Prayer Thread Part 3. | |
canyouhearmenow?
User ID: 70603185 United States 04/08/2021 03:21 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Prayers for all. Quoting: Fluffy Pancakes My friend Ava passed away yesterday. Thank you all for praying for her. Praying (((hug))) "Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing." -Clive James Miss Trump yet? LET IT RAIN. |
MySoul
User ID: 80211748 United Kingdom 04/08/2021 04:23 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Prayers for all. Quoting: Fluffy Pancakes My friend Ava passed away yesterday. Thank you all for praying for her. So sorry for her family and friends. they are the ones that mourn. She is now at peace. What choice do I have but to be myself? Everyone else was already taken. Develop a nostalgia for the future - Maxwell Maltz MySoul |
tiger1
(OP) User ID: 79267566 United States 04/08/2021 07:23 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Bastetcat
User ID: 76585521 United States 04/08/2021 08:13 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
NOLAangel
User ID: 79558822 United States 04/08/2021 09:15 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
NOLAangel
User ID: 79558822 United States 04/08/2021 09:38 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | PUBLIC STATEMENT Quoting: Saint Lance the Odd from BC Dear fellow Albertans, It goes without saying this has been an incredibly difficult 11 months. The effects and ramifications of COVID-19 on our precious province are not insignificant. We sympathize with everyone who has suffered loss in this time, whether it be the loss of a loved one, or loss stemming from government lockdowns (such as economic loss or suffering as a result of being denied necessary health care). Given the attention our church has received in recent days, we want to address the broader public on our reasons for gathering as a local church. What follows is not a theological defence. We have already addressed that sufficiently here, here, here and here (and it is primarily and predominantly obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that has shaped our stance). Instead, what follows will shed light on our approach to what is being called a “pandemic.” The reason we put “pandemic” in quotes is because the definition of a pandemic was changed about 10 years ago. At one time, a pandemic was defined as an infectious disease that resulted in a certain percentage of excess deaths over and above normal annual averages. The definition was changed in connection with H1N1 to remove this threshold. Ten years ago, COVID-19 would not have qualified as a pandemic. In fact, not even close. When COVID-19 first appeared, we shifted to livestream and abided by most of the new government guidelines for our gatherings. But when the first declared public health emergency ended, we opened our doors and returned to nearly normal gatherings on Sunday June 21st, 2020. We did so recognizing COVID-19 was much less severe than the government had initially projected. This sentiment was reflected in the assessment of the Premier of Alberta, who deliberately referred to COVID-19 as “influenza” multiple times in a speech announcing the end of the first declared public health emergency. In early July, it was brought to our attention that two separate individuals had attended our gatherings on two consecutive Sundays and subsequently tested positive for the virus (both cases being unrelated to each other). At that time, we did our own internal contact tracing (prior to AHS notifying us of the exposure), many of our congregants were tested, and it was determined that no transmission of the virus had taken place. Out of an abundance of caution, we shifted exclusively to livestream and shutdown all other ministries for two weeks (14 days). We did this to mitigate any further spread of COVID-19. When it was evident that no further spread had taken place, we resumed our nearly normal gatherings. Since then, we have gathered as a church each Sunday without incident (28 Sundays to date). Having engaged in an immense amount of research, interacting with both doctors and frontline healthcare workers, it is apparent that the negative effects of the government lockdown measures on society far surpass the effects of COVID-19. The science being used to justify lockdown measures is both suspect and selective. In fact, there is no empirical evidence that lockdowns are effective in mitigating the spread of the virus. We are gravely concerned that COVID-19 is being used to fundamentally alter society and strip us all of our civil liberties. By the time the so-called “pandemic” is over, if it is ever permitted to be over, Albertans will be utterly reliant on government, instead of free, prosperous, and independent. As such, we believe love for our neighbor demands that we exercise our civil liberties. We do not see our actions as perpetuating the longevity of COVID-19 or any other virus that will inevitably come along. If anything, we see our actions as contributing to its end – the end of destructive lockdowns and the end of the attempt to institutionalize the debilitating fear of viral infections. Our local church is clear