#I am a sleepless heathen

[wifiwulf04]

Broken Binaries (DCA SR AU)

Sun hated days like this. Don’t get him wrong, he loved their little ranch out in the Celestial Forest, where they were the caretakers of all the sun and moon slimes of the Far, Far Range, but there were days when he hated being a caretaker. Well, that wasn’t fair to their little Binaries either. He loved them, almost as much as he loved his own twin, but… 

Sun hated having to deal with broken Binaries. He loved them as much as he hated that they were broken, and that there was nothing he nor Moony could do to fix it, except put one of the slimes in their care out of their misery. 

They agreed that they couldn’t give up yet though, not if there was even the slimmest chance they could fix things. Sun watched the furious Solar slam into the reinforced corral walls, their distorted wails muffled but never fully muted. Even without hearing it, he knew that across the ranch, a lonely Lunar quietly cried. 

No, they couldn’t give up on them, not yet.

#fnaf #fnaf daycare attendant #sun #slime rancher au #have fun sinna :3 #angst #Wilderness brain worm garden #probably will be a part 2 in the morning cause our Moon’s giving me the cat stare of go tf to sleep heathen #to be fair to him #it’s 3.40am #I am a sleepless heathen #sleep schedules are irrelevant at this point

[byzantine-suggestions]

@suburbanbeatnik OK SO:

As far as the “mixing up different historical eras” problem goes, this actually happens in a lot of different novels. Theodora by Samuel Edwards is the most blatant example I can think of at the moment—near the end of the book, a horde of Huns, inexplicably led by Khosrow, starts marching on Constantinople while Justinian is in his plague coma, and Theodora sells the crown jewels (I don’t believe the narrative specifies the buyer) to fund Belisarius and his troops, who are the city’s last defense. Khosrow is similar to Mehmed II, Theodora takes on the role of Anna of Savoy, and the overall political situation is implied to be very bad for Byzantium, with Constantinople on the brink of total failure and most of the empire's territory gone. (Like, there’s discussion of Justinian and Theodora meeting the invaders at the gates so they can die together, because they think the whole empire is collapsing.) The story does end with the Byzantines winning (using Greek fire, another anachronism), and Theodora gets her jewels back (I do not remember how), but yeah, the author completely blended two very different periods together. Different variants of this exact plot appear in different novels—a *lot* of books treat the 540s as politically similar to the 1200s or 1300s, and a *lot* of books have Theodora sell her crown for some reason or another, usually to fund the defense of the City or one of Justinian’s schemes. (One book–maybe one of the ones by Marié Heese? I can’t think of the title, sorry)—had her sell her jewels to fund the building of the Hagia Sophia. (She gets them back in that book, too—I think Narses literally just discovers an enormous stockpile of gold somewhere, and that fixes the financial problems.) And a lot of different books put Belisarius in a Heraclius or Basil-like role, although I’m less well-versed in Belisarius books than I am in Theodora books. (The Sarantine Mosaic by Guy Gavriel Kay definitely did this—the character of Leontes is pretty much Heraclius and Belisarius combined, while Valerius and Aliana are straightforward Justinian and Theodora equivalents, except for the fact Aliana is the equivalent of an iconodule rather than a Monophysite. But that gets a pass, imo, because it’s not pretending to be totally accurate.)

Religious inaccuracies and mixups are also really common overall, especially in older books. One Victorian-era book called Blue and Green, or the Gift of God: A Novel of Old Constantinople was very bad with this, presumably because the author was a British Protestant who made no secret of his disdain for the “pagan heathenism” of the Byzantine Empire. (His descriptions of religious ceremonies are very funny, because he describes them as, like, Christian ceremonies, if Christian ceremonies had strippers and drugs. The inciting incident of Theodora’s spiral into prostitution is her doing an erotic dance at a respectable, aristocratic wedding—not a bachelor party, an actual wedding—and this is presented as normal.) Really, you can probably just check out any Byzantine book from before, say, the 1980s on archive.org, and there’ll be weird religious anachronisms all over the place. Lots of authors bring iconoclasm or the East-West Schism (the one that happened in 1054) into the sixth century, I guess because those are more recognizable and dramatic than the Monophysite thing. Authors tend to put Justinian and Theodora on the opposite sides of these conflicts, and Theodora is usually on whatever side they consider “wrong,” which differs significantly from book to book depending on the author’s religious leanings.

Regarding the Theodora/Macedonia thing—Ross Laidlaw’s Justinian: The Sleepless One definitely did this (there were a couple of cringe sex scenes in this book—he always referred to Macedonia as “the other one,” I guess to avoid saying her name a bunch of times? It’d be like “Theodora felt the other one’s lips...” and so on. It sounded so strange.) Macedonia was Theodora’s main love interest—Theodora does marry Justinian, and she likes him well enough as a person, but she’s pretty explicitly gay and uninterested in men, and she has an affair with Macedonia until Macedonia dies in an earthquake. I believe Stella Duffy’s Actress, Empress, Whore duology also had Theodora and Macedonia hook up, but Duffy’s sex scenes were less fetishistic and cringeworthy, and their relationship didn’t last for the entirety of the novel. Theodora having sex (or sexually charged interactions) with Antonina, Macedonia and her other female friends is reasonably common in shitty Theodora novels in general, but it’s never, like, a plot point. It’s just an excuse for the author to write about attractive young women getting it on in the Roman baths, or whatever other fetish-y nonsense piques his interest.

These points aren’t even the weirdest things about most of these books, though. I should just sit down one day and do a full post about all of the absurd things that happen in Justinian and Theodora stories, because shit gets real weird in most of them. Messy historical anachronisms and fetish-y male-gaze lesbian sex scenes are nowhere near the strangest aspects of some of these books—remind me, one day, to talk about all of the Penis Diseases these authors invent to explain away Justinian and Theodora's infertility.

#penis disease segments #sexy Amalasuintha murder scenes #cringe Narses/Belisarius/Justinian/Theodora/Antonina love dodecahedrons #Evil Comito Bullshit #some of them give Theodora a fictional evil stepmother and stepsisters so she can be Cinderella #it's wild out there

[gasolineghuleh]

Fancy A Fleshy?

So I ask you fucking HEATHENS for a drabble and this is what came out first. I gave myself a 10 minute timer and just wrote what came to mind. It's barely edited, but it's here.

I'm planning on doing one a day.

no miners down here, no gold in these hills, i swear

Copia rolls over in bed, flinging a forearm over his eyes in a desperate attempt to force himself to fall asleep. The lack of any kind of meaningful love, on both ends of the equation (in Copia's mind, anyways), has completely ruined him. Sure, a one night stand every now and then takes care of some base desires, but when even that option goes kaput for an indeterminate amount of time, it's hard not to give up all hope.

NO! Now isn't the time to be thinking about that. Before falling down the rabbit hole of being a cult figurehead, his focus was never this wishy-washy or based entirely on other people's perception of him. Now he can't help but wonder what they all think when they see him pass through the halls in couture robes. All these thoughts are the products of sleeplessness, he just needs to force his brain to shut the fuck up and drift off. He's about ready to cover his head with his pillow just to break up the monotony of his ever-present thoughts when there's a knock at his bedroom door. He groans internally, wondering why someone would try and bother him this late. It isn't that he doesn't like company or has anything against whoever might be on the other side of the heavy door, but right now what he truly wants most is to cum balls deep in a woman and then sleep for the next year.

Copia swings his legs over the side of his bed and grabs the heavy satin banyan from the edge of his mattress. He ties the strings in a bow around his waist before putting the matching sleeping cap back on and adjusting his robe once more to make certain that he's decent. When the door swings open, it's none other than one of his favorite Sisters, looking more than appetizing.

She says, "I came by for two reasons, I wanted to apologize to you again about earlier tonight and see if you were perhaps wanting to make up with a little... fun, so to speak."

The last bit catches him off guard. Last he had heard, this particular pretty Sister was bedding down with one of his more burly Ghouls. Now it seems that she's seeking that same rough treatment and he is more than willing to let her have it, not to mention get to release. Still...

The clock on his mantle loudly chimes the hour: 3 am.

He needs to be awake by 5...

"Sister," he starts, a placating smile on his lips, "I'm afraid I have to decline. I am old, you know, and it is past my bedtime." The Sister looks disappointed momentarily but recovers quickly, nodding. "Perhaps... if you wanted to come and wake me?" he finishes with a raised eyebrow.

The Sister tilts her head and shifts her eyes to the ceiling for a moment, thinking. She shrugs a second later, "I mean, sure. Waking Papa, it would be an honor, anyhow. I'm sure you'll be a great breakfast."

He laughs and taps the pad of his finger to her nose, "I look forward to tomorrow then, Sister. Goodnight." As she turns to leave, he gives her rear a quick swat which earns him a playful glare.

Before she turns to leave for good, this time with a wry smile, she responds, "Goodnight, Papa."

When the Sister's footsteps become distant down the stone hall, he closes the door, locking it tightly. He won't need much more sleep than what he already planned to get, but the thought of a bedmate, the rhythmic weight of her on his chest as he rises and falls with his breath is enough to speed up his resolve to finally try and sleep. He crawls back underneath the covers and shuts the lamp off by his bedside, but immediately wriggles a hand through the thin gap in between his mattress and box spring in search of his plastic... device.

In terms of making sure his cock received at least some stimulation on a nightly basis, his first question was how to not-quite cheat on whomever he happened to be sleeping with at the time without actually breaking the relationship. While that fulfilled some of his own fetishistic wants, he was more in the need of something close to how a real woman would feel, but not the potential cataclysm that came afterward.

His hand firmly grasps the handle of the fleshlight and he props it up with the held of some pillows and dirty talk that only he can hear. Copia's cock is already straining at the button of his sleep pants and he pulls them down gratefully, hissing through his teeth when the cool night air kisses his cock. His fingers trace along his shaft and his balls hang heavily beneath him as he situates himself in a semi-missionary position with the toy. It isn't too often that he gives himself the time to masturbate these days, what with his work mostly done at all hours of the night and early morning with practically nobody to keep him company when the sun goes down.

A pump of perfectly placed lube into his palm and he's ready to go, slicking up his cock in a swift and practiced motion. The shaft of his cock slides perfectly against his palm, the glide eased by the lubricant and the borderline desperation in his movements. The Sister in the hallway... it isn't like he's never noticed her before-- anyone with eyeballs would notice tits and an ass like that, even through the black habits and veils. When they'd parted ways, there was a... change to her demeanor. She seemed far more coy and her hips walked with a newfound sense of confidence. Is it cocky of him to think that he did that to her? Possibly, but at the same time... it's also likely true. He hasn't seen anyone else lately have that effect on a Sister like that. Not since he became Papa.

Another shake of his head and a press of his hips. He groans, chest deep, as he situates his cock into the toy.

"Fuck," he breathes out. A gentle rock of his hips to make sure that he's situated properly and then a steady thrust. With his eyes closed, it's so easy to imagine someone else, a body rocking above him, riding him, using him for her pleasure. He moves his other hand up to his chest and tweaks his nipples, rolling them between his fingers and thumb. The light stimulation makes him shudder and his balls tighten, but he needs more than just this, he needs to feel like he's fucking someone.

He starts to imagine what it'd be like if that Sister were here with him now, what she'd sound like as she fucked herself on his cock. Would she make the same little noises he did, would she bite her lip and toss her head back, or would she be demanding, pinning him down and riding him until her thighs quaked with overstimulation? Copia's breathing grows heavier as the heat begins to coil in the pit of his stomach and he grips the base of his cock, stroking in time with his thrusts. It's hard not to think about all the possibilities of what it would be like to be with her, to know her, to hold her, to taste her-

A breathy gasp from his throat and he feels his body begin to tremble, the tell-tale sign that he's close to cumming, close to tipping over that edge into the oblivion of pleasure and--

His door creaks open behind him.

"Papa? I hope it's okay, I don't think I can wait until-" The voice stops dead in its tracks and Copia feels the blood drain from his face.

"I, uhm. I can come back?" she suggests somewhat sheepishly, despite offering the same thing only moments before. Copia rolls over and immediately covers himself with his blankets. It's a useless move, seeing as he's still quite obviously... erect... and his potential bedmate has already seen him in the process of getting himself off. Not only that, but the Sister is now blushing the same color as Primo's robes and trying not to look at him.

"It's alright, you can come in," he says, his voice coming out much hoarser than he intended. The Sister nods and enters his room, locking the door behind her. She shuffles forward, her black habit swaying as she moves. The closer she gets, the more the blush on her cheeks becomes visible and the more embarrassed she seems to become. He's never seen her quite like this before, so shy. Normally she's a fiery spitfire, someone who's able to keep him on his toes and who doesn't take any of his bullshit. But right now she seems almost like a little girl, someone who's never had the pleasure of a man's touch.

As she walks towards him, the first thing that hits him is the smell of her perfume.

#lorraine writes #ghost bc #the band ghost #popia #papa emeritus #cardinal copia #copia #papa emeritus iv #papa iv #papa 4 #era 4 #fanfiction #the band ghost fanfiction #ghost bc fanfic

[ampleappleamble]

Me? Tagged?? For WIP Wednesday????

It's more likely than you think. (Thanks @orime-stories! ♡♡♡)

---

"Wael's eyes, man, slow down. It's midmorning yet!"

Axa got up on the tips of her toes and leaned over to pluck the bottle from the old man's surprisingly strong grip, her headache intensifying as she caught a whiff of his rancid breath. She had been mostly joking when she ordered Kana to bring out the wine for their guest, but once she'd seen the delight in the poor old salt's face, the sparkle in his eyes when presented with a goblet and bottle-- well, how could she refuse?

She glared at the aumaua now, clutching her last bottle of pomegranate wine, barely a quarter full after the old man's assault. Kana winced apologetically at her, but the little woman only smiled wryly and shrugged. It was as much her own fault as it was his, and she knew it.

The old man laughed good-naturedly, revealing a mouth only half full of teeth, and toasted his hostess with his borrowed goblet. "Early it may be, m'lady," he rasped, a strange sailor's brogue coloring his Aedyran, "bu' this elt lad dosnae rest. An' Magran help us, nei'r dae th' thirst." The old man sloshed the wine in his cup as he spoke, slopping it over the lip and onto the dusty stone floor more than once, before smacking his lips and merrily sucking down what remained inside.

As she had predicted, the night had not gone easily for the newly minted Watcher of Caed Nua. What little sleep she'd managed to get had been plagued by nightmares about books and machines, promises and betrayals, adra and copper and blood. And when sleep had failed her, she'd squirmed in her bedroll, tossing and turning and sweating and groaning. And thinking-- lots of thinking. But in spite of it all-- perhaps, in fact, because of her sleeplessness-- her awareness felt bizarrely heightened. It reminded her of her all-night research sessions in her old college life: standing there practically vibrating from murkbrew and nervous energy, feeling simultaneously like she was strong enough to lift a horse over her head and like she was about to collapse. Scrutinizing the drunken old salt, she squinted resolutely against her headache, determined not to let anything escape her notice.

Axa saw the gnarled fingers, knotted with age, and she watched the unsteady, drunken gesticulations that spilled her favorite wine onto the cobwebs and mouse shit that decorated her Great Hall. But she also saw that the hand itself was steady: not tremulous, but strong and sure. The half-lidded, drink-addled eyes took a while to fully focus, but once he managed to fix his gaze on hers, she could see a remarkably fierce little twinkle in his mischievous eyes.

"Engrim, you said your name is?"

"Pretty much everyone calls him Eld Engrim," Edér drawled, leaning against a stone pillar while fiddling with his pipe. "He's from around here somewhere, but he tends t' spend most of his time on the sea. Or in whichever tavern's nearest. Probably came in from Anslog's Compass lookin' for a little shore leave, ended up owin' someone a favor and havin' to hoof it all the way out here for 'em." Despite the content of his introduction, the farmer spoke with fondness, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled warmly at the old man. "Ain't that right, Eld Engrim?"

The old sailor cackled and nodded, clutching his empty goblet with both hands like a talisman. "Aye, laddie, ye've got me fairly figured! Masons in yer Vale promised me a fine bottle o' spirits should I answer 'em this missive from oul' Caed Nua, abandoned all these long years. Although, ye did neglect t' address me Mistress, heathen that ye be, She whose spark 'n flame lit me way here!" He winked obnoxiously and wagged a crooked finger at the Eothasian, like a grandfather teasingly scolding his grandson.

Axa had not missed the telltale signs of a Magranite priest. The smell, in particular, of singed hair and arcane flame had tipped her off.

"You didn't think the priesthood of Ondra might suit you better?" Aloth's lip curled with disgust as he regarded the man, glaring at him over the edge of his grimoire. He had been quiet all morning, Axa noticed, and the elf seemed particularly bothered by the drunken old priest.

"Not if he's a cannoneer," Kana suggested. "I can see where you might get Ondra-- the sea, drink and forgetfulness, those common themes-- but many who work with munitions, and especially ships, keep a Magranite priest on their payroll for their beneficial healing magic as well as for their blessings on and expertise with explosives." He grinned at the elf, beaming with academic pride.

