#greater God I hate sheeps

[lady-ashfade]

is there any chance you can do a yander clarisse fic? Im not too sure about but maybe reader is kinda naive and sweet and Clarisse is really overprotective sorry this is vague im not sure what else

You got it!

Yandere!Romantic! Clarisse La Rue x Demeter's daughter!reader

-£ my first time really writing for her! Hope you like it. And you didn’t say what kind of reader you wanted so it is fem, and also didn’t know if you wanted romance or platonic. If you are upset with this you can request again!

-£ warnings: short, yandere behavior, stalking, slight mentions of violence, swearing, reader being to naive to notice, changing perspectives half way through,

she never liked flowers. She found them annoying, when she realized it was what she was “supposed” to like. no, she likes to play in the dirt and rough house.

until she found one flower that wanted to keep safe. and her name was y/n and oh, was she beautiful. she didn’t realize how pretty nature could be until she saw how you created and helped the flowers, grass and anything you could find.

“do that again,” the girl looked at her with confusions, “smile, I like it.”

Clarisse didn’t truly know how she could have wrapped herself at her around her finger so easily and without trying. from the first time watching her grow a patch of flowers in the woods made her entranced.

at first she watched from far away, not scared. just getting the feel. but day after day of watching her smile with her siblings and other people, when she didn’t even get a glance? it was unfair. but she would prove herself.

knocking a boy over at lunch just before her table, making sure she would see, Clarisse just stared at the boy with a playful smirk knowing he wouldn’t do anything about it. After the boy ran away she glanced over to the table, finding those eyes looking back at her. it was a high greater then any blessing she could have.

Everything got worse from there. Clarisse had no control over herself sometimes and she got that from her father. This is where you two finally start hanging out. Everywhere you turned she was always close or right beside you. Though you didn’t find it strange but as a way to say how much life wanted to kept her around you.

“It’s so nice to have a friend.” You beamed with happiness. Her eyes darkened as her lips curled up into a devilish smirk, “Friends? Yeah.” You didn’t notice the way she was looking at you like a sheep.

She hated how nice you were to everyone who approached you at camp. How you would smile and bat your eyes and are willing to help anyone who asked. That was her attention. That was her smile. That was her girl..

She was so relieved that you never noticed anything about her. And how everyone that seem to spend to much time around you seemed to avoid being at least ten feet near you.

Every few days she found herself in the woods, deep in the night with one hand clinging to someone’s shirt and the other one raised. that hand was covered in blood and her knuckles bruised. No real harm. Just a warning to keep them away.

When she finally asked you out. She was able to hold you close now, not that she didn’t already, but she could kiss your lips anytime she wanted. Her hand stayed on your hip to hold you close. Like a leash incase you want to run off.

And gods, did it feel good to show you off.

#clarisse la rue x reader #Clarisse La Rue #yandere Clarisse La Rue #yandere #yandere Clarisse La Rue x reader #clarisse la rue x y/n #Clarisse La Rue x you #percy jackson x reader

[archipithecus]

John Chapter Names

Spoilers for Nona the Ninth

Here compiled is the name of the John Chapter, the associated bible verse (New International Version), and a summary of the John Chapter. 

John 5:20

For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.

In which John describes a year before it would be over, it would begin, cryo project losing funding, no longer getting 3%(!) of NZ’s(?) electricity, power being shut off, test bodies melting, except for those John touched, which stay incorrupti

John 15:23

 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well.

In which John describes his eyes going from light brown to dark amber to new lager to gold, the gang studying two of the bodies, John getting obsessed, naming them Ulysses and Titania, and puppeting them from across the room.

John 5:18

 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

In which John describes getting better at puppeting Ulysses and Titania, P— raiding a graveyard, and the gang starting streaming. 

    He sighed and said, “We had the internet. We decided to stream.”     She said, “What is this internet?”     And he said, “See, I did make a utopia.”

John 8:1

but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

In which John describes getting internet attention, healing people, getting overwhelmed, getting Jesus advice from a nun, and turning a bunch of cows and sheep inside out for a wall. 

John 19:18

There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

In which John describes the FTL escape ships and getting mad at the rich assholes who take them for themselves.

John 5:1

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals.

In which John describes the gang having a barbie and deciding to fix everything, John puppeting the President of the United States of America in exchange for “a couple billion dollars and a suitcase nuke”. 

John 3:20

 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

In which John describes how being the evil wizard isn’t fair, the FTL fleet wasn’t going to be ready, John starting a cult and becoming goth.

John 9:22

His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.

In which John describes doing bone parthenogenesis, getting high off of violent death, killing a bunch of cops, and starting a skeleton army.

John 1:20

He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

In which John describes the trillionaires fucking up the FTL project even more, trying nuclear diplomacy, cultists turning on the gang, the nun killing herself to give John the secret of the soul, John killing everyone, making Alecto’s body, and killing everything in the solar system except for the escaping  FTL fleet. 

John 5:4

From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had.

(this verse is probably an interpolation, not present in the most reliable historic manuscripts, but is in the KJV. the NIV just has it in a footnote, and some editions omit it entirely)

In which John describes resurrecting his friends without their memories, talks with Harrow about God and the Tomb, and Harrow walks to the Tower in the River

#tlt #nona the ninth spoilers

[coffeeman777]

Hi Kreg! I’m pretty sure I’m the only saved person in my household. My family members all respect other religions (Buddhism, Islam, Judaism) more than Christianity. They are all extremely liberal/left-leaning, so they are all for things like critical race theory, LGBT rights, inclusivity, abortion, etc. They’re comfortable mocking Christianity/Christian beliefs, practices. Sad thing is my siblings and I all had a Christian upbringing (private Christian school from K-12). They’ve heard the gospel plenty of times, had to memorize Bible verses, go through Bible class, attend weekly chapel, etc. and so they know better. We also used to go to a biblical church off on and so there have been plenty of times they’ve heard the gospel, listened to sermons, and attended Sunday school lessons. My mom also grew up around her Christian great grandma who used to host worship sessions at her home. My mom also used to have a heart for evangelizing. Now, she says she thinks it’s offensive & unnecessary to witness to nonbelievers.

