#is it a reference to the vine? why and wherefore??

[tangents-within-tangents]

Alright finally finished my freakin finals (ahhhhhhh) so let's do this! No one asked for this but until Spotify adds an annotation feature I gotta get my overexplaining out somewhere lol

So some of these are here for the lyrics but some are just for titles and the vibes don’t always match up with the book/scene.

Very important aspects of the book, as we all know

This one was a surprise find while looking through Tsfh songs for relevant titles lol! Serendipitously the mood of the song really fits the rising suspense leading up to the arrival at castle Dracula. The spooky vibe paired with the silly title fits pretty well with Jonathan obliviously enjoying paprika hendl while all the villagers are freaking out around him

“Listen to them—the children of the night. What music they make!”

Obviously the title lends well as an introduction to the guy who can control wolves. I also like how this one starts softer and mimics the sound of howling in a very melodic way (fitting the sentiment of the aforementioned quote) and then gets more intense

“You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave”

Yeah you get it

Ha ha I'm clever

“Close every door to me. Hide all the world from me. Bar all the windows, and shut out the light

Do what you want with me. Hate me and laugh at me. Darken my daytime, and torture my night”

Little specific and emo after that but regardless, poor trapped and terrorized Jonathan :( 

I found a better fitting wolf song for the later moment but I really love the vibe of this song and wanted to keep it in here. And there’s some significant wolf stuff going on around this time so. Some lyrics fit for Jonathan too “Falling from high places” “Now that we're lonely. Now that there's nowhere to go” “Now that we're so far from home” “I've lost my mind here, oh I've lost my patience with the Lord” “Red tongues and hands” 

Inspired completely by @marghen's animatic (link). For the most part it seems a good representation of Jonathan’s stay at the castle and his relationship with Dracula. Since the decision (“I can’t decide whether you should live or die”) is never made it also fits how Jonathan’s fate is left up in the air after his last entry 

“I am longing to be with you, and by the sea, where we can talk together freely and build our castles in the air.”

May 9th, return of the queen! I think the soft instrumental fits the tone shift we get when we switch over to happy fun times with our girls. (Originally had Don McClean’s song but it’s more of a break up song so didn’t make sense here)

Can't believe a song this perfect for this part of the book exists? Yeah neither can I. It’s cutesy and fun and the lyrics actually line up surprisingly well. First suitor in the song is science-y like Seward, second is adventurous like Quincey and the third is just cute and romantic. And we’ve got “Choosing is a chore, now I’m caught in the middle of a jealousy storm, Limitations are a bore”  😉💀

Vibe does not fit in the slightest but the title was too funny so I did it anyway 

Rip Seward lol. I found it for the title but the lyrics happened to fit quite nicely for the poor guy wallowing in loneliness after his rejection 

“My dear Art,— We’ve told yarns by the camp-fire in the prairies; and dressed one another’s wounds after trying a landing at the Marquesas; and drunk healths on the shore of Titicaca. There are more yarns to be told, and other wounds to be healed, and another health to be drunk. Won’t you let this be at my camp-fire to-morrow night?”

I debated using “The Woods” by Hollow Coves for the lyric “We all sit around the fire. We feel so much better now” but this one from an album called ‘Cowboy Campfire Songs’ fit the vibe better

“I came up here alone, for I am very sad. There was no letter for me. I hope there cannot be anything the matter with Jonathan.”

It’s impossible for me to make a playlist without Sleeping at Last showing up (like a lot), sorry I don’t make the rules. Lucked out with the title and tone of the song (instrumental) lining right up with Mina’s worry about not hearing from Jonathan

It’s Chapter 7 log of the ghost ship Demeter time! (Yeah more tsfh get used to it, they cool). I debated between a few songs with better fitting titles but I think the mood of this one best fit the horror the poor trapped crew faced. Also love the spooky bell tolls at the end

Lol but tone be damned bc I just had to. The captain literally says some version of “another one gone” so many times

Spooky/tense vibes for Lucy’s fateful jaunt into the churchyard

This one's for Renfield. Idk if the lyrics really fit, maybe "I want to feed the sparrow in your heart" but *shrug*

“Joy, joy, joy! At last, news of Jonathan.”

