This Rejoice & Praise God Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.

It’s also a place to read, post, and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.

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Please also consider the Guidelines for posting and discussion printed here: 
https://www.theqtree.com/2019/01/01/dear-maga-open-topic-20190101/

On this day and every day –

God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up

Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.

“This day is holy to the Lord your God;
do not mourn nor weep.” . . .
“Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Because He Lives . . .

I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. 

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” (Luke 24:5-7)

And with those words from the angel, the women at Jesus’ tomb found that Jesus had risen from the dead, just as He had foretold. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 

And after about 40 days, Jesus returns to the Father where He now sits at His right hand.

That’s it? That’s the end of the story? Not hardly! This is but the beginning.

Jesus continues to act in His very unique and singular position with respect to our salvation and justification with God, the Father.

Jesus is the he ONLY way to Heaven.
John 14:6 – I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Jesus was the blood sacrifice that reconciled our sin and our sin nature with our Holy God.

Jesus is the ONLY Mediator between God and men.
1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God and ONE Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)

Jesus is the ONLY name given for Salvation.
Acts 4:12 – Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Jesus stands at the door and knocks. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

Jesus is the ONLY advocate for us.
1 John 2:1 – My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Jesus has already satisfied the demands of justice, so God accepts His Son’s advocacy on our behalf as part of their divine agreement, established before the world began.

Jesus is the ONLY Intercessor in heaven.
Romans 8:34 – Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
The promise of Christ’s intercession belongs to all for whom He died. All those who have found forgiveness in Him have the assurance of His intercession. 

Jesus intercedes for us in Heaven

“Therefore He [Jesus] is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). This verse (and others like it) tells us that although Christ’s work to secure the salvation of the elect was completed on the cross, as evidenced by His cry “It is finished!” (John 19:30), His care for His redeemed children will never be finished.

Jesus did not go to heaven after His earthly ministry and “take a break” from His role as eternal Shepherd to His people. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10, emphasis added). If when humble, despised, dying, and dead, He had the power to accomplish so great a work as reconciling us to God, how much more may we expect that He will be able to keep us now that He is a living, exalted, and triumphant Redeemer, raised to life and interceding on our behalf before the throne (Romans 8:34). Clearly, Jesus is still very active on our behalf in heaven.

After Jesus ascended to heaven and was seated at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 1:9; Colossians 3:1), He returned to the glory He had before His incarnation (John 17:5) to carry on His role of King of kings and Lord of lords—His eternal role as the second Person of the triune God. While this old earth continues to be “won” for Christ, Jesus is the Advocate for Christians, meaning He is our great Defender. This is the intercessory role He currently fulfills for those who are His (1 John 2:1). Jesus is always pleading our case before the Father, like a defense lawyer on our behalf.

Jesus is interceding for us while Satan (whose name means “accuser”) is accusing us day and night, pointing out our sins and frailties before God, just as he did with Job (Job 1:6-12). But the accusations fall upon deaf ears in heaven, because Jesus’ work on the cross paid our sin debt in full; therefore, God always sees in His children the perfect righteousness of Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, His righteousness (perfect holiness) was imputed to us, while our sin was imputed to Him at His death. This is the great exchange Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 5:21. That took away forever our sinful state before God, so God can accept us as blameless before Him.

Finally, it is important to understand that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. No one else – no one – has the power to intercede for us before the throne of the Almighty. Christ alone is the God-man, and He mediates and intercedes between God and man. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

Savior, Redeemer, Mediator, Intercessor, Advocate, and finally, Righteous Judge – all this from the One Who loved us so much that He gave His life for our sins . . . to reconcile us with His and our Holy Father in Heaven.

Now, as God’s adopted sons and daughters in Christ, we can wholeheartedly . . .

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Hallelujah!

Maranatha!

With bloodstained wood, His cross still stands
High on a hill for all to see
And see Him, too, with open arms
Calling to all to “Come, believe”

Empty and still, His tomb lies bare
He has risen; He is not here
Victory won, conquerors all
The sting of death we shall not fear

His earthly mission now complete
Standing by His Father’s side
His Spirit sent to all the world
Now prepares places for His bride

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come”
And we who hear will say, “Come”, too
That those that are athirst may come
To believe and have life anew

Author note: due to time constraints, this is a copy of last year’s Good Friday thread with the ephemera changed out.

Here we are. Friday. In honor of the day, today’s libation is a Rusty Nail.

For decades, one of the hottest cocktails was the Rusty Nail. But after a good run, the simple combination of scotch and the scotch-based liqueur Drambuie, a word derived from Gaelic meaning “the drink that satisfies,” has fallen off most bar menus and is rarely ordered by patrons.

Just as mystifying as its disappearance was its appearance in the first place. The lineage of the potent after-dinner libation is contested, with many believing it was invented in 1937 for the British Industries Fair trade show. It does appear in the 1967 edition of “Old Mister Boston Official Bartender’s Guide,” the cocktail book of record through the post-Prohibition 20th century. (A similar drink, dubbed the Little Club #1, is included in Ted Saucier’s 1951 “Bottoms Up.”)

By the late 1960s, bars in New Orleans and New York were serving the concoction, and “Have you tried a Rusty Nail?” was a common refrain. The Rusty Nail is often credited to the clever bartenders at the 21 Club in Manhattan sometime in the early 1960s. It makes sense, being that the establishment created the famous B & B—half Bénédictine and half cognac—as well. It’s easy to imagine that the talented crew applied the same formula to another cordial and liquor, but I haven’t been able to substantiate that claim.

