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thespiralgrimoire · 4 years

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Would you consider posting your thoughts on the Twilight series? Because the bits and pieces I catch on your main are HILARIOUS though maybe it’s just because I find salt hysterical LOL

Oh good grief

Under a read more for my sake if not anyone else’s

The year was 2007. I was 11 year old, in 6th grade, nursing a substantial superiority complex over my classmates, and idolizing the 7th grade girls. This is where my story begins.

Now I won’t get into all the semantics as to why I was such an insufferable little garbage person in middle school, but I will tell you that I was convinced that I was not like other girls. While this proved true, my reasons as to why were completely off the mark in my tweens. Back then, I thought it was because I was smarter, wiser, and more mature than any of the other 6th grade girls in my class.

But not the 7th grade girls. The 7th grade girls were it, man. Nobody was cooler or smarter or more creative than the handful of ladies who were blessed with the patience to put up with my nonsense in middle school. So naturally, when they read Twilight, I read Twilight.

Twilight, if you have the good fortune to not be intimately aware of it by now, is about the Bella Swan, blandest girl in the entire world, moving to a small town to live with her emotionally awkward father, where she meets the Cullens, a clan of vampires who don’t drink human blood, because they’re trying to be morally upright. Her scent is irresistible to one of the vampires, (the only single one among them because the rest are dating each other) named Edward. Edward has the ability to read minds, and Bella is the only person he’s ever met who is immune to this power. I must stress again that she smells so good that he has to physically restrain himself from eating her, and murdering all witnesses. For reasons I can’t really remember now except “because that’s what the books are about”, they fall in love.

Here’s the thing about these books: Even as I was reading them, they gave me the creeps. Something in my little baby mind was vaguely aware that Edward was a messed up motherfucker, and Bella was a one-dimensional stand-in for the reader, and everything interesting in this story was happening on the fringes, facilitated by the far more interesting side characters. There were parts of these books that were uncomfortable to read. There were parts that made me seriously question why these books were so popular. There were parts that made it physically difficult to keep reading. About 3 things happen in the entirety of this series that feels good and satisfying, and none of them are things that the author, who I will derogatorily refer to as Smeyer, meant to be satisfying.

Two things kept me reading these books. The first was, obviously, the 7th grade girls, and my other friends in other grades who quickly caught the hype wave.

The second. Was the fact. That the writing style of these books, despite being the modem for a story that is absurd at best and a giant, flaming, stinking dumpster fire of bad takes, racism, and sexism at worst, is HYPNOTIC. A lot of my opinions about this series have changed drastically over the years, but this is one that I was acutely aware of even as I was reading these books. No matter how stupid or frustrating or repulsive the things that Smeyer is writing are, her writing style will not let you put the story down once you’re invested. And since I was reading these for social clout, I was invested on page 1. I want to believe that this was a trick played on my young mind, but after reading the first chapter of Midnight Sun (the newly released book that is literally just Twilight from Edward’s POV instead of Bella’s), I can confirm that this woman’s style is genuinely Like That. I enjoyed maybe 6 sentences of the 15-page chapter and I am still frothing at the mouth to read more.

So now that I’ve justified why I subjected myself to this shit in the first place, let’s get to some feelings about it.

Edward is a CREEP. He knows this. His family knows this. His love rival knows this. The only person who does not know this, rendering the fact completely inconsequential to the events of the story, is Bella. I’m not really willing to talk about how Edward is such a disgusting model for what young girls should expect out of a partner that there was discourse for MONTHS over Fifty Shades of Grey, but.... Edward is such a disgusting model for what young girls should expect out of a partner that Fifty Shades of Grey exists. It’s literally Twilight fanfiction. Fact check me. I wish I was making this up.

Bella is, as I said before, a cardboard cutout of a human being. The book is from her point of view, and includes copious amounts of her thoughts, and yet it’s still clear that she has absolutely no personality. She is supposed to be your Jane Everywoman, and yet there is not a single relatable thing about her. Her three personality traits are Brown Eyes, Clumsy (but not in a way that matters often), and Likes Edward. That’s it. This girl has nothing going on, which only draws more attenton to the fact that literally everyone else in the story has a rich and interesting backstory. But they’re side characters and this is about Stale White Bread Bella over here, so go fuck yourself if you want more information on Rosalie using her vampire abilities to get revenge on her fiance and his buddies, who assaulted her to the point of near death, or Alice, who sees the future and spent a good chunk of her life in an asylum, or Jasper, who was a Union soldier fighting the Civil War which was ALSO the vampire war???? Fuck off with that shit, this is about Bella.

But you know who the best characters are? The werewolves. But not REAL werewolves. These are Native Americans whose initial transformation is triggered by the proximity of the vampires, because vampires once terrorized their people and now this ability to turn to wolves is hereditary to protect themselves. The fact that these fellas are not REAL werewolves, and that there are real lycanthropes of lore, is mentioned in passing in the last book and never mentioned by anyone ever again.

One of these wolves is Jacob, Bella’s childhood friend and, for the first two books, an absolute sweetheart. Just a big goofball who’s a couple years younger than Bella, and all he wants is the best for her. Real wholesome shit. When Edward leaves her because he thinks that she’s too attached (SHE IS), Jacob literally talks Bella back from the brink. The wolf pack, and the Native American tribe, welcome her as one of them. They’re adorable. I can’t stress enough that they would have also been an excellent candidate for the focal point of this shitshow.

But it doesn’t last. Edward does some real dumb shit in Italy and Bella has to go rescue him, which tips off the Vampire Illuminati that Edward was trying to get killed by (i.e. the real dumb shit). They don’t like that Bella, a human, knows about them, and demands that she be turned. Edward’s family is divided on this. Eventually they decide that they got time because the Vampire Illuminati are ancient and don’t have a good enough sense of time to hold them accountable immediately.

So Bella is fine and Edward is fine and everybody is back in the same town and they’re dating again and literally everyone in the town is like Bella what the FUCK. Nobody likes Edward because they think he’s no good for Bella. They are written like the bad buys. Jacob especially, becomes a huge asshole. Because he decides that he’s in love with Bella now. Because werewolves can imprint on people, which is just a sloppy soul mate mechanic used for absolute evil in this story. He wants to fight Edward over her. Edward is chomping at the bit to throw down, but pretends to be the bigger person even though he’s just as big an asshole about all this as Jacob is. This is as misogynist as it sounds. From this point on Jacob is now also a creep.

Oh, but it gets worse!

I gotta talk about the last book in the series now, Breaking Dawn. Because this shit was so awful that it made me regret, instantaneously, ever second I spent enjoying Twilight.

Bella and Edward get married after they graduate high school because Edward is a religious virgin and Bella is HORNY. They go on their honeymoon. Bella gets pregnant. This is Not Something That Is Supposed To Happen.

Smeyer tells us WHY this happened post-canon. Edward, the virgin, has never nutted. Because of this, he still has living sperm in his balls. So when he boffed Bella, his 80-year-old sperm made it count. I wish I was making this up, y’all. I’m tearing up thinking about it.

Bella is now pregnant with a half-vampire baby that is destroying her body from the inside out. It is growing at an exponential rate. She’s eight months along after three weeks. Edward can hear its thoughts. It loves Bella. Bella has to drink blood or die. Jacob is like What the Fuck. I am also, pretty thoroughly like What the Fuck. A couple members of the Cullen family are, very quietly, like What the Fuck.

Queue the most forced and ineffectual pro-life discourse you’ve ever read in your life.

All is well and good until it’s not. Baby suddenly wants to get out of Bella RIGHT NOW IMMEDIATELY and thrashes so violently that it shatters every bone in her body between her ribs and her femurs. Edward has to rip her uterus open with his teeth. Baby is out. It has a full mouth of teeth. It bites Bella. Edward whips out several syringes full of his own saliva and injects them into Bella all over to make her change into a vampire. This is all written in disgusting graphic detail that still makes my skin crawl to think about. I cannot fathom why Smeyer was not made to tone this scene down.

So it takes a few days for Bella to change into a vampire, during which time the Cullens (and Jacob) have to look after her hellspawn of a daughter. Jacob decides that he must kill her, because she basically killed Bella. But--- surprise! He wasn’t in love with Bella! He was in love with the eggs in her womb-- particularly this one egg that is now a baby! No more crush on Bella! No more beef with Edward! He’s just in love with a newborn infant. I am, at this point, wondering in my little 12 year old mind, how this was allowed to be published.

Bella wakes up a vampire, and in her first display of rational thought through the entire series, does not like this. Don’t worry though, that’s quickly cancelled out by her naming her baby daughter Renesmee.

Renesmee is clearly supposed to be a sweet and gifted little angel that you’re meant to love, but frankly, all I can picture is the Chucky doll but quieter. She does not talk much, because she has the ability to share thoughts by touching people’s faces. She also grows super fast. In a few days she’s toddler age. Nobody knows what the fuck is going on and nobody has time to worry about it because the vampire Illuminati found out about this (a vampire friend of the family snitched) and they’re coming to fuck up the whole family.

There is a reason why they want to do this but it’s stupid and frankly I’m not going to explain it.

So the vampires mobilize. They call all their vampire friends because their plan is just to fight the thousands-years-old vampire Illuminati over this horrible child. For some reason dozens of vampires agree to this. They’re all smitten by Resume I guess.

So the illuminati comes, the family tells them that Ramune isn’t the problem that they think she is, and they leave.

That’s it. That’s the climax.

And then everyone gets their off-putting happily ever after: Bella and Edward can now fuck as much as they want because neither of them can die. Bella abandons her human life without so much as a second glance. Resonate will physically be an adult by the time she’s 7, which means that Jacob can start fucking her then. Bella’s dad sort of knows what’s going on, but doesn’t. For some ungodly reason I don’t make a bonfire out of these books.

You may notice, if you have any knowledge of Twilight, that there are whole plots that I didn’t talk about. That’s because I’ve surely forgotten things. While I read these books with what I can only describe as a manic fervor in my youth, I could never bring myself to reread them. On God, I tried. Multiple times in the last decade I have pulled my box set, hard covered Twilight books off my shelf, and opened them up. But I never even make it through the first chapter before I am so put off that I have to put them back. The plots are flimsy. The main characters are made of sand. The secondary characters are treated like garbage. The lore is disturbing.

And yet as soon as I heard that Midnight Sun was coming out, I knew that I must read it. I’ve made it through the first chapter. I do not know when and how I will make it through the next, but I know, for little middle schooler Theo’s sake, that I must.

Twilight? Horrible. Twilight Fandom? Geniuses.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

#twilight #spinda tea #shinyshammie #this took a lot out of me #it's not even funny #we never really escape who we were at 12

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like-rain-or-confetti · 5 years

Text

To Be Human (A.I.!Reader x Mass Effect)

“Where shall I put my things? I’d prefer somewhere dry, if anything is available.” Thane asked, his hands behind his back. You rocked on your heels for a moment, a habit you knew you did as a human, you did so now not as a habit but as a quirk of your personality. EDI roared to life. “The area near the life support plant on the deck tends to be slightly more arid than the rest of the ship.” You nodded in confirmation though you had no doubt that the crew took this nod as agreement. They didn’t know you were an AI- only Shepard, Jacob and Miranda although none knew you were previously human only EDI knew that. On the other hand, it wasn’t common for AI’s to have physical bodies. To have one and look human, it could easily be considered rare. “Ah, an AI? My thanks.” Thane cast a parting glance to Shepard before turning and leaving. “He seems civil.” EDI said. “Lonely.” You added. “You don’t know what that means.” Jacob said quickly. “I do, I understand the concept very well.” You responded. “I remember feeling it once.” “What?” Jacob asked but you shook your head. “Another time. I better get back to work.”

As you walked away, EDI’s voice came to your head. “Do you intend to tell them? Or are you lying?” “Of course, I will EDI. Now is just not the time.” “How do you know?” “He taught me that.” EDI’s voice never issued you a response.

There were small differences between both you and EDI. Both of you were blunt, matter of fact, straight to the point. Though you spent a lot of time learning social queues - what’s insensitive and inappropriate. It was difficult, but you kept yourself in check. Even if you couldn’t be human anymore, you could do your best to replicate it. Many wouldn’t know any different that you weren’t human and that was good enough for you. You could feel emotions in the most basic form. You had learned them too. EDI wasn’t as good at it but was doing significantly better. All AI’s were getting better at learning through observation. Though you couldn’t pin point when you stopped replicating emotions and actually began to feel them ever so slightly. EDI could see everything in the ship like it was a body part - complete control and objectivity. You couldn’t do that. You knew how the ship worked but never the very framework and design of the ship. EDI saw the ship as a skeleton and everything inside like an X-Ray as though bonded to the ship, and perhaps EDI was the heart of the Normandy with such an established connection but you were never designed to be so sophisticated. Perhaps that made you that little bit more human than EDI. Not to mention that EDI was always online whilst you had to shut down for a couple of hours every couple of days, like sleeping.

You decided to check on Thane. He sat on a chair, looking out the opposite window, hands clasped on the table in front of him. “Hi Thane, is this room alright for you?” Thane turned his head, eyes following you as you entered. “Yes, it is satisfactory. You have my thanks.” You smiled. “Glad to hear it. My name is (Y/N), I’m one of the technicians here.” “I see.” You couldn’t hide your smile and Thane seemed to notice, tilting his head silently questioning. “I’m sorry.” You shook your head. “I’ve never met a Drell before and I always wanted to when I heard of your kind.” “Ah.” Thane nodded. “I heard Drell have really good memory, like photographic memory.” You stepped closer. “We, Drell, have excellent memories. Though we don’t simply remember them, we relive them to the tiniest detail.” “Really? That’s cool.” You seemed pleased and Thane appeared to be slightly amused. He seemed to have a burning question in his mind as he was quiet for a moment before speaking up. “If you don’t mind my asking, you seem awfully young to be here, especially on such a dangerous mission.” You smiled. “Yeah, I am but i have my uses and besides, saving the world can’t wait for me to get a little older.” You meant it more literally than intended. You couldn’t grow older anymore. “I won’t bother you anymore though, i better get back to work. Despite what Joker or anyone else on this ship tells you- it can’t run without me.” You grinned. “Besides, i’m sure Commander Shepard will be coming to check on you soon.” You both bid your farewells before you headed to the engine

There were a few nights a week that the Normandy was off duty and could relax. The professional justification was to boost morale, ensure the crew would be a team over anything else but the real, more personal, reason was to stop everyone going mad. This particular night was no different other than Jacob pestering you for answer. “Tell us, what did you mean earlier? About being lonely?” “Hey now! Everyone gets lonely, humans included.” Garrus jumped to your defense. “(Y/N) isn’t human, they’re an AI. AI’s don’t feel emotions. Experts are only beginning research to allow such a thing. It’s controversial.” Jacob fired back. There was a rumble of excitement to the news, Shepard sending a disapproving look to Jacob for telling everyone in such a way. “Emotions aren’t difficult.” You said smoothly, making everyone grow quiet with attention on you. “I understand the concept.” “Yeah, but you also said you felt it.” “A long time ago, or at least I think I have. I don’t personally have the memory but I know for sure I have felt it.” “That doesn’t make sense.” Jacob frowned. “I believe (Y/N) is referring to when they were human.” EDI’s voice rang through the room. “I think so too EDI…” You murmured. “What?” Shepard seemed just as shocked as everyone else. “I died young, and was a civilian impacted by the war with the reapers. I was found by a Salarian and he fixed me.” You trailed off, was that the right word for it? “Wait, so, what does that mean?” Jacob shook his head. “It means I won’t age.” “As well as (Y/N) was born human and continues to have a human physique, on the inside, they have complex technology that is more advanced than most AI’s.” EDI explained.

