#and i already love matthew of course <33< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[haechannabelle]

i think it’s time….

….time to get really into zerobaseone…

[tokosparrow]

I'm having a stroke omg.

Imagine Matthew Patel x reader, where reader uses his fire abilities..for whatever.

FOR EXAMPLE, Reader is cold so they make him stand near them or cuddle while he has fireballs in hands so they can get warm and he's standing there like ":|"

Bonus points if he acts annoyed but actually thinks it's adorable

I have infinite IQ for thinking about this (I LOVE UR WRITING ALSO QUESTION...CAN I BECOME AN EMOJI ANON, LIKE "🦝" ANON, they're super outdated but I just wanna eat your fics)

a/n: i haven’t had that much writing motivation lately so sorry if this sucks more than usual >.<!!! also of course you could 🦝 anon <3!!

lately it has been getting more and more cold in canada as it gets to the winter seasons and you’d be lying if you said it didn’t bother you much at all. you and matthew were just taking a small walk around the nearest park when the cold weather started to hit a bit harder then you’re used too, a thought soon clicked in your head as you turned to face your boyfriend.

“hey matthew….is it okay for you to use your fireball, i’m getting a bit cold :<…” you said as you shivered ever so slightly.

matthew gave himself a couple seconds to consider it before he let out a small sigh, raising his hand before you as a small ball of fire takes form. you were relived as you place your cold hands near it, warming them and your face bit by bit.

“thanks matthew…” saying softly as you gave him a gently smile which brought his annoyed filled face into a small smile

“anytime (Y/N)…” he’d be honest, there were times where found it a bit silly having to use his abilities for non-fighting purposes, yet he always finds himself loving how nice it is to help you get warm when needed. how could he not? there were always a bit of shine in your eyes that he loved looking, maybe it was from the fire reflecting onto your eyes, but regardless he loved how it made your eyes look.

he brought you into a side hug, wrapping one arm around your waist as his other hand still carried the flame, hoping it’ll give you a bit more warmth than just one singular flame.

“let’s go home, i don’t want you getting frostbite or something, ‘kay?” he said as he grabbed onto your hand and taking the both of you back home.

“could we maybeee….cuddle when we get home?” you asked with a delight tone in your voice as you swung the both your hands as you two walked, “you never know, i still might be really cold.”

he chuckled at the question as he placed a quick kiss onto your cheek which added more to your already pinkish cheeks.

“i wouldn’t mind that, my dearest (Y/N) <33”

[tonydaddingham]

I mean Neil said once that the sequel involved Jesus arriving in America on a plane with secret service agents, and the S2 opening sequence shows a plane, so I'm... fairly confident that he's an adult? Jesus died when he was like 33 right

afternoon anon!!!✨ see i recall this (ask on neil's page?) and remember the response but cannot for the life of me find it anywhere (and im pretty good at Finding Stuff), do you - or anyone else reading for that matter - have a link to this? just so i can save it for future reference.

now, i hope you don't mind if i do this, but i would like to use this opportunity to parse out a more coherent rationale on the second coming, if that's okay? yeah? cool.

(previous incarnation of this theory).

thing is that the premise of the baby swap in s1 is based on the omen, right? takes at least a huge chunk of inspiration from that as the origin of how the antichrist came into the story. but it goes wrong, obviously, and there's a third baby thrown in the mix. makes a cursory wave to the omen, but isn't a carbon copy of it.

now i can't help but feel that narratively it would make sense to bookend this and have the second coming be a bit bollocksed up too. seems to be a theme in GO. and actually, when i thought about it (with extreme bias, granted, because im chomping at the bit on this theory), the second coming was potentially already fucked up anyway.

now, disclaimer time -

i completely get that people will look to the bible in reference to parsing out the second coming (or indeed any other theory). obviously i do too, for references to certain verses etc. in order to draw the relevant parallels. but there are multiple instances in GO where it is based on the bible or other texts, but doesn't follow it exactly; how GO portrayed the book of job, for example. it takes these texts, and distorts or reimagines them slightly or completely.

the way i see it, we are reading/watching GO as if this is in fact the true telling of those texts, as if (and not trying to be diminutive here) the bible is an inaccurate telling of GO, not the other way around - because, of course, we're seeing GO from the angel and demon that were 'actually there', so to speak.

im not saying that this - or any - of my theories are indisputably correct, far from it. but to me, with the information i have from the narrative as first source, and then looking at the referenced texts that inspired it, what i come up with, and write, is what makes sense to me. and it might make sense because it would be poetically apt, is in-keeping with how i interpret the characters, and/or is just plain funny or ironic (GO is after all, a comedy).

so whilst i fully anticipate people to duly correct me on how it all goes down in the bible (as they should, i love being educated!!!), please know that im not trying to deliberately misinterpret anything, but more trying to think outside the box, from the viewpoint of the GO story itself, and what direction would make the most sense in which it will reimagine these texts.

- exit disclaimer.

anyway! theory time!

so we have the imagery from the s2 sequence of the "thy kingdom come" plane, and this is obviously a reference to the resurrection as you've said, anon: that jesus arrives by plane. i truly love this imagery because if we take matthew 24:36 (KJV): "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.", the concept that in the great plan the date and time might finally be revealed in the form of a flight number, airport, and ETA is frankly hilarious to me. furthermore, "cometh with clouds" (revelation, 1:7 KJV) being reimagined as a literal plane landing again sets up the comedic backdrop so well.

now wherever the plane lands, whether from the US or to the US (again, don't have the original neil answer to refer to, but going based on your ask, anon, it's the latter), it regardless involves americans. this is where i feel it would be a perfect narrative symmetry opportunity to refer back to s1/the book, and reintroduce the dowlings.

and you might be wondering, "well no because GO set up the dowlings to be involved only insomuch that they were meant to be custodians of the antichrist - why would they also be involved in the second coming?" well, i wondered this too. the only conclusion i can come to, frankly, is GO!god having a very warped, twisted and ineffable sense of humour. they saw what satan had planned for the dowlings in inadvertently raising the antichrist, possibly did a bit of shifting around in the mystical threads, and decided that actually - just to throw in the wildcard of chaos - they should instead be the bearers of the second coming. this degree of mind-boggling ineffability, to me, would be comedically on-brand.

regardless; whilst just a theory, the whole thing makes sense to me - that in any case, the dowlings are going to make a reappearance. and with them, or on his own (if we follow the biblical telling that jesus was resurrected as he was from the crucifixion, at age 33yo, and therefore would suggest a timeskip from s2, but this isn't necessarily guaranteed - ie: might not be how GO chooses to portray it!), comes warlock. now we know that warlock was meant to be the antichrist, before crowley and the nuns managed to bugger it all up.

but heaven wouldn't necessarily know that its the dowlings arriving, right? presumably they'd just all gather on the tarmac awaiting the arrival, and lmao SIKE, it's bloody warlock. heaven hasn't met warlock, and therefore still think he's in fact jesus resurrected... but aziraphale has met him. he helped bloody raise him. and he knows now that he is essentially a normal kid/adult (albeit a very stuck-up one) and definitely not the second coming.

well then, if jesus was meant to be on that plane, according to the great plan, a plane being used by the dowlings... then why isn't it warlock? well, because the dowlings' actual baby isn't warlock. lets go back to the baby swap in the book/s1:

*apols, editing to correct this somewhat because it isn't quite right and lateral thinking is not my strong suit*

ANTICHRIST was meant to go to: the DOWLINGS. instead, went to: the YOUNGS. this is Adam.

YOUNG BABY was meant to go to: stay with the YOUNGS, but got mixed up. instead, went to: the DOWLINGS. this is Warlock.

DOWLING BABY was meant to go to: adoption/something nefarious instead, and indeed did. this is... Greasy Johnson.

and i love this for all sorts of reasons. now im lifting this next bit, essentially, from another ask of mine, but to keep things all in one place:

"greasy is posed as the antithesis of adam/antichrist, has a gang surrounding him that you could infer are loyal disciples, and is a mirror to adam in that adam on the whole seems to be a well-adjusted and morally-upstanding young boy.

i further think the fact that adam is the antichrist put against greasy being the second coming is a well positioned reflection on the nature vs nurture argument. ultimately adam grew up in a largely loving and supportive environment, and as the literal son of satan, you'd expect his nature, the circumstances of his birth, to rule out every other influence.

ultimately it does for a short time, but adams narrative iirc is that it is reflective of his desire to save the world... he wanted to get rid of things that were Wrong, and naively (he is still an 11-year old boy after all) thought that destroying the world and restarting it would do just that. his friends however reinforce in him that destruction and reparation are not the same thing, and so his upbringing, the nurture, wins.

greasy? we don't know a lot about him, only that he is a bully and represents the opposite of adam and the them... [and there exists] the whole [sic] analogy that greasy and the johnsonites vs adam and the them are meant to represent the hell vs heaven war..."

and then we have this small, relatively innocuous detail from the book:

as i said, possibly something of nothing. but the deliberate wording of 'breeding the fish', which is left out of s1, is - i like to think - a bit of a clue.

and before anyone comes for me on this, i am aware that this is based practically on fuck all of jack shit; im painfully aware of that. im aware that it deliberately misinterprets certain passages (not going to do the soapbox speech again, promise), but i just like to have fun. i honestly do not care if this is wrong; whatever happens in s3 should and will be better than anything i can come up with. yes, it's fun to get a prediction or speculation correct, of course it is, but it's not the endgame here. i get that others will have conflicting schools of thought, see things differently, or just plain think it's crap - that's okay! but, if that's the case, just move on from this post with a shake of your head. im not here to do anything other than have a good time, lads (gn)✨💓

edit 21/08: additional reading because now i feel vindicated: here from amuseoffyre, and my tags on this post too.

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 9/17

What am I feeling today?

Worried. I have an exam tomorrow that I have not studied for yet. I keep putting it off and I know I struggle a lot with the material and I’m just anxious about the whole thing. I was also feeling rather jealous last night, no particular reason. I just started thinking of a lot of what ifs and it was bothering me that I wasn’t making peace with it. I want to be solely content with Christ and not rely on my joy to come from anyone/anywhere else.

Bible Plan: Prayers for Contentment

Contentment is a concept that can be difficult to practice in our fast-paced, consumer-driven society, but it's an important virtue to cultivate for a truly fulfilling life. As we go through this plan, I encourage you to spend time meditating on these scriptures and let them sink deep into your heart.

Then each day we have a prayer starter laid out for you. Of course, feel free to modify as needed to fit your situation and communication style with God.

Here is today’s prayer starter:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being my shepherd and guiding me through life. I know that I can trust in you to provide for all my needs. As Psalm 23:1 says, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

I confess that I have often worried about school and been discontent with the status of my relationships. I have sought after money, good grades, and men thinking that it would bring me happiness and contentment. But as Ecclesiastes 5:10 reminds me, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless."

Instead, I want to seek your kingdom and righteousness, as Matthew 6:31-33 instructs. "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Lord, help me to trust in you and find contentment in you, rather than in material possessions, wealth, or anything else. Help me to remember that true peace and fulfillment only come from you and will never come from the things of this world.

Thank you for your goodness and provision in my life. I pray that you would continue to guide me and lead me in your ways.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 23:1 NIV

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

There may be a lot of things in this world that I don’t have but that is not the goal of my life. The goal is to be a disciple and make other disciples! God has given me all the tools for that, He provides for all my physical and spiritual needs so truly I lack nothing. What matters is to change my perspective in seeing that I already have everything!

Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV

“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”

In the world we live in, we need money in order to live our lives. It is not a bad thing to want to be financially stable. The issues lies when you make getting money your priority. You will never have what you deem as enough and to continue putting your full effort into something that is fleeting instead of something that’s eternal is foolish and meaningless. Yes money is important but not as important as God and His kingdom!

Matthew 6:31-33 NIV

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

First we need to acknowledge that these are Jesus’ words. He is the one who reassures is that God knows what we need and if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness then all these things will be given to us as well!

[miimoz]

welcome, 2024 !! some messages are longer in the written version below.

as always, i wanted to thank my friends for, well, keeping me alive lol but seriously i say this every single year but you really. made my year. and i'm very grateful for that.

in particular, i'd like to thank my most beloved tuals (twtuals for the most part), thank you for dealing with me on a daily basis, i bet it's not easy !!

// in alphabetical order of the contact names!

