Jesus Takes the Place of the Guilty—Luke 23:13-25 https://zap.stream/naddr1qqjxxdpjxcuxzdpe94jnycfj956xyvp4943rzcek94jn2veexf3xgv338qurgqg4waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgctdw4eju6t09upzpn6956apxcad0mfp8grcuugdysg44eepex68h50t73zcathmfs49qvzqqqrkvuefz45d

Wrath Is Poured Out upon Idol Worshippers—Ex. 32:15-35 https://zap.stream/naddr1qqjrvef3vcmrxve395mkgdmx956rzdek95unqdp395unydtp8ymrxetyvcurwqg4waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgctdw4eju6t09upzpn6956apxcad0mfp8grcuugdysg44eepex68h50t73zcathmfs49qvzqqqrkvu3pxvy0

Follow him, and you’ll lose some things—your pride, your self-importance, your false security. But you’ll gain everything. Because when you have Jesus, even with nothing at all, you are complete. Video: View article →

The Worship of the Golden Calf—Exodus 32:1-14 https://zap.stream/naddr1qqjxvwr9vgexvdph94nrsery956rgwr994snze3595mxget9v43rgef4v9snjqg4waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgctdw4eju6t09upzpn6956apxcad0mfp8grcuugdysg44eepex68h50t73zcathmfs49qvzqqqrkvujjrz0s

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“The medical crimes of the Third Reich were the result of a dynamic triad involving the state, the medical profession, and an academic enterprise comprising the universities and the research institutes.” (Seidelman, Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 2000)

“AND NOW, FRIENDS AND COUNTRYMEN, if the wise and learned philosophers of the elder world, the first observers of nutation and aberration, the discoverers of maddening ether and invisible planets, the inventors of Congreve rockets and Shrapnel shells, should find their hearts disposed to enquire what has America done for the benefit of mankind? Let our answer be this: America, with the same voice which spoke herself into existence as a nation, proclaimed to mankind the inextinguishable rights of human nature, and the only lawful foundations of government. America, in the assembly of nations, since her admission among them, has invariably, though often fruitlessly, held forth to them the hand of honest friendship, of equal freedom, of generous reciprocity. She has uniformly spoken among them, though often to heedless and often to disdainful ears, the language of equal liberty, of equal justice, and of equal rights. She has, in the lapse of nearly half a century, without a single exception, respected the independence of other nations while asserting and maintaining her own. She has abstained from interference in the concerns of others, even when conflict has been for principles to which she clings, as to the last vital drop that visits the heart. She has seen that probably for centuries to come, all the contests of that Aceldama the European world, will be contests of inveterate power, and emerging right. Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example. She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom. The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force....She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit.... America’s glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is, Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her Declaration: this has been, as far as her necessary intercourse with the rest of mankind would permit, her practice.” --John Quincy Adams speech to Congress in 1821

Death still stings, but it cannot keep you. The grave still claims the body, but not the soul. Christ has made death a servant of life, turning the enemy into the doorway through which He brings His saints home. And so, when the day comes—and it will—when your strength fails and your eyes grow dim, do not be afraid. Christ will be there, as He was at Nain, as He was at the tomb, as He is here now. And He will say to you, not as a command of judgment but as a word of promise: “I say to you, arise!” View article →

Thesis IX — To the preaching office there is due respect as well as unconditional obedience when the preacher uses God’s Word. Yet the preacher has no dominion in the church. Therefore, he has no right to introduce new laws or arbitrarily to establish adiaphora or ceremonies in the church. The preacher has no right to inflict and carry out excommunication alone, without the preceding knowledge of the whole congregation.

Mission Observance: Luke 24:44-53; Romans 10:11-17 https://youtube.com/live/fsZ595T7bPU

This is my politics.

The Rich Young Ruler—Mark 10:17-31 https://youtube.com/live/6mbm-3lJ0UY

### Recent Use of Continuing Resolutions (CRs) in the US Federal Budget Process Since the last full, on-time budget (all 12 regular appropriations bills enacted by October 1) was passed for fiscal year (FY) 1997, Congress has relied on continuing resolutions (CRs) in **every subsequent fiscal year** to avoid government shutdowns. CRs are temporary funding measures that extend prior-year spending levels for some or all federal agencies until full appropriations are completed. They have become a routine workaround, often chaining multiple short-term CRs per year. "Recently" can vary by context, but focusing on the post-2010 era (a common benchmark in analyses of modern budget dysfunction) provides a clear picture of the frequency. Below, I'll break down the data based on nonpartisan sources like the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Bipartisan Policy Center. #### Total CRs Since FY 2011 (Through FY 2025) - From FY 2011 to FY 2022: **47 CRs** enacted (ranging from 1 day to 176 days each). - FY 2023: **4 CRs** (a "laddered" approach extending funding incrementally before full appropriations). - FY 2024: **4 CRs** (similar short-term extensions leading to a minibus package). - FY 2025: **3 CRs** (September 2024 through December 2024; December 2024 through March 2025; March 2025 full-year CR through September 30, 2025). - **Grand total since FY 2011: 58 CRs**. This averages about **4.8 CRs per fiscal year**—aligning with the broader post-1998 trend of ~5 per year (138 total CRs from FY 1998–2025). | Fiscal Year Range | Number of CRs | Average Duration per CR | Notes | |-------------------|---------------|--------------------------|-------| | FY 2011–2022 (12 years) | 47 | ~30–60 days | Includes shutdown threats in 2013 and 2018; full-year CR in 2013. | | FY 2023–2024 (2 years) | 8 | 30–90 days | "Laddered" CRs for partial funding; led to omnibus packages. | | FY 2025 (1 year) | 3 | 45–180 days | Culminated in a full-year CR due to partisan disputes. | | **Total (15 years)** | **58** | ~45 days | No full on-time budget; CRs funded government for ~4 months/year on average. | #### Why So Many? Key Drivers - **Structural Issues**: The 12 appropriations bills are due by October 1, but partisan gridlock, elections, and competing priorities (e.g., debt ceiling fights) delay them. Since 1997, zero fiscal years have met the deadline. - **Full-Year CRs**: These count as one CR but fund the entire year at prior levels, stifling new programs. They've occurred 4 times since 1997 (FY 2007, 2011, 2013, 2025). - **Impacts**: CRs create uncertainty—agencies delay hiring, contracts, and R&D (e.g., Pentagon readiness dips). A GAO study found they add administrative burdens and inefficiencies costing billions indirectly. For FY 2026 (starting October 1, 2025), early CR proposals (e.g., H.R. 5371) suggest the pattern will continue unless reforms like automatic sequestrations are enforced. If you'd like details on a specific year, full-year CRs, or potential fixes, let me know!

Confess Christ, Take Up Your Cross, Follow Him—Mt. 10:32-39 https://www.youtube.com/live/9EmxTRPVTOQ

And when He gives us Himself, He frees us. He frees us to live differently. Not in fear. Not in bitterness. Not always guarding what is ours. But in charity. In truth. In love. Because we know that nothing we give up is ever lost in Him. Because we know that nothing taken from us can rob us of His kingdom. Because we know that every insult, every slight, every injustice we endure for His sake will be made right in His resurrection.

The Fall of Man into Sin—Genesis 3:1-8 https://youtube.com/live/H6-ryamJfy0

Ahab Covets Naboth’s Vineyard—1 Kings 21:1-16 https://www.youtube.com/live/PIPmzoF7zgQ

St. Michael and All Angels—Matthew 18:1-11 https://youtube.com/live/Wp025GNtZaI

Sometimes we refuse to acknowledge the truth because the consequences are horrifying. The lie is easier and more comfortable.