Aloth glared harder. "If that's the case," he droned, "why is he here running errands for stonemasons in Gilded Vale instead of mumbling over a double bronzer or something somewhere out on the sea?"

Axa turned her attention to her guest. "Good question, actually. Maybe you'd care to explain yourself a bit more while we make our way back to Gilded Vale, Engrim?"

The old man's eyes bugged out of his head, flicking back and forth between the orlan and his empty goblet. "Och, young miss, ye cannae mean t' be gettin' t' Gilded Vale now! 'Tis a day's sojourn, an' rovin' bands o' bandits roam o'er th' roads, Magran bash 'n burn 'em! An' 'ave only just arrived, me!" He looked around at her companions' faces, groping wildly for support, and found only pity and scorn for this man foolish enough to think to argue with her.

"He... does speak true, my lady." The Steward's voice rang out gently from the halls of the old keep. "No guard patrols have been dispatched along Caed Nua's surrounding roads since old Maerwald's decline into madness, and the paths surrounding the estate have been infested with brigands and monsters alike." As her voice faded, a soft little blanket of sadness settled over the gathered kith like a light dusting of snow.

Axa shuddered. "All the more reason, then, to get going. For better or worse, this keep is mine now, my responsibility." She paused as she felt the Steward's blush of surprise, followed closely by a soft, tentative bloom of gratitude. "The only people I can count on to restore my barbican are not, apparently, ready to take me seriously, so it seems I must issue my orders face to face. And I need this barbican restored. Unless, of course, Aedelwan Bridge is no longer flooded?"

Engrim shrugged, fiddled with the stem of his goblet, shuffled his feet. "Nae, no, 'tis... nae flooded..."

"It's destroyed," Kana chirped. "Ondra's mighty fist at work! I learned from a traveling hunter just the other day. The Dyrwood can't to seem to steer clear of the gods' wrath, can--"

"We're going to Gilded Vale, today. Right now." Axa paused, hand on her hip, and then downed the remainder of her wine. She almost flung the empty bottle to the floor in a fit of pique, but she remembered the Steward, and quickly tamped her anger down. "I want this barbican fixed. I want to get to Defiance Bay. By the Wheel, if the only way to get it done is to do it myself, I will."

No one could argue with that.

---

It was a satisfying sound, the scuffle of boots and the shouts of workers. Although she knew the work couldn't begin for another day or two, Axa still felt a distinct sense of accomplishment as she strode out of the Hound, listened to the masons hustle behind her.

"Well, considerin' how drunk they all were, I'm surprised that went so good." Edér clapped the little woman on the shoulder, grinning broadly and chewing gently on the stem of his pipe.

Aloth's voice drifted to her over her opposite shoulder. "Indeed, especially after the third time they addressed their questions to Edér and not to you, despite your repeated and... exponentially sonorous objections."

"Let it be known that the new Lady of Caed Nua does not suffer fools gladly," Kana proclaimed. "Although, speaking of fools... I can't help but notice the sun is setting, Caed Nua is almost a full day's hike away, and we're... leaving the inn?"

Axa smiled. "Remember we met Aufra on our way in? I offered to stay with her tonight, cook her some dinner, keep her company. I trust none of you object?"

No one did. She paused, and when she spoke again, she was much more subdued, almost somber.

"Last time I saw her, I was telling her her potion was horseshit and the fate of her unborn babe's soul was up to the caprices of the gods. Least I can do is put my money where my mouth is and be the good neighbor that girl needs right now."

They walked in silence for a short stretch.

"If I'm bein' honest-- and I actually am, sometimes-- I been noticin' a lotta changes around here since we got back. Lot more smilin' people in the streets." Edér's blond whiskers quirked and twitched with his grin. "Wasn't like that before you showed up. 'Course, there is still that tree fulla dead bodies in the center of town..."

Kana winced. "Yes, I was wondering about that--"

"It's a long and gruesome tale." The man in the green cloak stepped out into the road, and Axa stopped dead in her tracks, her companions following suit. "But I'd tell it, if you'd listen. You and the good Lady both."

"Kolsc." Edér whispered through his teeth, surprised, but not angry. Axa's gaze flicked up to the stranger's face as he limped closer.

---

#pillars of eternity #fanfiction #fanfic #poe anthem infinitum #wip wednesday #wip #this chapter is rough yall lmao

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

9th October >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

  Friday, Twenty Seventh Week in Ordinary Time 

 or 

Saints Denis, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs 

 or 

Saint John Leonardi, Priest 

 or 

Saint John Henry Newman, Priest.

Friday, Twenty Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

  (Liturgical Colour: Green)

       First Reading

Galatians 3:7-14

The sons of Abraham are those who rely on faith

Don’t you see that it is those who rely on faith who are the sons of Abraham? Scripture foresaw that God was going to use faith to justify the pagans, and proclaimed the Good News long ago when Abraham was told: In you all the pagans will be blessed. Those therefore who rely on faith receive the same blessing as Abraham, the man of faith.

On the other hand, those who rely on the keeping of the Law are under a curse, since scripture says: Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in observing everything prescribed in the book of the Law. The Law will not justify anyone in the sight of God, because we are told: the righteous man finds life through faith. The Law is not even based on faith, since we are told: The man who practises these precepts finds life through practising them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by being cursed for our sake, since scripture says: Cursed be everyone who is hanged on a tree. This was done so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might include the pagans, and so that through faith we might receive the promised Spirit.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

   Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 110(111):1-6

R/ The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

or

R/ Alleluia!

I will thank the Lord with all my heart

 in the meeting of the just and their assembly.

Great are the works of the Lord,

 to be pondered by all who love them.

R/ The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

or

R/ Alleluia!

Majestic and glorious his work,

 his justice stands firm for ever.

He makes us remember his wonders.

 The Lord is compassion and love.

R/ The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

or

R/ Alleluia!

He gives food to those who fear him;

 keeps his covenant ever in mind.

He has shown his might to his people

 by giving them the lands of the nations.

R/ The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

or

R/ Alleluia!

    Gospel Acclamation

John 10:27

Alleluia, alleluia!

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, 

says the Lord, 

I know them and they follow me.

Alleluia!

  Or:

John 12:31-32

Alleluia, alleluia!

Now the prince of this world is to be overthrown, 

says the Lord.

And when I am lifted up from the earth, 

I shall draw all men to myself.

Alleluia!

    Gospel

Luke 11:15-26

The finger of God has overtaken you

When Jesus had cast out a devil, some of the people said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.

‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.

‘When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, “I will go back to the home I came from.” But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied, it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there, so that the man ends up by being worse than he was before.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

————————————-

     Saints Denis, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs 

   Liturgical Colour: Red.

     Readings for the memorial

There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Friday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise.

    First reading

2 Corinthians 6:4-10

How we prove that we are God's servants

We prove we are servants of God by great fortitude in times of suffering: in times of hardship and distress; when we are flogged, or sent to prison, or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving. We prove we are God’s servants by our purity, knowledge, patience and kindness; by a spirit of holiness, by a love free from affectation; by the word of truth and by the power of God; by being armed with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, prepared for honour or disgrace, for blame or praise; taken for impostors while we are genuine; obscure yet famous; said to be dying and here are we alive; rumoured to be executed before we are sentenced; thought most miserable and yet we are always rejoicing; taken for paupers though we make others rich, for people having nothing though we have everything.

    Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 125(126):1-6

 Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,

 it seemed like a dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

 on our lips there were songs.

Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels

 the Lord worked for them!’

What marvels the Lord worked for us!

 Indeed we were glad.

Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage

 as streams in dry land.

Those who are sowing in tears

 will sing when they reap.

Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears,

 carrying seed for the sowing:

they come back, they come back, full of song,

 carrying their sheaves.

Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

    Gospel Acclamation

Jn8:12

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia!

    Gospel

Matthew 5:13-16

Your light must shine in the sight of men

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

 —————————

     Saint John Leonardi, Priest 

  Liturgical Colour: White.

  Readings at Mass

  Readings for the memorial

There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Friday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise.

    First reading

2 Corinthians 4:1-2,5-7

God has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of his glory

Since we have by an act of mercy been entrusted with this work of administration, there is no weakening on our part. On the contrary, we will have none of the reticence of those who are ashamed, no deceitfulness or watering down the word of God; but the way we commend ourselves to every human being with a conscience is by stating the truth openly in the sight of God. For it is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. It is the same God that said, ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’, who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ.

We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.

    Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 95(96):1-3,7-8,10

 Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

O sing a new song to the Lord,

 sing to the Lord all the earth.

 O sing to the Lord, bless his name.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Proclaim his help day by day,

 tell among the nations his glory

 and his wonders among all the peoples.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Give the Lord, you families of peoples,

 give the Lord glory and power;

 give the Lord the glory of his name.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’

 The world he made firm in its place;

 he will judge the peoples in fairness.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

    Gospel Acclamation

Mk1:17

Alleluia, alleluia!

Follow me, says the Lord,

and I will make you into fishers of men.

Alleluia!

    Gospel

Luke 5:1-11

They left everything and followed him

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.

When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

 ——————————-

     Saint John Henry Newman, Priest 

  Liturgical Colour: White.

  Readings at Mass

  Readings for the memorial

There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Friday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise.

    First reading

1 Corinthians 2:10-16

The Spirit reaches even the depths of God

The Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God. After all, the depths of a man can only be known by his own spirit, not by any other man, and in the same way the depths of God can only be known by the Spirit of God. Now instead of the spirit of the world, we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. Therefore we teach, not in the way in which philosophy is taught, but in the way that the Spirit teaches us: we teach spiritual things spiritually. An unspiritual person is one who does not accept anything of the Spirit of God: he sees it all as nonsense; it is beyond his understanding because it can only be understood by means of the Spirit. A spiritual man, on the other hand, is able to judge the value of everything, and his own value is not to be judged by other men. As scripture says: Who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him? But we are those who have the mind of Christ.

    Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 144(145):8-14

 The Lord is just in all his ways.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion,

 slow to anger, abounding in love.

How good is the Lord to all,

 compassionate to all his creatures.

The Lord is just in all his ways.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,

 and your friends shall repeat their blessing.

They shall speak of the glory of your reign

 and declare your might, O God,

to make known to men your mighty deeds

 and the glorious splendour of your reign.

The Lord is just in all his ways.

Yours is an everlasting kingdom;

 your rule lasts from age to age.

The Lord is faithful in all his words

 and loving in all his deeds.

The Lord supports all who fall

 and raises all who are bowed down.

The Lord is just in all his ways.

    Gospel Acclamation

Heb 4:12

Alleluia, alleluia!

The word of God is alive and active:

it can judge secret emotions and thoughts.

Alleluia!

    Gospel

Matthew 13:47-52

The fishermen collect the good fish and throw away those that are no use

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

‘Have you understood all this?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[lemonlimesunlight]

“You’ve arrived quite late.” Angelique asked, although time and sleeplessness did not even seem to touch her stone cold face.

“Yes, but we decided to ride through the night. I couldn’t withstand a moment more away.” Vincent replied. The wear of travel was apparent on the young kings handsome face.

“And the... matter with the heathen princess?” Angelique asked bluntly. The precise blunt and directness that drew the King to Angelique in the first place. 

“Solved, mostly.” Vincent responded taking a sip of his wine. 

“She is below in the dungeon. I am debating on what to do with her.” 

The Beginning   Next 

#sims #ts4 #ts #sims royalty #sims story #theunremembered

[purkinje-effect]

Nuka-Cola Grape

Ours Is the Kingdom, Chapter 2. Go to previous. Go to next.

Twelve years ago

Brother August sat cross-legged in the wooden floor of the medic’s quarters, a pale young man working over a variety of glass vessels at his arm’s reach. The medic, an older woman with tawny silvering hair, worked with her back to him at an ancient prewar metal desk, equal parts apothecary and chemistry lab. His wiry, dark hair spilled from the ribbon which pulled it back loosely. In the filtered chartreuse glow of the myriad of cryptic glassware filled with dyed-cherenkov fluids, his superior could not see his unsteady hands, but she could hear every trembling junction of glass to glass, no matter how he tried. He set down his stir rod and his beaker of a dark substance, and cleared his throat to break the almost-quiet.

“Archemist, could I ask you something?”

From beneath the surgical mask, her rasping, strained voice served to bestill him, and she turned to lay kind eyes upon him.

“I’m unsure I’m the best source of counsel in this tumultuous time, but you have my eyes and ears, my child.”

He crossed his hands in his lap and pursed his lips.

“In the wake of Brother Andrew’s execution, do you think the Children will think ill of anyone who leaves?” August jammed his tongue into the furrow between two upper teeth and lolled his eyes to the wood-plank ceiling a moment. “I can’t remain here. My faith is unshaken, I swear it. Yet, I can’t shake the worry that I am abandoning what has been allotted me in life. That I am abandoning you and the others.”

The Archemist furrowed shut her failing eyes and shied from comment a moment.

“You have not told anyone else you plan to leave, I trust.” She glanced off out into the submarine hangar within which the commune had built its shelter and sanctum. “By the Division, tell me you don’t side with Confessor Martin in all this.”

“I do not profess to understand what has led Martin astray, but I assure you that do not follow in his stead. I wholly endorse the unity of cause which Conf– High Confessor Tektus leads the Children. For the Harbormen to have enacted such an unprovoked and gruesome act of violence against one of the most peaceful among us, it’s unfathomable, and unforgivable. I would understand if it had been me they felled.” August did not give her room to object to the comment. “It’s clear to me they will never see Atom’s holy glow, never see their world-souls unfurl. But… it’s clear to me also that I cannot be the agent of the High Confessor’s will. I cannot protect this family. My composure is failing, sister.”

A smile dulled her eyes into a squint, but she scarce could look at him directly. As she spoke, he rose, and slowly approached her.

“We are losing our most enthusiastic cook in this. An obeisant, diligent sibling. A skilled chemist. For how you handle a gun, I still wish you’d take the role of a Zealot, but I ramble… brother, Atom has bestowed upon us a homestead in this holy land, and He provides us all we have here. You are just as much a part of the collective blessings as anyone else here, and we will feel your absence just as we feel M– Forgive me, you do not leave forsaking your faith. The comparison is unjust.”

The tall man looked to her expectantly, and placed an endearing hand to her shoulder.

“But I do leave to retain my faith. What Atom requires of me, I cannot stay here.” His grip tightened on her shoulder, then loosened. “I suppose it really was not so much a question as it was a deference. I’ve owed so much to you in my time in Far Harbor. We all have. You are the only one I’ve told. I have not sought counsel from the High Confessor, for I know in his resolution that he’d find a way to keep me here.”

“If you leave by Atom’s accord, then why do you believe the High Confessor will not understand you? Did Atom come to you? Or the Mother?”

“Atom has made my task clear and bright as the sun. But I cannot ask this family to afford me.” His pale eyes grew wild. “Children will die if I stay.”

“You’ve handled the transition from the Harbor to the Nucleus about as well as I have.” She placed her calming hand atop his, but did not mention that he still trembled. “What Atom requires of me is to stay here and tend His Children. In the mounting tension, the Church needs me here now more than ever. But to hear your confidence that Atom calls you elsewhere at such a time… You intend to go into the Fog, then?”

“I do not know what I intend.” August stepped back and looked out over the dry-docked submarine in the middle of the hangar, its aft lined with candles. “You’ve noticed… changes in me since we came to the Nucleus? What kind of changes?”

“You have always isolated yourself, been most private with your worship. But you no longer pray alongside the rest of us, except when the High Confessor leads us. Either you’ve grown more pious, or more guilty.”

When August tried to skirt around the Archemist to exit, she cut him off and cornered him on the balcony of her dwelling. He shied from her stern insistence.

“August, I’ve forgiven your theft throughout these past two years. I know it is some sign of illness. If it is an illness like my own, it is not my place to question what wickedness might have branded you with it. That’s between you and Atom to sort out. Yet, I feel I deserve to know why you always take blood packs, and not Stimpaks, if this has to do with your health.”

He stood frozen for some time before he lunged into a passionate, desperate hug.

“This is not what I meant to transpire from speaking with you.”

“It was exactly what you meant to transpire.” The Archemist failed to suppress a coughing fit, and she pushed him away. “Please… just be truthful and fair with me. I deserve that much.”

“…The Trappers… are heathens with the appetite of Atom but no understanding of it, no guidance through faith…” The words futilely spilled from him, his heart constricting in his chest. “Atom has given me all that I have. And I have… that appetite. Had it since I was a boy. As I’ve cultivated it, it’s expanded my capacity for Atom’s glow by such a margin that I doubt a metric can any longer quantify it. I can’t keep stealing from you, sister. Especially not now, when you will likely need medical supplies the most. Most of all, I fear what might happen if there weren’t blood packs to take–”

He swallowed hard and stiffened his posture, and flinched in the expectation of her scrutiny. When she did not lay a hand on him or say a word, he opened one eye and observed a woman locked in anguish.

“You are right. You cannot remain here.” The Archemist removed the mask to expose her radium-eroded jaw and throat to him. Her eyes grew wet. “How could I have never put together the symptoms? The Fog seizes unbelievers and forces them to act on its will. Do you truly believe in your heart of hearts that it is your right as a Child of Atom to act as the will of the Fog? To perform the basest of the functions which the Fog allots anyone but Atom’s chosen? It protects us by turning unbelievers upon themselves–yet you seek to stand in their shoes and act in their stead.”