Do you know of any scriptures that I can lean on for this specific situation I’m in? I often slip into feeling like I’m going crazy as I’m outnumbered here and just feel so alone. I try to be away from them as much as I can because it hurts knowing that my prayers for their salvation are unanswered thus far.

Psalm 23, 61, and 91 come to mind. A lot of the Psalms will help you, actually.

1 John 4:4, "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. "

Romans 8:31-39, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

And of course, remember Elijah's ordeal, being hated and hunted by Ahab and Jezebel, after Jezebel had slaughtered other prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18).

We are outnumbered. We are surrounded by darkness all the time. But the Lord is always with us. And we have each other.

Spend as much time around other Christians as you can. Stay in the Word, and stay in prayer. Live the Christian life so that your family can see it. Ignore any insults, don't respond to them. Let them slide right off. Return good for evil. And practice being ready with an answer for any questions they may ask. And of course, keep praying for them. God can turn even the hardest heart in an instant.

I'll be praying for you, too. Be blessed!

[plushipaws]

I had been sent on a Quest to kill a monster, as I had been many times before. I killed the beast, as I always had, but I had been injured; a bite. Though I live, this wound turned out to be fatal for sir Godric.

The hunger overtook me, as it so often does to young vampires, and before I could stop myself I had slaughtered a villiage of the very people I was sworn to protect. As they looked upon my warped visage before their deaths at my hand they called be a demon. Abbadon, one called me, and in a baptism of blood I was so named.

My instincts drove me to hide from the sun, to seek the company of rats and to shun all that I had held holy. I knew myself then to be a creature of filth and shadow, a twistsd monster whoes very appearance struck fear and disgust in all who beheld him, such that the faint of heart would die before I had laid a claw of them, simply from beholding me.

My new nature and my past identity were at war inside of me. It did not seem I could be both things; a knight and a monster, a worshiper of God and a creature from Hell, a hero and a villian. And yet I was, and the discrepancy ate me. I continued to do what I saw as good, to slay monsters and save humans, as a shephard slays wolves for his sheep. At the same time, I fed upon humans like livestock. I wanted what was best for them, and I killed hundreds of them, nay, thousands.

I tried to commune with God, to turn to him for answers, but he rejected and burned me. I tried to make peace with what I was on my own, though it was more than once that I contemplated self destruction. Over time, I lost my connection to humanity. My face made it impossible to interact with humans except for from shadow, and as food. The seperation from humans became as great as an ocean, and my guilt over their deaths drowned in it.

I knew once, what it was to be one of them, and so I would never cause them undue suffering or wish them greif. I had loved humanity once, and I love them still, though the love has changed from that of equals, to the love a farmer has for his cattle. I realized it is not a paradox to love that which you kill, or that which you eat. It has always been the relationship humans have had with animals, and it was the relationship vampires had with humans.

It was this relationship that made me understand wht God had done; like how humans were placed above animals, and given animals to both watch over and to serve them, vampires were thusly placed above humans; the next stage between the life God had created on earth and God himself. He in his wisdom was creating an even more perfect life form to better emulate Himself on earth, both making us to be better than them and to punish them for their corruption. In his wisdom, he also realized, that in order to be more like Him, we had to do without Him, as God has no God of his own to look up to; He must make his own decisions, and now so must we. This is why vampires are burned by Holy symbols; like all loving parents, God knows we have to leave his care eventually and make our own way.

This made it make sense for as to why I was in this position of vampire; I had been pious, loyal, and kind; and it would not make sense to be punished by being turned into a horrible monster. And perhaps my ugliness was part of this as well; a gift, to help me to realize what I was now. I know I am ugly, and should not be looked upon; I shall continue to hide my face, as it is a face meant to be hidden. But this does not mean that I hate my appearance; nay, I love my ugliness now, as I know it is a gift from God Almighty, a message to help me understand what His will is, even after He has stopped communicating directly. It also serves to keep me humble, as being greater than one once was could easily cause one to commit the sin of pride; a sin I must be succeptable to, as I have much worse features than many other vampires. I thank God for protecting me from commiting such a sin.

#vampire #oc #my writing #my art #just my ocs backstory lole #oc: abbadon #nosferatu #fantasy

[urutaguja]

Cult Of The Lamb Poetric/Possible Song Lyric

I saw my world decay,

At the very end of the blade… 

My time must be nigh,

But why must I betray?

My vessel, take the Red Crown

And slay those who hate!

The pain is only a farce who made you close

To me! 

And yet why do I feel so,

Wonderful?

Every step I make feels better,

Way better than the last.

My children have been made into

Perfect toys of the 

Needs to destroy the very chains

Of abuse and neglect. 

I have my perfect views,

You are just by need.

To fulfill the prophecy!

Don't think you

Are done,

There is more work ahead. 

And yet why do I feel

The rage that seeps,

The bleeding is 

temporary but the decay is eternally just 

As there to smell so close.

My time grows long… 

I HAVE SLAYED MANY FALSE FLOCK

YOU ARE NOTHING COMPARE,

TO THE ETERNAL TRUTH!

LET MY FURY CONSUME 

ON YOUR HERETIC OF THE 

HEART THAT YOU 

MAINTAIN!

Watch me as I slay your pathetic little 

Monsters and force them into 

My working fortune, you have no 

Choice but to commit to my 

Commands!

Yes, that's right, fear of me

And my own fist, for

The Red Crown of it's rightful

Brow has the correct

Choice to unbind the reality you have forged,

It's just the lay,

Of a damned engage. 

My own decay was never

MY DISMAY!

They did this to themselves,

Even though they were also wise and

Old but not, even so close. 

Betray those who hurt me in these very 

CHAINS!

Break them apart, I watch

Your step and make it 

Grow, do your delights and

Make me close to your love,

Loyalty is everything,

Yet fear is also the same for you. 

And yet why do I need to continue on, 

For my own kind is dead?

Those damned bishops thought very well, 

To the very detail of my hurtful end… 

And yet THEY WERE WRONG!!!