[ashie] ; @geumibear

my ribbit !!! we haven’t spoken much this year, but your presence was always, ALWAYS very appreciated!! i’m also very much enjoying the crush saga … in my humble opinion he wants u SO bad ashie. so bad. also, belated congratulations for getting into your chem degree, my whittle alchemist (<- ik that’s not what u are but that’s cute so u hab to accept it sorry) i hope that you always always always remember that i love you very much even when we don’t really talk!! may 2024 bring u crush and uni successes <3 can’t wait to keep up w your adventures this upcoming year as well!!!! lob u

[biebear] ; @marklyluvr

dear bylan p baller! sorry, my BELOVED BIEBEAR <33 we were already pretty good friends (i like to think) but i feel like we’ve gotten much much closer these past few months!! (or is it just me. who knows) . either way i’m really glad for that <3 because idk if u know this (u better. this is a threat.) but i love you a LOT. sorry for making u deal with me recently kjdfksbdk but thank you for hearing me out (and giving me courage also) <3 also thank you for always playing along w me when i say dumb stuff ure so cute i lob u… thank you for always being so nice to me and for being my most beloved villaintual my ohseungtual so important to me what wld i do without u… please be careful on the road!! ure still a whittle biebear so people should let u do whatever u want when ure driving but i have a feeling that they won’t :( i hope that the upcoming year treats you better than this one, i love you!! my cutieful bieloved!! ps. kissie for lillie

[bnuuy / my gabi] ; @yangsminho

my biloved <3 i already said this recently but. i really missed you an awful lot.. an so i’m SO very glad that we’ve been talking a bit more these days <3 u falling for nicho (and subsequently fuma. and) was one of the best things to happen to me this year fr . i kiss u btw . sorry for being so needy and annoying sowwy for targeting u so often when it happens its bc i love u i can’t promise i’ll be less annoying next year hope u understand… also, sure, i only know your internet persona BUT i do love you a whole lot and. this is something i’ve said before but. your internet persona is still a part of You. and i would love you no matter how and where and when i met you, i promise. thank you for being my friend, and i hope we can continue that throughout the upcoming year <3 can’t wait to hunt down nichofuu at the korean clubs w u mwah!!

[founding matthewer / my iri] ; @seokmatthewz

MY IRI WHOM I LOVE my forest witch my cherry fox (og) my shrimptual my elf chef… and most importantly recently my zebitual ofc ofc ofc. founding matthewer. i love you. btw. if u even care. i think this year was a big one for miliri!! got ur twt n subsequently ur discord i feel like i won at life. i guess im also thankful to zebi for existing so i can annoy u more… or i guess ure the one terrorising me most of the time but. as u know. i don’t mind. (also &t i’m so glad u had no other survival show to watch im so glad u decided to subject urself to &audition i love the consequences of that so bad u domt understand) i’m really really glad that we’ve been talking arguably? more this year!! i hope you’re willing to deal with me next year as well!! also excited for the 2024 miliri jesus birthday cafe run, of course!!!!! kdfkjsdnjkd ps. may 2024 bring u all the shrimp of the world. right to ur door. and say miss blue that i love her. and ur honorary catdog also &lt;3

[léksie] ; @possession1981

my léksie whom i love <3 congratulations on your graduation hehe!! things are…….the way they are recently so i feel like we haven’t kept in contact as much as i wish we did this year but i’m glad that you’re still… here, yknow!! i love you very, very, very much and you deserve nothing but all the love in the world!!! 2023 was tough, i know, and i hope that 2024 treats you so so much better… if it doesn’t ill kill the universe actually. i’ll also be crossing my fingers for a potential miléks meetup (<- literally have not discussed this w u seriously but idc i’ll be scheming)(just between lovers marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when!!!!!!!!!!!) thank you for being such an amazing friend and role model, i really, really care about you and love you a lot. 

[loml / my brina] ; @aquablues

MY BRINA LOVE OF MY LIFE MY SUNSHINE MY RAINBOW MY LITTLE TULIP MY BRILOVED MY LITTLE STAR WHO IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME …. MY WORLD …. MY BABRI (baby bri) WHOM I LOVE SOSOOSOSOSOSOSOSOOSOSOSOSOSO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this year was a big one for you and i’m so, so, so, so, so, so proud of you always always always!!! i’m SO glad to see that your college life has been treating you well so far i’m genuinely SO happy that you’re having a good time like u dont get it i’m literally tearing up as im writing this?? anyways thank you so much for keeping me (and the rest of us) updated on your uni adventures i really appreciate it!! and as u know i would have been devastated if u just contact w me like i wld be so sad if u ever do that at least give me like a two weeks notice ok thank u… please remember that i love you i adore you i cherish you my brina!!! so much!! i hope you can continue to enjoy your uni experience in 2024 as well (without the annoying u-know-who this time). ps. i still have a jo to send u someday i just think i prob shldnt send it to ur home address considering ur parents??

[megmeg] ; @lunetual

my megmeg my beloved <33 thank you for helping me this year despite being so busie <3 even if we dont really get to talk i’m really really happy to have you in my life!! and thank you for making efforts to keep in touch despite being so busie i love u… i hope we can continue to be friends in the upcoming year hehe <3 ps. give kissies to apollo from me!!

[mr. meoweks] ; @awek-s

dear mr pawminister sir. i hope you’re doing well in this very busy season,, kjsfnksjdnfkksn hello my meoweks whom i meow (love) so so so meowch!! i thiiiiiink we might have gotten a bit closer this year and i’m very happy about that!! ik this year was definitely not easy for you so i hope that 2024 can be a much better year BUT! congratulations (yet again) on getting into ur phd program im sosoosososososososo proud of you genuinely SO proud!!!! i knew you could do it but STILL!! cant wait to be promoting ur anthology entry in the streets <3 also omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg……………… meowmeow (aweks millie) meetup i CANT WAIT head in hands im so excited u domt get it meoweks.. also i think its SO cute that u have little bunbuns now wtf tell them that i love them wtf wtf wtf they’re so cute i love them. ps. do tell me if u want me to send u the cappuccino or if u want to wait until u come over!!

[my danderion / my eri] ; @xiaojuun

my beloved eri… what can i say that i havent said yet at the beginning of the month lmao this is the hard part abt u being a december baby it’s like i don’t wanna keep repeating myself but it’s literally only been like 3 weeks. but it’s been. Very busie weeks also. it’s slightly sad to have u so busy (from a selfish standpoint bc … my ewi … i miss my ewi …) but i’m also genuinely very happy for you!! you get to do what you wanted to do where u wanted to!! AND ur not living alone!! u won big time i think!!! im also very very grateful that you’re making efforts to still keep me updated even when you’re so busy, i appreciate it a lot, really :< i love you (you already know this). and. as i said before. i am Very glad to have not a friend Like you, but You As my friend. also i hope u know that i’m taking my wittle pengeri (tuxedo sam) so so many places! in very important 2023 events i am also SO happy (and still so giddy. i am insane. and i love u.) that i got to meet you irl <33 one of my best memories of the year! thank u for being such a cute n nice guide i lob u… i hope 2024 treats you well and that we can !! continue!! to be good friends!! i love you lots <3 i really do. ps. give flo and vika a kithie from me if u can!! and sarabi too, the next time u see her <3 pps. i allowed myself to show my grandma meri christmas pics and she said ure pretty. shes right. btw if u care.

[my ina] ; @flops

MY INA WHOM I LOVE!!! i feel like every year my wishes of getting closer to u get realised !! and u have no idea how happy it makes me!! im also so so happy that u joined us over on twt im so so so glad im so glad u hab no idea im SO happy i can annoy u so much more now thank u so much… (also sorry). thank you for putting up with me and all the annoying things i send u .. its a love language (and for sending me my leo)!! i love you to bits… and yet again, i hope we can get even closer in the upcoming year <3 ps. milina meetup when

[my violet / my vyvy] ; @souladies

MY VYNAIGRETTE!!!!!!!! MY VYONCÉ!!!!!!!!!!! my violet my vyvy my viavy my vyvyney whom i love so so much my little mouse my fluffy cat my beloved fennec fox <3 i feel like we’ve gotten SO insanely closer these past few months?!?! first of all thank you so much for being my beloved dramamate <3 thank you for being okay with me live messaging u my reactions to wifty and piggy king, thank you for agreeing to (re)watch hidden love with me, thank you SO much for experiencing fiys with me, thank you (and paula) so much for welcoming me for that one insane extraordinary you episode, and thank you (and ro!) for watching the killy votey & kidnapping day with me as well!! thank you so much for always making time for me :< i really appreciate it. and more recently, thank you for being my line friend hehe <3 i really love talking to u a LOT !! idk if u can tell . thank you sm for dealing with me skjdnfksdnk i genuinely thought u were going to stop talking to me after that one piggy episode . anyways i hope that 2024 treats you well and that we can continue talking and being friends <3 also i’m very excited for the next vyllie drama, whatever it may be!! ps. tell paquito that i lob him

[pauby] ; @ghiblin

MY PAUBY!!!!!!!!! my capy <3 i lob u so much thank u for always being so cute and so nice to me!!! and thank you for allowing me into the pauney extraordinary you watch that time and for welcoming me so nicely i kithie u … i hope that 2024 treats you vewy nicely (or else!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and that we can continue to be friends <3 ps. tell ur kitty that i said hello pps. pauby to be honest i wld let u :O eat me . honestly

[princess roro] ; @sunghanbin

MY SUNSHINE MY MODEL MY PRINCESS MY BEROVED RORO!!!!!!!!!!! <33 big year for milro i wld say but also i feel like every year is… <3 thank u (and vyvy) for watching killy votey and the kidnapping day with me <3 thank you for being the girl with the prettiest smile ever <3 also just the most beautiful girl ever. i know things have been rough lately and i’m very sorry about that… i hope 2024 can bring you and your family good news! that aside, thank you for being my friend and talking to me and bickering with me and getting me into bonedo and for showing me so much love and for trusting me!! what i’m trying to say is!! i love you!! a lot!! my beroved!! and i hope you are willing to deal with me for another year <3

[puppie !!] ;

MY PUPPIE MY VENVEN MY VEN PARA whom i love. thank you for STILL being friends with me i feel like its been so long…. i don’t really know if you realize this but you’re a extremely important friend to me. genuinely. i think my life would be a lot more miserable without you. thank you for dealing with me despite everything.. amd thamk u for the kitty videos always!! i kissie u <3 i love you <3 i hope that you always remember that and that you Never ever doubt it. may 2024 treat u nicely!!!!!!!!!!! and i hope we can be friends for even longer <3 ps. pls tell my children (phantom max sassa . i feel like im forgetting someone if i am im sorry i am on my knees repenting) that i love them!!

additionally, thank you to my other mutuals that have spent this year with me!! my miha (@jaebeomtual) and lili (@ninqz) who have been so sweet ; my sarah (@wabisaba), my rosie (@kimjiwoong), my beluluved (@fushigojos), my sofsof (@yeofi), luna (@yunwooz), and my dee (@ryudaeng), who have been with me for a While now and stuck with me despite us not interacting much this year ; rachie (@gnanii) and mary (@dongkwan) whose contribution to the eri project i'm very grateful for (and they're amazing just in general as well but) ; as well as vivi (@moonsua) who's a beloved twtual &lt;3

and a special thanks to paquito and lavender ; phantom, sassa and max ; miss blue and iri's woof ; paula's cat ; eri's woofs whose names i forgot i am so sorry... & bestinez and sarabi, bestie j & ellis and florence and vika ; apollo ; lillie ; gabi's many many many animals ; grimm ; sammy and ashy ; brina's friend group. for being around my beloveds and for all the stories (amd cute pictures) involving them !!

as well as jinsung coming back bc this is my post and i can be insane <3 as a treat <3

credits!! [icons] // [ash pfp] // [bie pfp] // [gabi pfp] // [iri pfp] // [aléks pfp] // [brina pfp] // [meg pfp] // [aweks pfp] // [eri pfp] // [ina pfp] // [vy pfp] // [paula pfp] // [ro pfp] // [ven pfp]

[sunlightmurdock]

if you had to cast Jake’s parents and brothers in Like This Forever, who would you pick? Love that fic so much already 🤠🥰

Me, upon reading this ask: I am going to create a family that is SO BEAUTIFUL—

So for the parents, I’m going to go with Nancy Sinatra as Mary-Lynn Seresin, and Harrison Ford as Bill Seresin. I think Mary-Lynn for sure wears her hair just like that 🥹. They’re probably in their late fifties when the fic takes place.

And then for the Seresin boys, from left to right and in order of age we’ve got Jensen Ackles as Matthew Seresin (33), Scott Eastwood as Noah Seresin (32), and Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Daniel Seresin (31)

Then, of course, we have Jake and we’re going to pretend that this is what a twenty-six year old looks like 🫶

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 94

One Shot Wonders? This should be interesting ... oh ... right, Robbie being RIGHT THERE is ... interesting ... we know full well what a chaos gremlin he is, we have been missing that ... and then there's Laura who can't even BEGIN to hold it together long enough to become a problem ... XD ... that was ... a STRANGE skit, to be honest ... but interesting ...

Wow ... that was the most thinly-veiled dig at Youtube I've EVER HEARD, Travis ...

Bells Hells live show? Intriguing ...

I swear, though, seeing FCG on the title sequence is ... INTENSE. We miss you already, Letters ...

It already feels SO GOOD that we got Dorian back, though ... and I mean it, I love having Robbie back at the table ...