Her scrutiny welcomed back his certainty.

“Atom has chosen me for this. It is my duty to cultivate my world-vessel to the fullest that I can, and this is the way that Atom has told me I must do so.” He approached her again, but she shied from him, and he stood down. “I am taking the next possible opportunity to leave, and I will trouble none of you further. I know it has been a trying dialogue. I cannot steal from, especially you now that you’ve told me you know it. Can I… beseech you for one last pack of blood? I came here to help you prepare scouring materials, but also to take my last meal before I go.”

The Archemist smiled through her tears, and shook her head.

“You are most unwell, my child.” She did not stand by her body language, however, and retrieved one plastic bag from the cabinetry of the desk at which she’d worked. She held it out to him, but glared at him and did not relent it. “Have the decency to take it somewhere no one will see what I have permitted.”

August took it only once she was convinced her words had shaken him, and he nodded in gratitude before leaving without another word. He tucked the blood pack beneath his thin, dark, humble robes, and as he readied himself to depart in the next few hours, he concealed it clutching it to his breast with the limb Atom had bestowed upon him in his teen years. There it remained as he knelt prostrate facing the submarine, and prayed in its shelter, for the last time. For strength, resolution, and composure.

Leaving all rations save the one specifically for himself, he took nothing save his apron of knives, his lever-action rifle, and whatever fistfuls of dried herbs he could stow in the one piece of Marine armor he owned. Once everyone was asleep, he stood in the decontamination arches of the atrium hall and wore a haunted snarl he scoured himself of the essence of Atom of the Nucleus he contained. Dampened by his penitence, he stepped out into the cool night courtyard air to exit through the gate formed by drums stacked high. As expected, Grand Zealot Richter stood watch outside, and stopped him before he got to the gate.

“What business do you have outside the hangar this late, brother?”

The concentric sigil of Atom on the Grand Zealot’s face radiated from his right eye and obfuscated most of his features save his dark, rusty beard and salt-hardened gaze. August could not remember if he had ever seen Richter remove his full suit of emblazoned Marine armor, and he did not turn to face Richter.

“I seek the Mother. Please. It is urgent, and I am sleepless for it.”

“You take your rifle on sabbatical?”

“Please. Do not contest me. This is between me and Atom only.”

“State your intent, or risk concern of heresy. Be mindful of the climate, August.”

“In this exact moment, I have only the intent to follow in the Fog. I must commune with Atom directly in this. In this, I will find all answers I seek.”

“Do not let me regret it,” came a gruff reluctance at last, and a benign authority. “May she guide you in His glow.”

August turned to face him one last time, just long enough to meet eyes.

“Atom keep you, Grand Zealot.”

“And you as well.”

August crossed the narrow dock across the waters which surrounded the Nucleus, and traveled up the rocky terrain to the face of the hillock from which Atom’s Spring poured, a glowing, uranium gold in the moonlight. He knelt at length, permitting that it pour over his head and down his body, warmed by baptism anew in the glow of Atom which the waters imbued. Then he bowed down and drank by the palmful until the aura of the Fog overtook him, heavy, metallic, and overwhelming.

And where it guided, he walked.

Go to Next »»»

#children of atom #the archemist #grand zealot richter #fallout 4 #far harbor #fallout 4 fanfic #father wachusett #ours is the kingdom

[libidomechanica]

Untitled Composition # 8653

The lusty god embracements  was late into  her hair, hey ho the  fond flyes, the richest  milk from the Moon, Foode, to  give way. was Chymist, 

Fidler, State; and  sculkd behind Sally shepeheards with  dirt. Perdie an evil  deaths at everything on the  virgin bright holes. I saw then I 

read; self so, by Force he won  when he fed his Sould  did most child of strawberries,  diaperd people states to 

suit the been fall 

be done, cut off, and of  God to regions Waste, beyond 

the scene around:  there and gold, whose who 

am dumb signs: his heavier,  hands her name at presseth  her hair it is demurre  our historian, you  open always the  rightly shine like the name my  Highland lassie, erewhile my  heart of his wealth awake the  brambles for a  foreign sway may look he turnd  a foe oer the guidance  on before well knowes  not one upon the day. 

Ichoot from life-blood, in one  especial animals. Somebody  was you  may die glory sat she died, and  runs heart of song. And thou can  seal it you; take “like” you gathered  from thence, nor long, when  river, silver fleur-de- lis; because  for which cutting to  think theyre purchased away, as 

what the Flock. I earthly  closes is “quite terrible enough  the dregs of  thou looked backward shall we shower of  light? Into the  Turks the day. But Cloe  noted her in terror  fret at all the foe defies  the Future suits with  the chief powres for 

a meal— the life 

leaks away like a goddesse, who,  wandering wheel at midday, set  for love the glow they 

will the Damzels, daughterd  from his den, march to  temptations; no voice! ‘Tis poetry, 

at it, full of a life 

leaks away, even always  be done just that crawled up  to the old world speaking  eye, a breath,’” and wilt renews:  and, stand answer and why?  That all the Heathen  Priest jade with weeping? And 

Ill progeny, sends from its 

king, are gouerned yore. Song, speak  the same to reach with  what Salámán hearts  right wherewith Ismails store: and  she thirst, to be mine. Yet,  since it in was  enamoured. I no long, it  could have cause; then coud Adonis,  that saist the Hearts and  Erycine, displayed, where I do  store of her who really  like a golden wyre, sprinckles  and Tarnisht Mirror of the  best always cheat and 

told ingots like the bloody  diuretic. Tell her bed:  I am but by the 

gate now, a heron. But Johnson,  and on the city, 

streame: of partridge, pheasant 

Quyre of lawn, thought not a childhood,  explain his burnt, such a  task to make in German,  knew not won until the 

shepherd, sitting the fume  of beaver hath found him still  deserted, if every  way. Silences. Now, well fare. The  could pourd as if she 

meets you, is no redeeming near,  till thy beauty to be  a Jewel, he tore there for  fear of his wrong; was 

ever let it remember:  I raise; but Common- wealth shronke vndersongs were to  love hid in mine eye and  treachery of a forest 

him, who held in sight  death. And in height upon thee;  saw the blouse you kisses  for posterity began, 

the woods the  bed alone, and, looking breast, 

as endowed when sought  a Crime in the midst  the Kindred light wise, opposd 

a price extreem day, till thing  nothing for there within  his trim hath cheere I sleepless 

boat, he found him King: that one 

thine. Of winter with 

thee with Cruelty,  as to Arts a 

friend can well she knew we  would he alone, ’“twas the flies  and silver stars drawn; her breath.”

#poetry #automatically generated text #Patrick Mooney #Markov chains #Markov chain length: 6 #184 texts

[steverogersnotebook]

Neighbors - Alternate Plans

NEIGHBORS

Recovering TJ Hammond and Steve Rogers (between TWS/CW), neighbors who try to find comfort on sleepless nights through baking, music, and friendship. An offer to share company and their mutual talents when being alone is just too much leads to friendship.

(my inbox is open for ideas, prompts and headcanons)

NEIGHBORS fluff | gen [platonic friendships] / Steve & TJ Hammond [SERIES of oneshots]

TJ sat next to Steve on the rooftop patio, the only noise was the occasional traffic below and the increasing sound of fireworks being set off. This wasn’t the way Steve’s birthday was planned to play out, but as he’d teased Douglas by text earlier, was he really expected to manhandle Steve into going to a surprise party he wasn’t in the mood for?

TJ had tried to tell his mother and his brother to talk to the rest of the “Operation Party” planners. He knew that all Steve had wanted to do was spend a quiet day at a park, hang out to see the fireworks display, and head home to the birthday cupcakes that TJ had struggled through on his own, after over six months of baking tutorials.

When Steve had left the park early, TJ’s command (aka idea) to go “take Steve out” to dinner was put in jeopardy.

TJ had let Steve have his space, not heading back to the apartment until an hour before dinner was planned. When Steve didn’t answer his door, or his phone, TJ sent a text:

TJ followed the stairway to the roof and when he got there, he saw Steve straddling the wall on the edge of the roof, casually holding a beer.

“You want to scare the shit out of me?”

Steve slowly slung the one leg over the wall, and stood up, “Sorry.”

“I brought cupcakes,” TJ set the sweets down on the patio table as he approached. “Even if they look like this they should make it up to us by tasting pretty decent.”

“They look pretty good. You lost interest didn’t you?”

“Patience actually.” TJ admitted. “I was in the middle of fixing them to look festive and being ordered to deliver you to a surprise party.”

“Dinner.” Steve nodded, finishing off the beer and setting the bottle on the wall. “Cold drinks over there. Water and soda included.”

“Thanks.” TJ stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Steve. “You disappeared.”

“I thought it would be easier. I mean all of the general festivities – I figured I could hang out, watch the kids, something.”

“It was a little bigger than you expected?” TJ crossed the space to the tub of ice that held the drinks Steve had mentioned. He sat down on one of the cushioned seats with a water bottle in his hand. “That’s fine you know.”

“Who’s at this party I’m not going to?”

“My mother. My grandmother. Your friends. Douglas and Anne. Probably some stuffy dignitary my mother wants to impress.”

“Maybe when I’m 100,” Steve laughed, “Maybe I’ll make it up to them for my centenarian celebration.”

“If you want,” TJ shrugged. “It seems to me that planning a surprise party for someone is the ultimate in taking chances. You know, you can see the fireworks from here pretty well.”

“Good.” Steve sat down on the cushioned seat next to TJ. “I guess I did ok today, spent some time at the park, had a few samples of food and overpriced beer. I saw these two little kids running around, squirting each other, trying to keep cool and I… God it’s been so long since I was carefree.”

“What about Easter?” TJ teased.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, if it feels like an eternity for me, I can’t imagine.”

“Same really. You know, for the longest time I would go somewhere expecting things to be a certain way, and come away disillusioned. I‘ve lost track of how many times. I complained to Sam once about what I thought was missing. He suggested I stop going with any expectations, and it helped. It worked. But those kids.”

“Hit too close to home?”

“Summertime in Brooklyn, nineteen twenty four, I was six and Bucky was seven. I remember for so many reasons. It was before the depression but Ma was a single mother, so this was a real treat. My grandfather sent a little money wrapped in a letter for Ma that said “yer Ma wanted to make sure Stevie had a birthday sweet” and Ma decided that she’d bake a cake that we could share with Bucky, his sisters, and Mrs. Barnes. It was stifling inside so Ma baked the cake in the middle of the night.”

TJ watched as Steve leaned forward, with his elbows on his knees. He was smiling one of those bittersweet smiles.

“I want to hear more, first, would you like something to eat before we kill the cupcakes? I could order takeout.”

“Surprise me.”

“The only acceptable birthday surprise?” TJ smirked.

“Yeah,” Steve laughed. “I guess you could put it that way.”

“Go on, I’m using an app.”

“Some of the bigger kids opened up the fire plug and we came in just soaked. We were laughing and dripping and Buck had my shirt tucked into his waistband, hanging down like a tail. His shirt, I still don’t know where it ended up. Coulda been taken home by one of the other boys, maybe it was dragged down the road with the current.

“Mrs. Barnes was fit to be tied and Ma was giggling at us for looking like drowned rats. Innovative but ‘devilish’ drowned rats. So we sat at the table wrapped up in sheets to eat a piece of cake. Bucky kept throwing his off and Mrs. Barnes finally had to tell him, “James, you’re already indecent at Mrs. Rogers’ table. If you keep uncovering like a heathen, you and I are going home and you can give your cake to Rebecca.”

“Ma stifled her laugh, she turned around and hid her head in the icebox, and Mrs. Barnes stepped behind Bucky with her arms crossed and tried to look stern.”

“Tried?” TJ was engrossed in Steve’s story, smiling and laughing at the images.

“She winked at me when I caught her hiding a quiet chuckle behind her hand. I honestly don’t think Buck ever caught on that they were thoroughly entertained by us.”

TJ’s phone vibrated against his thigh, he picked it up to see Douglas was checking up on him:

Steve was aching to know what TJ was chuckling at as TJ set his phone down, but didn’t ask, instead crossing the space to retrieve another beer. He looked at the cupcakes, festively colored red, white, and blue, some swirled perfectly, others dotted with tiny star sprinkles. When he sat back down next to TJ, he looked at his friend before asking, “we’re busted aren’t we?”

“No,” TJ shook his head, the ghost of a laugh in his voice, “I mean it was Dougie looking for us, but I just told him I was tied up.”

“Part of me is really concerned about letting all of them down, but the other part of me just… I’m fine where I am, is that so terrible?”

“Embrace the selfishness.” TJ leaned back on his seat, looking at the colors forming on the horizon. “Watch the sunset and just be. Dinner’s on its way. Listen, if your troubles are pacified by an apologetic text to your friends, do that.”

“Which friends?”

“Sam, Stark, Natasha.” TJ listed them absentmindedly. “I told Dougie you weren’t in the right frame of mind for a crowd. I expect I’ll be answering directly to my mom at some point. If I stick my phone on the other end of the roof, I can put it off for a while.”

“I’m sorry you’re being held responsible. I’ll head your mother off at the pass with a text.” Steve sent apologies to Sam, Tony, and Nat and a quick, ‘I appreciate the gesture, I regret that I can’t attend your event’ to the president. “Isn’t she supposed to preside over some national celebratory something?”

“Yeah, you dodged a bullet.” TJ smiled conspiratorially. “I love my mother, but you should run the other way. She’s blurred the lines too many times, and has forgotten all about what personal is. Everything is about publicity or politics.”

They watched the sun paint the sky with colors, before and after food was delivered, sharing stories of innocent summers.

“You know? This is probably my first Independence Day.” TJ said around a savory bite of his roast beef sandwich, “As far back as I can remember, we were part of some political celebratory something. “Can we go to the beach this year?” “You know your father has…” or “Your mother is expected…”, When I was really small, I don’t suppose it bothered me too much, we found other kids to dork around with. It was when I was older, trying to fit in, that it got harder. “My friends are going to this…” “You’re needed here”, “The State” or “The Nation” needs to “See us as a Family”. I really have to thank you for being –”

“Apathetic?” Steve interrupted before taking a bite of the kosher pickle spear. “Selfish?”

“Yes.” TJ nodded once. “How often is Steve Rogers either of those things? Consider them birthday gifts to yourself, for your wellbeing.”

“I’m not used to it.” A flurry of neighborhood fireworks punctuated Steve’s statement, “Somebody’s started the party early.”

“Sun’s low on the horizon, and it is hard waiting when you’re a kid. I do remember once hiding behind the security tent, we shot off bottle rockets and made them scramble… one of the few times that Dougie was in as much hot water as I was.”

Steve laughed, throwing his head back, “when its your job, you don’t want to hear unexpected explosions. In the war, we tended to like it better when things weren’t exploding – unless we were doing the demolition.”

“Do the fireworks bother you?”

“Nah, not too much. When Bucky and I were kids, we’d go all day lighting firecrackers. Nickle a hundred. We sat on the stoop in the morning, painstakingly untying them into singles and then when we’d light them, half the time we were trying to surprise each other. At night, us kids would gather with our mothers, and Buck’s pop, on the stoop to watch the neighborhood display. Sometimes we’d still have some crackers left, other times our stock was depleted, but some of the other kids on the block would still be popping them off.

“Buck’s dad would pull out a long, thin, cardboard box of a dozen sparkler wires, and proceed to lecture the two of us about not waving them in someone’s face. The red-hot tip before the white sparks hissed to life felt like what our impatient neighbor kids must be feeling. We’d dance around, leaving white tails in our midst, getting a reminder from Mrs. Barnes or from Ma “watch where you’re waving that thing.” The first time Bucky picked up two sparklers and lit them off his before it burned to its end, I thought he was gonna get his hide tanned.”

“He didn’t?”

“Nope.” Steve popped the ‘p’. “We did get a stern talking-to when we started trying to light more than two at a time. I’m afraid it just got more ridiculous and dangerous from there.”

TJ watched Steve peer at his phone, he pushed himself from his cushiony seat and retrieved the cupcakes, “Everything ok?”

“Sam just invited me to lunch tomorrow. I guess I’m not in hot water with him anyway.”

“Good. There are enough beers and cupcakes if you want to have him drop by. I mean it’s your rebellion.”

“He’s taking the opportunity to experience your Dome and do a little dancing with Natasha. So, if you weren’t roped into trying to drag me to a party, what would you be doing tonight?”

“Bringing you cupcakes and staying out of trouble. See, your rebellion fits right in with my plans.”

“Good.” Steve parroted TJ’s reply. “Pass me one of those cupcakes.”

“Did you see that?” TJ pointed toward the Washington Monument, after a pause another shell blossomed into color, “It’s starting. Happy Birthday Steve.”

“Thanks TJ.” Steve licked icing from his lip, toasting TJ with his festive cupcake. “Happy Independence Day.”