It was incredibly difficult to describe yourself when there were no real memories of you when you were human. You only knew what you were told. Having to explain this didn’t trigger an emotional response yet you knew it should have and in turn that bubbled minor responses, the best you could get. Though you wanted to learn, more than anything.

You had spent many times with Thane before he died. When he did, you watched the Normandy grieve. However you couldn’t feel the sadness or pain of his death. You really liked Thane and seeing Shepard’s relationship blossom with Thane was truly a gift. To see him gone would have been gut-wrenching, purely saddening…but you could only feel a haze of it. This only reminded you that imitating didn’t mean you really had emotions. “Shepard, how are you holding up?” You asked as the commander passed. Thane’s funeral had just ended. “I’m holding.” Was your received response. “Barely, but I’m holding. What about you? You were close with Thane.” You blankly stated up at Shepard. “I think you know the answer to that.” Shepard hummed in amusement. “I wish I had such a luxury. Now more than ever.” “No, you don’t.” You said immediately. “I want to shed even the smallest tear. I know that this is sad but I can’t feel it yet I want to. Though, I do wonder if not feeling it makes me realise the beauty of it.” “There is nothing beautiful about losing a loved one, watching the body of your loved ones because nothing but an empty shell that will deteriorate. It’s insulting to ever deem such a thing beautiful.” Shepard replied. “Maybe, but there is a beauty to Thane. A beauty in the legacy he has left behind by the name of Kolyat. A piece of Thane lives in him and will continue with Kolyat’s children. Thane recognised he made mistakes and spent his final days attempting to right his wrongs. He died for you, who he loved, and lived for you. He cried, he laughed, he loved and he hated. He stood for what he believed in. He lived and that Shepard is beautiful. Thane believed that death was only another journey and that only adds to the beauty. He’s not gone, Commander and from what I’ve learned from this crew. He’ll always be in here.” You stood up and tapped Shepard’s heart. “As for myself, I can never forget him. Maybe one day, I’ll feel sadness -if I ever learn- and really do Thane justice.” You stepped back. “If you’ll excuse me commander. Kolyat wanted to see me after the funeral.” Shepard couldn’t stop thinking about your words. Sometimes it was a distraction from the pain of losing Thane but mostly it helped to grieve. Shepard allowed the tears to fall when alone even whilst listening to the messages Thane sent but Shepard never received. Kolyat had given them to Shepard which was greatly appreciated by the commander. It felt like the end was coming with the Reapers and Shepard had to pull at every scrap of energy to fight back. Shepard had to prepare, but there were a few things to do left. Rising to a stand, Shepard was quick to make a video call. “Commander Shepard?” “Kolyat…”

You were told to make a delivery of a drive to Kolyat which you agreed to. It had been some time since you last saw him, that last time being the week after the funeral. You developed a form of friendship with him, often telling him stories of his father during his time on the Normandy. He even seemed intrigued that you were an AI.

When you arrived, he welcomed you, urging you to come in. “Commander Shepard told me to give this to you. I can’t say I know what it is.” You handed him the drive. Kolyat looked down for a moment, brushing his fingertips across it before looking back up at you. “This isn’t for me.” “I don’t understand…” “It’s for you, (Y/N).” Kolyat sat you down and set up the drive. Inside was many emails between Shepard and Kolyat as well as a video message. “Shepard, you are receiving a call.” EDI’s voice rang out. Right in the middle of debriefing the crew. Damn. Shepard accepted the call. “Commander? I don’t understand.” Your voice came through, clear and precise. “I explained my intentions in the video message.” Shepard said. “Trust me, (Y/N). I know what I’m doing.” “Did I do something wrong? AI’s are commonly given away or abandoned because they are not fit for purpose-” “(Y/N), listen to me.” Shepard ordered. “I am not abandoning you. You did nothing wrong. I am entrusting you to Kolyat because you need him as much as he needs you.” “Commander, the fight with the Reapers-” “i don’t want you fighting them. You… you’re too young. You’ve got so much more to learn. I want you to have that chance.” “Want?” You repeated Shepard’s word choice. Shepard continued. “Keep Kolyat safe. Enjoy this second chance at life. You were a brilliant asset to this crew. You won’t be forgotten.” “Have you left me here?” Shepard was quiet for a moment. “Yes.” “I understand.” Your response finally came.

Kolyat showed you the messages. This had been planned. As Shepard had said Kolyat was willing to take you with him and was filled in about your want to learn about emotions. “Is it just us now?” You asked. “For now.” Kolyat nodded.

Six hundred years had passed since the war with the Reapers. The Tempest crew was complete and the Nexus was beginning to thrive. Jaal loved hearing the history of the Nexus and the names of who made everything possible. Commander Shepard was beyond expectations. A true leader. Jaal couldn’t help but wonder if Ryder would one day be considered the same. He nearly jumped when you came up beside him. “I knew Commander Shepard, you know.” You said as you idly stared at the hologram of commander Shepard. “You did? But you’re very young looking, and this was six hundred years ago.” “I’m a few years older than I look.” You smiled. “If I’m honest- i lost count. I’m (Y/N). A human-looking A.I. which I’m assuming you’ll appreciate my saying so later. Lots of people get confused if I don’t.” “I see.” Jaal looked you over, looking for any indication your were actually an A.I. but he couldn’t see anything. “Are you with the new human Pathfinder?” You asked. “Indeed.” Jaal replied. “That must be exciting. There was never a dull day when I was in the Normandy.” “The crew make it exciting.”

Somehow the conversation led to you meeting the Tempest crew- including the Pathfinder who was eager to find out who Jaal’s new friend was. “Woah! High-tech! Didn’t think the Nexus has it in them.” Liam looked you over. “Not quite. I am not from the Nexus. I arrived here not long after it was set up. I believe the only A.I. here is the Asari hologram one. I don’t believe I’ve heard the name yet. It’s not one for conversation.” Ryder could help but chuckle at the last part. “We’ve got an A.I. on our ship called SAM.” “Is it also an Asari hologram?” “No… actually let’s take you aboard to meet him.” You couldn’t help but notice the male pronouns.

“SAM, we’ve found you a friend!” Liam called out. “SAM meet (Y/N). (Y/N) meet SAM.” A male voice boomed out. “Hello, (Y/N).” “Hello, SAM.” You responded. “Have you scanned me to make sure I’m not a threat?” “Affirmative. You are of no threat.” “Pleased to hear it.” “Likewise.” “My dad was teaching SAM humour and sarcasm.” Ryder smiled. “He still needs some work.” “I see. I’ve been working on those too- more towards emotions but I was taught the basics of humour and facial expressions early. It was important considering I look human.” “Which is wild!” Liam yelled out from behind you.

After hearing about your experience on the Normandy, Ryder advocated to have you in the Tempest crew. It didn’t take long for Jaal wanting to teach you about emotions. His species were very driven and open with their emotions, for you to struggle as well as want to learn, he had to. “You’re going about it all wrong.” Jaal explained. “You’re trying to feel emotions for something you can’t remember.” You tilted your head. “Remember the times you have now.”

Slowly, you began to really grow attached to the Tempest crew, just as you had with the Normandy crew all those years ago. “Is this show for my benefit? Because i’m benefiting.” You heard Ryder in the other room and went to find out what was going on. The scene in front of you had you surprised, you couldn’t help but genuiely laugh. Liam was shirtless and Jaal was completely naked. A sight you hadn’t expected to see. The two turned, smiling at you as Ryder cast you a bewildered glance though was also amused. “I’m sorry, was this not sanctioned?” Jaal asked. You barely caught his goodbye as you continued to chuckle. It wasn’t until you had a few laughs that you realised you hadn’t laughed because it was necessary. You laughed because you found humour in it. Eventually your mind was brought back through all the times you laughed because you were supposed to, not because you actually found it funny. You remembered Shepard’s terrible dancing, and giggled. Then there was the banter with Garrus. The secrets EDI knew about Joker who never realised she was always watching. The many times the crew got drunk. There was the happy times too, the time Liara reunited with her father. When Thane and Shepard successfully rescued Kolyat from himself. So many good things always made the bad times worth it. Kolyat, Thane, Shepard, Mordin...they’re all gone. Suddenly something hit your hard. “SAM!? Can you- Can you do a scan on me!? I-I think somethings wrong.” “ I will alert the ship. Initiating scan.” You leaned against the wall. “I think there’s something going on with my wiring, or something, I can’t be certain. It’s not in my programming to initiate such tests on myself.” You put a hand to your chest. “(Y/N), are you alright?” Ryder marched up to you, Jaal and Liam following behind. “I can’t be sure. I think somethings wrong with my wiring or something.” You said quickly. “Scanning complete. No faults or abnormalities.” SAM’s voice rang out. “But-” “Explain the... feeling? Sensation? What’s going on? What happened?” Liam asked. “It’s in my chest. It’s heavy, like something is weighing me down. I was thinking about my time in the Normandy. Then i remembered they’re deaths and now there’s a sinking sensation in my chest.” “Don’t worry.” Ryder said calmly with a knowing look. “(Y/N), you’re sad. That’s sadness.” Jaal explained. “I ...I am?” “They meant a lot to you, you must be missing them, you’re feeling sadness. It’s normal, it’s an emotion.” You inhaled , eyes widening a fraction. “They were the only family i had.”

You received an unexpected visit from Jaal a week later. “I have been speaking about you to my true mother. She would very much like to meet you.” “To meet me?” You repeated. Jaal nodded.

Jaal’s mother immediately met you with a hug, you quickly gathered her to be the motherly type, very fitting to her role. “It is a pleasure to meet you! Jaal has told me very much about you!” Sahuna was eager to welcome you. “Pleased to meet you.” You said, returning the hug lightly. You ended up meeting Jaal’s brothers, sisters cousins and even more of his mothers. It was a large family and you quickly soaked in how free they were with their emotions.

You weren’t certain if it was planned that for spent so much time in contact with Jaal’s family. Nevertheless, his family were wonderful people. The Angara weren’t anything like any other species you had met before. Never had a day come that had been a bore.

“Mother, are you certain? This will be sudden for them. It’s sudden for us.” “Jaal…they’re so young and alone. I can’t stand by and watch.” “I am uncertain of what they would say.” “I know. They’ve been alone for so long. I want to give them the opportunity to change that. Ask them, Jaal. When this is all over, they can decide.”

Sahuna Ama Darav couldn’t get you out of her mind. Not since she heard your story, not just what you have accomplished or experience but you as an individual. “Jaal tells me you’re learning about emotions.” “Yes. It is challenging at times but I believe I have improved.” You said. “I can tell you have.” “You can?” You cast a glance to Sahuna. “Your language. You believe, that’s not a fact or an analysis. You think. Your sentient. That’s much more than a machine.” The corner of your mouth lifted slightly. “Tell me, do you remember being human?” “No. Someone a long time ago told me I didn’t have the capacity to understand emotions. I think I surprised him with my answer. I told him that I understood the concept and was certain I felt it as a human but my human life is like remembering a dream.” Sahuna listened intently and you continued. “I’ve always had the idea that I am not the person I was when I was human. I lack the drive of emotion to do things. I do things because morally I know they’re right, or must be done but never because I felt strongly about it. Although I must admit, I’m not the same person I was when I first woke up not am I the same person as I was when on the Normandy. I’m content with that. I’m content not being who I was when I was human or in my early stages of development. If my memory functions well, I was referred to as a ghost of what the human (Y/N) was. I’m content with that. Besides, I have a similarity that some would argue is the most human.” “And what would that be?” Sahuna asked. “I learn from those around me. It’s gotten easier over the years but the challenge was there. May I tell you something personal?” “Of course.” Sahuna was enthralled, unable to really comprehend that this was an A.I beside her yet it was as though talking to anyone else. “I had a friend after the Normandy. His name was Kolyat. His father worked on the Normandy. Kolyat helped me with civilian life. I’d never endured it and it was confusing. He was patient and a true friend from my understanding. I cared for him deeply, but I’m not…” You paused, as though trying to find the correct word. “I don’t have enough experience with love or anything like that.” “Did you tell him? What happened to him?” “No, I didn’t. I used to want to hope that he knew but my logic told me it didn’t matter. He aged and died. I missed him. I miss him.” “I’m sorry…” “No need, it’s natural. People die. It made me wonder if I would die.” Sahuna looked startled and confused for a moment. “I can’t get older, so I question if one day I’ll just stop working or if I can die. I’ve outlived so many people -friends-. Sometimes I wonder if there’s a point to a constant existence?” “Do you feel sad? Or lonely?” “I’ve only recently felt sadness with Ryder’s crew. They remind me of the Normandy crew and I I find it difficult to not feel sadness at the thought that one day I may outlive them too. I’ll be alone again. That’s sad.”

You thought about your talk with Sahuna that night. You had given your existence so much thought. Were these moments what it means to be human? You thought back to the Normandy crew. You outlived all of them but only made it to Shepard’s funeral. Kolyat took you, assuring you it was important. You never did quite understand why but now maybe you had an idea as to why. They were your friends and for all you knew you’d never see them again. When Kolyat died, it was a solemn time. Thinking back made you realise how many friends you had lost and that number would only increase with the Tempest crew. You felt a wave on sadness wash over you, the heaviness in your chest returning, all the more stronger than it had been. “(Y/N)?” You looked up hearing SAM’s voice ring out in the dark room. “Are you alright?” You pursed your lips, a new sensation building in your eyes. “I’m sad.” You responded and as though to confirm it, a small tear fell from your eye and slowly began to run down your cheek. SAM must have sent Ryder to check on you, Jaal and Lexi behind the Pathfinder. Ryder said nothing, walking forward to sit beside you. You were surprised that Ryder immediately pulled you into a hug. Lexi bent down slightly. “What’s on your mind?” All were silent as you spoke, as you explained your odd behavior yet everyone seemed to understand.

