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Matthew 4:18-22 Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus calls his first disciples. What is it about this scene that is so peaceful and right? Somehow it gets at the very heart of Jesus’ life and work, revealing what he is about. He comes into the world as the second person of the Blessed Trinity, a representative from the community that is God—and thus his basic purpose is to draw the world into community around him.Jesus says to Simon and Andrew, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This tells us something about how God acts. He is...

[Catholic Caucus] Francis to International Theological Commission: The Church needs to be "demasculinized", be more "feminine".[The Church's problem is apparently being too masculine.]Impromptu words of the Holy FatherThank you for this visit. And thank you for your work. There is a good address here with theological matters, but because of my health it is better not to read it. I will hand it out to you.Thank you for what you do. Theology, theological reflection, is very important. But there is something about you that I do not like; pardon my sincerity. One, two, three, four women: poor women! They are...

Thursday 30 November 2023 Saint Andrew, Apostle Feast Saint Andrew the Apostle, Silver Spring, Maryland Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Red. Year: A(I).First readingRomans 10:9-18 ©Faith comes from what is preached, and what is preached comes from the word of ChristIf your lips confess that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. By believing from the heart you are made righteous; by confessing with your lips you are saved. When scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes...

The Bible In Paintings ~ Encouragement for Applying and Appreciating God's Word ~ •Drawings•Engravings•Facades•Frescoes•Illuminations•Miniatures•Mosaics•Photographs•Reliefs•Statues•Tapestries•Windows• !BIBLE QUIZ! TODAY’S QUESTIONS: 69. “IN SAMARIA, FAMOUSLY, JESUS MET WITH THE WOMAN AT THE WELL. WHO DUG THAT WELL?” 70. “WHAT PROMPTED PETER TO EXCLAIM, ‘GO AWAY, LORD, I AM A SINFUL MAN!’” 71. “WHO DEMANDED THAT HEROD BEHEAD JOHN THE BAPTIST?” 72. “WHEN JESUS PREACHED TO HIS FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN HIS HOMETOWN SYNAGOGUE, HOW DID HIS FELLOW NAZARENES REACT? ” ANSWERS APPEAR BELOW, WITH CORRESPONDING ART Q#69: “IN SAMARIA, FAMOUSLY, JESUS MET WITH THE WOMAN AT THE WELL. WHO DUG THAT WELL?”...

"By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace" (Heb. 11:31). Rahab illustrates the depth and breadth of God’s amazing grace. Our final Old Testament hero of faith is an unlikely addition to the list. Not only was she a prostitute, she also was a Gentile—and a Canaanite at that. The Canaanites were an idolatrous, barbaric, debauched people, infamous even among pagans for their immorality and cruelty. Yet in the midst of that exceedingly wicked society, Rahab came to faith in the God of Israel. Joshua 2:9-11...

Pray For The Peace of JerusalemActs 19Paul in Ephesus 19 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On...

things at the CCHD have gone beyond mere Marxist materialism into fully occult directions, Lepanto reports. Not only does CCHD fund groups that flagrantly violate the church’s pro-life and other moral teachings. It also supports neo-pagan groups engaged in witchcraft. Lepanto’s latest report:A few weeks ago, the Lepanto Institute proved that a recent grantee called CUSH collected homosexual pornography with the intent to provide it to children. Then, the Lepanto Institute proved that the CCHD provided grants to Unchained, a pro-abortion, pro-LGBT organization with intimate ties to Marxist entities.

Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Agri-Business; End to Sex Slavery; Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14) 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...

In the New Testament narrative, the shepherd stands not merely as a symbol, but as a divine directive for church leadership, anchored in the person of Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd. His life, as depicted in John 10:11, is not just an example but a foundational model for pastoral leadership. This model delineates a role that is inherently sacrificial, deeply personal, and morally upright. It’s about protecting, guiding, and intimately knowing the flock, in the very manner of Christ. The shepherd, synonymous with a pastor (1 Peter 5:2-4), embodies a divine calling—a sacred office explicitly outlined in Scripture. This is...

“They will see the Son of Man Coming on clouds of heaven. . . . Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass until all these things take place.” (Matthew 24:30, 34) AMIGO: The Second Coming! Now that will be a glorious day. BIBLIANO: What if I told you that the “Second Coming” already happened? AMIGO: I’d say you were completely nuts. (Under his breath: And I would unfriend you on Facebook.) BIBLIANO: This text certainly seems to say that Jesus taught that He would return in his own generation. Right? AMIGO: Well, “this generation” must mean some...

Christianity Today blames the decline of church attendance among liberals on Trump. An article titled Trump-Era Controversies Had a Measurable Effect on Church Attendance at Christianity Today presents church attendance data from researcher, Ryan Burge, and posits a direct correlation between the Trump presidency and a marked decrease in church attendance among Democrats, particularly moderates and left-leaning evangelicals. This theory, presented rather speculatively, suggests that Trump’s election and subsequent actions created a “ripple effect” in American society, alienating self-described Democrats from their congregations and further imples that the political climate under Trump was so polarizing that it led to a...