Given the mood, I can't even get enthusiastic about any possibility for Ashton x Fearne stuff ...

Laudna: "What's harder? Expecting the worst, or being surprised?" Dorian: "Good question." Oof ...

Ahston (to Fearne): "Dou you want some company tonight?" HOLY FUCK ... I'm Travis right now ... he's all of us ... oh yeah, ANYTHING is good with these too, I'll take the crumbs ... and it's sweet. It really is ...

Oh yeah, so Orym TOTALLY heard all of that ... XD

LONG REST!!! LONG REST!!! Gods, they need this SO BAD ...

Travis rolls AGAIN ... oh shit, how do I keep forgetting about that? Is Chetney dead?

How is Fearne arranged wit Ashton in theit sleep? Why is this a WORRYING question right now, MATTHEW?!!! O.O

Okay ... what the hell is THIS thing? Why is this more creepy than cute right now? I don't trust this shit ... be careful, Fearne, please ...

33 Passive Perception ... fucking hell, Orym ...

How DOES she squeeze through that? Wildshape? A cockatiel with a peach plume? Awwwwww ... Ashley doing the wobbly birdwalk ... :3 ... oh wait ... so it's leading her AWAY? Yeah, I really DON'T trust this shit right now ...

Yes. Keep following her, Orym ... do not lose that bird ...

She's going to continue following this INCREDIBLY SUSPICIOUS critter becausde it's cute ... yeah, classic Fearne ... I just can't with her ...

Floating IN THE AIR? How the fuck? Yeah, that definitely can't be a good sign. A DARK ARMOURED GAUNTLET? Fuck's sake ... damn it, it's FUCKING Zathuda. FEARNE!!! Gods damn-it!

She's just PANIC FLAPPING. Of course she is ...

The whole time Ma\tt does this character I'm just seeing Sean Connery in Highlander ... it really doesn't help to create the menace due the moment ...

Crap ... he intends to use Fearne to unlock Predathos' prison ... yeah, that's not much of a surprise ...

Yeah, there's NO WAY she's gonna come with you, you Scottish CREEP ... but she wants his wyvern ... yeah, of course she does. LOL ... oh boy ... he's actually really taking that as encouragement, isn't he?

Yes girl. Insight check this asshat ... WHISPERS!!! Cue Beacon plug by Travis ...

"Fearne Zathuda?" Come ON, you evil fuck, don't you dare ... YES FEARNE!!! School the man ... Calloway all the way ...

A MIRROR? Oh balls ... please not THAT shit again ... last thing we need right now is Dark Fearne ...

Bollocks ... it really IS happening ... damn it, I saw that shit coming ... fuck ... fuck fuck fuck fuck ... she's loose, she's free, this is SO BAD ...

Wait ... SHE'S MULTIPLYING?!!! Fuck, that's not good ...

Orym messages Dorian through the Sending stone ... PLEASE let this work ... talk about a desperate Hail Mary ... PLEASE PICK UP, DORIAN!!! Oh thank fuck that worked ...

Laura has to roll for everyone to see if this WAS a long restor not ... YES!!! Thank fuck ... so only Fearne and Orym are still short, at least ... but that's not so good right now ... balls ...

YES!!! Chentey's nose! Sniff them out QUICK old man!

Ashton says: "Find. Them. NOW!!!" with SUCH exquisite intensity, I love it ...

Over the wall! Quickly!

No guards? No help? REALLY?!!!

Roll initiative! Uh-oh ...

Shit! A Battlemap! Bollocks ... this means he's SERIOUS ...

Yes! Orym! Bait & Switch for the win like always! Way to go, Wee Man!

Earthbind? Hmmm ... could she fuck this up for them before it even starts? That would be helpful ... yes, stay put, Fearne ... be careful ...

Boy, Faux-Fearne is SO CREEPY ... SHADOW CLAW attacks? Oh fuck ... COLD DAMAGE?!!! Ouch ... wait ... oh, so Fearne can become RESISTANT to Cold damage? Nice ... plus Psychic damage? Argh ... not so good ...

And now the extras ... I really hope they're pale imitations ... balls, looks like they might NOT be ... shit ... a NAT20?!!! Come on Mercer, PLEASE play nice ... O.O

Orym pulls another Bait & Switch ... okay ... oh, is he planning on invoking Nana Morri? Yeah, do it, any port in a storm ... meanwhile GET SWINGING, Fighter! HOLY SHIT, Liam, you are rolling ROCKS tonight! Keep THAT up, please!

Fearne activates the Spark! Yeah! She'll pay for it later, but right now ... SO BADASS, I swear ... and here comes Mister! Yay!

Oh, they take Fire damage when they hit her? Nice ... Voice Thief? What the sweet FUCK?!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaargh ... 17 poijnts of damage? Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck ... it cuts her throat, with no blood ... BUT HER VOICE IS JUST GONE ... fucking hell ... oh fucking fuck ... she is just getting SO MESSED UP right now, I hate this ...

Come on, Orym, fuck these bitches UP!!! Nice! Nat20! But it's A SHIT damage dict roll ... balls ... Second Wind! Yeah, right now he really needs it ... yeah, he's done what he can ...

All that Fearne has left is VERBAL spells ... fuck ... Mister takes some shots with his flaming shit gun instead ... she's going to DROP her flaming form? REALLY?!!! That was the ONLY ADVANTAGE she had right now ... but it does cause a big BOOM so maybe it'll work ... yeah, at least it gets TWO of 'em ... 41 points of damage! YEAH!!! Wow, and she just TAKES THOSE TWO OUT entirely ... yes! And now she's at FOUR POINTS OF EXHAUSTION ... oof ...

Dark Fearne jumps up on one of the rocks ... what's THIS SHIT?!!! Oh nice ... BOTH HITS MISS ENTIRELY?!!! Sweet ... but the third hits ... 6 points ... AND SHE'S DOWN?!!! FUCK!!! Another hit while she's DOWN? Fuck!! Autocrit means TWO FAILED DEATH SAVES!!! NO NO NO NO NO!!!

Orym pours a healiong potion down Fearne's throat for 17 HP back, then crouches over her to protect her, shield up and ready ... ORYM!!! Sweet ...

At least Fearne's got her voice back ... SCORCHING RAY!!! GO QUEEN!!! Four attacks ... roll good, Ash! 2 hit, but she rolls BALLS on the damage ...

But it was JUST enough to finally take out Dark Fearne? Oh thank the fucking GODS ...

Mister shoots more flaming shit at thew remaining copy ... and hits it! OKay ... come on, you sweet flaming monkey ... meanwhile Ashley gets stuck reading rules and Laura gets REALLY upset with her about it ... NERVES, PEOPLE!!! And it WORKS!!! That last bitch is DEAD!!! Thank fuck ...

Is it over? Thank fuck ... oh for ... NOW what? Gloamglut? Fucking ZATHUDA!!! You fucking ASSHAT!!! Just piss off already!

The NEXT LESSON? Oh, I hate him so much ...

NOW the alarm's raised? As he's already leaving? IS HE leaving? What's happening?

Thank fuck that's over with ... yeah, NO MORE solo nighttime excurstions, ANY OF YOU ... you're making me go grey here ...

Cure Wounds? Yes. Thank you, Dorian. Heal Fearne ...

Yes. Seriously, Fearne, NO MORE FOLLOWING CUTE CREATURES ... I agree, take a buddy next time! Smarter, at least ...

Ah, yes ... because Dorian REALLY DOESN'T know a whole lot right now, this is true ... seriously, time to fill our poor boy in!

And now for a break ... yeah ...

Creeeeepy Beacon ad ... hmmm ...

An uneasy morning, clearly ... salvaging what's left of the mirror ... is that really a good idea?

Yes, indeed ... what ARE WE going to do now? What's the plan? Decisions need to be made ...

Kayleth first ... yeah, smart.

Okay, big meeting. Time to unload all the information ...

Oh, is Fearne going to fill them in on the WHY that all just kicked off? This should be interesting ...

So ... the Hallowed Cage rings a bell? Interesting ...

Yes, I figured Evoroa would be a valuable teaching resource for this lot ...

Growing discord from Ludinus' propaganda across Exandria? Great. Just what we need right now ...

Oh yeah, the machinery ... the piece of Malleus Key tech ... okay ... so it's definitely Arcanum era technology ... all of it keeps pointing back to Aeor ...

Someone who knows Aeor? Who's that, then? They're on a mission? Hmmm ...

A mission for US, then? Okay ... so they're going to meet with this individual? And potentially stop Ludinus, if he IS out there too? Sounds smart ...

Yeah, I mean Dorian does have a particularly fresh and unique perspective on this right now that's bound to be useful ...

"Scrappy fuck-ups"? I mean, he ain't wrong, but ...

Whoa, Chetney ... O.O ... HEAVY WORDS, man ... careful ...

Laudna: "He was just a snow Ludinus!" Um ... yeah ...

Chetney's like a "fart in the wind" ... XD ... cute ...

Imogen tries to show them what the Five Minds looked like ... okay ... yeah, Chetney's right, there's definitely some serious POWER in their Psychic game compared to ours ...

Weeks? I really doubt we actually HAVE that much time ...

Sent by a WIDOGAST? What?

Seth Domade? An archivist of the Cobalt Soul? Interesting ... so he's one of the Aeor experts? Cool. He's actually BEEN THERE? Even cooler ...

The furniture? What? Chetney ...

Finding an individual? WHO?!!! He'll tell them on the way? Damn it ...

The globe! Cool ... XD Keyleth finds it somewhat terrifying. As she should ...

Laudna's fetuses in jars ... yeah ... calm down, Dead Girl!

So, off to find this mysterious Assembly member first, then ... yeah ... and they're going to be using Domade as the means of transport? Teleportation? Hmmmm ...

Imahara Joe? Yeah ... he really should know what happened to FCG ... best to wait until they can tell him themselves, then. Yeah ...

So, to Zadash first, then ... oh, war chest funds? Yeah, that'd be really helpful too ... 10,000 gold pieces? REALLY?!!! Wow ... that's ... IMPRESSIVE ...

Yes. Ashton's giant magic Hole ... oh yeah, Dorian's not seen that yet ... Chetney: "Are you turned off by our dep dark Hole?" Well I mean it does STINK or rotting corpses right now ... oh, they're just cleaning all the nasty stuff out of it RIGHT NOW? Holy fuck ... LOL

Wow ... this conversation just became surreal and oddly unpleasant ...

Domade is intrigued by his first impression of this group and I don't blame him in the slightest ...

Yes. Fearne IS exhausted. FOUR TIMES right now ... yes, Keyleth PLEASE help her right now ...

She took away TWO WHOLE POINTS of Exhaustion? Cool ...

The Champion of Asmodeus? Oh boy ... O.O

Yeah, Keyleth continues to be awesome, like always ...

Wise words from Orym, yes ... and some advice from her to him, too ... oh boy ...

Dorian likes the Mythtaker. Yeah ... :3

Okay, heading out with Seth, then. Introductions all round first, though. Yeah ...

Oh right ... this looks like a SERIOUS Teleportation spell ...

Yeah, Liliana was able to STOP TIME. It was very intimidating.

Ah, so where ARE THEY then, Matthew? The Sprawl in Zadash. Okay ... interesting, it seems that something has been amiss recently ... oh, recent BATTLE? Hmmm ...

So Chetney's been here before, long ago ...

Ah, the Tri-Spires, yeah ...

Invisibility? Yeah, that's viable for some ... yea, timely indeed since they're being followed ... yeah! Do it now ...

Oh, so they're gonna BLUFF IT, are they? Group Stealth check ... great ... NAT1?!!! Ashley NO!!!

Smells like deer shit ... XD

Dodge the guards? ANOTHER Stealth check? Oof ... oh, yeah, MUCH better ...

Walk with confindence ... Chetney just starts Connor McGregor-swaggering ... LOL

The Gilded Willows? Nice ...

"Do not panic"? So that's the keyword to GRAB ... okay ...

Chastity's Nook? REALLY?!!!

Oh boy ... this is gonna be WILD, I can already tell ... yeah, Dorian finally gets it ... XD ...

Iva: "How can I help you?" Imogen: "Oh, we're here for the ... uh ... PORN."

TUSK LOVE!!! YAY!!!

Ah yes ... ye olde sex shoppe ... LOL

Erma? ERMA?!!! SHE'S the target? Really?

Blood Cursxe of Binding? Wow ... straight to it ... meanwhile Imogen casts Command and tells her to: "Freeze!"

Oh, nice grapple, Ashton ... if he pulls this off it's gonna be SWEET ... 23? NICE ...

Laudna Counterspells before Erma can work her magic ... 21? YES!!! Nice one! Success! Unsettling Presence ... YEAH!!!

Dorian puffs Ruby Dust in her fast and casts a 7th Level Forcecage on her ... WHAT?!!! Holy fuck, bard! She tries to Counterspell it ... and it works? BALLS ...

