#and also seen 03 like thrice

[reivelation]

literary references in evangelion

toji suzuhara, kensuke aida, and the last name horaki are lifted from characters within ryu murakami's novel ai to gensou no fascism / fascism of love and illusion.

nerv's motto is a quote from pippa passes, a 1841 verse drama.

"God's in his heaven— All's right with the world!

this line is also quoted in anne of the green grables.

"'God's in his heaven, all's right with the world,'" whispered Anne softly.

isao takahata's anime adaptation anne of the green gables also includes a scene similar to the ending scene of the anime series.

the name of episode 26 (the beast that shouted i at the heart of the world) is a reference to the book by harlan ellison, the beast that shouted love at the heart of the world, a collection of short stories. "i" sounds very similar to "ai", meaning love in japanese.

the greek tragedies, oedipus rex and electra which is fairly self-explanatory... i hope... with the show's use of freudian concepts (shinji's oedipus complex and misato's electra complex respectively.)

the human instrumentality project is a reference to the book series by cordwainer smith, instrumentality of mankind.

despite that, the human instrumentality bears a striking resemblance to the plot of Arthur C. Clarke's 1953 novel, childhood's end.

plot synopsis on goodreads:

The Overlords appeared suddenly over every city--intellectually, technologically, and militarily superior to humankind. Benevolent, they made few demands: unify earth, eliminate poverty, and end war. With little rebellion, humankind agreed, and a golden age began.

But at what cost? With the advent of peace, man ceases to strive for creative greatness, and a malaise settles over the human race. To those who resist, it becomes evident that the Overlords have an agenda of their own. As civilization approaches the crossroads, will the Overlords spell the end for humankind . . . or the beginning?

in asuka and kaji's introductory episode asuka strikes, there are four battleships in the UN convoy named after the shakespeare plays titus andronicus, cymbeline, othello and tempest.

in 2.22, kaji says he feels like urashima taro, referencing the japanese legend named after it's titular character, a fisherman named urashima taro. the legend goes that the fisherman rescues a turtle and is rewarded by a visit to the dragon palace where he is entertained for several days but when he returns to the human world, he finds that he had been gone for at least a century and everything around him has now changed. this is a metaphor for how kaji left tokyo-03 for only two years yet feels as though everything around him has now changed.

episode sixteen being titled (there are alternate titles to several evangelion episodes) sickness unto death after the philosopher soren kierkegaard's book of the same name exploring christian existentialism.

speaking of episodes being titled after philosophical works from the victorian era, is the hedgehog's dilemma. originally described in arthur schopenhauer's collection of philosophical reflections, parerga und paralipomena. the hedgehogs dilemma is a theme seen over and over again in evangelion with episode 4 being titled after it.

the title of evangelion 3.0 + 1.0: thrice upon a time references the book with the same title, thrice upon a time by james p. hogan.

It's amazing enough when Murdoch Ross's brilliant grandfather invents a machine that can send messages to itself in the past or the future. But when signals begin to arrive without being sent, Murdoch realizes that every action he takes changes the future that would have been...and that the world he lives in has already been altered!

Then a new message arrives from the future: The world is doomed!

as qmisato pointed out, anno has referenced james p. hogan's works previously as well (nadia: secret of the waters' final episode being titled inheritor of stars referencing hogan's novel inherit the stars)

[aashi-heartfilia]

The Ultimate Hero: Uravity

So, I guess the biggest plot point I have noticed for Ochako is to not let people go.

On one hand, we have Deku:

The greatest asset for the heroes; all tattered and bruised running away from his own comfort and happiness to protect his loved ones because the hero society has brainwashed him into thinking that heroism is all about sacrifice and he is the only one who can offer that.

And then, we have Toga.

A cunning villain according to the heroes, a constant thorn on their side.

But in reality, Toga's not a monster that she's perceived to be. She was just an unlucky girl born with a cursed quirk that led her friends and even family boycotting her.

A teenage girl, whose feelings are all over the place. A girl who loves heroes and wants to be like them. A person whose biggest question is that her life matters or not?

And then, we have Ochako.

More under the cut_

Who has failed thrice in reaching out:

First, when she didn't go after Bakugo. She convinced everyone else too, to not go after Bakugo in the Hideout Raid arc because of her own passiveness.

And then she even regrets later and tries to fix things up. But well we know how it goes.

Then she failed to save Sir Nighteye. He was a hero, that died in her arms and there was nothing she could do but helplessly watch.

We see some character development as she rushed to save Deku from the Black whip but just mindlessly running into danger without a plan in mind is not the best solution to a problem Chako cheeks.

But, baby-steps.

We have Toga. It's because she failed to answer Toga's question properly during the war (not that I blame her for it, considering the situation) that Toga turned into the villain she is now.

And finally we have Deku. A product of the society who's brainwashed into thinking that it's his Destiny to suffer in silence because he's a hero.

And yes, there is reason Ochako is highlighted here.

Deku isn't just a random person. He is her best friend and a fellow hero who is willing to suffer in silence for the greater good.

But doesn't he deserves to rest?

This is the bigger questions of the story asked several times.

Who is a Hero?

How do you define a hero?

A figure who doesn't flatter in a situation no matter how dire?

Or someone willing to stand up against the injustice?

Or just a tool of violence to keep villains down?

And that is exactly why Deku is the first person that Ochako saves. Not his life, bit his heart.

It's noticable how much importance heart is given in MHA. A story about saving the hearts of people.

This is also the reason why Ochako succeeds where even Best Jeanist fails.

The No#03 hero, Best Jeanist, a fan favourite, failed to convince the angry and panicked mob because he said that Deku is their biggest asset in this war and that they need him to win. Because in their eyes, an asset is what he is.

A tool, a weapon.

And tools can be kept anywhere. They don't have feelings. Why UA?

Because he's also a human.

More precisely, he's a High-schooler.

He shouldn't even be fighting there.

He has plenty to learn himself.

And like how All Might gave him the right to be hero..

Ochako gave him the right to rest, as human.

For Toga:

We've seen that Ochako looking back to her fight with Toga at the mansion. She was regretting about her actions as a person, something she did not considered before.

And now, she's on the battlefield ready to save both heroes and villains because they're both people. They are powerful but they're just as helpless when it comes to them.

They have bad pasts and horrible things happening to them.

They make mistakes and they're put on pedestal, but

Their lives matter.

Their happiness matters.

Their smile matters.

So, Uraraka's arc is about humanizing both heroes and villains. How they both are the victims of this superhuman society and how they both deserve peace and quite.

Which is why I think Ochako will be the turning point of this manga, now that everything have possibly gone wrong in the worst way possible.

Toga is out with her sad man's parade and dabi is there too, along with AFO all because Spinner's voice reached Kurogiri.

Ochako's name means a 'bright and sunny day' and her power is literally making things weightless. So what if she makes this entire deals weightless by getting Toga on their side?

Principal Nezu already said in his speech that they're just one step away...from understanding each other. And taking that first step is always hard...and when someone takes that impossible step, it leads to the birth of a true hero.

And yes, URAVITY is that hero.

A symbol of hope.

The greatest hero that will surpass even All Might.

[kuroopaisen]

09:03 am || iwaizumi hajime

➵ iwaizumi can’t find his favourite jumper.

wc: 831

warnings: implied f!reader? maybe? can be linked to tiny love if you so desire

a/n: yue my love, this one’s for you. i’m not sure if you’ll see this, but if you do, i hope you’ll enjoy (sorry it’s shorter hhh). i value and appreciate your honesty and how willing you are to discuss and stand up for your thoughts. believe it or not, but i’ve learnt a lot from you. and, most of all, thank you for not only sharing these things with me, but also for supporting me in turn. i adore you and your feral racoon energy dksjklfdj

Iwaizumi likes to think that he’s good with the cold. He rarely complains about it – he rarely complains about anything, actually – and he’s done plenty of morning runs to know what cold really feels like.

But even he’s susceptible to a chilly five degrees. And the one thought running through his head during his jog back from his morning classes is that he really, really should’ve brought a jumper.

His warmest jumper was a good six years old, bought absentmindedly at the beginning of a particularly cold winter. It’s only grey, and so well-worn that the inner lining was soft as that Godzilla plush he’d coveted when he was six (not that he let anyone know about that). Iwaizumi isn’t the type to get too attached to physical things, but there’s something about that jumper that rooted a deep attachment to it in his mind.

Maybe he felt it symbolised something. Maybe all the memories he’d had in it had weaved themselves amongst the cheap fabric. Wither way, there was something sentimental about it.

After all, it had persisted through half a decade, and proved itself worthy enough to fly across the Pacific Ocean with him.

Twice. He’s gone through the laundry twice. And not a peep of that beloved grey sweater.

