#ram slander will not be tolerated

[randynova]

Can you do a Kyojuro Rengoku smut story where Kyojuro and the reader eloped?

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧

ᴋʏᴏᴊᴜʀᴏ ʀᴇɴɢᴏᴋᴜ x ғᴇᴍ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

ʀᴇǫᴜᴇsᴛᴇᴅ?: ʏᴇs

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 𝟼.𝟸ᴋ

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𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐊𝐲𝐨𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞.

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ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ(s): sᴍᴜᴛ, ғʟᴜғғ, ᴇʟᴏᴘᴇ/ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ, ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴs ᴏғ ᴀʙᴜsᴇ, ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴs ᴏғ ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴄʏ, ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ

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A.N.: Hi, thank you for requesting and I hope you enjoy it! This is my first attempt at writing for Kyojuro so I hope I did good! This is pretty long, and one of my requests that took long. I think I have at least 2-3 more like this. But hopefully, I can finish them all before school begins.

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"Stupid boy! How can you associate yourself with such a disappointment of a girl?! Courting the daughter of a crap cook?!" Shinjuro grits, taking a swig of sake and glowering at his son. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing! The liquid burned his esophagus as it ran down his throat, yet with the fury pumping through him, the alcohol did nothing but fuel his emotions. A groan leaves him and he throws the clay container at the slayer, missing Kyojuro's head by a few centimeters as it smashes into hundreds of pieces upon hitting the wall. "Ugh— what a worthless son you are! I can't even count on you to bring honor to this family…!"

Shinjuro knew your family very well and he despised them, especially your father, where even the mere mention of the man's name ignited a strong scorn within the former pillar. Even if he could care less about what his son did, he'll be damned if he allowed his eldest to bring the Rengoku name shame!

"What…?" Disappointment? Kyojuro thought bitterly, frowning. My [Name] is far from that….  

Yet, Kyojuro kept his mouth shut, trying to keep the bubbling anger at bay upon hearing the jibes from the former pillar. If anything, his mother taught him to never disrespect his father and a part of him still wished for his approval. However when Shinjuro continued his slander parade, grumbling about your 'disgraceful' family, dragging your name through the mud, and calling you 'an easy wretch who'd open her legs for anyone', Kyojuro felt his temper snap. It’s one thing to humiliate Kyojuro, but to snub his beloved for no good reason? Kyujuro would not stand for it.

Staring at his father, lips pressing into a tight-lipped smile and a darkened gaze, the man remained seated, seething in his spot whilst he clenched his fists. "Father, as much as I respect you, I cannot tolerate you insulting the woman I love–" Kyojuro could not finish his sentence.

The man cut Kyojuro off with a scoff, pushing himself off the floor, quickly moving onto his feet, and stumbling towards his eldest. Almost as if a firecracker had been lit beneath him, he shook with pure irate, thick brows knitting together, blinded with rage as he raised his hand. "Hah! 'Love'?! You of all people wouldn't know what it is with that thick fucking skull of yours!" Shinjuro grabbed Kyojuro's fiery hair and twisted his golden tresses between his fingers, hauling his son off the ground and flinging him to the floor. He didn't give his son time to react, his foot digging into the man's stomach as he shouts with pure disdain, "You're only nineteen! What the hell do you know about love?!"

"Father, I–" 

Shinjuro cuts his son off, practically spitting every word out in a venomous tone,"Shut up! Leave her! Let that damn girl live her life without you!" Shinjuro spits, the heel of his foot ramming into his son’s ribs,  "Ergh— for once, amount to something and find someone who isn't as worthless and talentless as you! Maybe then I'll finally be proud of a son like you!"

It's been a couple hours since the encounter where Kyojuro finally decided to announce to his father of his courtship to you, believing it would somehow make the older man just a bit proud of him. Perhaps even get his blessing as well! Afterall, the life of a demon slayer is unpredictable and who knows when it will ever be safe for Kyojuro to settle down, if ever. For once, he wants to live a life with you by his side, where he can finally be happy knowing he has a woman like you as his wife.

Yet even as his hopes were crushed, Kyojuro could not get his mind off it all, replaying his father's words over and over again as he made his way back to your home, kicking the dirt as he walked in the night. Shaky breaths left him, still getting heated just thinking about how his father insulted you. How dare he?!

You were one of the most kind and beautiful people he’s ever crossed paths with, truly the most remarkable woman in his eyes. One he does not ever regret meeting . With a sharp wit and strong resolve, you were by far the only other person to keep up with his chittering and bright character, as well as his odd but large appetite. It only spurred his interest in you more. Though the two of you have only known each other for a few months, he knew you were the one he wanted to marry one day. With a heart of gold and talent of ambrosia to cook the most delicious meals, he'd be a fool to let you go so easily.

Even if his father threatened to break you two apart —

"In the morning, I'm going to that damn cook's house and telling the bastard you're courting his daughter. Then we'll see how strong your 'love' is when she's engaged to someone else…"

— Kyojuro would make sure you will stay together. Thus, his own current predicament walking in the fields to the town you reside in. Hearing his father’s threat to break you two apart did dishearten him for a bit, but just the mere thought of surrendering you to another man so easily ignited a strange primal instinct within the man, one that made his chest feel heavy and his stomach twist. If there is any other man out there who dared take you from him, Kyojuro would not give up without a fight. You were his and his alone.

The slayer sucked in a sharp breath and sighed, defeated in getting his father's acknowledgement in your relationship. Then again, your relationship had not been officialized and had been a secret courtship, one that not even his closest friends knew. Yes, Kyojuro did want to announce his interest in you, yet he held himself back.

Part of him feared a demon finding you as a way to get revenge, while the other part of him didn't want to cause trouble for your family. Of course Kyojuro was familiar with the bickering going in-between the Rengoku and [Last Name] families, but he never paid much mind to it. It never caught his attention.

It wasn’t until the pillar stopped by your village to replenish and satiate his hunger, running across the small family restaurant. The name was familiar and he recognized it, though, the reason kept slipping his mind. At the time, only you and your mother were working, and after your mother’s refusal to attend to the man, you took it upon yourself to be a diligent server for the fiery man. To say he was stumped seeing you would be an understatement. 

