#author wrote this stoned at 1:49 am

[tarantulasnot]

Francis mosses is just a milkman, a nobody. But you were a something he wanted, and what's the difference between wants and needs?

CW: weed usage, hair pulling, cum eating, elongated tongue, misuse of shape shifting, Francis is a shy little freak, sub Francis, marking, reader gets stoned and gets an idea,

It's gonna be... 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝔂 👅

You were so nice for a creature. Your smile, although a bit sharp was so mesmerizing. Your morning greetings were so pleasant, and genuinely made his day. He was so lonely, and you're small acts of kindness made him develop a small crush on you.

"Are you alright Francis? Your eyes have been getting darker." He'd shrug, however delighted that you'd noticed. "Mmm... Long shifts." You gave him a sympathetic look, and he looked the other way. "Come over tonight. I have something that might help."

So he came to you that night. He had changed out of his uniform into his button up pajamas, (1950s pajamas are Ebeneezer Scrooge couture okay 😭 lets act like that's sexy), and he approached your door, knocking on it.

Within a few seconds you had opened the wooden door, gazing at him with a smile. "Oh you're here already?" Another smile, it's like you're the original, but so much nicer. "Mmm, need all the help I can get." Your eyes scan him up and down and he shudders, but you shake your head, inviting him. "Take a seat on the couch, I'll be with you in a second." He does as told, but he's so stiff about it. Awkwardly sitting with perfect posture, his legs spread apart, and tapping his thigh anxiously. You return with a soft blanket and a two cups of hot cocoa, and two neatly rolled joints between your fingers. "Oh don't be so rigid, darling."

Fuck if only you knew the things you did to him. "Mmm, sorry about that." Francis apologizes, but you're quick to dismiss it. "I don't want to hear any of that." Settling down to his right, you pull out your lighter, and set the cups of warmed chocolate on the nightstand beside you. "Have you ever smoked weed, Francis?" The way you asked the question was so casual, that he looked almost taken back (this is the 1950s guys.)

"Mmm, well no." He glanced nervously at the joint in your hand as you set the end aflame, pulling on it once and holding the cocoa in your hand. You exhale the smoke and quickly take a swig. "I heard the coughing hurts."

You laugh, and it almost sounds like you're making fun of him. Once again, your teeth flash at him, and he swallows. Francis wonders how they would feel on his neck, his collarbone, his thighs... "Here," Lifting the other mug in your hand, you pass it to him. "If you exhale after a moment and drink this really fast you won't cough as much, if at all." He takes the drink, and sets it in his lap. However his attention is back in you and the way your lips curl around the blunt. You look so graceful about it.

"Here." You pass the joint to him between two fingers, and he copies you. "Now just take a small hit, this is your first time after all." The milkman nods, pressing his lips to it, and of course he doesn't listen. He barely feels it go down so after a solid 5 seconds you press your fingers to his lips and take the weed from him. "That's enough for you big fella."

Francis blows the white cloud from his lunge, and after a solid second of not feeling anything, he gets a scratchy burning feeling, and immediately sips on the cocoa. Afterwards he starts coughing, but it's not as bad as it would be without the drink. "H-Holy shit..." He manages in between coughs. "Damn that..." Francis leans back, his brain already starting to feel the effects. "That hits."

You chuckle lowly, taking another couple of puffs before passing it back to him. He goes through the cycle again before finally both of you are at a good high.

His eyes are dropped, eyelids lowered as he gazes at the wall. "Francis." You whisper, grabbing his attention, and suddenly he's locked in on you. Your hair, your lips, your eyes. God you're just a sight to behold.

"How are you feeling." He blinks at you, before smiling. "I feel great." He whispers. "Really good."

He moves a little closer, pulling the blanket further over himself. "Why haven't I done this before?" He leans his head back against the back of the couch, sighing. You can't help but appreciate the proximity. "Ummm..." He smells good, like deep cologne and the hint of flower in the air. "I don't know, but I'm glad you're feeling this good." Your hand goes to his thigh, landing on his knee and he shudders.

You had to be doing this in purpose. He felt his heart beating faster, and his body felt heavy. The way your fingertips glided over his knee to the center of his thigh, he wanted your hand just a bit further up. He wanted your hands everywhere. Really, he couldn't help it. His eyes fluttered shut as you kept running your hand over his thigh and he sighed heavily. "(Y/N)..." He whispered under his breath, and you took your hand away. You didn't want to push it, or do anything he didn't want.

You would have been an idiot to not notice that Francis had taken an interest in you. His flushed glances as you complimented him on his appearance, even if he was disheveled; or, when you touched his arm as a thank you for helping when you had "accidentally" knocked one of the bottles down.

"Are you alright, darling?" That nickname again, he parted his lips to speak. He wanted to be your darling, he had for a while. "I do like when you call me that." He admitted slowly, and his eyes sifted opened to peer at you. "Do you call anyone else darling?" He asked so innocently, but with a smidge of potential envy. "I don't." You reply simply, and you turn to face him fully. He returns the gesture, and now he's inches away from your face. "Mmm... So I'm your darling then?" He stated as though it were fact, speaking aloud.

Right in front of his eyes this time, your right hand drifts down to his thigh, and he twitches. "Mmm, don't do this to me." He wrenches his eyes from the scene back to you.

"What's the matter Francis?" It's his upper thigh this time that you graze, and it drives him to a point of no return. Already his pants are swelling with the thoughts he can't say, and if it weren't for the thickness of the blanket you would have seen it. However, you can feel the heat radiating from it. "Is there something wrong?"

Francis puts a hand over his eyes, he doesn't want to admit it, but he's already so painfully hard, a bead of precum staining his boxers and all you've done is pet his thigh. "Mmm... No- no." He shakes his head, and he nearly lurches out of his skin when all of a sudden your hand grazes over the spot that's affected the most. "Fuck- I just-" Francis mumbles, his hips chasing the contact, the stiffened member behind the clothing twitching beneath your ministrations. "Please-"

You don't deny him any further. You set your mugs to the side and crawl into his lap, and attach your lips to his. It's like a finely tuned instrument, both of you in sync, your hips moving over his slowly, and your kisses in the same agonizing rhythm.

He tries kissing you sweetly, this is the first time, but he can't control himself that well when it comes to this. "mmm- mm!" Your sharpened teeth bite his bottom lip, and he whines at the sting. But fuck he wants it, he wants those teeth to sinking into his neck, he wants the marks, he wants it all.

So you can't blame him when he grabs your hips and bucks into them, his eyes squeezed shut as he pushed his tongue into your mouth. Only to lose when your much longer one, which he hadn't noticed before, fills his. Your mixed saliva drops down his chin and he starts fully thrusting against you practically, his hands on your waist and your assisted pressure. "oh fuck- fuck-" he parts from the kiss to groan into your shoulder, and he sits down, begging into your ear while you did all the work. "Feels so good-"

Francis had been so lonely, so pent up. "Mmm more-" He pleaded, but you felt like being a little cruel to him. He could take it.

Your hand pulls his hair backwards and his hips jerk, a long moan escaping his throat. "You want more?" Your hips went faster and his eyebrows furrowed upwards, sweat at his hairline as you relentlessly dug your hips into him. "Huh, darling?"

The grip you had on his hair was just tight enough to ache and when you shook him around a little bit he couldn't stop himself from crying out. "yes!" He gasped, and suddenly he admitted what he wanted. "Please I want your fucking teeth in my neck- I want your tongue on my chest and-" he didn't even need to say it for you to know what he meant, because he keeps dragging his hips over yours when he has the mind to.

You quickly ripped his shirt open, and he shuddered when you let go of his hair. His tired eyes watched you get on your knees in front of him, his lip pulled between his teeth as you immediately peppered his neck with kisses.

I'm too lazy

@the-lazyyy-artist

[thinksthatit-sbesttonotlookback]

How Well Do I Know My Bookshelf?.

       Hello Everyone! In order to fight boredom while being cooped up, I decided to do the “How Well Do You Know Your Bookshelf” challenge. The way it works is that I have to answer 28 questions about my books, and each book is picked via coordinates that I have gathered from Random.org, @calamariscorpion, and @reverend-pootis . Once again, thank you for helping me with this! Normally you��re supposed to keep track of your score, but I’m too sleepy to care about score right at this moment.

(If you wish to try it, you can look up the questions online!) And now, here are the results!

- Without looking at the description, tell us what the book is about! (7, 41)

The book I ended up landing on was the first edition of the 3-in-1 Fullmetal Alchemist manga by Hiromu Arakawa. This book in particular is about Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are alchemists attempting to search for the Philosopher’s stone in order to restore their bodies.

-Without looking it up, what is the genre of this book? (9, 17)

The book I got was Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey Mcquiston. This is a LGBTQ+ Romance.

- Without looking at the book, tell us what is on the cover! (4, 37)

The book I got was The Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester. I love this book so much that I practically memorized the cover. It’s of the Dumfrey Dime Museum, and our main quartet standing in each of the windows.

- Without looking it up, what is the main character's name? (4, 15)

I landed on A Map of Days by Ransom Riggs. The main character is Jacob Portman.

- Without looking, name a side character! (9, 32)

I got Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. I have not read this book yet, so I’ll just throw out the first name that comes into my mind: John. (I’m incorrect)

- Guess how many pages the book has without looking! (If you guess 25 below or 25 above the number, you can count it as a win!) [5, 23]

I landed on The Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. I actually DNFed this book, so I don’t know how many pages it has; I’ll guess 649. (I just checked, it’s over 800. I’m sad)

- Without looking it up, what rating did you give this book? If you land on a book you haven't read, pick a new set of numbers. (3, 21)

I landed on The Talisman by Stephen King, which I haven’t even opened. And since I don’t have extra coordinates, I went to the next available read book, which happens to be Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. I gave this book 5/5 stars (It’s one of my all-time favs.)

- Without looking, where does this book take place? (4, 29)

I landed on Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. Even though I haven’t read this, I know that this takes place in Washington.

- Without looking, what are the parent's names? (1, 32)

I landed on This Book is Not good for You by Pseudonymous Bosch. Unfortunately, I don’t remember any of the three parents named in this book, so no points for me!

- Without looking at the hardback, what color is the book under the dust jacket? (6, 48)

I accidentally cheated on this question, so this one does not count for me. I originally got Case Study of Vanitas by Jun Mochizuki, which is a paperback, like all of my mangas. The next book with a dust jacket was Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender, and I could see under the dust jacket from my bed, which renders this question moot. (It was Yellow, if you wished to know)

- Without looking, is there anything on the hardback? Like an imprint or an image of some sort? (2, 39)

I got The Legend of Luke by Brian Jacques!!! I never took the dust jacket off of this book when I read it last, so I don’t know. I’m going to assume that it has one, because it’s written like an epic. (There wasn’t anything on it :( )

- Without taking the dust jacket off, what is the color of the font on the hardback? (1, 21)

I landed on Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, which happened to be a paperback. The next available book with a dust jacket is All By My Selves by Jeff Dunahm. I believe that the font is yellow! (it’s actually this really nice red)

- Without looking do the chapters have titles or are they just numbered? (8, 46)

I got Soul Eater vol. 2 by Atsushi Ohkubo. Since this is a manga they have titles. 

