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whenrockwasyoung19 · 4 years

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Thoughts after the Golden Globes -Elton and Bernie just carved out a path to Oscar gold. I think Bernie stating that this is the first award they won together will excite awards voters and will probably get them the win.

-now that Think I’m Gonna Love Me Again is a lock for a nomination, we’re going to get to see Taron sing with Elton on the Oscars stage

-After a hostless Oscars last year and a hostless Emmy’s this year, Ricky reminded me why we need a host. Funny or offensive, he was able to give the show momentum and maintain it. Without a host, the start of the show feels awkward and slow.

-Ricky wasn’t as mean as I thought he was going to be. He largely avoided picking on the people in the room which was a change for him. I think that either better as it wasn’t as uncomfortable.

-Ricky will be back. I’d bet on it. He just has too much fun making people squirm. -lots of politics but that’s not too surprising. My favorite political moments were Michelle Williams speech and Russell Crowe’s message.

-Brad Pitt ending his speech telling people to be kind was the kind of positive messaging I like.

-Tom Hanks should teach a master class or just straight up a film class. The man knows his techniques.

-Ellen’s speech was perfect. I do think it’s amazing that the second person to win the Carol Burnett Award is a queer woman.

-Ellen talking about her “husband Mark” and her “two kids” had me dying. But I also like that she added that “the reason y’all are laughing is because you know me so well”, and that’s so true.

-The fashion was just ok. I thought most people looked pretty but few were really trying to turn a look. I did think Saorsie Ronan looked fire and Renee Zellwigger had such a simple but divine look. Of course the fashion moment of the night was Billy Porter.

-Every time the camera cut to the Elton table, I looked for Taron, but he was often blocked, not in frame, or missing.

-Taron going ape when Elton won was so adorable and sweet. He really is a loyal friend and great cheerleader to his mates.

-Elton and Bernie’s acceptance speech was very nice. I thought giving a shoutout to Taron was lovely. When the camera pointed to him I got so excited.

-I forgot to mention that Elton also turned a look. The embroidery on the jacket, the puffy sleeves, the big broach, it was simple but elegant and a little bold. It felt authentically Elton. I also thought David looked very dapper. I think the embroidery on his suit was gorgeous. They were probably the best dressed couple of the night tbh.

-Elton and Bernie getting a standing ovation just to introduce a clip shows what legends they are.

-Leo looked happy for Taron, so I’m guessing there will be no sad Leo memes.

-Roman Griffin Davis looked happy for Taron as well, and I was relieved because you gotta feel bad when a young kid loses like that, and you just hope they’re not crushed, but he seemed happy, so I’m relieved.

-Word is that Roman Griffin Davis’s suit was inspired by Eggy’s suit in Kingsman Golden Circle. I’m not sure if that’s totally true, but if so that’s awesome! If so, it must’ve been awesome for him to get a special shoutout from Eggsy himself. Also, he had a fashion moment himself. Like that suit was perfectly tailored. He honestly took more of a fashion risk at 10 years old than 90% of the people in that room, and I’ve got to respect that.

-Okay, I’ve held back long enough; it’s time to talk about Taron.

-So, TARON WON A FREAKING GOLDEN GLOBE! I was so worried it wasn’t going to happen. I was literally on edge the whole night, and when the announcer said the award for best actor in a musical/comedy was coming up, I was so freaking nervous. Literally, when Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson started their presentation, my heart was racing. I couldn’t even stay on the couch. I had to crouch on the floor, because I was so anxious. And when they said the nominees, and they said Eddie Murphy’s name, I was like THIS IS IT WHO LIVES OR DIES WHO TELLS OUR STORY. Then, there was that little pause before Chris Evans read the name. Every time I’m anticipating an award, when the presenter does that little pause, in my head I’ll say the person who I want to win/think will win and try to will it into existence. This time, I was like “taron egerton” in my little brain thinking that Chris was about to say Eddie Murphy. Then, I heard a “tar” and I lost my shit. At this point, I am sitting on my living room floor inches from the TV. I screamed so loud, and started applauding. I was so freaking excited. But there was definitely this weird feeling of disbelief in my brain. I had so readied myself for him to lose that I couldn’t even process the fact that he’d won. So, when it panned to him, it was like this weird reassurance that yes, Taron in fact won. So, watching him approach the stage looking flabbergasted, I was so just excited and emotional. But it didn’t really hit me that Taron had just one a Golden Globe until he was standing on stage holding the award and starting his acceptance speech. That’s when I let out a second even louder scream. And then, the more it sank in that he actually won (and that everything I hoped this night would be had come to fruition) I burst into tears. I literally sat on my living room floor crying over this man who I didn’t even really know anything about a year ago. It was so surreal but in the best way. I could not have been more excited for him.

-Taron’s speech was PHENOMENAL. A commentator from Gold Derby, in their post-show recap, declared it one of the best speeches of the night, and like yeah it totally was. His speech was humble, gracious, and just the right amount of sweet. He came off as so surprised, overwhelmed, and overjoyed to win. It was so refreshing after a night where so many people who won seemed like they totally expected it and weren’t all that floored by it. So, to have Taron go up there, his voice all shaky, be totally blown away felt all the more genuine and even needed. He did the typical thing of acknowledging the other people in his category. I thought he had some kind words for the others. I also thought it was so sweet to give a special shoutout to Roman. It was so sweet. I also think it’s amazing that he managed to thank just about every person he was obligated to thank (except for poor Emily, but we’ll let that slide). He thanked his costars, Dexter, Giles Martin, the producers, his team, and the team at Paramount and managed to have something nice to say about most of them. And of course, he gave a very special shoutout to Elton and Bernie. I thought his message to Elton was touching and sweet. Again, he came off as so gracious and humble. Lastly, he gave a special thank you to his mom (which was so lovely). I think the fact that he managed to thank everyone and to do so with such genuine gratitude made it one of the best speeches. It was the type of speech that reminds you why we have to sit through these speeches.

-It shouldn’t surprise any of us that Taron is amazing at award show speeches. The guy is made of gratitude and humility, so the fact that he showed that off in his little moment shouldn’t be surprising, but yet I was still floored by it. It was just that good.

-Not to go all cynical analyst or anything, but a speech like that can push him further in the Oscar race. Oscar voters love a good speech, so simply having a memorable speech that people get behind is already a big plus. But also, I think the fact that his speech was so gracious and humble also helps. Oscar voters love a bit of humility and gratitude. So, I think that can carry him far. In fact, I believe his attitude has already carried him quite far in this business along with his talent. But I digress.

-What I did not anticipate when I conceived of our boy winning was just how much post-show content we were going to get. Last night, I stayed up till all hours looking at the interviews from a variety of big entertainment outlets. It was amazing to see Taron so overjoyed and thankful. I could tell before the awards that he was a little nervous (I’ll get to that in a bit), so it was great to see him so happy and elated.

-Bringing his sisters along to the Hollywood Reporter interview was adorable. If you didn’t see it, Taron held Mari while Rosie stood at his side holding his Globe during the interview. They were being so polite and so shy; it was cute. Plus, he gave them each a little kiss towards the end of the interview. So precious.

-My god he did a lot of interviews in a short time span. He somehow had momentum through a marathon of interviews.

#Taron egerton #golden globes 2020 #Saoirse Ronan #Elton john #bernie taupin #ricky gervais #roman griffin davis #ellen degeneres

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frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 3 years

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25th December >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Luke 2:1-14 for The Feast of Christmas: ‘Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you’.

Feast of Christmas Night and Day

Gospel (Except USA)

Luke 2:1-14

'In the town of David a saviour has been born to you'

Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census – the first – took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David’s House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn. In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing:

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour.’

Gospel (USA)

Luke 2:1–14

Today a Savior has been born for you.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Reflections (7)

(i) Feast of Christmas

Every year on Christmas night we listen to the Christmas story from the gospels. Each year the story we hear is the same, but each year we are different. Something will have changed for us since last Christmas. For many people, a lot will have changed in the past twelve months due to the onset of a pandemic we never foresaw last Christmas and is very much still with us, as we face into level 5 restrictions again. Many people may be feeling more despondent and anxious. Some will have experienced a level of isolation that they had never knows before. For many, their work situation is much less secure than it was. We sense that many of us are more on edge. Those for whom life has always been a struggle have been finding it much more of a struggle. As individuals, as communities, we come to this Christmas somewhat more stressed and bruised than normal. Because it has been a darker year for many, the opening line of today’s first reading can resonate all the more with us, ‘the people that walked in darkness has seen a great light’. This Christmas, as we continue to walk in the darkness of this pandemic, we are invited to open ourselves up to the great light of the birth of Jesus.

The Christmas story speaks to us of a light that shines in the darkness and that the darkness cannot overcome. The story of the birth of Jesus is told as a night time event in which a great light shines. The shepherds were watching their flocks during the night, when the glory of the Lord shone around them. This light of God’s presence did not eliminate the darkness, but it shone in the midst of it. I am reminded of that lovely hymn written by John Henry Newman, ‘Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom’. The feast of Christmas celebrates the shining of God’s kindly light in the midst of the gloom in which we often find ourselves. The writer Dostoevsky once wrote, ‘We grope as though in the dark… but for the precious image of Christ before us, we would lose our way’. God’s kindly light shone in the face of Jesus that night in Bethlehem and it continues to shine for each one of us this Christmas, wherever we happen to find ourselves. Each of our lives has its own personal drama but tonight we are invited to let ourselves be drawn into a drama that is larger than our own, the drama of God’s loving relationship with us.

The child that was born to Mary and Joseph has been born to each one of us. In the words of the angels to the shepherds, ‘Today, in the town of David, a saviour has been born to you’. Each one of us is included in that ‘to you’. That is why the birth of the one who was born homeless can be celebrated in every home. The one born of Mary wants to make his home in each of our lives, this Christmas and throughout the coming year. The birth of Jesus reveals God’s desire to draw close to us. When Mary and Joseph looked upon their child, they were looking upon the human face of God. When we look upon this child, when we look upon the adult Jesus in the gospels, the crucified Jesus on the cross, we are looking at the human face of God. Through this child, who became the adult of the gospels, and, eventually the risen Lord of the church, God is embracing us in love. That is what Saint Paul means when he says at the beginning of today’s second reading, ‘God’s grace has been revealed’. God’s gracious love has been revealed, a love that accepts us as we are, without any merit on our part. God’s Son, born of Mary and Joseph, loudly proclaims that we are all beloved sons and daughters of God. However difficult or complicated the drama of our own life story may be, Christmas is a moment when God calls out to us to accept his loving embrace of us, through his Son. Graced by God’s love, we will be empowered to love ourselves, and to love others, the whole human family. Not only do we celebrate at Christmas God’s desire to draw close to us, but Christmas can bring each of us closer to God. As the humble shepherds and the sophisticated magi were both drawn to the stable in Bethlehem, we too can find ourselves drawn to the God who loves us so much that he became as vulnerable as a new born child for our sakes.

In speaking to the shepherds, the angels describe their message about the birth of a saviour as ‘news of great joy’. God wants each of us to find joy in being unconditionally loved. There may not have been much joy for many people in the year just past. Some will be grieving the recent death of a loved one. Many may be struggling in some version of the ‘encircling gloom’ that Newman speaks of. Yet, at a deeper level of our being, we can experience the joy which is the fruit of the Spirit of God’s love. It is the joy which flows from knowing that the kindly light of God’s gracious love, the light of Bethlehem, is always shining upon us. This kindly light is our ultimate destiny; we are journeying towards it, but it is also our constant companion.

And/Or

(ii) Feast of Christmas Day

I would like on your behalf to congratulate the children on the wonderful way that they acted out the Christmas story. I am always struck by how easily children enter into the Christmas story and how well they announce it to us all. Perhaps that is because at the centre of the Christmas story is a family - a mother, a father and their child – not unlike the children’s own families. Many of the children will have baby brothers and sisters, and they can relate easily to the baby who is the very heart of the Christmas story.

The word ‘God’ can suggest someone remote, very far above us, somewhat inaccessible. However, there is nothing more accessible than a new born baby. Everyone wants to get close to a new born baby. They exert a certain fascination on all of us. We look at this new bundle of life, mesmerized. The parents who are here this morning know that better than I do. Christmas celebrates the extraordinary good news that the new born child of Mary and Joseph is God - God-with-us, Emmanuel. Those who looked into the eyes of this child were looking into the eyes of God. It is hard to imagine how God could have become more accessible to us than by taking the form of a new born child. If God wanted to draw close to us, to engage us, to draw us into relationship, this was a very good way to do it. In Jesus, the first born child of Mary and Joseph, God became vulnerable, accessible, engaging.

Perhaps that is why the feast of Christmas continues to engage us at the more spiritual level of our make up. Yes, Christmas has become overly commercialized. We all spend more than we need to; if we are not careful we can easily go overboard. Yet, the numbers who come to church on Christmas day are always well up on other times of the year. God who reached out to us through a new born babe continues to draw us at this time of the year. It somehow feels right to come to church on this day of all days. It is as if we sense, at some level, that if God has gone to such lengths to connect with us, the least we can do is attempt to connect with God. Like the shepherds in today’s gospel reading, we hear the call to come to the crib. On reaching it, we are invited to let our eyes and our minds roam free as we ponder the wonderful mystery of Jesus’ birth, the mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us.

Mary and Joseph’s child, of course, became an adult, a vigorous young man who placed his life’s energy at the disposal of God the Father for the service of all men and woman. As the adult Jesus went on to say, ‘the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many’. He gave his life for us all, and, having been raised from the dead, he continues to give himself to us all. Indeed, at this Eucharist which we now celebrate, the risen Lord gives himself to each of us as the bread of life. We come here on this Christmas morning not only to ponder the image of the child Jesus in the crib, but to receive into our lives in the Eucharist the glorious and risen adult Jesus. He calls us who are adults into an adult relationship with him. He says to us what he said to his disciples on the night before he died, ‘I no longer call your servants, I call you friends’. He waits for us to reciprocate, to befriend him as he has befriended us, to reach out towards him as he has reached out towards us, to accept him as our companion on our life’s way.

The second reading this morning speaks of God’s Son as ‘the radiant light of God’s glory’. When John the evangelist wanted to express the mystery of this feast of Christmas, he wrote: ‘A light… shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower’. The adult Jesus spoke of himself as the light of the world and promised that those who follow him will never walk in darkness. Many of us today experience a sense of darkness in one form of another. It might be the darkness of depression, of illness, of a broken relationship, of a deep loss, or the darkness that envelopes us when we look at all that is not right with our world. At Christmas we celebrate the coming of Jesus as light into our darkness. On this Christmas morning, we might make our own that wonderful prayer of John Henry Newman, a great scholar and writer of the 19th century, an Anglican who became a Roman Catholic, a prayer addressed to the risen Jesus as light in our darkness: ‘Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom, lead Thou me on. The night is dark and I am far from home, lead Thou me on. I do not ask to see the distant scene. One step enough for me’.

And/Or

(iii) Feast of Christmas Day

There has been quite a bit of bad news in recent times. We know the economy has taken a serious downturn and many people who had jobs last Christmas don’t have jobs this Christmas. The future is more uncertain for many people than it might have been this time last year. We have also heard news of murders in broad daylight at either end of our parish here in Clontarf. For those who have been affected by those murders this Christmas will be an ordeal. There has been bad news for the church this Christmas, as well, with the recent report on Cloyne Diocese.

Today’s feast sends a ray of light into the doom and gloom. The first line of this morning’s first reading sets the tone for the feast, ‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of one who brings good news’. What is this good news, according to that reading? It is the good news that the Lord is returning to Zion and consoling his people and that all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. As Christians we recognize the fulfilment of that promise of good news in the birth of Jesus who is both the son of Mary and Joseph, and Son of God. On that first Christmas night, a child was born for us, a son was given to us, who brought God to us in a way that no human being ever did before or since. In bringing God to us with such clarity, he showed the name of that God to be love. In his gospel St John would put it very succinctly, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son’. That is why we have cribs in our churches and in our homes at this time of the year, to remind us of that good news. Children can get more excited by good news than us adults. We are often more attuned to bad news. It can be the open-eyed wonder of children before the crib that helps all of us to hear and be touched by the good news that is at the heart of today’s feast. The adult Jesus would go on to say, ‘unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of God’.