Again it’s basically cheating, title and tone fit all too well

Enter Abraham Van Helsing, M. D., D. Ph., D. Lit., etc., etc.

“I never liked garlic before, but to-night it is delightful! There is peace in its smell; I feel sleep coming already.”

Another good find that I think fits the mix of somber peace and tension. (Side note I think it’s cool that they only use garlic flowers in the book whereas we are so used to garlic bulbs in vampire media for some reason)

This one was first for Seward and the many nights of sleep he lost watching over and taking care of Lucy. But the lyrics also fit well, if not better, for Mina attending to Jonathan as he mentally recuperates. Both of which are happening kinda around the same time so that’s nice.

This is for the wolf that breaks through the window, essentially delivering the final blow. This one just fit the mood of this scene better, especially with “Mama there's wolves in the house” seeing as this is what kills Lucy’s mother. (I used a cover for the female voice)

“What’s the matter with me, anyhow?” The voice came from the sofa across the room, and its tones brought relief and joy to my heart, for they were those of Quincey Morris!”

Cowboy entrance™ is one of my favorite moments. Just thought we needed some more cowboy music in here for the legend himself

Sad times as Lucy is fading away and becoming less and less of herself. Also speaks to the tragedy of all the time she lost, she really was so young and had so many hopes for the future

Funeral song basically :(

This one is for Arthur as well as for Mina when she receives news of Lucy’s death. There’s a lot of deaths all at once here. Arthur’s father, Mr. Hawkins, Mrs. Westenra, and dearest Lucy. Add to that Jonathan’s relapse and you can see why Mina is so worried “We will grow old as friends” and “What the hell would I be without you” in particular stand out

Stuff is getting spooky with this “Bloofer Lady” about

Alright this one is specifically for Van Helsing’s rant to Seward at the end of Chapter 14 to get him to believe in the impossible. I’ve talked about it before but one of my favorite themes of the book is about how they can only defeat Dracula by using science, reason, religion, and superstition together. I think “We can all learn things from many avenues” and the whole jist of the song represents that pretty well

Yeah our boys are seeing vampire Lucy and stuff is getting intense again

Since there aren't spoilers anymore I figured I drop my great big chronological, overthought, sometimes deep, sometimes irreverent, oddly specific, book-accurate Dracula playlist

I’m actually surprised at a lot of the stuff I was able to find lol, though it definitely reflects my own taste and interpretations of the novel. Most of the songs are self explanatory but some are more vague so if anyone’s interested I’ll walk through my reasoning in reblogs

[thewordfortodaywithray]

Why Break Down the Hedges? - Psalms 80:12

In Psalms chapter eighty Asaph said to Jehovah God, “You have brought a vine out of Egypt: you have cast out the heathen, and planted it. You prepared room before it, and did cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river”, and in chapter eighty and verse twelve of Psalms Asaph asked Jehovah God, “why have you then broken down her hedges”, where we read,

Why have you then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?

The verse begins, “Why have you then broken down her hedges, ...” Asaph began with the words, “why have you then” or “for what reason and cause have you, Jehovah God, therefore, wherefore and these things being so” “broken down” which means “burst through, breached and scattered” “her hedges” or “the land of Israel's fences and walls of inclosure”. Asaph asked Jehovah God for the reason that He breached the walls and fences of the land of Israel.

The verse continues, “... so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?” Asaph added the words, “so that all they” or “and the result is that each, every, the whole and everyone” “which pass by the way” which means “who crosses, marches and traverses over the path and roadway to the land of Israel” “do pluck her” or “gather the fruit of the land of Israel”? Asaph added how everyone who traversed by the breached walls and fences of the land of Israel took the fruit thereof.

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we see how Asaph questioned the reason that God broke down the “fences” or “walls” of the land of Israel. This allowed anyone who journeyed by the land to gather their fruit and produce. We can imagine how adversaries traveled beside the land given to Israel only to find their defensive barriers removed, and this allowed them to take advantage of what belonged to Israel. God desired to be in a personal relationship with Israel, and when they forsook Him, so He allowed their defenses to be breached. God wants to be the provider and defender of every person, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross to give access for everyone to be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Let us yield to the LORD Jesus and allow Him to be our protector and provider even when opposing foes desire to gather our fruit for themselves.