I WATCHED EVERY PATH AND SLAYED

THOSE WITH HATE!

THESE CHAINS BOUND BY THEE,

SHALL NOT KEEP ME AWAYYYYYYY!!!

I WILL BRING YOU THE TRUTH! 

Many deaths I could count have

Been lost and yet why do I keep myself

To believe the false deceptions they throw?

My children grow to hate for thinking

I am weak and yet I come back to feed

Them their daily bread!

Are the sermons not enough,

What do you wish to decide on your gift

Or maybe stop asking to eat your deadly

Feces of your fellows.

My sweet Lamb, fear not for they lie,

Watch their fear and kill their KIND!

They think so much and leave more,

To the very clue of my eternal watch. 

Watch me defeat your sad little

Sheep and try to make them against me 

For either I can lead or destroy them as well!

I can lead just as well as any of you,

No, I don't like to make it

Competitional but I believe that's

Your belief and I could,

Probably respect that

The end is near,

For my time is here,

To free my own desire,

Let my god in you and have 

Just as faith as me. 

Pretty soldier, you have

War on them, I saw

Bloodshed in your hands,

My powers served you well, but

To finish the errands you could return

The very source back.

After all, it was my belonging,

Return your loyalty back. 

Oh you have me here,

For what have I truly led on,

Knowing I could have it all,

Or maybe throw it away like

My kin and brethren in the soil? 

Why must I wait? 

Give back which I promised yee,

I can give you rest, do you

Wish against it oh, so soon? 

Return the crown or not?

My own raised flock was made

By my work,

Sensible and flawed but it made

Me go this far… 

Give me all the debt,

Your time was just a game,

Oh, forget the pain of past,

I REFUSE YOU!!! 

Watch me betray you as I take your

Powers against you,

Let me tell you a thing, 

I can be just a mortal with a god 

Flay to decide who will you be next!

AFTER ALL, I GOT A HEART OF GOLDEN

AGELESS RAGE!!! 

I am not afraid, you have me astray,

Take the tongue and speak 

Away,

Look at my faith to display

The power of the true leader of a greater

Future!

LET ME IN TO THE ROLE, TAKE BACK WHAT

SHOULD BE MINE,

RULE UPON THOSE TO WORSHIP ME

IN VAIN! 

I had enough of your

Same lies and now it's time to finish it,

For once and for ALL!!! 

Why did you behave? Won't

You kill me dead?

Am I just a pawn to your game?

Who are you to decide my PLAY!?

I spared you just like thee,

When the past was broken 

In ruins of the nightly

Fear,

You have no need to be 

Enslaved,

Neither have I to say.

Let us continue to grow the 

Cult of the Lamb,

Let us consume the eternals 

At day,

Go forth and decay, the death is only

The ultimate to become your free

Being of eternal satisfaction,

Yet don't you dare spread the hate

That I ate upon the lasts years or so… 

Let us continue to grow the 

Cult of the Lamb,

Let us consume the eternals 

At day,

Go forth and decay, the death is only

The ultimate to become your free

Being of eternal satisfaction,

Yet don't you dare spread the hate

Or I'll be seeing you, tied up in prison walls.

Let us continue to grow the 

Cult of the Lamb,

Let us consume the eternals 

At day,

Go forth and decay, the death is only

The ultimate to become your free

Being of eternal satisfaction,

Yet don't you dare spread the hate

Or I'll SEE THAT YOU'LL BE MY, 

NEXT POWER MEAL!!! 

Let us continue to grow the 

Cult of the Lamb,

Let us consume the eternals 

At day,

Go forth and decay, the death is only

The ultimate to become your free

Being of eternal satisfaction,

Yet don't you dare spread the hate

That I ate upon the lasts years or so… 

"Won't you join me for a lovely sermon?" 

----

This Poem was made as a single idea that could be made much more, if you, the reader viewing this, would like to convert these lyrics into a song, please DM me for more to discuss, as I have a slight idea that may fit for lyrical songwriting rhythm. Otherwise, please do take it as fit and give me recognition for the poem above.

Thank you for reading all the way.

And congrats for the game devs for their fast reach of 1 million before its first week, as I am also one of the 1 million to buy and play the game.

#maxem writes #maxem says this #cult of the lamb #maxem makes a poem #poetry #fan poem #fan poetry #songwriting #possible song lyrics #probable future song

[lawrenceop]

HOMILY for 4th Tuesday of Easter

Acts 11:19-26; Ps 86; John 10:22-30

preached at a Novena at Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Kensal New Town

“It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’” (Act 11:26) Before that, followers of Jesus were sometimes called “Nazarenes”, a term that, you might recall, terrorist groups in Syria had revived in recent times to brand us. But the origin of the word Christian was no less of a stigma. It seems that the people of Antioch had also first used ‘Christians’ as a derisive term, and this use of the word recurs time and again. The word ‘cretin’ for example, which means a stupid or insensitive person, comes from the time of the French Revolution when being called a crétin, a Christian, was used as an insult. But although people called us Christians (and still do) in order to dismiss us, or exclude us from the public sphere, the early Church took on the name ‘Christian’ as a badge of pride. For it means that we follow Christ, that we are anointed as he is with the spirit of Sonship, and so we are called to be little Christs in the world so that those who see us will see Him, our Crucified and Risen Lord. 

Hence the Lord says plainly in the Gospel to those who ask him if he is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One of God: “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” (Jn 10:27) To be called a Christian, therefore, and to be worthy of the title means that our behaviour has in some way marked us out as belonging to Jesus Christ, and it is a behaviour that should set us apart from others, making us distinctive and different and odd in an increasingly non-Christian world. Many will think us to be cretins because we are truly Christian. 