He sighs, rising to full height. There’s no chance he left it at uni, is it? No, but he didn’t take it to this morning… And he’d seen it the other night. He knows he put it in the wash.

He grunts, stalking out the laundry with clenched fists. How hard was it to find one jumper? Sure, any other jumper would do, but now it was about the principle.

He frowns as he approaches your door, not quite sure what he’s planning to ask you. Maybe you’ll have a more observant eye than him, if possible.

He knocks on your door thrice, as he always does.

“Come in!” You call, your voice light and cheerful. He’s glad, at least, that you seem to be having a good day.

He opens your door with a sigh, stepping into your exceedingly warm room. Your little heater appears to be working overtime, planted next to your desk but somehow emanating throughout the entire room.

You swivel round on your chair, eyes round and curious as you look at him.

Iwaizumi’s breath catches in his throat.

You’re perched on your seat with your knees drawn up to your chest, tucked under… his jumper.

Oh fuck. Oh shit.

“Everything okay?” You ask, tilting your head at him.

That just made you cuter. Shit—

“Uh, nothing,” he shakes his head.

“You sure?” You blink at him, a little baffled.

He wants to curse himself out.

You shouldn’t be so cute, just sitting there. You’ve made no effort to look ‘nice’, with messy hair and bags under your eyes, but somehow that adds to your charm.

But you’re gazing at him so innocently, in his jumper, like there’s nothing strange about it. And perhaps it is, in your mind. But his heart is saying otherwise. You look like you belong in it; like this is something so natural, so expected that he shouldn’t even so weird about this.

“Yeah,” he says, suddenly remembering that you’d asked him a question. “Good luck with your work.”

“Thanks,” you smile.

His ribs feel like they’re about to crack.

He nods, turning around. You’re out of sight, but you’re certainly not out of mind. He can tell that image of you in his sweater, as innocuous as anything and certainly not as big a deal as his body is making it out to be, will plaster itself at the back of his mind for a long time to come.

An ill-advised thought zips through his mind as he leaves. He stops at the threshold of your room, his back still turned to you.

You frown a little. Is everything okay?

I’m a weak, weak man, he thinks to himself. The heat in your room is unbearable now, but his desire to say the next few words are even more so.

“Keep it,” he says, looking at you over his shoulder. “It looks good on you.”

The words would’ve been enough for you to combust on the spot.

But it’s the little smirk that really does it.

Has your room always felt this warm? Or is it finally time to turn your heater down? Because your face feels really, really hot. A ‘I need to dump my head into a bucket of ice’ kind of hot.

You hadn’t intended to steal his jumper. It was just the first thing you’d found in the laundry this morning that was clean and looked warm. You’d planned to put it back before he got back from university; you’d just lost track of time.

But it’s yours now, apparently; even though it smells so much like him. That was one of the reasons you’d absentmindedly picked it up.

Oh, shit.

You’ve got it bad.

[extremelyblackandwhite]

innocence - 03

PAIRING: bodyguard!bucky barnes x innocent actress!reader

WARNINGS: age gap

A/N: i’m gonna name this chapter symbolism  i don’t even know how to much to thank you guys for all your support, i am so so happy you’re enjoying it. much love xx

NEXT CHAPTER

Hiding, being a ghost story. 

Bucky knew too well about that. He knew perfectly how not to get any attention, even with a metal arm. He could disappear in the middle of crowds without much thought and even now he felt like he had too, he was still something other than human, half machine no matter how much Steve tried to tell him he wasn’t. He was no longer Sergeant Barnes, the longer time went by the more he forgot about him but he would always be the Winter Soldier. His name would always be associated with the attack on the UN, the blood from his victims would forever invisibly stain his hands, the Washington attack photos would forever be searchable and ready for someone to see.

Y/N didn’t know how to disappear. She knew how to become other people, how to be the person other people know. No matter how many wigs, how much makeup or how many times she changed eye colour, she could always see herself in the mirror, it was always her.

As she stepped outside her bedroom, Bucky took a long look at her. Y/N wasn’t ordinary, she was always polished, remarkable and as such Bucky had to make her look like any other girl in New York. Dark jeans and shirt with a musky dark green jack. Hair was done with a matching black cap sitting on top of it.

     - Sunglasses. - he pointed out, noticing her dark shades laying next to her keys by the kitchen. - Cover the eyes and people normally can’t pick you out a crowd. 

    - We can leave through the garage. - she grabbed her keys and bag from the hanger. 

    - Do you have a subway card? - he asked her as he opened the door to her flat.

    - We’re taking the subway? - she sounded excited as she followed behind him like a lost puppy. Bucky once again thought she was going to be eaten alive, in a city she didn’t know with people ready to put her face on billboards for the small price of her soul. He wondered if she would sell it willingly or if it would be stolen from her. Maybe it would be stolen while she was blinded by the flashlights, sucked off her small body. - I’ve never been in the NY subway.

   - It’s not that exciting. 

   - It’s a subway system that takes you everywhere. How can that not be exciting? - her hand wrapped around his once more, not caring it was holding metal rather than flesh, as to pull him out the door before he could change his mind. His eyes looked down to where their hands connected as she kept walking ahead having Bucky removed any resistance from her steps.

Y/N merely looked in front, far away from the four walls which enclosed her in a house which as time faded started to no longer feel like home. Her heart was pounding, running like wind on a storm as the agency’s words rushed through her mind. She could get shot, she could get kidnapped, hurt. Yet, he seemed to make her feel somewhat safe. Maybe it was her subconscious telling her the Winter Soldier never lost of a battle or maybe her brain was smarter than her consciousness. 

They took the stairs down from her floor to the garage, the lights turning on one by one as they made more progress through the worn out pavement which had tire marks and oil stains. This was more of what Bucky’s world looked like, stained, used, worn out, not needing replacing just staying there, fading away over the mocking lights.

   - What are you looking at? - she stopped, feeling the resistance his feet were creating with the ground. Her eyes gazed from his hand to his eyes which were frozen onto the oil spill on the ground. - Oh, Mr. Andrews’ beloved car broke down and spilled oil all over the floor. He refuses to have it clean, says it reminds him of his lost car. 

Bucky removed his gaze from the ground, giving her a reassuring nod, this time with him starting the walk yet she still stood ahead of her. Her feet finally touched the outside of her apartment, the sounds of cars and other vehicles along with the indistinct chattering of people walking around. While immersed and happy to be outside without a higher up member of her agency, her body seemed to reject this, taking a few steps back until her heel hit the point of Bucky’s shoes. 

    - You are gonna be alright, Y/N. - his hand moved over hers. - Trust me. 

    - What if they discover? I don’t want to ruin things.

    - They won’t. Come on, you can’t experience the subway if you don’t walk to it. 

New York, everybody knew about New York, everyone sang about it. Y/N like any non New Yorker knew the city from the representations she had seen in media. From the shining lights of Broadway, the Empire State Building where lovers meet, Central Park’s countless green patches, Times Square in New Year’s Eve to the stairs of the MET on television. Walking New York and watching New York were different things and she didn’t know what place to look with more wonder than the other. 

Bucky had told her it took an hour on the subway to reach Coney Island but she still looked at the rushing horizon with the same curiosity of an animal leaving hibernation. He found it different to watch her watch his home, she had different eyes from tourists, eyes which longed to discover the very foundation of an overbuilt city. His eyes moved from her figure, hand still over hers, to look around the subway. There weren’t any people looking at them, most of them lost in books and their phones, too busy to look at her. Nevertheless, their heads, despite their gaze being glued to any type of media, still seemed to flow her way in some sort of magnetism he didn’t really understand.

As they came to their stop, her eyes seemed to still remain a diamond shine, looking around as he walked a path that was too familiar to him. Looking up he saw it, looking exactly the same as it did when he was a little, the Cyclone. Her eyes looked up too, bashing in wonder of what stood in front of her. 

    - It’s wondrous, isn’t it? - she held his hand as she rushed through the crowds. - I can’t believe this is just here.

    - It’s been here for a while. - he commented, looking around for long but not long enough until she pulled him towards a salesman cart. His eyes left her sight for the first time in the day, looking around to the place he seemed to remember in shades of black and white or sepia, a distant memory. His memory seemed to wrap time around the place and almost like hallucinations he could see spectres of people that no longer walked the living. 

    - Thank you. - her voice broke him out as his eyes returned to watch her over her. She held two cones of cotton candy one blue and other purple, a smile on her lips. Y/N extended him one which he suspiciously took in his hand. - It’s just cotton candy, Bucky. 

    - I know. - he sighed, remembering how he and Steve would save any penny they found on the ground to buy sweet treats in Coney Island. - What do you wanna do?

    - I don’t know. What do you suggest?

    - I’m just here to accompany you. We’ll do whatever you want. 