A warm smile and mellow [E/C] eyes that had his heart thumping wildly in his ribcage, a voice as smooth and sweet as melting honey, a kind yet humorous character that had both of you chittering, stuck in a cycle of endless banter had it not been for your father kicking him out. In short, you left an impression on the man, especially after you gave him an extra order of beef nabe and sweet potatoes, asking him to please visit your family’s restaurant again soon. 

What can I say? The way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. And he could not understand his father’s hatred for your family.

And he did visit, numerous times in fact over the course of the year. Kyojuro found himself going to your village to eat after every mission, even taking his brother Senjuro with him a few times to further extend his visit as long as possible. It became obvious to the small boy as he noticed his older brother’s flushed cheeks and change of behavior whenever you came by their table, leaning in towards you and bashfully smiling, not to mention the rain of compliments after every bite. Senjuro felt out of place and could only stare with an awkward smile.

These little visits allowed Kyjuro to get to know you better, from your favorite flowers, to a wish to own a certain article of clothing, or your dream to visit all of Japan one day — maybe even the world. And he hung onto every word as if it were sacred scripture.

To everyone around, it was clear that the man was absolutely infatuated with you. If only you could see it, he thought. 

It wasn’t until your father threatened him to leave you alone was Kyojuro pushed to finally ask for your hand — which you gladly accepted with a smile of glee. With gifts and flowers, the man soon charmed his way to your heart and soon, you just couldn't wait to see him again.

Each night he returned from a mission, you prepared him a bento box and both of you shared it under the moonlight, sitting on the porch of your home or the nearby fields. He would tell you of his battles, chat about his friends, boast about his little brother and so on - it just proved how much of a humble, yet selfless man Kyojuro was and you found yourself falling deeper.

The two of you grew close, closer than he ever anticipated.

Kyojuro would never forget the night he plucked you for the first time, shedding his cloak for you as he laid with you in the fields, declaring his love for you as he sunk deep into your fluttering heat. Your beautiful smile when you said you trusted him, holding his face with your hands and telling him you loved him — the joy he felt that day couldn’t be described by words. The memory made his own body turn mellow, corners of his mouth twitching.

From the praises spilling from his mouth as your hands carved crimson lines to his back, slow heated kisses pressed to your bare neck and soft breasts as he moved with gentle caution, to sharing a deep kiss whilst he spilled inside your womb. Oh, he could never forget your strangled cry as you weakly called out for him, pulling him flush against your body as you came, whimpering and gasping. 

You were his and his alone, the same way he was yours and only yours.

The intimate time he spent with you, he would forever cherish it — even the many nights that followed where you spent in his arms, hands interlocked, and losing yourselves in the rapture of your love. Suitor or Husband, Kyojuro would not dare to treat you as anything less than perfect.

Your courtship would be something he could never regret nor ever stop.

However, Kyjuro paused, stopping in his tracks.  Speaking of, your courtship has been going well and considering the circumstances, it would be time to propose sooner rather than later. Yet, he would not be able to have his own family attend his wedding, the same way you would not be able to have your own parents present. The exchange of rice wine had to be in front of both your parents to be official, but his own father disapproved of you, and your mother and father hated all Rengoku men. 

Tradition had it that a wedding ceremony had to be at a Shinto shrine, maybe a local one if neither one of you could find one, but overseen by a priest — it was all Kyojuro wanted for you. Yet…

Not a lot of priests would oversee a wedding on such short notice, and some did not have a liking to demon slayer. So another dead end there. Racking his brain, Kyojuro still contemplated what you two could do.

Mm, perhaps if he asked Ubuyashiki to officiate your wedding ceremony at a nearby shrine in place of an ordained minister and plead to his fellow pillars to be witnesses to the exchange of rice wine, then you would really have the wedding he promised you one day.

The only choice now was to elope to ensure this would come true before the morning fell and risk losing you. 

Now, all he needed was his bride.

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The chirping of crickets and the breeze of the wind running through the tall grass drifted through the air, the eerie silence of mother nature never breaking even as the soft tapping against your room’s shoji frame rang in the night. Stirring awake, your eyes slowly flutter open, taking a sharp breath at the abrupt disruption to your slumber. The noise came again, the pattering against the paper door pulling you out of your dozy state. 

Odd, who could be out this late? 

Who —

Your eyes shoot wide open once the realization hits you. Kyojuro returned! Sitting up and throwing your blankets off, you crawl quickly to the other side of the room, the dark silhouette of the man lined out clearly against the translucent cover, his hair swaying in the wind. You take a moment to smooth out any stray hairs and take a deep breath.

Shakily, you crack open the divider. Peeking out the door, your face lights up upon seeing the fiery man waiting with a bright smile, his hand mid-air. A twinkle crosses your features as he visibly perks up, golden hues dilating seeing his beloved. How cute.

You did not think as to why he came here nor ponder too long on how late he came to your house, as your heart pounced out of your chest at the mere sight of your suitor and you were more than ecstatic to see him again after so long. "Ah! Kyojuro….!" You squeal as quietly as possible, sliding the door fully open, and flinging yourself to him, arms draping around his neck as he nearly falls backwards with a grunt. For a moment, the thought of your parents slipped your conscience.

Kyojuro leans over slightly so as to let your knees rest on the surface of the porch, avoiding having his beloved strain her body for a simple hug.  “Mm, hello to you as well, my love….,” he titters softly, his smile shifting into a wide grin, regaining his composure and wrapping an arm around your waist, pressing his palm to your upper back. His eyes fall shut whilst burying his nose into your hair and inhaling your honey-sweet aroma. The man’s heart thumped widely in his ribcage and you could feel every beat as it etched a tattoo against your bust. The two of you sat in silence for a few minutes, basking in one another’s presence as you remained in his warm embrace. The pillar could never get tired of the excitement you greet him with every time you see him, even if it’s only been a couple days since he’s seen you — which is rare— but it might as well have been years. If it were up to either one of you, you wouldn’t leave each other's side for a second.

