by Pepe Escobar, The Unz Review: The Swiss “peace” kabuki came and went – and the winner was Vladimir Putin. He didn’t even have to show up. None of the Big Players did. Or in case they sent their emissaries, there was significant refusal to sign the vacuous final declaration – as in BRICS members […]

A Prayer to Finish a Season of Hardship WellBy Jessica Van Roekel “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4, NIV Life provides a variety of experiences. Some create treasured memories, like the day we attained a long-awaited goal, held our child in our arms, or finally broke a negative cycle. Other life experiences leave us broken. We want to forget, yet the wounds make it impossible. In those times, it's tempting to look at suffering through the lens of "Why me?" Or we point our finger at God and demand to know why he didn't do something. We turn our backs and forget about the suffering our Lord knew and the comfort he can extend to us in our seasons of hardship. Hardship is part of this life. It comes to those who know Christ and to those who do not. Difficulties do not favor one person over another, even though it may look like that sometimes. Because of Christ in us, we have the glorious opportunity to look at seasons of suffering through a different lens. Distress and affliction can be one of the blessings of our relationship with God through Christ because of what it produces in our life and the benefits it brings. The difficulties and troubles we face can look like pressures from our work, school, finances, family situations, health challenges, tragedies, sorrows, persecutions, mistreatments, or loneliness. When we dismiss our hardships because they are not as bad as someone else's, we miss out on the blessings God has for us within our trials. God assures us of his presence in all things. He enables us to depend on him, and he helps us grow closer to him. We can finish a season of hardship well when we realize we gain strength and maturity. These benefits strengthen our hearts for a future hard season. We know that suffering produces perseverance, which is the ability to endure. This produces character by strengthening our determination to choose to honor God through whatever we face. This strength of character then produces a hope that looks to a future with God. Jesus will return and make everything new and set things right. In the meantime, while we wait, God pours his love into our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit to comfort us and bring Jesus' presence near to us. With the perspective of the good our hardships can create in our lives, we can learn to glory in them because of what God will produce in us. God uses hardship wonderfully in our lives to create the chain of Christian maturity: perseverance produces character; character produces hope. They build on one another. We don't need to create hardships or seek them out, but we don't need to despise them or lose hope when we face them. We can finish our seasons of hardship well because we know God uses them to create in us a maturity which enables us to then encourage others. Soldiers go to battle, sailors go to sea, runners run, and Christians face their hardships head-on because they allow us to put our faith into action. Seasons of hardship can create feelings of discouragement in our hearts, especially when they have lasted for a long time. The burden of living through them takes a toll on our body, and we may feel weak. But we can finish well if we remember to trust God for the enablement to endure, to choose to live according to his ways, and to look to Jesus, our hope. Let's pray: Holy God,This season of hardship has been tough. I don't know if I can make it. I'm trying to rejoice and be glad, but it feels so fake. I know steadfastness comes through trials, but I really want a break from them. I read your Word and feel nothing. I go to church but wonder why. I'm trying to honor you with my thoughts and actions, but I'm tired. Fill me with your comfort and strength. Let your power rise within me and strengthen me to walk this difficult road. I trust you with the timing because I know you are good, and what you do is good. You've proven yourself faithful in the past; help me remember your faithfulness. I rejoice in you because you are full of goodness and mercy. Lead me through this hardship and help me finish well. Thank you for how you move in my life. Thank you for what you will do to lead me to the finish line. Let perseverance grow my character and remind me of the hope I have in you. You are with me always and I praise you.In Jesus' name, Amen Photo credit: ©GettyImages/TFILM Jessica Van Roekel loves the upside-down life of following Jesus as she journeys to wholeness through brokenness. As an author, speaker, and worship leader, she uses her gifts and experiences to share God's transformative power to rescue, restore, and renew. She longs for you to know that rejection doesn't have to define or determine your future when placed in God's healing hands. Find out more reframingrejectionbook.com You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day, click below! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer to Finish a Season of Hardship Well – Your Daily Prayer – June 23 appeared first on GodUpdates.

The Left is driving itself off a cliff. The post Hamas Supporters Protest AOC, Bernie For Not Being Pro-Hamas Enough appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

Biden's not going to get the practice. The post Dems Really Can’t Get a Good Trump ‘Stand-In’ appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

We rise and go through the motions, often feeling helpless. But we must remember that God is sovereign. We are not in this alone.