    - Let’s win a big Teddy Bear. - she started rushing through the crowd again until one of the stalls with fake guns and duck like targets. Bucky let out a mindless smile as she grabbed the gun in the complete wrong position yet still held the confidence of someone who was a trained shooter. Not to his surprise, she failed miserably, a little pout settling on her lips. - Well ... can’t be good at anything. 

     - Let me try. - she handed him the prop gun which he propped onto his shoulder before locking gaze with the target, sending a shot straight through the wooden duck once, twice and thrice. The man at the stall rejoiced, clapping at him before pointing at the stuffed animals atop them. -  Come on, pick one. 

Y/N looked at the stuffed animals above her, all too big and probably would call for attention on the subway ride back home. Her attention was although locked on a small fuzzy black teddy bear nailed to the wood of the stall by its bow. She pointed up to the toy in turn making the man pick up a ladder and remove it for her. Bucky’s gaze once again left her as he noticed a small shack that seemed to have colourful memories in his psyche. Noticing this, Y/N placed her hand over his arm. 

     - What’s wrong? - she questioned, afraid there was any danger lurking. 

     - Just a memory. - he replied before turning to her but she was much too curious to let it go, gaze also locking on the little shack. - Used to be where they’d held the best leg competition.

     - Sounds a bit sexist. - Y/N remarked. 

     - Never said it wasn’t. - he sighed. - We used to sneak through the back until we were caught. 

     - Should we sneak in too? - before Bucky could remark what a terrible idea that was, the actress was once again pushing him to the small shack, going around the back where no one was standing.

The soldier was about to scold her that this would definitely catch some unwanted attention when Y/N opened an old wooden door, going through it which meant he had to go after her. As they both stepped into a building which had been closed for more than 50 memories, his colourful memories started to turn black and white. The once fully lighted, velvet walls of the theatre like shack were worn out, paint chipping away and velvet hanging from it. The signs were broken, some even painted over by spray cans. There was a light layer of dust on the ground and the whole building held itself by the already showing wooden foundation rotting away with time. Time catches up to everything.

Bucky looked at the seats which were almost never filled as men would almost jump on stage to see the girls legs who would giggle at the attention. The stage still seemed to hold some glory with its burgundy curtains worn out by the signs of time yet still magnificent. Y/N jumped the barrier that separated the stage from the sitting area, the wooden boards creaking as she looked around. A theatre always felt like home. He merely looked from the sitting area, a sight that probably everyone who’d seen her play had watched before. 

    - It’s magnificent, isn’t it? - her fingers traced the heavy curtains before turning to Bucky who had sat on the front row.

    - It’s old.

    - Everything is. - she replied, her eyes roaming around the broken lights, trying to picture what this looked like during its hay days. - Reminds me of old musicals. 

    - Well then maybe you should sing. - he joked. - You did say you’d do whatever I wanted.

    - I’m afraid I would break the wood more than it already is. 

    - Come on. - he teased and she looked up to the ceiling before looking to her feet and to the side.

    - I follow the night can't stand the light. When will I begin to live again ... One day I'll fly away, leave all this to yesterday. What more could your love do for me? When will love be through with me? Why live life from dream to dream and dread the day when dreaming ends?

taglist: @disasterbii @lookiamtrying @buckysteveloki-me @nsfwsebbie @americasass81 @jamesbarnesappreciationclub @lostinthebeans @mariahthelioness29 @buckyandsebastian @peaches-roses-sins @theadorasabditory @sipsteacasually @tonystankschild @saiyanprincessswanie @booktease21 @noiralei @learisa @everythingisoverrated @uglipotata72829 @naturalthrone22 @husherstan @mandiiblanche @vicmc624 @newyorkgoddess @itsallyscorner​ 

[sylvanfreckles]

Imprisoned (FebuWhump 03)

You can also find this on AO3

Fandom: The Witcher Summary: Jaskier finds himself at the mercy of a malicious innkeeper...luckily Geralt isn’t too far behind him.

* * *

Jaskier stared in disbelief as the innkeeper dropped the coins back on the counter. “No good.”

“No good?” the bard repeated. “You've got to be kidding me It was fine a few days ago.”

“Crown's no good here,” the innkeeper repeated. He leaned onto the bar, the muscles in his shoulders bulging from the change in position. “This is Kaedwen.”

“Ah—yes, yes, I know that,” Jaskier held a finger up. “But it only take three of your ducats to equal one Redanian crown, everyone knows that. You said it was five ducats per night, so you can take two crowns and keep the extra to cover the difficulty of changing currency.”

The innkeeper snorted. “Ye already owe me for three days, bard.”

Jaskier spluttered. “Three days? I paid in advance!”

“You didn't.”

“I did! It's right there in your ledger book,” he snapped. He snatched up the book from the end of the counter “I paid you five crowns, which is equal to fifteen ducats, so I'm all paid up for...three....”

His voice trailed off. He'd opened the ledger book where the tattered ribbon marked the latest page, fully intent on exposing the innkeeper's scheme, but his familiar signature wasn't there. The pages were filled with the innkeeper's sloppy scrawl and the marks of his guests, but Jaskier's name was nowhere to be seen. In fact, an entire page had been torn out, leaving nothing but a ragged edge behind.

“Yer not in the book,” the innkeeper sneered.

Jaskier closed the ledger and placed it on the counter, then rested both hands on the scarred leather. There had to be a way out of this. Geralt was supposed to meet him here yesterday, but obviously the Witcher had gotten caught up in his own business along the way. Jaskier should have had enough money to wait for his friend, even without supplementing his purse by performing to the inn's other customers (he'd been barred from playing here, for some reason, or he'd have plenty of the blasted ducats to pay for his stay).

“Well,” he hedged, “perhaps one of the merchants in town would be willing to exchange my coin. Give me five minutes, and I'll be back with enough for the last three nights and a half dozen more.” Or, rather, he'd slip out of town and wait in the wilds for Geralt's arrival. Surely, surely the Witcher would be happy to lend his aid...this time it wasn't even Jaskier's fault!

He backed away from the counter, only to hit a solid mass behind him. For one, fleeting moment he thought Geralt had turned up in the nick of time...but rough hands seized him by the arms and slammed him forward onto the counter.

“Yer not goin' anywhere 'til you pay yer tab,” the inkeeper snarled. He twisted one meaty hand in Jaskier's hair and twisted his face up.

“I have money,” Jaskier protested weakly. He was down to eight crowns, including the two still on the counter, plus a handful of coppers but that was more than enough to cover his tab.

The innkeeper jerked his head to one side and rough hands hauled Jaskier away from the counter and onto his feet. He was spun around to face his captor, and caught a brief glimpse of a scarred face before a fierce backhand sent him crashing to the ground. He tried to push himself up but a kick from a hobnailed boot caught him under the ribs. Jaskier curled around himself, coughing and groaning, and then the boot was descending again and again.

His ribs, his shoulder, his back...his bones creaked and his skin bruised and tore under the assault. He didn't know if he should cover his head with his arms to protect his face or keep his hands tucked up to his chest to save his delicate fingers.

Breathless from pain, Jaskier could do little more than whimper when a hand caught him by the collar and picked him up enough for the scarred man to leer into his face. “'E's kind of small,” the scarred man called over to the innkeeper.

The innkeeper was already beside them, stripping Jaskier of his coin pouch and any other valuables on his person. “Don't worry. The salt mines are always in need of a new canary,” the innkeeper retorted. “Take 'im to the cellar. Pascar'll be by in a day or so, he always pays for fresh blood.”

With a grunt, the scarred man hauled Jaskier up to his feet. The bard stumbled against the rough treatment, though an oath from his captor and a blow to his kidney had him trying to stay upright. “Please...” he tried again. The words wouldn't quite come—please don't do this, I have friends coming for me, we can pay whatever you want.

“Stuff it, songbird,” the scarred man growled. They reached the door to the cellar and stopped just long enough for the bigger man to thrust it open and shove Jaskier down the wooden stairs.

For a moment, Jaskier considered turning on his captor. He was no match for the man, obviously, but something inside him quailed at giving up without a fight.

The moment was gone far too soon, however, as the scarred man followed on the bard's heels and struck him down again. Jaskier tried to roll away—he was smaller, he might be faster, if he could reach the door—but a rough boot slammed down on his hip and ground him into the dirt of the cellar floor.

“Now you just stay down here, nice and quiet,” the scarred man said. He pinned Jaskier's hands together in one meaty palm while he fumbled for a piece of rough cording that was tangled in the slats of an old crate. “Haskins'll take it outta my cut if I have to beat you black and blue and Pascar only pays half for ya.”

Jaskier opened his mouth to reply, but slammed it shut again and nearly bit through his tongue as he fought back a scream when the scarred man twisted the rope viciously around his wrists. Then the man was climbing to his feet and—oh gods—hauling Jaskier across the cellar floor by his wrists. The rope cut into his skin cruelly, and the movement jostled the injuries he'd already endured.