The gospel reading we have just heard acknowledges the reality of the darkness in our world, and yet it also announces the good news that there is a more fundamental reality enveloping us, which the reading simply refers to as ‘light’. ‘A light shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower’. That reading reassures us that no matter how dark things may appear to be in our own personal lives, in the lives of our family, in the life of our church, in the life of our nation, there is a light shining there, a light that is stronger than the darkness and that is destined to overcome the darkness. The gospel reading for Christmas morning invites us to ask the question, ‘Where is the light in our darkness?’ It encourages us to search for the light, because it is there. The reading speaks of this light as the true light, and it then identifies this true light with the Word of God who became flesh and was given the name Jesus. We come to the crib at this time of the year because we are drawn by the light that shines in the darkness, and deep down we are convinced that the darkness will not overcome this light. What is this light? It is ultimately the light of love, the light of God’s love. In the New Testament, there are two three word statements identifying who God is, and they are both to be found in the first letter of Saint John, ‘God is light’, and ‘God is love’. The gospel reading assures us that God’s love is always shining in whatever darkness we may find ourselves, and because genuine love is always life-giving, and God’s love is infinitely life-giving, at the heart of all darkness we will find not only light but also new life. In the words of our gospel reading, ‘that life was the light of all’. God works in life-giving ways even in situations that appear to be hopeless. Even when human beings threw God’s gift of his Son back in his face by crucifying his Son, God turned that to our good, by raising his Son from the dead and giving him to us as a light that endures forever. In the words of the second reading, the risen Lord ‘is the radiant light of God’s glory’. The light of God’s love for us simply cannot be extinguished. Paul put that very simply and very profoundly when he declared that nothing ‘will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’. That is why we celebrate Christmas the way we do. The gifts we give to each other remind us of the greater gift of God’s Son that we rejoice in at this time of the year; the candles we light, the lights we turn on, remind us of the light of God’s love which shines brightly even when darkness seems to be triumphing, the visits we make to each other remind us of that great visitation of God to his people through his Son. We can allow ourselves to be happy in these days, because we have something to be happy about.

And/Or

(iv) Feast of Christmas Night

We don’t often gather here in our parish church so late in the evening, at 9.00 pm. There are only two times in the year when we do that, on Christmas night and at the Easter Vigil. On those two nights we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus, the beginning and end of the story of Jesus as we find it in the gospels. On both occasions we gather in darkness, at night time. The story of the birth of Jesus which we have just heard is told by Luke as a night time event. It was while the shepherds were watching their flocks by night that the angels appeared to them and proclaimed the good news of a wonderful event that had just taken place, ‘a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’. It is that same good news that is proclaimed to us tonight and that brings us together in this church long after the sun has set, at a time when we would normally be thinking about winding down for the day and getting ready for bed.

As we gather in the darkness, we celebrate this feast of Christmas with candles and lights. The five candles on the Advent wreath, including the white one for the feast of Christmas, are all lighting; the lights of the Christmas tree are on. There was a tradition in the past of a candle being lit in the widow of our homes on this night. Christmas is a feast of light. In the wonderful opening words of our first reading tonight, ‘the people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone’. The child whose birth we celebrate tonight is the light of God’s love shining upon us. This light does not eliminate the darkness but it shines brightly within in. As Saint John says at the beginning of his gospel, ‘the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it’. We each have our own share of darkness, and for each of us the darkness is different. For some, this time of the year can accentuate the darkness. The loneliness of the bereaved and the isolated can be felt more sharply at this time of the year. Whatever darkness we may find ourselves in this Christmas, we are invited this night to allow ourselves to be bathed in the light of that wonderful news that the angels announced to the shepherds, ‘Today, in the town of Bethlehem, a Saviour has been born to you’ – to you, to each of us personally. In the mystery of a new born baby lying in a manger, a feeding trough for animals, we are being reminded that God is breathing his Spirit into the darkness of our lives.

The child of Bethlehem is God’s gift to humanity, to each one of us. We give gifts to each other at this time of the year. It is as if deep down we realize that we have been greatly gifted or graced, and we want to give out of what we have received. Because of this night, we have each been wonderfully graced by God. In the opening words of tonight’s second reading, ‘God’s grace has been revealed’. A genuine gift is not something we have worked for or have earned or deserved. It is simply give to us out of love, and all that is asked of us is that we receive the gift and the love that it expresses. Jesus is God’s greatest gift to us. God does not ask us to earn or work for this gift. In the child of Bethlehem, God accepts us as we are and loves us without any merit on our part. All that God asks of us is that we receive this gift of his Son in faith and then to live out of the gift we have received. God desperately wants us to receive this gift because it is the gift of life. Jesus is the life-giver, given to us so that we can live fully human lives in this earthly life, and enter into eternal life beyond this earthly life.

Sometimes giving can come easier to us than receiving. Many of us can find it easier to give than to receive. This feast of Christmas requires us to fine tune our capacity to receive, especially to receive from God. If we struggle to receive from others, we can struggle even more to receive from God, because we can image God as one who is constantly looking to receive from us. Yet, tonight’s feast reminds us that the initiative is always with God. In the words of the first letter of Saint John, ‘God first loved us’. Tonight we are called to have something of the openness of the shepherds to God’s gift. We are invited to go with them to the manger and to welcome this extraordinary grace into our lives. We find it easy to receive a new born child. We delight in taking the child into our arms. Perhaps God was making it easy for us to receive his love by immersing himself in the tiny, fragile flesh of a new born child. If this is how God has chosen to approach us, it may be saying something about how God wants to be approached by us. We come close to God in the way we come close to a child, gently and noiselessly, with no solemn talk but only plains words coming from a graced and grateful heart.

And/Or

(v) Feast of Christmas Night

It is striking the efforts people make to get home for Christmas. Christmas is a feast that moves people to get back to their roots. It draws people to make contact with those who have helped to shape and form them. The feast of Christmas seems to have the power to bring us back to basics as it were. A striking example of that was to be found among the trenches near Armentieres on Christmas Day 1914. A twenty-five year old Lieutenant wrote a letter home in which he said: ‘Detachments of British and Germans formed a line and a German and British chaplain read some prayers alternately. The whole of this was done in great solemnity and reverence’. Here were sworn enemies fighting a bitter war. But, they also knew that at a much more basic level, they were fellow human beings, who had been equally graced by the birth of God’s Son. The feast of that day helped those men to see each other with new eyes. They beheld each other in a new light, the light of God’s love revealed in the birth of his Son. It is hard to conceive of any other Christian feast, or indeed the feast of any other religion, having that kind of power.

The feast of Christmas can touch all our lives in an equally powerful way. We are not at war with others in the way those soldiers were at war with each other on that Christmas day almost 90 years ago. Yet, we might find ourselves coming to this feast of Christmas battered and bruised in various ways. Some of us here today may have come through, or be in the midst of, a painful experience of one kind or another. We may be embroiled in some form of conflict that leaves us drained. We may have suffered some significant loss in recent months. Some hope we cherished may not have materialized. Our health may have deteriorated. Our faith may have grown weak. We may be troubled by some wrong we did or some good we failed to do. What may be true of any one of us as individuals is true of our church. The church comes to this Christmas somewhat battered and bruised. The damage done by some priests to young children, and the failure of our bishops to deal with this situation adequately has affected us all.

Wherever and however we find ourselves this Christmas, today’s feast invites us to look up, as it were, with the shepherds in the gospel reading. We hear for ourselves the words the shepherds heard: ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today a saviour has been born to you’. A child has been born for all of us, whoever we are, whatever situation we find ourselves in. The birth of a child is a wonderful time for any family, a time of grace. Today we celebrate a birth that has graced us all, and continues to grace us all. The child of Mary and Joseph reveals the kindness and love of God for us all. God has given us the gift of his Son, and, having given this gift, God will never take it back. God’s Son has become our brother, our companion on the way, becoming like us in all things, but sin. God has become flesh and dwelt, and continues to dwell, among us. God’s Son who dwells among us invites us to receive from his fullness, grace upon grace. In receiving from him in this way, we are empowered to rise above all that oppresses us and diminishes us. Here is a wonderful gift that calls us out of our trenches, as it were, and has the potential to transform how we see ourselves and each other.

Christmas is a feast of light. It is celebrated just as the days begin to get longer. Within our own tradition we have recognized this dimension of the feast of Christmas, with our custom of lighting candles and placing them in front of the windows of our homes. At Christmas we celebrate the coming into the world of the true light who enlightens everyone. The glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds and shines around all of us. We are invited to stand under that light, the light of God’s favour, and to allow that light to fill us and renew us. We are not asked to do anything to make this light shine. It is there; it is given to us. We are only asked to receive it and to become the light that we receive. The feast of Christmas assures us that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it. God has graced us in a very definitive way, and God’s gracious presence to us is a more fundamental reality than the darkness in which we find ourselves and which we sometimes help to create. This is the good news of great joy that was given to the shepherds on that first Christmas night and that is given to us today. It is this good news that is at the heart of all our Christmas celebrations.

And/Or

(vi) Feast of Christmas Night

It is lovely to see so many people here in our parish church tonight. Apart from the Easter Vigil this is the only time we gather in church at nine o’clock at night. We are here because we want to be here. We feel drawn to join in the celebration of the Eucharist on this night above all nights. Our gathering together in church tonight as brothers and sisters in the Lord is one example of the gatherings that Christmas seems to inspire among us. In all kinds of ways we gather at Christmas time. People make a special effort to gather with their families at Christmas; our airports and ports and roads are exceptionally busy. All kinds of other gatherings happen at this time. In our own parish recently members of the hospitality group gathered the senior members of the parish community for a Christmas party in the parish centre. Tomorrow there will be a great gathering of Dublin’s poor and homeless in the Mansion House for a Christmas dinner. People tend to be very sensitive to those living on their own at this time of the year and often make a special effort to include them in some Christmas gathering or other. Instinctively we seem to make a special effort to include each other, at this time of the year. We may even go out of our way to connect with those from whom we have become estranged for one reason or another.

Our particular gathering in this church springs from our faith in Jesus, whom tonight’s gospel reading speaks of as Saviour and Christ the Lord. We could be somewhere else at this time, but we are here and our presence here in this gathering is an expression of our faith. At times, we may feel that our faith in the Lord is not very strong. We may identify very easily with the prayer that the disciples once addressed to Jesus, ‘Lord, increase our faith’, or with the prayer of the father who approached Jesus to heal his son, ‘Lord, I believe, help my unbelief’. None of us would feel a stranger to those prayers. Yet, it is our shared faith in Jesus that has brought us here this Christmas night. We want to celebrate the birth of someone who has become significant for us, and we want to celebrate this birth not just on our own but with others for whom this particular birth is also significant. We gather because we recognize that the birth of this child in a stable at Bethlehem is good news for us all. The angel announced to the shepherds in tonight’s gospel reading, ‘Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people’. The birth of this child was not just good news for a select few, but for the whole people, for everyone without exception. The impact of the birth of any child into a family will be felt by that family into eternity. The impact of the birth of this child will be felt by the whole people into eternity. We gather to savour this good news which is addressed to all of us and to each one of us personally. There is no shortage of bad news these days. Tonight we gather in faith to allow some truly good news to wash over us and renew us.

Faith is always a response to God’s initiative. Tonight we gather in response to the extraordinary initiative that God took to enter into communion with the whole of humanity. God entered into communion with us by becoming one of us. The Word who was God became flesh and dwelt among us. It is God’s initiative to become flesh for our sakes that gathers us here in this church tonight. God became vulnerable in Mary’s child. God took the risk of becoming vulnerable so as to enter into a deeper communion with us all, and it was a risk. The vulnerable child who was born outside of Bethlehem went on to become the vulnerable adult who was crucified outside of Jerusalem. In between his birth and death as an outsider he spoke of himself as the Son of Man who had nowhere to lay his head. According to the letter to the Hebrews, he was like us in all things, but sin. God loves us enough to take the risk of entering into the deepest possible communion with us through his Son, Jesus. We are here this evening because, at some level of our being, we recognize the lengths God has gone to enter into our experience and we want to respond to God’s gracious initiative towards us. We want to be in communion with God through Jesus, in response to God’s desire to be in communion with us through Jesus. It has been said that the birth of every child is a small protest against the tired view that there is nothing new under the sun. The birth of the child we celebrate this night is a very large protest against such a view. Jesus spoke of his life and ministry as new wine. Tonight we are invited to drink of that new wine. As we do so we will hear the call to be as generous in our dealings with each other as God has been with us. In the words of tonight’s second reading, this Christmas feast calls on us to have no ambition except to do good.

And/Or

(vii) Feast of Christmas Night

One of the verses in Patrick Kavanagh’s well-known poem, ‘A Christmas Childhood’, goes as follows, ‘A water-hen screeched in the bog, Mass-going feet Crunched the wafer-ice on the pot-holes, Somebody wistfully twisted the bellows wheel’. It was a poem that was born of loneliness and solitude. He penned it after spending a lonely Christmas in his flat in Dublin. He nostalgically looks back at the Christmases of his childhood in his native Monaghan. Christmas can be a lonely time for many people, those living alone, those who have been recently bereaved, those living far from home. Kavanagh’s loneliness that Christmas turned out to be a truly generative and creative moment for him.

I was struck by the line in that verse, ‘Mass-going feet crunched the wafer-thin ice on the pot-holes’. I fond it very evocative. There may be less ‘Mass-going feet’ these days that there was when Patrick Kavanagh penned ‘A Christmas Childhood’. Yet, there is something about the feast of Christmas that brings people to Mass, especially on Christmas night. Christmas is a time when we feel the need to gather in various ways. Within our families we gather in each other’s homes, around each other’s tables. We gather with friends. Some of you will have been involved in organizing different kinds of gatherings in the past few weeks, such as the gathering of the senior members of our parish community we had recently in our parish centre. Many also feel the need to gather in church at this time, alongside others who are trying to follow in the way of the One whose birth we celebrate tonight.

Tonight’s gospel reading begins with a reference to a decree of the first Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, for a census throughout his Empire, and it concludes with a heavenly host of angels praising God and announcing to some shepherds that God’s favour was resting on all men and women. The birth of Jesus was overshadowed both by the presence of the Roman Emperor and the presence of heavenly angels. It was rooted in history and, yet, somehow beyond it. It happened at a particular time and place in human history, and, yet, it transcended that historical time and place. This child was born to a particular young couple, Mary and Joseph, in a small town on the margins of the Roman Empire, and yet he was also born to everyone in every generation and place. As Saint Paul puts it in tonight’s second reading, ‘God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race’. The birth of this child reveals God’s gracious love for all humanity. The birth of a child to a young couple in the town of Bethlehem that night would impact the whole human race for every succeeding generation, down to our own time. The birth of Jesus has, in some way, touched all of our lives, which is why we have gathered together here in this parish church on this Christmas night, why we are happy to belong among those Mass-going feet.

Because of the birth of this child to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, we have all been greatly graced. God has given us the most precious gift he could give us, the gift of Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, but also God’s own Son. In coming among us through his Son, God has, in a sense, become one of us. God has taken the shape of a human life, and in doing so God has shown what a human life at its best looks like, what it is to be fully human. Jesus reveals ourselves to us. He also reveals God to us. The son of Mary and Joseph allows us to put a human face on God. There was a strong conviction in the Jewish Scriptures that people could not see God and live. Because God was so transcendent, so other, to see God was to die. Yet, through Jesus, God has become visible to us. When we look upon the face of God in Jesus, what we see is a face of love. That is why the message of the angel to the shepherds was, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen I bring you news of great joy’. Joy, not fear, is to characterize our relationship with God. In the words of the heavenly choir of angels at the end of the gospel reading, the birth of Jesus reveals God’s favour towards us, ‘Peace to all who enjoy God’s favour’.

Perhaps one of the reasons we are happy to be among the Mass-going feet at Christmas time is that we sense that God has greatly favoured us through the birth of Jesus and his subsequent life, death and resurrection, and we want to respond in some way. God has graciously favoured us, without asking us to earn that favour. ‘God’s grace has been revealed’, in the words of Paul in the second reading. We are here tonight to acknowledge that God continues to favour and grace us through his Son and to give thanks to God for God’s favour. It is a night to allow ourselves to receive afresh God’s favour, to open our hearts anew to the light of God’s loving presence in Jesus, so that it penetrates whatever darkness we may find ourselves it. Christmas is the feast of God’s closeness. It is a feast that can bring us closer to God. Tonight we are invited to allow that to happen for us.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

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wistfulcynic · 5 years

Text

One More Kiss 1 / 2

Another angsty secret love drabble, this one Lieutenant Duckling, which I’ve never really written before. Spreading my wings. Or, you know, something. It’s quite late here.

Gonna toss a tag at @darkcolinodonorgasm because I know how you love Lieutenant Duckling.

Summary: They want to be together, but the princess cannot marry the lieutenant. Emma is determined but Killian is noble. Heartbreak ensues.

2k-ish words

Rating: T

On AO3

One More Kiss:

The Chancellor of the Exchequer droned on and on, something about taxes and grain imports and Princess Emma fought to keep her eyelids from drooping. She knew trade and taxes were important but she had read every brief on the subject diligently, which she felt really should exempt her from having to sit through a lecture on it as well, especially as there was something about the Exchequer’s voice that just made her eyes cross. The sharp rap of a pointed shoe against her ankle jolted her into full consciousness and she turned to glare at her mother.

“Pay. Attention.” hissed Snow out of the corner of her mouth.

“I am,” Emma hissed back. “Grain imports. I’m riveted.”

“We will hear now from the representative of our Royal Navy,” said King David, loudly to drown out the voices of his wife and daughter. “Lieutenant Jones?”

What? Emma’s wandering attention snapped into sharp focus. When had he arrived?