Next time Asaph says, “the boar out of the wood does waste it”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

[lady-plantagenet]

A Bygone Era - Chapter 8

A fictional account written by me of Lady Isabel Neville’s life told through the points of view of her and those who knew her. Based on history, as opposed to the series!

Points of views so far include: Anne Beauchamp Countess of Warwick, Lady Anne Neville, George Duke of Clarence, Lady Isabel Neville, Richard Neville Earl of Warwick and Cecily Neville, Dowager Duchess of York (in that order)

[Text]:

22nd November 1469

Just as court was about to break and the waning light cowered at the cold snap outside, then entered her goddaughter in hand with her son. When the gentler lady Anne smiled all defects were said to be erased, Isabel did rarely. Each knew their strengths. This sext came and yet it was both she and her son who bore grins that flashed sharply as the clashes in their damasked cloths. Terre verte were the doublet and gown like the livery of Clarence. A fitting colour for the son that ne'er looked to his elder brother for idolation nor any forebearer of theirs. Only his saintly namesake or Gawain, tester of knights would do. Did not St Denis too, like the green knight, carry his severed head in the nook of his arm, where flowers grew beneath his feet whence he thread?

For a surety, her goddaughter appeared to think they did for her, as she long-limbed (her father's daughter indeed) gaited in large strides to match with her son. But St Denis is too French. Perchance she fancies herself Olwen from Mabinogion instead. More Briton, more Arthurian. Isabel did not roll her hips sensuously like ladies loosely did in Edward's presence, but paced with proud finesse. The Bull of Clarence was pinned centerer on George's brocaded crosses and vines than it lay in Isabel's matching brooch. Cecily's eyes caught it with the Neville Red on George's hose and the image of a target instinctively swam up before her.

She drew away, twisting her fingers on one hand while shielding it from impropriety beneath the other. My boy, sometimes I do believe you do not live in the same world as we. Where all men I know yearn to survive, you act as if that were not the fundament to living. George knelt with Isabel in unison, where a week ago he did the same with his new father of Warwick. The Bears, staffs and bulls in her hem crumpled in an indecipherable mound of colours against the Plantagenet and Neville arms emblazoned on her skirt.

After an inclination of Cecily's head towards her son, the king's brown eyes seeking her own across the room to be directed, he gathered both the Clarences in his arms. He rubbed the Duchess' small back upsetting the dense Arctic fox fur at her linings, making her wince as George let out a couch as a large hand slapped him on the back in bonhomie. 'Most gracious lady, be welcome at our court as our beloved sister of York', he glanced down at the curvature she made no effort in concealing, he said ever more quietly and coaxingly 'I see felicitations are in order, madame. Is it a niece or a nephew you are to give me?'

'I pray that when it may be born, it posses the sex your grace desire' replied Isabel politely, Cecily would have guffawed at that, if she were elsewhere and knew how. Edward, the son with a natural talent at the baleful word for the kin, where others see only an over-familiarity of manner. Chided him often and decisively Cecily did: 'do not refill the goblet of the man you call for audience more oft than thrice unless he ask', 'use a commissioner when collecting benevolences from merchants, do not write nor go yourself as if an equal', 'prithee tell me you did not marry Lady Grey'. All but the latter, to which he responded with taciturnity were accepted with a free smile and forgotten by him as quickly as they were said.

'And If what I desire is for a companion to the princesses Elizabeth, Mary and Cecily?' Cecily could see the eyes suddenly let out in that fine long face, stunned, Isabel took a step back and said flatly: 'then it be by god that your will shall be delivered, if it were up to us mothers to make that selection, in what different passes we would find ourselves in-'. The more brazen of courtiers shot a look at the much changed queen and how she clenched her fists about the throne's arms. She has become George's wife. It now matter not whether In the carrying tides of that remark, what were betokened were the same as that which were meant. The difference, if existing would affect the content of the waters, but it will not change its force. Christ have mercy on them. Wherefore she garbed herself thus?- Cecily raised her head to look at her again: her henin where rubies and emeralds whirled about its cream base and the gauze mounted on wires soared above even the queen's, where the black velvety fall broached with ex honore de clare fell as richly as any crown. Needed the court reminding of the lack of male heir? Reminding of the Clarences' power? Cecily noted John of Norfolk's interest piqued by the shifting in the room, the prolictivity in his blue eyes libidinous. Nothing can be out of the question now, not now with this cousin of Clarence who was ever more willing to help his ilk, whatever it took for him to be king.

