Month: November 2025

Abraham – And The Greater Vision

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Often, looking at the stars, contemplating how many I can’t see in the middle of town with street lights all around, I think about God’s promise to Abraham that his seed would be as numerous as the stars. If you’ve ever been out in the desert at night, away from population, if you’ve ever been up in the mountains in a place like Montana, the enormity, the immensity, the sheer number of stars is wondrous. You can’t really imagine it unless you’ve seen it. So many stars stretching through the Milky Way alone that it looks like a sheet of soft light spread across the sky. Spilled milk. The Way of Milk.

Yet the Apostle Paul notes that the promises of God to Abraham were to his seed – not as of many seeds, but as of ONE seed, who is the Lord Jesus, the Christ.

Galatians 3:16 KJV
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

So how are we included in God’s promise to Abraham? As many as believe on Christ, The Seed, are welcomed under the umbrella of Abraham’s seed by faith and we represent that vision of stars stretching through the Milky Way and beyond.

Galatians 2:7 KJV
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

In this Biblical account of the exchange between God and Abraham, God gets Abraham to look up, and in effect, to get a greater vision for his life and purpose. Many success-oriented coaches teach that if we want to be truly successful in life, we need to get our vision up.

One of the great phrases I heard years ago from such coaches (probably Jim Rohn) was to set a goal so big it scares you. The reason? You have to grow up into the goal to achieve it.

So there I am this week, reading through these excerpts in the Bible, pondering the beauty of being part of the family of Christ, welcomed in as Abraham’s seed through Christ, and I was inspired to read Psalm 2.

Psalm 2:7-8 KJV
(7) I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
(8) Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

It came to me, that as the seed of Christ through faith, God is asking us to get our vision up. The Body of Christ, the body of believers, can ask the Father to give us the heathen (the yet unsaved) as part of the inheritance of Jesus Christ, in whose inheritance we share.

Romans 8:16-17a KJV
(16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(17a) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;

God the Father is declaring that we can ask to possess the uttermost parts of the earth for Him by declaring the witness of Christ. Not a material possession, but a spiritual realm. That what Christ began and then commissioned disciples to continue, equipped with the Gift of Holy Spirit and all its manifestations, as well as the written Word, was prophesied in Psalm 2 not just for the Messiah, but for his seed. And if we can grab the vision and see the goal, what we will become in the process of trying to achieve it? Why, we will grow up into Christ, we will mature as members of his body.

You reading this must think me dull-witted! How could I have not seen this so clearly before? God is so lovely to break things down for me in the most simple terms. What is required here to get my vision up is to see the vision God already gave.

Ask of me, He says. Ask.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Denounces Trump’s Deportation Policies

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Catholics Denounce Trump’s Deportation Policies

Here’s a Grok summary of X (Twitter) posts on the topic.

On November 12, 2025, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a pastoral message and video in a 216-5 vote during their Baltimore assembly, criticizing the Trump-Vance administration’s mass deportation efforts and dehumanizing rhetoric. The statement, the first collective rebuke since 2013, addresses restricted pastoral access in detention centers, threats to sacred spaces, and a climate of fear among immigrants, while advocating for comprehensive immigration reform with safe legal pathways. Bishops from diverse backgrounds, including conservatives like Archbishops Alexander Sample and Salvatore J. Cordileone, emphasize human dignity rooted in Catholic teaching and stand in solidarity with immigrants amid escalating enforcement actions.

Here’s an excerpt from a Catholic News Agency article covering the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops decision.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) overwhelmingly voted to adopt a statement that opposes the indiscriminate mass deportation of immigrants who lack legal status and urged the government to uphold the dignity of migrants.
The bishops approved their special message on immigration at the 2025 Fall Plenary Assembly on Nov. 12. The motion passed with support from more than 95% of the American bishops who voted. It received 216 votes in favor, just five against, and only three abstentions.
“We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people,” the message emphasized.

Some Pushback

And here is an X post from conservative commentator Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) raising some very interesting points/questions worth considering regarding the USCCB statement and video message.