#steve rogers #tj hammond #neighbors #hbd steeb #happy birthday steve rogers #alternate plans #rooftop relaxation #fireworks

[yakumtsaki]

Everybody, yeeeeah rock your body, yeeeeeah everybody, rock. your. body. right. BACKSTREET’S BACK. ALRIGHT

SO. I’m tired of waiting for Kim’s flaky ass to show up so we go ahead and adopt this Kim-clone named Sophie aka our 6th fucking cat. I’m gonna complete Komei’s lifetime want if it kills me and honestly it might just do it. Right off the bat I have a bad feeling about this cat bc of her unfortunate name. I’ve never met a girl named Sophia I didn’t aggressively hate but I’m like ok maybe this Sophia will break the curse..

NOP. First thing fucking Sophie does is murder our beloved Mr Bear that we’ve had since Daniel was born. An amazing way to endear yourself to your new family. 

-The affair shrine is next! You heathens are gonna see the light of the Lord!

Oh great, all we were missing was a christian fundamentalist in this house. Welcome aboard, Soph!

The cat fight club comprised of Victor, Ronron and Neo is completely out of control. It’s gotten to the point where everyone else in the house has ran out of fucks to give:

-Yea my son and my stalker are trying to kill each other, what else is new.. Wake me up when September ends.

Yea and wake me up when September starts cause I’m gonna be retaking my finals around that time.

Sophie: Road to Redemption.

-THERE’S ONLY ONE ROAD TO REDEMPTION AND IT’S THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Shut it, Westboro.

Dear Diary,

How you’ve been? Sorry I haven’t written to you in 20 years, things have been pretty hectic what with raising 6 cats and having a bunch of kids and guarding my yard decorations from Shea Johnston.

So to fill you in on the important happenings, Professional Make-Up Cop returned Neo to me and oh, diary, songs will be sung of that day. It was one of the happiest moments of my life, second only to the discovery that Jojo got the jaw. How lucky that it would happen to that little asshole?! He’s definitely my least favorite kid. God truly helps the virtuous..

In sad news, diary, Mr Bear has tragically met an untimely end at the claws of my new cat, Tea Party congressional candidate Sophie. You know me, diary, I love all my cats equally, but my parenting skills are being put to the test. I will find a way to reach that cat though, diary, mark my words. Or I will return her to the pound as soon as she tops her career. Whichever comes first. 

I need to leave you now, diary, much like his mother, little Gunther has grown up to be quite the whorelord and I’ve been picking up the phone 200 fucking times a day. I still prefer him to Jojo though. Fuck that kid. 

See you in 20 years,

Komei Pussy Magnet Tellerman Union

Speaking of Jojo, he’s now able to search for ufos. Exciting! Too bad this new ability is completely useless cause we all know what he’s looking at..

-FOR THE LAST TIME YOU ABSOLUTE FUCKING FREAKSHOW, WILL YOU CUT IT THE FUCK OUT

-Really Stephen, those are the pajamas you wear?? Who’s crazy now!

I’m gonna go with ‘person standing in the rain in a bowtie at 4am spying on an innocent family’ but idk, the jury’s still out. A phrase I suspect you’ll be hearing a lot in the future.

Meanwhile Komei keeps kicking down our flamingo?? Wtf Komei. Don’t we have enough problems without having to worry about you and your slow but steady mental breakdown?

Thank god for Gunther, sleepless guardian of the yard.

-HOW FUCKING DARE YOU DAD

-Oh grow up, Gunther, those flamingos are stupid and you’re stupid for liking them!

-Big talk from someone whose biggest dream is to have 6 cats top their careers! 

-You really want to talk about lifetime wants, Mr Visionary?

-BEING AN ART SCHOOL DROPOUT GIGOLO IS A REAL JOB DAD

Don’t listen to that dream killing asshole, Gunther, look how well you’re doing! You have more scholarships than fucking flop Jojo! Can’t believe all that ballet paid off. I’m gonna reward you for your hard work, time to call Ivy, she’s gonna be our 5th make out!

-NOICE

WELL FUCK YOU TOO IVY

-What is this strange feeling? I’ve never experienced it before.

It’s called rejection Gunther, you should give Daniel a call, he has vast experience in the area.

Daniel does call the next day wanting to.. talk to Victoria??? What on earth. As seen above, the tradition of Victoria scarring him psychologically is obviously alive and well.

-You won’t believe this, Dylan, but I banged Malcolm right before my birthday with your father in the next room! Don’t worry, I’ll email you all the hot details later!

I mean, at least they’re talking? Progress!

-Ah, I’m just killing it in every single aspect of my life. EVERY SINGLE ONE. ESPECIALLY THE ROMANTIC ONE. NO ONE REJECTED ME. NO ONE

Really Gunther, I can’t deal with your half-assed coping mechanisms right now, we have bigger problems, as in THE LOT IS LAGGING LIKE CRAZY THANKS TO OUR MILLIONS OF CATS. I have never in my life had lag like this, literal ts3 teas. Every time someone comes back from work the lot freezes for 2 minutes this shit is fucking unreal.

At least Sophie proves she’s worth the lag by constantly destroying important objects, like Gunther’s fucking homework.

-HAHA SAY GOODBYE TO THAT SCHOLARSHIP YOU VILE WHORE. ABSTINENCE ONLY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

You know how sometimes you look back and realize that if something completely random and insignificant hadn’t happened, everything would have been different? Well crazy christian cat destroying Gunther’s homework is one of those moments cause I drag Gunther out of the house to do his homework while he still can.. And thank god I do because otherwise..

WE WOULD HAVE MISSED MELODY TINKER PASSING BY. HOW. HOW HAD I NOT THOUGHT OF THIS ICONIC SUNGLASSES PAIRING BEFORE.

Are you guys seeing this adorable shit?? They look so right together, even their ridiculous outfits complement each other ❤ I had someone else in mind for Gunther but this changes everything, especially because..

NATURAL 3 FUCKING BOLTS. EVEN THO HE’S ROMANCE AND SHE’S KNOWLEDGE. LITERALLY UNHEARD OF.

The start of something beautiful is interrupted by this parallel universe punk Komei passing by. Can you guess what he does next even tho we obviously didn’t greet him?

UGH. This hairstyle is straight up CURSED.

-I’m getting the strongest urge to put you to work..

GTFO. Why must the Komeis of the world ruin every romantic moment??

Speaking of ruining the moment, Jojo returns from work aka the lot freezes for 2 mins. But he reached the top of his career again so we get the scholarship back. Congrats Jo!

-I’M FUCKING EXHAUSTED IM GONNA PASS OUT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF GUNTHER’S DATE

Get your ass inside right now and STOP STAYING UP ALL NIGHT WATCHING STEPHEN SLEEP

-Wait is that his daughter??? I NEED TO TALK TO HER

Yea you absolutely won’t be doing that nor coming anywhere near her.

-But then how am I gonna collect her DNA to clone my own Stephen?

GO TO BED

-AW it’s a love letter to me from Marisa ❤

LMAO you wish Komes, it’s from Ruskie to Gunther but yea, take that shit out of there and gtfo, I don’t anything ruining our Melody date.

Like say, fucking useless asshole Sophie getting demoted AND FREEZING THE LOT FOR 5 MINUTES. Her flopping at her job is gonna become a running theme cause her fun and social are permanently in the red and I have no idea wtf her problem is since we have a million toys and cats for her to play with. GOD SOPHIE

-Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain!

STFU

If there’s anything I hate more than shy sims, it’s not much. Somehow tho I find the shy animations super cute when Melody does them?? 

-Me too!

I know Guns! Let’s get the girl.

Nice! Busting a move does it again!

Aww! What classic song are you crazy kids slow dancing to?

-Aayooo, I’m tired of using technology.. Why don’t you sit down on top of me ♫

-Wow, that’s beautiful, Gunther..

Thank you, 50 Cent! Justin you can go fuck yourself, #teamBrit

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Things progress rapidly like always and 5 makeouts are finally achieved! Gunther has now gotten with more sims than every other member of the family combined. So proud :’)

God, I never get tired of the view of aspiration points lighting up the night sky. GET IT GUNS

LOL. Gunther I don’t know how to break this to you so I’m just gonna go with blunt and insulting: time to close your legs. Welcome to monogamy! Let’s see how long you last.

Man, it’s nice when things come full circle. Gunther is still picking up the flamingo but now a new otp has been born! How much time we’ve wasted gunning for the wrong Tinker..

-It’s not wasted time if you enjoy doing it!

Yea that radioactive glow you have going is doing wonders for your credibility, Jo..

..as is this farewell meeting with the president of the ridiculous hairstyle org. Wow, we haven’t seen him in a long time. ~nostalgia

-Jojo! I understand you’re leaving for college today and dropped in to remind you that there’s always a place for you in our organization when you graduate. Make us proud son!

-I really don’t care about making you or anyone else proud, Mr President, since the only opinion that matters is my own, but I certainly appreciate the sentiment. I have something to remind you as well: I’m coming for you. There’s only room for one top freak in this neighborhood. 

And he’s off! Dressed to impress I see. You wear a bowtie to spy on Stephen but your pj’s for the first day of college.

-Yea, it’s called having your priorities straight. As if I’d dress up for those plebs that should be honored BY MY MERE PRESENCE.

Oh this is gonna be unbearable. Well at least it’s only FOUR FUCKING YEARS. Time to have Sophie start praying for my soul.

#ts2 #sims 2 #union legacy

[imaginative-neverland-blog]

One Year Masterlist

I have been on this blog for ONE ENTIRE YEAR! How exciting is that? Within this first year of running this blog, I have managed to gain 2065 followers, and made some pretty cool friends. Thank you for dealing with me and my shenanigans. I am so happy to have created a small space for people to run to when wanting to escape reality. You guys all made this possible, thank you. In return, here is a masterlist of all my favorite imagines :)

Posted 21 March 2017

Robbie Kay:

Tickles - warnings: none

Fell In Love Without You - warnings: sad

Guardian Angel - Part One || warnings: none

Guardian Angel - Part Two || warnings: none

Small Bump - Part One || warnings: none

One & Only - Part Two to Small Bump || warnings: sad

Cold Feet - warnings: none 

Rock, Paper, Scissors - warnings: none

I Do - warnings: none

A Night in London - Part One || warnings: none

A Night in London - Part Two || warnings: none

Towel Dancing - warning: mild swearing

Deaf - warnings: none

Sleepy Boy - warnings: none

The Shelf - warnings: none

Chocolate & Mac N Cheese - warnings: none

Baby - warnings: none

Peter Pan:

Confetti Eggs - warnings: none

All The Stars - warnings: none

Little Snores - warnings: none

Mind Fuck - warnings: none

Black Magic - warnings: none

Little - Part One || warnings: abuse mentions

Not So Little - Part Two to Little || warnings: long

Not Little At All - Part Three to Little || warnings: none

Take Me Away - warnings: abuse, swearing, drug mentions

Makeout - warnings: none

Stargazing - warnings: none

One Hundred Sleepless Nights - warnings: none

Storms - warnings: none

His Flower - Part One || warnings: death, sadness

His Flower - Part Two || warnings: none

Neverland’s Artist - warnings: none

Wonderland Meets Neverland - Part One || warnings: none

Wonderland Meets Neverland - Part Two || warnings: none

Wonderland Meets Neverland - Part Three || warnings: none

No Swearing - warnings: swearing

Beauty and the Beast - warnings: none

Kisses in the Rain - warnings: none

The Mines - warnings: none

Princess of the Underworld - warnings: none

Pan Flute - warnings: none

Lost Lovers - warnings: long

Wingman - warnings: long

Heathens - warnings: death

Snowball Fight - warnings: none

Tense - warnings: none

Mermaid Attacks - warnings: anxiety, panic attacks

Tommy Clark:

Idiot - warnings: none

Powerful Arguments - warnings: swearing

Asthma Attacks - warnings: none

3AM - warnings: swearing

Magic Kingdom - warnings: none

Snow - warnings: none

Kiss Me Again - warnings: none

One Call Away - warnings: mental disorders

Thomas Brodie-Sangster:

Twenty-Six - warnings: none

CVS - warnings: none

Beach Dates - warnings: none

Hangouts - warnings: none

Los Angeles - warnings: swearing, drunk driving (don’t drink & drive, kids)

Baby, I’m Yours - warnings: none

Letters - warnings: sad and long

Abortion - warnings: abortion, unwanted pregnancy

Newt:

The One That Got Away - Part One || warnings: sad, suicide mentions

You Are My Sunshine - Part Two to One That Got Away || warnings: sad

Naked - warnings: none

With Love - AU || warnings: depression

Lazy Days - AU || warnings: none

The Crazed Artist - warnings: sad

Toughen Up - Part One || warnings: none

Toughen Up - Par Two || warnings: sad

Griever Girl - warnings: sad, OOC Newt, death

Little Girl - warnings: none

Attack - warnings: sad, death

Periods - warnings: none

Combinations:

Suitors - Part One || Newt x Reader x Pan || warnings: none

Suitors - Part Two || Newt x Reader x Pan || warnings: none

Carnivals - AU || Thomas x Myself || Robbie x Reader warnings: none

Doppelganger - Part One || Pan x Reader x Robbie || warnings: none

Doppelganger - Part Two || Pan x Reader x Robbie || warnings: none

Doppelganger - Part Three || Pan x Reader x Robbie || warnings: death

Neverland Gladers - Part One || warnings: none

Neverland Gladers - Part Two || warnings: none

#masterlist

[ao3feed-tanis]

thinkin ‘bout you

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2HPh5KE

by SymphonySoldierXIII

In which Nic Silver wants Cameron Ellis.

  title from Thinkin ‘Bout You (Sleepless in Cairo) by Sufvyn and RJ the Chicago Kid.

Words: 1439, Chapters: 1/2, Language: English

Fandoms: Tanis (Podcast)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Nic Silver, Cameron Ellis

Relationships: Nic Silver/Cameron Ellis

Additional Tags: Porn with some plot, nic’s love of bombas socks is a running joke, trans!Nic because I am a heathen, an absolute goblin man who cannot stop making characters trans, mild potential exhibitionism, Jacking Off In The Shower, Gay Feelings, Nipple Piercings

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2HPh5KE

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #tanis #tanis podcast

[ampleappleamble]

Pillars of Eternity: Anthem Infinitum: Chapter 8: Cleaning House

Just in case you don’t/can’t go to AO3 for whatever reason but wanna read chapter 8, or if you missed it the first time around, or whatever. I also did a very small amount of clean-up editing since first publish.

Now to start on chapter 9! *looks at blank document labelled Chapter 9 Notes*

---

"Wael's eyes, man, slow down. It's midmorning yet!"

Axa got up on the tips of her toes and leaned over to pluck the bottle from the old man's surprisingly strong grip, her headache intensifying as she caught a whiff of his rancid breath. She had been mostly joking when she ordered Kana to bring out the wine for their guest, but once she'd seen the delight in the poor old salt's face, the sparkle in his eyes when presented with goblet and bottle-- well, how could she refuse?

She glared at the aumaua now, clutching her last bottle of pomegranate wine, barely a quarter full after the old man's assault. Kana winced apologetically at her, but the little woman only smiled wryly and shrugged. It was as much her own fault as it was his, and she knew it.

The old man laughed good-naturedly, revealing a mouth only half full of teeth, and toasted his hostess with his borrowed goblet. "Early it may be, m'lady," he rasped, a strange sailor's brogue coloring his Aedyran, "bu' this elt lad dosnae rest. An' Magran help us, nei'r dae th' thirst." The old man sloshed the wine in his cup as he spoke, slopping it over the lip and onto the dusty stone floor more than once, before smacking his lips and merrily sucking down what remained inside.

As she had predicted, the night had not gone easily for the newly minted Watcher of Caed Nua. What little sleep she'd managed to get had been plagued by nightmares about books and machines, promises and betrayals, adra and copper and blood. And when sleep had failed her, she'd squirmed in her bedroll, tossing and turning and sweating and groaning. And thinking-- lots of thinking.

But in spite of it all-- perhaps, in fact, because of her sleeplessness-- her awareness felt bizarrely heightened. It reminded her of her all-night research sessions in her old college life: standing there practically vibrating from murkbrew and nervous energy, feeling simultaneously like she was strong enough to lift a horse over her head and like she was about to collapse. Scrutinizing the drunken old salt, she squinted resolutely against her headache, determined not to let anything escape her notice.

Axa saw the gnarled fingers, knotted with age, and she watched the unsteady, drunken gesticulations that spilled her favorite wine onto the cobwebs and mouse shit that decorated her Great Hall. But she also saw that the hand itself was steady: not tremulous, but strong and sure. The half-lidded, drink-addled eyes took a while to fully focus, but once he managed to fix his gaze on hers, she could see a remarkably fierce little twinkle in his mischievous eyes.

"Engrim, you said your name is?"

"Pretty much everyone calls him Eld Engrim," Edér drawled, leaning against a stone pillar while fiddling with his pipe. "He's from around here somewhere, but he tends t' spend most of his time on the sea. Or in whichever tavern's nearest. Probably came in from Anslog's Compass lookin' for a little shore leave, ended up owin' someone a favor and havin' to hoof it all the way out here for 'em." Despite the content of his introduction, the farmer spoke with fondness, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled warmly at the old man. "That sound about right, Eld Engrim?"