evidence that governmental lockdowns are unnecessary. In fact, it is also evidence of how harmful they are. Without going into detail, we recently lost the life of one of our precious congregants who was denied necessary health care due to government lockdown measures. Consider the following statistics. It is alleged that 129,075 Albertans have tested positive for the virus. That works out to just less than 3% of the population. However, it needs to be pointed out that the PCR test being used to test for COVID-19 is fraught with false positives. This is especially true, since at least until recently, Alberta was running the PCR test at 40 amplifications. As such, the number of Albertans who have actually contracted the virus is likely significantly less. It is also vital to highlight that more than 99% of those who contract the virus will fully recover. Alberta is currently reporting 1,782 COVID-related deaths. It is critically important to articulate it this way. There is a big difference between dying from COVID and dying with COVID. But it is also critical to note that these COVID-related deaths, as tragic as they are, have not resulted in a statistically significant increase in excess deaths (and the average age of those who have died related to COVID-19 is 82, consistent with life expectancy in Alberta). Sadly, most of these individuals would have likely died due to various other lethal co-morbidities (and it immensely grieves us that in many cases they were forced to die apart from their family unnecessarily). In addition, experts estimate that deaths, in the long run, resulting from government lockdown measures will surpass COVID-related deaths 10 to 1 (e.g. premature deaths resulting from not receiving necessary health care, suicides, drug overdoses, addictions, the development of chronic health conditions, total loss of income, family breakdown, etc.). In fact, it would seem that COVID-related deaths are being treated as though they are somehow more tragic than any and all other deaths. Many Albertans are afraid and are convinced of the efficacy of government lockdowns for two reasons: misinformation and fearmongering. The media has so pounded the COVID-19 drum since the “pandemic” began, almost exclusively emphasizing caseload and deaths, that people are fearful. So fearful, in fact, they have been convinced that yielding up their civil liberties to the government is in their best interests. It is difficult to have not lost confidence in the mainstream media. It would seem as though journalism is on life-support in our province. The media should be made up of the most thorough, discerning, and investigative people in our society. Instead, many of them seem to be serving an ideological agenda. Now more than ever, it is vital that Albertans exercise discernment when listening to the mainstream media. What do we believe people should do? We believe they should responsibly return to their lives. Churches should open, businesses should open, families and friends should come together around meals, and people should begin to exercise their civil liberties again. Otherwise we may not get them back. In fact, some say we are on the cusp of reaching the point of no return. Protect the vulnerable, exercise reasonable precautions, but begin to live your lives again. That said, living life comes with risks. Every time we get behind the wheel of a car, we are assuming a degree of risk. We accept that risk due to the benefits of driving. Yes, though vastly overblown, there are associated risks with COVID-19, as there are with other infections. Human life, though precious, is fragile. As such, death looms over all of us. That is why we need a message of hope. One that addresses our greatest need. That message is found in Jesus Christ. It is found in Him because all of us have sinned and have fallen short of God’s perfect standard of righteousness (Rom 3:23). To sin is to violate the holiness and righteousness of God. As our Creator, He is the one who will judge us according to our deeds and no one will stand on their own merit in that judgment. Therefore, we need a substitute. One who has both lived the life we could not and died the death we deserve. Praise be to God, there is! God the Father commissioned His Son into the world, to take upon Himself human flesh (John 1:14), being true God and true man, whereby He lived under the Law of God (Gal 4:4), fulfilled it in every respect, was tempted in all things as we are, and yet was without sin (Heb 4:15). Then, in obedience to the Father, He went to the cross, drank the full cup of the Father’s wrath for the sin of all who would ever believe on His name, died, and rose again! In this way, He proved He had conquered both sin and death, our two greatest enemies. He has ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father (Col 3:1), awaiting the time of His Second Coming. In the meantime, this message of salvation is to be proclaimed to all people (Matt 28:18–20). In fact, the church exists to proclaim this message! That if you would turn from your sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, putting full trust in His finished work on the cross along with His resurrection from the dead, you will be saved! Not only will all of your sins be forgiven you, but you will also be credited with a perfect record of righteousness; the very righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21). And so, we would urge you to be reconciled to God through His Son this day. The very one who has given you life and breath. Should you do so, you will receive eternal life and will experience life after death (John 11:25). Death looms over all of us. But there is a message of concrete hope, in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sorry, there is no actual link.... This is absolutely awesome, Lance ! Thank you for posting this ! Agreed. This is awesome! |