'Today is my saint's day' thought Cecily quietly to herself, remarking how it had gone thoroughly unnoticed. She decided that after supper with George, when her will should temper his nerves like water for a heated sword fresh from the forge, they could honour St Cecilia's musical gift with a reprise of the melodies of old. When all attendants would be dismissed, she hoped he would accompany her cittern on his recorder as they once used to. It had soothed her so some ten years ago.

It was moons later that Cecily again spoke to that son in private, the ground was still hoary with what promised to be a laboriously long winter. Even the Scarlett tiles of the turrets of Baynard Castle's were steeped in true frost, darkened to a murky brown admist the wet whirling hoare outside. she felt George's hands grow clammy and was reminded of how he still hated the cold as when he was a child.

'Mome, why are you all of a sudden fussing over my hair?' he asked as she moved on to straightening a golden thread that lay askew from his cloak lining. He was the only one of her sons she did not chastise for not addressing her 'lady mother', unobservant to this hierarchy, like all that he did not agree with, then as now he was the least pliable of all her children. An honest rapport had nevertheless established itself between them, and she was never gladder of it than today.

'I have asked Edward to luncheon with us. Him only' she said sitting him beside her 'I would that you tell him what you told me. It is high time you behave as the brothers the creator made you' she could see him turning away and crossing his arms, she half-expected, a pout when she guided him back to face her. He only stared at her turbulently with his large eyes, she could detect faint worry in his voice when he said 'Have you yet not accepted my apologies, when shall my penance end, mome? I now know it was a slander but I have said my forgivenesses and you have accepted them until I saw you go blue in the face!'

'Jesus wept, I am not punishing you George! As for talk of my infidelity, I am beggining to see my troublesome nephew in all this more than you. It makes no matter now, it is god's judgement that concerns me and Parliament's judgement for the better, did not believe it, as we have all clearly seen' she said tersely enough for it to warn, but now fearing she was causing him upset. 'Let this be a lesson on the nature of the spoken word and how it hangs forever, young or old as you were when you said it'. She now looked at him expectantly.

'The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool' recited George 'Proverbs 10:18, but truly you understand-' They were interrupted by the thump of Edward's steps quickly approaching. She shot him a look she hoped he could read as affirmative.

'Brother' they offered each other through gritted teeth

They took their places on the chaises Cecily laid out facing each other, she herself was seated across them, in her front and between them the fire gurgled and spat, its amber sinews flailing desperately in heating the solar.

Edward, resting his flushed face over his fists looked intently at George with the intelligent brown eyes of their mother 'I did not think to find you here George, you have been amiss of late. Our cousin is already departed to Middleham'

Instinctively George rolled back, burying himself into the satined cushions 'I had been making preparations to return to Tutbury, I think the time fit for my lady wife to accustom herself with the runnings of my estates, when she leaves her confinement of course'

'Ha yes, the Lady Isabel, our lady mother tells me that she made an impression on Margaret. An intelligent creature she says...' Edward was trailing off. Cecily shuffled her heavy jet skirts. You have never read me quite well, but for the love of god do not speak of the marriage fine to George. She coughed and George eyed her with the suspicious attentiveness as he was wont to do. '...I'll leave to our sister, the judgement of characters, but I do not think Lady Isabel likes me much. Extend her my apologies if I have offended her in any way'

'If you are referring to your banter at Warwick Castle the summer past. Do not worry brother, she is not wroth at you, but her person is of an easily vexed nature' George lied courteously and after a moment's pause returned hopefully with, 'But brother, I should like to go to Ireland thereafter when the sea is tame'

'To Ireland George?' asked a puzzled Edward. A little smile visited Cecily when she said 'Yes Edward, George told me at length of his desire to take up his lieutenant duty in truth. Oh but how the Irish shall be reminded of your father (god rest his soul) when a son of York returns among them' The Irish Child we would jokingly call him when he was an over-enthused bairn, terrorising his nurse Joan and taking off with his horse whenever it suited him. Half-a-lifetime ago when his hair still held a runnish tinge and the land grew green with promise. 'One of us' she remembered the celts shouting as she held the swaddling brought to be christened in their churches. The great Earls of Desmond and Ormond, his godfathers, had loomed above the babe as ominous whispers of a 'son of ireland' echoed in every hollow of that Dublin Dominican Priory, around them and in her and the smiling Duke of York, king to be. 'In any case, should Worcester truly be the one granted this charge, him the butcher of England? George has grown Edward'