Most of the advice I’ve received as a single man has been about finding a spouse. Whether it’s exhortations to grow or encouragements to persevere, conversations are anchored to the anticipation of future marriage. Marriage is a beautiful, God-glorifying gift that should be encouraged and pursued by anyone who desires it. But future hopes of marriage don’t encapsulate the Christian single life. For one, marriage isn’t promised to everyone, and more than half of those who marry will be single again. But more importantly, marriage-centered singleness focuses on the single as an individual. When we concentrate on the spouse a single Christian lacks, loneliness is inevitable. Hyperfixating on marriage may distract us from the real key to Christian companionship. A single Christian life doesn’t have to be a lonely life. Jesus promises in Mark 10:29–31, There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. Jesus doesn’t view singles in reference to what we lack in marriage but what we have in Christ. And this isn’t a future hope; this gift of a hundredfold family is given in this life. A Family, Not a Mere Hobby Where can this family be found? In the local church. Joining a church is more than signing up for a hobby; it’s being adopted into a spiritual family. Church membership is a clear commitment of mutual responsibility that provides real spiritual connections to God’s family. Jesus doesn’t view singles in reference to what we lack in marriage but what we have in Christ. While the benefits of church membership exist for every Christian, they can especially apply to Christian singles. Specifically, meaningful membership provides at least three blessings. 1. A Place to Be Seen A friend once described losing his spouse as feeling invisible. More than losing someone to live with, he lamented the loss of someone who knew him intimately, who recognized his value independent of his usefulness. His wife saw him. Sometimes we fall short of this standard when talking about singleness. We may overemphasize a single Christian’s usefulness over her value as a fellow member of Christ’s body. The reason why a single should be valued isn’t because of her effectiveness but because of her inherent worth as a member of Christ’s body (1 Cor. 12:12–27). Church membership validates singles for who they are, not just for what they do. Membership sees. Each member is part of the family of God’s family, worthy of love and respect. When we baptize a person into the church, we publicly see and celebrate what the Spirit has done through Christ. When we take the Lord’s Supper together, we recognize the body for whom Christ died (11:27–29). Every time we admit people into membership, we acknowledge their value and equal personhood in Christ’s body. There should never be an overlooked church member. Membership publicly sees each Christian as one for whom the Lord Jesus died. 2. A Place to Be Loved I hate being a burden. But recently, I woke up sick and every normal task became more difficult. It’s especially hard when you don’t have people in your household who can care for you. One common fear I’ve heard from older single brothers and sisters is how they’ll continue to do menial tasks as their bodies weaken. Who takes care of the single Christian when she’s in need? Here’s an excerpt from my church’s covenant: “We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress.” Thankfully, I have church members who don’t just recite these words but also live them. I’ve had enough food brought to last through a zombie apocalypse, and people have checked in on me in ways that didn’t make me feel like a burden. Being a church member means I don’t need to keep up the charade of having it all together. I can be honest about my deficiencies, my frustrations, and my sins. My church family, in turn, lovingly administers grace and love. They’re a web of divine grace that envelops me when I’m in need. 3. A Place to Love That love and care works both ways. Church membership doesn’t only provide people who care for me—it provides opportunities for me to care for others. There’s no such thing as selfish singleness in the mature Christian life. Every Christian is called to sacrifice his or her preferences for the good of others, especially for those within the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Membership makes clear the commitment I’ve made to my spiritual family. There’s no such thing as selfish singleness in the mature Christian life. Singleness provides unique opportunities that married members don’t have. A few months ago, someone in our church was hospitalized due to cancer. She needed someone to stay home with her husband, who had his own health complications. I was able to pack my bags and move in for several weeks. The hospital staff and patients were shocked when they found out the one providing care for her husband back home was her pastor. Acts of service from single church members are the norm, not the exception. I could tell you example after example of faithful single members who joyfully leverage their freedom, focus, and flexibility to serve their brothers and sisters in Christ. Our church would be worse off if it weren’t for their loving care. Church membership provides familial lines where singles can focus their sacrificial love. Imperfect Place While Jesus promises a family, in this fallen world our spiritual family is also a sinful one. Just like any other family, the living room can be full of joy—but also difficulty. Tactless comments, sincere but overbearing advice, and awkward glances can make God’s community feel isolating. But healthy families don’t pull away in the sight of difficulty; they press in. Sometimes that may mean working through conflict and applying Christ’s grace to our sin. Other times it may mean patiently bearing with others’ shortcomings. But our commitment to one another, through both the good and the bad, reflects the tenacious commitment of our Savior. I’m grateful for the pastors and members who’ve taken the time to consider how to love singles in the church. I’m even more grateful for the single brothers and sisters who’ve pressed into their communities despite the heartache and difficulty. And yet, the real challenges are coupled with real joy. Church membership may not be perfect or easy, but it’s real. Jesus doesn’t promise an earthly spouse, but he does promise an eternal family. And you don’t need a wedding ring to obtain it. You just need a local church. Joining this family strengthens our bond as we know one another, love one another, and point one another to our loving Savior who will “never leave [us] nor forsake [us]” (Heb. 13:5).

Imagine curing severe allergies or autoimmune diseases with worm therapy. Click to read the full fact. The post WTF Fun Fact 13749 – Worm Therapy appeared first on WTF Fun Facts.

A serious meme....