“Here we are,” the scarred man announced. He looped the rope over the top of a sturdy rack that help ale casks and heaved on it. Jaskier whimpered as he was pulled up by his arms until he was sitting against the rack. Then the big man looped the rope around Jaskier's arms and wrists to bind him to the rack so that he was unable to stand, or even shift position without threatening to dislocate something.

Terror and pain were knotting up his voice in his throat, and the scarred man was crouching in front of him again. “Open,” the scarred man said, holding up a filthy rag he'd found on the cask rack. He siezed Jaskier's face with one hand and planted a fist in his stomach with the other. Jaskier gasped and choked in pain, and then the rag was shoved into his mouth so roughly he felt it hit the back of his throat.

“We'll be back in a day or so,” the scarred man said, pushing himself up to his feet. “You...you sit tight.”

* * *

Geralt knocked the dust from his boots as he entered the run-down inn. If he had known the place was in this bad shape he'd've arranged to meet Jaskier somewhere else.

“Good day to ye!” the innkeeper called from behind the counter. “If yer wantin' a room it's three ducats a night—'course if yer paying in Redanian crowns it'll be two crowns, on account of me needing to change 'em out down the road.”

“I'm looking for someone,” Geralt replied, cutting through the innkeeper's bluster. “Has a bard come through here?”

The innkeeper reddened. “Ah, n-no, no bards.” He fidgeted with a dirty rag in his hands and wiped in ineffectually across the scarred wood. “The baron outlawed 'em, y'see. One of 'em wrote a nasty little song about him a few years back, and now he can't stand the sight of 'em.”

Geralt stared at the man, then turned to study the room. He'd been due in this shithole two days ago, but a fight with a werewolf had left him laid up in a decrepit old barn half a day's ride from here. Jaskier wouldn't have left without him, not after two days. “Did anyone leave a message for me?”

The other man was staring at him now, as though the white hair and yellow eyes were finally sinking in. “Say...ain't you...”

With a grunt of annoyance Geralt twisted one hand in the innkeeper's collar and hauled him up onto the counter until they were eye-to-eye. “I'm meeting a friend here. Have you seen him?”

The man's face twitched and his eyes flickered to the side for a moment. “A...a friend?”

Geralt followed the man's gaze. A scarred man who had been lounging at the back of the inn's great room suddenly straightened to his feet, moving as though to intercept Geralt's path to the door to the wine cellar on the other side of the bar.

He didn't stand a chance.

Perhaps men like him were enough to waylay helpless travelers, but no one laid a hand on a Witcher and lived to tell the tale.

The inn's cellar was dim, but Geralt's eyes had no problem adjusting to the gloom. Even if his vision hadn't been good enough to see the drag marks in the floor, the room wasn't quite big enough to hide the body slumped against the rack of ale casks in the back corner.

“Jaskier,” Geralt breathed. He knelt at his friend's side, fury and concern twisting up in his stomach. The bard's face was pale beneath the dirt and bruises, his eyes closed in a fitful sleep. Geralt rested one palm against the bard's cheek and gently tugged at the rough gag that had been stuffed into his friend's mouth.

Jaskier came awake with a start, flinching away from the figure that knelt over him. “It's me, Jaskier,” Geralt said. He finally pulled the gag free and held his friend's gaze for a long few seconds, long enough for the disoriented panic in Jaskier's eyes to melt into relief.

“Geralt,” Jaskier wheezed. “Thank the gods.” His voice was rough and cracked. Given the state of his clothes it was apparent he'd been down here for more than a day, though Geralt would know more once his friend was safe and he could interrogate that thrice-damned innkeeper.

“I've got you,” he said as he tugged a knife out of his boot. The ropes binding Jaskier to the rack were cut through in an instant, and the bard toppled forward with a whimper of pain. Geralt braced him against his own shoulder, hoping his familiar presence would help Jaskier shake away the lingering fear of this place. “Are you hurt?”

“I can travel,” Jaskier replied quickly. Too quickly.

Geralt frowned at him. There was blood on Jaskier's doublet, and when he gently pushed the fabric away he hissed out a breath at the sight of torn and bruised flesh beneath. “Jaskier.”

“Please?” Jaskier grasped his wrist, his pale hands trembling. “I don't want to stay here.”

The Witcher heaved a sigh. “There's a barn about half a day's ride from here.”

“Anything is better than this place.”

“Right.” Geralt pushed himself back up to his feet, then bent down enough to sling one of Jaskier's arms around his neck. “Let's go get your money back first.”

* * *

You know, sometimes you just have one of those days and you need to whump the bard. You know what I mean?

[spidey2k19-blog]

Home of User-Generated Content

In this week’s topic, we will be looking into Crowdsourcing & Crowdfunding and how social media plays a vital role in this context.

Crowdsourcing

“Crowdsourcing is a term used to describe the process of getting work or funding from a large group of people in an online setting” (Goodrich, 2013). In the context of crowdsourcing, the basic concept behind it is to use a large group of people for their skills, creativity, and knowledge to generate content or to facilitate the creation of a certain product/service. This is no stranger to most of us as we do know that times have changed and we no longer live in the broadcast era. The winds have shifted to the era of participatory that we are living in today or coiled in a simpler term, Participatory Culture. Crowdsourcing can be regarded as the offspring of participatory culture as without these user-generated content, there definitely won’t be such a thing as the petitions or funding projects or heck, even Wikipedia websites. In this, crowds are empowered to publish what they want and these usually come in the form of blogs, articles or social media posts. In a sense, “crowdsourcing is the distribution of problem-solving” (Goodrich, 2013). The crowd is a powerful resource capable of generating vast amounts of money, content, and information. One solid illustration on what crowdsourcing is can be seen from Wikipedia and how most of the information is edited and generated from the general crowd. 

Citizen Journalism - How it links to crowdsourcing

If you happen to find yourself in a dire situation, don’t be surprised if you somehow managed to catch a glimpse of someone standing and recording the live incident rather than fleeing for their lives. That is how social media and mobile phones can empower the general crowd to participate in citizen journalism despite the nasty consequences that they might receive. This also heavily links back to crowdsourcing and the participatory culture that we previously discussed. 

In this, (Goodrich, 2013) stated that “the distinction between producer and consumer is no longer such a prevalent distinction as everyone is equipped with the tools needed to create as well as consume.” This can be seen as citizen journalism and professional journalism are starting to be more alike. There are also a lot of examples that we can take to relate back to citizen journalism. One recent case is when a man attempted to climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris a few days ago. I personally came across a handful of live videos of the incident on social media. The idea behind this is that the crowd are no longer sitting and idling away as they are starting to take matters into their own hands. With the presence of mobile phones and social media, they feel more than obligated and empowered to record what they see and produce back to the platforms for the eyes of the whole world, rather than just waiting for and consuming the latest news. 

Crowdfunding

Apart from Crowdsourcing, there is also Crowdfunding.  “Nonprofits use crowdfunding to gather donations. They often refer to crowdfunding as online fundraising, social media fundraising or peer-to-peer fundraising.” (Thorpe, 2018)

Crowdfunding can be regarded as the second procedure that comes after the brainstorming or sharing of ideas and content (Crowdsourcing). It is similar to a process whereby certain individuals or organization uses social media and funding platforms in order to get funded for their personal projects. 

In the recent World Flying Disc Association (WFDF) Under-24 Championship, or simply known as WFDF U24 Worlds Championship, our Malaysia’s U24 squad also used crowdfunding as a way to attain more donation which can be used to fuel their journey to the tournament which was then held in Perth, Australia. Knowing that the entire journey and tournament fee would cost a bomb, most of the players are not able to financially support themselves for the tournament. What makes things worse is that Ultimate Frisbee is a newly recognized sport by the government so during that period, little to zero priority was given and there was also no sponsorship or the likes given by the government to support the team. A countermeasure that they came up with is, of course, funding projects that came in the form of charity sales, profits from supporter’s jersey as well as direct funding towards a certain player or the team itself. This leans more towards the good side of Crowdfunding as it is able to help the community in financial ways that they may lack. 

However, if used in the wrong hands, crowdsourcing can also be misused to gain personal profit without giving anything back to the community of fulfilling the promises and terms that were previously agreed on. It is all up to the crowd as they possess the power to determine and verify the authenticity of the funding projects, just as how they are empowered to publish and produce contents.

(You may look more into this at http://ultiasia.com/2018/01/03/malaysia-u24-ultimate-frisbee-team-story-road-worlds-2018/, it is definitely a must-read!)

At the end of the day...