Pulling away slightly,  your eyes meet his lively gaze, soft fingers trailing to his jaw, and cupping his face, running the pads of your thumb over his cheek bones. He leans into your touch, brows raising in content as he melts into your tender hand. It always made your heart swell when he preened at your attention. Sighing sharply, he places his own palm over yours and engulfs it, giving it a soft squeeze whilst still having a hand planted to the small of your back. This is one of the few things he looks forward to when reuniting with his beloved, craving it nearly everyday.

You hum, nuzzling your nose against his own, pulling a small chuckle from him. He bites the inside of his cheek, blood rushing to his face at the small action. "Kyojuro, I missed you…," you mutter with a slight purr, [E/C] hues boring longingly into his own before fluttering close, shrinking the distance between you two and locking your lips together The man holds your body close, slowly tilting his head and deepening the kiss. A small whimper drummed in your throat, parting your mouth wider and allowing Kyojuro to dip his tongue into the wet cavern, wet clicks drifting into the air. Hearing the cute noises you made had him wishing to hear more, almost enough to make him forget why he arrived here in the first place.

With much reluctance, he pulled away, panting as he murmured with a hoarse tone,  "Ah, we… I must discuss something with you. It’s… it’s important….”

Thrumming, you nod, looking at him expectantly. His throat bobbed as he swallowed dryly, opening his mouth yet nothing came out. You always made him tongue-tied on its own, but tonight, it was different. He could hardly find the words to bring up the urgent topic, knowing he would go on a tangent and avoid the statement altogether out of nerves. Before he knew it, the words slipped out without a second thought —

"Marry me, [Name]."

"Huh?!" You pushed yourself off of Kyojuro and stared at him in shock, clasping a hand over your mouth. You hoped your sudden outburst hadn't awoken your parents but part of you could not believe what he had asked you. The man did not seem deterred and gently took your hand from your face and joined it with his awaiting grasp, squeezing them tightly.

Rich and lucid hues gazed at you, his features etched with a determined expression, voice low and earnest as he pleaded to you, "Please marry me today and make me the happiest man alive knowing I have a woman as great as you as my wife. " Even hearing it again seemed surreal, but your brain went haywire at the declaration.

"Kyojuro, I… I," you mutter, fumbling over your words as heat rushes to your face, eyes shifting back and forth between his bright golden n' ruby eyes and your intertwined hands. The moonlight poured over you two and for a moment, he seemed to glow, noticing the blush coating his cheeks.

"Let me take care of you, my sunshine…," he begs once more, using the nickname that always had your heart pittering. "You bring my heart much joy and I cannot imagine anyone else to spend the rest of my life with."

Letting his words sink in, you began to wonder about his words. You’ve always dreamt of getting married since you were a small girl, tying the knot with the man of your dreams, and having a large family. He knew that, yes. Yet, as where you were now, the perfect man sat across from you, pouring his heart and soul to you, pleading you to be his wife. Of course you wanted to say accept his offer! But your family — life cruelly had a twisted fate in blessing you with parents that do not want you to waste a single breath on a man who was willing to give you a piece of heaven itself.

Though, for so long, you always did what was expected of you, never what you wanted. And for once, you wanted to control the direction of your life. Your voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard you and smiled.

You don’t know when the two of you began to kiss, feverishly meshing your lips together in a heated sync as you retreated back into your room, stumbling over your feet as you shared each shaky breath, bodies flush against each other. Stray hands gripped his shoulders, both of you fumbling to strip yourselves of the restricting clothing. Though neither one of you dared pull back, even as the air became scarce, wanting nothing more than to be close.

Slipping his cloak from off his shoulders and tossing it to the side of the room, the man watched as you hastily unbuttoned his uniform, nimble fingers hooking around the waistband of his slacks before unbuckling his belt, pressing a heated kiss to your lips in between. Never has he seen you so desperate, so needy, pawing at his broad chest, running your hands over his muscles and shedding him of his shirt before knotting themselves in his hair. Yet, the way you pulled him close with a harsh tug made his heart swell, knowing you wanted him as much as he wanted you, feverishly connecting your mouth to his.  A string of spit connected your mouths as you parted, your hands still entangled in his locks, breathless and gasping with hazy minds and glazed-over eyes.

Even as he wished for both more than to bury himself inside you, Kyojuro did not wish to hurt you in the midst of trying to remove your clothing in a haste. Tears of pain was the last thing he wanted. Carefully, he peeled away the yogi enveloping your body, shedding away the fabric and revealing the soft skin of your small frame, swallowing dryly. Coarse fingers brush across your exposed skin, pushing the fabric down your arms until it falls to the floor with a soft thump. He followed suit, nudging you backwards until your back met the surface of your futon, his taut frame towering over your feeble form.

As you lay across the cotton sheets, Kyojuro’s eyes roamed your naked form with adoration, drinking in the bare skin of his wife with a newfound elation as you looked like a sinful dream come true. The soft glistening lips of your pussy under the glow of the moonlight looked so inviting, practically dripping in your arousal already, and he could hardly contain himself. The swell of your hips to the plumpness of your thighs garnered his attention, eyes taking in every curve and dip, ingraining each detail into his mind. Seeing his darkened expression, a small smile sets on your lips and you graze the side of your foot to his hips, tapping against his pelvis, and snapping him out of his lovesick trance. Of course, he had more than enough time to stare at you later.

Tonight, however, he intended to worship your body and make love to you.

He placed himself at your feet, running his hands up your smooth skin, and leaving a hot trail in his wake. Shuddering at the sensation of his calloused hands, hardened over the years of training brushing over you now with the intent to pleasure you. Giggling, you clench your thighs together, taking in your bottom lip between your teeth.  Groaning with delight, he nestles his face between your legs, spreading them apart with caring hands, his mouth salivating at the sight of your soft weeping cunt. His heart hammered in his chest, hot breath fanning against your flesh, and his eyes glazed over as he glanced at you. With a grin , he softly presses his lips to your heat, never breaking eye contact as he dips his tongue between your slick folds. 

“Ah…!” You clasp your hand over your mouth, sucking in a sharp breath as he wasted no time to lap tentatively at your cunt, slurping eagerly and licking long, flat strokes from your entrance to your aching clit. You could feel him smile against your heat, amused at how easily you slipped up. Though, you could care less at the moment.