Orym glues her hand to the wall with Sedling's Grasping Vine ... meanwhile Ashton just grabs her arm ... and Imogen tries to hold her in place with her mind ...

Seth pulls something that just deadens LL MAGIC IN THE ROOM ... oh, nice, I see what he did there! Yes, sweet move, Cobalt Soul! That';s perfect. Time to just dogpile her, then ...

Wait ... no more illusion for Seth, then ... HOLDY FUCK!!! YES!!! I KNEW IT!!! Essek fucking Thelyss! YAY!!!

She's fucking ASTRID?!!! Seriously?

And THAT'S where we're calling it? I mean FUCK but also NICE! I mean it's kinda perfect, really. MY BOY IS HERE!!! YES!!!

[adoracora-elizabeth]

The truth always comes out, chapter 33

“How am I going to tell this to Papa?" Sybil asked Tom.

"Or your mother?" Tom said.

Sybil looked at Tom. "I am not worried about her reaction. Mama will understand, she will be hurt…….." Sybil stopped. "Oh no."

Tom took Sybil’s hands in his. "What is it?"

"Mama is still healing from the divorce, and now I am adding even more hurt on her."

"She is a strong woman."

Sybil let out a deep sigh. "We do not have a choice. We need to tell them. Let's start with Mama."

+++

Cora watered the flowers in the garden. She had found a cosy home in Richmond. Close to the river Thames, where she made daily walks. Although she was on her own, she was happy here.

All three girls had their own room, something that was especially important for Cora. They did not use those rooms a lot, but she needed them to have their own private place.

She walked towards her front door when the doorbell sounded. "Sybil darling, Tom, I did not know you were coming?"

"We did not tell you. Can we come in, or are you busy?" She looked at her mother’s clothes. She was wearing dungarees with a simple t-shirt underneath. She had never seen her mother like this before, but she liked to see her free spirit come out. She had always known her mother was like her.

Cora brushed her hands over her clothes, to get the dirt off them. "I always have time for you. Come in. Tea?"

They sat down in the garden. It was lovely spring weather.

"We have some news." Sybil started.

Cora looked from Tom to Sybil. "You are pregnant?" She stated.

Sybil coloured.

"Oh darling, that is wonderful." Cora jumped up and wrapped her arms around her.

"We have more news. We are also married." Sybil held out her hand and showed her ring to her mother.

Cora took her hand without a word. She did not know how to react to this news. "I think I have to congratulate you two with your marriage."

Sybil wrapped her fingers around Cora’s hand. "You are not upset?" She asked.

Cora looked up and contemplated for a second before she answered. Of course, she was upset that her daughter got married without her mother present. Cora had always dreamed of her girls' wedding days. But Sybil and Tom must have had a good reason to marry in secret. "I am not upset, darling. I would have loved to be there. But no, I am not upset."

"We thought it was best not to have a big wedding because of his Lordship and your situation." Tom said, putting his hand on Sybil's knee.

"You can call him Robert. There is no need for you to be formal. And please also start calling me Cora. I am your mother-in-law now."

"Do you mean that, Mama?" Sybil asked.

"Darling, I understand and agree that it was not the time for a big wedding. I also understand that you two wanted to be married well before this news will announce itself." Cora put her hand on Sybil’s belly. "How far along are you?" She felt a slight bulge she thought.

"I am well into my fourth month and am starting to show a little already."

Cora kissed Sybil’s cheek and got up to hug Tom. She kissed both his cheeks. "Welcome to the family, Tom." She looked at Sybil. "And do I need to call you Mrs. Branson now?

"May I present to you, Lady Sybil Branson née Crawley." Tom said with a wide smile.

+++

Robert put down his pen and looked at his watch. He got an instant smile on his face. Mary would come soon with Matthew. She was spending her days more at his place, then at home. He could not blame her, since Cora had left, he was not the nicest person to be around. He did not drink, he knew Mrs. Hughes did keep track of his drinking and he was thankful. Being drunk would not improve anything about the situation. He had to accept that Cora was gone and would never come back. According to Rosamund´s reports she was as happy as she could be in Richmond. He saw pictures of the house she found, and he was surprised by the size. He had thought she would buy something bigger. But there was exactly enough room for the four of them. Cora and her girls. He felt a lump in his throat. it would never be them and their girls anymore. Of course, he was happy Cora was able to go on with her life. He only hoped she would miss him too, as he missed her incredibly. There was not a day that he did not want to walk to her sitting room or walk into her bedroom. Since Cora had left, he let one of the guest bedrooms remodel, to a room for him. He could not sleep in his dressing room, and he tried sleeping in Cora´s old bedroom, but those nights he did not got a wink of sleep. He was tossing and turning and reaching for her hand. He still smelt her smell on the pillow. Although he had not been in her room for weeks now, so he was not sure her smell would still be there.

"What are you dreaming of?" Mary's voice sounded.

Robert shook up. "Good to see you Mary, Matthew." He got up to shake his hand. "Ready to dive into the world of Downton?"

Matthew nodded. "Very much ready. We should start with the books?"

"Books? What do you mean by that?" Robert asked.

"Matthew, maybe you should Papa be the lead in this?" Mary was not sure her father would like Matthew’s approach.

"I am sorry, I am so eager to start, that I want to go to fast. With the books I mean the records off how the financial status of the estate is. But Mary is right, you are the expert here and I will follow."

Robert frowned; he did not like it when other people messed with the numbers. He had everything in order according to himself and he did not need anybody to help him. He took a deep breath because he knew he needed to learn to let things go. In the end, Matthew would see the numbers. If he really intended to share the running of this estate. But for that there must first be a marriage he thought.

[wolint]

THE RETURN OF CHRIST!

THE RETURN OF CHRIST

John 14:3

 

We don’t know exactly how long we’ve been waiting for the return of Christ, but we are indeed waiting, aren’t we? The return or the second coming of Christ the Messiah has been the subject of many debates among both believers and non-believers alike.

Some people believe that the return of Christ is a myth, some think it has already happened, while many others hope he won’t return. What’s your opinion? Regardless of your opinion, feelings, and beliefs about the return of Christ, it is an anticipated event for which we should all be prepared.

Have you prepared? Are you preparing?

Every deceased person in history, great or small, has ‘R.I.P’ or ‘LATE’ attached to their names. The only person without these attached to his name is Christ Jesus, who has no tombstone or grave for his body because HE LIVES! Jesus’ resurrection demonstrated his victory over death as declared in Acts 2:24 and 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, vindicating him as righteous in John 16:10. This indicated his divine identity as stated in Romans 1:4. It led to his ascension and enthronement according to Acts 1:9-11, 2:34, Philippians 2:9-11, and Isaiah 53:10-12 and his present heavenly reign. The resurrection of Christ is the basis of his return. As he promised in our text, he’s preparing mansions in heaven to receive his bride, saints or believers, whom he will return to take home at the appointed time while dishing out punishment for those rebellious and resistant to his love and sacrifice.

The fact of Christ’s return cannot be disputed.

There are three reasons why people don’t want to believe and accept the return of Christ according to C. S. Lewis of blessed memory.

The first reason why people reject the return of Jesus is because they believe that since it didn’t take place when the early church proclaimed it, then it is a myth. 2 Peter 3:3-4 even tells us that scoffers will kick against the good news and the second coming of Christ, they will ask ‘where is the ‘coming’ promised?’ As they already are doing, Matthew 24:36-44 says he’ll come suddenly, like a thief in the night, when we least expect him, with everyone going about their business of ‘living’.

Secondly, many today believe that humanity is evolving on its own, assisted by smart humans, and have therefore convinced themselves that there won’t be a need for Christ to return. Of course, society already believes they don’t need God, so why need Christ to come back when man seems to think they have reached ‘perfection’ on their own merit.

Thirdly, man is too consumed to care about eternity; their interest is in the now. Eat, drink and be merry, sadly the coming of Christ will cut short these activities and so people are loath to believe this and don’t want to expect it. But Jesus will return, despite the denials, rejections, ignorance, and unacceptance.

Christ will return! And when Christ returns, he will hold judgment. Everyone will give an account of their lives, including the believers, of things done, said, thoughts, and motives. But the return of Christ is meant to produce hope in Christians who are suffering, and it motivates believers to pursue godly lives.

Christ’s return will change a lot of things. Evil will be destroyed, there will be world justice, safety, and security. There will no longer be wars because Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords according to Luke 1:33, whose kingdom will never end, will rule as king. And under his rule, there will be universal peace, and joy. Isaiah 51:11 declares, ‘everlasting joy will crown their heads, gladness and joy will overtake them, sorrows and sighing will flee away. Everlasting joy! With this joyous anticipation, let’s wait for the blessed hope and appearing of Christ says Titus 2:13.

Are you expecting Christ?

PRAYER: Father, by your word, I know what the end will be. Help me, Lord, to remain faithful to the end and optimistic about the return of Christ in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Shalom

WOMEN OF LIGHT INT. PRAYER MIN.

[saintmurd0ck]

congrats on 200 followers once again love <33 you deserve so much more xx may I request 🗽 - send me a character and thought and i’ll write you a little blurb matt reacting to a reader whose never been eaten out before and readers kinda nervous??

hi my love, thank you for sending me this ask <3 !!! i'm so happy to report that it is a joint 200/300 celebration, feeling so grateful 🥰

ok... here goes!!!! ;)

i’d be honoured | matt murdock x f!reader

A million thoughts race through your mind as Matt’s lips brush against your stomach, the kisses so light they leave goosebumps in their wake. Unbeknownst to you, Matt hears your heartbeat, erratic and pounding, the way your breath leaves your lips as your chest rises and falls, in rhythm to your nervousness.

You prop yourself up on your elbows to look at him, the chill of the room snaking over your bare chest, making you shiver. You swallow thickly, at Matt’s messy hair, his shirt untucked and unbuttoned, the hunger in his expression. 

He lifts his hands from your hips, kneeling before you at the foot of the bed. He purses his lips, sensing your anxiety. 

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” he asks, placing a hand on your knee.

You jerk at his touch, already hypersensitive from the way he kissed you, the way he made you breathless as his mouth roved over your chest.

You nod and smile. “Yeah, Matt, of course. Thanks for asking,” you grin, but the falter in your voice fools no one.

“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Matt’s voice is gentle, as he sits next to you on the bed, hand caressing your face.

You tilt your chin up to kiss him, groaning at the way his tongue melts against yours, at the brush of his stubble against your jaw. Matt tilts his head back as you pull away, tracing your fingers over the contours of his face, swiping your thumb over his bottom lip.

You stutter, but only for a second. “I-I really want to, Matt, but there’s something you should know.”

Your heart almost leaps out of your chest as you watch his expression soften. 

“Here goes,” you start, running your fingers behind his hear, “I’ve never... I've never been eaten out before.”

Matt furrows his eyebrows, tilting his chin upwards. The butterflies in your stomach multiply exponentially, thundering within you. What if this puts him off? What if–

And he smiles. Heartfelt, dimples and all, he just smiles. 

You chew on your lip.

Matt gets off the bed, and kneels before you once more. Once again, he’s smiling, so purely that it stretches from ear-to-ear.

“We don’t have to do this,” your heart plummets for a second, but only for a second, “if you don’t want to, or you’re not ready, but…”

“But what?”

“It would be my honour to be your first.”

“R-really, Matt, it would?” you whisper, feeling the back of your neck heat up.

“I wanna make you feel good,” he murmurs, capturing your mouth in his, feeling the blood rush to your face. “I wanna make you feel good for as long as you’ll let me.”

“Yes,” you say, insistent, as you kiss him harder, deepening the kiss with your tongue. It doesn’t take long for your arousal to soak through your thin underwear, for the need for him between your legs to throb.

“Are you sure?” he mumbles against your lips, hand cupping your jaw.

“Make me feel good, Matthew.”

[always-andromeda]

first of all, it took me a min to respond cause i’ve been so busy w studying, so sorry for that!!

but that sounds fun! & thank you, i absolutely despise studying so it’s not been fun at all, especially since i feel so burnt out. i can’t wait to just get through it. good luck with your exams as well <33

AHH AWESOME!! i think it’s great that people are watching the movies/reading the books again as well. it’s so fun to collectively revisit such an iconic series. & yes! i’m glad josh is getting more recognition again as well. he’s gonna be in the fnaf movie this october which i’m super excited about!!

ive only read the first book so far, but i loved it & i cannot wait for exams to be over so i can read catching fire (which, imo, is the best movie of the series & im sure the book will not disappoint either). it’s so strange reading the books and getting all these little details i’ve had no idea about for ten years. i can’t believe i didn’t read them sooner!! book peeta’s rizz is fucking INSANE, like he’s charming in the movies of course, but book peeta really dials it up and has me BLUSHING. calling katniss sweetheart and shit 🫠🫠

also!! omg! did you see that jake is gonna be on hot ones this thursday?? IM SO HYPED FOR THAT, he’s gonna be so silly. & i think he’s gonna be asked about bubble boy which is gonna bring meSO MUCH JOY

-🤹

I feel that so hard. Like I am so tired and I can already tell that both my anthropology and philosophy classes are going to kick my ass completely before the end of the semester. Just have about a month to go and then I'm free for the summer. We can push through though; I believe in both of us!!!! 😤👍🏻

Also...the way I am unironically so excited for the FNaF movie and it's all Josh's (and Matthew Lillard's) fault.

