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Matthew Livelsberger is a patsy, the question is for who and what purpose? Let's break down why I think this is true by going through everything that we know so far, a thread: There is still a lot we do not know about Matthew Livelsberger, the alleged Vegas bomber, but here is what we do know and there is a lot that does not add up: He recently made the E8 list for MSG in 2023 in an 18Z slot, which means he was a Special Forces soldier and if he pinned, would have still been on Active Duty. This...

Three days after the feast of the Nativity of Jesus, the Catholic Church traditionally commemorates the massacre of the Holy Innocents – the children of Bethlehem slain by King Herod following the birth of Christ. This event is recorded in the Gospel of Saint Matthew in connection with the arrival of the Magi – the Wise Men from the East – who had followed a star to Jerusalem, and had sought out the newborn king of the Jews. According to Matthew’s account, King Herod requested that the Magi return to him after finding the child, ostensibly so that Herod could...

Hidden for centuries, a forgotten chapter of the Bible has emerged from the shadows of history. Researchers, armed with ultraviolet light and meticulous scholarship, have uncovered a 1,750-year-old text that offers a fresh glimpse into the evolving nature of scripture. This find isn’t just a historical curiosity; it’s a profound insight into how faith and tradition were shaped in early Christianity. Preserved in an ancient Syriac manuscript, the chapter challenges long-held assumptions about biblical texts and their seemingly static nature. With its subtle variations and expanded narrative, this rediscovery raises compelling questions: What does this mean for the modern understanding...

Could the $50 purchase of an ancient coin by a Rutgers astronomer have unlocked the mystery of the Christmas Star? For years, scientists have looked, with little success, to astronomical records for an explanation of the magical star that guided the Magi to Christ's manger. Intrigued by the image he found on the latest addition to his coin collection, Michael Molnar thought there might be more to learn by looking, instead, at the teachings of ancient astrologers.Molnar argues in his book that the Star of Bethlehem was not a star at all, but rather a regal portent centering around the...

The Chosen Rise Up —- http://TheChosenRiseUp.com SPOILERS OKAY here on this thread Now that Episodes 1-3 of Season 4 have been in theaters for ONE week and has held a SOLID #2 Nationwide position for Theatrical releases for the past 7 days -RAW theatrical revenue Data here: https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr4002566661/?ref_=bo_rl_su As of this posting: $10,317,554 (Worldwide for just episodes 1-3) With episodes 4,5,6 to be released in theaters on 15 February 2024 it is time to talk through Episodes 1-3 I am particularly interested in what FReeper chosen fans or chosen haters have to say about the NON-Biblical atory lines playing out...

Matthew Perry, a comic actor known for playing the sarcastic, boyishly charming and tightly wound Chandler Bing in the long-running sitcom “Friends,” was found dead Oct. 28 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 54. Perry was discovered by a witness unresponsive in his hot tub at about 4 p.m. Saturday, Capt. Kelly Muniz of the Los Angeles police said in a statement Sunday. The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded and pronounced Perry dead on the scene, she said, adding that detectives from the LAPD’s robbery-homicide division investigated and found “no obvious signs of trauma.” The official cause...

“Follow Me, the Doctor of Mercy” (Matthew 9:9-13) In the Holy Gospel for today, Jesus calls Matthew to follow him and be his disciple. Jesus calls him, even though Matthew was looked down upon as an obvious sinner. But Jesus is the great physician who has mercy on those who are sick with sin. And so, as Jesus calls us today also, he says to each one of us, “Follow Me, the Doctor of Mercy.” We know Matthew as St. Matthew the Apostle. But that’s not how he started out. For he had something in common with quite a few...

“Baptized in the Name: Confidence, Belonging, Relationship, Identity” (Matthew 28:16-20) Sometime during the forty days between his resurrection and his ascension, our Lord Jesus Christ met with his disciples on a mountain in Galilee, and he told them: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” And that is what the church has done for all these many centuries. And that is what has happened to you, every one of you...

“Alleluia! Christ Is Risen!” (Matthew 28:1-10)“Alleluia! Christ is risen!” (“He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”) “He is risen indeed!” Why such a joyful response? Because of the glorious good news that Christ is risen from the dead. This good news of the resurrection of our Lord brings joy and gladness to troubled, weary hearts. His resurrection calls forth our joyous response. On this Easter Day, then, the whole church on earth--all across the earth--hears the good news, “Christ is risen,” and we respond, “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” But first comes God’s word to us: “Christ is risen.” That’s what the...

