs (spiritually) but i was always interested in religion in general. I like to read theology too which i enjoyed even during faith crisis and thats connected to my love of philosophy.

Now to the main point. After the pandemic hit i got more and more interested in orthodoxy due to a series of events and 2 theologians i discovered, namely Sergius Bulgakov and Vladimir Lossky (the former through David Bentley Hart and the latter through Rowan Williams).

When i was a child i used to open the new testament and put the finger randomly somewhere through the text and read from it. I did it 2 years ago and stumbled upon John 5 (the story which Jesus heals the invalid which was sick for 38 years). I dropped the book. I was 38. I still think of this..

I tried to get closer to my local church (there is no need to name which one) i also emailed the main Orthodox church in the city I'm moving to in January, but I have not yet received a response. Everytime i tried to express an idea or "something more" i get this feeling of a system to hermetic or closed to new people outside to what is expected.

I just wanted to put this up here since i may be wrong in feeling this (or maybe not) and would like to know and hear your experience.

Love you all!
Welcome to CF!
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The Electrical Nature of the Universe

My point in this thread, is that the sun; our life giver, is also the means whereby our modern civilization will be destroyed.
God Promised He would never again use water to reset mans ungodly inclinations, but many Prophesies clearly state the Lord will use fire next time. From the sun. Isaiah 30:26a
A huge Coronal Mass Ejection is the only thing which can literally fulfil all the descriptions about that terrible Day.
I seldom agree with your sights keras but have been exposed to electric universe theory and it has merit.

As to your doom and gloom conclusions however such claims remain derailed by your own citings:

Isaiah 26:
Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun,
And the light of the sun will be sevenfold,
As the light of seven days,

In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people
And heals the stroke of their wound
.

The term AS moves such scriptural statements OFF literal understanding and INTO spiritual insights
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Weekly homilies

Homily Tuesday, December 2 2025



Isaiah 11:1-10

“The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord.”

The Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, rests on Jesus. Wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength (Love, joy), knowledge (Understanding of God). Here, fear is trust in God. Either we trust or we do not trust in God.



Luke 10:21-24

“Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit.”



The reality of the Holy Spirit is joy, peace, and life.



Biblical texts: NAB-RE

Normand Thomas.
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The Deity of Christ Jesus

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:1-5 NASB1995)
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”’ For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:14-17 NASB1995)

Supporting Scriptures: [John 1:1-36; John 8:24,58; John 10:30-33; John 20:28-29; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8-9; 1 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 1:1]

Jesus Christ always existed with God and he always was/is God, the second person of our triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But he wasn’t always the man Jesus who was fully God and fully man when he lived on the earth. But one day, over 2000 years ago, he left his throne in heaven, and he came to earth, and he was born as a human baby to a virgin mother, but he was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and not of man. So he was not born with a sin nature as we are, and he never once sinned his whole time on the earth.

And Jesus Christ is our creator God. All things came into being through him. And he is the one who formed us in the wombs of our mothers. And in his book were written all the days that were ordained for us, when as yet there was not one of them (see Psalm 139:13-16). And he was the spiritual rock from whom the Israelites drank when they were in the wilderness for 40 years (see 1 Corinthians 10:1-4). He was not with them in body, but he was with them in Spirit. For Jesus Christ always existed with God, and he is God.

And Jesus Christ is the Light which shines in the darkness. And the Light is truth, righteousness, holiness, and godliness. The Light is all that is pure, upright, godly, and moral. And the Light is opposed to the darkness, for the darkness is all that is evil, immoral, wicked, sinful, and of the devil. But the Light shines in the darkness to expose all that is evil, and to show the truth in contrast to what is evil, and in contrast to Satan’s lies. So the Light is also the gospel of our salvation which puts sin to death so we can live for Christ.

Jesus Christ lived on the earth about 33 years. And while he was on the earth, particularly in his last 3 years, he healed the sick and afflicted, raised the dead, delivered people from demons, fed the hungry, and he performed many miracles. He also spread the message of the gospel of our salvation. For he taught that we must deny self, die to sin daily, and follow him in obedience to his commands if we want to have eternal life in him and have salvation from our sins. For giving him lip service only will save no one.