Anyhoo, Catching Fire is absolutely the best movie in the series. We get Finnick and Johanna, all of these fantastic moments between Katniss and Peeta, the "if it weren't for the baby" line, and an introduction to Plutarch???? It has it all. AND BOOK PEETA HAS MY ENTIRE HEART. Like I love movie Peeta and I think Josh plays him perfectly, don't get me wrong. But I think the movies don't exactly get across just how deep his feelings for Katniss go even from the absolute beginning?? Like the way that this guy had liked her since they were children melts my heart.

AND YES, WHEN I SAW JAKE'S INSTAGRAM STORY THIS MORNING I NEARLY SCREAMED. The fact that all of my favorite little guys so far have been on Hot Ones makes my heart so happy. And GOD I am SO excited; he looks so good in the one picture that's out. 🥰

[blessedarethebinarybreakers]

Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin

There is of course so much wrong with this phrase, and my tag for it is full of various reasons — among them being that people only ever seem to pull it out when it comes to LGBTQA+ persons; it’s othering; it’s not even anywhere in the Bible; and there is evidence it causes real harm — but...

to me the worst thing is that when you say "hate the sin, love the sinner" about an LGBTA+/queer person, what you're saying is "I see the way that the image of God manifests you as sin.”

You’re saying, “I see the Holy Spirit’s gifts to you as sin.” You’re saying, “I see intrinsic elements of who you are, elements that when nurtured can blossom into good fruit for you and for all who come into contact with you, as sin."

To look at what God calls Good and declare it evil is the real “sin” here.

Matthew 12 includes the story of a time that Jesus healed a man whom the people of the day perceived as demon-possessed. Now, some of the people who heard of this compassionate act reasoned that the only way Jesus could have cast out demons is if he’s receiving power from demons (v. 24. And yes, they were Pharisees — but see my #pharisees tag to learn about how to be mindful about the antisemitism in always painting pharisees as the bad guys.)

Jesus’s response to this is to ask why Satan would wage war against himself, and assert that a divided community is a doomed community. “But if,” he says, “I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then already the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” 

...And then he says a really uncomfortable thing: 

"Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven of human beings; but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. So if anyone speaks a word against the Son of Humanity, it will be forgiven them; but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven them, neither in this age nor in the incoming one” (verses 31-32).

I'm typically wary of accusing anyone of committing this so-called "unforgivable sin" — but. When a person insists on seeing queerness as sin, they ARE saying that something that came from the Holy Spirit is evil. To call a good relationship or way of being sinful is blasphemy against the Spirit who guided and blessed that person, that relationship.

Now, I don't think they're "never gonna be forgiven" for that, because they don't know it's what they're doing. (I also don’t believe in hell / eternal punishment, but that’s a whole ’nother story. Also, does having a sin against you that will “not be forgiven” necessarily = eternal punishment anyway?) But it does put them in the wrong in a major way. They must be held accountable, must be prevented from continuing to hurt other human beings with their words and actions.

But Avery, you ask, how do you know queerness comes from the Holy Spirit?

Jesus answers that in this chapter, too! 

“Either consider the tree good and its fruit good, or consider the tree rotten and its fruit rotten. A tree is known by its fruit” (v. 33).

I have a whole tag about good fruit, primarily the good fruit borne when LGBTA+/queer folk are able to live into their gender and sexuality instead of feeling forced to repress of change those aspects of themselves. As Rachel Held Evans once wrote,

“If same-sex relationships are really sinful, then why do they so often produce good fruit—loving families, open homes, self-sacrifice, commitment, faithfulness, joy? And if conservative Christians are really right in their response to same-sex relationships, then why does that response often produce bad fruit—secrets, shame, depression, loneliness, broken families, and fear?”

The fruits of being told by someone you love that they love you, but hate your “sin” — i.e. certain intrinsic aspects of who you are and how you relate to others — are rotten fruits indeed: shame and self-loathing, alienation, broken relationships, communities fragmented into “us” (those who don’t commit this so-called sin) and “them” (those who do).

Meanwhile, the good fruit of queerness speaks to the goodness of its tree, its source. God is the source of our queerness, as God is the source of all that is good, all that is life-giving, all the diversity of humanity that brings vibrance and an endless variety of ways to glorify God.

_______

Further Reading

Exploring the phrase “Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner”:

A piece that explores the phrase’s origins, whether it’s good theology, and how it harms relationships

Article that emphasizes the alienating and dividing consequences of the phrase (be aware the article uses binary language + makes some anti-pharisee comments)

Tumblr post explaining the shame this phrase brings and that “you only hate what we do, but what we do is living.”

“3 Reasons ‘Love the Sinner Hate the Sin’ is an Abomination”

Exploring how queerness / LGBTQA+ identities are indeed from God and affirmed by God as part of the vital diversity of humanity

Nadia Bolz-Weber’s “Sex; a Benediction”

“Your queerness is a gift”

Video: How queerness is a vital, fruitful part of our faith

God rejoices in our transition(s) with us

The Bible + Christian history are full of trans-resonant figures

“What’s God’s point of view on nonbinary people?”

More info about how being LGBTQ+ is not a sin

[midnightsnyx]

Consequences - Matthew Tkachuk: part 7

summary: you absolutely hate Matthew Tkachuk so it’s just your luck when you wind up pregnant with his child.

a/n: we’re near the end! i hope you guys enjoy this part and thank you for reading <3

word count: 2.1k

warnings: none but FLUFF

Part 7

32 weeks

Ignoring tradition, you and Matt decided to have a single baby shower with everyone invited instead of a separate shower and a pamper party. It was more convenient for everyone and one party was less clean up, so bonus. What you weren’t expecting was for so many people to show up. You knew Matt had a big family but you didn’t think so many of them were invited. But, you did give Chantal and Taryn free reign to plan it so really, you shouldn’t be that surprised.

Most of his family was great and you get along with them wonderfully, especially some of his cousins who are around your age. But then there are the older women who are supposed to be mature, yet are giving you dirty looks and whispering things to each other.

It makes you self conscious because you know exactly the kind of things they are thinking and saying. It’s the exact same thing you’ve seen from some of Matt’s “fans”. Comments about how you got pregnant on purpose, and how it’s a shame now that Matt is stuck with you. You knew the comments were just people who were trying to get under your skin but knowing that some of his family and friends might be thinking the same was hurtful.  

You do your best to ignore it though and focus on the people who are actually nice to you, answering all the questions they have about potential baby names, what brands you’re using for the baby, and other purposeless things. But the feeling is always in the back of your mind so at one point, you slip into Matt’s bedroom so you can just breathe for a moment.

This, of course, just gives you more time to worry about what people are thinking about you and how they’re judging you and before you know it, you feel like you might cry.

Stupid hormones.

A knock on the door breaks you from your thoughts and you look up to see Matt standing there.

“Hey,” he says quietly, shutting the door behind him and walking over to sit next to you. “you disappeared.”

“Just needed a minute.” You tell him, hoping he doesn’t notice the way your voice cracks but the looks he gives you says you should know better by now.

“What’s going on inside your head?”

You shrug, not knowing how to explain without insulting his family. You don’t want him to think that you don’t like them, but you know he won’t leave you alone until you tell him why you’re upset.

So you try an approach you think he might understand.

“Do you ever feel like you’re being judged?” You ask quietly.

“All the time.” He answers easily. “Comes with the job description.”

“So you understand how it feels.” You say and he raises an eyebrow at you.

“Is that what this is about?” He nudges you. “You can’t possibly think they’re judging you, Y/N.”

“But they are! I see the looks some of your family and friends give me. It’s like they think I got knocked up on purpose.”

He shakes his head. “Who cares what they think?”

“You should care about what they think.” You say slowly, raising an eyebrow at his dismissal. “They’re your family.”

He shrugs. “You’re my family too.”

He says it so casually, so effortlessly and it’s like something just clicks in your brain and suddenly you have this overwhelming want, no need, to kiss him.

And that’s exactly what you do.

He doesn’t move at first when you press your lips to his, almost like he’s unsure about what to do and for a moment, you’re worried that you’ve ruined everything but then his hand comes up and cups your cheek and he kisses you back. You feel like you might melt straight through the bed and floor when he smiles against your lips and it’s absolutely perfect until Brady barges in the room.

“Where’d you guys- oh.” Brady freezes, eyes widening before he smirks. “Oh. I see what’s happening here. I’ll give you two a minute.”

“Brady.” Matt whines, dropping his head on your shoulder. “You’re ruining the moment.”

“Sorry! People were asking where you went!” He starts backing up and winks. “I’ll come up with a cover story. Have fun kids.”

“Brady.”

“Leaving! I’m going now!” He says, darting out the door and shutting it behind him.

Matt lifts his head, resting his chin on your shoulder instead of moving away. His eyes study your face as if he’s searching for any sign of regret but you smile to ease his worries.

“That was nice.”  

He raises an eyebrow. “Just nice? I think I can do better than that.”

“Okay, it was better than nice.” You giggle, feeling giddy. It’s a bit of a foreign feeling.

“Kind of overdue, huh?”

You raise an eyebrow. “You been wanting to kiss me, Tkachuk?”

“Oh, just since we met. Y’know, not that long.”

“Matthew.”

“What? I’m serious.” He says and then sighs. “I know I kind of fucked up when we first met. I was a bit of an ass-”

“A bit?” You tease and he gives you a dry look but you know he’s not actually mad.

“Hey, I’m trying.”

“Sorry.” You say solemnly. “Go on.”

He presses his lips together to hold back a smile. “You were funny and witty and kind from what Johnny had told me so I asked him to introduce me. Probably wasn’t the best idea to do it when I was drunk but he’s always had bad timing.” He shrugs. “He’d mentioned that you were fresh out of a tough relationship and I just… I don’t know, I just said the first thing that came to my mind and drunk me thought it was funny. Which obviously, it wasn’t.”

“I know we’ve already kissed-” he points to your stomach. “clearly, but I’d like to think of this as our first kiss.”

You grimace. “That works for me because honestly, I don’t remember much of that night.”

“I must have been doing something wrong, then.” He jokes.

“Guess you’ll have to show me again.”

He grins. “Deal. But first, I’m taking you on a date.

. . .

“I knew he’d come around.” Taryn grins, finishing the last of your makeup. When she heard that Matt was taking you on a date, she begged you to let her help you get ready. You were going to ask her anyway because you wanted to spend as much time with her and Chantal as you could before they went home. It was unlikely you would be able to see them again until after the baby is born and that thought freaks you out because you’re nearly 33 weeks and your doctor told you that you can deliver as early as 37 weeks.

So you only have about a month left to prepare yourself for childbirth. Luckily, Chantal has been so helpful, answering any questions you have and you feel so blessed that you have her to help you through this.

“I knew it was coming too.” Chantal says from her spot on the bed. You’re half certain you saw tears in her eyes when you told her that Matt had asked you on a date but you cried too so you can’t make fun.

“You guys have been hoping for this, haven’t you?”

Chantal shrugs and hides a smile. “Maybe.”

Taryn nods. “The way you two look at each other totally gives away your feelings. It’s weird seeing Matt like that.”

“Like what?”

“Nice. Honestly, a little unsettling.”

“Taryn.” Chantal scolds and the youngest Tkachuk raises her hands.

“I’m joking.” She mutters. “Kind of.”

Chantal just sighs but smiles when she looks at you.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

Your face turns pink from her compliment but it does mean a lot knowing that Matt’s mom approves of you despite the unusual circumstances. You know that some parents might have had reservations about the situation you and Matt are in but Chantal and Keith treated you with nothing but respect and kindness since the start of this and you will forever be grateful.

“Well, you’re all done.” Taryn says, stepping back to admire her work. “You’re going to knock his socks off.”

“Even being 8 months pregnant?” You ask hesitantly.

“Especially being 8 months pregnant.” Chantal assures you.

Her assurance makes you feel a little better but when there is a knock on the door, you’re suddenly extremely nervous.

“Come in!” Taryn yells and Matt pokes his head in with a grin on his face. When he looks at you, his eyes go wide and mouth drops a little.

He stutters over his words which makes you feel better.

“Cat got your tongue, Tkachuk?” You ask, trying to hide the pleased look on your face.

He shakes his head and grins, walking over and taking your hands in his. “Just admiring how beautiful my girl is.”

“Your girl? Awfully presumptuous.” You joke but your heart warms at his words. You can hear Chantal literally awe.

Matt just grins and leads you out of the apartment and to his car. He even opens the door for you and you raise an eyebrow but don’t comment.