Every swipe of his tongue had you arching your back as he made your lower abdomen tighten, grinding your hips into his hot mouth, moaning pathetically against your palm. Fuck, already the man had you slobbering on his chin, drawing strained cries from you as he prodded heavily and drew deep lines within your folds. You swore you could see the heavens themselves from each tentative lick.

Yet your throaty sobs sent him into a sort of frenzy, spurring Kyojuro on to continue his depravity. The slick of your core had already been coated with your sweet nectar, smearing his lips and becoming drunk on your flavor. Lewd noises trickled from where he laid, wet muscle applying enough pressure to have you writhing. "K-Kyojuro...!" You whine against your palm.

Your free hand finds its way to his sleek hair and knotting into his strands, trying to separate yourself from him before you made a mess. Yet the attempt was fruitless. The vibrations of his groans and grunts have you falling apart even faster, screwing your eyes shut as you call out to him weakly. Your thighs engulf his head, trembling in his grasp as he begins to suck on your clit, lips wrapping around the bud and pushing you closer to the edge. The twitching of your thighs gave you away and he knew you were close. So close to tasting you as he did many nights before.

Thick fingers grip at your plush, keeping you open as he carved out your sopping cunt with intense laps, swirling his tongue around your bud.  The muffled whimpers drove him further, slick and spit dribbling from his mouth. With a broken mewl, you gush into his awaiting mouth and spasm, bucking your hips as he drank your juices happily, tasting every drop you offered. You sucked in deep breaths through your nose, afraid to trust yourself to not make a noise, you weakly locked your quivering limbs around his temple.

God, you could never get used to him and his skilled tongue, but you were not complaining.

Pulling off with a pop, he left your poor clit alone before nudging your mound with his nose and nudging your legs apart. As your high began fading, attempting to catch your breath, you didn’t notice the butterfly touches near your lower half. Kyojuro  pressed a series of small kisses from your tummy, brushing past the underside of your doughy breasts,  to your sternum, his lips grazing your supple flesh as he trails to your throat. He slotted himself between your thighs and leered down at you with a teasing grin, licking away your arousal from his lips. His shaft throbbed almost painfully, needing to be stuffed inside your sweet cunt, cockhead dripping with pre-cum. His sweet love needed time to rest but his patience began to wear thin.

The world be damned, Kyojuro will make you the mother of his children and make you [Name] Rengoku — he needs you now.

With your mind slipping into a haze, you could hardly grasp as Kyojuro sunk into you, sheathing his length deep within your slick. Slowly, he began thrusting into your tepid heat, breathless against you as he pinned you into the futon. But as his body collides with your feeble frame, your core clenches and pushes against him, eyes rolling to the back of your head at the painful stretch. The sensitivity from your last release still had not faded, and you could feel the ache building up once more. 

"Ngh, K…Kyojuro…!" You mewl, clinging onto his shoulders, digging crescent shapes into his skin with every rut of his hips, your body rocking back and forth from how deep his girth hits with each powerful thrust. "Ahhhah, p-please don't —ahh!" Your legs instinctively wrap around his thick waist, pulling him closer as he continues pumping into your body. The fear of being caught leaves you, shamelessly whining for your husband, tears cascading down your cheeks. How could you remain quiet when you're drowning in an abyss of absolute pleasure?

Kyojuro heatedly presses his lips against yours, swallowing your moans in an attempt to silence you, afraid of letting the cute noises he loves so much to continue in fear of your parents barging into your room – to see him defiling their sweet daughter. Yet with the way your cunt is clenching around him, he was struggling to keep quiet himself. It doesn't matter how many times he fucks you, it always left him breathless from how tight you were. He could only hope your folks were deep sleepers.

Though, plucking you this time felt different. Sneaking into your house and fucking you late at night seemed surreal to the man, even as he was currently nestled in your velvet slick. Perhaps it was because now, he was fucking you as your husband, not as your suitor, and now — may your families be damned if they didn't want you two together — Kyojuro will make sure nothing keeps you two apart. Even if it meant he'd be disowned and an outcast, you were worth every punishment. 

Fat, heavy balls slapped against your ass, the wet squelching of your dripping pussy overflowing the dark room. He could create a whole record from the sinful symphony alone, his knees digging into the blankets as he glided back in with ease, hand kneading the flesh of your ass. The man melted into you, breaking the kiss to bury his face in the crook of your neck, taking your flesh in-between his teeth. The pinch at your skin made you squirm, curving your spine and pressing your breasts flush against his chest. He could feel the way your pussy spasmed, struggling to adjust to his thick cock splitting you apart.

The immense warmth of your cunny had him reveling, thighs twitching and flexing as you constricted around his girth, his pelvis brushing past your aching clit. He let out a strained moan, nuzzling his nose into your skin, inhaling your sweet aroma. God, he could never get tired of the soft smell of vanilla and flour, reminiscing of the day he first walked into your family's restaurant. 

It seemed  heavenly almost, seemingly reliving the first night the two of you were intimate, except now, you two imprinted your bodies into your very family home. "Kyojuro, f-feels so… so good! Ah, love—mnnn….!" You whine, raking your nails across his shoulder blades.

"Shh, q-quiet, my love…," Kyojuro rasps, knowing the moment you start babbling, your orgasm would follow. Every stroke had your head spinning, needing more. "God… just–just a little longer… need you – mmh, fu—ck – to hold your pretty moans in… C-Can you do that for me?" 

He had been right as you ignored his pleads. You throw your head into the pillow, his name weakly rolling off your tongue as your body goes slack, releasing over Kyojuro’s length, weeping pussy painting a thick layer of your mellow slick on his shaft. Soft noises left him as your cunt swallowed him greedily into a snug grip at the moment of your orgasm. Hot breath fans against your flesh, kissing along your shoulder and across your collarbone. Fuck, you were tipping him over the edge, the thought of filling you up and having you carry the next line of Rengoku men making his chest swell.

 "Mmm, G-God…," he groans, the deep moan falling past his lips as he sinks back in,  eyes shutting tight the moment he grounds into your tepid heat. Blood rushing and the balls tightening, he starts chasing his own high, pumping desperately into you as quietly as he could. The man rolled his hips at the end of each thrust, groaning at the sensation of your fluttering walls pushing against him, repeatedly pulling out until the bulbous crown of his cock remained, slamming in and leaving you breathless against him. 