No matter how you look into it, crowdsourcing and crowdfunding both have their bright and dark side. Such as how most of the content that we have now are user-generated, it is definitely user’s responsibility in assuring that they are generating content that may benefit the community. But in some cases, as previously discussed, both these can also be misused to spread fake news and rumors which may lead to mass panic and to achieve funds for personal use, without fulfilling what was agreed beforehand. Same as fleeing after the perpetrators have their hands on the money that was funded by the community. Despite the bad sides that they may pose, crowdsourcing and crowdfunding may also benefit the community if used correctly such as seen in the Malaysia U24 Frisbee Team’s journey to the World Championship.

 Again, think twice and thrice before you publish anything as to assure that the contents are genuine and authentic. 

References

Goodrich, R. (2013). What is Crowdsourcing?. [online] Business News Daily. Available at: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4025-what-is-crowdsourcing.html [Accessed 18 May 2019].

Thorpe, D. (2018). What Is Crowdfunding?. [online] Forbes.com. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2018/06/25/what-is-crowdfunding/#4e71a17765c5 [Accessed 18 May 2019].

Teoh, W. (2018). The Malaysia U24 Ultimate Frisbee Team Story - Road to Worlds 2018 - UltiAsia | Ultimate Frisbee Asia. [online] UltiAsia | Ultimate Frisbee Asia. Available at: http://ultiasia.com/2018/01/03/malaysia-u24-ultimate-frisbee-team-story-road-worlds-2018/ [Accessed 18 May 2019].

[meat-wolf]

Hey guys, did you know that in terms of male human and female Pokémon breeding, Vaporeon is the most compatible Pokémon for humans? Not only are they in the field egg group, which is mostly comprised of mammals, Vaporeon are an average of 3”03’ tall and 63.9 pounds, this means they’re large enough to be able handle human dicks, and with their impressive Base Stats for HP and access to Acid Armor, you can be rough with one. Due to their mostly water based biology, there’s no doubt in my mind that an aroused Vaporeon would be incredibly wet, so wet that you could easily have sex with one for hours without getting sore. They can also learn the moves Attract, Baby-Doll Eyes, Captivate, Charm, and Tail Whip, along with not having fur to hide nipples, so it’d be incredibly easy for one to get you in the mood. With their abilities Water Absorb and Hydration, they can easily recover from fatigue with enough water. No other Pokémon comes close to this level of compatibility. Also, fun fact, if you pull out enough, you can make your Vaporeon turn white. Vaporeon is literally built for human dick. Ungodly defense stat+high HP pool+Acid Armor means it can take cock all day, all shapes and sizes and still come for more.

Hey, did you know that in terms of male human and female Pokémon breeding, Vaporeon is actually not the most compatible Pokémon for humans? This is a common and understandable misconception, however Vaporeon has it's human on Pokémon breedability outclassed by it's cousin evolution, Umbreon. Umbreon weights approximately 60 pounds, or around 27 kilograms, and is 3'3" tall (About a meter), making it not only large enough to appropriately handle human genitalia, but also light enough to easily be lifted, and promptly set back down repeatedly. It's relatively small size would also prove a tight entry, which is always a good thing. Umbreon also boasts an extremely impressive defensive stat spread. With it's combination of very high HP, Defense, and Special Defense stats, it can take a great pounding and come back for more! It's ability, Inner Focus, allows it to keep slamming attentively, without getting fatigued. Umbreon also has access to the ability Synchronize, which allows it to share it's current status with you, meaning you will receive all of the pleasure it feels COMBINED with all the pleasure you're getting from pounding this perfect breedable Pokémon. Umbreon also has the capability of seeing perfectly in pitch-black darkness, allowing it to effectively attend a midnight fornication session. Even if you do manage to drain Umbreon's energy with all the furious thrusts, it can recover very quickly with its access to the move Moonlight. Its black fur is also a giant positive attribute, allowing all the excretions you make to be easily seen all over its body. A great fun fact, Umbreon can excrete toxins in its sweat, which would in turn soak into your member and swell it up, making it even more sizable and sensitive. This would not only enhance the experience for you, but for your Umbreon as well (Which with Synchronize, ends up pleasing you exponentially more). Umbreon's wide movepool also supports the hypothesis that Umbreon is the best Pokémon to breed with. It can learn Payback, which doubles in power after the Pokémon is hit, meaning Umbreon with throw it back twice as hard as normally if you're hitting it good. Umbreon can also learn Guard Swap; it could give YOU its insane durability, and go crazy on you all night with your now massive endurance. Speaking of endurance, Umbreon also has access to Endure, making it practically immune to fatigue, it will always have energy left over. Charm is also within Umbreon's movepool, letting it be extremely seductive towards you, easily getting you in the mood. Umbreon can also use Taunt, in turn making you ONLY able to to attacking moves such as Slam, Pound, etc; none of that foreplay shit, right into the action. It also has access to Sleep Talk, giving it the ability to not only give consent in its sleep, allowing access to any of its ports and any time, but also move in it's sleep, making it an effective 24/7 fuckmate. Umbreon still has even more great moves that good to have while smashing, such as Quick Attack, allowing swift slams and bounces, which can have even greater power if Umbreon uses Curse beforehand. Curse would also raise Umbreon's defense, making it able to take powerful thrusting for almost any duration. Looking back, Umbreon's slightly small size ensures a gorilla grip cavity and easy physical manipulation. Its ungodly bulk allows it to take poundings for hours on end and resume after recovering with moonlight (Which works even better when it's sunny). It's access to the abilities Inner Focus and Synchronize allow it to unwaveringly throw it back and add all of its pleasure onto yours, effectively making it twice as amazing as any other Pokémon, or even FOUR TIMES, factoring in the doubled power of payback of course. All of this information in combination with its extremely useful movepool in the world of intercourse makes Umbreon the Pokémon most qualified to breed with humans; able to take dick of any shape, any size, in any position easily for extensive periods of time, while having the ability to return for even more mere seconds later.

Hey guys, did you know in terms of human and Pokémon breeding, neither Vaporeon or Umbreon are the most compatible for humans? I'm actually quite disgusted at the amount of misinformation going around this community relating to them. They're actually both outclassed by another one of their Eeveelutions, Glaceon. Both genders, too. Let me explain. Glaceon is 2 feet and 7 inches tall in height, giving it the perfect composure to fuck. It weighs approximately 57.1 pounds, giving it a small enough weight to move around during fucking, but also enough to not feel too light or too heavy when you're using your dick on it. Glaceon's stat spread is also incredibly versatile for sex, with incredible Defense and Special Defense. It has lackluster Attack, but the best part is its Special Attack. You'll see why later. As an ice type, having such good defenses is incredibly rare. You also might be thinking, "but your dick would freeze inside of its puss-puss!" This is not true! Here is its Pokédex entry from Pokémon Sun, circa 2016. "It can control its body temperature at will. This enables it to freeze the moisture in the atmosphere, creating flurries of diamond dust." Glaceon can control its body temp at will, so if you don't want your dick to be frozen, you can create the perfect environment for dicking it down by telling it to change its temperature! This way, you can fuck it in so many different ways, temperatures, and more! Now onto its moves, which are also incredibly useful for sex. By level up, it learns Helping Hand. This allows it to increase your fucking power by double, increasing your pleasure times two! It also learns Bite, meaning it can get freaky and tune to whatever shit you like in the bed. Best of all, it can use MIRROR COAT. This means whenever you cum, it can double back the pleasure like a special attack, meaning you'll feel all the pleasure IT had during sex times TWO! Combine this with Helping Hand and you'll be turned into a human cum nozzle! Glaceon also learns Barrier, which if used just thrice, turns it into a massively defensive tank, so it can take physical attacks for days, literal fucking days! It can also use Hail. Now, if you use it outside, it will Hail outside. Go back inside and the Hail won't affect you! Best of all, combine the Hail with Glaceon's ability Ice Body, and it will gradually replenish it's Health Points during a hailstorm! This means it will NEVER fucking stop enduring all your "hits," so you can fuck it over and over and over, combining this with Barrier, and you could probably fuck it for 24 hours straight, if not more! It also learns Baby Doll Eyes, Charm, Captivate, and Yawn, allowing it to get itself right in the mood, along with you too! It even learns Fake Tears, Covet, and Tickle, allowing you to roleplay with it if you're in the mood. It even learns Stored Power, meaning if it uses enough Barriers, it can release all of the Defensive energy it has into, you guessed it, fucking SPECIAL ATTACK!!! And with its absolutely GODLY special attack stat, you'll be drowning in waves of pleasure due to this attack! And it doesn't get rid of the Barrier boosts, so as long as you have enough ethers, it can do this over and over WHILE you're fucking it! Hell, it even learns attract, which makes you fall so deeply in love with it that you'll be in a trance of fucking! It can take charge with that as well and use your love to make it fuck it how IT wants! Which means it's not just pleasurable for you, it's also pleasurable for your Glaceon! It even learns Aurora Veil, which in the Hail, protects it even fucking MORE from taking too much damage! Combine this with Ice Body and Barrier and you can fuck it for decades without either of you ever getting tired! Glaceon also learns refresh, so if that wasn't enough, it can never get sick while you're fucking it, protecting you from any and all STIs and STDs! I rest my case, Glaceon is the BEST Pokémon you can fuck. :)

[bindawood-blog]

Victims of Khula Procedure in Pakistan:

A more disturbing recent trend is the increase in the incidence of rape of young girls and minor Rape and sexual assault on minors and young women after khula procedure in Pakistan remains one of the commonest crimes Pakistan, mostly of victims forcibly kidnapped and victimized It is difficult to assess the extent incidence since the crime is mostly not reported whether because of the social stigma or because the law and legal procedures are heavily weighted against a victim. The common assumption the incidence is thrice the number of reported cases may be an underestimation.