Jaal eventually spoke up. “I heard you got on well with my mother.” You nodded as Ryder wiped away the stray tear on your cheek. “She’s a very kind woman.” “Yes, she is.” Jaal agreed. “She contacted me about you.” “She did? Did I do something wrong?” “No.” Jaal cracked a smile. “She wanted me to ask you something.” You looked at him waiting for him to continue. “My mother would like you to consider after our fight with the kett, coming back to Aya more permanently. She’d love for you to join our family.” Your eyes widened ever so slightly. “Why?” “My mother was born to be a mother. She hasn’t been able to stop thinking about you. You’re young, to endure all of this alone…it’s cruel. My mother wants to encourage you to learn further and would like you to join our family.” “But…I don’t grow up.” “Angaran families are huge.” Ryder spoke up. “Actually they’re massive.” “You’d be family, even if you outlived us, (Y/N), you’d still be a part of the family. You’d be with our descendants and so on. Family means a lot to us. No one is ever left alone.” Jaal explained. “I couldn’t intrude… I’m not supposed to have a family. A.I.’s don’t have that.” “I’m very sorry to tell you (Y/N),” Ryder began. “but your probably the worst at being a robot.” You cracked a smile. “You are so advanced that there isn’t even a category for you. Just being an A.I. isn’t enough and neither is considering you to be human. You’re brilliant and you deserve everything you work for. If you want my opinion, you’ve been alone long enough.” Ryder smiled at you. “Hell yeah! I second that!“ Liam entered. "I bet you’ll love it. Besides, we’re fighting along side one another. That makes us family! So really, you’re gaining two families. No! Three! You were on the Normandy too! They were also your family!” It took you a long time to really understand that Shepard leaving you behind wasn’t out of cruelty- it was to be kind. “Listen, you’re pretty badass so you’re definitely stuck with me.” “And me!” You heard PeeBee yell out. “As much as it hurts me to say!” Ryder chuckled as you bit back your own laugh. “I’m not good with civilian life, I’m still not sure what to do.” “Oh that’s easy! We’ve got you covered on that! No doubt Jaal will be on your ass about education and good grades.” Liam grinned and Jaal cracked a smile. “We’ll help you figure out what you like and what you don’t like.” Ryder smiled. “Even if it takes fifty years- we’re doing it and that includes PeeBee because she’ll be alive for longer than us!” “Damnit Ryder! Don’t commit me to this stuff!” PeeBee’s voice rang out again. “You bet! Then you’ll make a whole lot more friends, maybe even get an Angaran boyfriend.” Liam wiggled his eyes. “Get married, have a few kids. Or maybe it won’t even be an Angarian-” Ryder quickly jumped in with an alarmed expression. “Maybe in the far far away future! But Liam-” “and we probably won’t like the guy because he won’t be good enough for you-” "Liam-” Ryder attempted to interrupt Liam but to no avail. Suddenly PeeBee bounded in. “Hoi, Costa! Why are you so certain it’s a boyfriend they want? What if they want a girlfriend? Or anything else? You’re making assumptions!” “Thanks PeeBee.” Ryder said quickly. Liam paused. “She’s got a point…but that’s not what I meant! I meant no matter what, we’re gonna be here to help!” Everyone looked at you and slowly you turned to look at Jaal. You cracked a smile, slowly nodding.

#this took months #lots of months #i think it also took a piece of my soul #mass effect 2 #mass effect andromeda #Commander Shepard #Kolyat Krios #thane krios #jaal ama darav #sahuna ama darav #Liam Costa #A.I.!reader #one shot #oneshot

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bangtanfancamp · 5 years

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✨This or That!✨

Hello loves, I was tagged literal ages ago by @curly-bangtan (who is such a sweet human btw! Thank you for the tag :’) it’s impossibly sweet of you) and am in the backseat while road trippin so I’ve finally got some free time to fill this out! I’m so excited !! I love these things !so without further ado🙃 Lessss gooooo

• slow burn or love at first sight

I guess to clarify, I love an instant spark of attraction and a long treacherous road to resolution- while also being painfully obvious that there is attraction and also while being overtly flirty but no one has the emotional motor skills to just be upfront about it already

•fake dating or secret dating

Oh, 1,000,000% fake dating. It is one of the single greatest regrets of my life that no one has ever asked me to be their fake date or gf. Because I would have been F A N T A S T I C at it. But I guess I’ll never get to live out that pretend to real slowburn in real life after all.... also, secret dating can feel really sucky and isolating so I don’t recommend.

•enemies to lovers or best friends to lovers

Oh god, must I really pick between my children? My whole life it was best friends to lovers. Now that I am currently dating the guy who was my best friend, I really melt over the fiery tension of enemies to lovers ... GOD! it’s so satisfying!!! But I think best friends to lovers still has to squeak by just by an ounce. (I’m a softy at heart, what can I say?)

•oh no! There’s only one bed or long distance with correspondence

Oh far and away, the one bed trope! No contest. I also deeply regret that I haven’t figured out how to make myself attractive enough for someone to try to pull this one over on me. *sigh* well, what can you do? .... also, did a long distance relationship for...6.5 years? And yeah, if you’re a romantic like me- it is dreadfully unfulfilling, let me tell you.

•Hurt/comfort or Amnesia

Mother freaking amnesia A L W A Y S !!! Heck yes! Are there amnesia fics??? 🤭I’ve never found one! But I absolutely love this trope in stories and movies. One of my all time favorites- which AGAIN- has not had the decency to actually come to fulfillment in my real life: Like why has park Jimin never showed up spontaneously at one of my doctors appointments trying to convince me that we’ve been best friends who were secretly in love with other since we were 14 and we finally just got engaged or married a month ago and his life is incomplete without me but he’ll patiently wait for me to love him in return again in my own time but in the meantime, he’ll love me in any and every little way he can until I fall for him again? Huh? Where is it! .... was that too specific😅?

•Fantasy au or modern au

no contest. Give me medieval maidens and dragons any day. I live in modern day. Lemme tell you- she ain’t that special.

•mutual pining or domestic bliss

cue Schmidt from new girl-“I can do this AWL day, son- AWLLL DAY!!” Yessssss!!! Mutual pining is my crack! Give it to me! Always! Gimme it! (Why can’t I have the things that I want!) okay this is just a Schmidt quote/rant post now. ..... I really want to love domestic bliss. And some of the writers who are excellent at it absolutely take my breath away at how beautifully they romanticize the every day. But outside of their writing, I have no scope of how to conjure that wonder up on my own. It is a skill I deeply lack. In real life, I just wind up feeling like the bliss is boring- gimme some pining! Some angst! Some tension!!! Even if I do love me some fluff. Someone once I told me that I was in love with the idea of someone being in love with me. Gotta say, he’s not wrong.

•canon compliant or fix it fic

Honestly, I can’t say I’ve read very many of either. But I do like to see how people flex their creativity.

•alternate universe or future fic

My favorite tv show of all time is Fringe (god bless you, JJ Abrams). Your girl LOVES alternate timelines, multiple universes, flashpoint, paradox, butterfly/ripple effect- all of it!! Dear god, yes! Give it to me! (Also, every time I have a crush or dream that doesn’t work out, I comfort myself with the thought that somewhere out there, there’s an alternate timeline version of me that is happily existing with said boy or flourishing in said dream endeavor. It’s a tremendous source of comfort).

Although, I must say, in the comic realm, alternate universes can sometimes frustrate me- like genuinely, could we not just make the alpha timeline the most incredible one? Instead of the best relationships and plot threads never being actual canon?! Can we get it together??? Or are alternate timelines just the comic industry’s way of writing their own fix it fics, generations after the original protagonist has been painted into a corner. Also, how hard must that be? To write endlessly for the same character for 60+ years? We write one fic or a couple books for the same character... could you IMAGINE having to supply 60 years worth of consistent weekly or monthly context!!! Wild

•one shot or multi chapter

I prefer multi chapter because I prefer getting engrossed in an entire work/world. Usually I am left wanting with a well written one shot, because they’ve made it so real that I can’t stand not having more- so my greedy butt loves the feast of multi chapter so I can have as many delicious moments and details with these characters as possible.

I do however deeply admire the skill and brevity it takes to made a succinct one shot. @underthejoon and @kpopfanfictrash are both brilliant as heck at that. And it is admirable as all get out.

•kid fic or road trip fic

honestly, considering how much I swoon over men who are good with children in real life, and how much I look forward to being both pregnant and a mom one day, I really never get into kid or pregnancy fics. I just don’t? Don’t know why. But a road trip!???? Oh heck yes!!! 👏🏽Where 👏🏽do 👏🏽I 👏🏽sign 👏🏽up!!???👏🏽

•reincarnation or character death

Oh absolutely reincarnation. I love that. I blame sailor moon for that.....But also, I think it’s just very in line with my love of alternate universes and timelines. I love how everything is connected/weaves together and feels predestined in the best way. I’m a complete sucker for it

•arranged marriage or accidental marriage

Like @curly-bangtan I legit had no clue accidental marriage was a thing? Unless you count being drunk at Vegas and waking up with a ring or we’re on some Jacob and Leah/Rachel level ish (which is really and truly the WILDEST™️ story ever ya’ll) ..... but I love a good arranged marriage scenario. The tension/push pull and inevitable relenting is so fun. But will say though, why the heck do women always fight it? Like there’s literally a whole Kim taehyung or Kim Namjoon offering to voluntarily love you and you wanna whine about it???!?! How dare you

•high school romance or Middle Aged romance

This, again, one is a pretty firm, resolute one for me. I’ll take high school. I’ve always felt a little oddly uncomfortable with more mature™️ romance stories? Not sure why. But I think the really beautiful ones always hark back to the beauty of their feelings being refreshing like the innocence of their first love. I know I personally can over glorify youth, but I love coming of age romance (high school, college, twenties) and no one can stop me!!!! I will say though, I have a secret soft spot for the niche of story where people have loved the same person since they were young and the timing just never works out but they finally find each other when they’re older. (One day is like that, and film or movie, it will absolutely rip your heart out-my god, it’s beautiful)

•Time travel or isolated together

These are both freaking AMAZING! But if anything has been established in this post, I think it’s my deep love of alternate timeline/reincarnation/time travel stories. I think they’re all from the same cloth. I adore them (I just haven’t written one because I’m not sure I could do the subtlety of it any justice.) maybe one day. My favorite writers are rumored to have the same Myers’s Briggs type as me so maybe I too could someday have a fraction of their world building skill.

I 100% love both of these so neither is a loser. But give me isolated together AND one bed in the same fic???? Speakers blown

•neighbors or roommates

I have never had the pleasure of having an attractive neighbor, though I often pined for it. (I have a bomb idea for a neighbor Hobi fic though) I did have a cute neighborhood boy who occasionally cut the grass for us in high school. But that doesn’t really count.... anyway! I LOVE the idea of being roommates with an attractive boy!!! Like holy guac, can I please????? Cocktailing this trope makes me swoon harder than none other- best friends to lovers + roommates? Yes. Enemies to lovers + roommates? Holy heck. Soulmate au + roomates???? Hold my sweet tea. MUTUAL PINING AND ROOMATES!!!! Pregnant. Fantasy/magic au+ mutual pining + best friends to lovers + soulmate au + reincarnation + roommate au!?!?!?!! frickin dead in the streets, homie.

I cannot say enough how much I enjoy roomate au. In a serious conversation, I once legitimately told my current boyfriend that the idea of marriage freaks me out- but the idea of being best friend roomates with sexual tension sounds like a dream come true. God help me.

•sci fi or magic au

I love sci fi. Deeply. But I will never love logic more than magic. Ever. (All my infp’s! come join me in the comments. 🙈)

•body swap or gender bend

Body swap has always deeply intrigued me. Especially in film. But I’ve never seen it in a fic. I’ve always wanted somebody to be able to switch into my body to feel physically, mentally and emotionally like i do. The deepest level of empathy & jean grey telepathy if you ask me, even if the trope is generally used for comedy. But the idea of switching into a dudes body and having to deal with their anatomy low key freaks me the eff out. If I got stuck in jungkooks body, I don’t think I’d pee or shower for a week 🙈 sorry everybody. I was really sheltered ok? Please don’t come for me. Lol...... also, have never seen a gender bend fic. Not sure how that would work. Not my favorite idea.

•angst or crack

Angst is my crack.

Honestly though, if it’s well written, it doesn’t feel ‘angsty’- cuz that means whiny or clunky to me. Well written ‘angst’ just feels emotionally compelling, I think. My writing weirdly leans toward what I hope is real angst (I e solid, genuine conflict and not petulance), but when I seek out a read, I look for crack honestly.

• apocalyptic or mundane

I offer you one better- a love story of the beauty of the mundane amidst the apocalyptic.

*mic drop*

Seriously though, the setting provides enough tension usually. Especially if it’s zombie apocalyptic. Just let jungkook’s fingers delicately trace my palm and smile, sweet and lopsided at me in the candle light, while we hide away in our little bomb shelter that I’ve turned into a jungle garden to bring life into this wasteland a la secret life of arrietty. sigh. Maybe I need to write this....

My gosh!!! We made it to the end! That was so much fun! Thank you for tagging me, sweetness!💕✨ 🙂

I’ll add a tag list shortly- @laurelevermore @lamourche @bts-fantasy @urlocalkpoptrash @thedreaming-poet @kimcheeeeeeeeee @hayjeon @outrotearot7 @lorengarcia-yut @bts-luvvv @chicpalestinian @flyingchixenwing @glodenclosetau @space-mermaid-in-love @thiccasswonhoruinedmylife @minminslittlemonster

Copy and paste if you can. Or if you’re dealing with a piece of technological antiquity like me and it won’t let you, then screen record/screenshot it and pop back and forth between the tabs 😅(also Thanks for dealing with the completely unnecessary treatise I added beneath every bullet point. It was just so much for fun to explain WHY I chose each one than to just say yes/no. I’ve said it before, written brevity is just not my strong suit.)

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dfroza · 3 years

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to defend the True hope of his heart.

we all have to choose what our hope and treasure will be.

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 26th chapter of the book of Acts:

[Paul’s Defense before King Agrippa]

King Agrippa said to Paul, “You may now state your case.” Paul motioned with his hand for silence, then began his defense.