But in his great love for us, he willingly gave his life up for us on that cross to put our sins to death with him, and to be raised from the dead by God, so that, by God-gifted and God-persuaded faith in him, which is not of our own doing, we will die to sin and live for God/Christ Jesus in walks of holiness and righteousness, in obedience to our Lord and to his New Covenant commands, empowered by God. For this purpose Jesus came to the earth to save sinners from their slavery to sin so they can serve God with their lives.

[Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 9:23-26; Luke 17:25; John 1:1-36; John 6:35-58; John 8:24,58; John 10:27-33; John 20:28-29; Acts 26:18; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 9:5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 1:8-9; Hebrews 2:14-15; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 1:1]

Our Eyes on Jesus

Based off Hebrews 12:2-13
An Original Work / April 23, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love


Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.
Our faith starts and grows in Him,
Who for the joy set before Him
Endured all our sin.
Scorning the shame of the cross,
He sat down beside God above.
He was willing to die for us,
To save us, in love.

Think about the opposition
He endured from sinful men,
So when you go through life’s trials,
You stay strong within.
Knowing all He went through for us
Helps us not grow weak of heart;
Not grow weary; don’t give up;
And not from Him depart.

In your struggle against sin’s ways,
Resist not to shed your blood.
Have you forgotten the words
God spoke to us in love?
“My child, don’t ignore it when
The Lord corrects you; do faint not,
Because the Lord disciplines those
That He loves, of God.”

God rebukes us all for our good;
Share with Him in holiness.
It produces a harvest of
God’s own righteousness.
Therefore, strengthen all within you
That is weak and might give way.
Stand firm in the faith God gives you;
Trust Him and obey.

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The Deity of Christ Jesus
An Original Work / December 1, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Struggling with scrupulosity.

Thank for your kinds words. I needed them.

You are welcome. All of us as self-proclaimed children of the Lord and believers in Jesus Christ would do a lot better to both give and receive words of kindness and encouragement. I have prayed for you, Romansroad. I have been through the hellish days of suffering from scrupulosity, myself. :angel:
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How do I know what God wants me to do?

Hello @Jaedan, here are some things to consider, a two-part teaching series by Dr. R C Sproul (each lecture is around 20 min), which includes a lot about what NOT to do when seeking to know God's will.


Then second, a sermon about finding God's will for your life from Dr. John MacArthur.


All three are interesting, useful, and free :)

God bless you!!

--David
p.s. - finally, here's a short quote from theologian/pastor Dr. Sinclair Ferguson that has been very helpful to me (whenever I remember and/or decide to follow it, that is), especially when I have two or more possibilities/directions before me to choose from.

Be Obedient.jpg
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Trump, lawyer fined $1M for harassing Hillary Clinton

Hank, you should have realized this about @Aryeh Jay a long time ago. ^_^

It's easier when that guy jay posts a lot from home or school. Now he's south of the Gulf of America on a Navy ship doing absolutely nothing, just sitting here watching the clouds. But he doesn't post a lot for some reason. Here's a cool picture of clouds from yesterday evening.
1000012478.jpg
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Elijah Comes First

Systemd: proudly encouraging migrations to FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, DragonFlyBSD and Illumos since 2010
I have been seriously looking at the BSDs. If they had a ‘live’ USB installer I could find I’d have done it already. I’d probably find it more like the old old Red Hat than those systemd junk. Don’t get me started on Gnome. And my oldest grandson is fascinated by xscreensaver, which requires the X windowing system that Fedora is dumping for Wayland. So no xscreensaver for Fedora using Gnome any more. Mate still uses x windows but the writing is on the wall. Mate for now but Fedora is losing me.

Oh well. Linux was my second OS after starting with Finder 4.5 in the old Mac OS. OSX was my third OS and Windows my fourth. I only have a laptop running Windows because of work, often setting it up for remote access. The remote engineers mostly couldn’t figure out how to navigate a desktop that wasn’t Windows 10.

We had Vespers last night at church, something they are doing for the Sundays of Advent. I said I would be there next week. The deacon in charge said “God willing, He may return before then.” I think many of us are awaiting Elijah. It’s not solely an academic interest. Praying we can be faithful until that day.
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What's the weather like where you are? (10)

Meanwhile there are extremes in the West of Australia and the south east, which is having wintry conditions on the first day of summer.