To be truly Christian is not to be nice – not necessarily. It is, however, to love. For this is what it means to follow Christ our Good Shepherd. It means we follow him to the Cross where he showed a sinful world what love looks like. Thus we follow him also to the grave and beyond, into the evergreen pastures of eternal life, as he promises us in the Gospel. Loving and following Christ, however, does not mean just believing in private beliefs. No, it is clear from the context of today’s Gospel, and the example of the early Church, and the Martyrs and Saints, that from the very beginning, our belief in Christ, our listening to his voice, sets us up for public visible actions and choices that will bring us into conflict with the world, and that challenge a world that has grown cold and distant from God, from truth, from the good, and even from beauty. To love and follow Christ, therefore, means to love and defend the good and the true. So the Lord also said: “‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” (Jn 15:20) 

Consider, for example, the furore in the USA and on social media over the issue of so-called abortion rights – as if one could ever have a right to kill another human being, let alone the most vulnerable of all human beings, the baby in its mother’s womb. And so, for those who stand up for genuine human rights, beginning with the fundamental right to life, they have been called all manner of hateful and insulting names, and even been subjected to physical violence – for violence is the way of a people, blinded by sin and ignorance, who cannot actually cope with thinking and debating rationally about emotive topics. Thus the people of the world clamoured for blood and killed the King of Love. Thus, as we hear in the first reading today, the first Christians had come to Antioch because they had to escape fierce persecution in Jerusalem. And so we are opposed on many fronts in our time, but most especially against the sanctity of the family and authentic marriage.

Many, like sheep, will follow the strident voice of the world: one hears it in the opinions of politicians, celebrities, social media influencers; in popular books, on television, in universities, and all our favourite brands. All the more must we listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd who leads us to eternal life, who leads us into a deep love for God and his commandments, and so into a deep love for our neighbour, especially those who do not yet know God and who do not keep his word. St John of Avila, doctor of the Church whose feast falls today, would say: “The proof of perfect love of our Lord is seen in the perfect love of our neighbour”. It is this unified love that motivates us to be Christians, not only in name, but in deed, witnessing to the truth of the Faith in our very behaviour, even at the risk of being regarded as cretins. For to be a Christian is to love. 

So, the response of Christians all over the world, whenever they have been confronted by hatred and violence and persecution has been to turn to Our Lady and to pray the Holy Rosary, a great prayer centred on God’s saving love. Back in 1571 when Christianity in Europe was imperilled, my holy confrere the Dominican pope St Pius V, called together the Christian people in Rome, gathered into the Rosary Confraternity, to pray the Holy Rosary. After the Muslim forces were successfully repelled because of these prayers, St Pius V added the title Auxilium Christianorum, Help of Christians, to the Litany of Loreto. 

So in these days as you observe this Novena, as Dominican Promoter General of the Rosary, I say, thank you for praying the Rosary. And I pray that Our Lady will help us Christians today in our time, in our current struggles and challenges. May Our Lady help us to be Christians, to live up to our baptismal promises with courage, humility, and love. And so, by Our Lady’s prayers, may she amplify in our hearts and minds the voice of Christ, whom St John of Avila calls, “a great Friend”. May all come to hear God’s voice calling all peoples to friendship with him. For this, divine friendship, is what it means to be called a Christian – and we are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord!

#Christian #discipleship #abortion rights #Help of Christians

[aniah-who]

Not your typical love story...

I believe Joseph’s story goes beyond the surface of dealing with a family that wants nothing to do with you, a family that is envious of you. I think his story has much more to offer than just a portrait of betrayal. Look beneath the surface and you’ll find that being the black sheep of the herd is just a portion of the story and not the story itself.

I believe the story of Joseph’s life truly is a lesson of how to love. His story teaches us to love those who have wronged us and to do good to others despite how they’ve treated us. His story is about trusting, believing, and seeing that God has a greater purpose behind the trauma and a plan to use the hurt, pain, unfair treatment, and rejection for the good of not only yourself, but for the good of your accusers, your enemies, and your naysayers.

Joseph’s life is an actual embodiment of Jesus’s words, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust [Matthew 5:44-45].”

May we learn to truly love one another, not according to our own personal beliefs, definitions, or experiences, but according to and by the love of a loving God.

#love #real love #true love #the love of jesus #the love of god #Jesus #god is love #God #Bible #scripture #learning to love #love your neighbor #love thy neighbor #christian blogger #christian #christian community #christian faith #photography #aesthetic #aesthetic photography #still life #golden #golden hour #golden hour photography #christian photographer #words of encouragement #encouragement #the body of christ #the church #christian writer

[theprayerfulword]

January 18

Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Ephesians 3:17-19 …that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height; 19 and to know the love of Christ…

Matthew 22:37 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Psalm 16:11 In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Jeremiah 15:16 Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart.

May you be aware that as God gives you a concept or an idea, an impression or a vision of His plan and direction for you, others will not always understand or accept it as valid, but even their dismissal, rejection, and attacks will provide a basis for what God has declared for you, for His will is greater than any other, and His voice will be heard over every other, even if it does not come about as you expected, as only the Lord will receive the glory. Genesis 37

May you rejoice that out of chaos, the Lord can bring order, and out of dysfunction, the Lord can bring salvation, for through the line of Judah, whose sons were so evil that God destroyed them, and from the union of Judah in prostitution with his daughter-in-law came the line of the Savior. No situation is beyond the redemptive reach of the Lord, if there is a willingness at some point to receive Him. Genesis 38

May you rejoice that, although the kingdoms of this world are divided against themselves until the enemy of God unites them to stand against His people, they will be defeated by the Spirit of God, because the kingdom of God has come to you. Matthew 12

May you stand with the Lord, obedient and yielded, humble and submitted, determined and dedicated, as a co-laborer gathering the grain and as an under-shepherd collecting the scattered sheep, for those who do not are the ones against Him, trampling the grain and scattering the sheep. Matthew 12

May you store up the Word of God in your spirit that from your heart, good things can come forth for others, for careless words will be given an account of when the day of judging comes. Matthew 12

Will you follow Me in the path I have laid for you, as I walk with you along the way? Or will you choose the path laid by some other which you feel is simpler to understand and easier to see? How long will you halt between two choices, for even putting off the choice is merely trusting in your own abilities and strengths which you have inherited from your father Adam. Choose, My child, and do not delay. You know enough to make a wise choice. There is One Creator, and all else, all others, have been created. There is One Redeemer, but many destroyers. There is One Source of Love and Light, and all of those who choose to submit and be controlled by that One will walk through the darkness of hate and envy shining brighter and brighter. In that One Source, they will overcome the shadows and bring the light of Truth to the captives, dispelling the hate by the Love that overflows from the heart of the One Father in heaven. Choose rightly, My child, for though the way I lead you in is hard, My steadfast love never ceases; though you endure times of silence when My voice is not heard, My mercies never come to an end. Though you do not possess the benefits of the world which surround you, you have your inheritance in Me and My promises will not fail. Follow Me in the work I assign and see the marvelous unfolding of My plan. Watch the glorious process of My will being established in the hearts of all who receive Me. Join Me in the harvest field of the market-place, wherever I place you, and rejoice over the victories that My wisdom brings about. Enter into the rest that your choice will bring as you yield to Me.