- Without looking at the book cover, does it have an award on it? (3, 7)

I got the Dark Half by Stephen King, and my copy does not have any type of award on it.

- Without looking, does this book have any author blurbs on the front cover? (3,4)

I got Skeleton Crew by Stephen King, and there are no author blurbs on the front cover.

- Without looking, does the book have a description on the back? (5, 4)

I landed on Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and I believe that my copy has a description on the back (No, it doesn’t. All it has is an introduction, some notes, and about the person who wrote the introduction)

- Without looking, does this book have an author photo? (7, 12)

I got the 2nd Fullmetal Alchemist 3-in-1 by Hiromu Arakawa. I don’t believe she has an author photo of herself, but I do know that she has her cow persona on her author segment. Since this question is technically asking about a photo with a human, my answer is no.

- Without looking it up, is this author using a pen name? (6, 49)

I got the Volume 2 of Case Study of Vanitas. I do not believe that Jun Mochizuki is a pen name

- Without peeking, what POV is this book written in? 1st or 3rd? (2, 17)

I landed on Eulalia! By Brian Jacques. Having read quite a few of the Redwall Books, I can safely say that all of them are written in third person.

- Without looking are there any pictures or graphics in this book? (7, 20)

I landed on volume 2 of My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi. This is a manga, which is almost entirely illustrations.

- Without looking, does it have an epilogue? (4, 36)

I landed on The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. I just read this so i should remember this, but I am blanking out on this. I'm just gonna take a risk and say that it doesn’t have an epilogue.

- Without looking, does this book have a prologue? (8, 3)

I can safely say that the third volume of Ouran Highschool Host Club by Bisco Hatori does not have a prologue.

- Without looking, is this book signed? (6, 23)

I got the first volume of Black Butler by Yana Toboso, and it, like my other books, isn’t signed.

- Without looking, do the page numbers have a design above or below them or none at all? (7, 27)

I landed on the 2nd volume of Noragami Stray God by Adachitoka. Because it’s a manga, I know that there’s no designs on the page numbers.

- Without looking, do the chapter headers have designs on them? (4, 54)

I ended up on Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer again. Having not read them, I do not know, but I’ll assume that they don’t have any designs on them.

- Without looking, are the acknowledgements in the front or the back of the book? (4, 17)

The coordinates gave me Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan. I haven’t read this since middle school, but I’ll assume that it's in the back… (The book had no acknowledgements)

- Without looking, what year was this book published? (2, 33)

This is the question I was dreading, especially since I landed on  Mossflower by Brian Jacques. I’m going to lowball it and say that this was written in 2004… (Turns out I highballed it. Mossflower came out in 1988!)

- Without looking, what year did you read this book? (5, 15)

I was also dreading this, as I don’t remember when I read books, just that I have read them. My final book was The Volcano of Fire by Geronimo Stilton. I’m just going to assume that I read it in 2015. (There’s no possible way to verify this)

--

Even though you don’t technically tag someone for one of these, I would like to challenge @cookiecutterwrites and @angelolytle to try this out. Who knows, you may like it!

[The edits aren’t saving]

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the Light of men. 5 And the Light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came as a witness to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. 11 He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. 12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried, saying, "This was He of whom I spoke, `He that cometh after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'" 16 And of His fullness have we all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. 19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who art thou?" 20 And he confessed and denied not, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Art thou Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Art thou that Prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 Then said they unto him, "Who art thou, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What sayest thou of thyself?" 23 He said, "I am `the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord,"' as said the prophet Isaiah." 24 And those who were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, "Why dost thou baptize then if thou art not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that Prophet?" 26 John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there standeth One among you whom ye know not. 27 He it is who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's strap I am not worthy to unloose." 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, `After me cometh a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' 31 And I knew Him not; but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore have I come baptizing with water." 32 And John bore record, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and It abode upon Him. 33 And I knew Him not. But He that sent me to baptize with water, the Same said unto me, `Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, the Same is He that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.' 34 And I saw and bore record that this is the Son of God." 35 Again the next day John stood with two of his disciples, 36 and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned and saw them following, and said unto them, "What seek ye?" They said unto Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, being interpreted, "Master"), "where dwellest Thou?" 39 He said unto them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He dwelt and stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said unto him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is, being interpreted, "the Christ"). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said, "Thou art Simon, the son of Jonah. Thou shalt be called Cephas" (which is by interpretation, "a stone"). 43 The day following, Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and found Philip and said unto him, "Follow Me." 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said unto him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46 And Nathanael said unto him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said unto him, "Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" 48 Nathanael said unto Him, "How knowest Thou me?" Jesus answered and said unto him, "Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." 49 Nathanael answered and said unto Him, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel." 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, "Because I said unto thee, `I saw thee under the fig tree,' believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these." 51 And He said unto him, "Verily, verily I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." - John 1 | Third Millennium Bible (TMB) Third Millennium Bible, New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises. All rights reserved.

[thesimparrot]

Get to know me tag

I was tagged by the amazings @racingllama @sixamart and @notdaniella! 💕 thank you so much guys for thinking about me, you always make my day better :’) besides I’ve been trying to find a way back to this blog, it annoys me not to post anything... so here it is! and it also was a good excuse to show my new haircut huhu

RULES: Post a pic of your simself with your traits and answer the questions!

I’d now like to tag @intricately-silly @purplebex @pollinationqueen @omiscanking @bleumimosa @mellowsimss @cakeiko @weirdsimfreak @pixel-whimsy @adrianaplays @lilacsimblr @amykii @xastraea @blurri-sim-kid @stephanine-sims @amessofsims @johnnyzest @gloomyplumbob @puddingplace and as always whoever wants to do it!

1. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Zoé

2. WHAT IS YOUR NICKNAME? Zo’

3. BIRTHDAY? July 28th

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK SERIES? Harry Potter

5. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ALIENS OR GHOSTS? I don’t think so, but in the dark I’ll believe in anything

6. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR? Katherine Rundell atm

7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RADIO STATION? a french one called Rire & Chansons (literally Laugh and Songs)

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLAVOR OF ANYTHING? mmmmm bergamot?

9. WHAT WORD WOULD YOU USE OFTEN TO DESCRIBE SOMETHING GREAT OR WONDERFUL? AMAZING

10. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE SONG? Move Along by The All-American Rejects

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORD? I’ve noticed I say “cool” a lot

12. WHAT WAS THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO? No Light, No Light by Florence + The Machine

13. WHAT TV SHOW WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR EVERYBODY TO WATCH? F.R.I.E.N.D.S.!!!!!

14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE TO WATCH WHEN YOU’RE FEELING DOWN? Ocean’s Eleven

15. DO YOU PLAY VIDEO GAMES? hell yeah

16. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? people I love leaving me

17. WHAT IS YOUR BEST QUALITY, IN YOUR OPINION? loyalty, I think

18. WHAT IS YOUR WORST QUALITY, IN YOUR OPINION? ooof, too many of them

19. DO YOU LIKE CATS OR DOGS BETTER? DOGS (i'm afraid of cats so….)

20. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? summer I think

21. ARE YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP? nope

22. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU MISS FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD? insouciance

23. WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND? childhood ones

24. WHAT IS YOUR EYE COLOR? dark brown

25. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR? dark brown

26. WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOVE? family and friends

27. WHO IS SOMEONE YOU TRUST? family and friends

28. WHO IS SOMEONE YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN? my older sister

29. ARE YOU CURRENTLY EXCITED ABOUT/FOR SOMETHING? I went to a book fair this afternoon!

30. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST OBSESSION? right now, going back playing the sims huhu

31. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW AS A CHILD? The Totally Spies

32. WHO OF THE OPPOSITE GENDER CAN YOU TELL ANYTHING TO, IF ANYONE?

33. ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? I don’t think so?

34. DO YOU HAVE ANY UNUSUAL PHOBIAS? I’m afraid of cats but try to learn not to be anymore

35. DO YOU PREFER TO BE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA OR BEHIND IT? behind

36. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY? reading and playing

37. WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

38. WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Princess Diaries

39. WHAT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS DO YOU PLAY, IF ANY? clarinet

40. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL? 🐸

41. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 5 FAVORITE TUMBLR BLOGS THAT YOU FOLLOW? 5 spots are not enough!!

42. WHAT SUPERPOWER DO YOU WISH YOU HAD? becoming a human torch

43. WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU FEEL MOST AT PEACE? when I take my shower

44. WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? puppies

45. WHAT SPORTS DO YOU PLAY, IF ANY? I recently started rock climbing

46. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK? tea

47. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WROTE A HAND-WRITTEN LETTER OR NOTE TO SOMEBODY? a looooong time ago

48. ARE YOU AFRAID OF HEIGHTS? yes I think?

49. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE? people who breathe loudly (but like, very loudly)

50. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO A CONCERT? a few in fact, I think the last one was Queen of the Stone Age

51. ARE YOU VEGAN/VEGETARIAN? nope

52. WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? when I was 6 I wanted to be a taekwondo teacher (for like a week)

53. WHAT FICTIONAL WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN?

54. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WORRY ABOUT? everything

55. ARE YOU SCARED OF THE DARK? yes

56. DO YOU LIKE TO SING? yeup but sadly I don’t sing very well

57. HAVE YOU EVER SKIPPED SCHOOL? if pretending to be sick count then yes

58. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON THE PLANET? my bed

59. WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE? not near Paris anymore

60. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? sadly no but I have a panda bear called Casey

61. ARE YOU MORE OF AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL? definitely an early bird. If I woke up after 9 am on a day off I feel like my day has already been wasted

62. DO YOU LIKE SUNRISES OR SUNSETS BETTER? sunrise

63. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DRIVE? I do have my licence but if I can avoid using it….

64. DO YOU PREFER EARBUDS OR HEADPHONES? earbuds

65. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES? nope

66. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC? pop-rock

67. WHO IS YOUR HERO? Shadowcat

68. DO YOU READ COMIC BOOKS? YEEEEES

69. WHAT MAKES YOU THE MOST ANGRY? a lot of things, in top of the list right now are impolite people

70. DO YOU PREFER TO READ ON AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE OR WITH A REAL BOOK? real books!

71. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? my cinema class in high school

72. DO YOU HAVE ANY SIBLINGS? one sister, 10 years older than me

73. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? a book (well, two actually)

74. HOW TALL ARE YOU? 154cm (I’m smoll)

75. CAN YOU COOK? still debating

76. WHAT ARE THREE THINGS THAT YOU LOVE? playing, going to the movie, eating chocolate

77. WHAT ARE THREE THINGS THAT YOU HATE? not knowing what comes next, being sick, being upset over dumb things

78. DO YOU HAVE MORE FEMALE FRIENDS OR MORE MALE FRIENDS? female

79. WHAT IS YOUR SEXUAL ORIENTATION? straight

80. WHERE DO YOU CURRENTLY LIVE? near Paris, France

81. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TEXTED? if tumblr i.m. count as texted then it’s Ale from @sixamart

82. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? this morning

83. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE YOUTUBER? he’s not really a youtuber but I thought immediately about a french streamer called Mister MV

84. DO YOU LIKE TO TAKE SELFIES? nope

85. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE APP? pinterest

86. WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARENT(S) LIKE? I’m really close to my mum she’s one of my best friend, my dad is a more reserved person but we got along pretty well too

87. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOREIGN ACCENT? british

88. WHAT IS A PLACE THAT YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO, BUT YOU WANT TO VISIT? Sweden

89. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER? don’t have one

90. CAN YOU JUGGLE? nope

91. ARE YOU RELIGIOUS? nope

92. DO YOU FIND OUTER SPACE OF THE DEEP OCEAN TO BE MORE INTERESTING? outer space

93. DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A DAREDEVIL? hell no, I’m a big coward

94. ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO ANYTHING? some kind of makeup (or my face will turn into a moon fish)

95. CAN YOU CURL YOUR TONGUE? yes

96. CAN YOU WIGGLE YOUR EARS? nope

97. HOW OFTEN DO YOU ADMIT THAT YOU WERE WRONG ABOUT SOMETHING? when I will be, I’ll let you know (I’m a very funny person)

98. DO YOU PREFER THE FOREST OR THE BEACH? forest

99. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT ANYONE HAS EVER GIVEN YOU?  “when I’m upset about something, I pause for a minute and take the time to ask myself if it’s worse the trouble. Most of the time it’s not, so I move on.”