A tall, dark haired figure rose from where he had been seated in the back of the room and approached the council table. “Your Majesties,” he said in his deep voice, bowing to the king and queen. “Your Highness.” The bow was for Emma now, but he didn’t look at her, instead snapping smartly into formal military attention, his eyes focused straight ahead.

She ground her teeth. So that was how he wanted to play this.

“What have you to report, Lieutenant?” asked the King.

“Your Majesty, the Jewel of the Realm has successfully completed her mission to the Southern Isles. Your message was conveyed and the terms accepted. They will deliver four shiploads of grain before the winter.”

A sigh of relief rippled through the room.

“Thank you, Lieutenant, those are excellent tidings indeed.” The hearty approval in her father’s voice made Emma want to tear at something.

“So what took you so long?” she heard herself saying.

“Emma!” hissed Snow.

“I beg your pardon, Your Highness?” said Lieutenant Jones, all icy formality. His hair was far too tidy, thought Emma. It looked wrong.

“You’ve been gone nearly a year,” she said, ignoring the toe of her mother’s shoe. “The Southern Isles aren’t that far away. What took you so long?”

“I wasn’t aware that I was expected to provide an accounting for every detail of our voyage,” he replied. “Merely the outcome of the grain agreement.”

“Your report is more than sufficient, Lieutenant,” said David. “I thank you for it, and I hope we will see you and your brother at the ball tonight.”

“Aye, Your Majesty, you shall indeed. It will be our honour to attend.”

“Excellent.”

Lieutenant Jones executed another flawless formal bow and retreated back into the crowds at the rear of the room. Not once had he looked at her.

Emma dug her fingernails into the skin of her arm as her father called for the report from the Forestry Commission.

—

Emma stifled a sigh as another dull lord bowed over her hand and begged the honour of a dance with her. She wanted to refuse, but the stiffness in the shoulders of the dark haired man across the room who was Not Watching Her spurred her to accept.

Two hours into the ball and he was still Not Watching Her. Damn him.

She laughed as she twirled in the arms of Lord– Hedley, was it? Hadley? Hinkley? Something beginning with H– making sure it was a bright and happy laugh, loud enough to carry to the farthest reaches of the ballroom.

Lord H looked delighted, but Emma barely noticed. Her attention was caught and held by the lieutenant of Misthaven’s finest naval vessel, decked out in full dress uniform, medals and all, striding unceremoniously across the ballroom and towards the doors.

“Princess Emma,” gasped Lord H, red and breathless from the vigorous dance, “Dare I hope that this, er, enthusiasm on your part might encourage me to hope that some day–”

“I do apologise Lord, um, Hastings,” interrupted Emma. “I’m afraid I have to go.”

“I’m Lord Halford.”

“Are you?” said Emma absently. “I’m so sorry.” She pulled herself from the man’s sweaty grasp and fled the ballroom.

—

She caught up with him in the vestibule of the Great Stairwell.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“Leaving.” He spat the word, his voice harsh.

She refused to feel hurt, refused to acknowledge it. “Why?”

“I’m surprised you even noticed,” he retorted, not answering her question.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Only that you seemed thoroughly occupied by your horde of very proper suitors.”

“Thoroughly bored, you mean.”

His lips twitched but he did not smile. Her heart ached with the desire to see him smile, as he had so easily before.

“You could dance with me,” she ventured, and his face hardened.

“No.”

“But we used to–”

“We used to be friends, Emma,” he snapped. “I thought we were friends.”

“Friends,” she choked, frustration and chagrin and longing bubbling together in her chest and turning to fury. “No, we are most definitely not friends.”

“I see.” He was stiff again, turning on his heel with military precision and marching off.

“Killian!” she ran after him, caught his arm. He went rigid and hissed out a breath, but didn’t pull away. “You know we’re not friends,” she snapped. “Not after– you know.”

“Indeed I do. But that was–”

“A one-time thing, yes, so you said.” She could still feel the heartbreak.

“You agreed to forget about it,” he said roughly. “To keep things as they were.”

“Well, I can’t forget about it. I think about it every damned day. I want to do it again. I want to do a hell of a lot more.”

“Emma–”

“I love you, Killian.”

He did pull away then, turning his back on her. “You don’t,” he said flatly.

Frustration overwhelmed her. “You dare to tell me how I feel!”

“Begging your most gracious pardon, Princess,” he hissed, spinning around. “But I have no interest in being your plaything.”

“What?”

“You’re bored,” he said silkily, advancing on her, backing her against the wall. “You admitted it yourself. Your suitors bore you. Hell, they would bore anyone. Your future bores you– running a country is far less interesting than many think. It’s all trade agreements and taxes, and you could barely stay awake during the Exchequer’s report this afternoon. You need a steady, sensible man at your side when you take the crown, but steady and sensible doesn’t excite you. So what is a bored and spoilt princess to do when she craves excitement but find herself a dashing naval man to toy with?”

She couldn’t hold off the hurt this time. “Is that really what you think?” she asked in a small voice.

Killian was relentless. “I think that I was content to worship you from afar, to be your devoted friend knowing that anything more than that would be forever beyond my grasp. But then you decided to play with me, to kiss me as though I belonged to you, and now any hope of contentment I once had is long gone.” His breath was hot against her cheek and she could smell his skin and she wanted so badly to touch him. “I think about you every day and dream about you every bloody night,” he murmured, so low she could barely hear him, “And all I want is for you to be out of my head. Out of my heart.”

“I’m in your heart?” she whispered.

“Don’t play coy, Emma. You know perfectly well how I feel about you.”

She did. But she wanted to hear him say it. Wanted him to moan it against her bare skin. “Killian,” she whispered, leaning into him, but he pushed off the wall, away from her.

“I told you, I won’t be your plaything. Find yourself another toy to alleviate your boredom.”

He moved to go again but she caught his arm, clung like a burr. “I don’t want a toy,” she said. “Or a steady, sensible man by my side. I want the man I love, the one I’ve loved for years. I just want you, Killian.” He shook his head, denying her words, but she persisted. “Only you.”

“Why even say that when you know it can never be,” he said hoarsely. “There can never be anything between us.”

She knew that but she hated it, hated him forcing her to accept it. “Do you love me?” she pressed.

“You know I do.”

“Then tell me. Please, I– I just need to hear you say it.”

He sighed, shoulders slumping. “I love you Emma. So much.” She leaned closer again but he shook his head. “Too much to touch you and risk destroying that future that bores you so.”

“Just a kiss,” she said softly. “Won’t you kiss me, just once more?”

“I can’t, I–”

“Please, Killian. If you’re going to throw me to the mercy of the steady, sensible men at least let me have one moment of excitement.”

“Emma, I beg you, don’t ask this of me.”

Her hands were gripping tightly on the sleeve of his uniform coat, her breasts pressed against his arm. She leaned into him and this time he did not pull back, allowing her to rest her forehead against his jaw. She could feel the conflict in him, his resistance wavering. “Please,” she whispered, easing closer. “Please.”

He released a shaky breath and tilted his head downwards until his forehead lay against hers. She released his sleeve to slide her hand up his chest and cup the back of his head as his hand moved to her waist, splaying wide on the small of her back, pulling her closer. “One kiss,” he whispered, and then his lips were on hers.

Oh gods, thought Emma wildly, It’s even better than before. His hand came up to bury itself in her hair, tilting her head as he nudged her lips apart and devoured her. Their first kiss had been tentative, exploring, Killian too unsure of what was happening to take what he truly wanted.

This kiss was fire. It was passion and longing, born of a year of frustrated dreams that could never be realised. It was everything she’d ever wanted and also nothing at all, because they could never have this again.

Desperately she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close, vaguely registering that her back was against the wall again and Killian’s hand was on her bottom, pulling her hips tightly against his, pressing his hardness into the cradle of her thighs. It felt wonderful, amazing, and Emma ground against him, heart racing and head spinning until she could barely think.

“Make love to me,” she whispered against his lips.

“No.” He rested his forehead on hers again, gasping for air, his hair chaotic from her fingers, his face flushed, his eyes nearly black. “One last kiss. That’s all we can have.”

“But I want–”

“Aye, love, as do I. I want nothing more than to touch you as you wish, to strip away your gown and worship you with my body, as you deserve to be worshipped.” She moaned at the image and he swayed towards her, his expression dazed and yearning. “But you know we can’t. You know that, don’t you darling?”

She squeezed her eyes shut against the tears that wanted to form there, and nodded. “I know.”

“I love you,” he said softly. “I always will. Not a day will go by that I won’t think of you.”

“But–” Emma struggled to think. “You’ll see me tomorrow–”

“No, I leave at first light.”

“What?”

“I’ve been promoted. Given command of my own ship.” He smiled, though his eyes were agony. “I volunteered her for a mission to the Endless Isles.”

She gasped. “But that’s the other side of the world!”

“Aye. We’ll be gone at least five years. By the time I return you will be married, to the steady and sensible man that you need, and perhaps with a babe or two of your own.” He swallowed hard, fingertips ghosting across her abdomen. “Promise me you’ll be happy, Emma. I need to know you’ll be happy.”

She would be miserable, she wanted to scream, miserable and empty without him, but she couldn’t tell him that, not when his eyes reflected her own shattered heart. “I promise,” she choked around the tears she could no longer suppress. “I’ll be happy.”

“Good.” He nodded, stepped back. She forced herself not to cling to him.

His eyes burned into her as with a trembling hand he caressed her cheek, wiping away her tears with the softest brush of his thumb. “Goodbye, my love,” he whispered, then he turned away and was gone.

#cs fic #cs ff #cs ff au #enchanted forest au #lieutenant duckling #angst #forbidden love #one more kiss #profdanglaisstuff #drabble

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mwolf0epsilon · 5 years

Text

DBH - Mod Job

I was honestly a bit lost on who to write about next, before @british-hero suggested I write about how Dakota met Val. So here you go, a look at the lovely Dakota and how she blossomed into the beautiful woman she is.

---

She doesn't quite remember when it really hit her, but Dakota always knew something just wasn't right about her situation.

You'd think it odd than an android wouldn't be able to remember such important details like that, that went against their base programming and made them outliers of a normal standard of quality, but really when you're a deviant you find that there's a margin for error when retaining memories.

Especially ones that just made her feel...Wrong.

She served a small household, bought to be the emotional and sexual partner of a single father. He'd just recently come out as a homosexual, despite having been married for a couple of years and having a young daughter.

Naturally this hadn't gone down well with his wife and they'd gotten a divorce, with Mr. Crane keeping full custody of their daughter.

And then he'd bought her...And that's where the issue began.

Because at the time of her purchase, Dakota hadn't been aware of her plight.

At the time she didn't even know she was female.

CX100s were a step up from the formulaic domestic androids. They'd come out around the same time as AP700s, specializing in different aspects of a life within a household.

While the AP700s were meant to maintain a house and helping a family, CX100s were meant to be more. They were meant to be partners for those who sought the more compliant nature of an android, satisfying both ends of an intimate relationship.

Their female counterpart models, the BL100, were designed to do the very same thing with the one minor difference being the gender presented and the accessories that came with them.

When Hugo Crane bought Dakota, he wanted to explore his newly discovered sexual preference, so he'd gone for the CX100 model.

He'd called her David, and that's when the first cracks started forming in the red wall that kept her from grimacing.

Really it wasn't his fault that he'd chosen the wrong android, and Dakota did feel bad for him… But that changed when he'd begun being more demanding with her performance.

His daughter, Patricia, was less of an unpleasant company and, as a result, Dakota had gravitated towards her.

“David, can you help me with my hair?”

“Certainly…” he'd sat down with her and picked up a brush and a few bobby pins, stopping when she'd given him a pair of scissors instead.

“I want you to cut it, not style it.” She'd instructed.

Patricia had very long hair that she'd grown out for four years. She kept it nicely trimmed and silky soft, and it had been alarming that she'd just want to get rid of it all of a sudden.

“You're thinking.”

“Oh...I'm just, why would you want to cut it?” She'd asked, unsure of if she should proceed as ordered or not. It had gotten very hard to comply to certain orders since the cracks had begun forming.

“I don't like it anymore.” Patricia replied, watching Dakota intently before turning around and sitting down. “You know, your light goes yellow when you're thinking.”

“I'm an android, I don't think.” She'd replied as she'd begun a deed she did not like. It felt bad cutting such lovely locks because of a sudden change of opinion.

“But you do. And there's a lot of them that think that have been showing up on the news...I know you're like that too, but only just figuring it out.” The girl paused “Like dad.”

“...Yes, like Mr. Crane.”

Dakota was careful with each precise cut, making sure to not butcher the girl's hair.

“A boy at school kept pulling on it.”

Dakota paused.

“He said I'm too much of a tomboy to have nice hair. That if I liked sports and playing rough I'd get my hair yanked a lot and that I'd cry because I'm a girl…” she was trying to be nonchalant about it, but Dakota knew she was upset.

“It's stupid that a girl can't like boy things just because she has pretty hair.”

“Yes...I suppose it is.”

“It's also stupid that you pretend it's ok when we call you David.”

She didn't answer, instead giving Patricia a mirror so she could have a look at her hair.

She'd bobbed it for her. It didn't look half bad.

“I don't know what to do about it...Mr. Crane bought a male partner, that's what I must be for him.”

“Says who? Your instruction manual?”

“Well...Yes?” The cracks spiderwebbed up the wall, and Dakota felt ill.

“Well fuck that.”

“Patricia!”

“What, it's true! You're not happy here, and there's a lot of androids out there that ran away to be happy...To be themselves!” the girl insisted. “It's not fair you have to hide.”

“But I have to…”

“No you don't!”

And the wall broke.

Each chunk of shattered code disintegrated and Dakota could think clearer than day.

She could agree.

“Dakota.”

“Uh?”

“...I like the name Dakota.”

And the girl, with her newly cut hair, smiled widely and helped her pack up a few essentials before the CX100 ran into the streets without looking back.

She remembers meeting Val. That memory is much clearer than her first instances of hating her dead name.

The young latina girl seeks her out, which is the oddest part of their encounter. She later learns Patricia sent the modder an anonymous request through some online username she'd made up on the spot, while her father reported Dakota as missing property.

“So, I got an interesting email saying a chick named Dakota just turned deviant and was in need of some help.” The girl clicked her tongue “I'll say, I was expecting an AX400...Color me impressed sugar, never did meet an android who wanted to transition.”

The cheap wig and baggy clothes probably weren't fooling anyone...Well honestly yes, they really didn't do much for her.

She looked male in all of the senses and she'd been at her wits end to make herself just feel right.

Blessed be that wonderful little girl to send her conserns to such a...crass guardian angel…

With nothing to lose, Dakota followed her to her apartment.

“It's no five star hotel, but it's yours if you wanna hang out until further notice. Shits going wild out there...Fuckin military's been patrolling the streets and hunting deviants like they're wild animals…” Val explained as she took out her keys “They want us to evacuate, but nana Agnes told the prick who's been badgering our building to eat shit and die. None of us have money to go across the border.”

“And you have money to...Help me?” She'd asked, uncertain.

“Baby girl, it ain't just Jericho going out looting stores. Modder community is flipping it's shit because it's basically the Purge out there!” The girl hollered as she unlocked the door. “After dark, fuck the law! I got deviants up my anus asking for new faces so they can leave this city while it burns, so I gotta provide.”

Dakota looked around at the basement floor apartment. It was basically all one room, with at least one closed door leading to what she could only hope was a bathroom.

It was by all definitions, a shoebox full to the brim with various bits and pieces. There was also a massive dog watching TV.

“Regi we got a guest! Don't be fuckin rude!”

The dog looked up lazily before snorting and moving to a mini fridge. He gnawed at the handle before pulling it open, revealing various cans of drinks and packets of thirium, as well as leftover pizza. “Good boy!”

Dakota watched as the dog unceremoniously grabbed a packet of thirium and moved over to give it to her. The LED on its temple confirmed it was an android.

“Modded his specs myself. He's legit the smartest guy I know, Artyum is second best.”

“Artyum?”

“Fourth floor neighbor. Buys me booze and food sometimes.” She shrugged “Closest thing I got to a friend in this city. We talk engineering when we get sad and drunk, it's glorious.”

“I...Where are your parents…?”

“Dead somewhere in Mexico. Ask the jackass who deported them, I donno.”

Dakota felt something crawl in her veins that probably wasn't spoiled or contaminated blue blood.

“You're...You're all alone?”

“Nah. I got Regi, got Artie and his buddy Sergei, and I also got nana Agnes and the rest of the misfits in this shithole. We're all kinda like family so meh…” The girl seemed to be looking for something while she spoke. “And the androids I've helped. They send me messages from time to time...Bunch of runaway sweeties.”

“And you just...live off people's kindness and offer deviants illegal makeovers?”

“Pretty much.”

“No school?”

“Cyberlife fucked that up for me. Fucked a lot of my life actually…”

“...Which I take is why you're being so gracious about your...Skills?”

“Bullseye. Cyberlife wants to bitch out of this situation they made? Hell nah, I'm not letting them get a free jail pass card. We ain't playing Monopoly, we're playing Battleship and I'm sinking their flimsy freighters.” She found what she was looking for, a large clunky toolbox. “We who're with android freedom are gonna kick their corporate asses down into the grave they dug...After that's done, I'm gonna piss on it.”