'George-' he started slowly as if the aforementioned were not among them 'Has still much to learn, lady mother. Do not think I give him no credit, indeed may I offer some by candidly proffering how I do see much of myself in him when I was at his youth? But, Desmond's death left too large a vacuus and I believe it a task beyond anyone but the most seasoned of men. One no charm, no matter how radiant be George's can placate'. It disdained and impressed her to see him then lay expectant of an ensuing outburst from his younger brother, brilliant eyes in a purple-capped brunette head, which now lolled at rest onto his upturned wrist.

The rebuttal: 'The exactions were most unwise. Come now brother, would you suppress their rights to their names and fishing rights and not expect opposition from below? This is the making of martyrs'. Though obvious, this remarks had lain undetected for unimplicating the Queen's name. Edward was growing weary against the acclamaitions still held by many of how it was his Elizabeth that procured the execution of Clarence's god-brother, the beloved and iconic Desmond. They many and small fell upon like flurries of snow on his patience, which like a bowed branch, would snap the mound in halves if tested again.

This was not to be the day, for Cecily made certain that her younger son had shed the urge to push his conspiracies, in having made herself the sole and patient recipient to them all already. She had asked him how much of this he told to Warwick's daughter, 'for she seems ever a doting daughter to her sire' she had cautioned him last they met. 'Mome, when you Neville married Plantagenet, did your allegiance not lie with the latter? Why would it be different with the Lady Belle?'. He is warry still of my having tried to dissuade him at Sandwich before he sailed to his wedding. I pray my goddaughter was not made to believe I did not want her for a daughter by marriage. Two women more different have never been. But by Jove, the ripples of that marriage are every bit as malignant as the ones set by Jacquetta's girl.

'I was not happy with those reforms, perhaps it is Ulster and our De Burgh blood that makes me too carry some love for the Gaels. Nevertheless George..' he said with lazy confidence 'You remain green. Youth is a delicate flower, and when touched stunted, wholly confined as a thing forgone to what we call childhood. I confess I was never one to relish the haggardly responsibility of rulership, my birthright sat on me the crowns and sceptres of kingship not any desire of my own. Richard and you, you both ever so call for this burden, now the former is a boy no longer. As for you, withdrawn these years past, must count your spirit spared' his warm eyes squinted at George's for a semblance of understanding, where it was apparent broiled only restlessness. Cecily could see him too glance at her before he spoke 'Or perhaps, I mark you wrong. Come then brother, if you are determined to harden like Richard I promise to involve you in matters of state, a chamberlaincy perhaps'

Cecily noted how George looked noticeably crestfallen, a sullen face amidst the gold embroidery about his cloaks, caps and tresses. 'Some advice too perhaps' she heard Edward then say 'I would not have handled that affair with Caister Castle and Norfolk as you did when I was under your custody. It was so apparent that the siege was naught but a desperate attempt of Mowbray to save himself from his frayed finances'

'Not honourable?, I had written back to Margaret Paston, and to Norfolk ordering that their retainers are to leave Caister unmolested' protested George 'We owe our kinsmen repayement for their loyalties'

'Daubenay, their loyal servant was still slain. Your good intentions notwithstanding' The jittering of the oriel windows grew into an incessant rattle as icy winds ran with the tension raising into the room, from the shadowed corner where she previously believed them she banished them.