100. ARE YOU A GOOD LIAR? nope

101. WHAT IS YOUR HOGWARTS HOUSE? Hufflepuff and proud

102. DO YOU TALK TO YOURSELF? waaay too much

103. ARE YOU AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT? it really depends on the situation

104. DO YOU KEEP A JOURNAL/DIARY? I used to but it was too depressive so I stopped

105. DO YOU BELIEVE IN SECOND CHANCES? yes

106. IF YOU FOUND A WALLET FULL OF MONEY ON THE GROUND, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? leave it where it is probably (I’m a coward, remember?)

107. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGE? kind of

108. ARE YOU TICKLISH? ooooh yes

109. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A PLANE? yes

110. DO YOU HAVE ANY PIERCINGS? nope

111. WHAT FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU WISH WAS REAL? I really don’t know

112. DO YOU HAVE ANY TATTOOS? nope

113. WHAT IS THE BEST DECISION THAT YOU’VE MADE IN YOUR LIFE SO FAR? searching for work right after my three years of “university” (despite my mom’s wish to go on on the studies)

114. DO YOU BELIEVE IN KARMA? hell yeah but I doubt karma believe in me

115. DO YOU WEAR GLASSES OR CONTACTS? glasses

116. DO YOU WANT CHILDREN? don’t know yet

117. WHO IS THE SMARTEST PERSON YOU KNOW? a childhood friend

118. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MEMORY? oh yeah I remember

119. HAVE YOU EVER PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER? I’ve tried but never succeed

120. WHAT COLOR ARE MOST OF YOU CLOTHES? blue or yellow

121. DO YOU LIKE ADVENTURES? not really

122. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON TV? nope

123. HOW OLD ARE YOU? 23

124. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE? “I'm not great at the advice... Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?” (Chandler Bing, F.R.I.E.N.D.S.)

125. DO YOU PREFER SWEET OR SAVORY FOODS? sweeeeeeeet

[inactivesimblrr]

get to know me tag!

tagged by @literalite (thank u lamer clone!) n im not tagging anyone bc.............. every1 i think i know has already been tagged so thats calm, there r 125 questions below!

1. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Pat[REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED]

2. WHAT IS YOUR NICKNAME? pat

3. BIRTHDAY? 23rd of nov!!!!! <3 (2001)

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK SERIES? hmhmhnnnn,,,,, lotr, the hobbit, harry potter, anything from the grishaverse,,, idk man i like books a lot,,, the raven cycle,,, hnmgmg,,

5. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ALIENS OR GHOSTS? aliens 100% i believe in them! ghosts? i mean... i half kind of do half dont but my kind of ghost aint the same as the usual idea of a ghost yanno? mine r nicer <3

6. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR? leigh bardugo, tolkien, i would say j.k rowling but shes trash! her books r good tho ://

7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RADIO STATION? ??? idk so im gon pretend this means podcast and in that case im listening to the black tapes rn! 

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLAVOR OF ANYTHING? matcha or strawberry!!!!!!

9. WHAT WORD WOULD YOU USE OFTEN TO DESCRIBE SOMETHING GREAT OR WONDERFUL? thats swag (i began using it ironically but now i cant stop)

10. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE SONG? uhhh eve or the wonderful world by mark joshua! orrr shiloh by little chief!! 

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORD? grinned

12. WHAT WAS THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?  walking back to georgia by jim croce

13. WHAT TV SHOW WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR EVERYBODY TO WATCH? honestly.... drop dead diva... im sorry.... but tbh i dont watch tv all that often!! ACTUALLUY HECK i would def recommend merlin the bbc tv series and ofc sherlock the tv series but keep in mind both those recs will rip out your heart MULTIPLE times,

14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE TO WATCH WHEN YOU’RE FEELING DOWN? .......... im down all the time lolol but tbh all the harry potter films + the 1st fantastic beasts movie, all the lotr films and all the hobbit films AND sherlock both the rdj and jude law films and then the bbc sherlock christmas special the abominable bride

15. DO YOU PLAY VIDEO GAMES? yah! my all time favourite game is tes oblivion!! it has been my fav since i was 6!

16. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? my life not working out the way i want to!! i want my life to be happy and long and spent with the people i love and not having 2 worry abt money or health!!!

17. WHAT IS YOUR BEST QUALITY, IN YOUR OPINION? i think maybe my ability to find everything funny??

18. WHAT IS YOUR WORST QUALITY, IN YOUR OPINION? my temper is beyond vicious honestly like im not kidding my temper is.... disgusting

19. DO YOU LIKE CATS OR DOGS BETTER? birds

20. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? winter

21. ARE YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP? nah!

22. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU MISS FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD? im still a kid im only 17!!! and uh,, i miss the innocence!! i miss being oblivious!!

23. WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND? i dont have one!

24. WHAT IS YOUR EYE COLOR? brownn w/ a bit of green!

25. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR? dark brown!

26. WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOVE? my parents and my family!

27. WHO IS SOMEONE YOU TRUST? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

28. WHO IS SOMEONE YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN? jude law, sebastian stan, emma stone

29. ARE YOU CURRENTLY EXCITED ABOUT/FOR SOMETHING? back to school shopping!! also i get to eat fried chicken and cheesecake tonight because even tho my birthday was yesterday im celebrating it today!!!!

30. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST OBSESSION? stationery??? video games?? FOOD??

31. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW AS A CHILD? jane and the dragon!

32. WHO OF THE OPPOSITE GENDER CAN YOU TELL ANYTHING TO, IF ANYONE? i dont know what a male is sorry

33. ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? a baby bit only

34. DO YOU HAVE ANY UNUSUAL PHOBIAS? n’aw i dont think so!

35. DO YOU PREFER TO BE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA OR BEHIND IT? i mean... if i weren’t as ugly as i am id love to be in front of a camera doing fun acting stuff or whatnot! but bc i am ugly im usually behind the camera + i do film at school!

36. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY? lettering/calligraphy!

37. WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? what if its us by becky abertalli + adam silvera (its so cute but the ending was.... not satisfactory...)

38. WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? fantastic beasts the crimes of grindelwald!!!

39. WHAT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS DO YOU PLAY, IF ANY? used 2 play piano, accordion, and violin! but i dont do tht anymore!

40. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL? bird!! 

41. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 5 FAVORITE TUMBLR BLOGS THAT YOU FOLLOW? too many 2 pick from !!! im srry!

42. WHAT SUPERPOWER DO YOU WISH YOU HAD? gdgs all of them!!!!! maybe the power to warp reality bc i could do anything then?? a reality where im married to jude law or emma stone? done, a reality where i have all the powers in the world? done

43. WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU FEEL MOST AT PEACE? a cliff somewhere where its cold and the water is vicious underneath!

44. WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? babies, animals, happy couples, pregnant people, old people, a lot of things really!

45. WHAT SPORTS DO YOU PLAY, IF ANY? i used 2 do karate but now i dont do sports!

46. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK? idfsng idk! strawberry milkshake maybe?? matcha boba??? milk!!

47. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WROTE A HAND-WRITTEN LETTER OR NOTE TO SOMEBODY? last week!!! i love handwriting!

48. ARE YOU AFRAID OF HEIGHTS? nah!

49. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE? ppl who r rude for no reason and also ppl at school who just pick on other ppl for no reason looking at you rahni teagan and the other f*ckheads!!! hope u die literally i know thats a horrible thing to say but you all deserve it

50. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO A CONCERT? i went to two twenty one pilot concerts!! the first one was in the forum in melbourne and then the other one was a few years or one year later and it was in a sold out stadium!! both were in the mosh! and then idk if this counts as a concert but i went to and did the meet and greet for dan and phil’s first tour! i dont like them anymore tho ! ://

51. ARE YOU VEGAN/VEGETARIAN? no way in HELL!!!!

52. WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? a lot of things!!! famous actress, spy, war general, prime minister, pro wrestler, explorer, cartographer, filmmaker, architect, interior designer, dragon, PIRATE

53. WHAT FICTIONAL WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN? i know this is a bad idea but honestly the harry potter universe PROVIDED i had magic!! bc like,,, yah

54. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WORRY ABOUT? a lot of things! my future mainly lol :(

55. ARE YOU SCARED OF THE DARK? no but i gotta say sometimes in the middle of the night when i wake up and the undefined shape my clothes sitting on my desk chair looks like That i get a bit worried yanno it looks like a demon im not gonna lie

56. DO YOU LIKE TO SING? ya but i dont htink im any good at it!

57. HAVE YOU EVER SKIPPED SCHOOL? only due to sickness, funerals, or holidays!

58. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON THE PLANET? my house! OR the cliffs of moher :o)

59. WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE? in some old old old european castle in the middle of nowhere on a mountain and next to the sea

60. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? nuu :( but i do feed a lot of birds that come to my house and ive named them and love them even if the lorikeets dont love me back which is fine!!!! :(

61. ARE YOU MORE OF AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL? early bird i guess

62. DO YOU LIKE SUNRISES OR SUNSETS BETTER? sunsets??

63. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DRIVE? yes! but i dont have my full lisence only my learner’s permit!!

64. DO YOU PREFER EARBUDS OR HEADPHONES? headphones (noise cancelling!!)

65. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES? yup!! they were green!!

66. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC? soft rock, indie folk, indie-everything mainly except for indie-rock,,, country music dont hate my i love country music as long as its certain country music!! aint having none of this keith urban rubbish in my house!! we only listen 2 the james taylor brand of country music in this house!!! so i guess country folk. folk music in general is my jam!!! i love ballads as well and ofc blues!! theres so many more jbdsgjbas but i cant possibly list all of it!!!

67. WHO IS YOUR HERO? the idea of me living out the future i want if that makes sense!

68. DO YOU READ COMIC BOOKS? yah!!

69. WHAT MAKES YOU THE MOST ANGRY? a lot of things honestly!!!! 2 many to list im really passionate!

70. DO YOU PREFER TO READ ON AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE OR WITH A REAL BOOK? real book but i read more on electronic devices bc its easy and i dont have to worry about lights !!

71. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? idk!!!!!!!! maybe history!

72. DO YOU HAVE ANY SIBLINGS? nup!! im an only child thanK GOD

73. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? movie tickets to crimes against grindelwald last night!!

74. HOW TALL ARE YOU? i think im like 176cm??

75. CAN YOU COOK? only if i have a recipe! but i can make really good drinks (non alcoholic ofc!!)

76. WHAT ARE THREE THINGS THAT YOU LOVE? rainy weather, good literature, my family

77. WHAT ARE THREE THINGS THAT YOU HATE? hubris, wrath, pococurantism

78. DO YOU HAVE MORE FEMALE FRIENDS OR MORE MALE FRIENDS? female

79. WHAT IS YOUR SEXUAL ORIENTATION? ?????????? who knows

80. WHERE DO YOU CURRENTLY LIVE? australia!!

81. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TEXTED? my group chat

82. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? my birthday yesterday lol

83. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE YOUTUBER? dont want youtube tht much anymore tbh

84. DO YOU LIKE TO TAKE SELFIES? nah

85. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE APP? procreate

86. WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARENT(S) LIKE? incredibly close with both parents but fight with my dad like cats n dogs

87. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOREIGN ACCENT? irish or strong strong american or posh english also scottish

88. WHAT IS A PLACE THAT YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO, BUT YOU WANT TO VISIT? israel, republic of ireland, and so many more places like nksgskbgs i cant list them also all the nordic countries

89. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER? 3

90. CAN YOU JUGGLE? no

91. ARE YOU RELIGIOUS? nah 

92. DO YOU FIND OUTER SPACE OF THE DEEP OCEAN TO BE MORE INTERESTING? both!!!!!! 

93. DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A DAREDEVIL? daring in terms of i like to do things that could potentially kill me for the adrenaline rush but not daring in terms of introducing myself to other ppl lol

94. ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO ANYTHING? nah thank GOD

95. CAN YOU CURL YOUR TONGUE? oui

96. CAN YOU WIGGLE YOUR EARS? non

97. HOW OFTEN DO YOU ADMIT THAT YOU WERE WRONG ABOUT SOMETHING? ill happily admit i’m wrong provided the other person wasnt a douchebag about it but even then ill admit im wrong! aint no shame in recognising ur wrong ma dude

98. DO YOU PREFER THE FOREST OR THE BEACH? dont like the beach but i love the sea?? so forest i guess bc i dont like sand

99. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT ANYONE HAS EVER GIVEN YOU? "two things stand like stone, kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own” - adam lindsay gordon

100. ARE YOU A GOOD LIAR? an excellent one, but i dislike lying and value honesty so!!

101. WHAT IS YOUR HOGWARTS HOUSE? ssssss slytherin!

102. DO YOU TALK TO YOURSELF? ya

103. ARE YOU AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT? cop out answer here but it depends on the situation

104. DO YOU KEEP A JOURNAL/DIARY? yes

105. DO YOU BELIEVE IN SECOND CHANCES? depends

106. IF YOU FOUND A WALLET FULL OF MONEY ON THE GROUND, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? try and find the owner and track em down but if i cant ill hand it in to the place where it was lost

107. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGE? yes

108. ARE YOU TICKLISH? yes

109. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A PLANE? yes

110. DO YOU HAVE ANY PIERCINGS? ears but theyre closed up!!

111. WHAT FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU WISH WAS REAL? thorin oakenshield

112. DO YOU HAVE ANY TATTOOS? nah

113. WHAT IS THE BEST DECISION THAT YOU’VE MADE IN YOUR LIFE SO FAR? ? idk man

114. DO YOU BELIEVE IN KARMA? no, too many bad people are living good lives right now

115. DO YOU WEAR GLASSES OR CONTACTS? nope! perfect vision here my dude!

116. DO YOU WANT CHILDREN? in the future i want 1 child only

117. WHO IS THE SMARTEST PERSON YOU KNOW? my little cousin

118. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MEMORY? a Lot

119. HAVE YOU EVER PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER? a few times only, but i value sleep

120. WHAT COLOR ARE MOST OF YOU CLOTHES? black and green

121. DO YOU LIKE ADVENTURES? hell ya !

122. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON TV? audience member for the xfactor!

123. HOW OLD ARE YOU? 17

124. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE? “so comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings.” -tolkien OR “always seek the giant.”

125. DO YOU PREFER SWEET OR SAVORY FOODS? savoury

[truthandlove]

Jesus is ECHAD with Father God

You need to understand ECHAD. Oneness. Not a numerical oneness, but a unity, a total alignment, a commonality of being. The Son is ONE (Echad) with the Father. The Trinity is not 1+1+1. but rather 1x1x1.

Colossians 2:8,9 "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. And you have been made complete (whole and perfect with nothing lacking) in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.…"

Ephesians 4:15 "But through speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head (of the body of the Church, the Ecclesia)—Christ." John 10: My Father who has given them (the believers) to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are ONE (Echad).” At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him.…"

(because they rightly understood that Jesus just claimed to be of equal nature, being and authority with Father God - Yahweh Eloheim) The Father is greater than all and Jesus is the same, in nature, holiness, being, power and authority with Father God. Jesus is One with the Father and thus also “greater than all.” That they have a Father-Son relationship does not DIMINISH Jesus in any way.

You have to grasp the HEBREW (not Western) understanding of how the Son is to be a UNITY with His Father. A human Hebrew was to grow up to be JUST LIKE His Father. If Jesus claiming to be Father God's son was something LESSER than the Father, then they would not have tried to stone him for claiming ONENESS (Echad) with the Father, in other words, very God of very God.

The Hebrew culture understood that to truly BE THE SON of your Father is to be ONE with Your father. Not an emmeshment of identities, like scramble eggs, but fully equal in purpose, intent, authority, and in every way imaginable. This is WHY Jesus said, "If you have seen ME, you have SEEN the Father." (John 14:9) So to meet the one is to have met the other; They are the SAME. Not a confusion of identity but a oneness of being, nature, character, values, of core essence.

It is only the Western distortion of the Father/Son relationship that sees a son as lesser than his father or of a conflicting nature or purpose than his father. And obviously, the fallen human condition means we are not experiencing Father/Son as it was meant to be.

To meet the one is to meet the other. To be received by one, is to have received the other as well. To be forgiven by one, is to be forgiven by the other as well. John 14:10-12 Do you not believe that I am IN the Father and the Father is IN Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me— or at least believe on account of the works themselves. 12Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.…

Everything Jesus heard and did, was not him doing it, but rather the Father doing it - the Father AT WORK expressing His will and purposes THROUGH Jesus. Why? Because they are IN each other and OF each other. They are ONE (Echad). For the Father to do something IS for Jesus to do it. There is no discrepancy. No diminishment. Just Oneness of being. Aligned, a unity of life and purpose.

Just like the IDEAL for marriage is ONENESS (Echad) - you are two separate people, two genders, with distinct identities, different roles and responsibilities, but a UNITY of purpose, fully aligned (Echad) in heart, mind, and will and body and soul and spirit. One is not LESS than the other. You live to bless each other, appreciate, honor, praise, service and uplift each other. Your lives are lives of mutual service. You so GET each other, flow in and through each other - you both understand and align with each other's essence, that the purpose, the direction and the life is best called oneness.

John 10: 37-39 If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.” At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.…

The Hebrew audience to whom Jesus was speaking understood Echad well enough to know that Jesus was claiming oneness and sonship equality with Father God. Thus they immediately reacted to try to kill Jesus for claiming to BE GOD. They understand what He was saying.

WHY is Jesus savior, because he puts the LIFE OF FATHER GOD into us, restoring us to spiritual life with the invitation of being intimate allies with the Godhead. His life IS the life of Father God. His blood IS the lifeblood of Father God. They are Echad. To accept the one is to accept the other. When Jesus saves us, it is through his LIFE, his lifeblood. And His life/lifeblood IS the life of Father God.

The Father was SENDING HIMSELF TO HIS CREATION THAT HE AND JESUS BOTH MADE IN THEIR OWN IMAGE, THROUGH sending Jesus as the Incarnate Son of God.

John 8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.

John 12:49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.

John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me - HE is doing the work.

John 17:8 For I (Jesus) have given them the words that you (Father) gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.

John 17:25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. (to “Know” in Hebrew is to have direct and intimate experiential knowledge, not mere intellectual information)

John 15:23-24 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Malachi 1:6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. …

1 John 5:1-2 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

John 7:28-29 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from? But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him (to “Know” in Hebrew is to have direct and intimate experiential knowledge, not mere intellectual information), for I come from him, and he sent me.”

1 John 4:9-10 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

John 5:43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.

John 5:23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

John 16:27-28 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

What does it mean in Hebrew culture to be Father-and-Son? What does it mean that the Father is Echad with the Son? It means how Jesus lived; he demonstrated it. It means he hears the instructions of the Father, and the son speaks the Father’s instructions exactly how the Father said them. It means the Son is actively doing what the Father is doing. Doing it exactly AS the Father does. Jesus judges AS he sees the Father judge. They are two bodies, two personalities, but of a single purposes, intention, value system, mindset, and every other word like that.

Like pairs ice skating, they function in unity, total alignment. They turn and spin together, they support each other, they glide and flow as one unit, although they are two people. If you have seen one skate, you may as well have seen the other skate because they skate the SAME. Jesus was sent from Father God to demonstrate the heart of Father God, both in the demonstration of Torah (Father’s instructions) and in revealing the nature, the personality, of Father God. The lover who wrote the love-letter of the Scriptures is now revealing Himself, DIRECTLY, not just in love letters, but incarnating - showing up in person. In Christ Jesus we have the LOVER, who is the heart, passion and being BEHIND all the love letters of instruction in blessedness. To believe Jesus (that He IS God, that he came from Father God, that he is returning to Father God, that His lifeblood can save your spirit so we can BE WITH Jesus in Heaven, at Father God’s Right Hand, etc..). TO receive Jesus IS to receive the Father who sent Jesus as the total representation of all He is. THIS is how Jesus IS salvation, IS life, IS divinity, not some “miniature version replica” of God, but actually God, fully God, just in the form of a Man, taking on the Human limitations of flesh, but in nature, exactly like Father God in every way and detail. To TRUST the one, is to truth the other as well. There is no separation; no division or discrepancy, no divergence. Two roles, two personalities, but one nature, one heart and purpose and passion and life.

[dfroza]

eternal gold.

what are you striving to achieve in this temporal life, this short breath that you have been given in a physical body? you are here for a purpose.

and Paul writes of this as we see in Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the Letter of First Corinthians with chapter 9:

And don’t tell me that I have no authority to write like this. I’m perfectly free to do this—isn’t that obvious? Haven’t I been given a job to do? Wasn’t I commissioned to this work in a face-to-face meeting with Jesus, our Master? Aren’t you yourselves proof of the good work that I’ve done for the Master? Even if no one else admits the authority of my commission, you can’t deny it. Why, my work with you is living proof of my authority!