“Do I get to know where we’re going?” You ask when he slides in the drivers seat.

“Nope.” He says, sending you a sly grin.

You know it’s pointless arguing with him so you just smile back and rest your head on the seat, watching out the window until you reach your destination.

. . .

Matt knows you better than you thought because instead of bringing you to a fancy, high end restaurant, he brings you to a small but cute diner the two of you frequently go to. He knows it’s your favourite and it make you happy knowing that he notices small things like this.

“This okay?” He asks once the two of you are seated. He looks a little nervous and you want to get rid of any worries that he has.

“It’s perfect,” you assure him. “I love it.”

And you, you nearly say and you almost fall out of your seat at the realization.

Do you love Matt? You care for him deeply, that’s not a question and you know your feelings for him have been shifting lately. The kiss proved that, but were you confusing love, with infatuation? Or were you starting to actually have those feelings for him?

The better question is whether it’s a good idea to let yourself have these feelings right now because while this is nice, the two of you are about to be parents and any strong feelings like that can make things messy, especially if Matt doesn’t feel the same way.

You know you’ll have to acknowledge and deal with these feelings soon but for now, you let yourself enjoy the night, stealing fries off Matt’s plate while he pretends not to notice and arguing playfully about baby names.

It’s a problem for another night.

......

a/n: i wanna be like OH WE GOT THE FIRST KISS but technically this isn’t the first kiss because, well, you know 

[melanielocke]

Lost in the Shadows - Chapter 32

AO3

Taglist: @alastaircarstairsdefenselawyer @foxglove-airmid @alastair-esfandiyar-carstairs1 @justanormaldemon @styxdrawings @ipromiseiwillwrite @a-dream-dirty-and-bruised @alastair-appreciation-month

Previous Chapter: Chapter 31

Next Chapter: Chapter 33

Using what little time she could before they would enter the land of the thief, Lucie packed a small bag. She had no idea what she’d need, but it was best to come prepared. Her power so far had seemed endless in that world, the biggest limitation was that using magic exhausted her and in the worst case she’d pass out. The best she’d thought of so far was to pack lots of sugary snacks for a quick energy boosts. Luckily, aunt Sophie still had a lot of cookies she usually fed to the gnomes and her father had several packages of dextrose. She desperately hoped it would be enough. She wasn’t even sure if eating would help against the fatigue, but she didn’t have a better plan. Power naps whenever she was safe had helped so far, but she didn’t think she would find a safe enough place in the land of the thief, not with the schedule they were on.

She’d felt his power in that land. In between, there was more power, more darkness than here, and Lucie could harness it. In his realm, the power and darkness was even greater, even more unimaginable, but it was in his control. Lucie would have to fight him for dominance, and she knew it was not a fight she could win in the long run. Instead she would have to hold on long enough for Cordelia to use cortana and end his life.

Cordelia had packed lightly, only carrying a small bag with some food in case they’d have to stay long and a bottle of water. Lucie herself had gone for a bottle of lemonade so sweet it would probably make her teeth fall out. Everything for the extra energy, especially after tonight’s less than ideal sleep. If they’d had the time, Lucie would have chosen to sleep another night, but they didn’t. If they acted now, Alastair could still be saved.

Lucie had to admit she didn’t know Alastair as well as she wished. If only she could have foreseen he might do this, but it had never even crossed her mind. She didn’t even know he knew how to summon the thief. In between her recklessness, Cordelia’s heroism and Thomas’ stubbornness, they’d all thought Alastair was the cautious one, the one who thought things through and didn’t run into situations headlong. That was why, she presumed, her mother had urged him to be the voice of reason among the four of them. And she had a point, Alastair usually did think, but did thinking help when you started with some very wrong assumptions? Lucie did not think Alastair valued his own life very much. He would not risk her, or Thomas, or Cordelia unnecessary and that was why he was cautious, but he would easily sacrifice his own life because he didn’t think it mattered. Lucie didn’t even know where to begin with deconstructing such thoughts.

There were enough people Lucie loved deeply. Her parents, her brother James even if he annoyed her to death. Cordelia, of course. Thomas too. But she didn’t think she could trade away her soul for someone, nor did she think that was the kind of thing people you loved would expect of you. If they did, they shouldn’t, right? She imagined only selfish and horrible people would demand such sacrifice from the people close to them. Lucie would be horrified if anyone close to her would do this for her, and knowing Thomas, he would be too. Thomas already hated feeling like a burden, he hated it when people so much as inconvenienced themselves for his sake and Lucie expected he was going to be very upset when he found out what Alastair had done. Did Alastair believe that love meant sacrifice? She imagined perhaps being treated badly by people and being told that was love had caused him to believe that this was what you did when you loved someone.

‘Ready?’ Cordelia asked.

She was still wearing the crown hair braid Lucie had done yesterday, and although it was looking a bit messier it still held and would keep any hair out of her face.

‘I think so,’ Lucie said.

She didn’t feel ready, but she didn’t have time to wait. She didn’t think she’d feel more ready if she did. If anything, waiting and not doing anything only made her feel more nervous. Better to get this over with.

‘Whatever happens… In case we don’t make it, or the darkness gets the better of you. I love you,’ Cordelia said.

‘I love you too,’ Lucie said. ‘We will make it. Think positive. I’m sure that’ll help.’

Lucie struggled to think as positive as she wanted to. She knew it might not work out. She also knew the thief would have to be destroyed at some point. Her mother had lost her power and slept for 130 years just to seal him in, and if he broke through… Lucie wasn’t sure what he’d do, but she imagined it would be bad.

‘Are you ready, Lulu?’

It was her father, carrying one of Alastair’s dagger. ‘You know, my offer to come with you still stands. You’re far too young to go on such a dangerous mission alone.’

‘I’m not going alone,’ Lucie said. ‘I’m going with Cordelia. I think too many people would only make it more risky. Besides, I’m the only one who has the power to get to him, and we don’t have the time to wait until I’m older, or stronger.’

‘You’re right,’ Will said with a sigh. ‘I just got off the phone with James. He’s on his way here too, but won’t be there in time to see you. But you could call him before you go.’

Lucie nodded, and took her phone out of her pocket, calling James. She’d have to make it quick, but if she didn’t survive she would have at least said goodbye.

‘I’m in the bus right now, so not the best place for a phone call,’ James said. ‘I’ll be there somewhere this evening. I hope.’

‘I hope I’ll be there around that time too, but I can’t make any promises,’ Lucie said. ‘Listen, I don’t have much time. Daisy and I have to go, we have to defeat the thief of souls before midnight.’

‘I still don’t really understand what’s going on there,’ James said. ‘I’m starting to regret going on a holiday with Matthew instead.’

‘Don’t be sorry, Jamie,’ Lucie said. ‘I’m glad you and Matthew had fun. It would have been too dangerous for you here anyway. I have my powers to protect me, you don’t. I would even say, don’t come here, but I know you and I know you’re not going to listen.’

‘You guessed that right,’ James said. ‘I’m coming for you, Lu.’

‘Big brothers are the worst,’ Lucie said with a groan. ‘But I love you, Jamie. I hope I’ll see you when you arrive. And if not…’

‘I love you too, Lu. I wish you didn’t have to go.’

‘Me too, but the thief has to be stopped, and if we succeed in time, there’s still a chance Alastair will survive.’

Lucie didn’t know what her father had explained about the situation with Alastair. She knew James still didn’t like him, and she understood, but she hoped he would be a bit more empathetic now that he knew about the situation.

‘Dad told me about what Alastair did for Thomas,’ James said. ‘I never knew he had it in him to do something so selfless.’

‘I don’t think he should have,’ Lucie said. ‘I don’t think Thomas would have wanted him to. But I’m going to do what I can to save them both.’

Cordelia was signaling to her that they needed to hurry.

‘I really have to go, Jamie.’

‘Come back, alright,’ James said before hanging up.

‘James?’ Cordelia asked.

‘Yes,’ Lucie said as they left, walking to the ruins.

She wasn’t absolutely sure it was where the thief would be, but Lucie imagined it would be the best place to start their search. She desperately hoped he would be there. If not, she wasn’t so sure how to find him.

‘How is he?’ Cordelia asked.

‘Worried. Also on his way here.’

‘I hope that’s not going to be too awkward,’ Cordelia said.

‘I think he’s pretty much over you and likes you better as a friend,’ Lucie said. She hoped that was true. ‘Mostly, he’s hoping we don’t die.’

‘My mother lost it when I told her the truth. I didn’t have the time to explain everything. She fears I’m following too much into my father’s footsteps, but she is also terrified for Alastair, and very angry with him.’

‘She’s not also on her way here?’ Lucie asked.

‘She is,’ Cordelia confirmed. ‘Risa is driving her, she’s in no state to drive herself right now. They’ll also be there in the evening, I think. Apparently she considered coming before, but hoped Jem would make sure we were alright, and she wanted to give us space. Now there’s a very real chance Alastair might die, and I think she blames herself. She tries to hide it, but she feels like it’s all her fault, that she didn’t protect Alastair enough.’

‘But that’s true, isn’t it?’ Lucie said and then she realized how insensitive that might sound. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.’

‘No, it’s true. But it’s also not that simple, I think,’ Cordelia said. ‘She could have protected us better, and should have left Father much sooner. But she also loved him. He saved her life, that’s how they met. He was traveling in Iran, hunting a rogue vampire that had killed several people. Father had chased it all the way from Greece to Iran, and then in Tehran it tried to kill maman and he saved her and finally killed the vampire. That’s how they fell in love. Or at least how she fell in love with him. And for a long time, she tried to deny the problem, she wanted to believe he was still the hero who saved her. And I cannot blame her for that. Nor does Alastair, although I don’t think he understands how she could still love him. I think he always felt like it was up to him to protect her and take care of her and he did the best he could.’

Cordelia had started crying softly, and Lucie took her hand. She understood Sona a bit better now. Her father had also saved her mother from something dangerous once. Her mother had criticized his methods and his recklessness and Lucie had always thought that was terribly romantic. Many of her love stories involved her characters saving each other. She’d never considered how difficult it might become if your hero did change or had never been the person you thought they were in the first place.

‘We’re here,’ Lucie said. ‘I’m going to take us straight to his realm this time.’

She opened the gateway and stepped through to the gates of a castle. It was exactly like the one she’d dreamt off, this had to be it.

***

Thomas had no idea for how long he’d been walking when he encountered a castle. Time felt odd here, like it was slipping away with every step he took, like it moved sideways instead of forward. He gripped onto the few memories he had. He was Thomas Lightwood, and he needed to get out of here and get back to his family. He hadn’t yet figured out who the girl with the light brown hair and the boy with the dark eyes were, but he knew they had to be important too.

He kept thinking of that boy most of all. He had to be important, with how often Thomas thought of him. And he was so beautiful… Golden brown skin, black hair and eyes, sharp, but delicate features. There was a certain sadness in his eyes too, and Thomas wondered why. Was it something he’d done? It had to be, why else would he remember the boy as being sad? Whatever he’d done to hurt him, Thomas needed to get back and make it up to him. If only he could remember who he was…

The castle looked vaguely familiar, built in what he guessed was medieval style. It wasn’t a style he was particularly fond of, but he figured it was better to go inside than to keep wandering in the woods. Perhaps inside there would be some clues. Perhaps the dark eyed boy would be there, but Thomas didn’t think so. He suspected that boy might not like the look of this castle that much either, although he wasn’t sure why he thought that. Considering the clothes the boy wore, he expected him to have good taste.

Inside was empty. Thomas wandered through the halls and something about it was familiar, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Had he been here before? Thomas didn’t remember much from before. He tried to think of the boy, unable to recall his name. Who was he? When had they met? And what had Thomas done to hurt him?

‘Why do you keep following me?’ the dark eyed boy demanded.

Thomas wasn’t sure how to answer. He had been following Alastair around a lot, because Thomas liked being near him, but he wasn’t about to admit that. At fourteen, Thomas didn’t think he was ready to come out and he wasn’t sure how Alastair would respond if he found out Thomas was in love with him. Better to admire him from a distance.

‘Are you going to answer, Lightwood?’ he asked. ‘Lost your tongue, perhaps?’

‘I’m sorry,’ Thomas said quietly, not meeting Alastair’s eyes.

‘I didn’t ask for an apology, I asked for an explanation,’ Alastair said.

Thomas didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what explanation he could offer other than being in love with Alastair. He liked being near him, even if Alastair wasn’t nice to him. Thomas had come to realize Alastair could be kinder when his friends weren’t around and he suspected Alastair was afraid his friends would turn on him. Thomas wished Alastair would see his friends sucked, and Thomas would be kinder to him than they ever hoped to be.

‘Clive has been whispering,’ Alastair continued when Thomas didn’t say anything. ‘He says you’re gay and that’s why you’re so obsessed with me. I told him that’s ludicrous, of course, but if you don’t back off he just might start saying it out loud. You know how rumors can spread, you wouldn’t want that, would you?’