May you take refuge in God for safety as you confess that He is your Lord, for apart from Him you have no good thing, and your delight is in the glorious saints of God, who are your heroes in the faith. Psalm 16

May you not take up the names of other gods on your lips or behave in the way of those who do, for their sorrows will run deep and increase as they run them. Psalm 16

May you confess that the Lord has assigned you your portion and your cup, making your lot secure, and may you testify to how pleasant the place is that your boundary lines have given you for a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16

May you praise the Lord Who counsels you, even at night when He speaks to your heart, since you have set the Lord before you at all time, keeping His Word at your right hand so that you will not be shaken. Psalm 16

May your heart be glad and your tongue rejoice, allowing your body to rest secure, knowing that the Lord will not abandon you to the grave, but keep you with His Holy One, far from decay, with eternal pleasures at His right hand, as you walk in the path of life He shows you and receive His in-filling presence with joy. Psalm 16

May you not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act, or say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow,” when you have it with you now. Proverbs 3:27-28

May you not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into His confidence. Proverbs 3:32

#daily #blessings #prayers #scripture

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

5th January >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

5th January 

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

First Reading 1 John 3:11-21 Our love is to be something real and active.

This is the message as you heard it from the beginning: that we are to love one another; not to be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and cut his brother’s throat; cut his brother’s throat simply for this reason, that his own life was evil and his brother lived a good life. You must not be surprised, brothers, when the world hates you; we have passed out of death and into life, and of this we can be sure because we love our brothers. If you refuse to love, you must remain dead; to hate your brother is to be a murderer, and murderers, as you know, do not have eternal life in them. This has taught us love – that he gave up his life for us; and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers. If a man who was rich enough in this world’s goods saw that one of his brothers was in need, but closed his heart to him, how could the love of God be living in him? My children, our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence, whatever accusations it may raise against us, because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything. My dear people, if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience, we need not be afraid in God’s presence.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 99(100)

R/ Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.

R/ Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

R/ Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.

R/ Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.

R/ Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Gospel Acclamation Hebrews 1:1-2

Alleluia, alleluia! At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Alleluia!

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia! A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord, for today a great light has shone down upon the earth. Alleluia!

Or: John 1:14,12

Alleluia, alleluia! The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia!

Gospel John 1:43-51 You will see heaven laid open, and the Son of Man.

After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[drwilfredwaterson]

Earthquakes in Various Places: Lions and Lovers, and Cruel Snowy Summers…Oh, My! Part 6/10.

Earthquake: 15:18:16 PDT/3:18 PM PDT Local Time…

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Pages 117 and 118: Exodus 3:18 They will listen to you; then you shall go with the elders of Israel to the king of Egypt and you shall say to him, 'The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, manifested Himself to us. Now therefore, let us go a distance of three days into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Lord our God.'

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English): Page 1810: Daniel 3:12 There are certain Jews whom you appointed to administer the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; those men pay no heed to you, O king: they do not serve your god or worship the statue of gold that you have set up." Daniel 3:13 The Nebuchadnezzar, in raging fury, ordered Shadrach, Mesach, and Abed-nego to be brought; so those men were brought before the king. Daniel 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke to them and said, "is it true, Shadrach, Mesach, and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my god or worship the statue of gold that I have set up? Daniel 3:15 Now if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue that I have made when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, lyre, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all other types of instruments, [well and good]; but if you will not worship, you shall at once be thrown into a burning fiery furnace, and what god is there that can save you from my power?" Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Mesach, and Abed-nego said in reply to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter, Daniel 3:17 for if so it must be, our God whom we serve is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will save us from your power, O king. Daniel 3:18 But even if He does not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the statue of gold that you have set up."

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 1369: Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree does not bud And no yield is on the vine, Though the olive crop has failed And the fields produce no grain, Though sheep have vanished from the fold And no cattle are in the pen, Habakkuk 3:18 Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, Exult in the God who delivers me. Habakkuk 3:19 Myh Lord God is my strength: He makes my feet like the deer's And lets me stride upon the heights.

James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Pages 1435 and 1436: Psalm 22:14 They open their mouths at me like tearing, roaring lions. Psalm 22:15 My life ebbs away: all my bones are disjointed; my heart is like wax, melting within me; Psalm 22:16 my vigor dries up like a shard; my tongue cleaves to my palate; You commit me to the dust of death. Psalm 22:17 Dogs surround me; a pack of evil ones closes in on me, like lions [they mail] my hands and feet. Psalm 22:18 I take count of all my bones while they look on and gloat. Psalm 22:19 They divide my clothes among themselves, casting lots for my garments.

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 1630: Proverbs 18:15 The mind of an intelligent man acquires knowledge: the ears of the wise seek out knowledge. Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift eases his way And gives him access to the great.

This is all from Wikipedia as well to highlight that Jesus Christ wasn't being antisemitic or a traitor, he was being a freedom fighter for all native Israelis against actual Roman-loyalist traitors:

In Jerusalem, Herod introduced foreign forms of entertainment, and erected a golden eagle at the entrance of the Temple, which suggested a greater interest in the welfare of Rome than of Jews.

Herod's taxes garnered a bad reputation: his constant concern for his reputation led him to make frequent, expensive gifts, increasingly emptying the kingdom's coffers, and such lavish spending upset his Jewish subjects.

