2+ hour, 15+ min ago (150+ words) My mother did not just read the Bible. She studied it. According to her notes, she also read many of the key Christian books of her time, some that she owned and many that she borrowed from the church library. She also read letters and reports from missionaries, and a variety of Christian and other magazines. " " Life is hard. " " Faith is hard. " " We are here on this earth to serve. " " We can find God in everyday things and activities and in ordinary people. It is true that these ideas now seem quaint and old-fashioned. But that is their power and importance. The meditations offer a corrective to our own modern biases. They contain wisdom and insights from a previous generation that can help us today, and in that sense they are as relevant today as they were in the last…...

3+ hour, 19+ min ago (169+ words) By Maximos Pafilis, Bishop of Melitene Sermon on the Gospel according to Luke 13:10-17. The chief ruler of the synagogue baptises the healing as "work. This is a deeply distorted perception. Here the word of the Lord falls as a catapult: "You hypocrite, does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? (Luke 13:15).[1] It would be better if we were hands that reach out and not fingers that point. The mirror of despair must be shattered. And it is shattered only with the presence of the Person, of Christ. The One who sees, calls and touches. Without preconditions. Only with mercy. [1] Theophylact of Bulgaria, "Ta Heuriskomena Panta" [The Complete Findings], in Patrologiae Cursus Completus: Series Graeca, ed. Jacques-Paul Migne, vol. 123 (Paris: J.-P. Migne, 1864), 916. [2] Dorothy Kelley Patterson and…...

6+ hour, 59+ min ago (141+ words) My mother isn't saved and has a "heart of of stone" for a past hurt to where she lashes out at those closest to her. She currently isn't open to hearing anything to do with the Gospel of Christ and is currently in the latter stages of heart failure. I received a word that she will leave this... My mother isn't saved and has a "heart of of stone" for a past hurt to where she lashes out at those closest to her. She currently isn't open to hearing anything to do with the Gospel of Christ and is currently in the latter stages of heart failure. I received a word that she will leave this earth as soon as her decision is secure and I have been holding on to that in spite of what I am witnessing from…...

7+ hour, 10+ min ago (627+ words) To lead the family in prayer and meditation. (Adapted and blended from several prayer books.) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Amen. Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray (together): Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread." And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Some, or all, of these Scripture passages may be read: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in…...

7+ hour, 15+ min ago (250+ words) A devotional for week two of Advent Stand firm then . . . with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The moment we accept the gift of Jesus we have access to complete peace. This undeserved and unexplainable peace deepens in us as we walk in faith, yet there are times when we do not feel at peace. Jesus understands our human default towards anxiousness, and He is gentle with us when we falter. What compassion! What love! We can fully trust, fully rest, and fully surrender because He is our peace. God accepted us at our worst. He saw our most despicable moments'our wretched thoughts and wounding words'yet the invitation to go deeper with Him remains. He extends and expands this same welcome to all peoples and nations'a peace-bringing welcome that comes only from the…...

9+ hour, 12+ min ago (279+ words) An obvious Sabbath reference, I was reminded of this as I, yet again, got the feeling that I can now die in peace, having experienced what I had to experience, and learned what I came here to learn, and what follows hereafter is just a bonus. You ever get this feeling? Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed. - /account/dismiss-notice?notice_id=118 CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and…...

12+ hour, 8+ min ago (160+ words) I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down... "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have…...

13+ hour, 3+ min ago (628+ words) LOOK: Peace Window by Marc Chagall Chagall's design was executed by master glassmakers Brigitte Simon and Charles Marq of Atelier Simon-Marq. His 1964 Peace Window in New York City'not to be confused with his similar but much larger Peace Window of 1974 in the Chapel of the Cordeliers in Sarrebourg, France'is full of biblical allusions. My eyes are drawn first to the red and purple bouquet in the center, under which stands an amorous couple. Who are they? What do they represent? I can think of several possibilities: 2. The Annunciation'the angel Gabriel coming to Mary to announce that she had been chosen to birth and mother God's Son. The male head is bodiless, emerging from the crimson bloom (suggesting, perhaps, a supernatural entity), and there's a yellow glow at the woman's breast, perhaps signifying the conception of Christ. What's more, the woman…...

13+ hour, 35+ min ago (511+ words) I have a lot of unresolved anger in me. A lot of thoughts of revenge on people who have hurt me. I have also struggled with addiction to pornography for many years. I have used it as a stress relief. I want these sins gone from my life forever. Please pray for me. Thank you. Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed. - /account/dismiss-notice?notice_id=118 CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to…...

13+ hour, 56+ min ago (378+ words) December 7, 2025 by David and Robin Watters Reading: Isaiah 36; Psalm 97 Key Verse: Psalm 97:9 " "For you, LORD, are supreme over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods." Dear Brothers and Sisters, When we face challenging circumstances, our instinct is often to look back for something to blame: poor decisions, wrong choices, failed responses, etc. While we must learn from the past, Scripture calls us to embrace today as from the hand of God. What would it be like if we viewed our present circumstances through that lens? In Isaiah 36, King Sennacherib mocked Hezekiah's trust in God: "Don't let Hezekiah deceive you" No god or nation has been able to overcome me" (Isaiah 36:18-20). His words echo the lies we often tell ourselves: "This is hopeless. This isn't fair. We'll never be able to overcome this." But Psalm 97 declares the truth:…...