He wraps an arm around your torso, balancing himself on one of his forearms whilst pulling you impossible close, thrusting sloppily into you with strained moans. His entire body convulses, a groan drumming in his throat as he unravels, hips stuttering as he spills into you. Thick ropes of fertile cum coat your womb and he pulls out with a gasp. Fluids trickled from your heat and he bashfully looked away.

Kyojuro collapsed beside you, falling on his side, panting quietly whilst staring at your glossy face.  He gulped, blinkling back his own tears. "I love you, [Name]... more than anyone else," he whispers, caressing your cheek with his knuckles before cupping your face. "Thank you for agreeing to become my wife….”

Your lips tremble as you stiffle a sob, closing your eyes and placing your hand over his own, his fingers resting on your hip."I love you too, Kyojuro… Hah, I'm so…. I'm so happy.... you chose me...."

“I wouldn’t have it any other way….”

For a couple hours, you laid in his embrace, slumbering peacefully, believing he did the same. But he stayed awake, watching every rise and fall of your chest with a smile of content. Soon, he’d be able to see this everyday. After cleaning up, you two were careful to make sure your parents had not awoken as you gathered your personal items together, both small and large.

In the wee hours of the night before the crack of dawn, Kyojuro helped you pack your things into a bag, carrying them on his shoulders without so much as a complaint, ready to start his life with you. Yet, even as you were prepared to leave, you felt the least you owe your parents — who gave you everything and gave you the best life they could — an explanation. With trembling hands, you poured your thoughts and emotions into the letter, clarifying your departure from the house and how despite their best efforts, you fell in love with Kyojuro Rengoku.  Tearing up, you were honest that because you knew they would never accept him and try to keep you apart from him, you two would elope, far away from them.

As the sun began to rise and peek through the mountains, the two of you took off and never looked back. To where? You didn’t know. But as long as you were together, any place was home. As long as Kyojuro was by your side, you did not care.

The Heart of the Dragon was a mystic potency in the life cycle of nature, but when set ablaze, it was a force to be reckoned with — especially when protecting the one they hold dear most.

✦✦✦ ✦✦✦

𝐵𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑠 𝑆𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑒: [𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎���𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔].

It's been a few months since you have eloped, as well as a while since the night you and Kyojuro slept together as husband and wife, a unique way of officiating your union without the blessing of either your families or a priest.

Of course, once you arrived at the Ubuyashiki Estate, you two were granted the wedding you dreamt of, with the Head of the Corps presiding. You looked so beautiful dressed in white, like an angel, and throughout the ceremony, neither you nor Kyojuro could take your eyes of each other. Not until your vows were sealed with a kiss did you two finally take in your surroundings. The blooming smiles and wide grins of the Pillars made your heart swell, knowing you had a new found family now, who fully supported your and Kyojuro's love.

And neither of you couldn't be happier - especially with a new life on the way. The man didn't let you lift a finger and pampered you excessively. Oftentimes, Kyojuro would laugh whenever the baby kicked your stomach, beaming as he said, "Hahah! They're just like their father — full of energy and ready to see the world already!"

Rolling your eyes, you smile wryly, peering at him occasionally whilst he rubs your swollen tummy. "Mhm, with a ravenous appetite too…," you mumble in between bites of your onigiri. He just couldn't wait to see his child, already tittering with names to possibly name them.

Every few days, he made sure you were participating in his family's long held tradition when carrying a child. In an effort to not let you be alone, he spends the two hours with you staring at the flaming torch, holding your hand and occasionally squeezing it. It made the experience all the more special.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

Though, for the time being, you were staying at the Butterfly Mansion in the last month of your pregnancy in case you went into labor early. The caterpillar girls aided you with glee during the time your husband was not available, determined you never exerted yourself. It was quite adorable really how they became excited when the baby kicked, chittering on how they couldn't wait to see them once they were born.

Though you knew Kyojuro would stop you one he found out, you helped in the kitchen and made many delicious meals for the household, always making sure each belly was full. Shinobu appreciated your help and often checked your health whenever she was home, the two of you chattering.

You make me happy, when skies are gray. 

However, Kyojuro received a new mission and had already departed to attend, promising you he would be back in time to see you give light to your child. He mentioned he sent a letter to his father's estate to notify them of your child's birth soon, hoping at the least, his father and brother got to know the new addition to the family.

Kneeling at your bedside, Kyojuro pressed a kiss to your temple, a kiss to your stomach, and a kiss to your lips. He pulled away and whispered with a soft smile, resting his hand on your tummy as he felt the prodding of the fetus kicking, "I love you, my sunshine… I'll be back in time for our son's birth…"

"I love you too, my love, but what if it's a girl?"

He hums, corners of his eyes crinkling as his lips stretch wider, "Then I hope she is as beautiful and healthy as her wonderful mother."

As you bid each other goodbye, you could not help the uneasiness pooling in your stomach. Yet you ignored it and continued your regular day, awaiting the return of your husband.

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. 

If only you knew it would be the last time you'd see him again, then you wouldn't have let him leave in the first place.

So please, don't  take my sunshine away.

✦✦✦ ✦✦✦

©ʀᴀɴᴅʏɴᴏᴠᴀ || ᴀʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛs ʀᴇsᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ || ɴᴏ ᴛʀᴀɴsʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴs, ᴇᴅɪᴛs, ᴄᴏᴘʏɪɴɢ, ʀᴇᴘᴏsᴛɪɴɢ, ᴇᴛᴄ. ᴜɴᴅᴇʀ ᴀɴʏ ᴄɪʀᴄᴜᴍsᴛᴀɴᴄᴇs.

#demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #kny #kyojuro rengoku #rengoku #kyojuro x reader #rengoku x reader #kyojuro rengoku x reader #demon slayer imagines #demon slayer oneshots #female reader #fem!reader #kyojuro smut #reader insert #fanfiction x reader #fanfiction #x reader #demon slayer x reader #demon slayer imagine #kimetsu no yaiba x reader #tw.smut #demon slayer kyojuro #demon slayer rengoku smut

[themorguepoet]

Dq is bae huh? You watched one movie and act like you are some diehard kinda fan lmao. If SitaRamam didn't push the hindutva agenda but had a Muslim lead and Hindu princess I am sure you would be crying love jihad. You are telugu so ofc you are gonna act like its normal. Yall are the most gullible lot of the dravidian lands. I am glad that madness hasn't reached Kerala atleast. How many malayalam movies of dq have you watched even? I see none on your blog. Selective fangirling is real pathetic lmao. Also if you were gonna lie atleast make it believable. How does an Indian have pakistani teachers lol? You bringing up nfak is like how white people say "I cant be racist, I listen to black singers all the time"

Yes, dulquer salmaan is bae. You can't be more wrong, I have watched too many dq movies to count, I won't waste time listing them all here. I dont post everything I watch. Suit yourself with the assumptions.

Anon I can laugh off most of your ignorance but Sita Ramam slander is not tolerated on my blog. Tell me you didn't understand the movie without telling me you didn't understand the movie. No I wouldn't have cried love jihad if the movie with the Muslim lead and the Hindu princess followed the exact same storyline EXACT SAME. In that case I would have loved Fatima and Ali the same as I loved Sita and Ram.

I am not Telugu, funny you would assume that although I can see why. If you scroll through my blog though you will find Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, possibly one Kashmiri post and more. And none of the languages I mentioned are my mother tongues. So keep guessing.

Also, you hating on two entire states and a whole community? The blatant superiority complex and hate towards telugu people radiating in your sentence is so low. To be comfortable in your own skin and not compromise on your way of life isn't madness anon. Decolonise your mind. Kerala is a beautiful state and so is Andhra and Telangana. A lot of Telugu people live in Kerala and many Malyalis live in the telugu heartlands. Both of those linguistic families are a pride for the country so stop with your political divide. I don't even understand why you are bringing such random energy on my blog cuz I have never posted any proper political commentaries on my blog.

I can choose what to fangirl over. If I wanna obsess over dq for a month I will do it. You are probably new. My mutuals know how I post about the one same thing on a stretch for a while and then find something new and keep posting that instead. Selective fangirling isn't pathetic anon, you are.

I did not lie. I don't need to prove anything. Maybe consider that some Indians probably live in neutral countries where they interact with the rest of the world. Hence the pakistani teachers.

Fallacies bestie, all your fallacies are laughable. My point was, I appreciate all things good while taking pride in my own identity. I can post about Krishna and Dulquer salmaan in the same blog.

Your rant was very useless but I wanted to answer it anyways. There's more anons from you but i won't be answering anymore. I will just delete them.

@shut-up-rabert ye lo bhoi, maze le lo

[chandraraj]

I was on my procrastination spree again but I felt sad seeing the moon today for some reason.

Someone I know recommended that I try being on tumblr because there is so much on here.

I am Chandraraj (or just Raj)

I am a highschool student

_____

I used to be very intrigued by Shree Ram. It felt as if there was so much to the man than just perfection or 'maryada'.

He lived, he laughed, he loved, he cared, he cried, he fought, and for the namesake of it, he died to prove how human he was.

Devi Sita was a whole new dimension to his story. I have never read the ramayan but I know in my heart that when they sat in the forests— completely penniless and no amenities, in their bark clothes passing their 14 years of exile— they were the happiest and the most satisfied.

In my heart and dreams I can imagine them sitting and talking for hours about their respective lives, the beauty of the nature around them sometimes even silently admiring each other while Lakshman chuckled and went away to get some fruits.

_____

This blog will be me just sharing a small Ramayana inspired story but just a lot more human than it is seen.

_____

[No slanders or hate is tolerated.]

#ramayana #valmiki ramayan #ramayan #ram #jai shree ram #vishnu #raj #sita #sitaram #devi sita #seeta #rama #shri ram #shree ram #shree rama #shri rama #seetha #ramsita #seetaram #seetarama #ramasita #ramaseeta #seetharam #seetharama #ramaseetha #ramseetha

[caparrucia]

" Send me a word, if it’s in my wip document I’ll answer your ask with the sentence that it appears in." For the ask meme: Complicated

There's two of them in the same scene, so like. Have a bit of the scene:

“My brother is not part of the royal family,” Selena said, loud and sharp and pointed, staring at the King with the same sort of sharpness she used to stare down rampaging rams back home. “He’s not a bastard.”

The King blinked at her, opened his mouth to reply, but the answer came from the left.

“‘Course he’s not,” said a figure slouched on a couch tucked almost out of sight, in between biting an apple and licking off the juice running down their hand. “He’s got magic, though.”

“You’re the one who said he was my brother,” the King said, somewhere between resigned and irritated.

The person on the couch paused mid bite and gave him a shrewd look, blue eyes so pale they looked almost white.

“Did I?” They asked, and then grinned wickedly as the King sighed.

“One of you did,” the King said in despair, and then gestured at Nyx and his group despondently. “Don’t tell me you made these poor people make the journey for no reason!”

“Oh there’s a reason,” said the same voice, but it came from the other side of the room, where another person wearing… not the exact same clothes, but clothes with the exact same personality, right down to the boots with bright red soles, and with the same exact icy blue eyes that walked in to sit on the corner of the King’s desk, looking unruffled. “It’d just be… complicated, if people knew he had magic and he wasn’t related to you.”

“You need to be trained,” said the one with the apple, slouching forward to stand at the King’s right. “We always knew there was a chance you’d manifest it.”

“You know why I have it, then,” Nyx said, stepping up, eyes narrowed. “Where it came from?”

“Yes,” one or the other said, and didn’t elaborate.

“And? You’re not going to tell me?” Nyx demanded, forgetting all about the King or Selena or anything else.

“Oh, we’ll tell you,” said the one on the desk.

“When you’re trained,” said the one with the apple.

The King sighed. It was a resigned sigh, the sort that knew there was no point in arguing even though Nyx still boiled with an argument somewhere in his sternum.

“They are not wrong,” the King said after a moment, shaking his head. “It would be… dangerous, for you and for the stability of the country, if it got out that someone not of my blood somehow had acquired magic. So, for reasons far too complicated to get into without going through equally as many bottles of expensive whiskey, would you be willing to tolerate my horrific slander of your mother’s character, as I continue to insinuate she’d lack enough sense to bed my father?”