"And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. "And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." ☰ Mark 14 1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him...

The questions that Habakkuk asked long ago in ancient Judah resonate again in today’s world: O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. (Habakkuk 1:2-3) The Lord responded to the inquisitive prophet by telling him that His judgment was already on the way (Habakkuk 1:5-11). His wrath came in the form of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians who destroyed both...

Watch Before That Date! [Major End-Time Event] COP 28 holding a 12 day meeting headed by King Charles, Pope Francis, world political and religious leaders. This will be a Climate Crisis meeting with the goal of having everyone in the world compliant to the World Economic Forum Goals by the year 2030 Watch Before That Date! [Major End-Time Event]This video is rich in prophetic implications that should concern all Christians.

[Catholic Caucus] BREAKING: Papal biographer confirms Pope Francis will remove Cardinal Burke’s flat, salaryMainstream media and heterodox Catholic outlets have consistently vilified Cardinal Burke, due to his pronouncement of Catholic teaching which is often placed in juxtaposition with the statements of Pope Francis.Pope Francis’ favored biographer, Austen Ivereigh, has stated the Pope personally confirmed the reports that he intends to strip Raymond Cardinal Burke of his flat and salary, though denied calling the cardinal his “enemy.”In a report published November 29 on the heterodox site Where Peter Is, Ivereigh wrote that he had met with the Argentine pontiff on Monday,...

Dear friends, two thousand years ago, Simeon was "waiting" for His Savior's first advent (Luke 2:25)! This same word "waiting" is used in (Titus 2:13), “Looking" for the blessed hope! Simeon was "waiting" with all eager anticipation and expectancy, "looking" for the Messiah to come, longing for the Messiah to come, eagerly expecting His first coming! Oh dear friends, how many believers in this same Jesus today look with all eager anticipation and expectancy like Simeon did 2000 years ago, not for Messiah's first coming but for His return for His Body in the clouds? Tragically, not too many. Simeon...

Dear Friends, We wanted to share this link with you to the "Unto the Chief Musician Youtube page; where the entire CD for the Christmas Album; "The Most Wondrous Story of All!" is to be found and to be freely listen to if desired! Be sure also to check out our other original songs of personal testimony of the Lord's great working in our lives! The music for this Christmas CD is old school hymn style which is reverantly and simply done with many new original Christmas Songs; which speak of Messiah's birth and advent! May it be a blessing...

[Catholic Caucus] The Pope Cannot Depose Bishops Without Grave CauseEditor’s note: in light of the recent news that the Holy Father, after deposing Bishop Strickland, now allegedly intends to move against Cardinal Burke (again), we present this study in conjunction with Fr. Murray’s recent analysis of the Strickland case. Father Gerald Murray has excellently analyzed the canonical side of Bp. Strickland’s removal. He has demonstrated that the guarantee of due process has been violated. Canon 196 and other related canons were masterfully explained. I myself published a different article that I wrote before having read Father Murray’s analysis. I saw...

In October 1789, President George Washington issued a thanksgiving proclamation “to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor….” This proclamation was thus not merely self-congratulation whereby the President and others applauded themselves for creating a new government provided by our Constitution. At that point we were transitioning from the Articles of Confederation which had neither three distinct branches of government nor the idea of federalism embodied in its organization. Would the new Constitution work? Would the misgivings of some leaders prove to be...

The Bible In Paintings ~ Encouragement for Applying and Appreciating God's Word ~ •Drawings•Engravings•Facades•Frescoes•Illuminations•Miniatures•Mosaics•Photographs•Reliefs•Statues•Tapestries•Windows• !BIBLE QUIZ! TODAY’S QUESTIONS: 65. “HOW MANY OF THE FOURTEEN APOSTLES CAN YOU NAME?” AFTER JESUS’ FORTY DAYS’ IN THE WILDERNESS BEING TEMPTED, SATAN HAD THREE FINAL TEMPTATIONS FOR JESUS. WHAT WERE THEY? (IN ANY ORDER) 66. “One temptation” 67. “Another temptation” 68. “And another temptation” ANSWERS APPEAR BELOW, WITH CORRESPONDING ART Q#65: “HOW MANY OF THE FOURTEEN APOSTLES CAN YOU NAME?” A: ANDREW, BARTHOLOMEW (NATHANIEL), JAMES LESSER, JAMES GREATER, JOHN, JUDAS ISCARIOT, JUDAS (THADDEUS), MATTHEW, MATTHIAS, PAUL, PHILIP, SIMON PETER, SIMON ZEALOT, THOMAS LUKE...