“King Agrippa, I consider myself highly favored to stand before you today and answer the charges made against me by the Jews. Because you, more than anyone else, are very familiar with the customs and controversies among the Jewish people, I now ask for your patience as I state my case.

“All the Jews know how I have been raised as a young man, living among my own people from the beginning and in Jerusalem. If my accusers are willing to testify, they must admit that they’ve known me all along as a Pharisee, a member of the most strict and orthodox sect within Judaism. And now, here I am on trial because I believe in the hope of God’s promises made to our ancestors. This is the promise the twelve tribes of our people hope to see fulfilled as they sincerely strive to serve God with prayers night and day.

“So, Your Highness, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. And how should you judge this matter? Why is it that any of you think it unbelievable that God raises the dead? I used to think that I should do all that was in my power to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that’s exactly what I did in Jerusalem, for I not only imprisoned many of the holy believers by the authority of the chief priests, I also cast my vote against them, sentencing them to death. I punished them often in every Jewish meeting hall and attempted to force them to blaspheme. I boiled with rage against them, hunting them down in distant foreign cities to persecute them.

“For that purpose I went to Damascus, with the authority granted to me by the chief priests. While traveling on the road at noon, Your Highness, I saw a light brighter than the sun flashing from heaven all around me and those who were with me. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? You are only hurting yourself when you resist your calling.’

“I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Get up and stand to your feet, for I have appeared to you to reveal your destiny and to commission you as my assistant. You will be a witness to what you have seen and to the things I will reveal whenever I appear to you. I will rescue you from the persecution of your own people and from the hostility of the other nations that I will send you to. And you will open their eyes to their true condition, so that they may turn from darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan to the power of God. By placing their faith in me they will receive the total forgiveness of sins and be made holy, taking hold of the inheritance that I give to my children!’

“So you see, King Agrippa, I have not been disobedient to what was revealed to me from heaven. For it was in Damascus that I first declared the truth. And then I went to Jerusalem and throughout our nation, and even to other nations, telling people everywhere that they must repent and turn to God and demonstrate it with a changed life. That’s why the Jews seized me when I was in the temple and tried to murder me.

“But in spite of all this, I have experienced the supernatural help of God up to this very moment. So I’m standing here saying the same thing that I’ve shared with everyone, from the least to the greatest. For I teach nothing but what Moses and the prophets have said was destined to happen: that our Messiah had to suffer and die and be the first to rise from the dead, to release the bright light of truth both to our people and to the non-Jewish nations.”

Festus interrupted Paul’s defense, blurting out, “You’re out of your mind! All this great learning of yours is driving you crazy.”

Paul replied, “No, Your Excellency Festus, I am not crazy. I speak the words of truth and reason. King Agrippa, I know I can speak frankly and freely with you, for you understand these matters well, and none of these things have escaped your notice. After all, it’s not like it was a secret! Don’t you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you do.”

Agrippa responded, “In such a short time you are nearly persuading me to become a Christian.”

Paul replied, “I pray to God that both you and those here listening to me would one day become the same as I am, except, of course, without these chains.”

The king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others got up. As they were leaving the chamber, they commented to one another, “This man has done nothing that deserves death or even imprisonment.”

King Agrippa said to Festus, “If he hadn’t appealed to Caesar, he could have been released.”

The Book of Acts, Chapter 26 (The Passion Translation)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 17th chapter of the book (scroll) of Isaiah where he continues with a message of Judgment:

A message about Damascus:

Eternal One: So much for the “city of Damascus.”

It’s done for. Soon it will be just a pile of rubble.

The towns around it will empty of people and be turned back to open land.

Imagine—sheep grazing and lying down where people used to live.

There won’t be a soul to scare them off.

The defenses of the Northern Kingdom, Israel, will fall—

Ephraim’s fortress walls will tumble down;

Damascus will no longer rule itself.

Aram—what is left of them—will resemble Israel’s fading glory.

That’s what the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, says.

Eternal One: Israel will be humbled then too;

our cousins, the children of Jacob, will lose their luster, their wealth and excess.

The land will resemble a field stripped until it is nearly bare,

like when the harvest has come and gone,

like the meager grain gleaned in the valley of Rephaim.

But some gleanings will remain

like when olive trees are beaten,

Where two or three olives remain at the top of a tree

and four or five hold on tight to its fruitful branches.

So says the Eternal One, Israel’s God.

Then, in that day, people will turn to the One who shaped them.

They’ll look on the Creator, the Holy One of Israel,

And disregard the things they’d made into gods.

They’ll turn away from worthless, handmade objects, sacred poles, and incense altars.

And then, in that day, their great cities will be abandoned

like defenseless outposts in a hilly forest,

Like those deserted when the Israelites took the land;

the scene will be eerily quiet and empty.

You have proven forgetful of God—how God pulls you clear of danger,

how God stands firm, like a great Rock where you can take shelter.

Because you have forgotten the one True God,

you planted pleasant gardens and set out tender vines of a strange god.

They sprouted so quickly the day you set them out;

they budded immediately the morning you planted them;

But you will never gather any sweet grapes from them.

What you reap will be illness and pain; that day will be filled with sadness.

Listen to the restless roar of the peoples!

They roar like a fitful sea.

Listen to the crashing thunder of the nations;

they thunder like a powerful surge of water.

But even if they thunder like a wall of water,

when God rebukes them, they will run far away;

With a word they’ll be driven like chaff in a mountain gust

or dust in a windstorm.

In the evening, look, their enemies terrorize them;

but by morning, they’re gone.

So it will be for those who attack and steal from us;

those who take, take, take will come to nothing and run away.

The Book of Isaiah, Chapter 17 (The Voice)

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for friday, june 25 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons that points to the True message of grace:

The message of the cross of Messiah is that your deepest need for love, peace, and happiness is not to be found in this world, nor in the religious philosophies of this world, but instead is found by being healed from the sickness of spiritual death. That’s the gospel message, after all, which presents an offense to the “flesh,” that is, to natural human pride and humanistic aspiration. Indeed many religious people seem to think that something more is needed than the miracle of Messiah, and they therefore both underestimate the severity of our lost condition while flattering the ego with the conceit that it can contribute something to prospect of genuine eternal life... The Apostle Paul admonished: "If with the Messiah you died to the axioms of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its presuppositions (i.e., δόγματα)?" (Col. 2:20). Religious “legalism” (i.e., adherence to formula or ritual rather than living in personal faith) is a worldly practice that leads to a false sense of security in the mantras, ceremonies, “virtue signaling,” theological jargon, and various “mummeries” of religion. Worse still may such worldly religion lead to a “holier-than-thou” sense of spiritual superiority or elitism. Yeshua denounced the religionists of his day by focusing on what mattered most of all -- healing the outcasts, touching the lepers, seeking the lost, and being a "friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Matt. 11:19). Focusing on outer forms of religion -- even Torah based religion -- elevates the law to an end in itself rather than as a means to the greater end of love and healing. We have to be careful not to make an idol out of religious practices, for all the commandments are meant to serve the end of receiving God's love and sharing that blessing with others. Any "Torah observance" that leads you to "thank God that you are not like other people" (Luke 18:11) is therefore not genuine Torah observance at all, for the heart of the Torah is love, just as love is the Torah of the Gospel (John 15:12).

"Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life" (Isa. 43:4). Receiving this message takes faith that is not based on your human experience. If you really know yourself, that is, if you are conscious of your own inner condition, then you are familiar with the voice of self-rejection and you may harbor the conviction that you are unlovable, unworthy, and essentially unacceptable. This is a place of profound loneliness and exile.... the hell of self-hatred. The deeper Torah of God's love (i.e., the cross), however, looks away from the self to the beauty of the LORD, to the one who calls you "precious and honored," "beloved," "redeemed," "treasured," "my child." Faith in God demands that you understand that he esteems your life as infinitely valuable, and indeed worth the very sacrifice of what is most dear to himself, so that you may know yourself as his beloved.

"Escape for your life. Do not look back...” (Gen. 19:17). You must turn away from what once defined you and never look back... This includes not only turning away from your former sins, but turning away from the guilt and shame of your sins... Living in the past, wallowing in your sin and regretting your mistakes, can cause you to feel worthless and even hopeless. If you feel compelled to revisit your former life, then be sure to do so before the foot of the cross, in light and presence of God’s redemptive love for you. You can't change the past, but you can leave it behind by turning it over to God for healing. Teshuvah (repentance) means accepting who you are in light of God's love and salvation for your soul. “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this, though I am single-minded: I forget the things that are behind and reach out for the things that are ahead ... heeding the upward call of God in Yeshua our Messiah” (Phil. 3:13-14). May you "find yourself in Him, not having a righteousness of your own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Messiah, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (Phil. 3:9).

Remember that God's way of deliverance is entirely different than man's way. Man tries to suppress the flesh, to cover it up, to justify its failings, or to enlist its power in the battle against sin (i.e., religion), but God's way is to remove the flesh from the equation. The goal is not to make us stronger and stronger, but rather weaker and weaker, until the flesh is “crucified” and only the sufficiency of the Messiah remains. Then we can truly say, "I have been crucified with Messiah. It is no longer I who live, but the Messiah who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20). The word “Hebrew” (עִבְרִי) means one who has “crossed over” (עָבַר) to the other side, as our father Abraham did (Gen. 14:13). It is on the other side of the cross that we experience the very power that created the universe "out of nothing" (i.e., yesh me'ayin: יֵשׁ מֵאַיִן) and that raised Yeshua the Messiah from the dead. [Hebrew for Christians}

6.24.21 • Facebook

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

June 25, 2021

In the Midst

“And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.” (John 20:26)

Jesus, in His earthly life, was often “in the midst” of things. At the age of 12 He was found in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46). Then, early in His adult ministry, His hometown enemies at Nazareth attempted to kill Him, “but he passing through the midst of them went his way” (Luke 4:30). Later, in Jerusalem, a group of Pharisees sought to stone Him, but He simply went “through the midst of them, and so passed by” (John 8:59).

Finally, however, they were able to put Him to death, and as a bitter testimony of their hatred, they had Him crucified with two common criminals, “on either side one, and Jesus in the midst” (John 19:18). Three days later, the tomb was emptied, and He would never again be in the midst of enemies. Instead, He met His disciples in the upper room.

There, “when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you” (John 20:19). Eight days later, with Thomas present, Jesus once again appeared in their midst and greeted them with reassuring words of peace.

Though now in heaven, His presence still speaks peace to us through His Holy Spirit, for He promised: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Even in the ages to come, He will be in our midst, for John says, describing that scene: “In the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,” and then all creation will sing “unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (Revelation 5:6, 13). HMM

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hqdelila-blog · 6 years

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about a delight ;

• BASICS •

Full name: Delila Catriona Bautista-McIntosh

Nickname(s) or alias(es): De, Dede, Delly, Madame, Frenchie.

Preferred name(s): Delila, De, Dede.

Date of birth: May 12th, 1993

Zodiac sign: Taurus

Religion: Christian.

Gender: Female.

Preferred pronouns: She/her

Sexual preference: Pansexual.

Romantic preference: Pansexual

Hometown: Tagbilaran , Philippines

Resides in: The Vally, California.

Occupation: Professional Domme, Porn Star.

Language(s) spoken: Spanish, English, broken Scottish Gaelic .

Native language: Filipino, English.

• BACKGROUND •

Birth order: Youngest.

Level of education: Graduate of High School.

How were their grades? Excellent, top of class.

Best childhood memory: Anything about her life in the Philippines, seeing as both her parents were enlisted in the army, she was raised mainly by her grandparents. But her favorite memory, if she had to say one would be Christmas when she was 6, it was one where everyone was together, no threat, no... bad, just together.

Family’s economic status: Birth family, lower middle class, adopted family, very wealthy.

Childhood career choice: A solider, like her father.

School subject they excelled at: Anything with numbers, science, math-- she loved knowing there as a right and wrong answer.

School subject they had trouble with: Art, she could hardly hold a brush in her hand without dropping it, let alone create something.

• APPEARANCE, VOICE & MANNERISMS •

Birthmarks/scars/distinguishing marks: She has a freckle on her right cheek, but scarring is more what she has, after a tour overseas,she is littered in them; the worst of them on her right thigh and leg, her shoulders, and forearms. A lot of them look like burns, cuts.

Tattoos: None.

Piercings: Ears, just the lobes.

Dominant hand: Right.

Frequently worn jewelry: Her mothers wedding ring on her pointer finger and her fathers tags around her neck.

Speech style: (fast, monotone, loquacious?) Depending on who she is with and what she is talking about, it varies-- on casual days it is very clear, not monotone, but not so fast you cannot understand her. When she is angry, passionate, scared-- she will speak a bit faster.

Verbal tics: (do they have trouble pronouncing certain words or getting their thoughts across clearly?) None.

Scent: Tom Ford, Fucking Fabulous.

Posture: Excellent.

• PERSONALITY •

Personality type: ESFJ

Positive traits: Empathetic, Kind, Loyal.

Negative traits: Secretive, Dangerous, Impulsive.

Usual mood: Content.

Insecurities: Her skin color, her scarring.

Fears: Not making her birth parents proud, death, and birds.

Comforts: Physical touch, music, volunteer work.

Habits/quirks: Foot tapping.

Nervous tics: Playing with hair, touching hair.

Superstitions: None.

Pet peeves: People who play with food, bad hygiene.

• HEALTH & PSYCHOLOGY •

Diet: Generally very good, eats very healthy day to day but does enjoy her fatty foods-- doesn’t restrict much, but doesn’t binge.

Alcohol Use: Social.

Drug Use: None.

Addictions: None.

Allergies: Coconut.

Exercise habits: A hug runner, physical strength training

Sleeping habits: (Do they sleep well? Badly?) She sleeps terribly most nights, can never fall asleep-- has to take sleeping medication.

Any physical ailments/illnesses/disabilities? Has a bum leg’, after her return from serving-- during she was sure she had broken her leg, sprained in, done some kind of damage that now she always walks with a small limp.

Any mental illnesses/disorders? PTSD.

Enneagram Type: 8, the protector.

Moral Alignment: (you can also view this for a simpler description) Lawful Good, "Crusader"

Temperament: Phlegmatic

Element: Earth.

Hogwarts House: RavenClaw.

Intelligence Type: Intrapersonal intelligence

• VIEWS ON... •

Life: “People take it too for-granted, they don’t understand that it can be taken away any moment and it is too short for hate.”

Death: “Something that happens, that... that happens too soon most of the time.”

