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🇺🇸Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem 🇮🇱(4/26/26)[Prayer]A New Study For A New Year: PersonalitiesNumbers 13:1-33 13 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. 3 And Moses by the commandment of the Lord sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel. 4 And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” John 10:4–5Young children are often frightened by strangers. Infants, for example, form a strong bond with their mothers who feed them, hold them close, talk to them, and lavish love upon them. It often happens that when other family members, such as grandparents or even the father, attempt to hold the...

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness" (Matt. 5:10). There is a price to pay for being a Kingdom citizen. Unlike many today who try to make the gospel palatable for reluctant sinners, Jesus made it clear that following Him had its price. Rather than acceptance, fame, prestige, and prosperity, you can expect rejection and persecution. That's not a popular approach to evangelism, but it's honest. Also it insures that no one will try to enter the kingdom on the wrong basis. Jesus wanted His hearers to count the cost of discipleship. He knew that...

Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men,...

There are, in this fallen world, many mutually contradictory terms, things like “jumbo shrimp,” “trans women,” “pregnant men” and above all, “progressive Christianity.” That’s not to suggest that political progressives can’t have at least a semblance of Christian faith, only that their secular, political faith inevitably tends to overrule Christianity, which is why many of our mainline denominations are split asunder. One side insists that God, and His Word, are eternal, everlasting, unchanging. The other side doesn’t. After all, if the Constitution is a “living” document, changeable—or ignored—at the whim of Democrats, why not God? That’s a question little asked...

By Dr. John BergsmaSo we have reached the mid-point of the Easter Season and come to the Lord’s Day unofficially called “Good Shepherd Sunday,” because every year at this time we read from John 10, the famous “Good Shepherd Discourse.” For the most part, the Readings are focused around the idea of Jesus Christ as our divine Shepherd. But what is a shepherd like? In Western culture, shepherding can involve a conflicted relationship with the sheep. Shepherds often drive sheep in different directions using dogs to intimidate them. But in Eastern cultures, shepherds don’t “drive” the sheep, they lead them....

25 April 2026 Saint Mark, Evangelist Feast St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church - Colwich, KansasReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: Red. Year: A(II).First reading1 Peter 5:5-14My son, Mark, sends you greetingsAll wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble. Bow down, then, before the power of God now, and he will raise you up on the appointed day; unload all your worries on to him, since he is looking after you. Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion,...

A celebration is rising in one of the most haunting places on earth--and for many watching, it feels less like progress and more like a warning echoing from the past. In early June 2026, thousands are expected to gather along the shores of the Dead Sea for "Pride Land," a four-day festival billed as the largest LGBT celebration the Middle East has ever seen. Organizers promise a temporary "Pride City" in the Judean Desert-- complete with hotels, beach venues, music stages, and even family-friendly programming. Israel's official government channels have promoted it with a striking phrase: "Pride rises at the...

🇺🇸Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem 🇮🇱(4/25/26)[Prayer]A New Study For A New Year: PersonalitiesNumbers 12:1-16 12 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) 4 And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye...

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9). You are a messenger of peace! When Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9), He was referring to a special group of people whom God called to restore the peace that was forfeited because of sin. They may not be politicians, statesmen, diplomats, kings, presidents, or Nobel Prize winners, but they hold the key to true and lasting peace. As a Christian, you are among that select group of peacemakers. As such you have two primary responsibilities....

Daily Readings from the USCCBFeast of Saint Mark, evangelistJesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe…” Mark 16:15–17Today we honor the Gospel writer, Saint Mark. Mark, also called John Mark, was likely from modern-day Libya in North Africa but grew up in Jerusalem with his mother, Mary. Her home was a significant meeting place for early Christians, possibly hosting the Last Supper and Peter’s visit...

04/23/2026 9:12:14 PM PDT · by norsky · 15 replies April 23, 2026 | Free Republic Intercessors Join with fellow FREEPERS across the world to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Agri-Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, Technology, Religious Freedom and the Media. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Religion Forum threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind.

Israel’s military removed two soldiers from combat duty and placed them in military detention for 30 days after they destroyed the town’s crucifix. The social media picture of an Israeli soldier taking the blunt side ‌of an axe to a fallen sculpture of Jesus on the cross drew worldwide condemnation and apologies from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked the Italian soldiers, saying: “I thank Commander Diodato Abagnara and the entire Italian contingent of UNIFIL for their decision to donate a new crucifix to the Lebanese village of Debel.” One of the...

Pope Leo XIV clarified April 23 that the Vatican does not support formalized blessing ceremonies for people in same-sex relationships, responding to a question about German Cardinal Reinhard Marx’s plan to introduce such rituals in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising. The Pope’s remarks came during an in-flight press conference while returning to Rome after his 11-day apostolic journey across Africa. Asked by a German reporter about Cardinal Marx’s decision, Pope Leo said the Vatican “has made it clear that we do not agree with the formalized blessing of couples, in this case, ‘homosexual couples,’ as you asked, or couples...

[Catholic Caucus] Pope Leo XIV affirms informal blessing for homosexual couples and downplays sexual sinPope Leo affirmed the position outlined in Fiducia Supplicans of informal blessings for those in homosexual unions while opposing a ‘formalized blessing,’ as proposed by German Cardinal Marx.On a return flight from Africa Thursday, Pope Leo XIV responded to a question about the Church in Germany issuing formalized blessings for homosexual couples, saying that the Vatican has objected. He made it clear, however, that the impromptu blessings of homosexual couples and couples in adulterous unions was still permitted as the Vatican document Fiducia Supplicans teaches, contrary...

The ancient world is stirring again. From the rugged slopes near Mount Ararat to the buried secrets beneath Jerusalem, a renewed wave of archaeological curiosity is sweeping across biblical history. Recent reports surrounding possible structural anomalies linked to Noah's Ark have reignited global fascination--not just with one ancient relic, but with the broader question: What else might still be hidden? Now, attention is shifting to something even more sacred, more mysterious, and arguably more significant--the long-lost Ark of the Covenant. And for the first time in generations, serious researchers believe we may be closer than ever to finding it. A...

24 April 2026 Friday of the 3rd week of Eastertide St. Fidelis Church, Victoria, KS Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: A(II).First readingActs 9:1-20This man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before the pagansSaul was still breathing threats to slaughter the Lord’s disciples. He had gone to the high priest and asked for letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, that would authorise him to arrest and take to Jerusalem any followers of the Way, men or women, that he could find. Suddenly, while he was travelling to Damascus and just before he reached the city, there...

🇺🇸Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem 🇮🇱(4/24/26)[Prayer]A New Study For A New Year: PersonalitiesNumbers 11:10-35 10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. 11 And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in...

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9). Christ’s atonement made it possible for man to be at peace with God. After World War II the United Nations was created to promote world peace. But since its inception in 1945 there has not been a single day of global peace. That's a sad commentary on man's inability to make peace. In fact, someone once quipped that Washington D.C. has so many peace monuments because they build one after every war! It hasn't always been that way. Prior to the Fall of man peace reigned...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink.” John 6:53–55Human reason and free will are the most precious natural gifts God gave us. They are what separate us from every other animal. Human reason enables us to think critically, understand concepts, and arrive at conclusions....