The two major Jewish sects of the day, the Pharisees and the Sadducees, both showed opposition to Herod. The Pharisees were discontented because Herod disregarded many of their demands with respect to the Temple's construction.

The Sadducees, who were closely associated with priestly responsibilities in the Temple, opposed Herod because he replaced their high priests with outsiders from Babylonia and Alexandria, in an effort to gain support from the Jewish Diaspora.

Herod's outreach efforts gained him little, and at the end of his reign anger and dissatisfaction were common amongst Jews. Heavy outbreaks of violence and riots followed Herod's death in many cities, including Jerusalem, as pent-up resentments boiled over.

The scope of the disturbances sparked hopes that the Jews of Judea might some day overthrow the Roman overlords, hopes reawakened decades later in the outbreak of the First Jewish-Roman War in 66 CE.

"The highest art is always the most religious, and the greatest artist is always a devout person." - Abraham Lincoln

"Never regret what you don't write." - Abraham Lincoln

"There is another old poet whose name I do not now remember who said, 'Truth is the daughter of Time.'" - Abraham Lincoln

"I should like to know if, taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal upon principle, you begin making exceptions to it, where will you stop? If one man says it does not mean a Negro, why not another say it does not mean some other man?" - Abraham Lincoln

"It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights should be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance. This is the sentiment embodied in that Declaration of Independence." - Abraham Lincoln

Earthquake: M 3.8 - 6.2 km (3.9 mi) ESE of Ojai, CA

2023-08-20 22:18:16 (UTC) 34.418°N 119.185°W 10.8 km depth

On Sulphur Mountain near Lion Canyon and Lion Canyon Fire Road adjacent to Black Mountain.

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English): Page 116 Exodus 3:3 Moses said, "I must turn aside to look at this marvelous sight: why doesn't the bush burn up?" Exodus 3:4 When the Lord saw the he had turned aside to look, God called to him out of the bush: "Moses! Moses!" He answered, "Here I am." Exodus 3:5 And He said, "Do not come closer. Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground. Exodus 3:6 I am," He said, "the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3:7 And the Lord continued, "I have marked well the plight of My people in Egypt and have heeded their outcry because of their taskmasters; yes, I am mindful of their sufferings. Exodus 3:8 I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians and to bring them out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey, the region of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Exodus 3:9 Now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me; moreover, I have seen how the Egyptians oppress them. Exodus 3:10 Come, therefore, I will send you to Pharaoh, and you shall free My people, the Israelites, from Egypt."

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 1415: Psalm 3:8 Rise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! For You slap all my enemies in the face; You break the teeth of the wicked. Psalm 3:9 Deliverance is the Lord's; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Pages 1768 and 1769: Ecclesiastes 3:1 A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:2 A time for being born and a time for dying, A time for planting and a time for uprooting the planted; Ecclesiastes 3:3 A time for slaying and a time for healing, A time for tearing down and a time for building up; Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time for weeping and a time for laughing, A time for wailing and a time for dancing; Ecclesiastes 3:5 A time for throwing stones and a time for gathering stones, A time for embracing and a time for shunning embraces; Ecclesiastes 3:6 A time for seeking and a time for losing, A time for keeping and a time for discarding; Ecclesiastes 3:7 A time for ripping and a time for sewing, A time for silence and a time for speaking; Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time for loving and a time for hating; A time for war and a time for peace.

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 1313: Amos 3:8 A lion has roared, Who can but fear? My Lord God has spoken, Who can but prophesy?

1 Corinthians 3:8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.

Colossians 3:8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Mark 6:1 Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. Mark 6:2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 132: Exodus 10:8 So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh and he said to them, "God, worship the Lord your God! Who are the ones to go?" Exodus 10:9 Moses replies, "We will all go, young and old: we will go with our sons and daughters, our flocks and herds; for we must observe the Lord's festival."

#august #hope #holy bible #tanakh #christianity #judaism #christian faith #christian living #jesus christ #bible study #bible scripture #bible verse #earthquake #antisemitism #genocide #ethnic cleansing #war crimes #crimes against humanity #human rights #abraham lincoln

[dailychapel]

Matthew 10:1–42 NLT - 1 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. 2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter's brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James's brother), 3 Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, 4 Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). 5 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: "Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, 6 but only to the people of Israel--God's lost sheep. 7 Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! 9 "Don't take any money in your money belts--no gold, silver, or even copper coins. 10 Don't carry a traveler's bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed. 11 "Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. 12 When you enter the home, give it your blessing. 13 If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. 14 If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. 15 I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day. 16 "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. 19 When you are arrested, don't worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking--it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 "A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 22 And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel. 24 "Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names! 26 "But don't be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! 28 "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. 32 "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. 34 "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. 35 'I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 Your enemies will be right in your own household!' 37 "If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. 40 "Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. 41 If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. 42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded."

[rbl-m1a2tanker]

Droppin some thoughts (is long)

So, I've got some thoughts I want to send out.  Things that have been percolating in the back of my mind for a long while.  Some folks may not agree with them, which is fine, you're allowed to think differently from me of course.  But if it bothers you to the point of anger or being offended, you've got bigger problems and should really look deep within yourself.  Or don't.  I mean, I'm not your dad, can't make you do anything.  :P

But as I was saying.  

Change is inevitable, for good or bad.  Society has been changing since time immemorial.  It's just part of human nature that things will change and adapt and co-opt as new information or awareness becomes part of our social fabric.  There are people who will dig in their heels or stomp their feet and scream and fight against it, sometimes even violently.  There are people who will grind their teeth and grouse that we're not going far enough.  And then there's everyone else that's between that.  It's a bell curve.  Most of us probably reside in that middle area for most subjects, and may lean further in one direction or the other on specific things.  