'Enough you two' she wanted to snap, but instead said calmly, reaching for their hands as if in a congregation 'It is both a mother's blessing and curse to be endowed with such intelligent boys' she turned to each when addressing them 'Edward, no son of York, less your father, could possibly resign himself to a mere ornament. You are surely now satisfied that George is possessed of some talents. Perchance if they were directed for good, it would benefit the realm, think you not hmm? George, the opportunity has come for you to show yourself a man for peace, for some it is the harder task, it is nevertheless the more important mark of kingship. If you find my utterance of this truism insulting to your intelligence, then make sure my nephew of Warwick also understands this'

Her pout, that age made lovelier into a semblance of a rose, formed into 'that secret motherly smile' (as her sons liked to call it), it was such a rare sight that the boys' free hands reached across to each other's arms in a show of conciliation. George was the first 'Peace, lady mother, it would sadden me to see your efforts unhonoured. Pardie brother'

'See your apology as accepted. I also beg your forgiveness for any trespasses I may have made against you' Edward followed with his famed magnanimousity.

'Say, I hear the rings for Compline. How about we go yonder to St Paul's to pray for your success against the Lincolnshire rebels. An offering, if you will, dear brother' said George saccharinely. Edward nodded amiably and uplifted by his brother's equally famed winning smile accepted his hand. The hands reunited after they drew their fur-trimmed cloaks tighter about them in preparation for a combatting wind.

Not insulted, but pleased Cecily was, that they did not extend the invitation to her. I shall leave them to each other to do the rest, my work is done. She was once more served a cruel reminder of her own foregone youth when she bent with some difficulty for her book of hours. As her shrinking figure paced underneath the countless inverted vaults to her chapel she recalled a conversation she had long buried with her husband regarding the complexities of conflict and the unseen historical forces at play. ' This is not a tale of fate you loveable fool. It is one of a king's neglect for a cousin and brother who react like hurt children when they feel unloved' she thought, and would rephrase and repeat to herself in the coming weeks until it brought some comfort.

[bigklingy]

Spyro Reignited Impressions, Part 2

Finished up the first half of Autumn Plains... which I still really think should’ve been split into two worlds. Why isn’t there a Spring world? Why does Autumn Plains have almost twice as many levels as the others? Why do levels stop having Talismans after it? ...There’s a few things here and there that make Spyro 2 my least favourite of the original trilogy, but only by a small margin.  Anyway, the majority of my impressions are very positive for these levels. There’s very little issues I’ve found, and what few I have are only nitpicks.  Positives: -The ice you free the Ice Builders from in Crystal Glacier actually MELTS now, rather than shatters.  -George the Snow Leopard is still cute.  -The inhabitants of here and Skelos Badlands sound less stupid.  -Crystal Glacier looks really good in general.  -Skelos Badlands’ lava looks nice too.  -As expected, the invincibility powerup effect looks cool.  -Breeze Harbour is good all-around. Playing through it again, I actually feel it’s a really good level and has aged very well.  -I like the more militaristic voices of the Breeze Builders.

-I like the soap-bubble effect on the bucket Land Blubbers.  -I only realized this when I looked up a Let’s Play of the original, but the camera in the trolley minigame is a lot better in this version. In the original it was really hard to see around corners.  -Wow. Holy crap Zephyr looks SO DIFFERENT! Well, after adjusting a bit the layout of the place IS pretty much the same but... woah. It’s amazing what the redesign did to this place. Definitely has a farmland feel to it now, which fits with the NPCs’ accents. On that note... -Zephyr has my favourite NPC redesigns by far. I get it now! They’re caterpillars! EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE NOW!!! Seriously, in the original I’d always assumed, based on their name and low-polygon models, that the Land Blubbers were blob monsters. But it was supposed to be birds vs caterpillars all along, which makes way more sense.  -The seeds in the Romeo and Juliet mission grow vine platforms now, instead of the weirdly mechanical-looking platforms they did before.  -THE MAYOR IN OCEAN SPEEDWAY SAYS “HUNTER” NOW, NOT “THE HUNTER”! YEEEEEEEEES! You have no idea how happy this makes me. The original line always bothered me, it felt like the voice actor was misdirected and thought “Hunter” was a title rather than a name. Nice job fixing this.  -I don’t know why, but I’m really enjoying the Speedways in this version. Moreso than the originals.  Things I’m sort of neutral on: -The Lava Lizards in that one Skelos Badlands mission just... stop in front of the cavemen for a few seconds. Why I’m neutral on this is that this mission was always super-stressful for me and I’m actually GLAD it’s easier, and that in the original, you had a bit of leniency too: the lizards would toss the cavemen up in the air before eating them, and you could kill them before they chomped down. But them just pausing awkwardly looks kind of lazy.  -Not sure how I feel about the airhorns in the “bone dance” scene in Skelos Badlands. Why this is in neutral and not negative? If this guy’s appearance in Spyro 3 is any indication, the bone dance is SUPPOSED to be terrible.  

