Web Domain Verified on Bluesky Social Media Network

 This is a brief message, which I’ll be posting on Bluesky (the first and maybe only post I’ll place there) and on X (formerly Twitter), as well as on my little-read blog, loyaldefender.info.

 

My loyaldefender.info web domain was verified on Bluesky several months ago.

 

For the past couple of years, though, I’ve paid for an X Premium account and may continue to do so.  If Bluesky offers a Bluesky Premium account (where I could include long form messages which I currently do on X, mostly for book reviews), I might consider also consider getting a Bluesky Premium account.

 

Despite what some say, X remains by far the industry leader in this form of social media.  Bluesky has been considered by some the left-leading leader in this form of social media.  Other X/Twitter-like platforms include Telegram, http://poa.st, Parler, Gettr, Gab, and Truth Social (on the right) and Mastodon, Threads and http://post.news (on the left)

 

A few weeks ago, I noted that Dr. John Fea, a history professor, author of several books and numerous articles, and a 1992 graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, announced that his account on X (formerly Twitter) was hacked and that despite his best efforts, this was never corrected.

 

Dr. Fea apparently did not have a paid X account but, nevertheless, I am disappointed that X, to date, never fixed this for him.  I don’t know if makes any difference that Dr. Fea isn’t a fan of Donald Trump (i.e., recently noting on the Internet that “Trump didn’t like the July jobs report so he fired the messenger”) and Dr. Fea even wrote a critical book on Trump.  Or just that he didn’t have a paid X account.  Dr. Fea has stated that he’s okay with no longer being on X and he opened a Bluesky account.  His Bluesky account is @johnfea1.bsky.social and his blog is at The Way of Improvement Leads Home – reflections at the intersection of American history, religion, politics, and academic life. I’m copying him on the Bluesky message.

 

I plan to continue to use X as my primary social media outlet but I thought I would finally dip my toe into Bluesky by posting this message.

 

Have a great day, all!

Interesting Links from August 2025

 

“It was really hard for me to stay Protestant”: On Retrievalism and the Gospel

 

The Betrayal of the Innocents by Ted Cruz Christians - The American Conservative

 

Only U.S. Leverage Can Stop the Horror in Gaza - The American Conservative

 

Rev. Dr. Ristau Approved to Return to LCC as Faculty - Luther Classical College

 

We Need To Get Women Out Of Men’s Spaces

 

EF 3442 Herman Otten: The Man behind Christian News

 

Welsh Lesbian Archbishop and Global South Grief - Juicy Ecumenism

 

Head of embattled SBC public policy arm resigns

 

ELCA elects first Black presiding bishop, calls Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide

 

The media’s willing enablers of Hamas | WORLD

 

Daily Beast apologizes and retracts article alleging a Melania Trump-Jeffrey Epstein link 

(Tucker Carlson reported:

“Daily Beast Retracts Article Alleging Melania-Epstein Link

 