Basic Reported Cases Alone:

The estimate is that a rape after khula procedure in Pakistan occurs every three hours in Pakistan. Of the cases reported in 10 days in 1996 from just one geographical area of Punjab, 20 victims were minors, the youngest being 8 years of age; all the victims belonged to the lowest income group. Information compiled from reports of just the Lahore-based newspapers during January-July 19 indicates 226 cases of abduction and 365 cases of rape after khula procedure in Pakistan. Gang-rape, which has increased over recent years, is used as a means of revenge not only in public places but also in homes in front of male family members.

Law in Pakistan for the Rape and Molestation of Women:

Political, sectarian and ethnic contacts are characterized by rape and molestation of women, including at the hands of the law- enforcing agencies. It may be mentioned that of the 50 reported cases referred to above, 80 D the victims were gang-raped. However, this percentage is not likely to reflect the actual situation, since news reports cover the more horrendous incidents which come to public attention. As an acknowledgment of the seriousness of the issue, the law firm in Pakistan has recently been amended to introduce a death penalty for gang rape. Its effectiveness and impact have yet to be seen. Legislation, howsoever strong, is never sufficient in itself. It must be accompanied by devices to change the attitudes and perceptions prevalent in a patriarchal society, as well as the will to strictly implement the law.

Recommendations after Khula Procedure in Pakistan:

For more detail visit the given links:

https://legallawassociates.blogspot.com/2020/03/rights-of-women-and-their-violation-in.html

https://family-case-lawyer.blogspot.com/2020/03/best-lawyer-in-lahore.html

https://blog.storymirror.com/read/g6plg9c1/criminal-lawyer-in-lahore-pakistan-for-qisas-process

https://bitarticles.com/attorny-and-lawyer-articles/support-for-helpless-women-female-in-dar-ul-aman/

https://vin.gl/p/2797320?wsrc=link

[johnchiarello]

Kings 11

KINGS 11

Revelation 22:16

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Kings 11- https://youtu.be/GtTRfebK1wI

https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/8-18-17-kings-11.zip

https://ccoutreach87.com/8-18-17-kings-11/

 https://youtu.be/oKubgHicoBU 8-20-17 News update

 ON VIDEO-

.Solomon judged

.1000 wives

.Idolatry

.Adversaries come

.Hadad- Rezon

.Jeroboam

.Hadad- the lone survivor of the slaughter of the Edomites

.The prophet Ahijah

.History of the church seen in the history of the division of the tribes

.The magisterial reformers

.Reformation

.Been to lake Geneva

.Justification by faith

.Protestants- like Judah [southern tribe] were indeed more doctrinally pure

.Yet over time- like Judah- God rebuked them and said they were worse!

.Why?- It was a matter of the heart

.Solomon dies

.Rehoboam ascends to the throne

.Leadership principles

.What was Solomon’s main problem- his adversaries?

.No- his heart

 NEW-

I’ll add my past commentary on this chapter below- and hit on a few points here.

I said in the beginning of this study that Solomon’s rule is covered more than any other King in this book.

And in this chapter- his rule comes to an end- actually a sad end.

 He is judged by God because of allowing idolatry to enter into the kingdom.

He ‘loved’ many women- about 1000- and as he grew in years- they turned his heart after their god’s.

 God pronounces judgment- and we see 3 particular people he uses to be a thorn in the side of Solomon.

Hadad was the lone survivor of an earlier attempt by King David [under Joab] to wipe out the Edomites.

I find the story of Hadad interesting.

 It sort of goes along the line of Moses.

He escapes as a young child- and is brought up in the house of Pharaoh himself.

Over time he returns to the land of Israel- and fights against Solomon.

 Another man by the name of Rezon is also ordained of God- to be part of the opposition.

Yet it’s a man from the nation of Israel- Jeroboam [from Ephraim] that is chosen to become the king of the 10 northern tribes.

 Yes- God takes the kingdom from Solomon- and gives 10 tribes to Jeroboam.

But he permits Solomon's son- Rehoboam- to rule over the Southern tribe- Judah.

 God does this to keep his promise to king David- that he will always have a son on the throne-

1Kings 11:36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

The theological significance to all of this- is the promise of a coming Messiah [Jesus] is tied into the promises God made to David.

Eventually Jesus himself comes as the ultimate fulfillment of the promise- and as I taught before- he comes from the tribe of Judah- the Son of David.

 I talked about more on the video- but wanted to add this- to keep us on track of the meaning of all of these Old testament books-

The Prophets the Psalms the law-

 All of this history finds it’s ultimate meaning in the person of Jesus Christ-

New Living Translation Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Lk. 24:27

 We should not read the history of conflict found in the bible- and relate it to actual wars that take place in our day.

We should not use this history as a modern day plan of action between Arabs and Jews.

 Or the book of Revelation as a road map to a coming nuclear event.

No- the books of the bible have an intent- they show us of the promise of reconciliation of all people groups thru Christ.

The intent- spirit- of prophecy is to testify of Christ-

 Revelation 19:10

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

 The Son of David has indeed come- and thru that coming-

 All people- Jews- Arabs- all nations can become one.

 As they embrace the promised Son-

 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Eph. 2

 NOTES- Ashtoreth was the Phoenician goddess of love and fertility- the Greek equivalent was called Astarte.

Molech was the national god of the Amorites.

Chemosh the god of Moab.

 PAST POSTS- [My past teachings that relate in some way to this post- KINGS 11]

https://ccoutreach87.com/1st-2nd-corinthians/

https://ccoutreach87.com/hebrews-updated-2015/

https://ccoutreach87.com/protestant-reformation-luther/

https://ccoutreach87.com/romans-updated-2015/

https://ccoutreach87.com/galatians-links/

https://ccoutreach87.com/justification-by-faith/

KINGS-

https://ccoutreach87.com/1st-2nd-kings/

https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/03/29/kings-2/

https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/04/12/kings-3/

https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/04/27/kings-4/

https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/05/04/kings-5/

https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/05/25/kings-6/

https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/06/17/kings-7/

https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/07/05/kings-8/

https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/07/18/kings-9/

https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/08/01/kings-10/

(1059) 1ST KINGS 11- THE SIN OF SOLOMON- Now we get to the part where Solomon blows it. As I read these stories of the great men who failed, I continually fall into the trap of rooting for them, even though I know the end of the story! The trap being that failure in a sense was built into the story. How could God fulfill his purpose thru the coming Messiah if one of the sons of David actually lived up to the standard? Solomon, in a sense, was destined to fail. So what happened? This chapter says Solomon loved many women [1,000 to be exact!] and IN HIS OLD AGE began worshipping their gods. He set up altars for sacrifice and allowed the pagan gods to affect Gods people. I find this interesting, it  wasn’t the actual act of having all those other women, but the sin of being too accommodating to the other ‘world religions’. I’m presently reading a book written by what you would call a liberal scholar, you know, the brothers who challenge the authenticity of just about everything. But I also have some good scholars that I read from. To be honest, at times you still might read something that makes you a little uneasy; they too at times have been affected by higher learning. But the difference between the ‘good and the bad’ ones is the fact that the good ones remain true to the historic gospel. N.T. Wright is a great scholar, he sits in the middle category, between the conservatives and the liberals [in my view]. The prolific Bishop of Durham [Church of England] has written excellent stuff on the resurrection and the kingdom of God. The liberal scholars view him as ‘behind the times’ why? Because he actually defends the historic resurrection of Christ! Yet you can read some higher criticism in Wrights stuff, not real bad stuff, just things that the average fundamentalist might be uncomfortable with. So getting back to Solomon, he became way too accommodating to the religions of his day. Sort of like calling Islam, Christianity and Judaism the ‘great Abrahamic faiths’. Now, I love Muslims/Arabs, I have written in their defense! I also think some Muslim apologetic arguments for the existence of God are good, but I would not describe Islam as one of the great Abrahamic faiths. Just like I would not call Mormonism one of the great ‘restorationist faiths’. A while back a bunch of believers had an ecumenical meeting with Muslims and Jews. Noble efforts to tone down world violence in an attempt to all get along, I think stuff like this is good. But some Christians defended Allah as being the same God as the Christians, just a different name. In my view they went too far. So Solomon became too pluralistic in his old age. Beware of the trend to abandon central elements of the faith as you mature in your thinking. There is a real temptation to want to look ‘enlightened’ to try and put distance between your intellectual faith and those ‘silly fundamentalists’, because if your not careful you might just end up with a bunch of pagan altars at your doorstep. [Ben Witherington and R.C. Sproul are other favorite scholars of mine; one is Arminian and the other Calvinistic, it’s good to read scholars from various points of view].