Those specific things are pretty hot button items, exacerbated and built up far more as forms of dog whistles, misdirection, bad faith arguing, whataboutism, fear mongering and outright hate.  Things like:

Gun Control Abortion Trans-gender people Gay people Ableism 'wokeism'

Some of you may already be getting your hackles up just at the mentions.  :P And some of you may be ready to cry out that I'm some liberal pinko communist twinkle-toe hippie (or some variation of that) on what I'm going to say about those subjects above, but let's get this out of the way first: I do not identify as Liberal or Conservative.  Maybe Progressive, but I don't know as much about that particular leaning as I probably should, so I won't swear to that one. What I am is very much anti-authoritarian assholes, regardless of which direction they lean, such as Republican or Democrat in the US.  I'm also pragmatic and a historian.  I'll come back to that last bit in a moment.  Let me just break into each of those subjects above with quick snippets of my thoughts.

Wokeism: first off, what the hell stupid shit is that?  'You're too WOKE!'  Soooo...you want to be 'asleep' and basically be a 'sheep' who follows blindly?  That sounds amazingly dumb.  And kinda dangerous.  Here's the thing: we have a greater awareness of things than we did before, and we're more plugged in to what's going on in the world than we did before.   This is a GOOD thing.  To be a good citizen and member of society, you need to be aware of not just what's going on locally, but also nationally, cause the national shenanigans that take place can and will affect you locally too.  So people claiming things like the US military is too 'woke' is...god, so facepalm worthy.  The military is a reflection of our society, and in more pragmatic terms, they what to make sure that they have an effective fighting force, which  means you need to draw from as large a pool of recruits as you can.  The US military though is incredibly resistent to change (looking at you, Marines).  So calling them 'woke' is stupid.  The term in general is stupid.  And frankly, some of the things that people who are anti-woke are going on about are things that should actually be considered courteous.  

That leads to the subjects of trans-gender and gay people.  More people are comfortable coming out and owning what they feel they are.  I personally don't feel that way, and I straight up don't understand it, but I also don't have a problem with it.  You know why?  Because ITS NOT ABOUT ME.  Let them do their own thing.  They want to date someone of the same sex, knock yourself out.  You feel your brain is wired in a way that makes you uncomfortable in your skin and so changing yourself physically is the only way to correct it?  Well, I don't get it and personally feel it's kinda odd or weird, but I'm also coming from a position of being comfortable in my skin and my sexuality, so I cannot truly internalize what it's like to think or feel that way.  

But I can be courteous.  I can accept that this is a thing you did or are doing.  Its not my thing, but then, it's not about me.  It's about them.  So, I'm at least aware of it and if I misstep and use a wrong pronoun or make a joke that doesn't come across right, then I just need to be corrected and I will do my best to adjust myself.  It's courteous, it's polite, and it's respectful.  Because, again, it's not about me.  I'm going to screw up.  I've been on this planet 43 years now, so I've got a lot of engrained behaviors in place.  It's going to happen, usually when I'm not thinking about it.  I acknowledge this, but I also accept that I can adjust myself too.  It's just gunna take time and practice.  I can do that.  Cause there's nothing wrong with being courteous.  I don't have to understand it to be able to take it in stride and adjust course.  Maybe I won't even like it, but...it really doesn't matter if I like it or not.  In the end, it's a non-issue, or at least should be treated as such.  

On the subject of Ableism, I don't really understand that very well, which is something I will try to dig into further to come to grips with it, but my initial thought is that our position should be the same as above: be respectful and courteous.  Don't mistreat someone just because you don't agree with or like what they are.  Seems like common sense to me, but common sense is just not as common as one would think (and probably varies greatly depending on your area and what everyone there thinks is common sense).  

Now, on Abortion and Gun Control, here's where my historian background comes into play a bit.  

Did you know that the NRA used to help craft gun control legislation?  Yea, that organization that lobbies soooo very hard to stop any attempts at gun control ever since the time of Charlton Heston and Columbine, used to be totally in favor of it and helped to make it happen (until gun companies had their own people get leadership positions and wrenched the organization away from a focus of responsible gun ownership and more into a shield for the gun industry).  And Abortion?  That also wasn't a problem decades ago.  But now both have been made into massive issues by interests that like to either protect their profit margins, or to stir the pot and clamp down on peoples autonomy.  

My thoughts: we do need to have an actual conversation and do deeper research when it comes to gun control.  Because I feel that there should be some in place, and the Supreme Court has even confirmed that at times.  Hell, I wrote a paper on it in college making that point.  But we have to have that conversation, come to some concensus about certain aspects of firearms, instead of just screaming "NO! MY SECOND AMENDMENT!" (slightly exaggerating the reaction).  And abortion is something that is a very deeply personal situation that should really only involve the principles involved (aka the potential parents) and that the option shouldn't be restricted or taken away, cause most of the opposition to it is religious based (and they really don't seem to care what happens to the child and parent after the child is born..hmm, interesting).  If you take that option away, they're just going to find a way to do it anyway.  And it'll probably be a lot more dangerous.  

Am I equating those two subjects as being similar?  No.  Am I hypocrtical in saying we should be more restrictive with guns but less so on abortion?  "If they're just going to get an abortion anyway, then if you restrict guns they'll just get it anyway and make themselves criminals!"  That's a bad faith argument right there.  They're two very different subjects that require their own specificly crafted solutiona, and conflating the two and claiming I'm being hypocritical is a bullshit argument to make.  And conviently ignores my points as a way to be dismissive of them and not actually try to work on solutions to the benefit of society.

Am I going to provide sources for these things?  Honestly, not in depth.  But here's one quick example for the gun control and abortion bits: "The NRA assisted Roosevelt in drafting the 1934 National Firearms Act and the 1938 Gun Control Act, the first federal gun control laws" - time.com

On abortion, from wikipedia (not a primary source, but does have a decent bibliography to good sources that go more in depth if you want): "Abortion has existed in North America since the European colonization of the Americas,[21] was a fairly common practice, and was not always illegal or controversial.[22][23] " [21] = article Abortion in early America [22] = book When Abortion Was a Crime: Women, Medicine and the Law in the United States, 1867-1973 [23] = article The complex early history of abortion in the United States - National Geographic

To sum up: people should be allowed to live their lives without being hassled or restricted based on things like religious beliefs (which you can have, but YOUR religious belief does not and should not dictate what goes on in my life or anyone elses).  