Thomas didn’t know what to make of Alastair’s statement. Was it a threat? A promise? A warning, perhaps? Thomas wanted to think it was the last one. Alastair might be mean and snarky, but he wouldn’t out Thomas, right?

‘Listen, Lightwood, you’re nice. I can’t for the life of me figure out why you’re so insistent on following me around, but you’re starting to attract the wrong kind of attraction and you’re going to get yourself in trouble. Just move along, go back to your stupid little friends and leave me be.’

Thomas hesitated. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ Alastair bit back. ‘I never asked for a little child to follow me around school.’

Alastair seemed upset. It wasn’t the first time Thomas had seen him get upset, Other people tended to miss it and thought he was just mean or difficult. But his eyes were always haunted, and no matter how cruel his words were, he said then with sadness carefully concealed underneath that bitterness he showed the world. Thomas was worried about him. He wasn’t so sure Alastair was alright. It felt different with him than the other bullies. Boys like Clive Cartwright seemed to enjoy themselves when they made fun of Thomas, they laughed. Alastair didn’t, not beyond that wicked smile that admittedly made Thomas’ heart skip a beat. He didn’t seem to have fun tormenting others, he didn’t think it was funny. It was as if he wanted to drive everyone away.

‘Is everything alright, Alastair?’ Thomas asked softly. ‘You seem very upset.’

‘You don’t know anything about me,’ Alastair yelled at him, raising his voice for the first time. ‘You don’t understand a thing. Get away from me, just leave me alone.’

Thomas couldn’t place the memory in a context. He’d been in love with Alastair then, and Thomas guessed he still was now, but he didn’t remember anything that had happened after this. He wished he could remember, wished he could be sure Alastair was alright, but this had been years ago, and anything after was blank.

Thomas heard voices, both female. There were people in here then, and they were willing to speak at least amongst themselves. Perhaps they could help him find his way home. He was now certain that not only his family needed him, but this dark eyed boy as well. He’d done something wrong, he felt. He needed to apologize, even if he wasn’t quite sure what for.

He encountered the two girls in a long corridor. One had red hair and the same brown skin and dark eyes as the boy from his memory. Alastair, he reminded himself. His name was Alastair. He didn’t recognize her beyond her similarities to Alastair though. The other girl he did recognize. He’d seen her face too.

‘Thomas!’ the girl exclaimed. ‘We’ve been so worried about you, thank the heavens we found you.’

She did know how him then, although he guessed that made sense if he could recall her face. She was a friend, right?

‘Who are you?’ Thomas asked.

The girl took a step back. ‘Do you not remember us, Thomas? Do all people here forget? Where’s Alastair when you need him.’

‘I do know my name,’ Thomas said. ‘And I remember my family, and Alastair. I remembered your face as well. But I don’t remember who you are.’

‘I’m Lucie,’ she said. ‘Lucie Herondale. We’re great friends. And you know Cordelia as well, don’t you? She’s my girlfriend, although that’s a pretty new thing and we haven’t had the chance to tell you yet.’

Lucie did ring a bell. Cordelia… he wasn’t so sure. He turned to Cordelia. ‘Do you know Alastair?’

‘He’s my brother,’ Cordelia said.

She looked sad when she spoke of him, and Thomas wondered if it had anything to with what he must have done.

‘You look like him. Do you know where he is? I think I need to apologize to him.’

Lucie frowned. ‘What for?’

‘I don’t know,’ Thomas said. ‘I feel he is very sad, and I thought maybe it’s my fault he’s so sad.’

Cordelia looked pained. ‘It’s not your fault, Thomas. You did the best you could. He’s been through a lot in the past, and you’re right that he’s usually sad although he hides it well. I think that’s why you remember him as sad.’

Thomas guessed that made sense. He remembered wondering at school, why was he like that, why was he so sad? His father had suggested once to invite Alastair over to their house, but Thomas didn’t. They weren’t actually friends, were they? He didn’t think Alastair liked his presence at all, although now he guessed what Alastair had said had been a warning too, to protect him.

‘Why can’t I remember?’ Thomas asked. ‘Where am I?’

‘We don’t have much time,’ Lucie said. ‘We’ll explain everything on the way.’

Thomas frowned. ‘Where are we going?’

Cordelia sighed. ‘That’s the thing. We thought he would be here, but there’s no one here but you. We’re looking for the thief, but if he’s not here we’re not sure where to find him.’

Thomas was even more confused. ‘What thief? What did he steal?’

‘You, Thomas. He stole you. Your soul, that is, and countless others,’ Lucie said. ‘If we do not find him and end his life, you will die and stay here forever.’

Thomas swallowed. He couldn’t die here, he needed to find his way back to his family, to Alastair. He began to remember Lucie. He remembered reading bits and pieces of her writing, although she was very nervous about letting him read anything. He remembered playing video games together, discussing story ideas. Thomas was more of a song writer than a book writer than Lucie was, but he’d written some songs to go with Lucie’s stories. He didn’t think he’d ever told her about his songs though… Why hadn’t he? They must have really sucked.

‘Where’s Alastair?’ Thomas asked. ‘Shouldn’t he be with you? And didn’t you say we needed his help?’

‘Alastair could help you with your memory,’ Cordelia said. ‘But we don’t know where he is. He’s in this world somewhere. He… he sacrificed himself for you. If we don’t kill the thief soon, he will die.’

‘For me?’ Thomas tried to imagine it, but he couldn’t picture the boy from school doing such a thing. He remembered something more, going on a walk with Alastair which can’t have been that long ago. Talking about all sorts of things. They were friends, maybe? Thomas didn’t doubt he still loved Alastair, but wasn’t sure where they stood right now. ‘Why would he do such a thing?’

There were tears in Cordelia’s eyes, perhaps Thomas should not have asked such a question.

‘He loves you. And he thinks it would be better if he died if that meant you would survive.’

Did that mean Alastair was his boyfriend? ‘But I would never want that,’ Thomas said. ‘I don’t want anyone to die for me. I… I can’t remember. Did I agree to this? Did I let him die?’

What sort of monster was he, if he’d allowed this? What had he done? Maybe that was what he needed to apologize to Alastair for.

‘I don’t think so,’ Cordelia said. ‘I think he made this decision alone, and never told anyone. You were probably already here, or at least in a deep sleep, when he did it. Don’t beat yourself up over it, it wasn’t your fault. Lucie, any ideas to find the thief now? Can the other souls help?’

‘They’re under his control,’ Lucie said, ‘but his power is spread thin. I think I can command some of his souls.’

Thomas wasn’t sure he understood what Lucie was doing when she started speaking to the souls once they were outside. They came to listen. Something drew them there. Thomas wanted to listen too. He wanted to do as she asked. Perhaps he was a soul too. Lucie could see ghosts, he remembered. She’d always seen ghosts.

‘I need you to find the thief of souls, and return to me. And if by chance you come upon Alastair Carstairs, bring him to me.’

‘Do they know who Alastair is?’ Thomas asked Lucie.

‘They don’t, but I do so that’s enough,’ Lucie said. ‘They take my commands quite well.’

‘That’s good news, but be careful with saving power,’ Cordelia said. ‘You’ll have to keep everything at bay while I fight him.’

Cordelia was carrying a golden sword, so Thomas guessed she would be the one who could kill the thief of souls. To do that, they had to find him though.

‘I’m not dead, am I?’ Thomas asked.

‘Not yet,’ Lucie said. ‘But if we don’t kill the thief, you or Alastair will die.’

‘If he hides from you, does that mean you can defeat him?’ Thomas said. ‘If he believed he could easily win this fight, he’d confront you and try to kill you. If he’s hiding, that means he’s scared, doesn’t it?’

‘Perhaps, but I’m counting on the worst until something proves otherwise,’ Cordelia said.

‘Or perhaps it’s because of the deadline,’ Lucie mused.

‘It won’t matter to him if he dies now or tomorrow,’ Cordelia said. ‘The deadline matters for us, because if we fail Alastair or Thomas will die. But their souls have no use for him if he’s dead. Nor do I think one more soul will tip the scales and make him too strong to defeat.

Thomas, if we find Alastair, I must ask you not to kiss him until after the thief dies. Alastair’s bargain is fulfilled when he kisses you and then he’d die.’

Thomas longed to kiss Alastair, had for a long time, so he was glad for the warning. Would Alastair kiss him when they reunited, without telling him what he’d done, never giving him a choice? He didn’t quite understand what Alastair had done, and most importantly, why. He would never have asked Alastair to die for him, he would never have wanted it. He wasn’t sure how he’d feel when he saw Alastair again. He would be happy, of course, if they both survived, but he was also upset about what he’d done. He knew it was sweet in a way, that Alastair had done it out of love, but it was too much. Thomas had never wanted anyone to die for him, least of all Alastair.

[goldenkamuyhunting]

Hey! Hope you doing okay :)) I was just reading the latest chapter, remember the theory that Umeko could be within Tsurumi’s grasp? Well when you wrote about Sugimoto being Peter in that one panel and how he may “betray” Asirpa for a third time, now that Asirpa is the one in Tsurumi’s grasp, I wonder if she might not be the one meeting Umeko instead of Tsurumi threatening Sugimoto with Umeko? After all, Asirpa’s crush on Sugimoto is still going strong and maybe it needs addressing through 1/2

Considering the world’s situation I can say at the moment I’m lucky enough to be fine. I hope you’re doing okay as well!

As your ask touches various points please allow me to break it in parts but first, a premise.

To readers who aren’t familiar to it but still want to read this reply, the Umeko theory is based on this bit in which it turns out Tsurumi fits the description of the man who’d like to marry Umeko (For more info you can read @midnight-in-town‘s full theory here)

The theory is extremely cool because the foreshadowing was placed at a point in time we’ve no idea Tsurumi tended to plan in advance nor that he lost his wife and child so if proved to be true the revelation would be very surprising DESPITE the early foreshadowing (chap 35).

On the other side it’s absolutely true we’re so very early it seems unbelievable Tsurumi would go to such lenghts to ensure he could control Sugimoto later.

It’s not impossible he did, he has proved he’s a long term planner and was interested in Sugimoto as he remembered him from the war and, while I’m pretty sure it’s unlikely Ogata managed to told him Sugi was doing that for the woman he loved and Tsurumi figured it was Umeko, he could have still sent some of his men (Tsurumi is in the intelligence so he can have allies/men in the rest of Japan) to investigate in Sugimoto’s village as well as among Sugimoto’s old army companions and while they might not have figured Sugi is in love with Umeko, they could have still managed to draw a connection between him, Toraji and Umeko that would make Umeko the perfect material to blackmail Sugimoto.

He didn’t even had to go there personally as back then people didn’t need to see each other to propose, so yes, it’s possible but again... it’s a lot of effort in such a time in which Sugimoto was apparently not a serious threat so... I don’t know.

Okay, two premises.

For who’s not familiar with the Sugimoto= Peter thing it comes from the famous scene in which Noda placed the characters in a way that mimicked the famous Da Vinci’s painting ‘L’ultima cena’ (The last supper) and gave Kiro the place in which Judas sat, while Asirpa had the one of Jesus’ foreshadowing Kiro being the one who would betray her.

Well, Sugimoto is at Peter’s place and if you want a full analysis of the characters’ positions well, here it is.

Okay, end of the premises as I think now everyone can follow and back to your ask.

I’ll dig a bit into the parallels between Peter’s denial of Jesus and Sugimoto’s breaking of his partnership with Asirpa first, to explain how I think they will keep on paralleling each other and what I expect for the last denial.

Narratively speaking the story of Peter’s denial is pretty cool.

To sum it up all four Canonical Gospels state that during Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples, he predicted that Peter would deny knowledge of him (basically leaving him to his own fate), stating that Peter would disown him before the rooster crowed the next morning. Following the arrest of Jesus, Peter denied knowing him three times, but after the third denial, heard the rooster crow and recalled the prediction as Jesus turned to look at him. Peter then began to cry bitterly. This final incident is known as the Repentance of Peter.

I’ll quote the two bits from Matthew 26 (because Ogata is in Matthew’s place and Noda himself referenced Matthew in other occasions).

This is the prediction:

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[c]

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

(It’s not really a parallel more like a similarity but remember how in GK’s Last Supper Sugimoto attacks Ogata’s loyalty, as if to imply he’s not the sort who would switch side, kind of like Peter insists he’ll never deny Jesus?)

And this is the denial.

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.

75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Matthew makes of the third denial a pretty big deal as Peter curses and swears and makes everyone a witness of how he’s not Jesus’ disciple.

Even if one isn’t a believer and wants to see this as just a story, the whole narration is awesome in its progression (denying it to a girl, denying it with a oath to a girl and bystanders, cursing and swearing his denial to a crowd) and in its humanity.

Peter, previously claiming so proudly he wouldn’t fail Jesus, just fail utterly and completely not much later he has said he wouldn’t fail, all not because he really wanted nothing to do with Jesus (he actually was there because worried for him) but because he was afraid for himself, afraid to be arrested as well.