   VERSES- [Here are the verses I either quoted or taught on today’s post- KINGS 11]

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2nd Cor. 12

Luke 19:17

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Psalm 61:7

He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

 1Kings 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites:

1Kings 11:2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

1Kings 11:3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

1Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

1Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

1Kings 11:6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

1Kings 11:7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

1Kings 11:8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

1Kings 11:9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

1Kings 11:10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

1Kings 11:11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

1Kings 11:12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

1Kings 11:13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

1Kings 11:14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.

1Kings 11:15 For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;

1Kings 11:16 (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)

1Kings 11:17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.

1Kings 11:18 And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.

1Kings 11:19 And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.

1Kings 11:20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.

1Kings 11:21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.

1Kings 11:22 Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.

1Kings 11:23 And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:

1Kings 11:24 And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.

1Kings 11:25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.

1Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.

1Kings 11:27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.

1Kings 11:28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

1Kings 11:29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:

1Kings 11:30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:

1Kings 11:31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:

1Kings 11:32 (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)

1Kings 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

1Kings 11:34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:

1Kings 11:35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.

1Kings 11:36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

1Kings 11:37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.

1Kings 11:38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

1Kings 11:39 And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.

1Kings 11:40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

1Kings 11:41 And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?

1Kings 11:42 And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

1Kings 11:43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

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[toptecharena]

We know Mercury is in Retrograde and it might be messing you up but this survival guide will help you weather this cosmic storm.

Mercury is officially in retrograde and this occurrence is causing a seismic shift in pretty much everything. If that last few weeks have felt a ‘little off’, blame it on the planets and the enormous change in energy that we cannot see. If you feel like things are spinning out of control, fear not, here’s your Mercury Retrograde survival guide.

Mercury Retrograde is a three-week astrological cycle in which the energies associated with Mercury, communication and the mind, tend to create an atmosphere that can feel rather slow, heavy and mostly negative. Here’s 7 Signs that Mercury Retrograde has been messing with you.

Life may seem to flow slowly and be more inexplicably confusing. It may also seem as if everything seems like more effort than usual.

During this Retrograde time, you might assume that your heightened feelings are originating from you however, though your emotions and thoughts are your own, please understand that the planets energies may be affecting and amplifying certain hidden patterns within you.

In 2018, Mercury is retrograde from:

March 23 to April 15 July 26 to August 19 November 17 to December 6

  According to Almanac.com:

The planet Mercury rules communication, travel, contracts, automobiles, and such. So, when Mercury is retrograde, remain flexible, allow extra time for travel, and avoid signing contracts. Review projects and plans at these times, but wait until Mercury is direct again to make any final decisions.

About a week or two before Mercury retrogrades, finish any tasks or projects at hand. You can’t stop your life, but plan ahead, have back-up plans, and be prepared for angrier people and miscommunication.

Some people blame Mercury retrograde for “bad” things that happen in their lives. Instead, take this time to sit back and review where you put your energy in your life. For example, if family and faith are important to you, are you putting your energies there or just overextended in other areas? Take a moment to reflect. Mercury retrograde can be an excellent time to take a step back and re-analyse who you are and what you are doing, but do refrain from making any drastic changes until after retrograde has ended.

Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide

So, in a time of such uncertainty, how do we successfully pass through it without anything catastrophic happening?

Well, fear not we have got a survival guide that should get you through the retrograde relatively unschathed.

Watch your words

Throughout Mercury Retrograde, remember to pause before you speak. Take a few deep breaths and gather your thoughts, especially if you’re unsure about what to say. If you are communicating with your partner, take regular pauses throughout the conversation to give both of you time to properly construct what you want to say.

During this time, it might be difficult to clearly articulate your thoughts so be careful before you say something that you may not be able to take back.

Let others do the talking

Mercury retrograde can cause us to talk incessantly and not allow others to get a word in sideways. Watch out for overpowering behaviour like taking up too much time in meetings and taking over conversations in general. Remember to pause and take a deep breath.

It’s important that you create a balanced conversation, where everyone feels seen and respected.

Connect with nature

Things do have a habit of breaking during Mercury retrograde, especially technology. If you find yourself locking yourself out of an email account or accidentally deleting some vital files, it may be time to take a step back and use the time to ‘log off’ for a little while.

Remind yourself that not everything is digital, and sometimes we need a forced break from our devices to connect with ourselves and others.

Read the fine print

You can sign contracts in Mercury Retrograde however make sure you read through them thoroughly twice or thrice. Mercury retrograde has a habit of helping us miss the details and we don’t give ourselves ample time to process the meaning behind things.

Again, breath and pause. Read things slowly, take your time with them. You will be better off in the long run.

It’s a time for introspection

A wonderful side affect of Mercury retrograde is the increased ability to talk with yourself. It’s a great time for some intense introspection with the energy of retrogrades spinning inward. This allows us to access our heart and intuition Spend time reflecting and exploring the inner workings of your mind.

It helps to start each morning talking about what you’re grateful for and repeating affirmations for the day ahead. This clarity will help you pace your day and avoid Mercury’s trickery.

Go with the flow

Missed flights, long delays and unexpected changes in plans are really just divine course corrections disguised  as setbacks.

Mercury has a way of leading us astray, in order to lead us to something which is actually a much better fit so sometimes, trust in where you are being led.

Go to Source Author: Ntianu Obiora Astrology and Mental Health: Here’s your Mercury Retrograde survival guide We know Mercury is in Retrograde and it might be messing you up but this survival guide will help you weather this cosmic storm.

[mrgreatfitness]

Tips And Tricks For A Healthy Lifestyle

'Charity begins at home', as the saying goes. Similarly, a healthy lifestyle begins with healthy thoughts. You need not torture yourself by forcing yourself to eat only a bland tasteless diet to stay fit and keep in good shape. If you change the way you live and adopt a truly healthy lifestyle, you can enjoy eating all your favourite foods in a moderate amount and still remain healthy. You do not need to be harsh to yourself or worry too much about what to eat and what to avoid. There is no need to compare yourself with anyone or try to be like them in terms of physique and figure. It is all right for you to work on your own health and fitness but trying to be like someone is a bad trick you would be playing on yourself. RELATED :  5 Pillars of Weight Loss Easily There aren't really any shortcuts to leading a healthy lifestyle. If you are determined to follow a certain pattern in your life, you would soon find ways and means of doing it. The first step towards a healthy lifestyle is bringing about necessary changes in your diet. Though it is all right to indulge yourself once in a while, it is important to make sure that your body gets its daily requirement of all nutrients and micro-nutrients. Eating healthy foods will keep your energy level high and make you feel fresh and energetic all day. Healthy foods also make your body's resistance and immune system strong and thus protect you against a host of diseases. Healthy eating habits will help you keep health problems at bay. Take more of nutritious foods rather than keep munching at all sorts of junk foods. Never skip your meals unless you are suffering from indigestion due to eating wrong food or overeating. A healthy lifestyle has several benefits. By eating right at the right time you hardy need to visit a doctor or consume artificial supplements of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and fit. Learn to understand the needs of your body and give it what it needs. Eating junk will only fill your stomach but will deprive your body of the essential nutrients. People who eat healthy foods look youthful and stay young at heart for ever and are able to accomplish much more than most of their peers. Even at the age of 80 people with a healthy lifestyle have been seen running and jogging. RELATED : 6 Simple Tricks To Live Healthy Life Eating healthy foods does not mean you give up meat, eggs, etc. Only eat small portions of such fat-rich foods. Yes, it is a good idea to avoid red meats as they have been identified as a major source of cholesterol. Anyway, you should cut meat-eating to twice or thrice in a week. Drink plenty of liquids to remain hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help to flush toxins out of the body. You can take liquid in any form such as soups, juices, tea, etc. Have a fixed time for your meals and avoid overeating to keep your body weight under control.

Doing some physical exercise everyday is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.