Servant-of-the-LORD
User ID: 80226052 United States 04/08/2021 11:19 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Fluffy Pancakes
User ID: 32369519 United States 04/08/2021 11:38 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Thanks all. I'm having a bit of a difficult time. It will pass. I do appreciate you all tremendously. Things are bad enough, there is no need to make anything up. ~Fluffy "Never interrupt an enemy in the process of destroying himself." Quercitin and zinc...Get it. Take it. Visit howbad.info...If you took the shot, for sure. |
Bastetcat
User ID: 76585521 United States 04/08/2021 11:40 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
TrustNoOneKS
User ID: 76946759 United States 04/09/2021 01:16 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
BBQ BOY™
User ID: 72493816 United States 04/09/2021 07:27 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Prayers for all. Quoting: Fluffy Pancakes My friend Ava passed away yesterday. Thank you all for praying for her. "Never underestimate the pain of a person. In all honesty, everyone is struggling. Just some people are better at hiding it than others." Everyone has to work out their own salvation. Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards. |
tiger1
(OP) User ID: 79267566 United States 04/09/2021 09:39 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Louis in Richmond
That is my arm now; broken for 7 months User ID: 75267417 United States 04/09/2021 10:53 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Prayers for all. Quoting: Fluffy Pancakes My friend Ava passed away yesterday. Thank you all for praying for her. May God ease you in this your time of loss FP. Praying for all here. Until your military service has required you neutralize enemy combatants and invaders in the defense of your country, don't presume to tell us that have defended you that you don't support every shot we fired to eliminate that enemy. |
Servant-of-the-LORD
User ID: 55309094 United States 04/09/2021 01:19 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Thanks all. I'm having a bit of a difficult time. It will pass. I do appreciate you all tremendously. Quoting: Fluffy Pancakes Praying for you too, friend. I am sorry for your loss. Prayers for all. Quoting: Fluffy Pancakes My friend Ava passed away yesterday. Thank you all for praying for her. Prayers for all. Quoting: Fluffy Pancakes My friend Ava passed away yesterday. Thank you all for praying for her. May God ease you in this your time of loss FP. Praying for all here. Last Edited by Servant-of-the-LORD on 04/09/2021 01:20 PM I am a humble Servant of the one True Living God. |
Fluffy Pancakes
User ID: 75079202 United States 04/09/2021 01:42 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Love all of you...Thank you and blessings upon you and your house! Things are bad enough, there is no need to make anything up. ~Fluffy "Never interrupt an enemy in the process of destroying himself." Quercitin and zinc...Get it. Take it. Visit howbad.info...If you took the shot, for sure. |
DMJ
User ID: 80229986 04/09/2021 02:36 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 80229267 South Africa 04/09/2021 02:40 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Prayers for all. Quoting: Fluffy PancakesMy friend Ava passed away yesterday. Thank you all for praying for her. so sorry to hear friend, I remember that name, was she a glper, from uk maybe (sorry if that is an uncomfortable question but is important to me) we are under serious attack right now, especially those that are spirit centric and not part of the materialist hive. praying for you and for all, may spirit bless. |
DMJ
User ID: 80229986 04/09/2021 06:53 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Prayers for all. Quoting: Fluffy PancakesMy friend Ava passed away yesterday. Thank you all for praying for her. so sorry to hear friend, I remember that name, was she a glper, from uk maybe (sorry if that is an uncomfortable question but is important to me) we are under serious attack right now, especially those that are spirit centric and not part of the materialist hive. praying for you and for all, may spirit bless. |
BBQ BOY™
User ID: 72493816 United States 04/09/2021 07:29 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day Psalm 91 "Never underestimate the pain of a person. In all honesty, everyone is struggling. Just some people are better at hiding it than others." Everyone has to work out their own salvation. Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards. |