More than betrayal this is failure, as Peter didn’t mean to betray Jesus... he was just scared and so he didn’t manage to find inside himself the courage to stand up with him.

And in all this there’s the match with Sugimoto.

Sugimoto makes an oath of partnership with Asirpa and, through the story, Sugimoto also attacks vehemently all those who can’t stay loyal.

Yet first he denies their partnership by leaving her in the night, without talking with her or anyone else first, taking away the skins they’ve collected and leaving no explanation behind.

He’s not doing this because he’s a jerk or because he wants to betray her... he’s doing this because he’s scared.

I’m pretty sure Sugimoto left planning to return part of the gold to Asirpa, that he left believing he was helping her, without even realizing he was breaking their partnership unilaterally, that his act could be seen as betrayal (as Shiraishi will say later to Asirpa) and that by not discussing it with her he was stepping all over her agency.

In short I’m sure Sugi had good intentions but he still denied their partnership.

The second time this happens Sugimoto first makes an agreement with Tsurumi in which he promised he’ll entrust Asirpa and the Ainu gold to him without asking Asirpa about her opinion, then he’ll try to pressure her in just letting herself and the gold be handed to him. It’s meaningful how the first denial is quoted by Shiraishi as Sugimoto’s motive for his second denial comes up.

And again, what moves Sugimoto? Fear.

Only this time is worse than the previous.

Why?

Because before he was leaving her home, a place in which she was safe and there were people who loved her and Sugimoto would gain nothing immediately and would probably return part of the gold to her were he manage to find it, now he’s leaving her in the hands of Tsurumi, a man who’s clearly not trustworthy (in fact he plans to jail Asirpa so as to make sure no one will get her), he’s taking 200 yens for himself and the rest of the gold goes to Tsurumi.

So here too there’s a negative progression... and since it’s already pretty bad, if there were a third time... well it would need to be even worse.

This means that if Umeko is tied to Sugimoto’s third denial of his partnership with Asirpa, things won’t be pretty, they will be like Sugimoto completely dumping Asirpa in Tsurumi’s hands and possibly even the people she cares for solely to save Umeko because, do you remember the story in the gospel? It was an escalation and so far it had been an escalation in GK too.

Honestly I’m very worried of how the third denial could be because things can end up pretty ugly, never mentioning in the gospel of Matthew the Crucifixion of Jesus takes place in Matthew 27 and guess at which volume we’re now?

27.

Not a good number.

Of course seeing the man she’s crushing for would break unilaterally their partnership for a third time, leaving her in troubles only to save the woman she loves might give to Asirpa, who instead wanted to become a human shield for Sugimoto and murder people to protect him, some perspective on how her love is utterly unrequited and she would do better to move over and find someone who’ll stick with her instead.

(Note that I think if this will happen Sugi will then regret and come back for her too as he’s not this kind of jerk but the fact he prioritized Umeko over her might still be a wake up call for her)

However, maybe I’m misunderstanding you but you seems to think at something different taking place:

“...now that Asirpa is the one in Tsurumi’s grasp, I wonder if she might not be the one meeting Umeko instead of Tsurumi threatening Sugimoto with Umeko? After all, Asirpa’s crush on Sugimoto is still going strong and maybe it needs addressing through. Asirpa meeting Umeko and understanding why Sugimoto is so hung up on bringing gold back for her surgery. I’m not even talking about Sugimoto being in love, but rather the fact that he’s trying to go home from war. Maybe Asirpa wil understand if she hears Umeko herself talking about it since Sugimoto is rather silent on the subject. He won’t say what Asirpa wants to hear so maybe we should not wait for him to make Asirpa realize that she may have to let him go.”

I’m not really sure how you want this to happen but ultimately Sugimoto talked with Asirpa about how the person he said he loved is Umeko, how he wants to go back to her...

...and to be utterly honest Asirpa wasn’t against Sugimoto going back home, her original wish was for him to bring her along.

She switched her mind only when she realized Sugimoto didn’t just ‘want to go back home’, but ‘wanted to go back to another woman’.

Remember the whole discussion she had with Ogata on the ice field when he told her his own fanfiction about Sugimoto’s last moments.

What Asirpa wanted to hear from Ogata was that Sugimoto would say him he wanted to eat dried persimmons WITH HER.

And I think Ogata could figure this out pretty well but instead gives her the version of what HE wanted his father to say in his last moments, that he wanted to eat anglerfish nabe with his mother... I mean Umeko, as Asirpa thinks he’s talking about Umeko (when Ogata instead is totally talking about his mom, Ogata TOME).

This is interesting because it actually plays at Ogata’s disadvantage, that Asirpa should help him because by helping him would mean to help Sugimoto, the person Asirpa loves... but in itself plays at Asirpa’s advantage as, by that conversation, she could see even in his last moments Sugimoto wouldn’t think about her.

Ogata’s sole mistake was about failing to guess Sugimoto’s favourite food.

Anyway this is very likely what she wants Sugimoto to say, that he wants to eat dried persimmons with her, be it by going back home and then returning to her with them or by carrying her with him too.

Long story short, sure, meeting Umeko would cause Asirpa to ponder on her crush for Sugimoto because, simply put, Umeko is her rival but... I don’t know how Umeko, who hadn’t been seeing Sugi from 1899 and therefore knows next to nothing about him and how he’s living his life currently or what he needs, could talk to Asirpa about what Sugimoto needs... nor I like the idea Sugimoto won’t have to fix this because Umeko will do all the work for him... never mentioning if Umeko will be in Hokkaido for the above theory... well, this would mean she has accepted to marry Tsurumi... or had married him already since more than a year has gone by from when supposedly Tsurumi asked her hand.

So... I don’t know, it would really depend a lot on how the discussion would go and I realize I’ve bias because I don’t want Asirpa to give up on Sugimoto  SOLELY because she would sacrifice for him but because she would understand he’s not right for her... and I don’t know how Umeko can help her with this if not by telling her how she married Toraji because she understood Sugimoto wasn’t right for her.

This though wouldn’t be much Asirpa letting Sugimoto go back home, but Asirpa understanding tying herself to Sugimoto would be bad... as well as ensuring Sugi can’t get Umeko anyway because Umeko has understood that, no matter how much she used to like him, he wasn’t right for her.

On a second though I might like this idea... though I would be sad for Sugimoto as, despite all his faults, he loves Umeko, losing her hurt him and he’s been fighting so hard to find a way to go back her so... I would feel bad for him.

But whatever, we’ll see.

I doubt Noda will let his main character alone.

Thanks for your ask!

[truthsower]

WHAT IS FAITH?

CHECK OUT THIS INSPIRING VIDEO ABOUT FAITH: https://bit.ly/3rHPu1p

"When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

On the island state of Tasmania there used to be a native dog, called a thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, because of the black and white stripes on the back half of the animal. The last known specimen died in captivity more than fifty years ago. However, there is now talk of cloning more Tasmanian tigers through DNA taken from a preserved specimen. Embryos could be implanted in other dogs, until a pack of Tasmanian tigers could be produced. The film Jurassic Park was based on a similar concept for bringing dinosaurs back. Whether or not such a feat is a realistic scientific possibility, there is no doubt that the only way to bring back an extinct species would be to have some reliable specimen or other link with the original, from which you could make copies. Unfortunately, the world today is going through a time when genuine faith is going the way of the dinosaur. People have something which they call faith today, but it is almost universally a counterfeit of the real thing. Because of that, we are going to try to give a description in this article of what genuine faith is like, so that the world will not be without a link to the real thing, even if all genuine possessors of faith die out.

(The most amazing thing about faith is just how simple it is. Unlike currency or great works of art, which are very hard to duplicate, it is the various forms of counterfeit faith which are complicated, while the genuine article is really quite simple. To understand the difference between the genuine and the counterfeits, think of the difference between the words "believe" and "belief". When you use the word "belief" it conjures up a picture of a formal statement, usually one that has been well thought out, which states, often in legal jargon, exactly what someone believes on a particular subject. That pretty well describes the counterfeits. The world is cluttered with various "belief systems", but they tell us very little about genuine faith. In fact, our experience has been that the bottom line to all the so-called Christian belief systems is that they invariably oppose genuine faith in Jesus Christ. We will explain more about that in a moment. But first, consider the word "believe". We use it all the time, with very little confusion about what it means. It is amazingly simple. Whenever someone says something, you either believe it or you do not. Jesus described faith as a tiny seed which grows into a huge tree. He was saying that simply believing the things that he said seems so insignificant that most people are inclined to overlook it in favour of something more complicated to describe faith in Jesus. But if we would simply "believe" him when he says something, out of that would grow everything that God really wants to see in his followers. It is unfortunate that most translations of John 3:16 say, "Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." I have strong suspicions about that word "in" having been placed there by a zealous scribe who took exception to the word "believe" on its own. The word "in" gives the impression that we need only believe in the existence of Jesus and we will have everlasting life. (See this 1-minute video about John 3:16 meaning).

James wrote that even the devils have that kind of faith. (James 2:19) He argued, instead, in favour of faith that "works". (James 2:18) Sadly, the people who preach John 3:16 most strongly also argue most strongly against just about everything that James wrote, and against the whole concept of "good works" having anything to do with salvation. Their counterfeit belief system systematically attacks the idea of simply "believing" Jesus, and then acting in accordance with what he has said. As we said above, the counterfeit belief systems which are supposedly built on believing "in" Jesus all seem to oppose "believing" Jesus. They have elaborate ways of justifying their traditions, but none of them come from the teachings of Jesus himself. Did Jesus tell us to build huge cathedrals, to recite prayers, asking him into our hearts, to bless bombs and become involved in world politics? What exists today in the name of Christianity bears very little resemblance to the early Christians. Of course, if the Bible really does teach that faith is a belief system more than childlike faith in the things that Jesus said, then who are we to argue against it? But take another look at the third chapter of John's gospel, to see if that is what it really teaches. The last verse of the chapter (John 3:36) more or less repeats what the 16th verse says. But in the second half of that verse, the infamous little word "in" (or "on" as used in the first half of this verse) does not appear. It merely says, "He that does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Believe in Jesus if you like. Believe on him too if you like. But unless you simply believe him, you are lost. And how can we say that we believe the things he says, when our belief system says that we must not try to obey the things he says, or we will lose our salvation? You are going to have to throw out the counterfeit in order to find the real thing. (NOTE: Some translations actually have the word "obey" in the second half of John 3:36, in the place of "believe", which further supports what we have been saying. Whosoever does not "obey" the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on them.) True faith in Jesus means believing everything that Jesus said. And true faith in God is believing everything that God says. As the words to the song go, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." True faith just naturally leads to obedience. If I say that there is a bomb in the room and it will explode in ten seconds, you do not sit down and have a discussion about it. Your faith in what I have said will instantly be transformed into action. You will race out of the room. One could say that your faith in what I said is what saved you. But there would be very little difference between saying that and saying that your action (i.e. the act of leaving the room) saved you too. It was an action based on faith. Martin Luther once said, "Faith and works are two sides of the same coin. You cannot separate one from the other any more than you can separate the ability to give light from the flame on a candle." As James put it, if there are no works (or obedience), it is evidence that there is no faith. And as Paul put it, in Ephesians 2:8-9, if there is no faith, there is no grace, for God's grace is only available "through faith". When you remember these two points, it becomes easy to see that any teaching about grace without works (or worse still, any teaching about grace which opposes works) is based on a counterfeit belief system, and has not come from genuine faith in Jesus. That really is about all you need to know about faith. Faith in Jesus Christ means believing everything that Jesus Christ said. At the moment there are still Bibles around, if people would only open them and turn to the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to read the things that Jesus said. Over and over he said things that require genuine faith in God for people to literally do them, which is why counterfeit faith is so much

more popular. What Jesus said is so simple and so clear that we do not even need to elaborate on most of his teachings. We have the confidence to tell you to just open the book, read it, and then do it. It is the counterfeits who must give you complicated explanations about how the teachings of Jesus don't really mean what they clearly say. When Jesus says, "Love your enemies," it is the counterfeits who must explain how that means we should have strong armies who are prepared to kill our enemies. We have often quoted Luke 14:33 ("Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my disciple.") just as it appears in the King James Version of the Bible, only to have people respond with, "Well, that's your opinion." No, it's not our opinion. It's the opinion of Almighty God, as expressed through his Son. It is his unconditional requirement for anyone who wishes to follow him. It contains the same "whosoever" that appears in John 3:16. Whosoever believes it (and acts accordingly, of course) will not perish. But if you do not believe the Son, you shall not see life, and the wrath of God abides on you. This article is being sent out like a message in a bottle to a world that has been almost totally stripped of genuine faith. If you find it, and if you believe what it is saying, it can bring you new life. We are praying that you will find it, and that you will believe what it is saying. The rest is already programmed into the tiny seed of faith.