Love: “Love is... love, love is wonderful and is always there-- it is always there, even in the darkest of times.”

Sex: “Love it enough to make a career out of it.”

Marriage: “Something I do want one day, one day I want it all, a husband/wife, children, a home---I want a love like my mother and fathers.”

Divorce: “An easy way out, there are people that fight for their right to get married only for nearly half of marriages to end in such. If it is for the right reason, a couple that has fallen out of love, a partner beingu nfaithful to the other, it is... just an end people know all too well.”

Family: “Not always traditional.”

Friends: “Needed to get by, needed to be not alone-- the platonic love is if not more important than romantic.”

Politics: “Fuck politics, fuck the fact that peoples voices are taken from them-- you may not want to hear me as a WOC, but you will.”

Religion: “A comfort.”

Work: “If you enjoy what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Doing what I do, I help those that needed it and that is all that matters.”

Money: “Something that I will never take for-granted,and as someone that is wealthy, I use it to help those that need it.”

Alcohol/Drug Use: N/A

Tattoos/Piercings: N/A

Swearing: N/A

• FAMILY •

Father(s): Birth Father ; Ailbeart Lee Paterson ; Adoptive Father; Jacob Andrew McIntosh.

Describe their relationship: Birth Father, Delila was always a fathers girl, while she didn’t she much of him while he was alive, him serving tour after tour; on the times he’d come back with her mother, they’d be attached at the hip. Her father had a thich Scottish accent, thick hair, and arms that when they wrapped around her, the months away, it didnt matter. Delila is proud of her father,she’s proud to be his daughter and wear his tags with honor. She only hopes that he’s proud of her. // Adopted father, The two of them-- they didn’t get along, but they did not not get along, her father was a man of few words, that was unless you did something he did not like-- then the words never stopped. She was thankful for him, he gave her the life anyone could ever want, a big house,money, the best education, but... he wasn’t her dad, she never felt that connection. As of the current moment, Delila has not spoken to her father since coming back from tour, she saw her parents for a total of 11 minutes and it left her knowing they wanted nothing to do with her.

Mother(s): Birth Mother ; Mahalia Dalisay Bautista Adoptive Mother ; Rosalinda Lydia McIntosh.

Describe their relationship: Birth Mother, It was the ongoing thing that Delila was her mothers birthday present, ringing in the womans birthday with her birth there was that bond the two shared that no one could place. While like her father, Delila didn’t see much of her, when she did, her mother was one to always squeeze in as much love, as much and as grand as she could in short bursts of time. The one lesson her mother taught her was to love her skin, love her voice- love everything that made her different. // Adopted mother, If there was one thing knew about her mom it was that she was beautiful, but that was it. And that stuck with her, no one could list a good thing about her mom, unless it was related to her beauty. Delila never understood why she choose her to adopt, why in the states there was plenty of children that needed a home, it wasn’t until she overheard her one day talking to a maid, that Delila was more or less a sign of...charity, that she was the ‘Look what a good person I am, I adopted this brown child.” To say their relationship is strained would be an understatement.

Pet(s): None.

• QUESTIONNAIRE •

Optimistic or pessimistic? Optimistic.

Disorderly and messy or methodical and neat? A combo of the two, while she is a very neat person, her years in the military taught her, she had a messy side to her, her room the best example.

Book smart or street smart? Both.

Leader or follower? Leader.

Day or night person? Day.

Cat or dog person? Both

Coffee or tea? Hot coffee, Iced tea.

What do they wear to bed? Normally nothing, but if something it’s just a big t-shirt.

Do they snore? No.

What position do they sleep in? On her stomach or on left side.

Which side of the bed do they sleep on? Right.

Can they multi-task or must they focus on one subject at a time? Multitask.

Do they get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Hates silence, gets very restless unless it is silence with a persons she is comfortable with .

What would completely break them? Being overtaken by her mental illness, never finding love because she is her own worst enemy.

What was the best thing in their life? Her life in the Philippines.

#NDHQTASK01

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parvumchao · 7 months

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TAGS, PART SEVEN - BY REQUEST OCs

#( general. / tag drop. )#( gotta stay cool you hot hothead. / pat. )#( catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world. / kody. )#( i am death none can excel. / jacob. )#( all the riches won't mean anything. / addie. )

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frederickwiddowson · 4 years

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The Acts of the Apostles, the history of the early church, by Luke the physician - Acts 13:14-41 comments: Paul preaches in Antioch of Pisidia

Acts 13:14 ¶ But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. 16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. 17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. 18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. 19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. 20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: 24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. 26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. 27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. 28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. 29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30 But God raised him from the dead: 31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. 32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. 35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: 37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

Perga was in Pamphylia. There were several places named Antioch in the Greek-speaking world. Pisidian Antioch is near Perga on the map. Both would be in what is present-day Turkey. This Antioch is not the Antioch called the “cradle of Christianity”. So, it is not the same town as where the Christians were first called as such near the modern-day city of Antakya, Turkey in extreme Southern Turkey. Pisidian Antioch is near the present-day Isparta Province in Turkey.

Here Paul gives a sermon in a synagogue. As they are Jews his sermon is filled with Old Testament references. Notice in verse 19 Chanaan, spelled with a Ch rather than just a C, gives us a clue as to the way to pronounce the Ch in words, like a K. Again, remember my remarks about variations in spelling.

In my comments on Genesis 15:12-16 I noted;

“God tells Abram that his seed will be servants in a foreign land, which we know to be Egypt. They will be afflicted for four hundred years and will serve the people of that land. This is an about, not an exact 400 years, ten months, 23 days, and two hours type of statement.

Exodus 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

And then, Luke recounting what Stephen said, alluding to what Moses had written from God’s words;

Acts 7:6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

If I wrote you a lesson that said, ‘in the thousand years since the Norman invasion of England,’ and then, in the lesson later wrote, ‘in the nine hundred and fifty four years since 1066, when William the Conqueror defeated King Harold at Hastings,’ would that be a contradiction or would you understand what I said as meaning the same thing?

Here is Paul referring to this bondage bracketed between the covenant and the giving of the Law.

Galatians 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Rabbis have written that the affliction begins when Ishmael, the offspring of Abram and Hagar, an Egyptian, begins to persecute Isaac, the son of the promise. They regarded the four hundred years to start from that point.

God also tells Abram that four generations will come into being in Egypt before returning to the land that is promised, The Promised Land of Canaan. For instance, Levi, Jacob’s son, and his son, Kohath, and his son, Amram, and his son, Moses. These were four generations that sojourned in Egypt. It is then important to see that God is talking about two different things; four hundred years of affliction and four generations in a foreign land. As the Bible clearly states in Exodus the Hebrews come out of Egypt with a great deal of wealth given to them freely by the Egyptians.”

Notice verse 20 says about the space of four hundred and fifty years. Using the typical fallacious modernist mindset of reading the Bible like an instruction manual for your lawn mower I have been amazed at how many Christian commentators argue about how this figure of four hundred and fifty can be reconciled by adding this or subtracting that trying to fit it into the timelines one derives by adding up reigns and rules. This is nonsense. You dare deny the Holy Spirit the very same figures of speech you use yourselves? The very same general statements that are approximations or even hyperbole?

In verse 21 the Hebrew name Kish from 1Samuel 9:1 is translated from a Greek derivation as Cis in English. Note also how Elijah of the Old Testament verses like Malachi 4:5 is translated from the Greek as Elias in New Testament verses like Matthew 11:14.

Notice how in verse 33 Paul links the resurrection with the verse in Psalm 2. As an eternal being Christ represents all of us who will be raised incorruptible, the children of God.

Romans 8:17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered

from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

In Hebrews 1:5 Paul connects it to Christ’s birth and the relationship between a Father and a Son. By the time we get to verse 8 in Hebrews 1 we are back at Christ’s rule and authority, the basis of Psalm 2.

Hebrews 1:4 ¶ Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art

my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Notice in verse 8 of Hebrews 1 the reference is made to Psalm 45:6. Here is the original reference in Psalm 2 marking out Christ’s physical reign on earth to come.

Psalm 2:1 ¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his

anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 ¶ I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and

the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10 ¶ Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish

from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

In verse 34 in Acts 13 here he makes mention of the sure mercies of David.

Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Following this is a reference to David’s prophecy of Christ’s resurrection a thousand years previously.

Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Peter uses this verse in his sermon noted in Acts 2:27. Here is the entire passage in Psalm 16.

Psalm 16:8 ¶ I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in

hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Note the argument that Paul makes here that David could not have been talking about himself as he did see corruption and knew that he would die eventually. Only Enoch, Elijah, and Christ saw no corruption.

See in verse 36 how if you are doing God’s work you serve in a generation and then you are gone from the world and others take your place. In modern evangelical terms we can get caught up in the broad sweep of events over history rather than placing ourselves in the context of our generation.

In 41 Paul issues a warning based on;

Habbakuk 1:5 ¶ Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

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pamphletstoinspire · 7 years

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THE PROPHECY OF MALACHIAS OR MALACHI - From The Latin Vulgate Bible

Chapter 3

INTRODUCTION.

Malachias, whose name signifies "the angel of the Lord," was contemporary with Nehemias, and by some is believed to have been the same person with Esdras. He was the last of the prophets, in the order of time, and flourished about four hundred years before Christ. He foretells the coming of Christ; the reprobation of the Jews and their sacrifices; and the calling of the Gentiles, who shall offer up to God in every place an acceptable sacrifice. (Challoner) --- He also clearly speaks of the twofold coming of Christ, preceded by [John] the Baptist and by Elias. Nothing is known for certain respecting this prophet. He inveighs against the same crimes as Nehemias, to whose covenant he alludes, chap. ii. 4. None was afterwards recognized for a prophet till the Baptist appeared. (Calmet) --- Both priests and people are here reproved, and the Jewish law yields to that of Christ. (Worthington) --- No date is prefixed no more than to the works of Jonas, Nahum, &c. St. Jerome seems to fix on the seventh year of Artaxerxes, when Esrdras came to Jerusalem. Liber ejus pro titulo sit. (Haydock)

Chapter 3

Christ shall come to his temple, and purify the priesthood. They that continue in their evil ways shall be punished: but true penitents shall receive a blessing.

1 Behold, I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold, he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts:

Notes & Commentary:

Ver. 1. My angel, viz., John the Baptist, the messenger of God, and forerunner of Christ. (Challoner) --- His purity and office procure him this title. (Worthington) --- Afterwards Christ himself shall come, for the ruin and for the resurrection of many, Luke ii. 34. Hence threats and promises are intermixed. The evangelists read his face, making the Father speak, whereas the Son is introduced by the prophet, who however presently changes the person. It is all the same which person of the blessed Trinity speaks, as all act together. (Calmet) --- Testament. The Messias, the mediator of the covenant with mankind, (Worthington) with Abraham, and Moses. The latter calls him the prophet; (Deuteronomy xviii. 18.) and Zacharias, alluding to this text, explains angel in the same sense, Luke i. 76. --- Temple. The ancient Jews were convinced that the Messias would come to the temple of Zorobabel, and be its chief glory, Aggeus ii. 8. (Calmet) --- Their descendants put off the coming for some long time, though the prophet says presently, or on a sudden. (St. Jerome; Basnage vi. 26.) --- Some take this temple to be the womb of the bless Virgin [Mary]. (St. Cyril; St. Augustine, City of God xviii. 35.) (Calmet) --- The Baptist was conceived, born, and preached first; and shortly after Christ appeared. (Worthington)

2 And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb:

Ver. 2. Coming. This may be explained of [John] the Baptist, (Luke iii. 7.) or of the second coming of Christ; though his first coming shewed the hypocrisy of the Jews. They would not acknowledge him, but sought his death, and brought on their own condemnation. (Calmet) --- Fuller's. Septuagint, "washers' herb." Borith is found in all the low places of Palestine, (St. Jerome) and probably denotes soda, (Jeremias ii. 22.; Calmet) or fullers' earth. (Haydock) --- Christ purified the religion of the Jews, or did what was requisite for that purpose. The people would not obey. Yet he established his Church in all purity.

3 And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice.

Ver. 3. Justice. This is spoken of the Christian priesthood, which far excels that of Levi, Hebrews v., and vii., &c. (Calmet) --- Many Jewish priests embraced the gospel, Acts vi. 7. (Haydock)

4 And the sacrifice of Juda, and of Jerusalem, shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years.

Ver. 4. Years. So in the mass we beg that God would receive the sacrifice, "as he received the presents of Abel." (Menochius)

5 And I will come to you in judgment, and will be a speedy witness against sorcerers, and adulterers, and false swearers, and them that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widows, and the fatherless: and oppress the stranger, and have not feared me, saith the Lord of hosts.

Ver. 5. Judgment. He has answered (ver. 1, 2) the complaint of the Jews, chap. ii. 17. (Haydock) --- This he does here (Menochius) more pointedly. (Haydock) --- Christ condemned the world, as his spirit did likewise, John xvi. 8. He made an example of Jerusalem, which shewed that he would not leave crimes unpunished. We may also understand this of his last coming. (Calmet) --- God threatens to punish even secret sins, which are know to him alone. (Worthington)

6 For I am the Lord, and I change not: and you the sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Ver. 6. Change. Hebrew also, (Haydock) "hate or recommence." I do not strike the fallen. Did I spare Sennacherib? &c. Have I not protected the posterity of Jacob? How then can you say that I am indifferent about human affairs? (Calmet) --- Consumed. Septuagint, "you depart not from the sins of your fathers. You have rejected my," &c.

7 For from the days of your fathers you have departed from my ordinances, and have not kept them: Return to me, and I will return to you, saith the Lord of hosts. And you have said: Wherein shall we return?

Ver. 7. No explanation given.

8 Shall a man afflict God, for you afflict me? And you have said: Wherein do we afflict thee? In tithes and in first-fruits.

Ver. 8. Afflict. Literally, "pierce." Septuagint, "supplant," (Haydock) or kick at, 1 Kings ii. 29. But the term applied to Heli is different. Here it signifies to nail or irritate. (Calmet) --- Tithes: the payment is most strictly commanded. (Worthington)

9 And you are cursed with want, and you afflict me, even the whole nation of you.

Ver. 9. Want. Hebrew, "malediction." St. Jerome specifies the kind. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "and you obstinately turn away your eyes, and supplant me," &c. (Haydock)

10 Bring all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in my house, and try me in this, saith the Lord: if I open not unto you the flood-gates of heaven, and pour you out a blessing even to abundance.

Ver. 10. Heaven; copious showers. --- Blessing; fertility.

