54+ min ago (619+ words) 1 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for his noblemen, a thousand of them, and, in the presence of this thousand, he drank his wine. 2 Having tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave orders for the gold and silver vessels to be brought which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, so that the king, his noblemen, his wives and the women who sang for him could drink out of them. 3 The gold and silver vessels taken from the sanctuary of the Temple of God in Jerusalem were brought in, and the king, his noblemen, his wives and the women who sang for him drank out of them. 4 They drank their wine and praised their idols of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone. 5 Suddenly, the fingers of a human hand appeared and began to write…...

5+ hour, 18+ min ago (125+ words) Welcome to the PRAYER REQUESTS thread. This daily thread is a listing of prayer requests that have been posted by Freepers to the main forum who wish to have continued prayer. Hopefully this thread will remind us to continually pray for our fellow Freepers" cares and needs. GOD hears and answers our prayers. To keep this thread organized, please read the directions below. 1) To add a prayer request on this thread and receive prayer via Freepmail. 1) To add a prayer request as a VANITY THREAD for accumulated public posts: UPDATES are appreciated so intercessors know how to pray for your prayer request. To be added or dropped from the Free Republic PRAYER REQUESTS ping list, post or FReepmail to stars & stripes forever...

5+ hour, 54+ min ago (465+ words) New research from Barna, in partnership with Awana, reveals a striking disconnect between parents and church leaders when it comes to discipling children. While 95% of children's ministry leaders believe that discipleship begins at home, parents are much more divided, Barna found. Fifty-one percent of parents feel the church should take the lead, whereas 49% see it as their own responsibility. One of the most revealing findings is that many parents feel under-qualified to lead their kids spiritually. In fact, 86% of parents said their children learn spiritual lessons at church that they themselves don't feel capable of teaching. "This tug-of-war reveals a deeper challenge: if children's ministry is going to be healthy, pastors must help both parents and their ministry leaders find common ground," Barna said. "Child discipleship cannot be outsourced entirely to one or the other. Both need clarity about their…...

7+ hour, 54+ min ago (726+ words) by Melinda McCredie | Nov 27, 2025 On this episode of 20Twenty, Julie-Anne Laird from City to City Australia joined us to talk about how Christians can make the most of Christmas with non-Christian family. With the festive season fast approaching, she shared practical ways to bring Jesus into family celebrations with grace, courage and creativity. Julie-Anne said every family dynamic is different, and that shapes how faith is expressed at Christmas. "Some families are fairly hostile, and you might be the only Christian. Others might be mostly Christian with a few non-Christians. So part of it is thinking about where you start," she explained. She believes this year offers new opportunities for believers to be more open about their faith. "There's a bit more warmth towards Christianity right now. This Christmas especially feels like an opportunity we might not have had over the…...

7+ hour, 54+ min ago (246+ words) The commercial element of Thanksgiving is, overall, the least important part of the holiday, though arguably the one many contemporary Americans value most. November 26, 2025 John M. Grondelski, Ph.D. The Dispatch 0 Print Looking at the history of American Thanksgiving, we can identify three stages: Thanksgiving as a religious feast, as a family feast, and as a commercial feast. In principle, these three Thanksgivings can be compatible, provided we keep them in proper order. God comes first, but He's become the most anemic element. That shift had already begun in the 19th century, with the transition from a communal to a family-centric focus. The word "Eucharist" is from a Greek verb (eucharistein), which means "to give thanks." Is it not appropriate for Catholics to begin Thanksgiving at Mass? Have you planned to incorporate that element into your family's Thanksgiving repertoire? Indeed, given the prominence…...

8+ hour, 35+ min ago (926+ words) The Advent season is a unique time for prayer, reflection and preparation. What can we do to make our hearts and our world ready for the coming of the Christ Child? The America editors and staff offer a few ideas." 1. Download some Jesse Tree printables and affix them to a paper tree (or a small tabletop tree) each day, and welcome this old tradition into your home in a new way." 2. Host a Christmas caroling party. (And while you're preparing, cue up the new season of Hark!, America's podcast on the meaning and making of our favorite Christmas carols.) 3. Create your own Advent calendar of good deeds. Instead of filling each day with chocolates (or maybe in addition to chocolates), write different ways you can pray, serve your community and sprinkle joy into the lives of your friends and family....

11+ hour, 6+ min ago (199+ words) " " " | November 26, 2025 Registration has opened for the Machane Berel Tzeirei Hashluchim Winter Camp of the Shluchim Office, an annual highlight for Young Shluchim in Lake Worth, Florida. The Tzeirei Hashluchim Winter Camp is a much anticipated annual experience for Young Shluchim who wait all year to connect to peers like them. Living outside of Lubavitch communities, being able to spend real quality time in a Chassidishe and fun environment is a treasured experience." Registration has opened at YoungShluchim.org for this year's program, promising an exciting and inspiring program. The Tzeirei Hashluchim Winter Camp will begin on 25 Teves / January 14 through" 4 Shevat / January 22 and will be directed by Rabbi Meir Kesselman." "We consistently see the profound impact the camp has on each Young Shliach," shared Rabbi Meir Kesselman. "The Chayus and inspiration they receive doesn't end with them, they take it home…...

11+ hour, 48+ min ago (1523+ words) Big Spring, Texas / Syndication Cloud / November 22, 2025 / Wordsmith World The Bible presents love as a deliberate choice rather than a momentary feeling. Throughout Scripture, romantic relationships serve as windows into God's character and His intentions for humanity. These stories consistently demonstrate that true love involves putting another person's well-being above personal desires, creating partnerships that reflect divine love itself. Rather than focusing on passion or attraction, biblical romance emphasizes covenant commitment and sacrificial service. Retellings from authors like Betty Johansen are demonstrating how these narratives provide blueprints for modern relationships that honor both human dignity and spiritual growth. Each love story in Scripture reinforces the same core principle: authentic love creates flourishing for others, communities, and ultimately the world itself. This foundation transforms romantic relationships from self-serving arrangements into partnerships that accomplish God's purposes on earth. The creation account establishes the…...

12+ hour, 42+ min ago (189+ words) Registration has opened for the Machane Berel Tzeirei Hashluchim Winter Camp of the Shluchim Office, an annual highlight for Young Shluchim in Lake Worth, Florida. Full Story The Tzeirei Hashluchim Winter Camp is a much anticipated annual experience for Young Shluchim who wait all year to connect to peers like them. Living outside of Lubavitch communities, being able to spend real quality time in a Chassidishe and fun environment is a treasured experience. Registration has opened at YoungShluchim.org for this year's program, promising an exciting and inspiring program. The Tzeirei Hashluchim Winter Camp will begin on 25 Teves / January 14 through 4 Shevat / January 22 and will be directed by Rabbi Meir Kesselman. "We consistently see the profound impact the camp has on each Young Shliach," shared Rabbi Meir Kesselman. "The Chayus and inspiration they receive doesn't end with them, they take it…...

13+ hour, 48+ min ago (164+ words) THIRTY-EIGHT couples began married life together under one roof of faith as the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation held the 10th Kasalan sa SM at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus " the Way, the Truth, and the Life in Pasay City. Following the rite, couples continued the celebration with a reception at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia complex. Faith and family lie at the heart of the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation's work, a vision inspired by SM Group matriarch Felicidad "Nanang" Sy. Known for her deep Catholic faith, she founded the foundation to support spiritual development, build and maintain churches and chapels, and offer pastoral services for SM communities. These projects reflect Sy's belief that family is the strongest foundation of community life. The Kasalan sa SM mass wedding is a recurring initiative under the foundation. Over the years, they have…...