Well that made no sense to me at all.
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Well that made no sense to me at all.
Good morning brothers and sisters! 
First thing you do in the morning, and the last thing before bed, study and meditate on God's Word!
Luke 12:20-50 NKJV
The Fruitful Grain of Wheat
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am [e]lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
Who Has Believed Our Report?
37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”
41 These things Isaiah said [f]when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
Walk in the Light
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not [g]believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
Amen
First thing you do in the morning, and the last thing before bed, study and meditate on God's Word!
Luke 12:20-50 NKJV
The Fruitful Grain of Wheat
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am [e]lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
Who Has Believed Our Report?
37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”
41 These things Isaiah said [f]when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
Walk in the Light
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not [g]believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
Amen
Please don't tell me what to do or say on a public forum. Thanks!
St. Phatty
Active member
That wasn't an anti-Jesus joke.
It was an anti-US-gov joke.
But speaking of Jesus jokes - American Christianity is one example.
They think they're pro-life & they go around the world murdering civilians.
A terrible, cruel joke. The kind without humor, the kind that is filled with tragedy.
American Terror would be impossible without the support of American Christians.
What would Jesus do if he was living at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave ?
A. Stop the American Terror War immediately.
Were he alive on Planet Earth, Jesus would have some very harsh words for American Christians.
I'm reporting this harassment of our Christian members. Gypsy said we could have a thread for Christians to share our faith with one another. Whats your problem? Please post in the other discussion thread for the debate, Jesus and The Holy Bible.
Uh oh, pipeline is gonna tell Dad!
I shouldn't be surprised that a supporter of an authoritarian like Trump wants his opponents to be shut up by the authorities instead of actually having to deal with reasonable criticism of the ideas you're spouting.
As far as I know Gypsy is a huge fan of debate and haaates censorship, soooooo... I doubt you're going to get much traction with that one. God speed, though.
I guaran-goddamn-tee if there were a thread for Muslims here Gypsy would have no problem whatsoever with anyone going in there and criticizing Islam or its adherents.
My problem is that you aren't the arbiter of discussion here. Starting a thread doesn't mean you own it.
Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
Believers Are Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Believers Are Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
W
Water-
Let's drink to the hard working people
Let's drink to the lowly of birth
Raise your glass to the good and the evil
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Say a prayer for the common foot soldier
Spare a thought for his back breaking work
Say a prayer for his wife and his children
Who burn the fires and who still till the earth
When I search a faceless crowd
Swirling mass of grey, black and white
They don't look real to me
In fact they look so strange
Raise your glass to the hard working people
Let's drink to the uncounted head
Let's think of the wavering millions
Who want leaders but get gamblers instead
Spare a thought for the stay-at-home voter
His empty eyes gaze at strange beauty shows
And a parade of gray suited grafters
A choice of cancer or polio
And when I search a faceless crowd
Swirling mass of grey, black and white
They don't look real to me
In fact they look so strange
Let's drink to the hard working people
Let's think of the lowly of birth
Spare a thought for the ragtaggy people
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Let's drink to the hard working people
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Let's think of the three thousand million
Let's think of the humble of birth
Songwriters: Keith Richards / Mick Jagger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB4Vnz8hido
Let's drink to the lowly of birth
Raise your glass to the good and the evil
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Say a prayer for the common foot soldier
Spare a thought for his back breaking work
Say a prayer for his wife and his children
Who burn the fires and who still till the earth
When I search a faceless crowd
Swirling mass of grey, black and white
They don't look real to me
In fact they look so strange
Raise your glass to the hard working people
Let's drink to the uncounted head
Let's think of the wavering millions
Who want leaders but get gamblers instead
Spare a thought for the stay-at-home voter
His empty eyes gaze at strange beauty shows
And a parade of gray suited grafters
A choice of cancer or polio
And when I search a faceless crowd
Swirling mass of grey, black and white
They don't look real to me
In fact they look so strange
Let's drink to the hard working people
Let's think of the lowly of birth
Spare a thought for the ragtaggy people
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Let's drink to the hard working people
Let's drink to the salt of the earth
Let's think of the three thousand million
Let's think of the humble of birth
Songwriters: Keith Richards / Mick Jagger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB4Vnz8hido
W
Water-
“Digressions, objections, delight in mockery, carefree mistrust are signs of health;
everything unconditional belongs in pathology. ”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
everything unconditional belongs in pathology. ”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
Cannabis legalization bill just became law in Illiniois May 29th!