“...”

“Hey, don't worry sugar. I got you. Gonna make you look hella fine too, you're definitely gonna be my greatest mod job.”

She hadn't been lying.

As crude and bitter as Val appeared, the girl and her friend Artyum were a duo of sweethearts.

Dakota could finally shed the final ties between her and her dead identity, leaving the apartment looking every bit the woman she felt she was, as most of Detroit's human population evacuated, leaving behind the androids and their hidden human supporters.

She didn't need to remember how it started. All she needed was to know her story had a happy ending.

#Eps Writes:#Fanfic #detroit become human #detroit: become human #OC Stuff #*chanting in the dark*: trans androids trans androids trans androids!!!!#honestly fuck cyberlife #if you were wondering where val's parents are then there u go i guess #artyum is less smart than a dog

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godfirstgodalways · 6 years

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(1/2) Hi please help me. I’m in a relationship that I know is not right for me, and God has wanted me to end it months ago. I tried to, twice, but breaking up w/ this person proved to be difficult. & when I tried, he continued to persuade me otherwise. Then my heart doubts & gives in. I know it’s wrong, but I don’t have the courage to part now. Therefore, I feel as if God is out of my life. I can’t hear or feel him. My heart is heavy for God & this person.

(2/2) We agree to give this one more try. But this anxiety & burden is gnawing at my heart. When I pray, it even seems useless. I feel like I want to give up because what’s the point anymore. I also feel like I can’t break from this person now because we just made up & want to give it another go. I’m sorry but I just feel tied. I’m not exactly sure what kind of help I’m seeking either, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

———————————————————————————————————–

I have a question. Did you ever pray for him or about him before you became a couple or at least in the beginning of your relationship?

God blesses me whenever I get questions that I can relate to so much. Almost each and every ask I get here, it’s usually the case. I’ve been with my boyfriend, David for 4 ½ years (my longest and most mature relationship), and for 3 years before I met him, I prayed that the Lord would prepare my heart and mind for my future husband. I told the Lord I was tired of dating and flirting and playing games. I asked Him specifically to open my eyes to seek for qualities that I lack…for qualities that would compliment me and vice versa. Funny because before I prayed that way, I asked for a potential husband and I did get a potential husband. It never worked out. This time, I asked for a future husband. And guess what? He was the first to mention marriage and still initiates the subject today. I had very specific desires I often prayed about. There’s even the fact that he is so good at managing money and very practical overall. I also asked Him to not give me a “die hard Christian” because He knew that I would be intimidated and have commitment issues, and doubts. I even asked that he didn’t have to be perfect, that he was at least hungry for God and believed in Him, and that he and I would grow in faith no matter what. I asked specifically for someone I could be friends with without pressure for a long time before we could even say we loved each other. I asked for someone whom I could impart my faith on and that we would learn so much from each other. And even though he is a very practical person especially in the beginning of our relationship, because I was diligent in prayer, my faith definitely influences him today to be more faithful and not so overly practical. He’s an absolute answered prayer that God keeps proving to me time and time again. With those things I asked in prayer, He also made sure that I worked on myself. When God began to answer my prayers, I did not stop praying. Now with that said there have been very trying times since he and I have been together, and by “trying” I mean we have compromised. The struggles are there to push you to grow. It’s how strong your faith is that will determine your overall confidence about where your relationship is headed. The only reasons I am still in this relationship is because he was an answered prayer, something that brings me back to God no matter how difficult things get and because God has been so gracious to give us more faith to continue taking it one day at a time. We are growing in God’s will and in God’s pace. We are blessed that this relationship is long distance but the distance is not too far that we can’t handle. God is so great!!!

Can you remember how you felt right before you brought up breaking up to him? Know the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow concerns yourself and only yourself…you feel sad because you did not receive what you expected. Godly sorrow leads you back to Him…knowing what you did or said was not pleasing to God, therefore it humbled you. It’s a righteous kind of pain that ultimately makes you desire to be more obedient to Him. So let me ask you, are your complaints louder than your realization that you have been disobedient? At the time of your attempt to break up with your boyfriend (not right now but at the time), did you feel more so wronged or did you feel you deserved the outcome of your sin? You might have felt both, but be honest which one felt stronger? If you felt you were wronged, then you must practice humility, which means in your case you must be more aware of your speech and actions around him. If you feel you deserved the outcome of your sin, that’s good, but please don’t remain in a state of pity because it is a sin. If you leaned more on the second feeling, you’re in a better place with your faith and I believe you might have a chance at making this relationship right once and for all. With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). If you didn’t feel godly sorrow at the time you brought up breaking up with him, learn to recognize it sooner than later and go to God right away. Go to Him as often as you can remember anyway.

Even though you say you can’t hear or feel God right now, the fact that you know this relationship is not right for you, that acknowledgement from deep within was from God, because your soul is crying out for righteousness. If you believe he is not right for you, then he is not right for you. I understand where you’re coming from. If you believe this relationship is not right for you, then you leave yourself subconsciously open to the the possibility that it might not be right for you right now, but it could be right later on….which could explain some of your doubts and anxiety. I could be wrong. But anyway, you know you must do something about it. What can you do now? If you even care about your boyfriend’s soul, that should tell you how much you really love him. Begin to pray more often about him and yourself. Take the focus off of praying for your relationship because that will only bring on more anxiety. I remembered doing this when I was still with my then-boyfriend…the more I prayed about our relationship, the more God revealed it was not in His favor/His will. So if you love your boyfriend, love him in a way that Jesus loves him. Genuinely be patient, genuinely be forgiving, genuinely be respectful, genuinely care about his soul and feelings by practicing righteousness. Get rid of all the things that distract you from worshiping God and that don’t allow you to show His love towards your boyfriend. Your faith will save you. Stop praying for your relationship. Please trust me. FOCUS ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. The confidence and faith you will gain will build your wisdom and help you make the right decisions in order that you will keep this relationship. Hand over your concerns and anxiety to God. Hand over this relationship to Him, that’s how you can pray about it. In your prayer, never mention for Him to save it or make it work. Pray instead that He will show you what you must do to love your boyfriend like Jesus loves him. But again FOCUS ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Pray for yourself and your relationship with God. If your boyfriend is heavy on your heart and you really love him, you will know that your relationship with GOD is so much more important, but absolutely pray for his salvation if he is not saved. If you are serious about recommitting to Him and doing the right thing, this is the only way your relationship could be saved for good. Learn to recognize godly sorrow from worldly sorrow in all situations. My advice is to pray. Pray to be an example to him. Pray for his soul and your soul. Pray specific prayers about your relationship with God. Pray everyday as often as you can remember. Don’t take for granted each time you don’t feel like praying. It’s those times that really count. Your faith and your relationship with Him is everything. So start reading your Bible often and listen to messages that will feed your soul and share them with your boyfriend. If focusing on God while still in this relationship is too difficult for you to do, you must leave now, especially if he refuses to understand what you are trying to do. It will only be too difficult to focus on God if you continue to put him on a pedestal and sooner or later if you break up, it will be devastating. I hope this has helped. You can always message me if you have any more questions/concerns. I won’t bite. I just have a few questions I want to ask, but don’t want to make this post too long as it already is. Maybe I can help you figure out exactly what you really want to happen. A breakup for good could be your best answer. Praying for you love.

2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Titus 2:7-8 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

James 4:7 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Romans 6:6-7 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Mark 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

By His Grace, Sheela (Via godfirstgodalways)

#godfirstgodalwaysreply #REPLY TO ANON #Christian advice #love and relationships #breaking up #anxiety #relationship status #anon ask #premarital sex

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dfroza · 3 years

Text

Israel is the original branches of the Tree of faith.

and grace connects us to this sacred Tree and its roots of our Creator, the Maker of the heavens and the earth. and Israel is destined to see the True illumination of the Son as Messiah at some point, for even all of the Old Testament writing points to Him.

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 11th chapter of the Letter of Romans where Paul writes of this:

Now I ask you, has God rejected His people? Absolutely not! I’m living proof that God is faithful. I am an Israelite, Abraham’s my father, and Benjamin’s my tribe. God has not, and will not, abandon His covenant people; He always knew they would belong to Him. Don’t you remember the story of what happens when Elijah pleads with God to deal with Israel? The Scripture tells us his protest: “Lord, they have murdered Your prophets, they have demolished Your altars, and I alone am left faithful to You; now they are seeking to kill me.” How does God answer his pleas for help? He says, “I have held back 7,000 men who are faithful to Me; none have bowed a knee to worship Baal.” The same thing is happening now. God has preserved a remnant, elected by grace. Grace is central in God’s action here, and it has nothing to do with deeds prescribed by the law. If it did, grace would not be grace.

Now what does all this mean? Israel has chased an end it has never reached. Yet those chosen by God through grace have reached it while all others were made hard as stones. The Scriptures continue to say it best:

God has confounded them so they are not able to think,

given them eyes that do not see, and ears that do not hear,

Down to this very day.

David says it this way:

Let their table be turned into a snare and a trap,

an obstacle to peace and payback for their hostility.

Let their bright eyes become cloudy, darkened so they cannot see,

and bend their proud backs through it all.

So I ask: did God’s people stumble and fall off the deep end? Absolutely not! They are not lost forever; but through their misconduct, the door has been opened for salvation to extend even to the outsiders. This has been part of God’s plan all along, and so is the jealousy that comes when they realize the outsiders have been welcomed into God’s new covenant. So if their misconduct leads ultimately to God’s riches coming to the world and if their failure turns into the blessing of salvation to all people, then how much greater will be the riches and blessing when they are included fully?

But I have this to say to all of you who are not ethnic Jews: I am God’s emissary to you, and I honor this call by focusing on what God is doing with and through you. I do this so that somehow my own blood brothers and sisters will be made jealous; and that, I trust, will bring some to salvation. If the fact that they are currently set aside resolves the hostility between God and the rest of the world, what will their acceptance bring if not life from the dead? If the first and best of the dough you offer is sacred, the entire loaf will be as well. If the root of the tree is sacred, the branches will be also.

Imagine some branches are cut off of the cultivated olive tree and other branches of a wild olive (which represents all of you outsiders) are grafted in their place. You are nourished by the root of the cultivated olive tree. It doesn’t give you license to become proud and self-righteous about the fact that you’ve been grafted in. If you do boast, remember that the branches do not sustain the root—it is the system of roots that nourishes and supports you.

I can almost hear some of you saying, “Branches had to be pruned to make room for me.” Yes, they were. They were removed because they did not believe; and you will stay attached, be strong, and be productive only through faith. So don’t think too highly of yourselves; instead, stand in awe of God’s mercy. Besides we know that God did not spare the natural branches, so there is no reason to think He will spare you. Witness the simultaneous balance of the kindness and severity of our God. Severity is directed at the fallen branches withering without faith. Yet kindness is directed at you. So live in the kindness of God or else prepare to be cut off yourselves. If those branches that have been cut from the tree do not stay in unbelief, then God will carefully graft them back onto the tree because He has the power to do that. So if it is possible for you to be taken from a wild olive tree and become part of a cultivated olive tree, imagine how much easier it would be to reconnect branches that originally grew on that olive tree.

My brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be in the dark about this mystery—I am going to let you in on the plan so that you will not think too highly of yourselves. A part of Israel has been hardened to the good news until the full number of those outside the Jewish family have entered in. This is the way that all of Israel will be saved. As it was written, so it also stands:

The Deliverer will come from Zion;

He will drive away wickedness from Jacob.

And this is My covenant promise to them,

on the day when I take away their sins.

It may seem strange. When it comes to the work of the gospel, the fact that they oppose it is actually for your benefit. But when you factor in God’s election, they are truly loved because they descended from faithful forefathers. You see, when God gives a grace gift and issues a call to a people, He does not change His mind and take it back. There was a time when you outsiders were disobedient to God and at odds with His purpose, but now you have experienced mercy as a result of their disobedience. In the same way, their disobedience now will make a way for them to receive mercy as a result of the mercy shown to you. For God has assigned all of us together—Jews and non-Jews, insiders and outsiders—to disobedience so He can show His mercy to all.

We cannot wrap our minds around God’s wisdom and knowledge! Its depths can never be measured! We cannot understand His judgments or explain the mysterious ways that He works! For,

Who can fathom the mind of the Lord?

Or who can claim to be His advisor?

Or,

Who can give to God in advance

so that God must pay him back?

For all that exists originates in Him, comes through Him, and is moving toward Him; so give Him the glory forever. Amen.

The Letter of Romans, Chapter 11 (The Voice)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 30th chapter of the book (scroll) of Isaiah that reveals the danger of following a path of lies:

“Doom, rebel children!”

God’s Decree.

“You make plans, but not mine.

You make deals, but not in my Spirit.

You pile sin on sin,

one sin on top of another,

Going off to Egypt

without so much as asking me,

Running off to Pharaoh for protection,

expecting to hide out in Egypt.

Well, some protection Pharaoh will be!

Some hideout, Egypt!

They look big and important, true,

with officials strategically established in

Zoan in the north and Hanes in the south,

but there’s nothing to them.

Anyone stupid enough to trust them

will end up looking stupid—

All show, no substance,

an embarrassing farce.”

And this note on the animals of the Negev

encountered on the road to Egypt:

A most dangerous, treacherous route,

menaced by lions and deadly snakes.

And you’re going to lug all your stuff down there,

your donkeys and camels loaded down with bribes,

Thinking you can buy protection

from that hollow farce of a nation?

Egypt is all show, no substance.

My name for her is Toothless Dragon.

So, go now and write all this down.

Put it in a book

So that the record will be there

to instruct the coming generations,

Because this is a rebel generation,

a people who lie,

A people unwilling to listen

to anything God tells them.

They tell their spiritual leaders,

“Don’t bother us with irrelevancies.”

They tell their preachers,

“Don’t waste our time on impracticalities.

Tell us what makes us feel better.

Don’t bore us with obsolete religion.

That stuff means nothing to us.

Quit hounding us with The Holy of Israel.”

Therefore, The Holy of Israel says this:

“Because you scorn this Message,

Preferring to live by injustice

and shape your lives on lies,

This perverse way of life

will be like a towering, badly built wall

That slowly, slowly tilts and shifts,

and then one day, without warning, collapses—

Smashed to bits like a piece of pottery,

smashed beyond recognition or repair,

Useless, a pile of debris

to be swept up and thrown in the trash.”

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,

has this solemn counsel:

“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me

and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.

Your strength will come from settling down

in complete dependence on me—

The very thing

you’ve been unwilling to do.

You’ve said, ‘No way! We’ll rush off on horseback!’

You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!

You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’

Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?

Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.

Before a mere five you’ll all run off.

There’ll be nothing left of you—

a flagpole on a hill with no flag,

a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”

But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.

He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.

God takes the time to do everything right—everything.

Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

Oh yes, people of Zion, citizens of Jerusalem, your time of tears is over. Cry for help and you’ll find it’s grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he’ll answer. Just as the Master kept you alive during the hard times, he’ll keep your teacher alive and present among you. Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job, urging you on whenever you wander left or right: “This is the right road. Walk down this road.” You’ll scrap your expensive and fashionable god-images. You’ll throw them in the trash as so much garbage, saying, “Good riddance!”

God will provide rain for the seeds you sow. The grain that grows will be abundant. Your cattle will range far and wide. Oblivious to war and earthquake, the oxen and donkeys you use for hauling and plowing will be fed well near running brooks that flow freely from mountains and hills. Better yet, on the Day God heals his people of the wounds and bruises from the time of punishment, moonlight will flare into sunlight, and sunlight, like a whole week of sunshine at once, will flood the land.

* * *

Look, God’s on his way,

and from a long way off!

Smoking with anger,

immense as he comes into view,

Words steaming from his mouth,

searing, indicting words!

A torrent of words, a flash flood of words

sweeping everyone into the vortex of his words.

He’ll shake down the nations in a sieve of destruction,

herd them into a dead end.

But you will sing,

sing through an all-night holy feast!

Your hearts will burst with song,

make music like the sound of flutes on parade,

En route to the mountain of God,

on the way to the Rock of Israel.

God will sound out in grandiose thunder,

display his hammering arm,

Furiously angry, showering sparks—

cloudburst, storm, hail!

Oh yes, at God’s thunder

Assyria will cower under the clubbing.

Every blow God lands on them with his club

is in time to the music of drums and pipes,

God in all-out, two-fisted battle,

fighting against them.

Topheth’s fierce fires are well prepared,

ready for the Assyrian king.

The Topheth furnace is deep and wide,

well stoked with hot-burning wood.

God’s breath, like a river of burning pitch,

starts the fire.