Also, evangenlicals, shut up about being 'oppressed.' You're not being oppressed, get over yourselves and stop playing at being a victim.  I don't see any of you being arrested and shoved in any camps, or followed and hassled by cops just because you go to church.  

Just treat people respectfully, courteously, and politely.  You don't have to agree with their decision, but it doesn't matter if you agree or not.  It's not YOUR life, it's theirs.  But if you attempt to force your beliefs on others, you're in the wrong.  Period.  And frankly, if you don't want to be around them...don't?  It's not that difficult to just...not be around them?  They probably don't want to be around you either.  And if they're an asshole, then definitely don't be around them.  Otherwise, just don't worry about it.  

Last note: I have pretty much written all this off the cuff and have not shown it to others to get their thoughts in advance, or dug around for sources beyond the quick ones I dropped up above.  This is the 'raw and unedited' version. :P Take it or leave it.  

No TL/DR version.  I'm lazy at this point and don't wanna try to sum it up.  

#my opinion #take it or leave it

[theprayingteacher]

#Feed the #Sheep ignore the mockery trust #God #Jesus

#Feed the #Sheep ignore the mockery trust #God #Jesus

John 15:18-27King James Version18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also…

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[lordgodalmighty]

Testing the Spirits by a Tree and it's Fruit. Understanding the Spirit of God and The Spirit of the World, Satan, or the Devil.

[19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

Matthew 15:19 NIV

[43] “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. [45] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 6:43‭-‬45 NIV

[15] “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Matthew 7:15‭-‬20 NIV

[1] Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. [4] You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. [5] They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. [6] We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

1 John 4:1‭-‬6 NIV

[8] Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:8 NIV

[16] And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

1 John 4:16 NIV

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Galatians 5:22 NIV

[9] Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. [10] Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. [11] But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

1 John 2:9‭-‬11 NIV

[15] Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. [16] For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. [17] The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15‭-‬17 NIV

[18] Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. [19] They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. [20] But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. [21] I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. [22] Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. [23] No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. [24] As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. [25] And this is what he promised us—eternal life. [26] I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. [27] As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. [28] And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. [29] If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

1 John 2:18‭-‬29 NIV

Therefore,

[3] We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. [4] Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. [5] But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: [6] Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

1 John 2:3‭-‬6 NIV

#good fruit #bad fruit #jehovah #praise #kindness #lord #god #christ #jesus christ #jesus #goodness #comfort #love #god is love

[priestofjudas]

Okay mine ask is a two parter. One does Enrico have a favorite member? Like Anderson would be up there, but like Anderson disobeyed so much, and is probably a redtape nightmare. Honestly Iscariot must be a pain to run, don't know why anyone would want that job. The second question is, can Bishop Maxwell fight like his contemporaries? I hope this was interesting

Part one. Concerning members and pains.

Though it is true that running an organization like Iscariot may be a pain, that is the very sort of pain, sweet and exquisite, certain types of people keep asking for. The leader of Iscariots should not only be intelligent enough to do that but also possess very doubtful moral values and be ready to sacrifice them in the name of the greater cause. It is a place for a cunning and sleek politician who is not interested in money and material values but at the same time knows how to use them. It is a place for a person who must be willing to take risks and ready to face the consequences of their decisions, a strong leader respected by his subordinates and feared and hated by everyone else. The leader of Iscariots is the black sheep of the Vatican, the one who fears no one and bows only to the Pope and Lord Almighty, in exactly that order. And last, but not least, the leader of Iscariots should be able to balance between fanaticism (to be able to make necessary and unnecessary sacrifices) and rationalism (to see the bigger picture). One might think that there is no way anybody would like to take that role... and one would be wrong. For the leader of Iscariots has the power no one else in the Vatican has, the power to execute and destroy everyone but the Pope.

Enrico’s favorite member of Iscariots is Alexander Anderson. Anderson is truly a trump card of the Vatican, and Enrico is proud to have that kind of weapon in his hands. If only that weapon didn’t have so much of a free will! It is truly very difficult to control Anderson – the episode in the British Museum was a good example of these difficulties and, sadly, not the only one – but Maxwell manages to do that. Every person has a weak spot, and Enrico knows all Anderson’s weaknesses and uses them to manipulate Alex. Information is the key, and Enrico, as the leader of Iscariots, has at his disposal Anderson’s personal file where his biography and past are stated. Aside from the fact that Anderson is his trump card, Enrico deeply respects and loves him as a person. These feelings are similar for every orphan who grew up under Anderson’s care and supervision. Another important thing that makes Alexander Anderson his favorite member of Iscariots is that Enrico doesn’t have to worry about him. Maxwell worries for Heinkel and Yumiko, he sees them as his siblings (even if he doesn’t want to admit that in front of anybody), but they are human, they are mortal. They can die. With Anderson, on the other hand, it is a totally different story.

Part two. Concerning the rumors that “Enrico fights like a girl so don’t you ever cross him”.

Maxwell can shoot but doesn’t do it very often. He doesn’t even carry a gun and seldom travels without a bodyguard if he has to leave the Vatican. Enrico can use a stiletto mostly for self-protection because he believes that as the leader of Iscariots he should not be the one to take part in any physical combat. Iscariots have their symbols and they pay a lot of attention to them: 30 pieces of silver, a dagger, a rope, and a vial of poison. One might say that Maxwell uses the first and the last ones the best. As a politician and a prominent figure in the Vatican, he uses the money to control people. Those who can not be either controlled or reasoned... for them he uses poison. Maxwell knows a lot about various poisons and God knows he can use them.

Maxwell wears a very old and intricately decorated ring that some rumors say to vaguely resemble the descriptions of the ring Rodrigo Borgia, later Pope Alexander IV, used to wear. Enrico only sweetly smiles when being asked about the ring and says nothing... but cardinals whom he sometimes dines with tend to get strangely pale and nervous whenever Enrico’s hand gets near their plates or glasses.

“Oh, don’t you get all paranoid with me! I am a man of God...,” Maxwell laughs. “... and a priest of Judas.”

#any pun here is intentional #headcanon #enrico maxwell #thank you for asking #freelypsychichottub