## Overview of Illinois House Bill 1438: The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
» [Policy](https://www.mpp.org/policy/) » [State Policy](https://www.mpp.org/states/) » [Illinois](https://www.mpp.org/states/illinois/)
Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy's HB 1438 would end cannabis prohibition and replace it with a system to tax and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and over. The bill is comprehensive in its approach. In addition to legalizing possession and use for adults, it expands the current medical cannabis licensing system, includes automatic expungement for cannabis offenses, adds the ability for medical patients to grow at home, and offers significant benefits to communities hit hardest by inequities that were part of the war on cannabis. Here are some key provisions in House Bill 1438, or HB 1438.
**Cannabis possession and sales**
Starting January 1, 2020, adults 21 and older could possess cannabis and purchase cannabis products in licensed stores. Possession would be limited to:
* 30 grams of raw cannabis;
* Cannabis-infused product or products containing no more than 500 mg of THC; and
* Five grams of cannabis product in concentrated form.
Non-residents could purchase half that amount, or 15 grams of cannabis, 250mg of THC in a cannabis-infused product, and 2.5 grams of concentrated cannabis product.
**Expunging criminal records**
HB 1438 would usher in the most sweeping criminal justice reform so far in the cannabis movement.
* The governor’s clemency process would be used for convictions for up to 30 grams. These expungements would be automatic.
* For amounts of 30-500 grams, the state's attorney or the individual can petition the court to vacate the conviction.
In all, around 770,000 cannabis-related cases would be eligible for expungement, according to the Illinois State Policy Advisory Council.
**Equity**
**Social equity program:** The program provides benefits directly to those who have suffered because of the war on cannabis. Not only does HB 1438 remove convictions through expungement, it specifically provides additional points for business applicants, access to financial resources for start-up costs, and provides resources to communities that were hardest hit from the war on cannabis.
*How it works:*
A “social equity applicant” is a business whose ownership or staff have been directly impacted by the war on cannabis. These are people who have either been arrested and convicted of a cannabis-related offense, or a person with strong ties to a community that has been disproportionately impacted by both poverty and cannabis drug law enforcement. Such a business must be owned by 51% or more of those who qualify, or for businesses with 10 or more staff, 51% of the workers must qualify.
Social equity applicants qualify for assistance in various ways:
* Applicants for business licenses that qualify as social equity applicant would receive **additional points on applications** in the scoring system.
* A **Cannabis Business Development Fund** would provide financial resources for business start-ups, which can be used to offset licensing fees or used for low-interest loans. The fund would start with $12 million of funds as soon as possible after July 1, 2019, and additional early fees would be transferred into it.
* Local colleges can obtain a license for training programs to help residents prepare for cannabis industry-related jobs.
* The **3R Program** (the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew Program) would allow community groups to develop programs to benefit disadvantaged communities.
**Training** : The Department of Agriculture and Community College board will create up to eight pilot programs to train students to work in the legal cannabis industry. At least five of the eight programs must be for schools where at least 50% of the students are low income.
**Home cultivation for patients**
Medical cannabis patients could purchase cannabis seeds and grow up to five plants at their residence. There are limitations on home growing, however, including a cap of five plants per household, regardless of the number of residents who are 21 or over, and plants would need to be secured and out of view by the public. Home cultivators can keep what they grow, but possession limits still apply outside the residence, and sales are prohibited unless part of a licensed cannabis business.