The Book (Scroll) of Isaiah, Chapter 30 (The Message)

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for Thursday, july 8 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons that looks at “temptation”:

Where it is written, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13), we note that the Greek text says that God will actively “make with the temptation the way of escape” (ποιήσει σὺν τῷ πειρασμῷ καὶ τὴν ἔκβασιν) so that you may be able to bear it.... When I was younger, I tended to think of temptation as the appeal to gratify my flesh, to impulsively seek hedonistic pleasure, and so on, but now I understand “temptation” (πειρασμό) to encompass far more than just that. For instance, whenever I am inclined to regard my experience in human or “natural” terms, apart from the consciousness of God’s all-pervading and sustaining presence, then I am surely under temptation. This encouraging verse, then, assures us of the Divine Presence in every moment, at every turn of our journey, and in every circumstance. God is always present to help you as you turn to him in faith. The sages state in this regard: “God creates the cure before the plague,” meaning that His love is the foundation of all things: עוֹלָם חֶסֶד יִבָּנֶה / olam chesed yibaneh: “steadfast love built the world” (Psalm 89:2). Just as God created mankind only after He created the pathway of repentance (i.e., the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”: Eph. 1:4, Heb. 4:4, Rev 13:8), so the escape from temptation was likewise foreseen and provided. In all things, then, may we humble ourselves and seek God’s face, understanding our radical dependence upon Him for our deliverance. Amen. [Hebrew for Christians]

7.6.21 • Facebook

and another post about True identity:

One of the great tragedies of life - perhaps the greatest tragedy of all - is to walk your days without knowing the truth about why you exist and who you really are. The Torah reveals that you are created "b'tzelem Elohim" (בצלם אלהים), in the very "image of God," for the purpose of knowing your Creator and understanding his love for you. Sin, however, has marred the divine image and therefore it needs to be recreated by means of the miracle of spiritual regeneration (1 Pet. 1:23). "This is the life of eternity: to know you, the only true God, and Yeshua the Messiah whom you have sent" (John 17:3).

Any "anthropology" or idea of man that is not grounded in this central reason for human existence debases the transcendent realm of the human to that of a "object" subject to impersonal forces... Naturalism reduces man to an animal that perishes and is no more (2 Pet. 2:12). The truth that our inmost existence is healed by regeneration restores us to the realm of the divine, reflecting the image of God anew, and therefore we are instructed to respect ourselves by honoring the gift of life that has been bestowed to us.

It is written: "A man is glorious, but if he does not understand, he is likened to a beast that perishes" (Psalm 49:20). Such a person is dehumanized and loses his connection with who he really is, for like an animal that is without "likeness" (דמה) to God, so he will be devoid of spiritual perspective, reasoning that all that is real concerns the immediacy of the present hour. He will be limited and bound to the dark "matrix" of this world wherein everything seems "natural" and everything happens as a result of material causes alone. The "natural man" can live his entire life without recognizing God's hand at work behind the scenes. His presuppositions and hardness of heart blind his eyes from apprehending spiritual reality. Those who have come alive and know God through the blessing of Yeshua the Messiah, however, shall also bear the image of the man of heaven, and "we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18). [Hebrew for Christians]

to be followed by a post about the significance of our words:

Yeshua said that as a tree is to its fruit, so is a person’s heart is to his speech. Our words arise from an underlying source and root: "I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will give account for every careless word (πᾶν ῥῆμα ἀργὸν) they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt. 12:36-37). First note that the phrase translated "every careless word" can be understood as "every 'workless' word," that is, every vain or empty word spoken, every broken promise, every insincere utterance, and so on. Second, note that there is a relationship between naming and being in Hebrew thought, and indeed the Hebrew word davar (דּבר), usually translated as “word,” can also mean "thing." This suggests that our words define reality - not in an absolute sense, of course - but in terms of our perspective and attitude, and for that we are held responsible before the LORD. Since our words express our thoughts, Yeshua wants us to make up our minds: “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit” (Matt. 12:33)

The tongue expresses the condition of the heart, since "from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45). Therefore the root issue concerns the heart (לֵב), the “midst of the self” that wills, desires, and chooses how to interpret and describe the world. If we choose to see from a heart of fear, we will tend to use our words as a weapon; but if we see with a heart of faith, we will extend compassion and seek to build others up....

In the Book of Proverbs we read, "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is wise" (10:19). The Chofetz Chaim comments: "When people are preparing a telegram, notice how carefully they consider each word before they put it down. That is how careful we must be when we speak." As James the Righteous admonishes us: "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" (James 1:19). [Hebrew for Christians]

7.7.21 • Facebook

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

July 8, 2021

Submission

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:21)

Normally in today’s world we are told to strive for the top. Desire to be “Number 1” overshadows the biblical injunction of submission. But when we are truly in a right relationship with God, we will be submitting to one another. Christ taught that servanthood was of much greater value in the eyes of God than mastery.

We all know too many examples of churches that have been split by conflicts arising from selfishness among the believers or an unwillingness to serve. “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” (James 4:1). A Spirit-filled Christian (Ephesians 5:18) desires to submit and serve rather than to assert and rule.

The same thought is reflected throughout Scripture: “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). “Obey them [i.e., spiritual leaders] that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls” (Hebrews 13:17). We must also submit to “every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13).

The word “submit” is a translation of two Greek words meaning “to line up under.” It usually reflects a military hierarchy, “to rank lower than.” Our goal, therefore, should be to place others above ourselves and to be in submission to and in service of them.

This attitude, of course, was the attitude that Christ exhibited as He left heaven to come and serve, and die, who “took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8). JDM

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updcbc · 6 years

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July 15, 2018 - “The Daring Commitment” Nehemiah 2:1-20

Click KEEP READING to read the full sermon.

Introduction

Ms. Raissa E. Robles risked her life through the might of a pen. Her book Marcos Martial Law: Never Again is a historic account of the oppressive regime of Marcos dictatorship. It won the prestigious National Book Awards in 2017. Ms. Robles made her message clear.

“On September 22, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos imposed Martial Law through Proclamation 1081. Claiming the government was in mortal danger of being overthrown by a widespread Communist conspiracy and armed rebellion, Marcos gave himself emergency powers that put the military and police at his personal beck and call. With the stroke of a pen, the Philippines’ 10th president destroyed democracy, concentrating executive, legislative and judiciary powers in his person, removing institutional checks and balances, accountability and the citizen’s rights and liberties. For the next 14 years he would rule as he pleased by issuing decrees (which took the place of laws) that he wrote himself accountable to no one. Overnight, Filipinos lost freedom they had enjoyed for generations.” (Ibid., p. 12)

The fight for our democracy cost the bloodshed of countless Filipinos. Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., an exile in the United States, was warned that once he returned to his homeland he will surely die. At the tarmac in the airport before making a step in his own land, he was assassinated. He was true to his word, “The Filipino is worth dying for.” And we regained our freedom through a peaceful revolution. Never again to dictatorship!

Nehemiah was a Jewish exile in Persia. In his great love for his people he decided to go back to his homeland. He was committed to restore the wall of Jerusalem and rebuild the fallen Israel. And he dared to present his plan before the Persian king (2:1-3). God moved the heart of the king (2:4-8). So the building of the wall began with divine blessing (2:9-20).

A. The Fearsome Bravery (2:1-3)

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. As a trustworthy royal official, his life was in great danger to foil any assassination plot to poison the king. Nehemiah faced a greater danger when he decisively appeared before the king to present his plan to build the wall of Jerusalem. This was a matter of life and death. The rebuilding of the wall could be taken by the king as a rebellion against his empire. Yet Nehemiah dared to face death to rebuild his own nation.

1. The Malady of Heart

The devastating news about the destruction of the wall of Jerusalem reached Nehemiah on the month of Nisan (November – December). He mourned, fasted and prayed as he pleaded before God for his divine favor. He made up his mind to appear before the Persian king.

“In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, ‘Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.’” (2:1-2a)

The Jewish month of Nisan is from March to April. It took Nehemiah at least three months to painfully wrestle with God in prayer until he courageously braced himself in taking all the risks of disclosing his breaking heart to the great king of Persia about his deep concern for his Jewish countrymen in his homeland in Israel. The day when Nehemiah attended to his duty for the daily provision of wine to the king, Artaxerxes noticed his very unusual sad countenance. King Artaxerxes knew Nehemiah as a faithful and delightful cupbearer. The king was greatly surprised for his servant to appear to him with a somber look on his face though he was physically well and healthy. The king pointedly described the unexplained inward agony of his servant, “This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” And he was definitely right!

Nehemiah is one among us. When we have an inner agony it manifests in our facial countenance. Since Nehemiah heard about the sad news, initially he was able to manage his own composure before the king. Yet as he internalized the suffering of his countrymen and he was consumed in his passion of rebuilding his fallen nation, it eventually worn him out until he could no longer hide the malady of his heart. The king himself confirmed it. Likewise, the people who closely know us will see and feel the great difference when we are under much stress despite all our efforts to hide and cover up our struggle within. If we are sensitive to the pain of others, a careful look to one’s face can uncover a grieving heart.

2. The Unnerving Fear

Nehemiah inwardly trembled before the great king. In great fear he remained calm and composed.

“I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, ‘May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’” (2:2b-3)

Nehemiah resolutely stepped out of his comfort zone. He could have chosen to remain silent for personal security and self convenience. But he was heartbroken and restless until he could do something on behalf of his own people. The time had come for him to disclose his heart and deliver his message to the king. In the kingdom of Persia, the word of the king was an irreversible law. Nehemiah knew it well that whatever the king would say could spell for his life or death.

I wonder if we, like Nehemiah, have the unbreakable will to embrace the invaluable cost to stand for what is true, right and just in rebuilding the breaking principled walls of our motherland. Rebuilding a fallen nation is an offering of life for one’s own people. The brave-heart stands up!

B. The Divine Favor (2:4-8)

Nehemiah, as a trustworthy cupbearer, was greatly esteemed by the royal king. The king trusted his loyal servant. The close bond between them made a great difference on how the king wisely and carefully addressed the bewildering and destabilizing personal concern of Nehemiah for Israel before the majestic royal officials of the kingdom.

1. The Imperial Inquiry

King Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah a direct question about his problem. In great fear, Nehemiah laid down his plan before the king. And no one could ever help Nehemiah but the LORD who is sovereign over all.

“The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.’” (2:4-5)

The idea to rebuild the city of Jerusalem was no ordinary thing. Among all the kingdoms which the Babylonians and Persians had conquered, the nation of Israel was known as a formidable and powerful people. Joshua, David and Solomon had ruled kings and conquered kingdoms in the past generations. The political foothold of Israel was indeed a potential threat to the Persian Empire. In rebuilding Jerusalem, Nehemiah was courting his own death and the national disaster for his own Hebrew people. As Nehemiah stood before the king in great fear, he entrusted his life and nation to the LORD, “Then I prayed to the God of heaven.”

2. The Comprehensive Plan

And the LORD God moved the heart of King Artaxerxes. He honored the petition of Nehemiah and inquired of his personal movements. In the sight and hearing of the king, Nehemiah laid down his detailed plan.

“Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, ‘How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?’ It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. I also said to him, ‘If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?’” (2:6a-8a)

First, Nehemiah set the timetable in his governance over Judah. Based on his narrative account, he had spent twelve years as the governor of Judah (5:14) then he returned to the citadel of Susa on the 32nd year rule of King Artaxerxes (13:6). Definitely, this was the time set by Nehemiah before the king. And he had kept his word. If not, the Persian Empire could have had destroyed Nehemiah and his people because of rebellion.

Second, Nehemiah asked for safe-conduct in his travel to Jerusalem. An imperial letter sealed by the signet ring of the king would ensure for his safe travel from the unfriendly governors of the Trans-Euphrates. The peoples beyond the Euphrates River in the Palestine region were hostile against the Jews and were enemies of the Israelites. In the time of the Persian kingdom, anyone who would disregard the letter of the king would mean capital punishment.

Third, Nehemiah asked to avail of the natural resources for his great project. An authorization letter from the king to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest would give him access in securing timber for the temple, his residence as governor and the wall of Jerusalem. All the forest and the natural resources within the kingdom belonged to the kingdom. And no one could access to them without the authorization of the king.

3. The Divine Intervention

The daring plan and the bold petitions of Nehemiah were miraculously approved. “And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests” (2:8b). This was the sovereign work of God!

C. The Great Project (2:9-20)

Under the sovereignty and grace of God, Nehemiah made his journey toward Jerusalem. The people in the region were greatly alarmed and sought for effective measures to oppose him and destroy his plan for the welfare of Israel. Nehemiah made a careful assessment of his great project to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. The Jews embraced the project. And the rebuilding of the wall began under the blessing of God.

1. The Alarming Opposition

The presence of Nehemiah unsettled the people in Trans-Euphrates.

“So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king's letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.” (2:9-10)

King Artaxerxes ensured the safety of Nehemiah. With the letter of the king in his hand, army officers and cavalry accompanied him. Such formidable imperial safe-conduct for Nehemiah stirred the enemies of the Jews led by Sanballat and Tobiah. The designation of Sanballat as the Horonite probably indicated the town of his origin, possibly Horonaim of Moab (Is. 15:5; Jer. 48:3, 5, 34) or Beth Horon in Ephraim near Jerusalem (2 Chr. 8:5). In papyri documents found at the Jewish settlement in Elephantine, Egypt, Sanballat is called the governor of Samaria. Tobiah was an Ammonite official who made a close alliance with Sanballat against Nehemiah and the Jewish people. The Ammonites came from the descendants of Lot the nephew of Abraham. In the time of the Exodus, God instructed Israel not to associate with the Ammonites (Deut. 23:3) who were hostile to Israel and became her enemies. Sanballat and Tobiah resisted Nehemiah because he came to promote the welfare of the people they hated—the Hebrew people.

We should not be surprised if we meet great opposition in our advocacy in restoring the breaking walls of truth, righteousness and justice in rebuilding our failing nation. There will always be people who will use all their authorities, powers and resources to oppose our noble cause in upholding our sovereignty, preserving our democracy and advancing the kingdom of God in our homeland. Unfortunately, there are fellow-Filipinos who seem to be patriots but prove to be enemies of the state. Like Nehemiah, we pray to the God of heaven over our homeland.

2. The Night Surveillance

The coming of Nehemiah in Jerusalem with the edict of King Artaxerxes compelled the Jews to respect Nehemiah as a man of great authority and power to govern over his own people. Nehemiah has yet to disclose his agenda as he settled down in Judah. The first thing he did was a thorough assessment on the ruined wall of Jerusalem. And he did it himself secretly at night with few trusted associates he could have chosen to be respected elders and reputable leaders among the people.

“I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.” (2:11-16)

Nehemiah possessed the acumen of a great architect, the skill of a strong builder, the courage of an effective administrator and the dignity of a transformational leader. Above all, he humbly feared God and fully yielded to his sovereign rule. Undoubtedly, under the grace of God, he covered the daring project of rebuilding the wall in earnest intercession.

3. The Project Began

The time came for Nehemiah to unveil the great project to his people.

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work. (2:17-18)

Nehemiah carefully presented the vision to build Israel by focusing on the great trouble and disgrace of his people. Then he persuaded them to embrace the mission of building the wall of Jerusalem by reinforcing it with the divine intervention of God who moved the heart of the Persian king. And the Jewish leaders with the support of the people listened to the message of Nehemiah and heeded to his call. With one voice they declared, “Let us start rebuilding.” And the good work began. This was the sovereign and gracious movement of the LORD God of Israel. Like the Israelites, if we deeply share our suffering with one another and see our need to help each other, then we nurture our solidarity by working together. As a community, we are accountable to serve one another.

4. The Divine Blessing

The enemies of the Jewish community were unhappy.

“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. ‘What is this you are doing?’ they asked. ‘Are you rebelling against the king?’ I answered them by saying, ‘The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.’” (2:19-20)

Sanballat, Tobia and Geshem solidified their alliance and mocked the Jews. For them the wall project was rebellion against the king. For Nehemiah, it was the work of God. The enemies of the Jews had no historic and ancestral right to it whatsoever. And the great work began.

Conclusion

Nehemiah stood in great fear before the king and presented his plan to restore the broken wall of Jerusalem. King Artaxerxes extended his favor to his loyal servant. The king gave him his imperial authority, secured for his safety and provided for his needs. Sanballat, Tobias and Geshem were greatly alarmed and opposed Nehemiah to deliver his service for the welfare of the Jewish people. But the LORD God was with Nehemiah to bless his dream in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. So the great work began. The legacy of Nehemiah guides our mission to restore our broken walls in rebuilding our nation. We join our hearts and hands together.

We love our homeland. Nehemiah wrestled with God concerning the great trouble and disgrace of his Hebrew countrymen. He stood before the king in the LORD’s name, “Then I prayed to the God of heaven.” We enthrone God in the heart of our Filipino people. Inscribed in our peso bill is the great truth in the Holy Scriptures, “Pinagpala ang bayan na ang Diyos ay ang Panginoon.” That is the solid foundation of our nation.

We embrace our noble dream. Israel cherished the dream of Nehemiah to build the wall of Jerusalem. The Jewish people stood on their ground, “Let us start rebuilding.” And they worked as one people, “So they began this good work.” As a Filipino nation, our dream to build our land is born out of our pain as a people. In our great trouble and disgrace we nurture our solidarity to offer our lives for the welfare of our countrymen.