I’m not shy in standing up to my critics. We who are on missionary assignments for God have a right to decent accommodations, and we have a right to support for us and our families. You don’t seem to have raised questions with the other apostles and our Master’s brothers and Peter in these matters. So, why me? Is it just Barnabas and I who have to go it alone and pay our own way? Are soldiers self-employed? Are gardeners forbidden to eat vegetables from their own gardens? Don’t milkmaids get to drink their fill from the pail?

I’m not just sounding off because I’m irritated. This is all written in the scriptural law. Moses wrote, “Don’t muzzle an ox to keep it from eating the grain when it’s threshing.” Do you think Moses’ primary concern was the care of farm animals? Don’t you think his concern extends to us? Of course. Farmers plow and thresh expecting something when the crop comes in. So if we have planted spiritual seed among you, is it out of line to expect a meal or two from you? Others demand plenty from you in these ways. Don’t we who have never demanded deserve even more?

But we’re not going to start demanding now what we’ve always had a perfect right to. Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ. All I’m concerned with right now is that you not use our decision to take advantage of others, depriving them of what is rightly theirs. You know, don’t you, that it’s always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed? Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message.

Still, I want it made clear that I’ve never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I’m not writing now to get something. I’d rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or impugn my motives. If I proclaim the Message, it’s not to get something out of it for myself. I’m compelled to do it, and doomed if I don’t! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I’d expect some pay. But since it’s not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don’t even have to pay my expenses!

Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

The Letter of First Corinthians, Chapter 9 (The Message)

and in the paired chapter with this of Genesis 22 we read of an odd request made of Abraham concerning his son Isaac who was a promised seed given to him and his wife Sarah, although God provided an alternative sacrifice rather than allowing harm to come to Isaac, and in the process a mirroring (a foretelling) is seen of how God was willing to offer His Son as a sacrifice in the place of our sins, which is the significance of the cross that occurred in the same place many years later that culminated as a sacred act of grace.

[Genesis 22]

After a period of time, God decided to put Abraham to the test.

Eternal One: Abraham!

Abraham: I am right here.

Eternal One: Take your son, your only son Isaac whom I know you love deeply, and go to the land of Moriah. When you get there, I want you to offer Isaac to Me as a burnt offering on one of the mountains. I will show you which one.

Abraham did as he was told. Early in the morning he got up, saddled his donkey, and taking two of his trusted servants with him and his son Isaac, he cut the wood for the burnt offering and traveled to the place God had told him about. On the third day of the journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place far in the distance.

Abraham (to his servants): Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and then we will come back to meet you here.

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and set it on the shoulders of his son Isaac to carry. Abraham himself carried the fire and the knife. The two of them walked on together.

Isaac (to Abraham): Father!

Abraham: I am right here, Son.

Isaac: Look, we have the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?

Abraham: God will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.

The two of them continued to walk on together.

When they finally arrived at the place God had shown him, Abraham took some stones and built an altar there and arranged the wood carefully on top of it. Then he bound up his son Isaac with rope and laid him on the altar on top of the stack of wood. Just as Abraham reached over to grab the knife that would kill his son, the special messenger of the Eternal One called his name from heaven.

Special Messenger: Abraham! Abraham!

Abraham: I am right here!

Special Messenger: Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to harm him. I know now that you respect the one True God and will be loyal to Him and follow His commands, because you were willing to give up your son, your only son, to Me.

Abraham glanced up and saw a ram behind him with its horns caught in the thicket. He went over, dislodged the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering in the place of his son. From that day forward, Abraham called that place, “The Eternal One will provide.” Because of this, people still today say, “On the Mount of the Eternal, all will be provided.”

The special messenger of the Eternal One called out to Abraham yet a second time from heaven.

Special Messenger: Listen to the solemn vow the Eternal One has spoken: “Because you have done what I asked and were willing to give up your son, your only son, I will reaffirm My covenant of blessing to you and your family. I will make sure your descendants are as many as the stars of the heavens and the grains of sand on the shores. I reaffirm My earlier promises that your descendants will possess the lands and sit in the gates of their enemies, and from your descendants all the peoples of the earth will discover true blessing. All this is because you have obeyed My voice.

Then Abraham returned to the place where he left his trusted servants. They traveled together—Abraham, Isaac, and his servants—back to Beersheba where Abraham lived on for some time.

After this happened, Abraham was informed that Milcah had also given birth to many children by his brother, Nahor. Uz was the firstborn, then came his brother Buz, Kemuel (Aram’s father), Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. Bethuel fathered Rebekah. Nahor, Abraham’s brother, had eight children in all by Milcah. Not only that, but Nahor’s concubine (whose name was Reumah) also gave birth to Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 22 (The Voice)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for Tuesday, february 18 of 2020 with a paired chapter from each Testament along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs

[marcusssanderson]

Maya Angelou Quotes Celebrating Success, Love & Life

Inspirational Maya Angelou quotes about loving the life you have, regardless of the challenges. 

Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was a celebrated author, influential poet, dancer, actress, singer, and activist. Maya received over 50 honorary degrees and is celebrated for her series of 7 autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and adult experiences.

In 2010, she received one of the country’s highest honors when President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Maya Angelou’s life represented confidence, contribution, and perseverance. She left behind a lifetime of wisdom that will be cherished for many years to come.

Here are some of our favorite Maya Angelou quotes! Her words are a mix of straight talk and poetry and her messages transcend race and generations. You”ll find Maya Angelou quotes on life, love, happiness, courage, family, friendship, education and much more.  Enjoy!

Maya Angelou Quotes about Essential Life Truths

1.) I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.  – Maya Angelou

2.) If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.  – Maya Angelou

3.) My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.   – Maya Angelou

Inspirational Maya Angelou Quotes About Hope

4.) While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God’s creation.  – Maya Angelou

5.) Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.  – Maya Angelou

6.) Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.  – Maya Angelou

Uplifting Maya Angelou Quotes About Loving others

7.) Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.  – Maya Angelou

8.) If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love.   – Maya Angelou

9.) Nothing will work unless you do.  – Maya Angelou

10.) You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.  – Maya Angelou

11.) We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.   – Maya Angelou

12.) One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.  – Maya Angelou

13.) A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.  – Maya Angelou

14.) Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.   – Maya Angelou

15.) My life has been one great big joke, a dance that’s walked, a song that’s spoke, I laugh so hard I almost choke when I think about myself.  – Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou quotes about love and greatness

16.) You can’t forgive without loving. And I don’t mean sentimentality. I don’t mean mush. I mean having enough courage to stand up and say, ‘I forgive. I’m finished with it.’  – Maya Angelou

17.) All great achievements require time.  – Maya Angelou

18.) History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.  – Maya Angelou

19.) If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.  – Maya Angelou

20.) Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.  – Maya Angelou

21.) I’m convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.  – Maya Angelou

22.) It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.  – Maya Angelou

23.) I work very hard, and I play very hard. I’m grateful for life. And I live it – I believe life loves the liver of it. I live it.  – Maya Angelou

24.) If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.  – Maya Angelou

25.) I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.  – Maya Angelou

26.) Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.  – Maya Angelou

27.) I know that when I pray, something wonderful happens. Not just to the person or persons for whom I’m praying, but also something wonderful happens to me. I’m grateful that I’m heard.  – Maya Angelou

28.) I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.  – Maya Angelou

29.) We can learn to see each other and see ourselves in each other and recognize that human beings are more alike than we are unalike.  – Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou quotes about life, love, and success

30.) My life has been long, and believing that life loves the liver of it, I have dared to try many things, sometimes trembling, but daring still.  – Maya Angelou

31.) Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: ‘I’m with you kid. Let’s go.’  – Maya Angelou

32.) I believe that every person is born with talent.  – Maya Angelou

33.) At 50, I began to know who I was. It was like waking up to myself.  – Maya Angelou

34.) My greatest blessing has been the birth of my son. My next greatest blessing has been my ability to turn people into children of mine.  – Maya Angelou

35.) I love the song ‘I Hope You Dance’ by Lee Ann Womack. I was going to write that song, but someone beat me to it.  – Maya Angelou

36.) In all my work, I try to say, ‘You may be given a load of sour lemons, why not try to make a dozen lemon meringue pies?’   – Maya Angelou

37.) I know for sure that loves saves me and that it is here to save us all.  – Maya Angelou

38.) Loving someone liberates the lover as well as the beloved. And that kind of love comes with age.  – Maya Angelou

39.) Everyone has at least one story, and each of us is funny if we admit it. You have to admit you’re the funniest person you’ve ever heard of.  – Maya Angelou

40.) My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.  – Maya Angelou

41.) I wrote some of the worst poetry west from the Mississippi River, but I wrote. And I finally sometimes got it right.  – Maya Angelou

42.) You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.   – Maya Angelou

43.) Courage – you develop courage by doing small things like just as if you wouldn’t want to pick up a 100-pound weight without preparing yourself.  – Maya Angelou

44.) I believe that each of us comes from the Creator trailing wisps of glory.   – Maya Angelou

45.) Nothing succeeds like success. Get a little success, and then just get a little more.  – Maya Angelou

46.) A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.  – Maya Angelou

47.) Don’t get older just to get wiser. If you get older, you will be wiser, I believe that – if you dare. But get older because it’s fun!   – Maya Angelou

Quotes by Maya Angelou to inspire you

48.) I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody. And because I do it, I then respect everybody, too.  – Maya Angelou

49.) It is a no-fail, incontrovertible reality: If you get, give. If you learn, teach. You can’t do anything with that except do it.  – Maya Angelou

50.) There’s something which impels us to show our inner souls. The more courageous we are, the more we succeed in explaining what we know.   – Maya Angelou

51.) We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.  – Maya Angelou

52.) Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.  – Maya Angelou

53.) I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.  – Maya Angelou

54.) Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. Patience alone will not build the temple. Passion alone will destroy its walls.  – Maya Angelou

55.) I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.  – Maya Angelou

56.) Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.  – Maya Angelou

57.) I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.  – Maya Angelou

58.) I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. – Maya Angelou

59.) When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. – Maya Angelou

60.) If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.  – Maya Angelou

Did You Enjoy These Maya Angelou Quotes?

Though Maya Angelou died in 2014, her legacy still lives. She will always be remembered not only for her poetry and storytelling but also as an educator, civil activist, actress, and filmmaker.

Maya overcame sexual abuse, racism, poverty, violence and more to become an award-winning author and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hopefully, these Maya Angelou quotes have inspired you to love the life you have and to overcome any obstacles that may come your way.

So, did you enjoy these Maya Angelou quotes? Tell us in the comment section below. If you have any other quotes from Maya Angelou to share with us, please don’t hesitate to mention it. Also, feel free to share the quotes with your friends and followers.

The post Maya Angelou Quotes Celebrating Success, Love & Life appeared first on Everyday Power.

[keywestlou]

MORNING STEW #6

A number of significant topics today beginning with my yesterday and then into the world. I generally share the topics in some sort of order. On a day like this it would add an hour to the blog. No time today. I have been at it 2.5 hours gathering the information. Started at 6:30. Need to be done by 11.

So I present you with a Morning Stew. Number 6.

Cath scan time yesterday in the hospital. My appointment was for 1. Did not get taken till 2:30. Thought they were taking another look at my aortic stenosis. Nurse told me order sheet indicated aortic aneurysm. Bothered me. I have known for several years about the aneurysm. Do not think about it. Now it is back in my thought process.