Lore has it that the Rat Pack was enamored with the drink, which may have been responsible for the wide appeal in those years. In the 1970s, I mixed many a Rusty Nail at the joints I worked at in New York. They were also a hit at P.J. Clarke’s, a favorite late-night haunt of Frank Sinatra.

As with lots of classics, the recipe varies widely. Ted Haigh, the author of “Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails,” likes two parts scotch to one part Drambuie; “Old Mister Boston” calls for a one-to-one ratio; and many modern versions are far drier, with some suggesting four parts whisky to one part liqueur. You could also substitute bourbon for scotch and get a Rusty Spike. But the Rusty Nail is a classic for a reason, and the two-to-one ratio will always be a fine example of the drink.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces scotch
• 3/4 ounce Drambuie

Steps

1. Add the scotch and Drambuie into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.

So simple even the Scots can make it. Of course, most of their food is based on a dare.

LINKS

Badlands News Brief – April 6, 2023

Final data shows Pfizer RSV vaccine 82 percent effective in infants when given to pregnant mothers

Yeah, no.

Judge Rules Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, Other Top Fox Execs Must Testify Live at Dominion Defamation Trial

During a Wednesday afternoon hearing, Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric M. Davis ruled that top Fox executives Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, and Paul Ryan will have to testify live at the trial in the defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems.

Jamie Dimon Says US Financial Crisis Far From Over

Bragg’s Lawfare Tears Apart A Thousand Years of Anglo-American Jurisprudence

America’s Geriatric Megalomaniacs

How Could a Democrat Voter Learn the Truth?

We have a rare opportunity. Shocking levels of malfeasance and corruption from leftist Democrats have recently been revealed to the public. They can no longer hide what they really are and what they’re doing to this country. Let’s dialogue with that disillusioned 65% and show them the evidence. They have no one else to tell them the truth. It’s the only way to undermine the stranglehold leftists currently have on the Democrat party.

America’s Glass Is Half Full

A Pandemic of Cognitive Dissonance

Our Constitutional Doom Loop

An Ancient Attack on Our Dignity: It’s Spiritual Warfare

New Medical Codes for COVID-19 Vaccination Status Used to Track People, CDC Confirms

Bill Gates Opposes Pausing AI Development, Reveals Different Plan

Evil man.

Epic Panda!

The Men Behind the Curtain – Part 7

TWEETS

Memes & Fun

And now for the business portion of the post borrowed from Tuesday:

Guidelines for posting and discussion on this site were outlined by our host, WolfM00n. Please, review them from time to time.

The discourse on this site is to be CIVIL – no name calling, baiting, or threatening others here is allowed. Those who are so inclined may visit Wolf’s other sanctuary, the U-Tree, to slog it out. There is also a “rescue” thread there for members of the Tree to rendezvous if the main site goes kablooey. A third site has been added for site outages of longer duration.

This site is a celebration of the natural rights endowed to humans by our Creator as well as those enshrined in the Bill of Rights adopted in the founding documents of the United States of America. Within the limits of law, how we exercise these rights is part of the freedom of our discussion.

Fellow tree dweller Wheatie gave us some good reminders on the basics of civility in political discourse:

1. No food fights.
2. No running with scissors.
3. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.

And Auntie DePat’s requests:

If you see something has not been posted, do us all a favor, and post it. Please, do not complain that it has not been done yet.

The scroll wheel on your mouse can be your friend. As mature adults, please use it here in the same manner you would in avoiding online porn.

_____________________________________________________

According to ancient oral tradition as written down by the Church Fathers, while Christ was hanging on the cross, He recited this.

Psalm 21

[1] Unto the end, for the morning protection, a psalm for David. [2] O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins. [3] O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me. [4] But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel. [5] In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them.

[2] “The words of my sins”: That is, the sins of the world, which I have taken upon myself, cry out against me, and are the cause of all my sufferings.

[6] They cried to thee, and they were saved: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. [7] But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. [8] All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head. [9] He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him. [10] For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: my hope from the breasts of my mother.

[11] I was cast upon thee from the womb. From my mother’s womb thou art my God, [12] Depart not from me. For tribulation is very near: for there is none to help me. [13] Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me. [14] They have opened their mouths against me, as a lion ravening and roaring. [15] I am poured out like water; and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.

[16] My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death. [17] For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet. [18] They have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon me. [19] They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots. [20] But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me; look towards my defence.

[21] Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: my only one from the hand of the dog. [22] Save me from the lion’s mouth; and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns. [23] I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I praise thee. [24] Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him. [25] Let all the seed of Israel fear him: because he hath not slighted nor despised the supplication of the poor man. Neither hath he turned away his face from me: and when I cried to him he heard me.

[26] With thee is my praise in a great church: I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him. [27] The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever. [28] All the ends of the earth shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord: And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in his sight. [29] For the kingdom is the Lord’s; and he shall have dominion over the nations. [30] All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored: all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him.

[31] And to him my soul shall live: and my seed shall serve him. [32] There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens shall shew forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made.

Only one verse of it is included in the Passions found in Scripture.

And for those who like the music actually written for Good Friday, this piece was written strictly for the Sistine Chapel and for three hundred years was not done outside of it. It’s a bear to hold pitch. Trust me.

SATIRE!

Have a great weekend.