I don’t recall the bishops making any sort of video like this to condemn the Biden White House for supporting, funding, and facilitating the mass slaughter of children in the womb. I also can’t remember seeing any video with solemn condemnations of the Biden White House and its support for the castration and sexual mutilation of children. That’s in spite of the fact that Biden is actually “Catholic” and he was actively engaged in activities that are explicitly condemned as mortally sinful by the Church. Trump is neither Catholic nor is he doing anything, policy wise, that contradicts Church teaching. Deportations certainly do not. And yet the bishops suddenly find their voice and their courage for this issue. Very strange indeed.

My Take

Finally, a few stats and my brief thoughts on the subject.

During the two terms under the Obama administration, according to ICE and DHS data, from 2009 to 2016 the U.S. conducted roughly 3.06 million formal removals (i.e., deportation orders).

During his first term, according to The Independent, Trump’s administration carried out about 1.2 million “removals” (formal deportation orders) during his first term, and so far in this term, by September 2025, the Trump administration claimed 400,000 deportations since January.

Question: Did the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops denounce Obama’s deportation policies?

Answer: No — the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) did not issue a denunciation of Barack Obama’s deportation policies.

Follow-up question: Why not?

Bible Rebel: Curious Fearless Faith

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The Bible Rebel blog is a resource for those seeking original and curated content, including news and commentary, covering faith, biblical studies and interpretation, and the intersection of politics, culture, and the Bible.

Curious Fearless Faith

Curious faith asks questions. Fearless faith doesn’t blindly accept the religious status quo.

Is the Kingdom of God now, or future?

If Jesus Christ is God then isn’t Mary the mother of God?

Is the Christian’s destiny to die and ‘go to heaven’ – or to be transformed while alive or raised from death and corruption into the renewed and restored creation?

Our Mission

  1. To monitor current news and events related to faith and culture.
  2. To provide an alternative viewpoint to the world’s pervasive climate of darkness, nihilism, and hopelessness for those seeking truth, light, and purpose.
  3. To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.
  4. To present the Biblical truths which reveal God’s nature and purposes and proclaim the lifechanging, world-altering, radical message of Yeshua the Messiah – Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior.

Contact us at in**@********el.com

Biblical Literacy: Sayings, Not Bible Verses

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Here are four common ‘old sayings’ that many folks mistakenly believe are bible verses. While these sayings may contain practical wisdom, and even reflect values taught by scripture generally, they are not inspired scripture.

“God helps those who help themselves.”

This one is commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin (Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1736).

The Bible teaches dependence on God, not self-sufficiency (see Psalm 121:2, Proverbs 3:5–6). The phrase reflects a moral idea, but it’s not scriptural.

“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”

Popularized by John Wesley in a 1778 sermon.

While the Bible values purity of heart and spiritual cleanliness (James 4:8), it never equates physical cleanliness with godliness.

“This too shall pass.”

Likely from ancient Persian or Hebrew proverbs, but not found in Scripture.

The Bible expresses similar sentiments (e.g., 2 Corinthians 4:17–18, Psalm 30:5), yet the phrase itself never appears.

“Money is the root of all evil.”

This one is a misquotation of 1 Timothy 6:10.

What the Bible actually says: “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” The difference is crucial — Scripture warns against greed, not wealth itself.

Watchdog Alert: Mary As’Co-Redeemer” And More From The Catholics

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Photo via Julius Silvers, pexels.com

The third item below is interesting – apparently the Pope has decided that Mary, previously called the “Co-Redemptrix”, is no longer needed for the finished work of redemption and has been demoted to just the “Mother of the Faithful”.

Neither one of those titles is biblical, they are both the results of doctrines of men.

Investigation of a Spanish bishop

  • The Vatican has opened an investigation into Rafael Zornoza, bishop of the Diocese of Cádiz-Ceuta in Spain, following allegations of sexual abuse dating to the 1990s involving a teenage boy. Reuters
  • Zornoza denies the accusation, has suspended his duties, and pledged full cooperation. Reuters
  • This is significant because it is reportedly the first public case of a Spanish bishop being publicly known to be the subject of a Vatican‐level inquiry. Reuters.