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Beware of Catholic AI

I have found YouTube videos that appear real but are stating questionable things. Like bishop Barren giving a talk saying priests can be married and the celibacy rule is lifted
If we rely on AI or YouTube videos alone, we can be deceived. I always check the Vatican news to see what the magisterium is really teaching

I would say AI is dangerous in that it can be used to deceive by looking so offical yet be so wrong sometimes.
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Amnesia

Who will we be? Who should we see now as being the real us instead of these failed creations struggling to self=justify our ways? The elohim (spirits) failed God. Humans (flesh) failed God. Who will we be to reverse that failure?
We will be the Sons of God.

What is your point?—that's what I want to know. I'm not trying to debate you or criticize. I'm trying to understand why you went there.
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Can an OCD person ever get assurance?

I have been struggling with OCD and struggling with the gospel for decades. I ask the question because of what I read in a book on Christians with OCD. The book is called Strivings Within by Mitsy VanCleeve. The author talks about how the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan, centuries ago, apparently had OCD. I have read about him and how he kept doubting his salvation and having other struggles. VanCLeeve said that he eventually gave up trying to seek assurance. He decided that come heaven, come hell, he was for ‘venturing all for the name of Christ.’ She said that only by making this decision was he able to continue ‘serving His Lord.’ This jives with other advice I’ve read which says that OCD people must learn to live with the OCD and its uncertainty.

If all of the above is true, then OCD people can never get assurance of salvation, right?. Yet one author I read said that your spiritual life will never really take off until you have assurance.
The OCD people I have known in this life are very varied, though they have much in common, too. For the most part, I have found them very intelligent, able to reason well.

One thing I can suggest, is to pursue Christ with all your might, with all your will, with all your heart. Get to know him, spend hours praying, reading, without demanding he answer your questions. Get to know him and you may find, in his timing, that your life is about him, for better or for worse. And that for that, he is to be praised. You belong to him.
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Why do people hate ICE...

Miscarriages, infections, neglect: The pregnant women detained by ICE

Until last year, Congress required reports on the pregnant, postpartum or nursing women in ICE custody, including ‘detailed justification’ for their detention. This requirement no longer exists, Kelly Rissman reports​

[oversight is one of those words that mean its own opposite]​

Despite an ICE directive generally prohibiting the detention of pregnant women, Alicia was held there for three months.

About a month after she was detained, Alicia began experiencing severe abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, cramping, and bleeding. She was taken to a nearby emergency room in shackles. There, she underwent an invasive medical procedure, without her consent, according to the letter.

she remained at the facility for two more months. Unrelenting symptoms - bleeding, swelling, foul-smelling vaginal discharge and excruciating pain — persisted. The pain became so severe that she struggled to sleep.

It wasn’t until Alicia was deported in July that she was able to obtain antibiotics to treat the vaginal infection she’d developed from the miscarriage that had gone untreated while in ICE custody.

Data, available from a patchwork of media, lawsuits and Congressionalreports, suggests dozens of pregnant, postpartum and nursing women have been detained so far this year. [But we don't know since Congress did not renew that required reporting.]

Good Lord, why are we holding people for 3 months? If they are illegal, it shouldn't take three months to ship them out. And we absolutely are responsible to see they get the medical care they need. It's unconscionable that they don't.
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Revelation 4 interpretation

### Traditional Jewish Assignments (most common version)
Based on Midrash (e.g., Numbers Rabbah 2:7) and later sources like Rashi and the Zohar:

- Judah (East) → Lion (because Judah is called a "lion’s whelp" in Genesis 49:9)
- Reuben (South) → Man (because Reuben was the firstborn of a human mother, or because of the mandrakes story in Genesis 30 showing human-like behavior)
- Ephraim (West) → Ox (because of Joseph’s blessing in Deuteronomy 33:17, which speaks of oxen horns; Ephraim and Manasseh were sons of Joseph)
- Dan (North) → Eagle (or sometimes a serpent/eagle hybrid, based on Genesis 49:17 and the idea of swiftness)
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