Had to fast for the Cath scan. Was hungry following the test. Back to Harpoon Harry’s. Wednesday is Thanksgiving turkey day. I enjoyed a complete turkey meal.

When last in friday, I forgot to tip the waitress. Embarrassing. First thing I did when I arrived yesterday was to find her and give her a $5 bill. She was grateful, but said she actually did not remember me nor that I failed to tip her.

Whatever, I have made a friend for life.

The waitress actually waiting on me was Allana. European born, she has been in the U.S. 30 years. Twenty seven in Aspen. The last 3 in Key West. Knows how to pick her spots to live!

The time sitting around the hospital waiting for the Cath scan gave me time to finish Becoming Michelle Obama. I enjoyed reading it. Recommend you read it.

Nothing fantastic about the book. It is merely the step by step progression of Michelle’s life from her birth in South Chicago to retirement now following the White House. A modest work. Personal. Like Barrack still leaves his dirty socks on the floor.

Today, a haircut at noon with Lori. Lunch. The Farmers Market at Bayview Park for a special bread and tomatoes that are softer than the rocks available at Publix.

I am looking forward to this evening. Dinner at the home of Larry and Cindy. A couple I have visited with 2 years in a row at the Chart Room. They are from Ontario, Canada. Have a second home on the golf course.

Cindy is cooking.

I have a special affinity to Cindy. She is a loyal blog follower.

I will not be appearing with Laurie Thibault this afternoon on her radio show. Traffic is so heavy this time of year that I would be late for dinner. Tune in however. Laurie needs no help. A born natural for radio. Station 107.5 FM, WGAY FM.

Sex and the Catholic Church. Back in the limelight. Today the beginning of a conference of Bishops. A Sex Abuse Prevention Summit at the Vatican. Pope Francis presiding.

The problem an open wound.

The issues will center around gay priests, secret rules, and the abuse of nuns.

A dynamite conference in the making!

Trump has nominated Jeffrey Rosen to be Deputy Attorney General. He will be the #2 person in the Justice Department.

His only connection to the law is that he is a Harvard law grad. Never worked in criminal prosecution. No police background of any kind.

Why? Of what value will he be? I fear another Trump step in trying to destroy the Department of Justice.

Tired last night. Watched Syracuse/Louisville at 7 from home. Syracuse won decisively 69-49.

A great game!

Next #1 Duke on saturday at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse beat Duke 2 weeks ago on Duke’s home court. Duke was #1 at the time, also.

There is a gluttony overtaking college sports.

I watched part of the Duke/North Carolina game following the Syracuse one. Obama was there. No seats available. A huge sell out.

Certain seats were going for $2,600 each. Super Bowl prices. It was announced that 4 seats at the Syracuse/Duke game saturday will be selling for $3,500 each.

College ball? Professional ball?

There is a drive underway to pay college athletes. In addition to free tuition, room and board. The argument is they are making their schools rich.

The day is coming. Very soon. I don’t like it. Something wrong with paying college athletes especially after they are getting a free ride to a college education.

Iran recently publicly hung a 31 year old man for being gay. Seventy one countries have criminalized homosexuality. Eight of them call for the death penalty.

In Iran, gays as young as 9 can be put to death. And they are.

Lesbians included.

Now comes Donald Trump to lead the battle to end the criminalization of homosexuality across the globe. Announced yesterday. He says he will launch a campaign and lead the cause.

Something irregular here. Trump goes out of his way in the U.S. to do whatever he can to hurt the gay community. He is anti LGBT. His most recent action to prevent transgenders from being in the military.

Hypocrisy? You better believe it.

I can remember John L. Lewis. He was a big man in union work in the 1930’s through 1950’s. A huge man with bushy eyebrows.He was CEO of the Congress of Industrial Organizations and President of the United Mine Workers.

An autocrat in his work. Tough guy similar to Trump. A liar, also. He was described during his time as the most experienced truth-twisting wind bag ever produced in the U.S.

Possessed brass testicles. He called a coal strike during World War II.

I mention Lewis today because on this day in 1940 he was a guest at the Casa Marina.

Cemetery stroll sunday. The Key West Cemetery. The history of our island carved into the stones. Always a crowd. Reservations required. Three starting times 9:30 to 10:10. A $20 donation requested.

I love the cemetery. One of the best stones reads: “I Told You I Was Sick.”

Washington Post columnist Reuben Navarrette in a recent article wrote about Trump, El Paso, and his lies.

Trump was in El Paso this past week pushing the border wall/barrier, whatever it is called. He claimed El Paso had one of the highest crime rates in the U.S. till a wall was built on their border. The problem is El Paso was never a high crime city. Before, during or after the wall was built.

Typical Trump exaggeration, lie.

Navarrette wrote  that Trump “…..since his days selling real estate in Manhattan, has never let the truth interfere with a good pitch. The PT Barnum of Fifth Avenue used to attempt to convince people that the Trump Tower had ten more floors than it really did.”

He continued, “Trump doesn’t just sell steak, or the sizzle. He can get by with just selling you the thought of a steak. That’s a gift folks.”

It’s the nature of the beast, folks!

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Paul Hasan has been arrested. A white supremacist interested in terrorist attacks. Leading them himself. Against the U.S. government.

His intent to kill members of Congress and the media. As part of a purpose to create a white homeland. Among those designated for elimination were Elizabeth Warren, Beto O’Rourke, Joe Scarborough, and John Podesta.

In a draft of an e-mail authorities recovered, Hasan wrote: “Much blood will have to be spilled to get whitey off the couch.”

The U.S. worries about terrorism coming at us from the Middle East. We fail to have any significant concern with the terrorism on our shores lying in silence ready to attack. Our efforts must be directed at them also.

I end with Karl Marx. Author of the Communist Manifesto. Written in collaboration with Frederich Engels. Published this day in 1848.

The Manifesto was slow to take hold. However by 1950, half the world’s population lived under Communism.

Marx’s closing words in the Manifest set forth marching orders for those to become his followers: “The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Workers of the world, unite.”

Enjoy your day!

  MORNING STEW #6 was originally published on Key West Lou

[missedtimemachine]

The Day of Madness

I didn’t meet my time machine.

I’m famously late for most things. I have to try really hard to be on time at work and even then I sometimes fail. I had stayed up too late then spent too long on coffee and showering in the morning. When I realised the time I hustled over to the chapel. I was far too late - none of me were there, no time machine, nothing. Honestly, this is so like me. I was furious with myself. What if I had missed my chance to get a time machine of my very own, at long long last?? Unlikely but possible-ish, and I’d ruined it.

However, the mysterious author (or authors?) had been busy in my absence. Throughout the day I received many more letters. Here’s just a FEW of the envelopes:

Image is of a half-dozen envelopes addressed to Josh and Pirate Josh.

Image is of a yellow envelope held shut by tape covered in pictures of kittens. It is addressed: TO ME (Josh, a pirate) FROM ME (Josh. A PIRATE)

Two images above: a purple envelope covered in dinosaur stickers. On one side is written “NOT FOR JOSH THE PIRATE” and on the other side is written “but give it to him. He will know what to do!”

Image is a yellow envelope, decorated, addressed: JOSH. DO NOT OPEN UNTIL 18:36

That last one is fucking mysterious, right? We’ll come back to it. I received the letter at like half 2 in the afternoon so if I had to wait 4 hours, you can also do some waiting. You best believe I was counting down the seconds towards the end. I took it very seriously. If I wrote that instruction to myself, I must have had a good reason, and I always listen to good reason. Especially from myself.*

*HA NOPE

I won’t spend much time on my side of the story here. The letters do it fine on their own. Just... just look.

Letter 5 reads: OUR COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. DON’T TRUST THE LETTERS. - Pirate Josh

Letter 6a reads: Josh! They’re after us! Please hurry. I can’t hold them off much longer! - Future Josh

This sounds like a different Future Josh than the one from before, right? How many Future Joshs are there?? The note above was contained in this folded card:

Letter 6b reads: Name: Josh. Occupation: Pirate. Skills: Pillaging. DIRECT ORDER FROM COMMAND: Capture the above mentioned JOSH on sight. There can be only one JOSH. From, Lord Commander Josh.

This implies that there are versions of Josh (me) that have banded together into an organisation of some kind. Is it like Rick & Morty, with the citadel of Ricks? I wouldn’t have a citadel though. I’d probably have a giant network of tunnels and rooms carved into the skull of a long-dead space titan, with magic sail-based spacecraft bustling and swarming in and out of the eyes. Or an abandoned and broken gigantic clocktower on a floating sky-island, covered with ivy and crumbling stone, drifting through a misty star-lit purgatory, the windows dimly lit with an eerie blue light. At the very least, a volcano island in the shape of a skull guarded by several King Kongs.

Why would an army of Joshs obey a Lord Commander that clearly wants to eventually eliminate all the other versions of me? That would include the army itself, right? Maybe there’s only a certain amount of divergence the Lord Commander will tolerate - maybe some Joshs satisfy a kind of... purity test? IS THIS JOSH A BIGOT???

Letter 7 reads: Dear Josh, We have been compromised. Thank you for standing by us, our brother in arms. We are escaping to the Yemen. The monks there will give us passage to Portal K1325. We will meet you in the Nebula Air Portal at 5.10pm. - Lord Commander Future Josh

Ohhhh pretty sneaky, Lord Commander Josh! But I’m not falling for that. Sure I was looking everywhere for a ‘Nebula Air Portal’ (?????) at 5.10pm but I suspect that Yemen* would have been some kind of trap. Most things seem to be...

*there will be more on Yemen later

Letter 8 reads: THE PORTALS ARE COMPROMISED. RUN!!!

No shit, Sherlock.

This next one, I withdrew it from the envelope so that this was the first side I saw:

Letter 9 reads: Yours sincerely, Good Josh. PS. Everything will be okay.

That’s so nice of me. Maybe Good Josh has a plan? Or maybe he’s just confident in our skills and luck? He knows that I worry, and he knows what kind of effect that exact phrase has on us. Maybe this time, for the first time in a long time, everything really WILL be okay? If we can play with time, manipulate events, twist the path of history, then we can prevent wars from breaking out. Whenever anyone is sad, lonely, scared, or feels trapped, wherever or whenever they are, one of me can turn up to help. We can revisit every loved one we’ve ever lost, enjoy even more time with them, and make sure to say goodbye properly. Everything will be okay. With so many of me I can finally relax a little, maybe release a little of my worry, no longer feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. Is this what it feels like to be free of worry? It feels like there’s a wide blue sky inside my chest, no more tangled web of thorns covered in scraps of ragged pirate flags.

With that good feeling powering and protecting me, I might as well unfold the letter and see what the rest of it says...

Letter 9 reads: Dearest of Joshes, It’s a TRAP. Yours sincerely, Good Josh. PS. Everything will be okay.

... Oh. Forget I said anything.

Letter 10 reads: Dear Josh, I know you must have many questions for me. But you must trust me. I will tell you all in time. YOU MUST GO THROUGH THE PORTAL. DO NOT bring the medallions. The metal will cause havoc and destroy the portal, and who carries it! - Me

There are medallions involved now?? Where did they come from??