-The Trolley minigame’s main problem is still present. I know they’d never DARE to change it because it’s such a meme in the fandom, but the real reason so many people have “trouble with the trolley” (eh) is a bad design choice from the original: you don’t get an explanation of the controls until you fail.

-They actually made the Zephyr intro cutscene darker than it was before... except the end of the level reveals that guy is okay, and in fact the cutscene serves as a bit of foreshadowing for his helmet being bomb-proof.  Negatives: (Again, mostly nitpicks) -The Crystal Glacier end cutscene is one of the few where I prefer the original. I prefer the Chief shaking his head in the original as if to say “I’m surrounded by idiots...” -Juliet doesn’t have a male voice anymore. The Shakespeare nerd in me always interpreted this as a reference to male actors playing female parts in Shakespeare’s day, but I’m probably over-analysing it. (Interestingly, they kept Bo Peep’s male voice) -Speaking of me being a Shakespeare nerd... they kept the “wherefore” mistake in Juliet’s dialogue. I can’t really blame them because most lines are identical to the original, but... Shakespeare nerds cry whenever they see people make that classic mistake. (For those who don’t know, “wherefore” means “why”) We’ll soon be at Fracture Hills, which was my favourite level in the original. Can’t wait for that. 

[frederickwiddowson]

Genesis 49:8-12 comments: Jacob’s prophecy for Judah

Genesis 49:8 ¶  Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10  The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: 12  His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Back in 29:35 it was shown that Judah means, “praise.” Judah is said to be dominant. He is a lion’s whelp or cub, a young lion. A word study of the name young lion is interesting but not necessarily important to the narrative here except that Christ is called The lion of the tribe of Juda.

Revelation 5:5  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Judah’s strength is underscored here and none of his weakness. Verse 10 is a prophecy that Christ will come from Judah and will rule the earth. A lawgiver from between his feet refers to the scepter of rule. In verse 10 by way of a parallel lawgiver and sceptre are linked as synonyms. Remember in verse 1 Jacob is referring to the last days. The Jew will be gathered to Israel which extends from the Nile to the Euphrates with Christ, from the line of Judah, ruling from Jerusalem.

Genesis 15:18  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Now consider verse 11. Israel is referred to as a vine in places.

Jeremiah 6:9  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.

Hosea 10:1  Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

Christ’s kingship is acknowledged as He rides into Jerusalem on a foal, a colt of an ass. First, the prophecy…

Zechariah 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Then, the fulfillment…

Matthew 21:1 ¶  And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2  Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3  And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4  All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6  And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7  And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8  And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9  And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10  And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

(Side note: Don’t be afflicted with the modernist’s mental disease of reading this passage like you would read your car owner’s manual. Christ was NOT set astride two animals of different heights at one time, a very uncomfortable if not impossible thing to imagine. Compare the passages regarding this and use common sense. When we say, “He led the soldiers into battle,” we do mean to say that he walked directly in front of every soldier or was even near them. Christ rode these animals, as they were both with him but He was on the colt.)

Mark 11:1 ¶  And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2  And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3  And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4  And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5  And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6  And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7  And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8  And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9  And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10  Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

Luke 19:29  And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30  Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31  And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32  And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33  And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34  And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35  And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36  And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37  And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38  Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

These proclamations of Jacob refer to not only Christ’s presentation to the Jews in the early first century but to the end of human history when Christ returns to rule from Jerusalem seizing the kingdoms of the earth, including what is left of America, from Satan, who rules them now through the lowest sort of individual. Shiloh, here meaning, according to Strong’s, “He whose it is or tranquility,” a reference to the Messiah’s coming to rule the earth.

Isaiah 63:1 ¶  Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2  Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3  I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4  For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5  And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6  And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Daniel 4:17  This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Luke 4:5  And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6  And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

2Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Revelation 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

You cannot separate the return of Christ to the earth from His rule on earth and the destruction of the world system.

Verse 12 is a short description of Christ’s frightening appearance as He returns to take control. Eyes that are red like wine and teeth white as milk. Here is another description.