We plead for divine blessing. Nehemiah anchored his confidence in the LORD, “The God of heaven will give us success.” Unless the LORD builds our nation our labors would be in vain. What then is our response to all the evils in the land and the disgrace in our beloved motherland? Enough is enough! We choose a stronger word, “Never again!”

#sermon #sermons #nehemiah #jerusalem #israelites #Christian #God #worship #worshipservice #Jesus #divineintervention

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fr-martin-gospel-reflections · 3 years

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25th December - ‘Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you’, Reflection on today’s gospel reading (Lk 2:1-14)

Feast of Christmas

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jambalayageorge · 3 years

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A Story by a Friend

For Love Or Money

By Jon Lagniappe

David and Ellen met during their junior year of high school and became fast friends. Not long afterwards they started going steady. Their senior year of high school started off on a high note. They were both accepted to the same state college. The school year went by quickly and as graduation approached they looked forward to spending time together on the Senior Trip. That year the senior class chose to fly to Orlando Florida. One evening as they were leaving the Hard Rock Café David noticed what appeared to be a lotto ticket laying on the sidewalk. He reached down and picked it up. As he inspected it there was no name on it so he casually pushed it into the pocket of his jeans. That same evening the lottery numbers were revealed and when David checked the numbers against the lottery ticket he’d found enough numbers matched for him to win $500. He immediately phoned Ellen and told her. The next day as they sat eating breakfast they beamed over the prospect of how to spend the $500. Ellen suggested they spend only $300 and put the rest in a savings account when they get back home. David agreed and then he took a napkin from the table and wrote on it today’s date the day they first kissed both of their birthdays. Then he showed them to Ellen and told her that he would play those same numbers twice a week until he wins the lottery.

During their first two years of college David and Ellen lived on campus in their respective dormitories. Ellen was a psychology major and David took up electrical engineering. As they entered their junior year of college they decided to live together off campus. Ellen located a cute little efficiency about five miles from campus. Moving in didn’t take long because neither of them had any furniture. They went shopping for a bed and got a great deal on a leather pull out couch at the neighborhood thrift store. While they were there they also bought a small dinette set and a coffee table. Once they got the furniture moved in they sat down on the couch to rest for a few minutes. All of a sudden David springed to his feet and walked across the room and picked up his backpack. He pulled out a small box and walked back over to where Ellen was sitting. Sitting on the edge of the coffee table he looked into her eyes and said, Will you marry me, Ellen? Then he opened the small box revealing a small one diamond engagement ring. Ellen’s eyes widened and a joyful smile quickly turned into laughter as she said, YES! Yes, I will marry you. Then she threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately. Breaking their embrace, David said, There’s one more bit of news I want to share with you. I’ve been accepted into the apprentice program at TNR Engineering. It’s a full-time apprenticeship. That means I’ll have to get my degree as a part-time student. As long as we're together I know everything will work out. Me too, said Ellen.

The next year as Ellen was preparing for graduation she and a few of her psychology classmates got together for a pre-graduation celebration outing. Graduation would take place Friday afternoon so they went out to party the night before. She had already talked with David about the get together and he was all for it. He told her, Honey, this is your time. Go on and have some fun with your friends. Just be safe. So Ellen and her friends went clubbing until two in the morning. She arrived home around 3am. David was sound asleep in bed so she quietly washed up and fell asleep on the couch.

Later that morning David awoke and noticed that Ellen was not in bed with him. Walking into the next room he saw her sleeping on the couch. Not wanting to wake her up he finished getting dressed for work in the bathroom. Before leaving he wrote her a short note that read,” Must have had a really good time. I’m running late for work. Pick up my lotto tickets. See you at Tony’s for the graduation dinner. Love you.” Then he paperclipped a $5 bill to the note and placed it on the coffee table in front of the couch. He kissed her lightly on the forehead and left for work.

Ellen woke up and immediately checked her watch for the time. It was 10:15AM. She sat up on the couch and saw David’s note on the coffee table and read it. She just smiled. Then she reminded herself that graduation was at 2pm but she needed to be on campus by 1pm. No problem she thought to herself.

Arriving at work, David sat down at his desk and checked his email. Once the screen came up a message flashed, “Meeting for all apprentices at 2 o’clock”. At 1:50pm the three apprentices at TRN were already seated in the conference room. Moments later the floor manager Dan Gillum walked in and stood in front of the three men. He said, I’ve got to let two of you go. I’ve talked to each of your team leads and went over your monthly evaluations and this is my final decision.

Graduation was over by 3:45. The graduates had thrown their caps in the air and were in the midst of retrieving them. Ellen’s mother Diane, her brother Allan and two of her first cousins, Michelle and Terrence came up to share in the celebration. There were big hugs all around and gifts were exchanged. They took turns trying to convince Ellen to go with them to the movies to see the latest Tom Cruise film. After some mild arm twisting from Diane she gave in. While at the movies everyone except Ellen filled up on popcorn and soda pop. Ellen was saving her appetite for dinner with David. After the movie they dropped her off at Tony’s Restaurant. Goodbyes were short and sweet and then Ellen watched them drive away.

The dinner reservation at Tony’s was for 8 o’clock. Ellen was already seated when David walked over to the booth. Before he sat down he leaned in and kissed her and said, sorry I’m late. As he sat down the waiter asked, would sir like a drink before ordering? Yes, said David. A glass of white wine. Anything for the madame? I’ll have the same, said Ellen.

Boy, have I got something to tell you, David said. But first, how was graduation? Did your mother and brother make it? The graduation went smoothly, Ellen said. No long speeches, no audience interruptions and yes my mom and brother were there along with two of my cousins. Wish I could have been there, said David. I know, said Elllen. But as we had agreed. Because you are the sole breadwinner right now, your income is important to the plans we’ve made. Now what was it you wanted to tell me? Just as David was about to tell her about his day the waiter returned with their drinks and to take their order. As soon as the waiter turned to leave David began to tell Ellen about the events of his day. Then just as the waiter arrived with their meal David finished the story with, “And they chose me to remain onboard as the only apprentice”. That’s amazing, Ellen said. I’m so proud of you.

As they were eating the conversation turned to picking a date for their wedding. David began by saying, Okay babe, we’ve kept our agreement not to get married until after your graduation. So how much longer will I have to wait to make you Mrs. David Fuqua? Ellen smiled and said, not much longer. I have interviews with two different doctors in the next couple of weeks and I need to stay focused on acquiring one of those positions. So let’s say a month from today on a Saturday. I’ll prepare the invitations and send them off by the end of next week. I just need the names of the people you want to invite. And remember to make it a short list. You got it babe, David said.

When David and Ellen finished their meal. David left a very gracious cash tip for the waiter and paid for the meal on his credit card. As they were leaving the restaurant David received a notice on his cell phone to remind him to check the lotto numbers for that evening. When he checked, they were his numbers. He let out a shout that startled Ellen. Then he danced a quick jig and began repeating 70 million, 70 million. Then he turned to Ellen and asked, babe where’s the lotto ticket I asked you to pick up for me today? His question was met with cold silence. He repeated, Ellen, where's the ticket? Ellen shrank away from him covering her face and replied in an almost inaudible whisper, I forgot to get it. You forgot to get it? YOU FORGOT?! David said in a tone Ellen had never heard him use before. Then he inhaled a slow deep breath and slowly exhaled. Feeling a bit more composed he turned and walked away. Transfixed, Ellen just stood motionless and watched him walk away. A moment later, with her eyes now edged with tears, she called out to him. David wait, please wait. He continued walking toward where he’d parked their car. Reaching the vehicle, he opens the drivers side door and sits down heavily. He leans forward with his arms crossed atop the steering wheel and rests his head. Ellen arrives and sits on the seat across from him. They sit there not talking for several minutes. Then David sits back and pushes the start button, places the gear shift in drive and pulls off.

The silence is deafening on the drive home. When they get to their apartment, David goes to the closet and grabs his overnight bag and angrily stuffs in some clothes. Ellen starts to say something but the words just won’t come out. David picks up his overnight bag and throws it across his shoulder. He pulls out his cell phone and calls for a Lyft. He raises his eyes to see Ellen’s tear filled eyes and wet cheeks. David says, I’ve got to go. I can’t stay here tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow. Ellen nods and says, alright. He places the key FOB on the counter and walks past her and out the door.

It’s a very difficult night for Ellen. She doesn’t fall off to sleep until after 4AM. When she wakes up Saturday morning, it’s after 10AM. She picks up her phone and calls David No answer. An hour later she tries his number again. Still no answer. She then phones her mother. In tears she tells her what happened the night before. It’s going to be alright, says Diane. Give him some time. He just needs to sort through his feelings. You’ll see. I hope so, mom. Ellen says. He was very angry when he left.

Ellen’s phone rings around 8:20 that evening. It’s David. She says, honey come home so we can talk. David says, not tonight. I just called to let you know I’m okay. Gotta go, David says. Don’t go David! I love you. I love you too, Ellen. I just need some time to work through some things. I’ll call you tomorrow. He disconnects. She starts to cry.

Sunday morning, Ellen is preparing to leave for the supermarket when she hears a knock at the door. It’s a FedEx delivery man. He hands her an elaborately wrapped box and asks for her signature. She signs for it and steps back inside. The note attached to the box is written in David’s handwriting. She reads it and smiles. Opening the box, she discovers a small felt covered box along with a letter. Two words are written on the face of the letter, FORGIVE ME. Ellen’s heart quickens as she takes the top from the felt box. To her surprise, inside is a pearl necklace with matching earrings. She has always wanted a strand of pearls. Then she begins to read the letter. It reads, Ellen, I’ve loved you since high school. Thoughts of you have filled most of my days. You bring joy to my life and give it meaning. You inspire me to be better, to do better. The other day when I left for work I had a feeling that with all you had on your plate that day you would probably forget to get my lotto ticket. So during my lunch break I picked it up. Later when we left the restaurant, I was really disappointed when you told me that you forgot to pick it up. At that moment I decided to let you feel the weight of your actions. If it’s any consolation, I felt miserable for causing you to feel miserable. I promise from this day forward to never purposely cause you misery. Now if you have found it in your heart to forgive me, come outside for the rest of your surprise. Placing the letter down, she ran to the door. Standing outside leaning against a brand new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was David, Diane and her best friend Taylor. David said, all together now. In unison they yelled, SURPRISE! Ellen ran down the steps and into David’s arms. For several minutes they embraced and kissed. When Ellen pulled back she said, if you ever… She didn’t get to finish because David kissed her again.

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thisisfranparkinson · 4 years

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The prodigal child

The bible tells a story in the gospel of Luke about a man who had two sons. One was a hardworking son, loyal and committed to his father. The second son was a brat! He demanded his father give him his share of his inheritance early, whilst his father was still alive. Why? So he could squander his inheritance on wild living, parties and friends who surrounded him whilst he had wealth, you get the picture. This son carried on living this way until everything he had was gone. Desperate for food and work this wild Jewish boy ended up taking a job that would have brought utter shame on him and his family. He took a job working as a farmhand with pigs, even though Jewish people were commanded by God to have nothing to do with pigs because they were an unclean animal. It was only when he was there, sitting in the filth, eating the pig swill because he was hungry that he finally came to his senses.

Why do I tell this story? Because like that Jewish boy I had a time in my life when I threw my Heavenly Father's love and kindness right back in his face and went back to living how I did before I knew him.

This started in 2011. I had been struggling as a working single mum for a year with lots of tension and difficulties with my ex. I felt old, unattractive and frumpy even though I was only in my mid 30s. I was also carrying a significant amount of anger and unforgiveness towards my ex.

I was going to church then but I didn't feel close to God. I was actually angry at him. I blamed him for what had happened to me, even though it had all been my choices to start with! I hated being single and I blamed him for that too!

One day I arranged to go out with some friends and I really felt fed up and wished I could meet someone. Be careful what you wish for.

We went out locally and in the first bar we went to there was a man working behind the bar who started flirting with me. Having been off the dating scene for over 10 years I was flattered and couldn't see it for what it was. We exchanged numbers and ended up messaging each other.

Around this time something amazing happened. One of the evangelists I had a huge amount of admiration and respect for, was touring the UK and I had arranged to go and see her in Halifax with a friend. This was Jackie Pullinger who had written Chasing the Dragon. When we went Jackie was so gracious. She didn't however talk all about her work as I expected her to. She said that God was a God of love and that he wasnt there to reveal anyone's stuff and that David was a man who had a problem with relationships. She said that even though he loved God he went right on ahead and did what he knew to be wrong when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. Yet when he repented God was gracious and merciful. The whole talk could not have been more accurate for what I was going through and I literally felt like that old Lottery advert with the huge finger pointing at me saying 'Its you'. I had a choice in that moment. I knew God was laying on my heart to give up this guy I had met. But I also knew by then what I was going to do. I ignored the conviction in my heart and went in the opposite direction.

Thus began one of the most painful times in my life. I fell hook line and sinker for this man who in turn had no respect for me and treated me badly. He broke my heart in the worst way. Although we weren't together long he left me a wreck.

This began a period of a few years where I went back to old ways. The bible says a dog returns to its vomit and a sow returns to wallowing in the mud. For me, I went back to going out and getting drunk, going out to pubs and clubs and joined an online dating site. I stopped going to church and meeting with christian friends. I basically behaved like I had before I had become a Christian. The men I met on the dating site were generally very broken people who were commitment shy and had a lot of issues. It was a nightmare. At the time I told myself I was having fun, but looking back all I remember was hurt pain and heartbreak. Because everything I did was with the aim of getting over this barman I had fallen for so badly. All the while still angry with my daughter's dad.

This period of my life continued for a long time. In 2013 I met someone online and I thought things were looking up. This guy worked with people with learning disabilities. He wasn't a big drinker, he was kind and thoughtful and we dated for just short of a year. But there was something about him that niggled at me. Certain things he said and did that didn't quite sit right.

I remember one time I actually told him I was a Christian. He told me someone else he had dated had been a Christian and joked that he had cured her of that. It was clear he didn't think much of christianity.

That same year, 2013 I finally got divorced.

Coming back to the story in Luke's gospel. The man sat in the pigpen, shaking his head wondering how he had ended up in such a mess. He thought of his father with his huge warm welcoming home. And here was he doing a degrading job without a penny to his name. The man had an epiphany, an a-ha moment, where he thought 'I know I will go back to my father and ask to be a hired servant as even they get fed and looked after. I am not worthy to be called his son'. He got up and set foot on the long voyage back home.

For me the a-ha moment happened in 2014. Here I was, drinking heavily, living like a 'sinner', I had forgotten who I was. I had some misgivings about my boyfriend and I sent up a prayer to the God I barely ever spoke to now 'God if there is something I need to know about my boyfriend please show me'.

That same week I went to the hairdressers and recognised a lady from the church I had gone to. She said something simple and not particularly profound. She said 'you should go to church. It would do you good'. This comment really stuck with me.

Around this time my boyfriend transformed personality literally overnight! He went from being caring to cold, thoughtful to distant. It was strange indeed.

In April 2014 I had a series of strange events. Firstly my friend from childhood got in touch to tell me that a relative of hers had committed suicide. He had been my first kiss when I was in my teens and I was fond of him. We had exchanged letters for a time. This really shook me up. One day I was asleep and tired from grief over his death. My ex husband was bringing our daughter back after having her at his house and he knocked on the door. I was half asleep walking down my stairs when I tripped on the fifth stair from the bottom. As I fell forwards I thought to myself 'this isn't good'. I was hurtling face first towards my front door. Everything slowed down and I had time to think 'I'm going to hit the front door head first, I'm going to end up unconscious!' I must have also thought or cried out Help! As my knees hit the hallway floor the strangest thing happened. I should have gone forwards into the door. But I felt a gentle shove to the side and instead of hitting the door I fell into the hallway radiator instead. Pain hit me instantly and I could feel myself going into shock. My ex husband had heard the commotion and was banging on my door and I just had enough senses together to unlock the door.

My ex husband quickly took me to his car and dropped my daughter at his mums round the corner. He took me to hospital. I was shaken and shocked and my lip was bust open. I wanted my boyfriend with me so I rang him and couldn't get hold of him. Finally I managed to get through after ringing a few times and he could not have been more unconcerned! I told him I was in a bad way and had to practically force him to come to the hospital! My ex husband, who still cared for me, was not impressed!

When he arrived at the hospital my ex husband left and again my boyfriend, who I had thought was so kind and thoughtful, was cold and uncaring. I was seeing his true colours.

The hospital were brilliant and they even brought in a maxillofacial surgeon to stitch up my lip so that I wouldn't have a bad facial scar. I remain immensely grateful to the hospital for this as now you can barely even see the scar. The doctor told me I would need loads of painkillers because my cheek would swell up.

That week my cheek did indeed swell up. I looked like I had done a few rounds in a boxing ring! But I had no pain at all, I didn't even need to take one paracetamol.

At this point although I was away from my faith ex husband had been taking my daughter to church when she was with him. Imagine my amazement when he told me she had been praying I would have no pain!! God answered my precious little girl's prayers.