Eating nutritious foods without any physical exercise can make you feel heavy and dull throughout the day. You may work out daily without ever hitting the gym. Depending upon your age, you can go for a morning walk or jog. Doing yoga can also work wonders for your health. Even if you are too old you can keep yourself active by helping with simple household chores. Smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol are not good for your body. Quit them if you can or cut down on them. These habits can potentially invite serious health problems and thus go against the basic principles of a healthy lifestyle. Learn to feel joy and have fun in the company of your family or friends. Enjoy reading a good inspiring book on healthy lifestyle or on any other subject of your choice. With a positive and happy frame of mind you would be able to lead a stress-free life both at your workplace and in your home. This is the trick or secret of a healthy lifestyle. For More Great Fitness Tips Click Here

[johnchiarello]

Kings 11

KINGS 11 Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Kings 11- https://youtu.be/GtTRfebK1wI https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/8-18-17-kings-11.zip https://ccoutreach87.com/8-18-17-kings-11/

https://youtu.be/oKubgHicoBU 8-20-17 News update

ON VIDEO- .Solomon judged .1000 wives .Idolatry .Adversaries come .Hadad- Rezon .Jeroboam .Hadad- the lone survivor of the slaughter of the Edomites .The prophet Ahijah .History of the church seen in the history of the division of the tribes .The magisterial reformers .Reformation .Been to lake Geneva .Justification by faith .Protestants- like Judah [southern tribe] were indeed more doctrinally pure .Yet over time- like Judah- God rebuked them and said they were worse! .Why?- It was a matter of the heart .Solomon dies .Rehoboam ascends to the throne .Leadership principles .What was Solomon’s main problem- his adversaries? .No- his heart

NEW- I’ll add my past commentary on this chapter below- and hit on a few points here. I said in the beginning of this study that Solomon’s rule is covered more than any other King in this book. And in this chapter- his rule comes to an end- actually a sad end.

He is judged by God because of allowing idolatry to enter into the kingdom. He ‘loved’ many women- about 1000- and as he grew in years- they turned his heart after their god’s.

God pronounces judgment- and we see 3 particular people he uses to be a thorn in the side of Solomon. Hadad was the lone survivor of an earlier attempt by King David [under Joab] to wipe out the Edomites. I find the story of Hadad interesting.

It sort of goes along the line of Moses. He escapes as a young child- and is brought up in the house of Pharaoh himself. Over time he returns to the land of Israel- and fights against Solomon.

Another man by the name of Rezon is also ordained of God- to be part of the opposition. Yet it’s a man from the nation of Israel- Jeroboam [from Ephraim] that is chosen to become the king of the 10 northern tribes.

Yes- God takes the kingdom from Solomon- and gives 10 tribes to Jeroboam. But he permits Solomon’s son- Rehoboam- to rule over the Southern tribe- Judah.

God does this to keep his promise to king David- that he will always have a son on the throne- 1Kings 11:36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there. The theological significance to all of this- is the promise of a coming Messiah [Jesus] is tied into the promises God made to David. Eventually Jesus himself comes as the ultimate fulfillment of the promise- and as I taught before- he comes from the tribe of Judah- the Son of David.

I talked about more on the video- but wanted to add this- to keep us on track of the meaning of all of these Old testament books- The Prophets the Psalms the law-

All of this history finds it’s ultimate meaning in the person of Jesus Christ-

New Living Translation Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Lk. 24:27

We should not read the history of conflict found in the bible- and relate it to actual wars that take place in our day. We should not use this history as a modern day plan of action between Arabs and Jews.

Or the book of Revelation as a road map to a coming nuclear event. No- the books of the bible have an intent- they show us of the promise of reconciliation of all people groups thru Christ. The intent- spirit- of prophecy is to testify of Christ-

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The Son of David has indeed come- and thru that coming-

All people- Jews- Arabs- all nations can become one.

As they embrace the promised Son-

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Eph. 2

NOTES- Ashtoreth was the Phoenician goddess of love and fertility- the Greek equivalent was called Astarte. Molech was the national god of the Amorites. Chemosh the god of Moab.

PAST POSTS- [My past teachings that relate in some way to this post- KINGS 11] https://ccoutreach87.com/1st-2nd-corinthians/ https://ccoutreach87.com/hebrews-updated-2015/ https://ccoutreach87.com/protestant-reformation-luther/ https://ccoutreach87.com/romans-updated-2015/ https://ccoutreach87.com/galatians-links/ https://ccoutreach87.com/justification-by-faith/ KINGS- https://ccoutreach87.com/1st-2nd-kings/ https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/03/29/kings-2/ https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/04/12/kings-3/ https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/04/27/kings-4/ https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/05/04/kings-5/ https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/05/25/kings-6/ https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/06/17/kings-7/ https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/07/05/kings-8/ https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/07/18/kings-9/ https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/08/01/kings-10/ (1059) 1ST KINGS 11- THE SIN OF SOLOMON- Now we get to the part where Solomon blows it. As I read these stories of the great men who failed, I continually fall into the trap of rooting for them, even though I know the end of the story! The trap being that failure in a sense was built into the story. How could God fulfill his purpose thru the coming Messiah if one of the sons of David actually lived up to the standard? Solomon, in a sense, was destined to fail. So what happened? This chapter says Solomon loved many women [1,000 to be exact!] and IN HIS OLD AGE began worshipping their gods. He set up altars for sacrifice and allowed the pagan gods to affect Gods people. I find this interesting, it wasn’t the actual act of having all those other women, but the sin of being too accommodating to the other ‘world religions’. I’m presently reading a book written by what you would call a liberal scholar, you know, the brothers who challenge the authenticity of just about everything. But I also have some good scholars that I read from. To be honest, at times you still might read something that makes you a little uneasy; they too at times have been affected by higher learning. But the difference between the ‘good and the bad’ ones is the fact that the good ones remain true to the historic gospel. N.T. Wright is a great scholar, he sits in the middle category, between the conservatives and the liberals [in my view]. The prolific Bishop of Durham [Church of England] has written excellent stuff on the resurrection and the kingdom of God. The liberal scholars view him as ‘behind the times’ why? Because he actually defends the historic resurrection of Christ! Yet you can read some higher criticism in Wrights stuff, not real bad stuff, just things that the average fundamentalist might be uncomfortable with. So getting back to Solomon, he became way too accommodating to the religions of his day. Sort of like calling Islam, Christianity and Judaism the ‘great Abrahamic faiths’. Now, I love Muslims/Arabs, I have written in their defense! I also think some Muslim apologetic arguments for the existence of God are good, but I would not describe Islam as one of the great Abrahamic faiths. Just like I would not call Mormonism one of the great ‘restorationist faiths’. A while back a bunch of believers had an ecumenical meeting with Muslims and Jews. Noble efforts to tone down world violence in an attempt to all get along, I think stuff like this is good. But some Christians defended Allah as being the same God as the Christians, just a different name. In my view they went too far. So Solomon became too pluralistic in his old age. Beware of the trend to abandon central elements of the faith as you mature in your thinking. There is a real temptation to want to look ‘enlightened’ to try and put distance between your intellectual faith and those ‘silly fundamentalists’, because if your not careful you might just end up with a bunch of pagan altars at your doorstep. [Ben Witherington and R.C. Sproul are other favorite scholars of mine; one is Arminian and the other Calvinistic, it’s good to read scholars from various points of view].

VERSES- [Here are the verses I either quoted or taught on today’s post- KINGS 11] 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2nd Cor. 12 Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations Psalm 61:7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1Kings 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: 1Kings 11:2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 1Kings 11:3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. 1Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 1Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 1Kings 11:6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 1Kings 11:7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 1Kings 11:8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. 1Kings 11:9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 1Kings 11:10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 1Kings 11:11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 1Kings 11:12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. 1Kings 11:13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen. 1Kings 11:14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom. 1Kings 11:15 For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom; 1Kings 11:16 (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:) 1Kings 11:17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child. 1Kings 11:18 And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land. 1Kings 11:19 And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. 1Kings 11:20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh. 1Kings 11:21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country. 1Kings 11:22 Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise. 1Kings 11:23 And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah: 1Kings 11:24 And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus. 1Kings 11:25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria. 1Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king. 1Kings 11:27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father. 1Kings 11:28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph. 1Kings 11:29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field: 1Kings 11:30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: 1Kings 11:31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: 1Kings 11:32 (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) 1Kings 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. 1Kings 11:34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes: 1Kings 11:35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes. 1Kings 11:36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there. 1Kings 11:37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel. 1Kings 11:38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee. 1Kings 11:39 And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever. 1Kings 11:40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. 1Kings 11:41 And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? 1Kings 11:42 And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. 1Kings 11:43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead. MY SITES http://www.corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com [Main site] https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5?ref=bookmarks https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ4GsqTEVWRm0HxQTLsifvg

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Note- Please do me a favor, those who read/like the posts- re-post them on other sites as well as the site you read them on- Thanks- John.#

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