Letter 11 reads: Josh, I HAVE THE OTHER JOSHS. Bring 3 medallions to the Barn. - Evil Josh

Is this the same evil Josh as the Lord Commander Josh? Is it a different evil Josh? Why does he want the medallions? I checked in the barn when I received the letter, obvy. No sign of me. Maybe the other Joshs resolved the issue before I even got there? Am I getting mail intended for the other Joshs, like a shipwrecked survivor on an island accidentally receiving radio transmissions during WW2? WHO THE FUCK IS SENDING ME ALL THESE LETTERS?? THEY MUST HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD.

Image is a paper map, unfolded, with several small Xs linked to a skull and crossbones with a dotted line, and a sticker in one corner on which is written ‘Godspeed Josh! Godspeed!!’

Upon very close inspection I figured out this is maybe a naval map of Yemen? In French?

Image is a close-up of the map. The word ‘Yemen’ can just about be seen amongst the other tiny writing.

See?

At least the final X is on land! Immediately upon receiving this, I realised I knew nothing about Yemen. That’s changed now obviously. The Republic of Yemen is coastal nation on the Arabian peninsula, sharing a border with Saudi Arabia and Oman. The human rights violations of the government there include human trafficking and slavery, they have compulsory military service, they’re big on petrol and oil, and water is so scarce that the whole nation lives in perpetual fear of running out completely.

None of that helps me. I’m not going to Yemen though. 

This one is more complicated:

Letter 12a reads: JOSH, I found this letter from her. I loved her too. I know. I know. I know everything. The rest of the text is obscured by a folded piece of paper, taped to the card.

Letter 12b is paper taped to the card. It unfolds to reveal a poem:

My Love, Josh from the Neutron Nebula Galaxy, He waited for 14 hours in his taxi, Going home he was, until he was not. Don’t get into that car, but listen he did not. - Your love

The second part of Letter 12a reads: I’m waiting by the time machine. I moved it to the pool house. Look for this sign. - Good Josh. A strange triangular symbol is also included.

I mean, right?? So it looks like Good Josh found a letter from....? I don’t know who we loved. Or who he loved? I didn’t love whoever it was. I don’t know them. It also sounds like whoever she was, she was writing a poem about me like I died? It sounds like she might have died too, from the past-tense use of the word ‘love’? It makes sense that versions of me have died. I’m very lucky but sometimes I’ve been very reckless and probably lots of versions of me have died already. This is so sad.

Needless to say, I also checked the pool house. There was no time machine in there. One of me must have taken it already.

Let’s talk about the symbol later. In theory it looks similar to this one but it’s not identical...

Image is a diagram of some kind, involving triangles. There is some kinda timecode in the corner saying ‘12:33:12:49′. Parts are labelled ‘Neutron chamber’ and ‘Tessareactor’. There is a list on the left titled ‘Need’, which lists: 1. Split atoms 2. Hydrogen (whole) 3. Magensium chloride (a pinch) 4. 16 baby carrots

There’s a lot to unpack here. First up, this is clearly the Josh version of a flux capacitor. I assumed it was all being done by portals, but I guess every portal needs a generator? I’m gonna talk more about whatever a “tessareactor” might be in the epilogue. For some reason the recipe calls for baby carrots. Maybe I only included that in the instructions so that I would have a healthy snack? That doesn’t sound like me. Maybe it’s like, potato or lemon batteries, except carrots?

No idea about Magnesium Chloride. Apparently it’s a fairly common chemical compound extracted from salt water and used to thicken some Japanese sauces, a bit like gelatin. That doesn’t help me either.

Maybe there’s portals AND a time machine...?

Meanwhile, remember that letter from earlier which said not to open it until half 6? As the seconds ticked past at 18:35:50 I was poised and ready to open it. Would it be a confession finally?

No.

Letter 13 reads: Dear Josh. Follow the symbol to safety. She’s waiting for you. She never betrayed you. It was a lie by Evil Josh! She’ll be at the Air Portal. She’s been there all this time. She loves you. Get in the car! - Lord Commander Future Josh

Okay, Lord Commander Josh. You’re up to mischief again, I see? But Lord Commander Josh is apparently a different Josh to Evil Josh? Is this when the Lord Commander finally abdicated from his role, becoming Future Josh? Is this one of the first letters?

Who IS this ‘she’ that everyone keeps talking about? Is this the same ‘she’ from the previous letter? Oh my god. IS SHE ALIVE?? What kind of twisted cross-time death-defying relationship have we gotten ourselves involved in? How many versions of me have loved how many versions of her??

In the epilogue, exactly zero of these questions will be answered. Literally none of my many, many questions. Make your peace with this now: much like life, this whole experience has no tidy ending where we learn a lesson and our unresolved emotions are satisfied.

This is the prologue.

This is the first day, with the 4 original letters.

This is the epilogue.

[ejlapple-blog]

Foretold in prophecy by almost all the prophets of old is the Jesus of the Bible: Christ. Christ is a title, meaning“the Messiah,”or “the anointed one.” I PETER 1:10-11 10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Two dictionaries point to Christ as synonymous with Jesus of Nazareth: One is “An Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies” by Orlando Espin (2007) and “A Dictionary of Jewish-Christian Relations” by Edward Prager (2005). Prophetic Psalms and figures portrayed by the things of the law were fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. LUKE 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. “Me” talking here is Christ. All things concerning him that were written: 1) in the law of Moses, 2) in the prophets, and 3) in the psalms must be fulfilled. As such, He has an important role to play in the writing of these parts. Actually, the paschal lamb being offered by the Israelites throughout the centuries before Christ is an antitype of Him. An antitype is something that corresponds to or is foreshadowed in a type. I CORINTHIANS 5:7 (RSV) Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. The Son of God who became Jesus Christ in the flesh existed from eternity with the Father.Notice the time element involved here: “before the world was.” JOHN 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. When He was born in the flesh, the prophecy explicitly clarified His origin. MICAH 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. He is called the "Son of God" because He was born of God - before anything else came into existence. HEBREWS 1:4-5 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? PSALMS 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. HEBREWS 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. Everything was created in Him, through Him and for Him. Him here is Christ. COLOSSIANS 1:16-19 (RSV) 16 for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. 19 For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, Christ is the power behind the creation of everything. For believers,Apostle Paul described Christ as the power and wisdom of God. I CORINTHIANS 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. He is the force behind every work of the Father Almighty. JOHN 1:2-3 (RSV) 2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. Jesus Christ, as the power of God, is the unseen worker in everything that the Father does! The Prophets and the Apostles preached and wrote with Christ being the unseen force that directed them, without which they can do nothing. LUKE 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: JOHN 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. The truth is, the power or energy that moved the Apostles and the Prophets to preach and to write is the Lord Jesus Christ. Profoundly speaking, He is the author of the entire Holy Book! What is written in the paper pages of the Holy Scriptures is really intended by the Lord Jesus Christ to be written in the four chambers of the human heart! II CORINTHIANS 3:3 (NRSV) and you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. II CORINTHIANS 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings August 24, 2020

Psalm 86

Psalm 86

Supplication for Help against Enemies

A Prayer of David.

1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. 7 In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.

8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

14 O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. 15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl. 17 Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Genesis 28:10-17

Jacob’s Dream at Bethel

10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder[a] set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the Lord stood beside him[b] and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14 and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed[c] in you and in your offspring. 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” 17 And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Footnotes:

Genesis 28:12 Or stairway or ramp

Genesis 28:13 Or stood above it

Genesis 28:14 Or shall bless themselves

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

John 1:43-51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you,[a] you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Footnotes:

John 1:51 Both instances of the Greek word for you in this verse are plural

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Psalm 15

Psalm 15

Who Shall Abide in God’s Sanctuary?

A Psalm of David.

1 O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?

2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; 3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; 4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; 5 who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Psalm 67

Psalm 67

The Nations Called to Praise God

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,Selah 2 that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.Selah 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. 7 May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

1 Peter 5:1-11

Tending the Flock of God

5 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight,[a] not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it[b]—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders.[c] And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert.[d] Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters[e] in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Footnotes:

1 Peter 5:2 Other ancient authorities lack exercising the oversight

1 Peter 5:2 Other ancient authorities lack as God would have you do it

1 Peter 5:5 Or of those who are older

1 Peter 5:8 Or be vigilant

1 Peter 5:9 Gk your brotherhood

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings November 14, 2019 at 11:00PM

Psalm 88

Psalm 88

Prayer for Help in Despondency

A Song. A Psalm of the Korahites. To the leader: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1 O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, 2 let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. 4 I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help, 5 like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. 6 You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep. 7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.Selah

8 You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a thing of horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; 9 my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call on you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you. 10 Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the shades rise up to praise you?Selah 11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? 12 Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But I, O Lord, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. 14 O Lord, why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me? 15 Wretched and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am desperate.[a] 16 Your wrath has swept over me; your dread assaults destroy me. 17 They surround me like a flood all day long; from all sides they close in on me. 18 You have caused friend and neighbor to shun me; my companions are in darkness.

Footnotes:

Psalm 88:15 Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Psalm 91-92

Psalm 91

Assurance of God’s Protection

1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,[a] 2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,[b] the Most High your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

Psalm 92

Thanksgiving for Vindication

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath Day.

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

5 How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! 6 The dullard cannot know, the stupid cannot understand this: 7 though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever, 8 but you, O Lord, are on high forever. 9 For your enemies, O Lord, for your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.

10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me[c] fresh oil. 11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. 14 In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, 15 showing that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Footnotes:

Psalm 91:1 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai

Psalm 91:9 Cn: Heb Because you, Lord, are my refuge; you have made

Psalm 92:10 Syr: Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

1 Maccabees 1:41-63

Installation of Gentile Cults

41 Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, 42 and that all should give up their particular customs. 43 All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. 44 And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, 45 to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane sabbaths and festivals, 46 to defile the sanctuary and the priests, 47 to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and other unclean animals, 48 and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane, 49 so that they would forget the law and change all the ordinances. 50 He added,[a] “And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die.”

51 In such words he wrote to his whole kingdom. He appointed inspectors over all the people and commanded the towns of Judah to offer sacrifice, town by town. 52 Many of the people, everyone who forsook the law, joined them, and they did evil in the land; 53 they drove Israel into hiding in every place of refuge they had.

54 Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-fifth year,[b] they erected a desolating sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding towns of Judah, 55 and offered incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. 56 The books of the law that they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. 57 Anyone found possessing the book of the covenant, or anyone who adhered to the law, was condemned to death by decree of the king. 58 They kept using violence against Israel, against those who were found month after month in the towns. 59 On the twenty-fifth day of the month they offered sacrifice on the altar that was on top of the altar of burnt offering. 60 According to the decree, they put to death the women who had their children circumcised, 61 and their families and those who circumcised them; and they hung the infants from their mothers’ necks.

62 But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. 63 They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.