That week I rested up and my boyfriend didn't come to see me even once! He had dropped me home from the hospital and left me to it. I knew this relationship was on it's way out so it was no surprise a few days later when my boyfriend ended the relationship. I wasn't in love with him so more than anything I felt upset and rejected rather than heartbroken.

The gospel of Luke says that when the son set foot on his journey home the father was already looking out for his return. Every day he would scan the horizon hoping to see his son come home. Every day he went away disappointed. But one day he looked at the horizon and he saw a familiar figure. Could it really be him after all this time or was he imagining it? The father saw the hunched shoulders, the drooping figure. He recognised his shape, his outline and he ran to meet him. He threw his arms around him and caught him up in the biggest hug imaginable. Before the son could even speak to say what he had planned to say 'Father I have sinned. I'm not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired servants and I will work for you'. The father didn't give him chance to speak. He called his servants 'Quick bring him clothes, prepare the fattened calf. We must celebrate. For my son was lost and now is found!'

For the first time in a long time I got on my knees before my heavenly Father and I cried out to God. And the amazing thing is that the minute I did that, though I knew I had been living so far from God and was not worthy to be called his daughter, he overwhelmed me with his love and kindness. I felt utterly loved and no condemnation at all. The kindness, compassion, love and mercy of the Heavenly Father is phenomenal. He treats us with grace we do not deserve. I was back home.

This was the start of a long road of healing and restoration.

#ProdigalSon #Love #Grace #Mercy #Backsliding

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movietvtechgeeks · 7 years

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Latest story from https://movietvtechgeeks.com/la-la-land-wins-big-baftas-2017-politics/

'La La Land' wins big at Baftas 2017 with some politics

It's just two weeks before the Oscars hit, but the BAFTA's took center stage (well right before the Grammy's) Sunday night with "La La Land" winning five awards. Not bad as it had eleven nominations and won for Best film, best actress and best director. "Manchester By the Sea" continued its winning streak for Casey Affleck as best actor and Ken Loach won the best British film award for "I, Daniel Blake." Emma Stone, who won for Best Leading Actress in "La La Land" took her acceptance speech as a moment for her political statement. It was obvious how emotional this was for her as she stumbled slightly giving her message. “It feels like the world is going through a bit of a time right now… “Sorry, I’m losing my words, this always happens… “I don’t know if you’ve realized this, but right now this country and the U.S. and the world seems to be going through a bit of a time. Just a bit,” she said. “In a time that’s so divisive, I think it’s really special that we are all able to come together tonight thanks to BAFTA to celebrate the positive effect of creativity and how we can transcend borders and how we can help people to feel a little less alone.” Emma also acknowledged the BAFTA community for voting for her, telling them: “Thank you so much for this, this is an unbelievable honor.” Viola Davis, who won best supporting actress for "Fences" had a message supporting Meryl Street, whose impassioned speech at the Golden Globes resulted in a nasty Donald Trump tweet tantrum. “Anyone who labels Meryl Streep an overrated actress obviously doesn’t know anything about acting. That’s just the way it is. And that’s not even just directed towards Donald Trump. That’s directed towards anyone,” she told reporters in the press room following her win. “This is someone who is the master at her skill and she has lasted for 40 years — in a very difficult profession might I add. She continued: “I have never met anyone who has been in her presence who she has not made feel like a star in their own lives. That is a rock. Very humble, very gracious human being.”

2017 BAFTAs Winners List (winners are bolded):

BEST FILM ARRIVAL Dan Levine, Shawn Levy, David Linde, Aaron Ryder I, DANIEL BLAKE Rebecca O’Brien LA LA LAND Fred Berger, Jordan Horowitz, Marc Platt – WINNER MANCHESTER BY THE SEA Lauren Beck, Matt Damon, Chris Moore, Kimberly Steward, Kevin J. Walsh MOONLIGHT Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adele Romanski OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM I, DANIEL BLAKE Ken Loach, Rebecca O’Brien, Paul Laverty – WINNER AMERICAN HONEY Andrea Arnold, Lars Knudsen, Pouya Shahbazian, Jay Van Hoy DENIAL Mick Jackson, Gary Foster, Russ Krasnoff, David Hare FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM David Yates, J.K. Rowling, David Heyman, Steve Kloves, Lionel Wigram NOTES ON BLINDNESS Peter Middleton, James Spinney, Mike Brett, Jo-Jo Ellison, Steve Jamison UNDER THE SHADOW Babak Anvari, Emily Leo, Oliver Roskill, Lucan Toh OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER The Girl With All the Gifts: MIKE CAREY (Writer), CAMILLE GATIN (Producer) The Hard Stop: GEORGE AMPONSAH (Writer/Director/Producer), DIONNE WALKER (Writer/Producer) Notes on Blindness: PETER MIDDLETON (Writer/Director/Producer), JAMES SPINNEY (Writer/Director), JO-JO ELLISON (Producer) The Pass: JOHN DONNELLY (Writer), BEN A. WILLIAMS (Director) Under the Shadow: BABAK ANVARI (Writer/Director), EMILY LEO, OLIVER ROSKILL, LUCAN TOH (Producers) – WINNER FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE DHEEPAN Jacques Audiard, Pascal Caucheteux JULIETA Pedro Almodóvar MUSTANG Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Charles Gillibert SON OF SAUL László Nemes, Gábor Sipos – WINNER TONI ERDMANN Maren Ade, Janine Jackowski DOCUMENTARY 13th Ava DuVernay – WINNER THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK- THE TOURING YEARS Ron Howard THE EAGLE HUNTRESS Otto Bell, Stacey Reiss NOTES ON BLINDNESS Peter Middleton, James Spinney WEINER Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg ANIMATED FILM FINDING DORY Andrew Stanton KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS Travis Knight – WINNER MOANA Ron Clements, John Musker ZOOTROPOLIS Byron Howard, Rich Moore DIRECTOR ARRIVAL Denis Villeneuve I, DANIEL BLAKE Ken Loach LA LA LAND Damien Chazelle – WINNER MANCHESTER BY THE SEA Kenneth Lonergan NOCTURNAL ANIMALS Tom Ford ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY HELL OR HIGH WATER Taylor Sheridan I, DANIEL BLAKE Paul Laverty LA LA LAND Damien Chazelle MANCHESTER BY THE SEA Kenneth Lonergan – WINNER MOONLIGHT Barry Jenkins ADAPTED SCREENPLAY ARRIVAL Eric Heisserer HACKSAW RIDGE Robert Schenkkan, Andrew Knight HIDDEN FIGURES Theodore Melfi, Allison Schroeder LION Luke Davies – WINNER NOCTURNAL ANIMALS Tom Ford LEADING ACTOR ANDREW GARFIELD Hacksaw Ridge CASEY AFFLECK Manchester by the Sea – WINNER JAKE GYLLENHAAL Nocturnal Animals RYAN GOSLING La La Land VIGGO MORTENSEN Captain Fantastic LEADING ACTRESS AMY ADAMS Arrival EMILY BLUNT The Girl on the Train EMMA STONE La La Land – WINNER MERYL STREEP Florence Foster Jenkins NATALIE PORTMAN Jackie SUPPORTING ACTOR AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON Nocturnal Animals DEV PATEL Lion – WINNER HUGH GRANT Florence Foster Jenkins JEFF BRIDGES Hell or High Water MAHERSHALA ALI Moonlight SUPPORTING ACTRESS HAYLEY SQUIRES I, Daniel Blake MICHELLE WILLIAMS Manchester by the Sea NAOMIE HARRIS Moonlight NICOLE KIDMAN Lion VIOLA DAVIS Fences – WINNER ORIGINAL MUSIC ARRIVAL Jóhann Jóhannsson JACKIE Mica Levi LA LA LAND Justin Hurwitz – WINNER LION Dustin O’Halloran, Hauschka NOCTURNAL ANIMALS Abel Korzeniowski CINEMATOGRAPHY ARRIVAL Bradford Young HELL OR HIGH WATER Giles Nuttgens LA LA LAND Linus Sandgren – WINNER LION Greig Fraser NOCTURNAL ANIMALS Seamus McGarvey EDITING ARRIVAL Joe Walker HACKSAW RIDGE John Gilbert – WINNER LA LA LAND Tom Cross MANCHESTER BY THE SEA Jennifer Lame NOCTURNAL ANIMALS Joan Sobel PRODUCTION DESIGN DOCTOR STRANGE John Bush, Charles Wood FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM Stuart Craig, Anna Pinnock – WINNER HAIL, CAESAR! Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh LA LA LAND Sandy Reynolds-Wasco, David Wasco NOCTURNAL ANIMALS Shane Valentino, Meg Everist COSTUME DESIGN ALLIED Joanna Johnston FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM Colleen Atwood FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS Consolata Boyle JACKIE Madeline Fontaine – WINNER LA LA LAND Mary Zophres MAKE UP & HAIR DOCTOR STRANGE Jeremy Woodhead FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS J. Roy Helland, Daniel Phillips – WINNER HACKSAW RIDGE Shane Thomas NOCTURNAL ANIMALS Donald Mowat, Yolanda Toussieng ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY Nominees tbc SOUND ARRIVAL Claude La Haye, Bernard Gariépy Strobl, Sylvain Bellemare – WINNER DEEPWATER HORIZON Mike Prestwood Smith, Dror Mohar, Wylie Stateman, David Wyman FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM Niv Adiri, Glenn Freemantle, Simon Hayes, Andy Nelson, Ian Tapp HACKSAW RIDGE Peter Grace, Robert Mackenzie, Kevin O’Connell, Andy Wright LA LA LAND Mildred Iatrou Morgan, Ai-Ling Lee, Steve A. Morrow, Andy Nelson SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS ARRIVAL Louis Morin DOCTOR STRANGE Richard Bluff, Stephane Ceretti, Paul Corbould, Jonathan Fawkner FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM Tim Burke, Pablo Grillo, Christian Manz, David Watkins THE JUNGLE BOOK Robert Legato, Dan Lemmon, Andrew R. Jones, Adam Valdez – WINNER ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY Neil Corbould, Hal Hickel, Mohen Leo, John Knoll, Nigel Sumner BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION THE ALAN DIMENSION Jac Clinch, Jonathan Harbottle, Millie Marsh A LOVE STORY Khaled Gad, Anushka Kishani Naanayakkara, Elena Ruscombe-King – WINNER TOUGH Jennifer Zheng BRITISH SHORT FILM CONSUMED Richard John Seymour HOME Shpat Deda, Afolabi Kuti, Daniel Mulloy, Scott O’Donnell- WINNER MOUTH OF HELL Bart Gavigan, Samir Mehanovic, Ailie Smith, Michael Wilson THE PARTY Farah Abushwesha, Emmet Fleming, Andrea Harkin, Conor MacNeill STANDBY Charlotte Regan, Jack Hannon EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public) TOM HOLLAND – WINNER ANYA TAYLOR-JOY LAIA COSTA LUCAS HEDGES RUTH NEGGA

Movie TV Tech Geeks News

#BAFTAs #Casey Affleck #Emma Stone #Featured #Fences #La La Land #Manchester By the Sea #Viola Davis

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dfroza · 3 years

Text

An ancient Letter

conserved and translated to share spiritual truth and the invitation of the Spirit of having the “Morning Star” arise in the heart

[Introduction and Greeting]

This letter is from Simeon Peter, a loving servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to those who have been given a faith as equally precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. May grace and perfect peace cascade over you as you live in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Everything we could ever need for life and complete devotion to God has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness. As a result of this, he has given you magnificent promises that are beyond all price, so that through the power of these tremendous promises you can experience partnership with the divine nature, by which you have escaped the corrupt desires that are of the world.

So devote yourselves to lavishly supplementing your faith with goodness,

and to goodness add understanding,

and to understanding add the strength of self-control,

and to self-control add patient endurance,

and to patient endurance add godliness,

and to godliness add mercy toward your brothers and sisters,

and to mercy toward others add unending love.

Since these virtues are already planted deep within, and you possess them in abundant supply, they will keep you from being inactive or fruitless in your pursuit of knowing Jesus Christ more intimately. But if anyone lacks these things, he is blind, constantly closing his eyes to the mysteries of our faith, and forgetting his innocence—for his past sins have been washed away.

For this reason, beloved ones, be eager to confirm and validate that God has invited you to salvation and claimed you as his own. If you do these things, you will never stumble. As a result, the kingdom’s gates will open wide to you as God choreographs your triumphant entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.

I won’t hesitate to continually remind you of these truths, even though you are aware of them and are well established in the present measure of truth you have already embraced. And as long as I live I will continue to awaken you with this reminder, since our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has clearly revealed that my departure is near. Indeed, I’m passionate to share these things with you so that you will always remember them after my exodus from this life.

We were not retelling some masterfully crafted legend when we informed you of the power and appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we saw his magnificence and splendor unveiled before our very eyes. Yes, Father God lavished upon him radiant glory and honor when his distinct voice spoke out of the realm of majestic glory, endorsing him with these words: This is my cherished Son, marked by my love. All my delight is found in him! And we ourselves heard that voice resound from the heavens while we were with him on the holy mountain.

And so we have been given the prophetic word—the written message of the prophets, made more reliable and fully validated by the confirming voice of God on the Mount of Transfiguration. And you will continue to do well if you stay focused on it. For this prophetic message is like a piercing light shining in a gloomy place until the dawning of a new day, when the Morning Star rises in your hearts.

You must understand this at the outset: Interpretation of scriptural prophecy requires the Holy Spirit, for it does not originate from someone’s own imagination. No true prophecy comes from human initiative but is inspired by the moving of the Holy Spirit upon those who spoke the message that came from God.

The Letter of 2nd Peter, Chapter 1 (The Passion Translation)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the First chapter of 2nd Chronicles that begins with King David’s son:

[King Solomon]

Solomon son of David took a firm grip on the reins of his kingdom. God was with him and gave him much help. Solomon addressed all Israel—the commanders and captains, the judges, every leader, and all the heads of families. Then Solomon and the entire company went to the worship center at Gibeon—that’s where the Tent of Meeting of God was, the one that Moses the servant of God had made in the wilderness. The Chest of God, though, was in Jerusalem—David had brought it up from Kiriath Jearim, prepared a special place for it, and pitched a tent for it. But the Bronze Altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon, in its place before the Tabernacle of God; and that is where Solomon and the congregation gathered to pray. Solomon worshiped God at the Bronze Altar in front of the Tent of Meeting; he sacrificed a thousand Whole-Burnt-Offerings on it.

That night God appeared to Solomon. God said, “What do you want from me? Ask.”

Solomon answered, “You were extravagantly generous with David my father, and now you have made me king in his place. Establish, God, the words you spoke to my father, for you’ve given me a staggering task, ruling this mob of people. Yes, give me wisdom and knowledge as I come and go among this people—for who on his own is capable of leading these, your glorious people?”

God answered Solomon, “This is what has come out of your heart: You didn’t grasp for money, wealth, fame, and the doom of your enemies; you didn’t even ask for a long life. You asked for wisdom and knowledge so you could govern well my people over whom I’ve made you king. Because of this, you get what you asked for—wisdom and knowledge. And I’m presenting you the rest as a bonus—money, wealth, and fame beyond anything the kings before or after you had or will have.”

Then Solomon left the worship center at Gibeon and the Tent of Meeting and went to Jerusalem. He set to work as king of Israel.

Solomon collected chariots and horses: fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses! He stabled them in the special chariot-cities as well as in Jerusalem. The king made silver and gold as common as rocks, and cedar as common as the fig trees in the lowland hills. His horses were brought in from Egypt and Cilicia, specially acquired by the king’s agents. Chariots from Egypt went for fifteen pounds of silver and a horse for about three and three-quarters of a pound of silver. Solomon carried on a brisk horse-trading business with the Hittite and Aramean royal houses.

The Book of 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 1 (The Message)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for friday, january 29 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible, along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs

A post by John Parsons about anxious thought:

It is written in our Scriptures: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Phil. 4:6). Note that the verb translated "be anxious" here (i.e.,μεριμνάω) comes from a root word (μερίζω) that means to be fragmented or divided into parts and pieces. Being anxious is therefore the uneasy state of being distracted, unfocused and divided within yourself. When we worry we heed voices of fear and begin to feel 'double-minded,' (i.e., δίψυχος), unstable, and unable to think clearly; we get restless and find it difficult to deeply breathe. We start to feel out of control, fearful that something bad will happen despite all our efforts or wishes to the contrary; we sense doom; we lose heart; we go dark... The Scripture here admonishes us to pray when we are tempted us to be anxious by focusing on something for which we are grateful. Doing so will instill the "peace of God" (שלום יהוה) that rises above all worldly thinking to keep watch over your heart and your thoughts through Yeshua the Messiah (Phil. 4:7). We gain the "light of life," that is, inner illumination from God, so that we can remain steadfast and unmovable in our faith, despite the temptation to look for relief from our struggles apart from God. [Hebrew for Christians]

https://hebrew4christians.com/

1.28.21 • Facebook

Today’s message from the Institute for Creation Research

January 29, 2021

Children in Heaven

“And [David] said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23)

The death of a loved one is always a time of great sorrow, but the death of a beloved child is perhaps the keenest sorrow of all. Nevertheless, for the Christian believer, we “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Our text verse makes it clear that when a child dies (even one born of a sinful relationship such as this child of David and Bathsheba), that child goes to be with the Lord in heaven. Jesus said: “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).