Alleged antisemitic incident involving the Swiss Guard

  • The Vatican is investigating an alleged incident in which a member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard reportedly made a contemptuous remark (“les juifs”) and a spitting gesture toward two Jewish women, during a papal audience on October 29. AP News
  • The guard denies the remark and accuses the women of lying; the investigation is still in its early stage. AP News
  • During the same audience the Pope reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to Catholic-Jewish relations and condemned antisemitism. AP News

Doctrinal Note clarifying Marian titles

  • The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), approved by the Pope, released a doctrinal note stating that the Virgin Mary should be referred to as “Mother of the Faithful” rather than the title “Co-Redemptrix.” Vatican News
  • The document also calls for special attention to the use of the expression “Mediatrix of all graces.” Vatican News

Appointment of a new Vice-Regent of the Pontifical Household

  • Edward Daniang Daleng, O.S.A., has been appointed by the Pope as the new Vice-Regent of the Pontifical Household. Vatican News
  • Paulina of Nigeria and an Augustinian religious background. (He had been procurator general of the Order of St. Augustine.) Catholic News Agency

Separate God From His Power?

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“Make sure to seek God’s presence more than His power…”, someone recently said.

I’m a bit befuddled. How do I separate The Creator from His power? He who is almighty, whose power spoke light and the earth into being, who infused man with His spirit, who BY HIS POWER raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, ummmmm WHAT??

It seems silly and futile and a waste of time to entertain such notions that don’t appear in any scripture. Just logically thinking, the power of God in the love of God saved me from a life of darkness and misery. Without His power, what is He?

He would be just one of the many gods, indistinguishable from the gods of the Greeks and Romans. It would in fact be foolish to worship such a god.

When the Prophet Elijah said choose ye this day whom ye worship, and fire rained from heaven on his sacrifice and not on that of Baal, was not the presence of God power?

When Moses was on the mount, when the pillar of fire went before the children of Israel, when the sea parted, was not the presence of God power and did not the people worship?

I seek the presence of my God who is powerful, who raised Christ from the dead and whose Kingdom on earth is yet to come. Whose Son will return in Power and glory and righteousness. And I seek His son, who reflects the Father and who has the power to forgive my sins and heal me.

So when I seek God’s presence, I don’t worry about whether I’m splitting hairs between His presence and His character. How can I be in His presence and not be changed by His Power? Ultimately we seek the Father because He has the power to change us. His presence is perfect Love, who gave His only begotten son and raised him to be the first fruits of those that believe, and that, my friends, is power

They Said It: Four Quotes On Exodus

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Here are some famous quotes about the second book in the Bible, Exodus.

“Exodus is the story of God’s power to deliver, not just from Egypt, but from every form of bondage.”
— Charles Spurgeon

“The Exodus is the central act of redemption in the Old Testament; it is to Israel what the Cross is to the Church.”
— Philip Graham Ryken

“The story of the Exodus is not only Israel’s story—it is the human story of liberation from oppression into the freedom to serve God.”
— Walter Brueggemann

“In Exodus, God reveals Himself not as an idea, but as a living Redeemer who steps into history to rescue His people.”
— A.W. Tozer

Watchdog Alert: Kazakhstan Signs On To Abraham Accords

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The Abraham Accords are a series of agreements that normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations, starting in 2020 refer to formal peace and normalization agreements between Israel and the following countries:

  1. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – signed August 13, 2020
  2. Bahrain – joined September 15, 2020
  3. Sudan – announced October 23, 2020
  4. Morocco – announced December 10, 2020

The accords were brokered by the United States under the Trump administration, led by Jared Kushner and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and now Kazakhstan has been added to the list of participating countries as of this week.

They marked the first major Arab-Israeli peace agreements in over 25 years, following Egypt’s (1979) and Jordan’s (1994) treaties with Israel.

The name “Abraham Accords” was chosen because Abraham (known as Ibrahim in Arabic) is a biblical patriarchal figure shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. So, the name highlights religious and cultural unity as the foundation for political cooperation and coexistence.