#rie answers #Anonymous

[incorrectrezero]

Ram: Jellyfish have survived for 600.000 years without a brain.

Ram: A ray of hope for Barusu.

#incorrect quotes #re zero #incorrect re zero quotes #ram #i love her #ram slander will not be tolerated #re:zero

[transhoverfish]

i tell u what the seatruck is underrated as a vehicle. seatruck has EVERYTHING you could need. dont wanna get murdered by fish? get a perimeter defense system. want to murder the fish? perimeter defense can ALSO do that if you try hard enough, plus if u get that bad boy a hull upgrade and you can just start ramming into chelicerates!! need to build something real quick? fabricator upgrade! need to sleep bc the dark is scary? bed upgrade! need more storage bc you ran out of titanium and need to fill up ur lockers again?? YOURE NOT GONNA BELIEVE WHAT ELSE THIS LAD CAN FIT IN IT.

theyre FAST. theyre SMALL and can fit in caves. they have SUPER DEPTH and can go to literally any biome. they can be use as a normal quick car or a mobile base. and at the end of the day if you STILL just want to use the prawn suit, IT COMES WITH A PRAWN DOCK SO YOU CAN BRING THE PRAWN WITH YOU ANYWHERE. seatrucks are the best of both worlds and i DO NOT tolerate seatruck slander!!!!

#i woke up today and have just decided. ITS SEATRUCK DEFENSE TIME. #i always hear ppl say its the worse vehicle in both games and like!!! no!!!!!! its the best one!!!!!!! #you can literally make it as big or small as u want!!! u can make a TUNNEL of seatruck parts!!!! #i love my baby seatruck so much she deserves the world and she has never failed me <3 #below zero

[ifeveristoday]

Buffy Summers’s Diary (X)

So my follower count jumped up by a lot since I posted about the Boom!verse, so I’d like to say hey. I will keep thinking and posting about the Boom!verse because I really enjoy it. Hopefully, my recaps/reactions continue to be amusing/useful to you guys.

That said, this side blog is mainly for me to post first drafts of fic and reblog all! the! gif sets! about Buffy and co. And she’s my favorite so I will not tolerate Buffy Summers slander. But I also won’t shit over the other characters, even the ones I’m not as fond of, because again - they’re someone’s favorite. I’m just here to be snarky and occasionally thoughtful.

On with the latest installment of my pastiche!

 Eating dinner at Tara’s was always an experience. Candles lit, the warm scent of sandalwood in the air – I missed those nights when I was invited over for dinner at her and Willow’s place. Tara had a way of making any place feel like a home – lived in and cozy.

I didn’t want to arrive empty handed, especially after such a long time of not seeing her. It was mostly out of guilt – it was hard to reconcile the idea of Willow, my best friend versus the woman who had recklessly lied and imploded her relationship with Tara. Dawn hadn’t been right when she accused me of choosing sides, but I hadn’t exactly done the best job of supporting Tara, either.

After mindlessly wandering the aisles of the specialty grocery store -ugh, I know. So LA. I found a jar of a locally farmed honey. It was packed in a pretty glass jar and there was a handwritten label pasted on it. I remembered the fully stocked cabinet of tea in Tara’s home – the honey would go perfectly with it.

 Dawn opened the door when I knocked. ‘You came,’ she said, with some surprise.

‘I said I would.’

I handed her the jar. ‘Where’s Tara?’

‘In the kitchen. She’s finishing the last dish.’

It smelled delicious, garlic and buttery and rich. I went into the kitchen, where Tara was frowning at something on the stove.

‘Can I help?’

She jumped slightly. ‘Oh hey, Buffy.’ She smiled, and every worry I had that she would resent me faded away. ‘I’m just steaming this broccoli. I’m doing vegetarian tonight, is that okay? I could make you some chicken – I would just have to defrost it.’

‘No, it’s fine. Vegetarian actually sounds really good. I’ve been eating nothing but junk at work this whole week. It’s like we’re sponsored by Big Carb.’

She grinned. ‘Well, I made eggplant lasagna and tofu salad. The broccoli is just extra veggies. Dawnie took care of dessert.’

‘She did?’

Tara laughed. ‘She bought it from the bakery down the street. It’s safe.’

‘Oh, thank God.’

‘I heard that,’ Dawn called from the living room. ‘You’re just not ready for my flavor combinations.’

‘You have the palate of a six-year-old.’

‘I wouldn’t say that. I would say at least eight,’ Tara mused.

‘Tara,’ Dawn protested.

‘Dawnie,’ she teased back. ‘And Buffy, you can just sit, I’m all good here.’

‘So how’s everything going at the studio?’ I stirred around my salad, picking up crunchy noodles.

Tara brightened. ‘Really good. I’m doing a workshop for a women’s shelter – it’s open to the general public too. It’s about surviving a fundamentalist cult.’

‘Really? That sounds cool. I wonder if Kendra would be interested in that – I’ll email her tonight.’

‘That would be great publicity. I’ll let Lily know – poor thing is running that shelter all by herself, I’m sure extra attention would bring in extra money.’

‘I can’t promise anything,’ I said, ‘but I’ll do my best to pitch the idea.’

‘Oh, I know. I still appreciate it, though. I’m also doing a freelance job, so I’ll have some funds to pass on to the shelter.’

‘What’s the freelance gig?’ Dawn asked.

‘I’m doing a decorating job – it’s only one office, so it’s not too complicated. It’s for a law firm.’

Small bells began to sound in my head.

‘Which law firm?’

‘That big one downtown. Wolfe, Ram and Hurt.’

The bells became a noisy choir. I swallowed, not tasting the sesame dressing.

‘For who?’

‘Uh, let me think. Ah, a Mr. Delaney?’

Dawn whipped her head around to stare at me. ‘Delaney? Isn’t that..’

‘Angel. You’re decorating Liam Delaney’s office?’

‘That’s it,’ Tara said. ‘Yes. He set up the appointment last week. Actually, his assistant did, then he called to confirm.’

‘Angel’s our old neighbor. And Buffy had a big crush on him,’ Dawn announced.