11 And I will rebuke for your sakes the devourer, and he shall not spoil the fruit of your land: neither shall the vine in the field be barren, saith the Lord of hosts.

Ver. 11. Devourer; locusts and other vermin. (Menochius) --- Malachias came later than Aggeus, and probably speaks of a different famine, to which the Jews were exposed for neglecting to pay tithes. (Calmet) --- How many now work on holydays, as if all depended on their labour and not on God's blessing! (Haydock)

12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for you shall be a delightful land, saith the Lord of hosts.

Ver. 12. No explanation given.

13 Your words have been unsufferable to me, saith the Lord.

Ver. 13. No explanation given.

14 And you have said: What have we spoken against thee? You have said: He laboureth in vain that serveth God, and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances, and that we have walked sorrowful before the Lord of hosts?

Ver. 14. Vain. Murmuring against God is blasphemous and unsufferable. When the Jews were punished by famine, for neglecting to pay tithes, they laid the blame on God, as if he took more care of other nations which had abundance. (Worthington) --- Sorrowful: "humbled." Chaldean, "in mourning." (Junius) --- But is seems to denote downcast countenances, which our Saviour orders his disciples not to affect, Matthew vi. 16. (Calmet)

15 Wherefore now we call the proud people happy, for they that work wickedness are built up, and they have tempted God, and are preserved.

Ver. 15. Proud. Septuagint, "strange." (Haydock) --- Z has been taken for v. --- Built up: have a numerous family, (Calmet) and abundance. --- Tempted. Septuagint, "resisted."

16 Then they that feared the Lord spoke every one with his neighbour: and the Lord gave ear, and heard it: and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that fear the Lord, and think on his name.

Ver. 16. Then. Grabe changes tauta, these things, into tote, then. The Septuagint make the pious express the former sentiments. (Haydock) --- David, Jeremias, &c., had experienced such anxiety, Psalm lxxii. 2. (Calmet) --- According to the Hebrew, &c., the just hearing such blasphemies, doubt not but God will mark them in the book (Haydock) of his justice, and punish them.

17 And they shall be my special possession, saith the Lord of hosts, in the day that I do judgment: and I will spare them as a man spareth his son that serveth him.

Ver. 17. Possession; (peculium) the property of a slave. (Calmet) --- Such look upon the smallest things with eagerness. Hebrew segula, (Haydock) means some precious thing. (Calmet) --- Spare. Septuagint, "chose," &c. (Haydock)

18 And you shall return, and shall see the difference between the just and the wicked; and between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.

Ver. 18. No explanation given.

#prophecy of malachi

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apartmentforrentdistrict2 · 5 years

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Best Tips on How To Make Money in Real Estate

Are you prepared to begin in property investing,but not certain where to start? Afraid to Generate a HUGE Mistake?? Stuck together with the Paralysis of Analysis??? You're not alone! Just about all property investors needed to devote hundreds of hours at the commencement of their investment careers exploring the several strategies hoping to determine where they ought to start. While There Isn't Any single right answer for everyone, you will find 3 Important questions each Possible investor needs to request: 1. Just how far TIME do I need to invest? 2. Just how far MONEY do I need to invest? 3. Just how BIG and FAST do I need my company to finally grow?? A Great way to begin any venture would be by with an END Goal in your mind, then setting out a strategy to go do it! Even in the event that you need to make modifications along the way by that you may, the"getting there" is an excellent part of the fun. Real estate investing may perform anything from figuring out how to place a fast (in 30 days, or not ) EXTRA $5,000 in your pocket each month, to creating all of your financial dreams come true with the yearly after-tax earnings in Millions of Dollars. You truly need to decide upfront, even if you're on the lookout for the multi-millionaire standing, or simply to put some fast money in your pocket to cover invoices. Irrespective of your fantasies and needs the way you are going to use property investing to discover where you wish to go in existence, we all think there are 3 crucial principles you should follow, if you're likely to be prosperous. Here they are: RULE NUMBER ONE IS: FOCUS-FOCUS-FOCUS If you're interested in finding a long-term dedication to this company, then you want to set up up-front you will have to set-aside some cash from each one your transactions/deals to re-invest on your schooling, AND it's most likely in your very best interest to begin with a single plan and be ready to change to another strategy after these aims are satisfied. For example, let us say you finally would like to be a programmer (such as Donald Trump, or Sam Zell, or Trammell Crow), but now you've got work and therefore are 50,000 in debt. Step one may be to make quick money during the next year to pay back the debt, and then half way through which occur (state per month six) start the process of executing a plan to make sufficient income from the property investment to leave your work, then as soon as you've produced a stable foundation (sufficient to cover bills and then some) out of the investment action, to begin a strategy to be a programmer. All together, this will need three distinct strategies. A"Classic" error that lots of novice investors will make would be to try all 3 approaches AT THE SAME TIME - DO NOT DO THIS!!! Better to find out a plan for fast money, learn it, then proceed, and then try to find three approaches in precisely the exact same moment. OLD AFRICAN PROVERB: "He Who Chases Two Tigers Ultimately Gets None" Irrespective of this Strategy to Begin with, history has shown that people that FOCUS their own time, energy and cash, are far more likely to succeed than people who don't not.Be Patient - Be Focused - Start Small, Grow Big.RECAP: Rule Number One is: FOCUS-FOCUS-FOCUS RULE NUMBER TWO: YOU LEARN BY DOING!The next significant issue to understand about property investing is that you learn by doing! We are aware there are a great deal of late-night infomercials that state"Come to our FREE seminar, spend $5,000, and tomorrow you will wake up a Millionaire - but the problem is we have never found anyone who will admit that this really worked. Also, there are people who spend good money going to college, or graduate school and study how to"succeed at property", and by and large, this can work, if you then go on to commit to 25-40 years working as an employee of a real estate firm, making someone else rich - if you are fortunate enough, you may learn, enough (over time) and then go out on your own. And yes, we all know of people who buy every book, every tape, and go to every seminar, and become walking real estate investing "Encyclopedia's" - BUT NEVER DO ANYTHING WITH IT - BAD IDEA! Why, because if you never put into practice what you read, or hear, you will ultimately convince yourself that"the property item" does not work - UNFORTUNATELY, both history and Forbes Magazine would prove you wrong. Ever since John Jacob Astor became America's First Millionaire in the 1800's by buying what would ultimately become Manhattan, more American's have become wealthy through investing in real estate, than by any other means. And those who have made their fortunes in other areas (like operating businesses) have reinvested their profits into real estate than any other asset class.

THE BEST WAY TO LEARN TO BE AN INVESTOR IS TO BE AN INVESTOR. RECAP: Rule Number Two: YOU LEARN BY DOING! RULE NUMBER THREE: START TODAY - RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE.Final Key Thought - many new investors kid themselves by saying thing like"When I earn enough cash...", or"When I buy time...", or"When I could find a few other things from their way..." Then I will get started - BALONY!! What they are really saying is"I am Scared to Death Failing at the Real Estate Thing", and the sooner they stop lying to themselves the sooner something really great will happen in their lives. The truth is almost every successful real estate investor out there (including Donald Trump, and Sam Zell, and Ron LeGrand, and Robyn Thompson, and (Place Millionaire's Name Here), was scared to death when putting their first deal together. What made the difference is that they moved forward and did something. Sir Isaac Newton said it best in his first Law of Motion:"An object at rest tends to remain at rest and an object in motion tends to remain in motion..." In other words - if you keep on doing what you have been doing, you should expect to get the same results. But if you want something different for your life, you will have to go"into Motion". You learn the Real Estate Business by DOING, so the sooner you DO, the Sooner you GET. Today is the day to stop making excuses and to "Go In Motion". And as you Go In Motion, make a commitment to continue to learn, so you "Stay In Motion" RECAP: Rule Number Three: START TODAY - RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE. So with these three rules in mind, we hope that RealInvestors(TM) will become a key partner in your success and we want to hear about your success, no matter how small, or how great. Most importantly, we want to help you "Go in Motion" and "Stay In Motion"... So, Let's Get Started... Choose ONE strategy to get started. Please Take to Heart Rule Number One: FOCUS-FOCUS-FOCUS... DO NOT TRY TO BECOME AN EXPERT ON EVERY STRATEGY BEFORE EVER GETTING STARTED! If you do, we can almost guarantee you that will become confused from information overload, and you will never begin! Decide on a single strategy that is right for you, learn about it, and go out there and DO IT! Make a commitment (let's say 6 months) where you are completely focused on that strategy. Network with other investor's who are working that particular strategy and do not quit until one of two things has happened: either 6 months has gone by with no results, or you get your first deal done using that strategy and decide you want to try your hand at something else. But do not allow yourself to be taken off course. It was o.k. in elementary and middle school to try out for every team sport, but when Spring came, you had to make a choice; it was either going to be track, or baseball/softball, or lacrosse, or crew, or tennis - but you could not play two sports at the same time. Each sport had its own rules, and each one required a slightly different mental"match". If you had come to the baseball field with a lacrosse stick and shoulder pads, someone would have asked you to"go home" and come back when you were"prepared to play this game" - same is true with investing - ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE JUST GETTING GOING. Now, one day you will be able to"Play Like Mike", however because a new investor, let us keep it simple: One approach, total focus till you've proven yourself that it may function, for you personally, also it will not, and for most people this may mean no less than a 6-month dedication. NEXT STEPS: Once You've familiarized yourself with this Getting Started section of the Site, we recommend that you take the next measures: • Read and place frequently in the Real Investors Forums to acquire exposure to the problems facing other property investors. Odds are, these very same problems will confront you in the not too distant future. • Real all of the Real Investor Articles. This can help to build your knowledge base about property investing generally. • Visit the Real Investor Bookstore and choose out classes that are focused on the ONE plan you've selected to use to begin. Do not buy classes on an assortment of plans before you do your first deal! • Join your regional REIA. You may meet a number of different investors... a few experienced, some only getting started. You'll get a chance to network with other specialists which could possibly have the ability to give you services that you may need as property agent... a builder, a realtor, a mortgage agent, a tough money lender... etc.. You might even find a very fantastic mentor! • Invest in your own education! Attend all chances to find out more about real estate investing, like The National Real Estate Investor's Conference. These occasions are valuable opportunities to find out, community among, and make trades with other more experienced property investors and investors. Start Looking for Internet course offerings, for example Real Investor's University (REIU) to fulfill the occasions between live events • Most significantly... go out there and do it - GO IN MOTION!!! • Get your very first deal done Your 1st deal is going to be the toughest - we guarantee!!! • Repeat, Repeat, Repeat! • Then, once you're ready, come back and add a different approach to your own portfolio... and keep the procedure...

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thescienceofapologetics · 7 years

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I LOVED the thing you did on Mormonism!! Do you think you could do one on Scientology?

You bet! Scientology teachings in bold...

Man is good by nature - Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” and Romans 3:10-12, “As it is written:“There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.” The Bible teaches man is inherently sinful and by nature has no good in him.

The true nature of man is divinity - Job 4:17, 20-21 “Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?... They are broken in pieces from morning till evening; they perish forever, with no one regarding. Does not their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.” God stands alone as the One True God. We are His creation, and the creation is not greater, nor can it be equal to, the Creator. God is so far beyond what we could ever be. God is divine, and, as stated in the paragraph prior, the nature of man is sin.

God is different for different people - Malachi 3:6, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” God is the same regardless of who you are, where you are, or when you are. Through the ages God is constant and unwavering.

Jesus was just a common man - John 1:1-3, 14, “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” If Jesus was a simply a man and not God, our entire faith crumbles. If Jesus is not God we have no hope, it is essential to everything we believe. The gospel books were written specifically so that we would know that Jesus is God and that our hope is founded on solid assurance.

Reincarnation - Job 14:10-12, “But man dies and is laid away; indeed he breathes his last and where is he? As water disappears from the sea, and a river becomes parched and dries up, so man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep.” The ideology of reincarnation is not compatible with the Bible. God is clear that after this life, we either go to Heaven or Hell.

Salvation comes through man himself - 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.” If man were capable of saving himself, we would have no need for the Bible or God. However, the truth is that just as a convict sentenced to the death penalty cannot save himself, neither can we who are guilty of sin free ourselves from the punishment we deserve. We need grace.

The fall of man was not into spiritual/physical death, but rather ignorance; sin is simply ignorance - Romans 7:7, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’“ We know what sin is because of the law God, as the only just judge, has given us to obey. Anything that breaks that law, anything that goes against what God has told us to do, is sin.

Heaven and Hell do not exist - John 14:2, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” The Bible consistently and overwhelmingly preaches that Heaven and Hell are very real places. If there is no Heaven or Hell, there is no point to the gospel.

[scientology doctrine souce]

In short, there is virtually nothing that the Bible and the doctrine of Scientology agree on, and there is nothing to substantiate the claims this cult propagates.

For more information, I highly recommend Leah Remini’s documentary exposing the abusive nature of Scientology. It gives not only a secular perspective, but a firsthand experience of being raised in the Scientology community.

#scientology #apologetics #religion #theology #christianity #ask #Anonymous

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theoddcatlady · 8 years

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Puppy Love

Growing up, I always had everything I wanted. The prettiest clothes. The nicest dolls. The greatest toys. Servants who fulfilled my ever need. Every weekend I had a party where I was the princess, and danced in our great ballroom while sipping ‘champagne’, which was really just sparkling apple juice.

But I didn’t have one thing, and that was friends.

Papa says that albinism has run in the family for many generations, giving us fair skin, fine hair, and either icy blue or rose pink eyes. I have the rose pink. My hair has always been so thin that I began wearing wigs when I realized why people looked at me differently. I always had nice wigs, of course, but the other kids always stared and kept their distance. Papa said they were jealous of how pretty I was. After a while I learned that was a lie. They thought I was a freak.

Of course there were the servants and their children. But a princess doesn’t make friends with the staff. Even so, occasionally I’d order them to play with me. Dolls, usually. They always complied, but it wasn’t the same. I’d always invite the other students at school to play with me, but they always declined. I was so lonely.

When I reached eleven years old, I had my very first crush, and desired something new.

A boyfriend.

His name was Jacob. He was thirteen, and he was the prettiest boy I’d ever seen. With eyes the soft brown of a puppy dog’s and shaggy blond hair, he was the most popular boy in our school. He wasn’t just pretty either. He excelled in sports, I enjoyed to watch him from the sidelines as I was always too delicate to play. He was kind to everyone, including the teachers. He was the nicest boy. And I was in love.

My crush I kept quiet for a while. I placed boxes of the finest chocolates on his desk, signed only from his secret admirer. I’d always compliment his clothes and hair, occasionally running my fingers through it or resting my hand on his shoulder. He’d always be so shy.