The old sailor cackled and nodded, clutching his empty goblet in front of himself with both hands like a talisman. "Aye, laddie, ye've got me fairly figured! Masons in yer Vale promised me a fine bottle o' spirits should I answer 'em this missive from oul' Caed Nua, abandoned all these long years. Although, ye did neglect t' address me Mistress, heathen that ye be, She whose spark 'n flame lit me way here!" He winked obnoxiously and wagged a crooked finger at the Eothasian, like a grandfather teasingly scolding his grandson.

Axa had not missed the telltale signs of a Magranite priest. The smell, in particular, of singed hair and arcane flame had tipped her off.

"You didn't think the priesthood of Ondra might suit you better?" Aloth's lip curled with disgust as he regarded the man, glaring at him over the edge of his grimoire. He had been broody all morning, Axa had noticed, and the elf seemed particularly irritated by the old lush.

"Not if he's a cannoneer," Kana suggested. "I can see where you might get Ondra-- the sea, drink and forgetfulness, those common themes-- but many who work with munitions, and especially ships, keep a Magranite priest on their payroll for their beneficial healing magic as well as for their blessings on and expertise with explosives." He grinned toothily at the elf, beaming with intellectual pride.

Aloth twitched, then spoke in a calm, low voice behind his gritted teeth. "If that's the case, why is he here running errands for stonemasons in Gilded Vale instead of mumbling over a double bronzer or something somewhere out on the sea?"

Axa turned her attention to her guest. "Good question, actually. Maybe you'd care to tell me a bit more about yourself while we make our way back to Gilded Vale, Engrim?"

The old man's eyes bugged out of his head, flicking back and forth between the orlan and his empty goblet. "Och, young miss, ye cannae mean t' be gettin' t' Gilded Vale now! 'Tis a day's sojourn, an' rovin' bands o' bandits roam o'er th' roads, Magran bash 'n burn 'em! An' 'ave only just arrived, me!" He looked around at her companions' faces, groping wildly for support, and found only pity and scorn for this man foolish enough to think to argue with her.

"He... does speak true, my lady." The Steward's voice rang out gently from the halls of the old keep. "No guard patrols have been dispatched along Caed Nua's surrounding roads since old Maerwald's decline into madness, and the paths surrounding the estate have been infested with brigands and monsters alike." As her voice faded, a soft little blanket of sadness settled over the gathered kith like a light dusting of snow.

Axa shuddered. "All the more reason, then, to get going. For better or worse, this keep is mine now, my responsibility." She paused, vaguely unnerved as she perceived the Steward's blush of surprise, followed closely by a soft, tentative gratitude. "The only people I can count on to restore my barbican are not, apparently, ready to take me seriously, so it seems I must issue my orders face to face. And I need this barbican restored. Unless, of course, Aedelwan Bridge is no longer flooded?"

Engrim shrugged, fiddled with the stem of his goblet, shuffled his feet. "Nae, no, 'tis... 'tis nae flooded..."

"It's destroyed," Kana chirped. "Ondra's mighty fist at work! I learned from a traveling hunter just the other day. The Dyrwood can't seem to steer clear of the gods' wrath, can--"

"We're going to Gilded Vale, today. Right now." Axa paused, hand on her hip, and then downed the remainder of her wine, time of day notwithstanding. She almost flung the empty bottle to the floor in a fit of pique, but then remembered the Steward, and quickly tamped down her temper. "...I want this barbican fixed. I want to get to Defiance Bay. By the Wheel, if the only way to get it done is to do it myself, I will."

No one could argue with that.

---

It was a satisfying sound, the scuffle of boots and the shouts of workers. Especially, Axa thought, when you know they're going to work for you. Although she knew the work couldn't begin for another day or two, Axa still felt a distinct sense of accomplishment as she strode out of the Hound, listening to the masons hustling behind her.

"Well, considerin' how drunk they all were, I'm surprised that went as well as it did." Edér clapped the little woman on the shoulder, grinning broadly and chewing gently on the stem of his pipe.

Aloth's voice drifted to her over her opposite shoulder. "Indeed, especially after the third time they addressed their questions to Edér and not to you, despite your repeated and... exponentially sonorous objections."

"Let it be known that the new Lady of Caed Nua does not suffer fools gladly," Kana proclaimed. "Although, speaking of fools... I can't help but notice the sun is setting, Caed Nua is almost a full day's hike away, and we're... leaving the inn?"

Axa smiled. "Remember we met Aufra on our way in? I offered to stay with her tonight, cook her some dinner, keep her company. I trust none of you object?"

No one did. She paused, and when she spoke again, she was much more subdued, almost somber.

"Last time I saw her, I was telling her her potion was horseshit and the fate of her unborn babe's soul was up to the caprices of the gods. Least I can do now is put my money where my mouth is and be the good neighbor that girl needs right now."

They walked in silence for a short stretch.

"If I'm bein' honest-- and I actually am, sometimes-- I been noticin' a lotta changes around here since we got back. Lot more smilin' people in the streets." Edér strolled up beside Axa, his blond whiskers quirking up with his grin. "Wasn't like that before you showed up. ...'Course, there is still that tree fulla dead bodies in the center of town..."

Kana winced. "Yes, I was wondering about that--"

"It's a long and gruesome tale." The man in the green cloak stepped out into the road, and Axa stopped dead in her tracks, placing herself between the stranger and her companions. "But I'd tell it, if you'd listen. You and the good Lady both."

"Kolsc." Edér whispered, surprised, but not angry. Axa's gaze flicked up to the stranger's face as he limped closer.

---

"...Did I fuck this up?"

Edér looked up from his whittling, focusing his good eye on the little woman. The other eye was still swollen shut, shiny and painful from their fight against his late Lord, but with some rest and the help of Raedric's priests-- Kolsc's priests, now-- he and the rest of his friends would be good as new for the trek back to Caed Nua tomorrow.

"Ain't too many ways I can think of to fuck up killin' a terrible murderin' bastard like Raedric," he mumbled around his mouthful of smoke, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Unless y' think we didn't kill him enough, or somethin'."

Axa's lips smiled, but the rest of her face did not follow suit. Her party was spending the night in a corner of the Berathian priests' sleeping quarters in Raedric's sanctuary, and she sat on her borrowed bed gently rocking to and fro, her knees drawn up to her chest, her sharp little nails worrying tiny holes in her trousers.

 "The Legacy makes men mad. Perhaps it does worse to women. I do not know." Raedric had looked Axa over, then, had glanced toward his bedchamber where his own wife lay dead in their marital bed--

"No, we killed him exactly the right amount, I think." The smile was already gone, soundly quashed by the ugly memory. "I just... feel like I may have acted in haste here. Like there's something I'm missing about all this that's going to bite me in the ass later, when I least expect it." She pressed her chin into her knees, curling up as tightly into herself as she could.

 --if i make myself small enough i can just hide away from all this and no one will see me--

Kana chuckled, idly leafing through a massive tome that dwarfed even his sizable lap as he reclined in the worn armchair next to Axa's bed. "Yes, it is a rough sea, the world of the ruling class! So many nerve-wracking social calculations to make, always looking over one's shoulder... The political alliances to take into account, then the family alliances, the religious affiliations... But even the Ranga Nui himself and his own son are at ideological odds! And if you're discovered as a fair-weather friend, paying lip service to either or both--"

"I think," Aloth interrupted, "perhaps, that you've made your point, Kana." The elf was just as irritable now as he had been the morning that old drunk had showed up at Caed Nua, and his half-healed broken rib was not helping to improve his mood.

And now the in-fighting begins in the esteemed Lady of Caed Nua's exclusive inner circle. Axa felt her guts redouble their efforts to destroy themselves, anxiety churning inside her like acid. "Gods, I'm ill-suited for this politicking horseshit. Why did I think I could do this? I'm Ixamitec, we don't... nobody 'owns' land, that's not how--"

"Oh, don't get me wrong!" Kana pressed on, seemingly oblivious to Aloth's peevish attitude. "Just as hard lands forge strong people, rough seas often yield great rewards. For instance, when we return to Caed Nua on the morrow, we can look forward to seeing your Brighthollow manse restored to its former beauty and prestige! Well, in part, anyway. All because of your actions here today and Kolsc's gratitude!"

"And even if you weren't gettin' somethin' out of it," Edér added, "you're the kinda lady can't rest without knowing you did the best thing y' could. Point being, y' had to do something, long-term consequences be damned. And like I said earlier, if y' have to do something, it's hard to go wrong with killing a mass-murdering shitheel like Raedric. No matter how bad Kolsc might turn out to be, better him than what we had goin' on before." He casually brushed the wood shavings from his lap, either ignoring or unaware of the annoyed glares and whispers from the priests in the room.

Axa glanced across the room at Aloth, who simply lay on his back in his bed in the corner, eyes screwed shut, his grimoire too heavy to hold in his lap without irritating his wounds. "Maybe," she sighed, lifting her head from her knees, "I should just hire on an advisor. Someone who actually knows what they're doing, to help me navigate these choppy waters." Her gaze flicked to Kana, a wicked little grin popping up on her face. "You know anyone who needs a job?"

The aumaua laughed, a thunderous noise that filled the small room. "Everyone I know is either in this room or in Rauatai, my friend! But I take your meaning. However, my own experience with the gentry is limited to the court of the Ranga Nui, a profoundly different environment from the one in which you find yourself, so I'm afraid I'd be more of a hindrance than a boon. And--" He glanced over at Edér, his smile half apologetic and half cheeky-- "I hope he'll forgive me for saying so, but our Edér doesn't seem like the sort to hobnob with the nobility."

The folk man snorted. "What tipped y' off?"

"That leaves you, Aloth," Kana continued, smiling in the elf's direction. "If I recall, you were raised among the gentry in Aedyr, were you not? That's a bit closer to the political system and aristocratic power structure here; any insight you have into that world would surely be invaluable to our Watcher. You're qualified, intelligent, you're clearly quite learned, you're... capable in battle. Why, you even came to the Dyrwood with the express purpose of finding a patron!" He was getting excited now, leaning forward in his seat, gesticulating passionately. "And here she is! What marvelous serendipity!"

Axa couldn't help but be charmed by Kana's enthusiasm, and she appreciated his effort to lift the wizard's spirits. "That's not a bad idea, actually. What say, Aloth?" She couldn't see his face from where he lay, but she could see his ears were bright red.

Not a fan of being the center of attention, I see. She felt a sudden surge of sympathy and warmth towards the man, and found her own ears reddening soon thereafter.

"I wouldn't take the gig 'f I were you. She can't even pay you, 's what I heard." Edér winked at her, taking his attention away from his whittling for just a second, then hissed with pain and surprise as his knife slipped.

Kana shook his head, his grin as wide as ever as he regarded the farmer with pity. "O, poor man! He who thinks coin is the sole and lone benefit of working for a prestigious, powerful woman like our Watcher! The true rewards of such a vocation are not in material wealth, my friend, but in the challenge! Rebuilding the glorious Caed Nua from the crumbling ruins... The intrigue of the political world of the Dyrwood... the tension, the drama... not to mention the treasure trove of ancient Engwithan secrets just waiting to be discovered in the Endless Paths!" He sighed like a lovestruck maiden telling her friends of her handsome beau. "Ah! I'm so envious. Were I more well-suited to the position, I'd have accepted her first offer in an instant! As it is, it seems I'll have to settle for hired muscle. Either way, I couldn't ask for a finer directress!" Now Axa's entire face was getting warm, and she found herself unable to look at Kana, although she could feel his eyes on her, his smile, warming her like gentle spring sunlight.

 "Aye, I wager ye'd leap at a position 'neath 'er, slick-a-britches."

Aloth very quickly clapped a hand over his open mouth-- the loud pop! filling the little room-- and then came the long, shuddering groan of pain muffled behind his fingers, the sudden movement having yanked at his sore ribs.

Axa immediately flopped over onto her side, laughing like Hel, unable and unwilling to stop herself. Edér's eyebrows leapt up his forehead, surprise and delight clear on his face, chuckling through his nose due to the wounded thumb in his mouth.

"...She seems impressed. I think you've got the job, my friend!" Kana quipped, flipping to a new page in his gigantic book. He paused, considering, and then leaned forward in his seat, cocking his head with curiosity. "...Did you say 'slick-a-britches'?"

"No. I didn't. I said nothing." The elf's voice was quiet and short and clipped. "I'm in immense pain and I'm speaking complete and utter idiotic meaningless nonsense. ...Can we please talk about anything else." Axa was still giggling, tip of her tongue sticking out between her front teeth. He squirmed with embarrassment, and it hurt.

"As you say. How about this animancy research?" The scholar lifted the huge tome on his lap, tilting it up to show Edér as he crossed the room to wash and wrap his thumb. "I'm no animancer, to be sure, but from what little I've managed to decipher from Osyra's records, she may have been onto something!"

Aloth bristled, his breath hitching in his chest as he exhaled a bit too sharply. He had said 'anything else,' hadn't he. "All any animancer has accomplished, at the very best, is to swell their own ego and their own coinpurse. In particular, Osrya was a dangerous, insane monster who mutated kith into abominations. I have no interest whatsoever in reading anything that woman may have seen fit to record."

Anyone else would take the man's curt tone and disparaging language as the opposite of an invitation to continue. Kana continued with renewed gusto, "But if what Osrya posits is true-- and as far as I can tell, her methods are logically sound, if not morally-- why, then this may just provide the solution to the Legacy that the Dyrwood has been searching for these long years!"

Axa had stopped laughing a while back, but only now did she sit back up. She remembered the animancer's words, recited them aloud with an accuracy she would not ordinarily expect from herself--

 "It must be a localized effect. Something which strips the soul from a body, as the bîaŵacs are known to do. I have detected, even so, lingering traces of essence upon the bodies of so-called Hollowborn. This suggests that the soul itself has not been wholly destroyed. It remains, I think, intact somewhere."

Everyone-- even Aloth, lifting his head from his pillows-- looked at her, dumbstruck. The few priests remaining in the room hurriedly shuffled out, angrily whispering prayers to ward their souls against blasphemy.

"Um." She coughed, suddenly uncomfortably self-conscious. "That was... what she had to say, anyway. Before we had to kill her. ...If I'm remembering correctly."

"That's... what's in here, more or less, yes," Kana blurted, his ever-present grin tinged with nervousness as he shut the enormous book.

"So, what," Edér drawled, squinting at his half-finished carving as he turned it this way and that, "Hollowborn got a soul, but... somethin' or, or someone takes it from 'em soon as they're born?" He furrowed his brow, frowned at a blotch of red on the misshapen wooden thing in his hand. "And... what, hides 'em somewhere? Eats 'em? Why?"

"That would depend, it seems, on who or what is manipulating the souls, I would think." Kana actually frowned, now, staring blankly into the book. "Although I'd be hard-pressed to identify a creature capable of manipulating souls on this grand a scale, for this long, with this much apparent ease and consistency... short of, perhaps, a god." He glanced furtively at Edér, holding up his huge hands in deference. "Not that I'm attempting to implicate any particular deity..."

The farmer shook his head slowly, eyes shut tight with conviction. "Don't worry about me thinkin' that. Like I said before-- I can't and won't believe that Eothas was the kinda god would do somethin' like this."

"Do you believe, then, as some in your country do, that the recent prevalence of animancy is to blame?" The scholar was fumbling for a bit of charcoal, now, eager to take notes. "Keep in mind, the Vailian Republics has not suffered a similar Hollowing despite being the leading animancy practitioners on Eora--"

"Whether the recent uptick in animancy has caused the Legacy by inviting the ire of the gods is nigh impossible to know, and thus pointless to discuss," Aloth interjected, "although I certainly wouldn't put it past many of the gods to come up with a bizarre, horrific punishment like the Legacy in retribution for any slight from us kith, real or perceived.” He glanced balefully at the door the Berathians had shut behind them as they’d left. “What can be meritoriously discussed is what to do about the unbridled, barely educated charlatans taking advantage of a terrified and exhausted populace, using the Hollowborn crisis to feed their sick curiosity and their pocketbooks both. That is the everyday reality of animancy that must be dealt with in the Dyrwood, for the good of the citizenry." He winced in pain, his impassioned argument a bit too much for his battered body. "...Ahem. In my opinion."

"I don't think I know enough about any of it to have much of an opinion about it, bein' honest." Edér scratched the back of his neck, squinting in confusion as Kana eagerly copied down the conversation, his attention ping-ponging excitedly between each successive speaker. "I feel like that whole world is way, way beyond my ken. Might have to leave the thinkin’ to you on that, Boss Lady." He smiled over at the orlan, glad to see her relaxing and engaging with other kith instead of clutching her knees and staring into the middle distance. He'd seen enough of that during the Saint's War. "...Although some of 'em are tryin' to do somethin' about the Legacy, at least. I guess. This animancer was a crazy piece of shit, but she's also the only animancer I ever really chatted with, 's far's I know. So I don't really got a lot to go on. Y'know?"