“Why?” (Matthew 27:11-50) Why? That is the question of the day here on this Good Friday. We hear the question raised twice in our Gospel account. First, when the crowd is demanding that Jesus be crucified, Pontius Pilate asks, “Why, what evil has he done?” And then second, when Jesus is crucified, he himself asks, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These “why” questions are understandable, since none of this makes any sense--until we know the real reason for the “Why?” This whole entire episode--the trials, the beatings, the crucifixion: Why? Why did this take place? Why...

The week that Donald Trump was arrested in New York, less than a mile away from the courthouse, Hunter Biden was all smiles as he checked in on his latest art exhibition in Soho, at the George Berges Gallery, where his paintings reportedly sell for as much as $500,000 apiece to persons unknown. The first son seemed untroubled by the ongoing investigations into the millions he was paid by China in return for leveraging the power of his father’s vice presidency around the world. As his wife Melissa Cohen flashed shopping bags from nearby boutiques, Hunter was positively cocky, posing...

“To Be Tempted by the Devil” (Matthew 4:1-11) The Holy Gospel for the First Sunday in Lent is always an account of Christ’s temptation in the wilderness. This year it’s the account from Matthew chapter 4. Today we will see how the devil operates, and we’ll see how Jesus overcomes his schemes. This has relevance for our lives, because the devil comes at us with the same sorts of temptation. And so now let’s see what it’s like “To Be Tempted by the Devil.” Our text begins at the beginning of Matthew chapter 4. Obviously, right before this is the...

“The Transfiguration Transition” (Matthew 17:1-9) Today we’re celebrating the Transfiguration of Our Lord, that day up on a mountain when our Lord Jesus Christ was transfigured, that is, his appearance was changed. This event marked a transition--a turning point, a pivot point--in our Lord’s ministry. And that’s why this Transfiguration festival today marks a transition--a turning point--in the church year, as well. The Transfiguration of Our Lord comes as the climax of the Epiphany season, and at the same time it serves as a transition into the season of Lent, which begins on Wednesday. In this way, the church year...

“A Righteousness That Won’t Work and One That Will” (Matthew 5:21-37) Last week’s Gospel reading ended with these words of Jesus, from Matthew 5, verse 20: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” And really, those same words could serve as the beginning of today’s reading, which starts at verse 21. For today Jesus will give examples of the supposed righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees--a surface righteousness that will not get you into the kingdom of heaven--so that then you will be ready to receive the only righteousness...

“Let Your Light Shine before Others” (Matthew 5:13-20) In the Holy Gospel for today, from Matthew chapter 5, Jesus says to his disciples, “You are the light of the world.” But elsewhere in the gospels, Jesus says about himself, “I am the light of the world.” So, which is it, Jesus? Are you the light of the world, or are we? And the answer is . . . yes. Both are true, each in its own way. Jesus is the light of the world in a unique, one-of-a-kind sense. And we are the light of the world by extension, as...

“The People Dwelling in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light” (Matthew 4:12-25) In our Gospel reading for today, St. Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. And to do so, he quotes a passage from our Old Testament reading from Isaiah. Matthew writes: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” And this gives us our theme for this morning’s...

“Anointed for Servanthood” (Matthew 3:13-17) Today we recall the Baptism of Our Lord, that great event when our Lord Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist. The heavens were opened. The Spirit of God descended on Jesus like a dove. The Father’s voice came from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” What an awesome occasion! And what I especially want to say about it this morning is that, in his baptism, Jesus was “Anointed for Servanthood.” “Anointed for servanthood”? What does Jesus’ baptism have to do with that? And what do...

“Where Is He Who Has Been Born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:1-12) Today is the Epiphany of Our Lord, a major festival in the church year. Epiphany always falls on January 6, right after the twelve days of Christmas. The Holy Gospel for this day always is the story of the visit of the wise men, as found in Matthew chapter 2. And the question that the wise men ask gives us the theme for our message today: “Where Is He Who Has Been Born King of the Jews?” These wise men from the east come to Jerusalem, the...

“St. John the Baptist, the Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness” (Matthew 3:1-12) Today’s midweek service is the last in our series called, “Three Saints of Advent.” We began on November 30 with St. Andrew, Apostle, since his festival falls on that date. Last week, on December 7, we remembered St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, since his commemoration falls on that date. Now today, December 14, is nobody’s festival or commemoration, but since the last two Sundays the Gospel readings have featured John the Baptist, that’s the saint we’ll go with today. Now there’s quite a lot in the...

“Three Saints of Advent: St. Andrew, Apostle” (John 1:35-42a; Matthew 4:18-20) When churches have midweek Advent or Lenten services, usually the pastor tries to come up with a theme that will tie the services together. This year, in looking at the calendar for Advent, I noticed something about the dates for our midweek services. The first three Wednesdays are November 30, December 7, and December 14. Which got me to thinking: November 30 is the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle. December 7 is the Commemoration of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan and one of the great Church Fathers. December 14...