Then Jacob got his very first girlfriend.

And it wasn’t me.

Her name was Abby. Abby had pretty skin with glowing cheeks and thick, wavy black hair. She also liked sports. Her favorite was soccer. So was Jacob’s.

When I heard that Jacob and Abby had kissed behind the school, my heart was entirely shattered. I called my father to take me home early, and once I was inside I threw myself across my bed and wept like I hadn’t since my mother’s death.

There was no point anymore. I tried so hard, and he didn’t even notice.

Papa came in after my wails had died down. I love my Papa. I’m his little girl. He rubbed my back and had the servants bring me tea and cookies. And then we talked.

I told him how Jacob had entirely broken my heart. I wanted so badly to be with him. How angry I was with Abby for stealing him. Everyone knew I liked him! They had to have! It wasn’t fair!

My Papa, my good sweet Papa, kissed the top of my head and said something that made it all better:

“Don’t worry, my sweet Eliza. My princess always gets what she wants.”

The next Monday was the start of our spring vacation. I went down to the dining room, expecting to hear what we were doing for vacation, when I saw it.

My Papa was sitting at the table with Jacob!

He looked up and smiled. “Eliza! You have good taste, this Jacob is a wonderful boy! Apparently things haven’t worked out with Abby after all. How about you two have a walk through the gardens? That should set the mood!”

That was our first date. Jacob was so nervous, he barely talked, but he listened to every word I said. I told him about every flower we had out there, how Momma had bred the roses to have the most beautiful blossoms but the sharpest thorns, as to discourage the servants from picking them. I would someday continue my mother’s work and work on giving them the most delightful scent. The most tempting thing that could never be touched.

He slept in my room, on a cot nearby of course. I was far too young to have boys sharing my bed. We had so many dates though, we watched movies, we had dinner, and of course plenty of walks through the gardens. However, Jacob’s personality seemed… different, away from the school.

Like I said, he hardly talked. And his appetite which was nothing short of ravenous was lessened. It was like he could barely stomach the gourmet pizzas and cakes the servants had prepared for us. He jerked away whenever I attempted to hold his hand.

And at night I’d hear him cry.

It got irritating, to be honest. Here I was, the perfect girlfriend, and he barely seemed interested. My infatuation slowly dried up until I was finding it difficult to keep him in my presence. Nevertheless, I kept trying, my Papa had gone through the trouble of getting him for me after all.

But then Jacob became cruel.

We were playing video games when I heard Jacob’s stomach growl.

“Jacob, you barely ate any lunch. Am I not giving you enough food?” I asked as my character on the screen knocked his off the platform, again. He wasn’t even trying, I’ve learned to tell when people were letting me win.

Jacob was quiet… before he slammed down his controller.

“I can’t do this anymore! I can’t!” He turned to me, the whites of his eyes red from lack of sleep and withheld tears. “I don’t like you, Eliza!”

I gasped. The game forgotten, I turned to him and clutched his hand.

“But I love you! I’ve been nothing but good to you, Jacob! Please like me!”

Jacob choked on a sob before he shoved me.

No one had dared been violent to me before that day. Papa hadn’t so much as spanked my bottom for anything. I was too shocked to react as Jacob started to babble, he’d lost his mind.

“You took me from my home! Your dad said, said he’d kill my mom if I didn’t go! And he… he killed Abby!” The tears came like waterfalls then. “Bobby texted me, he said she’s missing and no one knows where she went! I know he killed her! I liked her, Eliza! I liked her a lot! I don’t want to do this anymore, I… I wanna go hoooome…” Unable to control it any longer, Jacob went to the floor and curled up, full on bawling like a baby. “Please, Eliza, I wanna go home…”

I stood up, still in shock from where he pushed me. The skin where he made contact was already starting to bruise. I walked around the room, lost in thought… until my eyes landed on the sharpened letter opener on my dresser.

I picked it up.

“You love Abby so much?”

My voice was calm.

“Then you can be with her again. In the rose garden.”

His neck was easy to reach, I simply pulled him up by his hair and slit open his throat.

Jacob’s scream came out a burbled mess as his hands clutched around the gaping wound in his neck, blood spurting out like a geyser. It got on my TV, on the carpet, on my dress…. It got everywhere.

As his struggles and screams lessened, I knelt down and kissed him on his blood soaked lips. My first kiss. His last. “I loved you,” I whispered.

And then he stopped moving.

I did have him buried next to Abby, and a bush of yellow roses were to be planted there. He would be with Abby forever.

I have grown since then. There have been other boys, but none who captured my love like Jacob. There is nothing like your first love, after all.

But I still hold onto the hope, that I will someday soon find my true love and marry him. Or who knows?

Maybe he’ll find me.

#sixpenceee #sixpenceee stories #horror stories #scary stories #my stories #first love #the snow family

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aion-rsa · 4 years

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Examining Bill & Ted’s Excellent Pop Culture Adventures

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Bill & Ted Face the Music is OUT NOW! Excellent! (Loud screeching guitar solo). And really, the dim time-traveling duo have returned just when we need them the most. Since first making their debut in the 1989 sleeper hit Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, these characters — portrayed with glee by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves — have become that unique thing: A sci-fi/comedy franchise that somehow is both a cult sensation and a mainstream success. Following the unexpected success of the first film, the sequel Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey was released in the summer of 1991. Fans expecting more of the same were instead treated to a rumination on life and death that featured everything from aliens to evil robot doppelgangers of our leads. But the inventiveness of Bill and Ted creators Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon worked against him, and the film went underappreciated during its original run.

In the nearly 30 years since their last big screen outing, the legend of Bill & Ted has only grown. Much has been made about how the pair influenced everything from Beavis and Butthead to Kevin Smith’s Jay and Silent Bob, and while there’s validity to these claims it’s important to remember that the template for Bill and Ted was forged as far back as 1980s teen sex comedies in which goofball/borderline stoner characters were used to great effect. (See also: Sean Penn’s performance in The Beaver Trilogy, a terrific cult effort that was a dry run for his take as Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High). Ultimately however, Bill and Ted have endured because their films are smart and strange with terrific performances, a game supporting cast (George Carlin as Rufus is particularly great), and a fun concept that merges teenage wish fulfillment with offbeat science fiction concepts.

So with the final, for now anyway, Bill & Ted film upon us, we thought we’d look back on the characters’ first three decades with an exploration of how their impact has reverberated throughout popular culture. From misguided TV spinoffs to audacious rip off ads, this is a journey that you will find to be most excellent indeed.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adentures (Animated)

No one expected Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure to be a success. At the time, most everyone involved with the film — with the notable exceptions of George Carlin, Bernie Casey, and Jane Wiedlin — were unknowns. Furthermore, the film had the kind of small budget that screamed straight-to-video. So when it became successful, the decision was made to strike while the iron was hot, and so Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures was born. Produced by Hanna-Barbera and aired on CBS, this cartoon chronicle of Bill and Ted’s ongoing adventures had them encountering everyone from Little Richard to William Shakespeare. Giving the enterprise an air of legitimacy was the fact that Winter, Reeves, Carlin, and Casey all reprised their roles. After the first season, the series switched to the Fox network, with DIC Entertainment (creator of shows like Inspector Gadget and The New Archies) taking over production. The big name stars were jettisoned and the show took a dip in quality. It ran for another eight episodes before whimpering out of existence. But for the actors who voiced Bill and Ted on this iteration of the show, they were just getting started…

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures (Live Action)

Cartoon spin-offs of sitcoms like The Brady Kids and Fonz and the Happy Days Gang were commonplace on the televisual landscape of the 1970s and ’80s. But what made Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures so unique, and probably the only truly memorable thing about the whole affair, is how what started as an animated version of a popular film ditched its actors for the toon’s second season and then these replacements went on to anchor a live-action version of more or less the same show. That’s some inverse Coy and Vance/The Dukes of Hazzard nonsense right there. Evan Richards and Christopher Kennedy once again portrayed Bill and Ted respectively when Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures hit Fox in 1992. Don’t lay the show’s failure on their performances though, they did a more than passable job of walking in Winter and Reeves’ footsteps. It was the lack of budget and, you know, creativity that quickly and rightfully doomed the series. Yet around the same time as the Wyld Stallyns were ending their television run, they were thriving in another medium.

Bill & Ted Comics

Bill & Ted’s first foray into comics was a straightforward adaptation of the first film that DC Comics released and is noteworthy merely for Angelo Torres’ fun art. After this release, Marvel got the license to the characters, and a Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey adaptation soon followed with work from Milk & Cheese‘s Evan Dorkin. The comic subsequently spawned a 12-issue ongoing series in which Dorkin let his imagination run wild. As someone who is obsessed with the things I am speaking with experience when I say that most licensed comics are a slog to get through. That is not the case here, and Dorkin’s work with Bill and Ted stands alongside of Carl Bark’s Uncle Scrooge efforts and Roger Langridge’s The Muppets comics. (To prove I’m not being hyperbolic here, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Comic Book was nominated for a Best Humor Comic at the 1992 Eisner Awards). There have been other Bill & Ted comics in recent years, but none have reached the stellar heights of Dorkin’s work with the characters. Fortunately, he has returned to the fold with the just-released mini-series Bill & Ted Are Doomed, so spread that news to comic lovers far and wide.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Cereal

Unfortunately, Bill & Ted’s Most Excellent Cereal was anything but. Imagine stale Cinnamon Toast Crunch mixed with decades old marshmallows and that begins to describe the heinous experience that downing a bowl of the stuff was like. That said, I still have the phone booth cereal premium that came shrink wrapped with it and that is, of course, excellent.

Bill & Ted’s National Air Guitar Championship

In the summer of 1991, MTV went all in with its promotion of Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. As a result we have the above Bill & Ted’s National Air Guitarist Championship contest, which features an appearance by a bemused William Sadler (who rules, always) and introductions from Dweezil Zappa, who seems like he can barely hold in his contempt for the entire enterprise.

Bill & Ted’s Bogus Premiere Party

Another A/V relic from MTV’s summer of Bill & Ted is the premiere party the network hosted by Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. Featuring Pauly Shore on hosting detail and appearances from a bunch of bands who were about to rendered irrelevant due to the rise of grunge, this program is a journey back to a simpler, less flannel-centric time in our now-distant past.

Bill & Ted Action Figures

Looking back now at Kenner’s Bill & Ted Excellent Adventure action figures, the main question I have is just why didn’t I snatch these things up when I saw them in the closeout bins at Kaybee Toys? Genghis Khan in a Wyld Stallyns shirt? The second I’m done this article I’m heading over to eBay.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure Sideshow Figures

With nostalgia being one of the few things that 2020 has yet to destroy, the deluxe action figure market is booming. NECA is currently offering stunning figures based on the Bill & Ted saga, and for those who really want to up their uncanny valley collecting game there are these toys from Sideshow that well set you back $399. Decide for yourself if this is excellent or bogus.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Video Game Adventure

In the 1990s, LJN was notorious for making confounding Nintendo Entertainment System games out of popular movies. Jaws, Friday the 13th, Back to the Future, and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure were all given the LJN treatment to various degrees of frustration. My personal memories of playing their Bill & Ted title solely consist of wandering around in a daze wondering what the hell was going on. Wait? Was the game secretly a stealth 2020 simulator?

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Musical Adventure

The invaluable Bill & Ted’s Excellent Online Adventure website is the Internet’s greatest resource when it comes to information on these characters. While researching this piece I was blown away to discover that Bill & Ted’s Excellent Musical Adventure exists, and the site breaks it down thusly:

It was in 1992 that Dean Collinson, a singer, songwriter and actor, first saw the Bill and Ted movies and set about to write a musical version of our favorite movies with his writing partners Mick Walsh and Gene Jacobs. In October 1998, Dean Collinson would win the Vivien Ellis Award for Best New Musical Composer for the music to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Musical Adventure.

The musical seems to have been staged at least a couple of times, once as a three week run during the Edinburgh Festival at the venue The Pleasance in Scotland. The other was a condensed version on May 4, 2000 as part of a program called “Musical Futures” at the Greenwich Theatre in London.

Unauthorized though it may be, this thing sounds glorious. You can hear the songs and learn more about it here, and whoa, you should. Spoiler alert: There is no song called “San Dimas High School Football Rules.” Tragically.

McDonald’s Ads

Speaking of unauthorized, McDonald’s produced and aired the above commercials that shamelessly tried to ride Bill & Ted’s pop culture coattails. There’s a lot that is wrong with this, but the main thing is probably how you just know that Bill & Ted are In-N-Out burger dudes.

Weezer – Beginning of the End Music Video

The Bill & Ted movie soundtracks have contained everyone from Kiss to Slaughter. Apparently now the pair are listening to Weezer? I mean, I guess the franchise’s ultimate message is that we all eventually give up our youthful dreams and become what we fear most. And what I fear most is ever having to endure another conversation about Pinkerton, so I suppose I’ll end things here. Just do me a favor, be excellent to each other, okay?

The post Examining Bill & Ted’s Excellent Pop Culture Adventures appeared first on Den of Geek.

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dfroza · 4 years

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A wedding invitation

yet not all were open to respond. and not all those who did respond were allowed to stay.

and why? what is the “proper” attire for such an event?

it is the pure clothing of humility and grace, the grace of becoming known as a True daughter or a son of God who is Light and Love itself. and this is only seen clearly in the True illumination of the Son.

the single path (the narrow road) that leads the heart (the eternal spirit) to be “Home”

Today’s reading of the Scriptures is from the book of Matthew with chapter 22:

[Parable of the Wedding Feast]

As was his custom, Jesus continued to teach the people by using allegories. He illustrated the reality of heaven’s kingdom realm by saying, “There once was a king who arranged an extravagant wedding feast for his son. On the day the festivities were set to begin, he sent his servants to summon all the invited guests, but they chose not to come. So the king sent even more servants to inform the invited guests, saying, ‘Come, for the sumptuous feast is now ready! The oxen and fattened cattle have been killed and everything is prepared, so come! Come to the wedding feast for my son and his bride!’

“But the invited guests were not impressed. One was preoccupied with his business; another went off to his farming enterprise. And the rest seized the king’s messengers and shamefully mistreated them, and even killed them. This infuriated the king! So he sent his soldiers to execute those murderers and had their city burned to the ground.

“Then the king said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, yet those who had been invited to attend didn’t deserve the honor. Now I want you to go into the streets and alleyways and invite anyone and everyone you find to come and enjoy the wedding feast in honor of my son.’