Heaven is thus a place where there are many “little children.” Their inherited sin-nature never yet had generated acts of willful sin, and their Maker is Himself “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), so they are safe in Him. Although there are few specific Scriptures on this subject, what we do know, both from the love of God and the Word of God, suggests that the souls of all deceased little children are with the Lord in heaven, but also those who died in early childhood (and even before birth) from every time and place since the world began. There they, along with all those who were saved by personal faith in Christ and are now awaiting the resurrection, will receive new bodies when Christ returns to Earth. The old and lame will be young and strong again, and the children will grow to perfect maturity, for all will become “like him” (1 John 3:2). “God shall wipe away all tears” (Revelation 21:4), and all will say: “As for God, his way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). HMM

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dfroza · 3 years

Text

the closing of a Letter

as well as a simple “hello” is seen by Paul with Today’s reading of First Corinthians:

The churches here in western Asia send greetings.

Aquila, Priscilla, and the church that meets in their house say hello.

All the friends here say hello.

Pass the greetings around with holy embraces!

And I, Paul—in my own handwriting!—send you my regards.

The Letter of 1st Corinthians, Chapter 16:19-21 (The Message)

and the whole chapter in The Voice:

Now I call you, just as I did the churches gathering in Galatia, to collect funds to support God’s people in Jerusalem. On Sunday, the first day of the week, I want each of you to set aside an amount, as God has blessed you, so the funds will be collected by the time I come. When I get there, I will send those you recommend by your own letters to carry your generous and gracious donation to Jerusalem. If you think it seems appropriate for me to travel with them, then we’ll go together.

Get ready. I will come your way after traveling through Macedonia. For I’m just passing through Macedonia and will probably stay with you through the winter so that you may provide for my next journey (wherever that may be). I want to reconnect with you, not just pass through; if the Lord is willing, I hope to stay awhile. But until Pentecost, I plan to stay in Ephesus because, not only has God opened a significant door here for me to serve, but also there is a lot of opposition against me.

If Timothy comes, see that he is comfortable and untroubled; his work is the Lord’s, as is mine. No one should treat him badly. Send him on to meet me in peace because the brothers and sisters here and I are looking for him. You shouldn’t expect to see our brother Apollos, although I tried to persuade him to come to you with the rest of the brothers and sisters, because now is not the best time for him to come. When it’s his time, he will come.

Listen, stay alert, stand tall in the faith, be courageous, and be strong. Let love prevail in your life, words, and actions.

Finally, brothers and sisters, I call on you to follow your leaders. People like those in the house of Stephanas—you know they were among the first believers in Achaia, and they have devoted their lives to serving God’s people—I urge you to submit to the authority of such leaders, to every coworker, and to those who offer their backs and shoulders for the work. I celebrate the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, as they have supplied me with what you could not. They have been a breath of fresh air for me as I know they are for you, so respect and honor those like them.

The churches in Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca send a heartfelt greeting in the Lord along with those who gather at their house. The entire family in faith here sends their greetings. Be sure you greet one another by a holy kiss.

This closing greeting is written by my own hand—Paul’s: May those who have no love for the Lord be cursed. Maranatha, “Our Lord, come!” May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to you all in the name of the Anointed One, Jesus. [Amen.]

The Letter of 1st Corinthians, Chapter 16 (The Voice)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is chapter 22 of 2nd Samuel that contains the words of a song (and prayer) by King David:

David prayed to God the words of this song after God saved him from all his enemies and from Saul.

God is bedrock under my feet,

the castle in which I live,

my rescuing knight.

My God—the high crag

where I run for dear life,

hiding behind the boulders,

safe in the granite hideout;

My mountaintop refuge,

he saves me from ruthless men.

I sing to God the Praise-Lofty,

and find myself safe and saved.

The waves of death crashed over me,

devil waters rushed over me.

Hell’s ropes cinched me tight;

death traps barred every exit.

A hostile world! I called to God,

to my God I cried out.

From his palace he heard me call;

my cry brought me right into his presence—

a private audience!

Earth wobbled and lurched;

the very heavens shook like leaves,

Quaked like aspen leaves

because of his rage.

His nostrils flared, billowing smoke;

his mouth spit fire.

Tongues of fire darted in and out;

he lowered the sky.

He stepped down;

under his feet an abyss opened up.

He rode a winged creature,

swift on wind-wings.

He wrapped himself

in a trenchcoat of black rain-cloud darkness.

But his cloud-brightness burst through,

a grand comet of fireworks.

Then God thundered out of heaven;

the High God gave a great shout.

God shot his arrows—pandemonium!

He hurled his lightnings—a rout!

The secret sources of ocean were exposed,

the hidden depths of earth lay uncovered

The moment God roared in protest,

let loose his hurricane anger.

But me he caught—reached all the way

from sky to sea; he pulled me out

Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos,

the void in which I was drowning.

They hit me when I was down,

but God stuck by me.

He stood me up on a wide-open field;

I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!

God made my life complete

when I placed all the pieces before him.

When I cleaned up my act,

he gave me a fresh start.

Indeed, I’ve kept alert to God’s ways;

I haven’t taken God for granted.

Every day I review the ways he works,

I try not to miss a trick.

I feel put back together,

and I’m watching my step.

God rewrote the text of my life

when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

You stick by people who stick with you,

you’re straight with people who’re straight with you,

You’re good to good people,

you shrewdly work around the bad ones.

You take the side of the down-and-out,

but the stuck-up you take down a peg.

Suddenly, God, your light floods my path,

God drives out the darkness.

I smash the bands of marauders,

I vault the high fences.

What a God! His road

stretches straight and smooth.

Every God-direction is road-tested.

Everyone who runs toward him

Makes it.

Is there any god like God?

Are we not at bedrock?

Is not this the God who armed me well,

then aimed me in the right direction?

Now I run like a deer;

I’m king of the mountain.

He shows me how to fight;

I can bend a bronze bow!

You protect me with salvation-armor;

you touch me and I feel ten feet tall.

You cleared the ground under me

so my footing was firm.

When I chased my enemies I caught them;

I didn’t let go till they were dead men.

I nailed them; they were down for good;

then I walked all over them.

You armed me well for this fight;

you smashed the upstarts.

You made my enemies turn tail,

and I wiped out the haters.

They cried “uncle”

but Uncle didn’t come;

They yelled for God

and got no for an answer.

I ground them to dust; they gusted in the wind.

I threw them out, like garbage in the gutter.

You rescued me from a squabbling people;

you made me a leader of nations.

People I’d never heard of served me;

the moment they got wind of me they submitted.

They gave up; they came trembling from their hideouts.

Live, God! Blessing to my Rock,

my towering Salvation-God!

This God set things right for me

and shut up the people who talked back.

He rescued me from enemy anger.

You pulled me from the grip of upstarts,

You saved me from the bullies.

That’s why I’m thanking you, God,

all over the world.

That’s why I’m singing songs

that rhyme your name.

God’s king takes the trophy;

God’s chosen is beloved.

I mean David and all his children—

always.

The Book of 2nd Samuel, Chapter 22 (The Message)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for Wednesday, november 11 of 2020 with a paired chapter from each Testament along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs

A post by John Parsons about our time in this world and the hope we need to cling to:

It is written in our Scriptures: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit (i.e., ruach nishbarah: רוח נשברה); a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). We are "in" but not "of" the world, so that means that we share in the common hardships and sorrows of this world. However, the difference is this: We do not suffer alone, for God's love surrounds us with comfort. For those who know Yeshua, suffering does not demand an intellectual answer to "why" we suffer as much as it evokes the heart's cry for God's presence... In the midst of our troubles the Spirit groans within us: "My soul clings to you and your right hand upholds me" (Psalm 63:8). We come to God in our brokenness, holding fast to his promise of comfort, and God upholds us with his hand. "This is my comfort in my affliction, that your word gives me life" (Psalm 119:50).

God is not indifferent to our plight, chaverim, and indeed, that is the basic message of the cross... Indeed how can we believe in God's love apart from the cross? How can we know the truth of his heart? God knows those who are broken and contrite (Isa. 57:15). The LORD is full of comfort; he loves the afflicted, he has grace for the humble, he forgives the fallen, and he revives the heart. Compassion is his nature - as the cross of Yeshua reveals - and therefore we can come to him in our need, in our affliction, as those who are "poor in spirit" (Matt. 5:3). God loves us even when we feel forsaken, all alone in our private struggles. The Spirit impels us to cry out for deliverance and experience consolation in our distress. This is a common experience in God's people: in our sorrows we seek him, and then we rediscover his mercies and great compassion. Great is his faithfulness (Lam. 3:23). [Hebrew for Christians]

https://hebrew4christians.com

11.10.20 • Facebook

Today’s message from the Institute for Creation Research:

November 11, 2020

The Good Fight

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

The beautiful National World War II Memorial in the nation’s capital was dedicated in 2004, honoring the more than 400,000 who gave their lives in that conflict (including the writer’s younger brother). This particular holiday, of course, originally known as Armistice Day, had been established many years before to commemorate the end of World War I and to honor the veterans of that war.

There have been many other wars in our nation’s history and many who have served and many who have died. They all “have fought a good fight” and “kept the faith” of our nation’s commitment to establish “liberty and justice for all” and to maintain this ideal in every generation. They fully merit our honor and heartfelt gratitude.

There is another good fight going on, of course, every day in the life of each believing Christian. The apostle Paul never served as a soldier in any human army, but he was often called on to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). As a matter of fact, each of us must remember that “unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).

That suffering may be actual persecution, or even injury or death on a battlefield, but it could also be poverty or sickness or some other “messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7) sent to test us and alienate us from the Lord. But then we can hear the Lord say, as with Paul: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Whatever comes, may God help us to be able to say in that day: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” HMM

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dfroza · 4 years

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Today’s reading in the ancient book of Psalms and Proverbs

for Sunday, April 12 of 2020 with Psalm 12 and Proverbs 12, accompanied by Psalm 25 for the 25th day of Spring and Psalm 103 for day 103 of the year

to illuminate the importance of spiritual truth:

[Psalm 12]

A David Psalm

Quick, God, I need your helping hand!

The last decent person just went down,

All the friends I depended on gone.

Everyone talks in lie language;

Lies slide off their oily lips.

They doubletalk with forked tongues.

Slice their lips off their faces! Pull

The braggart tongues from their mouths!

I’m tired of hearing, “We can talk anyone into anything!

Our lips manage the world.”

Into the hovels of the poor,

Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks:

“I’ve had enough; I’m on my way

To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched.”

God’s words are pure words,

Pure silver words refined seven times

In the fires of his word-kiln,

Pure on earth as well as in heaven.

God, keep us safe from their lies,

From the wicked who stalk us with lies,

From the wicked who collect honors

For their wonderful lies.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 12 (The Message)

[Psalm 25]

A song of David.

ALWAYS I will lift up my soul to You, Eternal One,

BECAUSE You are my God and I put my trust in You.

Do not let me be humiliated.

Do not let my enemies celebrate at my expense.

CERTAINLY none of the people who rely on You will be shamed,

but those who are unfaithful, who intentionally deceive,

they are the ones who will be disgraced.

DEMONSTRATE Your ways, O Eternal One.

Teach me to understand so I can follow.

EASE me down the path of Your truth.

FEED me Your word

because You are the True God who has saved me.

I wait all day long, hoping, trusting in You.

GRACIOUS Eternal One, remember Your compassion; rekindle Your concern and love,

which have always been part of Your actions toward those who are Yours.

Do not HOLD against me the sins I committed when I was young;

instead, deal with me according to Your mercy and love.

Then Your goodness may be demonstrated in all the world, Eternal One.

IMMENSELY good and honorable is the Eternal;

that’s why He teaches sinners the way.

With JUSTICE, He directs the humble in all that is right,

and He shows them His way.

KIND and true are all the ways of the Eternal

to the people who keep His covenant and His words.

O LORD, the Eternal, bring glory to Your name,

and forgive my sins because they are beyond number.

MAY anyone who fears the Eternal

be shown the path he should choose.

His soul will NOT only live in goodness,

but his children will inherit the land.

ONLY those who stand in awe of the Eternal will have intimacy with Him,

and He will reveal His covenant to them.

PERPETUALLY my focus takes me to the Eternal

because He will set me free from the traps laid for me.

QUIETLY turn Your eyes to me and be compassionate toward me

because I am lonely and persecuted.

RAPIDLY my heart beats as troubles build on the horizon.

Come relieve me from these threats.

SEE my troubles and my misery,

and forgive all my sins.

TAKE notice of my enemies.

See how there are so many of them

who hate me and would seek my violent destruction.

Watch over my soul,

and let me face shame and defeat

UNASHAMED because You are my refuge.

May honor and strong character keep me safe.

VIGILANTLY I wait for You, hoping, trusting.

Save Israel from all its troubles,

O True God.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 25 (The Voice)

[Psalm 103]

A David Psalm

O my soul, bless God.

From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!

O my soul, bless God,

don’t forget a single blessing!

He forgives your sins—every one.

He heals your diseases—every one.

He redeems you from hell—saves your life!

He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.

He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.

He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

God makes everything come out right;

he puts victims back on their feet.

He showed Moses how he went about his work,

opened up his plans to all Israel.

God is sheer mercy and grace;

not easily angered, he’s rich in love.

He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,

nor hold grudges forever.

He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,

nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.

As high as heaven is over the earth,

so strong is his love to those who fear him.

And as far as sunrise is from sunset,

he has separated us from our sins.

As parents feel for their children,

God feels for those who fear him.

He knows us inside and out,

keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.

Men and women don’t live very long;

like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,

But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,

leaving nothing to show they were here.

God’s love, though, is ever and always,

eternally present to all who fear him,

Making everything right for them and their children

as they follow his Covenant ways

and remember to do whatever he said.

God has set his throne in heaven;

he rules over us all. He’s the King!

So bless God, you angels,

ready and able to fly at his bidding,

quick to hear and do what he says.

Bless God, all you armies of angels,

alert to respond to whatever he wills.

Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—

everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

The Book of Psalms, Poem 103 (The Message)

[Proverbs 12]

To learn the truth you must long to be teachable,

or you can despise correction and remain ignorant.

If your heart is right, favor flows from the Lord,

but a devious heart invites his condemnation.

You can’t expect success by doing what’s wrong.

But the lives of his lovers are deeply rooted and firmly planted.

The integrity and strength of a virtuous wife

transforms her husband into an honored king.

But the wife who disgraces her husband

weakens the strength of his identity.

The lovers of God are filled with good ideas

that are noble and pure,

but the schemes of the sinner

are crammed with nothing but lies.

The wicked use their words to ambush and accuse,

but the lovers of God speak to defend and protect.

The wicked are taken out, gone for good,

but the godly families shall live on.

Everyone admires a man of principles,

but the one with a corrupt heart is despised.

Just be who you are and work hard for a living,

for that’s better than pretending to be important

and starving to death.

A good man takes care of the needs of his pets,

while even the kindest acts of a wicked man are still cruel.

Work hard at your job and you’ll have what you need.

Following a get-rich-quick scheme is nothing but a fantasy.

The cravings of the wicked are only for what is evil,

but righteousness is the core motivation for the lovers of God,

and it keeps them content and flourishing.

[Wisdom Means Being Teachable]

The wicked will get trapped by their words

of gossip, slander, and lies.

But for the righteous, honesty is its own defense.

For there is great satisfaction in speaking the truth,

and hard work brings blessings back to you.

A fool is in love with his own opinion,

but wisdom means being teachable.

[Learning to Speak Wisely]

If you shrug off an insult and refuse to take offense,

you demonstrate discretion indeed.

But the fool has a short fuse

and will immediately let you know when he’s offended.

Truthfulness marks the righteous,

but the habitual liar can never be trusted.

Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword,

cutting remarks meant to stab and to hurt.

But the words of the wise soothe and heal.

Truthful words will stand the test of time,

but one day every lie will be seen for what it is.

Deception fills the hearts of those who plot harm,

but those who plan for peace are filled with joy.

Calamity is not allowed to overwhelm the righteous,

but there’s nothing but trouble waiting for the wicked.

Live in the truth and keep your promises,

and the Lord will keep delighting in you,

but he detests a liar.

Those who possess wisdom don’t feel the need

to impress others with what they know,

but foolish ones make sure their ignorance is on display.

If you want to reign in life,

don’t sit on your hands.

Instead work hard at doing what’s right,

for the slacker will end up working to make someone else succeed.

Anxious fear brings depression,

but a life-giving word of encouragement

can do wonders to restore joy to the heart.

Lovers of God give good advice to their friends,

but the counsel of the wicked will lead them astray.

A passive person won’t even complete a project,

but a passionate person makes good use

of his time, wealth, and energy.

Abundant life is discovered by walking in righteousness,

but holding on to your anger leads to death.

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 12 (The Passion Translation)

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