39+ min ago (728+ words) YouVersion, which says it is the creator of the world's most downloaded Bible apps with more than one billion installs, says that 2025 has so far been a record-breaking year of Bible engagement. It said this comes as momentum continued to build leading into and throughout Global Bible Month in November. It announced on Dec. 4 that Isaiah 41:10 was the most engaged-with verse throughout 2025, marking the fourth time in six years the verse has claimed the top spot, which is a testament to the enduring need for God's reassurance in uncertain times. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10) "I think this verse keeps rising to the top because it addresses one of our…...

58+ min ago (394+ words) Today is the feast of St. Ambrose." I have a 1st class relic in the Two Trinities Chapel, so he is, in a sense, a homie. St. Ambrose of Milan (+4 April 397), was a titanic figure of the late 4th century who changed the shape of Church and State relations for a thousand years." He brought much of the wisdom of Greek writings to the West. He helped God bring St. Augustine of Hippo into the fold. There are many things to write about Ambrose." Here are a few. Legend has it of baby Ambrose that once when he was sleeping, bees swarmed in and out of his mouth, foretelling that his preaching would be as sweet as honey." St. Bernard is the called Doctor Mellifluous, however." On the theme of bees, the Exsultet has bee imagery and the text is sometimes attributed…...

2+ hour, 10+ min ago (389+ words) Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff. Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for this 2nd Sunday of Advent? " Read More " Your Sunday Sermon Notes " 2nd Sunday of Advent " 2025 Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all. Share the good stuff. Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for this 2nd Sunday of Advent? Tell us about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass. Any local changes or (hopefully good) news? A taste of what I offered at 1 Peter 5 this week: The Forerunner's question, however, has long raised perplexity. Did John doubt? How could the one who leapt in the womb at the presence of Christ, who…...

2+ hour, 26+ 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…...

2+ hour, 49+ min ago (489+ words) Author and speaker Dr. Alex McFarland is on a mission to answer pressing questions about prophecy and the end times, launching a new book that tackles these essential theological topics. McFarland, whose book is titled "100 Bible Questions and Answers on Prophecy and the End Times," has long hosted a radio show and, over time, made a record of the many eschatological questions he would receive. "Over the last several years, just more and more and more, people have been asking questions that do relate to the end times," he said. "So we put a book together, "100 Bible Questions and Answers," and we deal with just what I feel like are the questions and concerns on the hearts of radio listeners throughout America " and really throughout the Western world." In fact, McFarland said he "pretty regularly" sees prophecy as a tool…...

3+ hour, 3+ min ago (541+ words) Thanks for joining today's study, inspired by your comments from last week's Vol. 296 about "gifts" when I wrote: "My blood pressure is rising, so I need to step back, because BCE (Before Common Era') and CE (Common Era') were introduced by my people in the mid-1800s." I continue ranting about "how BCE and CE diminish the significance of Jesus's never-ending impact on humankind by reducing His presence from BC (Before Christ) and AD(Anno Domini, which is Latin for in the year of the Lord')." We start today's discussion with a story about myself at age 8. For readers who don't know, I was born and raised Jewish. My parents were not religious but loosely observed the major Jewish holidays. (See Vol. 107.) Since this is a Bible study, let's establish that when God created the universe, He also created planetary order. That…...

3+ hour, 24+ min ago (108+ words) Peace in Christ. Isa 29:18 KJV (18) And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The earth became without form.without the form of Christ.and void.void of the knowledge of the glory of God. His... (18) And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The earth became without form.without the form of Christ.and void.void of the knowledge of the glory of God....

4+ hour, 16+ min ago (313+ words) Wikipedia | Domena publiczna Given his role among the nation-builders in Northern Ireland and Scotland, there is a great deal of biographical information from an historical standpoint. Columba was influential in establishing the ruling dynasty of Dalriada, which would expand its rule to all of Scotland into the 11th century and thus is considered an early founder of the Scottish nation." "At the sound of the saint's voice, the beast fled in terror so fast one might have thought it was pulled back with ropes" Seeing that the beast had gone and the swimmer returned completely unharmed, those gathered "glorified God in the blessed man." Adamnan tells that even the heathen natives present who witnessed the miracle then "too magnified the God of the Christians." Other miracles are recorded that mirror those of Jesus himself, all done in his name " the turning…...

4+ hour, 37+ min ago (273+ words) The Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. (Acts " The Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. (Acts 23:11) Are you a witness for the Lord, and are you just now in danger? Then remember that you are immortal till your work is done. If the Lord has more witness for you to bear, you will live to bear it. Who is he that can break the vessel which the Lord intends again to use? If there is no more work for you to do for your Master, it cannot distress you that He is about to take you…...

4+ hour, 58+ min ago (313+ words) Second Sunday of Advent "I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Matthew 3:1112 Though it is comforting to speak of the glories of Heaven and to anticipate being brought there by our Lord, it is necessary to also consider the reality of the unquenchable fires of hell. Pondering the reality of those unquenchable fires is something we should not neglect. Jesus, our Just Judge, You hold the winnowing fan in Your sacred hand and separate the righteous from the sinner. Please grant…...