**Business licenses**
The following types of cannabis business licenses will be issued:
* Dispensary: Provides cannabis products to adult consumers.
* Processor: Infuses products such as edibles with cannabis extract.
* Transporter: Transports cannabis between business licensees.
* Craft Grower: Can grow between 5,000 and 14,000 square feet of canopy space and may be separately licensed a processor and a dispensary at the same facility.
* Cultivation Center: Can grow up to 210,000 square feet.
**The transition timeline**
1. January 1, 2020, sales begin. Existing medical cannabis cultivators and dispensaries will cultivate and provide to adult consumers until additional licensees can apply and get approved.
2. January 7, 2020, applications for processors, transporters, and a new category of cultivator called a craft grower would be published for business applicants.
3. March 15, 2020, the state would begin receiving and processing new licenses.
4. May 1, 2020, new dispensaries licenses issued, and the state begins a disparity and market study of the cannabis industry.
5. July 1, 2020, up to 40 craft grower and processor licenses will be issued, along with an unlimited number of transporter licenses.
6. Once the disparity and market study is complete, the state can issue additional licenses if needed. These licenses must take into account the findings of the disparity study.
**Taxes**
Illinois is taking a unique approach to cannabis taxation. Rather than a blanket tax for all cannabis products, Illinois will charge a tax rate based on the relative potency of the cannabis and the type of product. The more concentrated THC is, the higher the tax rate:
* 10% tax would apply to cannabis flower or products with less than 35% THC
* 20% tax would apply to products infused with cannabis, such as edible products
* 25% tax would apply to any product with a THC concentration higher than 35%
In addition to these scalable tax rates, the state’s regular 6.25% sales tax rate also applies, along with local taxes of up to 3.5%. The range consumers would pay at the register would be between 19.55% to 34.75% retail tax, depending on the product’s potency.
**Revenue distribution**
After covering the costs of administration and expungement, the remaining funds would be distributed as follows:
* 2% to public education and safety campaigns
* 8% to the Local Government Distributive Fund, for prevention and training for law enforcement
* 25% to the Recover, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program
* 20% to mental health services and substance abuse programs
* 10% to pay unpaid bills
* 35% to the General Revenue Fund
## Overview of Illinois House Bill 1438: The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
» [Policy](https://www.mpp.org/policy/) » [State Policy](https://www.mpp.org/states/) » [Illinois](https://www.mpp.org/states/illinois/)
Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy's HB 1438 would end cannabis prohibition and replace it with a system to tax and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and over. The bill is comprehensive in its approach. In addition to legalizing possession and use for adults, it expands the current medical cannabis licensing system, includes automatic expungement for cannabis offenses, adds the ability for medical patients to grow at home, and offers significant benefits to communities hit hardest by inequities that were part of the war on cannabis. Here are some key provisions in House Bill 1438, or HB 1438.
**Cannabis possession and sales**
Starting January 1, 2020, adults 21 and older could possess cannabis and purchase cannabis products in licensed stores. Possession would be limited to:
* 30 grams of raw cannabis;
* Cannabis-infused product or products containing no more than 500 mg of THC; and
* Five grams of cannabis product in concentrated form.
Non-residents could purchase half that amount, or 15 grams of cannabis, 250mg of THC in a cannabis-infused product, and 2.5 grams of concentrated cannabis product.
**Expunging criminal records**
HB 1438 would usher in the most sweeping criminal justice reform so far in the cannabis movement.
* The governor’s clemency process would be used for convictions for up to 30 grams. These expungements would be automatic.
* For amounts of 30-500 grams, the state's attorney or the individual can petition the court to vacate the conviction.
In all, around 770,000 cannabis-related cases would be eligible for expungement, according to the Illinois State Policy Advisory Council.
**Equity**
**Social equity program:** The program provides benefits directly to those who have suffered because of the war on cannabis. Not only does HB 1438 remove convictions through expungement, it specifically provides additional points for business applicants, access to financial resources for start-up costs, and provides resources to communities that were hardest hit from the war on cannabis.