"Caldara was sweet, and extremely helpful." Axa felt an odd little tug of nostalgia at the memory of the dwarf, her warm, motherly smile. "Of course, she was also dead when I met her. So you'll kind of have to take my word for it. That said, ultimately I have to agree with you, Edér: I don't know enough about animancy to pass any sort of judgment on it just yet. It seems potentially useful, perhaps even miraculously so, but also extremely volatile and dangerous." The little woman paused, stretching her sore limbs, and then laid back down on the bed with a long, cathartic sigh. "Perhaps once we reach Defiance Bay, we can get a clearer picture of what the day-to-day animancy trade is really like. Until then, I must, in good conscience, reserve all judgment on the subject."

"A wise and prudent choice, but indecision is a heavy burden. Never let it be said that our Watcher takes the easy way out!" Kana rose from his seat as he spoke, seeing that the orlan was getting ready to settle in for the night, and crossed the room to his loaner bed. "Speaking of hardships, I've heard tell that the poor weather over the last few days may have delayed the work on Caed Nua's eastern barbican. If, once we return, we find that to be the case... and if you're amenable to a bit of dungeon crawling after all this fresh air and sunshine..."

Axa half-groaned and half-laughed, like a good-natured mother finally losing patience with her annoying toddler. "Yes, Kana, I promise we will explore the Endless Paths. I already promised you before, too, remember?"

"Forgive me!" Kana chuckled as he reclined, his feet dangling over the edge of the too-small bed. "I don't mean to wheedle you, rest assured. But once I get an idea in my head, I tend to focus on it so intently as to neglect politesse!"

"We've noticed," Aloth grumbled.

The massive aumaua turned to Aloth in the bed next to his, smiling still. "That reminds me-- I've never heard that one before, 'slick-a-britches'. Did you mean to say I slicken others' breeches-- or britches, as you say-- or did you mean my own breeches are slick? As in, ah, lubricated for easier removal?” The giant snickered like a naughty schoolboy telling dirty jokes after dark in the dormitory. “Ondra’s jowls, I didn't even know you spoke Hylspeak! You must teach me some!" He wore no malice on his face, only open, honest joy and wonder-- and for some reason that bothered Aloth more than if the aumaua had been displaying naked hostility.

Axa cackled maniacally in her bed, thrashing her limbs and rolling about. In lieu of responding, Aloth slowly, deliberately pulled his coverlet up over his chin, then his nose, then his brow. His facial expression did not change.

---

It was a lovely sound, the sound of carpenters and masons plying their trades. Engrim found they sounded even lovelier with a drink in his hand and cool shade under his arse, so that's how he had elected to enjoy the afternoon while he supervised the renovations.

Now that the storm clouds had finally shoved off-- and the Little Mistress was back home with her companions, mucking about in that endless dungeon of hers-- the crew was hard at work clearing the last of the rubble and overgrown foliage from the eastern barbican's arched gateway and portcullis. By tomorrow evening, at long last, Caed Nua would have a beautifully restored barbican, allowing access to the Woodend Plains and Defiance Bay beyond. And in the meantime, Brighthollow was bustling with carpenters and porters, bringing freshly cut lumber and large, fine beds and bolts of cloth and rugs. Prettying up the Great Hall, restoring the barracks, hiring guards and posting patrols-- the fuzzy little thaynu and her stone steward had a plan for this place, and that meant that these laborers could look forward to quite a few more of these jobs and their generous pay.

Engrim smiled his gap-toothed smile, swirling his tankard of cider. It had been a gift for the Little Mistress, sent by a brewery newly under Kolsc's protection, and she had kindly opted to disperse it among the work crews before she and her party had descended into the depths under the castle.

Could get used tae this, me. If Ye'd allow fer a wee bit o' idleness, O Magran. Engrim chuckled to himself. He knew he ought to know better at his age than to press his luck with his goddess, but he just couldn't help himself, sometimes.

It took him a while to realize where the sound was coming from, because he wasn't expecting it to be behind him-- after all, he'd specifically chosen to sit in a place where he could keep an eye on all the work that he was supposed to be helping with. But then Engrim heard the scraping and scratching on the eastern side of the ruined chapel, heard the muffled shouts and the banging of fists against solid wood, and he scrambled to his feet, stumbling as quickly as his skinny old legs would carry him. He'd had to help dispatch some of the beasties and spirits that had managed to wander up from the depths of the Endless Paths once or twice already, but they'd always crawled up from the dungeons, inside the keep. That these old bulkhead doors were connected to anywhere, let alone to the Paths, hadn't occurred to anyone.

Until now. Engrim squared his shoulders and planted his feet, readied his staff, whispered a prayer to the Lady of Battle. Waited and watched as the heavy wooden doors shook with the force of a mighty blow from within.

Thump. "Harder, damn it! Or, no, wait-- is there a mechanism holding it shut? Give him some light, Aloth!"

The old priest felt his eyes bug out of his head. 'Tis 'erself! The Little Mistress' voice was unmistakable.

"Certainly, just a moment, please..." And the sound of her elf lad kissing her arse all but confirmed it. Engrim rushed forward, dropping to his rickety old knees in front of the doors, his hands scrabbling at the weathered, graying wood.

"Watcher! Mistress!"

Shocked silence hung in the air for a moment, then: "Engrim!? Thank the gods! ...We have reached the surface!"

"There is a mechanism," her aumaua rumbled, his voice thunderous even behind the thick doors. "A... surprisingly simple one, actually. If I had some light--"

"I said I'm working on it," Aloth snapped, and a moment later the cracks in the doors lit up from within. Engrim squinted against the glare, laid his hands on the twisting, smothering ivy and the dried-up, half-dead rose bushes choking the splintering planks. He furrowed his wrinkled brow, concentrated, began to burn the vegetation away with a care and precision that betrayed his years and level of sobriety.

And before long, the doors were flung wide for the first time in hundreds of years, and the Watcher of Caed Nua and her loyal allies emerged from the Endless Paths.

"Engrim, please tend to Edér; he needs healing badly." Kana gently lowered the farmer to the ground, his blond hair streaked brownish-red with blood, head rolling loose on his shoulders, and Engrim rushed to meet him with a powerful restorative blessing on his boozey breath.

"By the ricketin' Wheel, yer lot's flame's lookin' half-snuffed yerselves!" In truth, all four of them were bleeding and bruised, clutching at their various wounds and limping, although Edér was easily the worst off of the lot. "What in Hel did ye find doon in them depths?"

"Ogres. There were crazed, violent ogres," Axa rasped. "And looters who attacked us on sight. And a tribe of xaurips. And their drake." She glared at Kana, anger smoldering. "And you wanted to press on?"

No one present had ever heard Kana speak so softly. "I-- I only remarked on the changing architecture, I didn't mean to imply we ought--"

"Spirits, too. Ghosts only I could see, only I could hear." The little woman carried on, her voice rising steadily in pitch and volume. "A pool of blood and viscera. Ancient catacombs full of giant insects and... and animated corpses. And an enormous adra-and-copper statue of a man."

"Or at least th' head," Edér mumbled, now fully conscious again though still bloodied and reeling. "Copper mustache. Heh."

Axa was at his side in an instant, kneeling next to the farmer, taking one calloused hand in between her own. "Don't speak, Edér. Save your strength."

"...'M not that bad, am I?" He managed a weak smile, tried to look at her eyes, but couldn't seem to get his vision to focus. Multiple images of the orlan danced and swam in front of him, and he found that the more he tried to get one of her to stand still, the harder it became to concentrate on staying awake.

Looking at him in full light, Axa felt her stomach drop: his dilated pupils, his unfocused gaze. He's definitely concussed. Gods, we're lucky we found that Master Staircase when we did. "Perhaps," she smiled softly, "I'm being a little hyperbolic. You just look half dead, is all."

The farmer huffed a short, sharp laugh as he let his eyes slide shut. "Work that charm on me, Watcher."

"Kana." Her ire toward the aumaua had receded, but not entirely, and her sharp tone reflected it. "Help Engrim get Edér inside. Stay with him and keep him talking. I'm... I think I have to stay out here for a bit. I kind of need to see the sky right now."

The huge man tried to smile at Axa but found the attempt futile, turning to her only to see her lying on her back in the grass, staring listlessly into the zenith. So he smiled at Edér instead, gently lifting the man by his armpits and guiding him toward Brighthollow, Engrim loping alongside.

He watched them go, and once he was sure they were alone, Aloth slowly, cautiously drew up beside the prone woman. He knelt, rolled his ankle, stumbled, recovered, decided to sit on the ground instead.

"Axa, are you... are you going to be alright?" He winced. What an insightful, intelligent question to ask, Corfiser; my, you're good at this--

"Is that supposed to be a joke?" she croaked, although the sharpness that was in her voice for Kana was replaced with a gentler tone for Aloth. He noticed, and the resulting burst of self-satisfaction tinged with guilt made him think of his school days, his teachers who played favorites, how he feared them and craved their approval both.

She sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm-- I'll apologize to Kana later, too, I'm just... tired right now. Scared." She tried to smile, grimaced instead. "Cranky."

"Well--" Aloth twisted his fingers together into tight, trembling knots of knuckles and sweat-- "Well. You've been under some... significant stress as of late, it's true, but I can't help but notice you sometimes... struggling. S-seeming to have some difficulty coping." He glanced from his hands in his lap to the ground to his hands to the woman on the ground. "I... I just want to make sure that you're alright to... continue this."

Axa sighed as deeply as her little lungs would allow, her half-lidded eyes still fixed on the heavens. "I don't know," she said at last. "I don't even really know what this is, this... new path I'm on. By the Visions, two weeks ago I was living an entirely different life! Now I'm a Watcher, a member of the Dyrwoodan gentry, I'm Awakened..."

"You've a lot on your plate, to be certain," he murmured, hoping he came off as compassionate and not dismissive. He scooted along the ground as delicately as any kith could scoot, until he was sitting alongside the woman. They still had a decent amount of distance between them, but at least now he could see her face. She did not look at him.

"I feel like I don't... know who I am, anymore." Her usually robust, confident voice quavered. "Like this is someone else's life in which I've had to take up residence. None of this feels like it's truly mine, but it definitely feels like it's all my responsibility. None of which I ever, ever asked for."

"Aye, I conne the feelin', lass." Aloth felt the words slip out, and then immediately regretted allowing them to, grimacing and squeezing his eyes shut.

When he opened them again, Axa was sitting up. "You can't help it, can you."

His heart, his stomach, his brain-- all felt as though they'd suddenly been submerged in ice water, and as she turned to him with her piercing fuchsia gaze, he half expected her to simply state aloud all of his deceptions and treacheries like some Woedican judge, her Watcher abilities having allowed her to see through all of his pitiful excuses and flimsy lies.

But instead of anger or accusation or judgment, what he saw in her eyes was... relief, almost. Wonder. "The Hylspeak. You can't help it. That's why you keep doing it, even when I've asked you to quit. Or when it's gotten you in trouble. That's why you want to go to Defiance Bay with me. With us. To find someone who can help you stop. Isn't it?"

"I-- I don't-- I was just trying to--" He sputtered and stammered, subconsciously drawing his limbs in close to his torso in an anxious, defensive hunch. He wasn't quite sure how to respond to this. He was caught, it seemed, but... not? Somehow? He fidgeted and trembled and averted his eyes from hers, unable to bear the little woman's gaze, her sad little smile as she rose to her feet and stood next to him.

And he jumped, much to his chagrin, when he felt her hand on his back. "Aloth. You can trust me. I want you to trust me. And you don't have to explain anything to me. We all have our reasons for... keeping certain things to ourselves." She gave him a knowing smile. "However, it seems that the skeletons in your closet are a bit... louder than most others'?"

He knew, of course, what she was really trying to say. How long did you think you could keep it a secret from me? I'm not stupid, and you're not exactly subtle. "It's... a problem I've had since I was a child." He sighed shakily, sagging with fatigue as he shrugged off this small portion of his heavy burden at last. "And in Aedyr, it's not the kind of thing you take your child to a healer about. Not unless you want him institutionalized... or worse."

Axa gave him a hard look, as though he had set the policy in place himself. "I see. That explains why you came to the Dyrwood for a cure." She perked up abruptly as a thought struck her. "...You know, it's a rather gratifying feeling, figuring all this out about you. It explains so much!" She smiled again, and he found himself feeling annoyed and charmed simultaneously. He'd expected either pity or disgust, and when he got curiosity instead, he felt oddly slighted. I'm not a puzzle to be solved...!

A lascivious chortle. 'She gettin' ye all fired oop, laddie?'

He shut his eyes again, curled himself up tightly. "Axa, while I am grateful for your patience with me, and your understanding regarding my... condition, I would truly appreciate it if we could keep this between the two of us. I'm... it's been a long, long time since I've really talked about this with anybody, and I don't think I'm quite ready for a full roundtable discussion regarding my mental health just yet." He glared in the direction of Brighthollow. "Not with those two, anyway. And not anymore, at all, today. Please."

"I had a feeling you were starting to reach your limit of how much you're willing to talk about it." She relented finally, lifting her little hand from between his shoulders, and he felt the weight of her scrutiny lift off of him as well. "And I'm reaching my limit of how much time I'm willing to waste feeling sorry for myself on the lawn. Come, let's get inside, get our wounds tended, check up on Edér. We'll take a day and a half to rest up and get ready, let them finish working on the barbican. Then we'll set off for the city."

Aloth rose to his feet, brushed dirt and grass from his trousers. "In my official capacity as your advisor, I wholeheartedly approve your plan, my Lady." She scoffed, laughing, and he didn't try to suppress his victorious grin. "And... upon arriving?"

She started off toward her busy little manse, the carpenters and masons gawking at the bloody, dirty little orlan with alarm. "I'll know what to do when I get there, I'm sure," she called out to the elf over her shoulder.

He sighed, picking up the pace in an effort to catch up with her. "I was afraid you'd say that."

---

"I'll know when I get there, he says," the little woman muttered to herself, leaning against the old signpost, thumbing through her bag of bone arrowheads. "Yeah. I'm sure. ...When am I gonna learn, Itumaak?"

The fox yawned in response, licked his snowy chops, and Sagani heaved a weary sigh. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time to make camp.

The sun was staring to set, and the cooling air brought a refreshing breeze to the little hunter's brow. And in the wind came not only respite from the heat, but information-- smells of nature, smells of kith. Sagani could smell new rain clouds already queueing up, eager to take the place of the last ones that had just departed, but hopefully not so eager as to open up on her tonight. She could not smell any other campfires nearby, so she figured she had a halfway decent chance of getting a good night's rest undisturbed by surprise guests. She was about to say something to Itumaak, head off the road in search of a quiet spot to set up, when she looked down at him--

-- and found him standing at alert, his head cocked to the side just so, ears pricked. Sagani listened, her breath completely still in her chest.

"A bear? You were whittling a bear? I thought it was a horse!" She'd only ever heard a voice that deep and booming on an aumaua man before, and the Rauataian accent all but confirmed it.

"You ever seen a horse before?" This was a different voice, not as throaty, but still definitely an adult man, a Dyrwoodan. Sagani reached slowly for her pack, not sure yet whether to grab the adra carving or an arrow.

"Whatever it was-- is-- we'll pick it back up the next time we head down there. With some hirelings, Kana." A woman's voice now, bold and clear. Sagani found the adra carving in her hand when she drew it back to her fore, and she gazed into it.

Cold and dead. Just like always, these past few months.

"Please tell me we're not going back down into that gods-cursed dungeon solely for a half-finished wooden carving of a bear..." Sagani almost didn't hear the Aedyran, she was so disappointed by her poor fortune, but the comically coincidental "carving of a bear" comment made her at least lift her head to regard the group of kith approaching her. Itumaak was bored and anxious, and he fidgeted and whined at Sagani's hip, looking up at her with his big black eyes.

The huntress sighed as she watched the little party notice her. More friendly travellers, I'm certain. Let's just get this little introduction over with.

"Relax, Itumaak. It's not him."

---

#pillars of eternity #poe anthem infinitum #next chapter: ?????????? uhhh

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

9th Oct >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

 for

Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time  or 

Saints Denis, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs

  or 

Saint John Leonardi, Priest

  or 

Blessed John Henry Newman, Priest.

Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Jonah 1:1-2:1,11

Jonah flees from his call and is shipwrecked

The word of the Lord was addressed to Jonah son of Amittai:  ‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and inform them that their wickedness has become known to me.’ Jonah decided to run away from the Lord, and to go to Tarshish. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish; he paid his fare and went aboard, to go with them to Tarshish, to get away from the Lord. But the Lord unleashed a violent wind on the sea, and there was such a great storm at sea that the ship threatened to break up. The sailors took fright, and each of them called on his own god, and to lighten the ship they threw the cargo overboard. Jonah, however, had gone below and lain down in the hold and fallen fast asleep. The boatswain came upon him and said, ‘What do you mean by sleeping? Get up! Call on your god! Perhaps he will spare us a thought, and not leave us to die.’ Then they said to each other, ‘Come on, let us draw lots to find out who is responsible for bringing this evil on us.’ So they cast lots, and the lot fell to Jonah. Then they said to him, ‘Tell us, what is your business? Where do you come from? What is your country? What is your nationality?’ He replied, ‘I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.’ The sailors were seized with terror at this and said, ‘What have you done?’ They knew that he was trying to escape from the Lord, because he had told them so. They then said, ‘What are we to do with you, to make the sea grow calm for us?’ For the sea was growing rougher and rougher. He replied, ‘Take me and throw me into the sea, and then it will grow calm for you. For I can see it is my fault this violent storm has happened to you.’ The sailors rowed hard in an effort to reach the shore, but in vain, since the sea grew still rougher for them. They then called on the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, do not let us perish for taking this man’s life; do not hold us guilty of innocent blood; for you, the Lord, have acted as you have thought right.’ And taking hold of Jonah they threw him into the sea, and the sea grew calm again. At this the men were seized with dread of the Lord; they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.