Ezekiel 1: 26 ¶  And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 27  And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

…and another.

Revelation 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

…and yet another.

Revelation 19:11 ¶  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

           Verse 12, according to some commentators like Gill, refers to abundance and fruitfulness, the blessings of joy and plenty.

[pamphletstoinspire]

Looking for Answers – Explore What The Catholic Church Really Teaches – Part 15

Question 14:

Why do Catholics believe that good works are necessary for salvation? Does not St. Paul say in Romans 3:28 that faith alone justifies?

Answer:

Catholics believe the faith and good works are both necessary for salvation, because such is the teaching of Jesus Christ. What Our Lord demands is faith that worketh by charity. (Galatians 5:6). Read St. Matthew 25:31 – 46, which describes the Last Judgment as being based on works of charity. The first and greatest commandment, as given by Our Lord Himself, is to love the Lord God with all of one's heart, mind, soul, and strength; and the second great commandment is to love one's neighbor as oneself. (St. Mark 12:30 – 31). When the rich young man asked Our Lord what he must do to gain eternal life, Our Lord simply replied: Keep the commandments. (St. Matthew 19:17). Thus, although faith is the beginning, it is not the complete fulfillment of the will of God. Nowhere in the Bible is it written that faith alone justifies. When St. Paul wrote, For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law, he was referring to works peculiar to the old Jewish Law, and he cited circumcision as an example.

The Catholic Church does NOT teach that purely human good works are meritorious for salvation; such works are NOT meritorious for salvation, according to her teaching. Only those good works performed when a person is in the state of grace – that is, as a branch drawing its spiritual life from the Vine which is Christ (St. John 15:4 – 6) – only these good deeds work toward our salvation, and they do so only by the grace of God and the merit of Jesus Christ. These good works, offered to God by a soul in the state of grace (i.e., free of mortal sin, with the Blessed Trinity dwelling in the soul), are thereby supernaturally meritorious because they share in the work and in the merits of Christ. Such supernatural good works will not only be rewarded by God, but are necessary for salvation.

St. Paul shows how the neglect of certain good works will send even a Christian believer to damnation: But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (1 Timothy 5:8). Our Lord tells us that if the Master (God) returns and finds His servant sinning, rather than performing works of obedience, He shall separate him, as shall appoint him his portion with unbelievers. (St. Luke 12:46).

Furthermore, Catholics know they will be rewarded in Heaven for their good works. Our Lord Himself said: For the Son of man…will render to every man according to his works. (St. Matthew 16:27). And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. (St. Matthew 10:42). Catholics believe, following the Apostle Paul, that every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:8). For God is not unjust, that He should forget your work, and the love which you have shown in His Name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints. (Hebrews 6:10). I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the just Judge, will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love His coming. (2 Timothy 4:7 – 8).

Still, Catholics know that, strictly speaking, God never owes us anything. Even after obeying all God's commandments, we must still say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do. (St. Luke 17:10). As St. Augustine (5th century) stated: All our good merits are wrought through grace, so that God, in crowning our merits, is crowning nothing but His gifts.

Had St. Paul meant that faith ruled out the necessity of good works for salvation, he would not have written:… and if I should have all faith, so that I can remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2). If faith ruled out the necessity of good works for salvation, the Apostle James would not have written: Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith alone?… For even as the body without the spirit is dead; so also faith without works is dead. (St. James 2:24 – 26). Or: What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? (St. James 2:14). (Ed. This letter of St. James was referred to by Martin Luther as an "epistle of straw").

If faith ruled out the necessity of good works for salvation, the Apostle Peter would not have written: Wherefore, brethren, labor the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time. For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10 – 11). If faith ruled out the necessity of good works for salvation, the primitive Christian Fathers would not have advocated good works in such powerful words. St. Irenaeus wrote, one of the most illustrious of the primitive Christian Fathers: For what is the use of knowing the truth in word, while defiling the body and accomplishing the works of evil? Or what real good at all can bodily holiness do, if truth be not in the soul? For these two, faith and good works, rejoice in each other's company, and agree together and fight side-by-side to set man in the Presence of God. (Proof of the Apostolic Preaching). Justification by faith alone is a new doctrine; it was unheard of in the Christian community before the 16th century.