*How it works:*
A “social equity applicant” is a business whose ownership or staff have been directly impacted by the war on cannabis. These are people who have either been arrested and convicted of a cannabis-related offense, or a person with strong ties to a community that has been disproportionately impacted by both poverty and cannabis drug law enforcement. Such a business must be owned by 51% or more of those who qualify, or for businesses with 10 or more staff, 51% of the workers must qualify.
Social equity applicants qualify for assistance in various ways:
* Applicants for business licenses that qualify as social equity applicant would receive **additional points on applications** in the scoring system.
* A **Cannabis Business Development Fund** would provide financial resources for business start-ups, which can be used to offset licensing fees or used for low-interest loans. The fund would start with $12 million of funds as soon as possible after July 1, 2019, and additional early fees would be transferred into it.
* Local colleges can obtain a license for training programs to help residents prepare for cannabis industry-related jobs.
* The **3R Program** (the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew Program) would allow community groups to develop programs to benefit disadvantaged communities.
**Training** : The Department of Agriculture and Community College board will create up to eight pilot programs to train students to work in the legal cannabis industry. At least five of the eight programs must be for schools where at least 50% of the students are low income.
**Home cultivation for patients**
Medical cannabis patients could purchase cannabis seeds and grow up to five plants at their residence. There are limitations on home growing, however, including a cap of five plants per household, regardless of the number of residents who are 21 or over, and plants would need to be secured and out of view by the public. Home cultivators can keep what they grow, but possession limits still apply outside the residence, and sales are prohibited unless part of a licensed cannabis business.
**Business licenses**
The following types of cannabis business licenses will be issued:
* Dispensary: Provides cannabis products to adult consumers.
* Processor: Infuses products such as edibles with cannabis extract.
* Transporter: Transports cannabis between business licensees.
* Craft Grower: Can grow between 5,000 and 14,000 square feet of canopy space and may be separately licensed a processor and a dispensary at the same facility.
* Cultivation Center: Can grow up to 210,000 square feet.
**The transition timeline**
1. January 1, 2020, sales begin. Existing medical cannabis cultivators and dispensaries will cultivate and provide to adult consumers until additional licensees can apply and get approved.
2. January 7, 2020, applications for processors, transporters, and a new category of cultivator called a craft grower would be published for business applicants.
3. March 15, 2020, the state would begin receiving and processing new licenses.
4. May 1, 2020, new dispensaries licenses issued, and the state begins a disparity and market study of the cannabis industry.
5. July 1, 2020, up to 40 craft grower and processor licenses will be issued, along with an unlimited number of transporter licenses.
6. Once the disparity and market study is complete, the state can issue additional licenses if needed. These licenses must take into account the findings of the disparity study.
**Taxes**
Illinois is taking a unique approach to cannabis taxation. Rather than a blanket tax for all cannabis products, Illinois will charge a tax rate based on the relative potency of the cannabis and the type of product. The more concentrated THC is, the higher the tax rate:
* 10% tax would apply to cannabis flower or products with less than 35% THC
* 20% tax would apply to products infused with cannabis, such as edible products
* 25% tax would apply to any product with a THC concentration higher than 35%
In addition to these scalable tax rates, the state’s regular 6.25% sales tax rate also applies, along with local taxes of up to 3.5%. The range consumers would pay at the register would be between 19.55% to 34.75% retail tax, depending on the product’s potency.
**Revenue distribution**
After covering the costs of administration and expungement, the remaining funds would be distributed as follows:
* 2% to public education and safety campaigns
* 8% to the Local Government Distributive Fund, for prevention and training for law enforcement
* 25% to the Recover, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program
* 20% to mental health services and substance abuse programs
* 10% to pay unpaid bills
* 35% to the General Revenue Fund
Luke 17:5-10 NKJV
Faith and Duty
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded [e]him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
Faith and Duty
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded [e]him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
- Status