Saint Lance the Odd from BC
User ID: 77547432 Canada 04/09/2021 07:49 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Prayers for all in need. The video is okay, the text is better. [link to theduran.com (secure)] Whew, the link worked...here is a snip "I can only say this: I can relate to you, brother. I was also aware of what was coming back in 2011-2012, and warned our people in a small Eastern Orthodox Church in Denver, Colorado that the day was coming when we were going to face real persecution. I just got blank looks from the Americans, but the Russians and Ukrainians among us understood and agreed with what I was saying, because they had already seen and lived it and knew the symptoms. Well, we tried – the parish in Denver suffered horribly under COVID and I do not know its state now, but while the restrictions in Colorado allowed only ten people to go to services, video streams of their services shows nobody in the church except for the clergy, and the number did not even get close to ten. Hopefully, this did not happen often, but a friend who still goes there told me about being there with her friend, the clergy and no one else. Standing up for Christianity is something that many of us are going to have to learn, and it is clear that a great many people probably treat COVID closures as a justified vacation." Last Edited by The Oddity on 04/09/2021 07:50 PM If you are not busy weaving your own magick, you are trapped in anothers spell. “It’s time you realized that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet.” – Marcus Aurelius |
NOLAangel
User ID: 79558822 United States 04/09/2021 11:20 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High Quoting: BBQ BOY™ will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day Psalm 91 This is my go to for help / favorite Bible passage. |
NOLAangel
User ID: 79558822 United States 04/09/2021 11:21 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
TrustNoOneKS
User ID: 76946759 United States 04/10/2021 01:16 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
DMJ
User ID: 80229986 04/10/2021 07:30 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
tiger1
(OP) User ID: 79267566 United States 04/10/2021 09:49 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High Quoting: BBQ BOY™ will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day Psalm 91 AMEN !!! Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow !!! |
tiger1
(OP) User ID: 79267566 United States 04/10/2021 09:59 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Prayers for all in need. The video is okay, the text is better. [link to theduran.com (secure)] Quoting: Saint Lance the Odd from BC Whew, the link worked...here is a snip "I can only say this: I can relate to you, brother. I was also aware of what was coming back in 2011-2012, and warned our people in a small Eastern Orthodox Church in Denver, Colorado that the day was coming when we were going to face real persecution. I just got blank looks from the Americans, but the Russians and Ukrainians among us understood and agreed with what I was saying, because they had already seen and lived it and knew the symptoms. Well, we tried – the parish in Denver suffered horribly under COVID and I do not know its state now, but while the restrictions in Colorado allowed only ten people to go to services, video streams of their services shows nobody in the church except for the clergy, and the number did not even get close to ten. Hopefully, this did not happen often, but a friend who still goes there told me about being there with her friend, the clergy and no one else. Standing up for Christianity is something that many of us are going to have to learn, and it is clear that a great many people probably treat COVID closures as a justified vacation." The same with us here in Northwest Indiana at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church I belong to. We have a small congregation of maybe 35 people. We tried staying open during the covid shutdown, but the bishop shut us down as soon as he found out we were the only ones that stayed open, and on top of that, we had a group of Byzantine Catholics that joined us. To say the least, he was not happy with us. Some people are using covid as an excuse not to attend church at all.If we have a dozen show up for Liturgy, we are lucky.Most of the time we have less than that, sometimes only 4-5 people, including me. IMO, this is the separation of the wheat and the tares. Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow !!! |
tiger1
(OP) User ID: 79267566 United States 04/10/2021 09:59 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Servant-of-the-LORD
User ID: 66602342 United States 04/10/2021 11:37 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
MySoul
User ID: 80211748 United Kingdom 04/10/2021 12:38 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Marco Israel
User ID: 79148561 United States 04/10/2021 02:49 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Prayers for strengthened faith in all things. Isaiah 57 1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. |