“So the servants went out into the city streets and invited everyone to come to the wedding feast, good and bad alike, until the banquet hall was crammed with people! Now, when the king entered the banquet hall, he looked with glee over all his guests. But then he noticed a guest who was not wearing the wedding robe provided for him. So he said, ‘My friend, how is it that you’re here and you’re not wearing your wedding garment?’ But the man was speechless.

“Then the king turned to his servants and said, ‘Tie him up and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be great sorrow, with weeping and grinding of teeth.’ For everyone is invited to enter in, but few respond in excellence.”

[The Pharisees Try to Entrap Jesus]

Then the Pharisees came together to make a plan to entrap Jesus with his own words. So they sent some of their disciples together with some staunch supporters of Herod. They said to Jesus, “Teacher, we know that you’re an honest man of integrity and you teach us the truth of God’s ways. We can clearly see that you’re not one who speaks only to win the people’s favor, because you speak the truth without regard to the consequences. So tell us, then, what you think. Is it proper for us Jews to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Jesus knew the malice that was hidden behind their cunning ploy and said, “Why are you testing me, you imposters who think you have all the answers? Show me one of the Roman coins.” So they brought him a silver coin used to pay the tax. “Now, tell me, whose head is on this coin and whose inscription is stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Jesus said, “Precisely, for the coin bears the image of the emperor Caesar. Well, then, you should pay the emperor what is due to the emperor. But because you bear the image of God, give back to God all that belongs to him.”

The imposters were baffled in the presence of all the people and were unable to trap Jesus with his words. So they left, stunned by Jesus’ words.

[Marriage and the Resurrection]

Some of the Sadducees, a religious group that denied there was a resurrection of the dead, came to ask Jesus this question: “Teacher, the law of Moses teaches that if a man dies before he has children, his brother should marry the widow and raise up children for his brother’s family line. Now, there was a family with seven brothers. The oldest got married but soon died, leaving his widow for his brother. The second brother married and also died, and the third also. This was repeated down to the seventh brother, when finally the woman also died. So here’s our dilemma: Which of the seven brothers will be the woman’s husband when she’s resurrected from the dead, since they all were once married to her?”

Jesus answered them, “You are deluded, because your hearts are not filled with the revelation of the Scriptures or the power of God. For after the resurrection, men and women will not marry, just like the angels of heaven don’t marry. Haven’t you read what God said: ‘I am the Living God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

When the crowds heard this they were dazed, stunned over such wisdom!

[The Greatest Commandment]

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they called a meeting to discuss how to trap Jesus. Then one of them, a religious scholar, posed this question to test him: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

Jesus answered him, “‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your friend in the same way you love yourself.’ Contained within these commandments to love you will find all the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.”

[Jesus, Son of David—Lord of David]

While all the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus took the opportunity to pose a question of his own: “What do you think about the Anointed One? Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,” they replied.

Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, could call his son the Lord? For didn’t he say:

The Lord Jehovah said to my Lord,

‘Sit near me in the place of authority

until I subdue all your enemies under Your feet’?

“So how could David call his own son ‘the Lord Jehovah’?”

No one could come up with an answer. And from that day on none of the Pharisees had the courage to question Jesus any longer.

The Book of Matthew, Chapter 22 (The Passion Translation)

A set of posts to accompany Today’s reading by John Parsons:

There is no fear in God's compassionate love, and therefore over and over the Spirit of God says, al tira' - "don't be afraid..." When we are afraid, we are believing the lie there is something beyond God's control or reach, and therefore God is "not enough"... In times of testing you must remind yourself of what is real. God formed you in your mother's womb, breathed into you nishmat chayim, the breath of life, and numbers all your days... Every breath you take, every heartbeat in your chest is ordained from heaven, and indeed, there is not a moment of your life apart from God's sovereign and sustaining grace. So what, then, are you afraid of? Dying? Judgment in the world to come? Being left unloved, bereft of home, abandoned, consigned to outer darkness? King David said, "If I make my bed in Hell, behold, you are there" (Psalm 139:8). Look, the LORD God is not only present in your "happy moments," when you feel "put together" and respectable, but he is present in your desperate moments, in your hunger, your thirst, and in your secrets. May we never lose sight of God's love, especially in times of distress and trouble, since we trust that he is always working all things together for our ultimate good (Rom. 8:28).

The Name of the LORD (יהוה) means “Presence” and “Love” (Exod. 3:14; 34:6-7). Yeshua said, “I go to prepare a place for you,” which means that his presence and love are waiting for you in whatever lies ahead (Rom. 8:35-39). To worry is “practicing the absence” of God instead of practicing His Presence... Trust the word of the Holy Spirit: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for healing peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11). The Word always speaks hope.

Take comfort that your Heavenly Father sees when the sparrow falls; he arrays the flower in its hidden valley; and he calls each star by name. More importantly, the Lord sees you and knows your struggle with fear. Come to him with your needy heart and trust him to deliver you from the burdens of your soul (Matt. 11:28). Shalom means being free from fear.

This is a word for the exiles of every age: Be not afraid - al-tira' – not of man, nor of war, nor of tribulation, nor even of death itself (Rom. 8:35-39). If God be for us, who can be against us? Indeed, Yeshua came to die to destroy the power of death "and to release all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" (Heb. 2:14-15). The resurrection of the Messiah is the focal point of history - not the "dust of death." Death does not have the final word. Indeed, because Yeshua is alive, we also shall live (John 14:19). May your chesed, O LORD, be upon us, as we wait for You (Psalm 33:22). [Hebrew for Christians]

7.6.20 • Facebook

As I’ve discussed elsewhere on the site over the years, the climax of the revelation of the Torah at Sinai was not the giving of the Ten Commandments (עשרת הדיברות) to Israel but was instead the vision of the Altar of the sanctuary (מזב�� המשכן)... However -- as our Torah portion this week (i.e., Pinchas) makes clear -- the central sacrifice upon this altar was the daily sacrifice (i.e., korban tamid: קרבן תמיד) of a defect-free male lamb with unleavened bread and wine. The LORD calls this "my offering" (קרבני) and "my bread" (לחמי) [Num. 28:1-8]. In other words, the service and ministry of the Mishkan (i.e., Tabernacle) constantly foretold the coming of the great Lamb of God (שה האלהים) who would be offered upon the altar of the cross to secure our eternal redemption (John 1:29; Heb. 9:11-12).

The sacrifice of the lamb represents “God’s food,” a pleasing aroma (ריח ניחחי), for it most satisfied the hunger of God's heart (Eph. 5:2). Indeed, Yeshua's offering upon the cross represents God's hunger for our atonement, our healing from the sickness of death, since it restored what was lost to Him through sin, namely, communion with his children. God could never be satisfied until He was able to let truth and love meet (Psalm 85:10). [Hebrew for Christians]

7.6.20 • Facebook

Sometimes we say that we "hunger for God," but it is vital to remember that it is God who first hungers for us. God desires our love and fellowship. He comes to seek fruit among the trees - but does He find any? He walks in the cool of the day, calling out to us, but are we attuned to hear His voice? Do we accept the invitation to be in His Presence? When God “knocks on the door of your heart” to commune with you, what “food” will you be serving? (Rev. 3:20). Every day we are given an opportunity to “feed God” through expressing faith, hope, and love. Ultimately it is our obedience to the truth is what “feeds” Him: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22). [Hebrew for Christians]

7.6.20 • Facebook

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is Deuteronomy 9 where Moses goes over the History lessons of the people wandering about in the wilderness and preparing them to take possession of the land that would be Israel and the sacred ground of Jerusalem:

Moses: Listen to me, Israel! Today you’re going to cross the Jordan and enter the land you’ll take away from nations that are bigger and stronger than you. They live in huge cities that have defense walls as high as the sky. They’re big and tall, giants descended from the Anakim. You know all about them from the 12 spies I sent into the land—you’ve heard the saying, “Who can ever fight with the descendants of Anak?” So I want you to know today that it will be the Eternal your God who will go across the Jordan ahead of you. A blazing fire, He’ll destroy those nations. He’ll subdue them so you can destroy them quickly and take their place, as He has promised you will. When the Eternal your God has driven them out ahead of you, then don’t begin to believe He gave you this land because you’re so good and righteous! It’s just the opposite; He is giving you their land because those other nations are so bad! It’s not because you’ve conducted yourselves so well or because you have such pure hearts that you’re going to take the land; the Eternal your God is driving out those other nations ahead of you because they’re so wicked. He’s keeping His word, the promise He made to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I’ll say it again: the Eternal One your God isn’t giving you this good land because you’re so good. You’re stubborn, obstinate people. Remember—don’t forget—how you kept infuriating Him in the wilderness. From the day you came out of Egypt until the day you arrived here, you’ve been rebelling against Him.

Even at Horeb, you infuriated Him. The Eternal got so angry with you He was ready to destroy you! When I went up the mountain to receive the stone tablets—the tablets of the covenant He made with you—I stayed on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights. I didn’t eat or drink anything all that time, preparing myself to receive these holy words. At the end of those 40 days and nights, the Eternal gave me those two stone tablets of the covenant. On them He’d engraved with His own finger everything He told you on the day you gathered at the mountain, when He spoke to you from inside the fire. The Eternal told me, “Get up, and go back down the mountain as fast as you can! While you’ve been up here surrounded by My holiness, the people you led out of Egypt have become corrupt! How quickly they’ve left the path I commanded them to stay on. They’ve melted gold and poured it into a mold and made themselves an idol! I’ve seen how stubborn and obstinate these people are. Don’t try to stop Me—I’m going to destroy them! I’ll wipe out every last trace of them under the sky, and I’ll make a bigger and stronger nation out of just you.”

The mountain was still blazing with fire as I hurried back down it, carrying the two covenant tablets in my hands. I saw with my own eyes how you had sinned against the Eternal, your True God: you’d cast an idol in the shape of a young bull!

Moses: How quickly you left the path the Eternal commanded you to stay on. Right before your eyes I took the two tablets, hurled them onto the ground, and smashed them to pieces. I went back up the mountain, and for another 40 days and nights I prostrated myself before Him, lying face down on the ground in grief and petition, not eating or drinking anything as before. You had sinned so seriously—you did what the Eternal had just told you was wrong, and this made Him furious! I was afraid He was so violently angry with you that He’d destroy you, as He said He would. But one more time, the Eternal One listened to me, and He spared you. I had to pray particularly for Aaron because the Eternal was furious with him for making the idol—He would have killed my brother! I took the calf idol you made, that embodiment of your sin, and I burned it up. Then I crushed what was left, ground it into tiny pieces until it was as fine as dust, and threw the dust into the riverbed that rushes down the mountain.

You and your parents were always making the Eternal furious! At Taberah, you whined and complained; at Massah, you were sure the Lord was going to let you die of thirst; at Kibroth-hattaavah, you said you were sick of the food He provided! At Kadesh-barnea, when you finally reached the promised land, the Eternal sent you in: “Go and take possession of the land—I’ve given it to you!” But you defied this direct order from the Eternal, your True God! You didn’t trust Him, and you didn’t listen to His voice. You’ve been rebelling against Him from the day I met you!

That’s why, at Horeb, I lay face down before the Eternal for 40 days and nights, praying for you: He said He was going to destroy you, and I knew He had every reason to! I prayed to Him, “Eternal Lord, please don’t destroy Your people! They’re Your own possession: You liberated them from another master—You brought them out of Egypt with overwhelming power. Remember Your loyal servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; please forget about how stubborn and wicked and sinful these people are. Don’t let their actions spoil Your greater plan. Otherwise, the people back in the land You brought us out of will be saying, “The Eternal couldn’t really bring them into that land He promised them. He actually hated those people, and He brought them out into the desert in order to kill them off.” Remember they are Your people, Your own possession, the ones You brought out of Egypt Yourself with such overwhelming power!

The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 9 (The Voice)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for Tuesday, july 7 of 2020 with a paired chapter from each Testament along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs

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dailyofficereadings · 5 years

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Daily Office Readings August 21, 2019

Psalm 119:145-176

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord. I will keep your statutes. 146 I cry to you; save me, that I may observe your decrees. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your words. 148 My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. 149 In your steadfast love hear my voice; O Lord, in your justice preserve my life. 150 Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near; they are far from your law. 151 Yet you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true. 152 Long ago I learned from your decrees that you have established them forever.

153 Look on my misery and rescue me, for I do not forget your law. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. 156 Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your justice. 157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not swerve from your decrees. 158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands. 159 Consider how I love your precepts; preserve my life according to your steadfast love. 160 The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. 162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous ordinances. 165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. 166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I fulfill your commandments. 167 My soul keeps your decrees; I love them exceedingly. 168 I keep your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before you.

169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word. 170 Let my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. 171 My lips will pour forth praise, because you teach me your statutes. 172 My tongue will sing of your promise, for all your commandments are right. 173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. 175 Let me live that I may praise you, and let your ordinances help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 128-130

Psalm 128

The Happy Home of the Faithful

A Song of Ascents.

1 Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6 May you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 129

Prayer for the Downfall of Israel’s Enemies

A Song of Ascents.

1 “Often have they attacked me from my youth” —let Israel now say— 2 “often have they attacked me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long.” 4 The Lord is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. 5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward. 6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops that withers before it grows up, 7 with which reapers do not fill their hands or binders of sheaves their arms, 8 while those who pass by do not say, “The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

Psalm 130

Waiting for Divine Redemption

A Song of Ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. 8 It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

2 Samuel 18:19-23

David Hears of Absalom’s Death

19 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Let me run, and carry tidings to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the power of his enemies.” 20 Joab said to him, “You are not to carry tidings today; you may carry tidings another day, but today you shall not do so, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran. 22 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you have no reward[a] for the tidings?” 23 “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.

Footnotes:

2 Samuel 18:22 Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Acts 23:23-35

Paul Sent to Felix the Governor

23 Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o’clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 He wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman citizen, I came with the guard and rescued him. 28 Since I wanted to know the charge for which they accused him, I had him brought to their council. 29 I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but was charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.[a]”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. 33 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters.[b]

Footnotes:

Acts 23:30 Other ancient authorities add Farewell

Acts 23:35 Gk praetorium

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Mark 12:13-27

The Question about Paying Taxes

13 Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? 15 Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” 16 And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

The Question about the Resurrection

18 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man[a] shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; 21 and the second married the widow[b] and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22 none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. 23 In the resurrection[c] whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.”

24 Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.”

Footnotes:

Mark 12:19 Gk his brother

Mark 12:21 Gk her

Mark 12:23 Other ancient authorities add when they rise

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

#August 21 #2019

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