“How did Donald and Melania Trump meet? According to a now-deleted Daily Beast article, the couple became acquainted through a modeling agent connected to Jeffrey Epstein. But that’s not true, and now the liberal outlet is covering its tracks. “The Daily Beast’s website axed the piece on Thursday, replacing it with an editor’s note apologizing ‘for any confusion’ after the first lady’s lawyers demanded its removal. “’After this story was published, The Beast received a letter from First Lady Melania Trump’s attorney challenging the headline and framing of the article,’ the statement read. ‘After reviewing the matter, the Beast has taken down the article and apologizes for any confusion or misunderstanding,’ it added. “The original claim came from reporter Michael Wolff, who has a storied history as a ‘shoddy, dishonest journalist’ who ‘clearly plays loose with the facts.’”) August 2   Contributor: The left should stop harping on men. That drives them to Trump - Los Angeles Times   There Was Truth, and There Was Untruth - by JoJoFromJerz   An Unsung Hero: Bob Case Helped Shape Christian Journalism   Trump didn’t like the July jobs report so he fired the messenger – The Way of Improvement Leads Home   Trump's religious rhetoric clashes with Canada's secular politics | The Associated Press   August 4   Prominent Worship Leader Sean Feucht Continues to Be Canceled Across Canada After City of Abbotsford Denies Permit   Church in Wales defies biblical doctrine with lesbian archbishop | Church & Ministries   The Financial and Spiritual Principle of Compound Interest | Tim Challies   Should Christians attend "gay weddings"? - CBMW   Trump Admin Broke Rules to Move Ghislaine to Club Fed Camp   Seventy Years Ago, Johnny Cash Recorded 'Folsom Prison Blues' and Became a Folk Hero for the Ignored and Downtrodden   12 Connections Between Paul and Ezekiel - The Stream   Thousands gather at Moda Center for Portland’s largest Christian event in decades - oregonlive.com   The Documentary That Devastated Me - Christianity Today   Donald Trump Praises ‘Very Nice’ Laura Loomer as Her Body Count Grows   The myth of “no difference” | WORLD   New generation of LGBTQ farmers is more visible and vocal   Moody Bible Institute troubles reflect national trend August 5   Pastor reacts to targeted shooting of church member: ‘It’s evil' | U.S.   Trump reverses policy allowing VA hospitals to perform abortions | Politics   Christian Nationalism at the Catholic Crossroads: Can Protestants Let Them In?   How Trump Is Plotting To Disrupt The Next Election | HuffPost Latest News August 6   Do You Talk Too Much, or Not Enough? – Proclaim & Defend   Why the Church Needs Creeds and Confessions   Hope In The Heart Of Wokeness: A Spiritual Uprising In Portland   America Is Funding the Destruction of Christian Communities - The American Conservative August 7   Trump’s White House Renovation Is Awful—and Fitting   New Mexico Archbishop Reinstates and Promotes Pro-LGBTQ Priest Who Spent 10 Years In Registered Homosexual Relationship   Church Minister Tells Children It’s Ok To Attend Pride Parade In the Nude   The Picture on the Nightstand - by Kara Dedert   Six Years to Unanimous - Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE)   God Remembers in Our Dementia - Christianity Today August 8   Why Being Late to Church Matters   Sydney Sweeney, Brooke Shields, and America | WORLD   The Rev. Dr. Brandon Thomas Crowley joins Episcopal Divinity School as Director of Theological Education August 10   Church Displays Elvis Presley’s Personal Bible With Inspiring Handwritten Notes – Faithwire   Trump is trying to rewrite the history of the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol : NPR   Pete Hegseth Posts Video of Pastor Doug Wilson Calling for Gay Sex Ban August 11   How quickly people forget the dead   Pastoral Meanderings: I want Jesus to follow me. . . August 12   Duffy celebrates as USMMA Jesus painting brought up from basement | Politics   Donald Trump Nemesis Thomas Massie Is Bringing Jeffrey Epstein Victims to Capitol to Push for Files Release   A Biblical Message for Aging Parents – Proclaim & Defend   How Attractive Women Abuse Their Beauty | Desiring God   Christian revival event draws thousands in quest to save Portland’s soul - OPB   Mainline Protestantism Won’t Be Saved by ‘Ecumenicism’ | National Review   🗞️ My 35 Years In Full-Time Journalism: What’s Changed And What Hasn’t 🔌   With new Vatican ambassador, Trump sends culture-war message to American Catholics   Trump Takes Control Of DC Police To Restore Safety To US Capital   Securing Justice For Russiagate Is How We Save The Country   Port: North Dakota should join states seeking restrictions on food stamp use August 13   EXCLUSIVE: I Have Ghislaine Maxwell's Security Score, Custody Level, Transfer Code, and Sex Offender Waiver   We need many, many more babies | WORLD   The Media and Our Autocratic Presidency August 14   Your Church Family and You - The Canadian Lutheran   Is KISS Satanic? Band Reveals Whether Its Name Stands for Satanic Acronym or Not   The Biblical Sin of Usury, And Why Christians Don't Hate it Nearly Enough   Yes, D.C. Is Just As Bad As Trump Says It Is   Washington, D.C., Feels Neither Safe Nor Clean Because It's Not   Vagrants Block Federalist's Office As Journos Dismiss Crime In DC August 15   Pastoral Meanderings: Blessed Mary's Day   Doctrine Divides ... as it should - Breakpoint   Smithsonian's American History Museum Is Anti-US Propaganda August 16   One Pentecost Was Enough   Why has Canada embraced euthanasia?   Pastoral Meanderings: If that is all you want. . .   The Man Who Died a Hero  - The American Conservative   Kremlin Leaks Footage Showing Trump Fawning Over Putin   19 Pros And Cons Of Putting Father On Birth Certificate (If a man is the undisputed father and there is massive anecdotal evidence that he is, i.e., countless social media messages from the mother, as well as some from the man’s mother, then he should be on the birth certificate.  That is of course just a starting minimal expectation that any normal and honorable man would voluntarily do.) August 17   OPINION: This Methodist pastor's reason for endorsing divorce is the perfect picture of the spirit of the age | Not the Bee   Do Christians, Jews, and Muslims Worship the Same God? | Answers in Genesis   Is It Right for Christians to Illegally Share the Gospel with Uncontacted Peoples? | Answers in Genesis   Pastoral Meanderings: From one extreme to another . .   YouTuber roasted for claiming this popular activity is the most unattractive hobby a man can have: 'You are incorrect'   Know the Truth - The Stream   Dumbest Leakers Reveal Trump’s Secret Plans to ‘Honor’ Putin   Trump Releases Putin Love Letter After Ceasefire Summit Flop   It never grows old | WORLD August 18   White House Shrugs Off Alaska Hotel Printer Fiasco as ‘Hilarious’   Easing Comer’s Fears on Penal Substitution   To Be Almost Saved Is To Be Completely Lost | Tim Challies   Don’t erase the ideal | WORLD   ‘Shiny Happy People’ Has Worn Out its Welcome August 19   Comey Speaks In Taylor Swift Lyrics In Anti-Trump Screed   As Trump vows to end vote by mail, some Oregon politicians push back - oregonlive.com   Why Christians like me are opposing Sean Feucht’s ‘persecution’ narrative | Opinion | Premier Christianity   Fox News Host Dana Perino Loses It Over Gavin Newsom’s Social Media   Trump Reclassifying Marijuana Would Be A Huge Political Blunder   Based Church of Nigeria (Anglican) Severs Ties With Church of Wales After They Elect Lesbian Archbishop With Live-In Girlfriend   Queer Theology Turns Christ Into A Symbol Instead Of A Savior   Sean Feucht's Persecution Claims Challenged by Musician Elias Dummer   Jim Lovell (1928-2025) - Juicy Ecumenism   President Trump Should Not Federalize Elections | National Review August 19   The Republic of Fear - Real Patriotism with Terry Moran   A Biblical Message for Children of Aging Parents – Proclaim & Defend   Pastoral Meanderings: How odd it is. . .   'I Want To Get to Heaven': Trump’s Candid Spiritual Confession   The Kohberger Sentence Is Worse Than Death - The American Conservative   Trump says ending Ukraine-Russia war may help him get to Heaven | Politics   Trump Ending Wars Is Wonderful, But It Won't Get Him Into Heaven   When Putin’s in Town, Alaska’s Slavic Christians Keep Praying for Peace - Christianity Today   Canada is turning into a death cult | WORLD