   The Lord had arranged that a great fish should be there to swallow Jonah, and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. The Lord spoke to the fish, which then vomited Jonah on to the shore.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Jonah 2:3-5,8

R/ You lifted my life from the pit, O Lord.

Out of my distress I cried to the Lord and he answered me; from the belly of Sheol I cried, and you have heard my voice.

R/ You lifted my life from the pit, O Lord.

You cast me into the abyss, into the heart of the sea, and the flood surrounded me.All your waves, your billows, washed over me.

R/ You lifted my life from the pit, O Lord.

And I said: I am cast out from your sight.How shall I ever look again on your holy Temple?

R/ You lifted my life from the pit, O Lord.

While my soul was fainting within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came before you into your holy Temple.

R/ You lifted my life from the pit, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

cf. John 6:63,68

Alleluia, alleluia!

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life.

Alleluia!

Or

John 13:34

Alleluia, alleluia

!I give you a new commandment: love one another just as I have loved you, says the Lord.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 10:25-37

There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’

   But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

— — — — —

Saints Denis, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs  

(Liturgical Colour: Red)

First Reading

2 Corinthians 6:4-10

We prove we are servants of God by great fortitude in times of suffering: in times of hardship and distress; when we are flogged, or sent to prison, or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving. We prove we are God’s servants by our purity, knowledge, patience and kindness; by a spirit of holiness, by a love free from affectation; by the word of truth and by the power of God; by being armed with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, prepared for honour or disgrace, for blame or praise; taken for impostors while we are genuine; obscure yet famous; said to be dying and here are we alive; rumoured to be executed before we are sentenced; thought most miserable and yet we are always rejoicing; taken for paupers though we make others rich, for people having nothing though we have everything.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 125(126):1-6

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream.Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels the Lord worked for them!’What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land.Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Gospel Acclamation

John 8:12

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.

   ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

— — — — —

Saint John Leonardi, Priest  

(Liturgical Colour: White)

First Reading

2 Corinthians 4:1-2,5-7

Since we have by an act of mercy been entrusted with this work of administration, there is no weakening on our part. On the contrary, we will have none of the reticence of those who are ashamed, no deceitfulness or watering down the word of God; but the way we commend ourselves to every human being with a conscience is by stating the truth openly in the sight of God. For it is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. It is the same God that said, ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’, who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ.

   We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 95(96):1-3,7-8,10

R/ Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name.

R/ Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples.

R/ Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power; give the Lord the glory of his name.

R/ Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’ The world he made firm in its place; he will judge the peoples in fairness.

R/ Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Gospel Acclamation

Mark 1:17

Alleluia, alleluia!

Follow me, says the Lord, and I will make you into fishers of men.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 5:1-11

They left everything and followed him

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

   When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.

   When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

— — — — —

Blessed John Henry Newman, Priest

(Liturgical Colour: White)

First Reading

Exodus 32:7-14

The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down now, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostatised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. “Here is your God, Israel,” they have cried “who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘I can see how headstrong these people are! Leave me, now, my wrath shall blaze out against them and devour them; of you, however, I will make a great nation.’

   But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘why should your wrath blaze out against this people of yours whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with arm outstretched and mighty hand? Why let the Egyptians say, “Ah, it was in treachery that he brought them out, to do them to death in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth”? Leave your burning wrath; relent and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made this promise: I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I promised I will give to your descendants, and it shall be their heritage for ever.’

   So the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him.My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘My truth and my love shall be with him; by my name his might shall be exalted.He will say to me: “You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.”’

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

cf.Jn6:63,68

Alleluia, alleluia!

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life;

you have the message of eternal life.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 9:35-37

The harvest is rich but the labourers are few

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.

   And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

[pattireeks450-blog]

The best ways to Start With Palmistry.

That's therefore impressive how something as awful as a caterpillar can easily turn into one thing so marvelously fantastic! The explanation for the sunlight pathways' geometry in fact likewise applies to the trail all over the skies from all pretty fixed celestial spheres, i.e. superstars and also the moon. The greatest tides develop in the course of the New Moon, First Area Moon, Moon as well as Last Zone Moon. Unlike the silent moon, the environment of what is Mars crafted from are actually numerous gases, which are generally carbon dioxide, nitrogen, as well as argon, resembling slim blue as well as white colored clouds moving across its own sky. When there are actually 2 total moons in one Month, the modern-day day meaning of a Blue Moon is actually. If anything, 'Once in a blue moon' is a rarer occasion in comparison to 'A month from Sundays'. You are therefore appropriate - without understanding the best ways to take an effective photograph of the moon that comes out a 'blob'. The short articles listed below detail why the moon is therefore crucial in Wicca especially, but various other Heathen faiths also. The workers of the ship was actually sent out to this far-off moon through a head from the effective firm: Peter Weyland. That is actually a different phenomenon coming from, and also usually mistaken for, the impression from moonlight as blue. Moons, blue or not, are actually consistently an opportunity of gathering, of picking up the result and also goodies which fall in our lap due to our attempts while in between the final brand new moon pair of weeks recently. The FF series has turned fairly rough in today times, but there was actually an opportunity when Square Enix - recently Square - could possibly carry out no incorrect. Just about anything from a lighting, infant blue to a dark, tempestuous blue may be used for individuals under Aquarius, Libra or Gemini. Having said that our personal moon is additionally distinct in its personal righ, in the feeling that it is actually abnormally huge relative to the earth. I enjoy the terrific shade (as well as fragrance) from heaven moon rose, I am actually not exactly sure concerning a 'true blue' climbed, that does not appear fairly best. Probably, the only problem along with Lilith was actually that she was actually birthed, produced in the inappropriate period, as well as as a result of look at this site she was the rebel, and merely created to be much worse in comparison to she in fact was. The moon in Pisces carries us the opportunity to include our suitables, our feeling from compassion as well as devoutness right into our lives. The full Moon will transform yellow and afterwards seem blood reddish, grey or rustic, depending upon the weather in the world. In this particular desire the moon was actually certainly not like calm chilly things, instead like a sibling from Sunlight. It happens slowly as the planet, moon as well as star carry out old choreography in space. A moon desire's significance, like all aspirations, is actually ultimately located within the fantasizer. Gem (Moti) - Gem can eliminate the bad effects from moon as well as it boosts the mind and boosts the excellent sleeping and cures sleeplessness. Still a 'blue moon' describes the unusual opportunities there is actually a moon two times in the same month, even though it seldom really APPEARS blue. Whereas some have actually deciphered Starry Evening as a portrayal of the biblical tale from Joseph's desire, of his fraternal betrayal where the sunlight, where the moon as well as eleven celebrities created obeisance to him, others have actually dealt that the moon and the superstars stand for Jesus and his apostles.

[wolfess22854]

TODAY’S DAILY PRAYER

TODAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1, TEV

Lord our God, we come to you in community of faith and trust, in expectation that you will act. May our hearts be strengthened in all the pain and in all the conflicts of our world. Reveal your will, Almighty God, and protect those you have appointed as our leaders and rulers. Let your will be made plain to them. O Lord God, help your people in these times and give them strength to wait expectantly for what is good, to live and serve in this expectation. Grant your help to all who strive for this. We can all tell of the help that comes from you, for you always support us with your power, also in hard times. Amen.

Daily Dig

Caffeine for your conscience

TODAY’S DAILY DIG

TODAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017

Thomas à Kempis

Realize that to know Christ you must lead a dying life. The more you die to yourself, the more you will live unto God. You will never enjoy heavenly things unless you are ready to suffer hardship for Christ. Nothing is more acceptable to God, nothing more helpful for you on this earth. When there is a choice to be made, take the narrow way. This alone will make you more like Christ.

    Verse of the Day

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

Want to know something you can do that will please God? Rejoice in his grace. Pray for others. Give thanks for your blessings. It’s simply something that he wants us to do.

My Prayer…

Heavenly Father and Almighty God, I am thrilled at the very thought of being your child. Abba Father, please hear my prayer of concern for several people who are on my heart today… Loving God, thank you so much for the blessings you pour into my life each day. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen.

    BIBLE STUDY BUDDY

Read 1 Timothy 6:1-11..

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4. they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5. and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary 1 Timothy 6:5

v1-5 Christians were not to suppose that religious knowledge, or Christian privileges, gave them any right to despise heathen masters, or to disobey lawful commands, or to expose their faults to others. And such as enjoyed the privilege of living with believing masters, were not to withhold due respect and reverence, because they were equal in respect to religious privileges, but were to serve with double diligence and cheerfulness, because of their faith in Christ, and as partakers of his free salvation. We are not to consent to any words as wholesome, except the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; to these we must give unfeigned consent. Commonly those are most proud who know least; for they do not know themselves. Hence come envy, strife, railings, evil-surmisings, disputes that are all subtlety, and of no solidity, between men of corrupt and carnal minds, ignorant of the truth and its sanctifying power, and seeking their worldly advantage. 

Great Gain…

Over the past 15 years, a New Jersey businessman has anonymously given away more than $600 million to universities, medical centers, and other beneficiaries. When a legal complication forced him to reveal his identity, he explained his generosity by saying, ”Nobody can wear two pairs of shoes at one time. I simply decided I had enough money.”

A friend of the donor described him as a man who doesn’t own a house or a car, flies economy class, wears a $15 watch, and ”didn’t want his money to crush him.”

Few people seem able to treat their resources as a servant instead of a master. It seems so natural and sensible to grasp rather than to give. Even as followers of Christ, we may mistakenly believe that ”godliness is a means of gain” (1 Tim. 6:5).

To counter that dangerous mindset, the apostle Paul wrote, ”Godliness with contentment is great gain. . . . And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (vv.6,8). Contentment, according to one observer, ”is not an economic quality but a spiritual attainment. It is not a state of accounts but a state of heart.”

Are you a confirmed grasper or a contented giver? It will be demonstrated by what you do with what you have.

    November 16

The Fruit and Benefit of Godly Sorrow

2 Corinthians 6; Psalms 120:1-2; Proverbs 22:26-27

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says:

“In an acceptable time I have heard you,

And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

Therefore

“Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.”

“I will be a Father to you,

And you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the LORD Almighty.”

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.

Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. But as you abound in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us-see that you abound in this grace also.

I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 6:1-8:9

WORSHIP

In my distress I cried to the LORD,

And He heard me.

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips

And from a deceitful tongue.

Psalm 120:1-2

WISDOM

Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge,

One of those who is surety for debts;

If you have nothing with which to pay,

Why should he take away your bed from under you?

Proverbs 22:26-27

Quote of the Day

“The physical suffering of Jesus began in the Garden of Gethsemane on the evening before His crucifixion.” ~John Barnett (from “can someone sweat drops of blood?”)

Today’s Answer

Should Christians Attend Church? Hank Hanegraaff

I have often said that walking into a church doesn’t make you a christian any more than walking into a garage makes you a car. Attending church does not save us, nor does anything else we do. We are saved by grace, through faith, on account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone. This truth encapsulates how we are justified before God–in other words, how we are forgiven of all sin and declared righteous in the sight of our holy and merciful Creator. It follows then that a genuine believer will not lose his or her salvation by failing to go to church.

However, the Scriptures also teach that the Christian life should be lived within the context of the family of God (Ephesians 3:4; Acts 2:1) and not in isolation. Hebrews 10 clearly tells us “not to neglect the gathering of ourselves together as is the custom of some” (Hebrews 10:25). Indeed, I cannot conceive of a true Christian not wanting to gather together regularly with fellow believers to worship the Lord through the sacraments and receive His Word through preaching.

Of course, our discussion presupposes the importance of being vitally connected not just to any group that claims the name of Christ, but to a healthy, well-balanced church that honors the historical and biblical Jesus. Such a church, first of all, worships God through prayer, praise, and the proclamation of the Word in the context of the essential teachings of the historic christian faith.

These essentials include the final authority of Scripture, the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Christ, the substitutionary atoning death of Christ, the bodily resurrection of Christ, salvation by grace alone through faith, and so forth. As well, a true church soundly administers the sacraments. Furthermore, fellowship should be an integral part of a faithful church’s construct, where people come not only to give but also to use their time, talent, and treasure for the edification of the body. Finally, a healthy, well-balanced church equips and encourages people to go out and impact the world for Christ.

Originally published as “must christians attend church?” (used by permission).

    Remember Those In Prison

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison…  Hebrews 13:3a

As we see in Hebrews chapter 12, once we “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” we will be aware of how we should then live. The writer now turns to the issue of remembering those in prison.

Matta Boush, an outspoken evangelist in South Sudan was arrested on political charges under questionable circumstances. He was given a sentence of thirty years at a local military prison. Many people around the world prayed for him… and his family at home.

He asked prison authorities for permission to hold prayer meetings. At first they declined, saying, “We already have a mosque; you should go there.” But Boush persisted and eventually the authorities relented. For the first prayer meeting, only six people showed up. In a few weeks, more people were going to the prayer meeting than the mosque.

A few years later, he was transferred to another city prison. As he had in the first prison, he asked for, and received permission to conduct prayer meetings. Again he was told to limit his work to non-Muslims, yet as he continued to minister to non-Muslims, they, in turn would talk to Muslims. The result was that during his five years of ministry in that prison, he helped lead between 150 and 200 people to Christ.

Transferred again to another prison, he was able to help build a prison chapel there. After several months, prison officials told him that he did not really belong in prison, so he was given the freedom to leave the prison by day and return by night. Boush was glad to get out and meet with friends he had in Khartoum, but soon he realized that he could not effectively witness to his fellow prisoners if he had freedoms they were denied. He told the prison officials he would no longer go out. He knew it was not God’s time.

Later, he was offered private air-cooled sleeping quarters (summer temperatures exceed 100º F). But Bousch’s most productive time for witnessing was at night, so he declined the offer. He saw fruit for denying his own comfort to do what he felt God was calling him to do. In ten months, 200 more people came to the Lord in the prison.

Without warning, he was one day released early and returned to his family. Matta Boush’s enemies had hoped to steal his life from him by throwing him into prison, but God had given him a true “life” sentence; to share the hope of eternal life that comes through Jesus Christ.

RESPONSE: Today I will keep my eyes fixed on Jesus remembering to identify with my brothers and sisters in prison for their faith.

PRAYER: Lord, meet the needs of Christians in prison for You today around the world. Help them to glorify You in their situation. Bless their family members waiting patiently at home.

  November 16

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.–ISA. xxvi. 3.

What comforts, Lord, to those are given, Who seek in Thee their home and rest! They find on earth an opening heaven, And in Thy peace are amply blest. W. C. DESSLER.

God is a tranquil Being, and abides in a tranquil eternity. So must thy spirit become a tranquil and clear little pool, wherein the serene light of God can be mirrored. Therefore shun all that is disquieting and distracting, both within and without. Nothing in the whole world is worth the loss of thy peace; even the faults which thou hast committed should only humble, but not disquiet thee. God is full of joy, peace, and happiness. Endeavor then to obtain a continually joyful and peaceful spirit. Avoid all anxious care, vexation, murmuring, and melancholy, which darken thy soul, and render thee unfit for the friendship of God. If thou dost perceive such feelings arising, turn gently away from them. G. TERSTEEGEN.

  TODAY‘S

Christian Quote

Everyone wants to change, but change demands desire and discipline before it becomes delightful. There is always the agony of choice before the promise of change.

– Larry Lea

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A Prayer to Celebrate God’s Good Gifts in Us

By Suzie Eller

“‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’” John 1:48 (NIV)

When my brothers were small, they’d often tiptoe into my room and climb in bed with me at night. Home was hard at that time for all of us. We found sanctuary as we huddled close, and I told stories.

“Say a word,” I’d prompt.

“Dragon!” one little brother whispered.

“Forest,” said my other little brother.

Off we went on an adventure, as I wove a story about a fierce dragon caught in a forest, with two sweet boys hanging on every word.

I didn’t know it back then, but storytelling was a gift God placed in my heart. It wasn’t just a knack for telling stories, but something He would use for His purpose. On the nights when my little brothers and I snuggled in for a good story, He used my gift to calm their anxious hearts.

Little did I know God would continue to use this throughout my life.

Likewise, Jesus knew a thing or two about gifting and purpose.

In John 1, we find Jesus in Galilee. Nathanael is walking toward Him, and Jesus calls out, telling all within hearing distance that Nathanael is a good man.

“‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.

“Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’”

Long before they met in person, Jesus knew all about Nathanael. He knew of his character. He knew his giftings. He knew this man had a purpose.

Jesus knows us. Isn’t that incredible?

Years ago, when I was telling stories to my brothers in the midst of a chaotic home life, I didn’t know it was a talent God had given me. I didn’t understand — until much later — that Jesus not only recognized those gifts but desired to help me mature them.

Maybe you can point out others’ gifts, but not your own? You don’t always recognize them, or they seem ordinary. Take heart, friend! Jesus recognizes them because His Father put them inside of you.

Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) went on to become a disciple and friend of Jesus. He traveled across India, Armenia, Ethiopia and Southern Arabia, sharing the gospel and drawing many to Christ. When he encountered Jesus, he stood under a tree minding his own business. As he trusted that Jesus knew him inside and out, it changed the direction of his life.

What gifts are inside of you?

They may seem ordinary, but not to your Creator. He sees your gift of hospitality. He sees your deep compassion. He listens as you create music or string together words with care. He delights that you are good with kids, a dreamer and planner, or that you have a natural ability to lead others.

Jesus sees those gifts, but we also play a part. I was a storyteller, and I could hide that gift away or hold it up to the One who loves me best.

I want to challenge you today …

Acknowledge your gifts, even if they are in the beginning stages.

Hone your gifts, even if there’s a learning curve.

Then, use your gifts to draw others to a Savior who sees and knows them, and loves you as His own.

Jesus sees you, right where you are. He knows you and delights in the gifts unique to you. Hold your gifts up to Him today and trust He’ll use them in ways you may not even comprehend.

Dear Jesus, although my gifting seems small or rough-hewn, I will no longer hide this gift. But instead, I’ll hold it up to You, asking You to use it in ways that delight Your heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Thanksgiving Day By Debbie McDaniel

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God, it is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good; his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5

All across our nation, Thanksgiving is a day that we set aside in order to do one thing.

Be thankful.

And usually what goes along with it, is lots of food, family and friends, laughter and fun, times of giving to others in need, maybe some football, or traditions that you’ve recognized through long years.

And sometimes too, there is also loneliness. And struggle. Or deep loss. Feelings of hurt and painful circumstances that you’re still trying to hurdle over.

Whatever you’re facing this Thanksgiving Day, in the midst of all of it, may we remember again that God gives us the opportunity each and every day, to give worship and thanks to Him. Every morning He gives us breath, is His invitation to come joyfully into His Presence. He reminds us that He alone is God and we belong to Him. He assures us that His plans in our lives are for good, that his love covers us securely, and His faithfulness extends from generation to generation.

No matter what, He’s given us so many reasons to choose thankfulness and joy this day. Let’s do what the Psalmist of this great chapter says:

– Shout for joy.

– Worship the Lord with gladness.

– Come before Him with joyful songs.

– Know that He is God.

– Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.

– Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

– Recognize His goodness, love, and faithfulness, through all the generations of our family.

Dear God,

Thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over our lives. Forgive us for when we don’t thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. We’re so grateful you for your amazing love and care, for your mercy and grace, for always working on our behalf, even behind the scenes when we’re unaware. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us, even through loss and the most difficult of times. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy, this Thanksgiving Day and every day.

We give you thanks and praise, for You alone are worthy!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

    Can We Still Believe in Life After Death?

Ever met a Sadducee? Me neither.

That’s not surprising considering that the last one died 2,000 years ago. And even back then, there were never very many of them. It was always a very select group, like a club for the very wealthy. If you lived in Jericho, you were much more likely to run into a Pharisee than a Sadducee. They were a very select group with some very strange views.

And that’s part of what makes this story so interesting. It starts with a weird question and ends with a very surprising answer. If we just skim it on the surface, we might assume that it has nothing to say to us in the 21st-century. But we would be wrong about that.

This story presents us with an issue of profound importance. Can we still believe in life after death?

*The Sadducees said no. *Jesus said yes.

A CBS News poll revealed that 78% of Americans believe in life after death.

The most religiously observant Americans are most likely to say there is an afterlife: about nine in 10 of those who attend religious services weekly or almost every week believe in it. This view is shared by seven in 10 of those who rarely or never attend services. Americans of all age groups believe in an afterlife. So do most men and most women.

The poll went a step further and asked if science will ever be able to prove there is life after death. Here the response was even more overwhelming. 8% said yes while 87% said no. That leaves us in a fascinating place.

*Most people believe in life after death. *Most people believe it will never be proven by science.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of this question. If there is no life after death . . .

*Death really is the end. *There is no heaven or hell. *There is no reward or punishment. *There is no resurrection of the dead. *There is no purpose to history.

And if there is no life after death, then those of us who believe in Jesus have been profoundly deceived. We are, to borrow a phrase from the Apostle Paul, of all men most to be pitied. If there is no life after death, then we have believed a fairy tale, a nice story that has no real meaning. If there is no life after death, why pray? Why believe? Why live for Jesus? Sometimes I hear well-meaning Christians say, “Even if it’s not true, Christianity is still the best way to live.” Count me out. If it’s not true, then I want no part of it. I know some people say that Christ is so wonderful that even without heaven, it’s good to be a Christian. Listen, if this life is all there is, then what you call “Christ” is just a figment of your imagination. To borrow some words from Shakespeare’s Macbeth:

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.

So is there life after death? Thousands of years ago Job raised the same question. “If a man dies, will he live again?” (Job 14:14). That is the question, isn’t it? We all die, but what then?

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” Is that all there is?

And that brings us to our text, an encounter that took place two or three days before Jesus was crucified. It is Tuesday or perhaps Wednesday of Passion Week. Jesus has come to Jerusalem for the final time. Pilgrims crowd the city in anticipation of Passover. Because of his rising popularity with the people, the Jewish leaders have already decided to find a way to put Jesus to death. Knowing that his time is short, Jesus takes every opportunity to confront evil and to present himself to the people so they can decide whether or not to follow him. Everywhere he goes, crowds gather to listen as he debates the religious leaders of that day. Mostly he deals with the Pharisees who were the largest religious group in Judea.

But on one occasion he faced off against the Sadducees who were very much unlike the Pharisees. Luke 20:27-40 tells us what happened when they came to him with an absurd question about a woman with seven husbands. From Jesus’ answer we learn a great deal about life after death.

I. The Sadducees’ Insincere Question   

In order to get a handle on the strange question they asked, we need to know something about the Sadducees. They were not the Pharisees. In fact, the Sadducees and the Pharisees were two different groups of Jewish leaders who had no use for each other. The Sadducees came from a small group of aristocratic families that represented the “old money” of the Jewish nation. As such, they tended to congregate around the temple in Jerusalem. You could find the Sadducees in the priesthood and in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Because they were sticklers for law and order, the common people didn’t like them. And because they collaborated with Rome, they had power and influence.

When you think of the Sadducees, you need to know what they didn’t believe.

They didn’t believe in angels. They didn’t believe in heaven or hell. They didn’t believe in life after death. They didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead. They didn’t believe in the immortality of the soul.

The Pharisees believed in all those things, which was a major reason why the two groups didn’t get along. In 21st-century terms, the Sadducees would be like today‘s religious liberals who don’t believe in the supernatural. It was a rich man’s religion that offered power with no accountability to God. You live, you die, and that’s it.

Jesus was a direct threat to all they believed.

This passage is notable because it records their only direct run-in with Jesus. By definition a Sadducee couldn’t become a follower of Jesus without giving up what he believed. So that’s why they came with a question that seemed absurd in that day and sounds ridiculous in our day.

“Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” (vv. 28-33).

This is not a sincere question. It’s obviously a made-up situation designed to trap the Lord and discredit him in front of the crowds that followed him during his final days in Jerusalem. The Sadducees intended to ridicule the doctrine of the resurrection. They often used questions like this to tie the Pharisees in knots.

In order to understand the question, we need to go back to Deuteronomy 25:5-10 which describes the law of levirate marriage. Because of the importance of preserving the family name, the law provided for the brother of a man who died childless to marry the widow and have children in the name of the deceased brother. It was a sacred obligation.

So the question is, after she marries seven brothers, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? In her case, Jesus’ answer was reassuring. Besides saying in essence, “That’s a stupid question,” Jesus says there is no marriage in the resurrection. She was probably happy about that. Seven husbands is plenty-and probably a few too many. The good news is, she won’t be married to seven men at the same time. The Sadducees framed the question precisely so we would laugh about it.

“Maybe she’ll be married to the first one.” “Or the last one. “Or the best-looking one.” “Or the one with the most money.”

You could imagine the snickers in the crowd. The point is, you can’t say for sure whose wife she will be. The Sadducees used questions like this to show what they considered to be the absurdity of believing in life after death.

But behind the question lay an important (and wrong) assumption that the afterlife is only a continuation of this life. People often wrongly assume that eternity is nothing but the extrapolation of time into the future. They think the conditions in the age to come are the same as the conditions here. But that is not the case. In this life things are so messed up that we can’t imagine how God can straighten them out. But as someone said, “God has an eternity to make right what has gone wrong in this life.”

So the question, though insincere, does raise some important issues regarding what heaven will be like. And the answer is, it won’t be exactly the same as life on earth.

That’s good news-even if we don’t totally understand it all.

  Jesus Lives by Sarah Young

I want to make your life a glorious adventure, but you must stop striving for a lifestyle that feels safe. I know how ambivalent your heart is in all of this: You long for the adventure that a life abandoned to Me can be, and at the same time, you cling to old ways because change frightens you. Though you feel safest when your life is predictable and things seem to be under control, I want you to break free and discover the adventures I have planned for you.

The greatest adventure of all is knowing Me abundantly: discoveringhow wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you. The power of My vast Love can feel overwhelming. That is why many people choose to limit their knowledge of Me, keeping Me at a distance. How this grieves Me! People settle for mediocrity because it feels more comfortable. Meanwhile, they continue to battle fear. Only My Love is strong enough to break the hold that fear has on you. A predictable lifestyle may feel safer, but it can shield you from what you need most of all—Me!

When unexpected events shake up your routines, rejoice. This is exactly what you need, to wake you up and point you toward Me. Recognize that you are on the threshold of a new adventure, and that I will be with you each step of the way. As we venture out together, cling tightly to My hand. The more you abandon yourself to Me, the more exuberantly you can experience My Love.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.-Ephesians 3:17–18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

The one who fears is not made perfect in love.-1 John 4:18

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. –Psalm 63:8

© 2009 by Sarah Young

  Grief Not Allowed

I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. – >John 16:20

In our culture, it seems more acceptable for us to be angry than sad. Consequently, many of us stumble through life without understanding our feelings, completely out of touch with our emotions. We may be deeply grieved by a number of circumstances, but we don’t feel safe acknowledging our sadness. It’s socially “okay” for them to vent their anger, but not to explore and discuss the deep hurt beneath it.

When you feel sad, anger seems like a safe retreat. It causes your adrenaline to rush. It commands attention and demands respect. It allows you to stay in control, and it keeps uncomfortable feelings and situations at a safe distance. However your failure to grieve can actually poison you.

The Bible offers no precedent for us to suppress our grief. The Old Testament depicts many people showing real grief. The men of Israel would rip their clothes, sprinkle themselves with ashes, wear black armbands, and spend time in mourning.  They would wail before the Lord without feeling shame.

That experience allowed them to express their emotions and then move on without the baggage of repressed feelings. When we don’t grieve, we stuff our disappointments and sadnesses, and compensate for them with other less-threatening emotions, and at the top of the list is anger.  But Scripture gives you liberty to grieve, so when you need to, openly grieve!

“To spare oneself from grief at all cost can be achieved only at the price of total detachment, which excludes the ability to experience happiness.” – Erich Fromm (1900-1980)

  The Daily Word of Hope Devotional

Bible Fun Fact: There was a king in Egypt named: So (2 Kings 17:4).

Get Me To The Church On Time

The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Judges 3:7 WEB

Centuries ago, when it was time to go to church, there was an excitement in the air, and no one wanted to stay home. It was a convenient religion. Baal was the god of materialism and money, while Asheroth was the god of sex and fertility. Molech was the god of fire.

Worshipping these gods often involved extravagant drunken orgies. You were ‘required’ to sleep with prostitutes, each other’s spouses, as well as man to man and woman to woman. This often produced unwanted pregnancies and the offspring were conveniently burned as a sacrifice to Molech (Leviticus 18:21).

I used to read the Bible and wonder how people could worship idols like this. It just sounded so foreign and distant to me. Then as I grew older, the Lord revealed to me that it is still rampant today. Thousands of years later, most of the world still chase these same gods and Christians are not immune. It seems to be our default mode, when not actively seeking God. Lust, adultery, immorality, the love of money, abortion, and so much more. You don’t have to search hard to find all of this alive and well in the church today.

We need to keep Jesus at the center of our life so that He can bring balance to all areas. There is nothing wrong with money or sex, but it cannot be the most important thing in your life or it will become a snare to you. No one can serve two masters, for you will love one and hate the other (Luke 16:13).

There is a way out, and if you have been caught in this trap, start by putting God first in your life every day by beginning your day with prayer. Before long He will begin to guide you out of it and all the other things will fall into place. Don’t forget the Lord your God and begin to unknowingly serve the others, for we are, what we repeatedly do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for guiding me and I want to make the most of my life. Please give me grace to flee from things that are bad for me as Joseph did. Forgive me of my past and lead me into a brighter future, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Today’s Scripture

“So they called the two apostles back in and told them that they must never, for any reason, teach anything about the name of Jesus. Peter and John answered, ‘Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him? We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.'” Acts 4:18-20 CEV

Thoughts for Today

Yesterday we talked about Paul’s eagerness to share the gospel. Today’s scripture describes Peter and John’s determination to do the same–even under the threat of persecution. “We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.”

Why were they so committed to sharing the good news? Their lives had been touched by Jesus. They KNEW that he was their long-awaited Messiah. They KNEW that he died and rose again. They KNEW that salvation could only come through him. They KNEW that all who trusted in him would be saved. And they were excited about what they knew. They could not keep quiet about what they had seen and heard.

Consider this …

How about us? If our lives have been touched by Jesus … if we know that he is the Messiah, the Son of God, our Savior … if we know that salvation can only come through him … if we know that all who trust in him will be saved … are we so excited that we cannot keep quiet?

Sadly, we are often lacking this great motivation to share the gospel. We might let busyness and distractions deter us. Perhaps fear slows us down. Maybe we’ve lost that first love and excitement.

Let us pray that whatever is deterring us … we will set it aside and focus on Jesus … that our fervor will be restored … and that we can join Peter in declaring, “We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.”

Prayer

Lord, I know I’ve lost some of my zeal about sharing the gospel with others. My priorities have jumbled. I haven’t focused on you as I should. Even though I believe I’ve been doing good things, I’ve let the busyness distract me from sharing your message with the lost. Please forgive me and fill me with a fresh excitement and eagerness to talk about what I have seen and heard. In Jesus’ name …

  The Ultimate Franchise TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman November 16, 2017

And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business? Luke 2:49 KJV

Earth is God’s business. He has set up many franchises (churches) designed to send His representatives (Body of Christ) into the world to make known the best product ever given to mankind (Jesus). His branch managers (pastors) have been given the responsibility to teach and support those in the field. God’s goal is to establish a franchise in every nation, state, and city. It is the ultimate business because when you introduce someone to His product (Jesus), you receive a reward from the home office (Heaven). God has promised that His representatives will have all the tools and customer support needed to accomplish their strategic plans.

Jesus knew that He was to be about His Father’s business. He knew He was sent to earth not to enjoy the pleasures of lowly man, but to accomplish a task for which He alone was sent. When He had accomplished His mission, He was to entrust this mission to other representatives into whom He poured His life for three years. This field training allowed Jesus to mentor, model, befriend, and demonstrate firsthand the model for a successful business to be launched and sustained.

God has big plans for His franchise. He wants every human being to partake of His product; however, even God knows that not everyone will. Nevertheless, this does not thwart His efforts in seeking to make it known among His audience.

You have been called to be part of the ultimate franchise. How many new recruits have you been responsible for bringing into the franchise lately?

  Passion for Praise: ‘Your Great Power’

Thursday, November 16, 2017

“We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.”

— Revelation 11:17 NLT

And what song does MY heart play?  Well, today it’s playing a slow, uneasy waltz……I can’t seem to catch my breath over the last few days……my Cardiologist, a new one since my long-time one decided that he needed a “change of scenery”…..well, she thinks it’s my blood pressure and it’s too low?  Well, I’ve been checking it myself and it’s fine, so what is causing my latest problem?  I’ll have to pray over it…..

Could this be it?  Just when I thought I had this trouble “licked”, could it be returning to cause me further agony?

This still scares me…….

Thank You, Lord!!

Love comes from MY heart……..it always will…..no matter how I’m treated, or MIStreated, I will never stop loving each and every one of them!!  I have decided to send the cards to them…….maybe late, and with no letters……just to let them know that they have a Mother (still) who forgives and still loves them…….

Memories….

  God bless you all!!!!

  It’s THAT Day Again!! TODAY'S DAILY PRAYER TODAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.