Footnotes:

1 Maccabees 1:50 Gk lacks He added

1 Maccabees 1:54 167 b.c.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Revelation 19:11-16

The Rider on the White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[a] blood, and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[b] them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Footnotes:

Revelation 19:13 Other ancient authorities read sprinkled with

Revelation 19:15 Or will shepherd

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Matthew 16:13-20

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[a] the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter,[b] and on this rock[c] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was[d] the Messiah.[e]

Footnotes:

Matthew 16:16 Or the Christ

Matthew 16:18 Gk Petros

Matthew 16:18 Gk petra

Matthew 16:20 Other ancient authorities add Jesus

Matthew 16:20 Or the Christ

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings August 24, 2019

Psalm 86

Psalm 86

Supplication for Help against Enemies

A Prayer of David.

1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. 7 In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.

8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

14 O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. 15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl. 17 Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Genesis 28:10-17

Jacob’s Dream at Bethel

10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder[a] set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the Lord stood beside him[b] and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14 and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed[c] in you and in your offspring. 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” 17 And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Footnotes:

Genesis 28:12 Or stairway or ramp

Genesis 28:13 Or stood above it

Genesis 28:14 Or shall bless themselves

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

John 1:43-51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you,[a] you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Footnotes:

John 1:51 Both instances of the Greek word for you in this verse are plural

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Psalm 15

Psalm 15

Who Shall Abide in God’s Sanctuary?

A Psalm of David.

1 O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?

2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; 3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; 4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; 5 who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Psalm 67

Psalm 67

The Nations Called to Praise God

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,Selah 2 that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.Selah 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. 7 May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

1 Peter 5:1-11

Tending the Flock of God

5 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight,[a] not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it[b]—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders.[c] And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert.[d] Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters[e] in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Footnotes:

1 Peter 5:2 Other ancient authorities lack exercising the oversight

1 Peter 5:2 Other ancient authorities lack as God would have you do it

1 Peter 5:5 Or of those who are older

1 Peter 5:8 Or be vigilant

1 Peter 5:9 Gk your brotherhood

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

[marcusssanderson]

Inspiring Maya Angelou Quotes About Success, Love and Life

Inspirational Maya Angelou quotes about loving the life you have, regardless of the challenges. 

Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was a celebrated author, influential poet, dancer, actress, singer, and activist. Maya received over 50 honorary degrees and is celebrated for her series of 7 autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and adult experiences.

In 2010, she received one of the country’s highest honors when President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Maya Angelou’s life represented confidence, contribution, and perseverance. She left behind a lifetime of wisdom that will be cherished for many years to come.

Here are some of our favorite Maya Angelou quotes! Her words are a mix of straight talk and poetry and her messages transcend race and generations, enjoy!

  Maya Angelou Quotes about Essential Life Truths

  1.) I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.  – Maya Angelou

    2.) If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.  – Maya Angelou

    3.) My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.   – Maya Angelou

  Inspirational Maya Angelou Quotes About Hope

  4.) While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God’s creation.  – Maya Angelou

    5.) Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.  – Maya Angelou

    6.) Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.  – Maya Angelou

  Uplifting Maya Angelou Quotes About Loving others

7.) Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.  – Maya Angelou

    8.) If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love.   – Maya Angelou

  9.) Nothing will work unless you do.  – Maya Angelou

  10.) You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.  – Maya Angelou

    11.) We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.   – Maya Angelou

    12.) One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.  – Maya Angelou

    13.) A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.  – Maya Angelou

    14.) Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.   – Maya Angelou

    15.) My life has been one great big joke, a dance that’s walked, a song that’s spoke, I laugh so hard I almost choke when I think about myself.  – Maya Angelou

    Maya Angelou quotes about love and greatness

  16.) You can’t forgive without loving. And I don’t mean sentimentality. I don’t mean mush. I mean having enough courage to stand up and say, ‘I forgive. I’m finished with it.’  – Maya Angelou

  17.) All great achievements require time.  – Maya Angelou

  18.) History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.  – Maya Angelou

  19.) If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.  – Maya Angelou

  20.) Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.  – Maya Angelou

  21.) I’m convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.  – Maya Angelou

  22.) It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.  – Maya Angelou

  23.) I work very hard, and I play very hard. I’m grateful for life. And I live it – I believe life loves the liver of it. I live it.  – Maya Angelou

  24.) If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.  – Maya Angelou

  25.) I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.  – Maya Angelou

  26.) Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.  – Maya Angelou

  27.) I know that when I pray, something wonderful happens. Not just to the person or persons for whom I’m praying, but also something wonderful happens to me. I’m grateful that I’m heard.  – Maya Angelou

  28.) I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.  – Maya Angelou

  29.) We can learn to see each other and see ourselves in each other and recognize that human beings are more alike than we are unalike.  – Maya Angelou

  Other Maya Angelou quotes about life, love, and success

  30.) My life has been long, and believing that life loves the liver of it, I have dared to try many things, sometimes trembling, but daring still.  – Maya Angelou

  31.) Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: ‘I’m with you kid. Let’s go.’  – Maya Angelou

  32.) I believe that every person is born with talent.  – Maya Angelou

  33.) At 50, I began to know who I was. It was like waking up to myself.  – Maya Angelou

  34.) My greatest blessing has been the birth of my son. My next greatest blessing has been my ability to turn people into children of mine.  – Maya Angelou

  35.) I love the song ‘I Hope You Dance’ by Lee Ann Womack. I was going to write that song, but someone beat me to it.  – Maya Angelou

  36.) In all my work, I try to say, ‘You may be given a load of sour lemons, why not try to make a dozen lemon meringue pies?’   – Maya Angelou

  37.) I know for sure that loves saves me and that it is here to save us all.  – Maya Angelou

  38.) Loving someone liberates the lover as well as the beloved. And that kind of love comes with age.  – Maya Angelou

  39.) Everyone has at least one story, and each of us is funny if we admit it. You have to admit you’re the funniest person you’ve ever heard of.  – Maya Angelou

  40.) My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.  – Maya Angelou

  41.) I wrote some of the worst poetry west from the Mississippi River, but I wrote. And I finally sometimes got it right.  – Maya Angelou

  42.) You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.   – Maya Angelou

  43.) Courage – you develop courage by doing small things like just as if you wouldn’t want to pick up a 100-pound weight without preparing yourself.  – Maya Angelou

  44.) I believe that each of us comes from the Creator trailing wisps of glory.   – Maya Angelou

  45.) Nothing succeeds like success. Get a little success, and then just get a little more.  – Maya Angelou

  46.) A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.  – Maya Angelou

  47.) Don’t get older just to get wiser. If you get older, you will be wiser, I believe that – if you dare. But get older because it’s fun!   – Maya Angelou

  More Quotes by Maya Angelou to inspire you

  48.) I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody. And because I do it, I then respect everybody, too.  – Maya Angelou

  49.) It is a no-fail, incontrovertible reality: If you get, give. If you learn, teach. You can’t do anything with that except do it.  – Maya Angelou

  50.) There’s something which impels us to show our inner souls. The more courageous we are, the more we succeed in explaining what we know.   – Maya Angelou

    51.) We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.  – Maya Angelou

  52.) Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.  – Maya Angelou

  53.) I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.  – Maya Angelou

  54.) Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. Patience alone will not build the temple. Passion alone will destroy its walls.  – Maya Angelou

  55.) I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.  – Maya Angelou

  56.) Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.  – Maya Angelou

  57.) I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.  – Maya Angelou

  58.) I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. – Maya Angelou

  59.) When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. – Maya Angelou

  60.) If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.  – Maya Angelou

  Did You Enjoy These Maya Angelou Quotes?

Though Maya Angelou died in 2014, her legacy still lives. She will always be remembered not only for her poetry and storytelling but also as an educator, civil activist, actress, and filmmaker.

Maya overcame sexual abuse, racism, poverty, violence and more to become an award-winning author and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hopefully, these quotes have inspired you to love the life you have and to overcome any obstacles that may come your way.

So, did you enjoy these Maya Angelou quotes? Tell us in the comment section below. If you have any other quotes from Maya Angelou to share with us, please don’t hesitate to mention it. Also, feel free to share the quotes with your friends and followers.

    The post Inspiring Maya Angelou Quotes About Success, Love and Life appeared first on Everyday Power Blog.

[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings November 16, 2017 at 11:00PM

Psalm 88

Psalm 88

Prayer for Help in Despondency

A Song. A Psalm of the Korahites. To the leader: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1 O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, 2 let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. 4 I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help, 5 like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. 6 You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep. 7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.Selah

8 You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a thing of horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; 9 my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call on you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you. 10 Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the shades rise up to praise you?Selah 11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? 12 Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But I, O Lord, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. 14 O Lord, why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me? 15 Wretched and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am desperate.[a] 16 Your wrath has swept over me; your dread assaults destroy me. 17 They surround me like a flood all day long; from all sides they close in on me. 18 You have caused friend and neighbor to shun me; my companions are in darkness.

Footnotes:

Psalm 88:15 Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Psalm 91-92

Psalm 91

Assurance of God’s Protection

1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,[a] 2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,[b] the Most High your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

Psalm 92

Thanksgiving for Vindication

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath Day.

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

5 How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! 6 The dullard cannot know, the stupid cannot understand this: 7 though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever, 8 but you, O Lord, are on high forever. 9 For your enemies, O Lord, for your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.

10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me[c] fresh oil. 11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. 14 In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, 15 showing that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Footnotes:

Psalm 91:1 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai

Psalm 91:9 Cn: Heb Because you, Lord, are my refuge; you have made

Psalm 92:10 Syr: Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

1 Maccabees 1:41-63

Installation of Gentile Cults

41 Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, 42 and that all should give up their particular customs. 43 All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. 44 And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, 45 to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane sabbaths and festivals, 46 to defile the sanctuary and the priests, 47 to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and other unclean animals, 48 and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane, 49 so that they would forget the law and change all the ordinances. 50 He added,[a] “And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die.”

51 In such words he wrote to his whole kingdom. He appointed inspectors over all the people and commanded the towns of Judah to offer sacrifice, town by town. 52 Many of the people, everyone who forsook the law, joined them, and they did evil in the land; 53 they drove Israel into hiding in every place of refuge they had.

54 Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-fifth year,[b] they erected a desolating sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding towns of Judah, 55 and offered incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. 56 The books of the law that they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. 57 Anyone found possessing the book of the covenant, or anyone who adhered to the law, was condemned to death by decree of the king. 58 They kept using violence against Israel, against those who were found month after month in the towns. 59 On the twenty-fifth day of the month they offered sacrifice on the altar that was on top of the altar of burnt offering. 60 According to the decree, they put to death the women who had their children circumcised, 61 and their families and those who circumcised them; and they hung the infants from their mothers’ necks.

62 But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. 63 They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.

Footnotes:

1 Maccabees 1:50 Gk lacks He added

1 Maccabees 1:54 167 b.c.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Revelation 19:11-16

The Rider on the White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[a] blood, and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[b] them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Footnotes:

Revelation 19:13 Other ancient authorities read sprinkled with

Revelation 19:15 Or will shepherd

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Matthew 16:13-20

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[a] the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter,[b] and on this rock[c] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was[d] the Messiah.[e]

Footnotes:

Matthew 16:16 Or the Christ

Matthew 16:18 Gk Petros

Matthew 16:18 Gk petra

Matthew 16:20 Other ancient authorities add Jesus

Matthew 16:20 Or the Christ

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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