‘Thanks, Dawn.’ I gritted my teeth. ‘And for the record, it was not a big crush. He was my best friend’s older brother.’

Tara nodded in understanding. ‘Well, while he’s not my preference, he sounded pretty hot on the phone.’

‘Eh,’ Dawn shrugged. ‘He’s all right if you like tall, brooding guys. And jocks.’

‘Angel’s not a jock.’

‘Yeah he was. He was on the football team!’

‘For one season. He quit and joined the art club.’

‘He did? Didn’t see that on a plaque at Hemery. Anyway, Buffy’s type is a jock.’

‘No it isn’t.’

Dawn rolled her eyes. ‘Okay, with the exception of Billy, every boyfriend you had in high school was a jock. Then there was Riley,’ her mouth twisted with distaste. ‘I guess that was more work-related, though.’

‘They had other interests. I have other interests. This is a slander against athletes. You’re an athlete.’

‘Touche. So have you talked to him?’

‘We met for coffee. Tara, this lasagna is awesome.’

‘I can give you the recipe after,’ Tara offered. ‘It’s pretty easy to make.’

‘Real smooth, Buffy. Way to be all avoidy.’ Dawn snorted.

‘Liam’s fine,’ I stressed. ‘He’s dating my co-worker. We’re acquaintances. Anyway, it’s none of your business.’

‘He’s dating? Oh. That’s a surprise. I heard from Mom he was kind of a wreck the last time she saw him.’

‘Yes, he’s dating. And not interested in me, because I am also not interested in him.’

‘Sure,’ Dawn said, unconvinced. ‘So the blushing is just a side effect.’

Tara stepped in before I threw my water at Dawn’s head. ‘I believe you, Buffy. And there is nothing wrong with enjoying your own company. Dating can be rough.’

‘There was another guy,’ I said. ‘Something is going on with him – but he’ll probably have to leave soon. He mentioned he had to renew his work visa.’

‘What? You didn’t tell me this!’

‘I didn’t know I had to, seeing how you’re a regular Harriet the spy,’ I said. ‘Like I said, it’s something, but I’m not sure. He was interested, but Liam kind of ruined it.’

Dawn shook his head. ‘It’s so weird hearing you call him that. I think I was twelve when I found out his real first name.’

‘It’s not like it was my personal nickname for him – his family called him that. Kathy would only use his full name when she was mad at him.’

‘Sounds like we’ve got a lot of catching up to do,’ Tara said. She stood up. ‘Help me clear up the plates? And Dawnie, if you can go get the dessert? It’s in the fridge.’

‘Thanks for the save,’ I murmured so Dawn couldn’t hear. ‘Dawn’s super intense with secrets, especially when she thinks I’m keeping something from her.’

Tara smiled gently. ‘I get it. My cousin and I used to be that close too. I kind of envy that bond you two have.’

I shook my head. ‘You’ve been a better older sister to her than I have – the last couple of years….’ I trailed off. ‘Tara, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. It wasn’t right.’

She reached over and squeezed my shoulder. ‘I’m not mad at you, Buffy. I never was. I’m happy you’re here tonight. Don’t be a stranger, you can come around anytime.’

Her eyes sparkled. ‘Do you want me to run recon on Mr. Delaney?’

I laughed. ‘That’s sweet of you to offer, but I think the less I know about him, the better off I’ll be. He’s moved on with his life and I’m trying to do that too. It just kind of threw me – like, I was seventeen again and hearing about him eloping. It wasn’t anything then, and it’s not anything now.’

‘If you’re sure.’ Tara looked at me solemnly.

‘One hundred percent. Besides, there’s the matter of William,’ I said. ‘He’s pretty charming. In an annoying, cocky way.’

Tara raised an eyebrow. ‘William? Do tell.’

‘What about William?’ Dawn entered with a plate of cookies, each one dusted with powdered sugar. ‘Also, who’s William?’

‘The other guy. William Pratt. Also known as –’

‘Spike Pratt?’ Dawn interrupted excitedly. ‘The author?’

‘You know him?’

‘Yeah, his novels are the best to read on long flights. I can’t believe you’re dating him.’

‘We’re not. We’re just getting to know each other, but he’s cooled off. Liam told me to stay away from him, said he was a womanizing playboy.’

‘Oh right, because Angel was a saint,’ Dawn said dismissively. ‘There were always girls going in and out of his house.’

‘Yes, but I know-knew him better than I do William. And people should have second chances. He’s been very respectful with me.’

‘Pe-people can change,’ Tara said. She bit her lip. ‘Sometimes not for the better.’

‘Right,’ Dawn said quickly. ‘Once a cheater, always a cheater, I say.’ She looked at me sharply. ‘Maybe you should stay away from him.’

‘The Summers’s curse is in full effect, nothing is going to happen. And not everyone is going to turn out like Riley. He seems to be happily married now.’

‘Yeah, well if karma was real,’ Dawn said. ‘I just don’t want you to get hurt again.’

I couldn’t help it. I pulled her into a hug. ‘I know. And I love you for that. But I’m a big girl and …I do what I want.’

She patted my back. ‘Yeah, but I call dibs on I told you so later.’

‘I expect nothing less.’

‘Boys are dumb,’ Tara said lightly. ‘That doesn’t really change with age.’ She plucked a cookie off the plate and offered it to me.

‘They really are,’ I sighed. I bit into the crumbly softness, the sugar dusting my mouth. ‘But I’m tired of talking about me. What else is going on in your life?’

Tara looked down bashfully. ‘Well, I think I’m going to adopt a cat, and I finally finished all the seasons of the X-Files, work is going great, Dawnie is helping me with the apps…’

‘What apps?’

‘Dating apps,’ Dawn said. ‘I let Tara see my profile and then set her up with her own account.’

‘You’re on dating apps?’

‘Uh yeah. Everyone is on dating apps, no one meets in the wild anymore,’ Dawn said. ‘Besides, it’s fun.’

‘But – they’re strangers. They could be anyone. Dangerous anyones.’

‘I’m not stupid, I have filters in place. You’re just paranoid because of what happened with Xander.’

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Because Xander got codfished. Multiple times. One of them turned out to be an escaped convict.’

‘Catfished,’ Dawn said exasperatedly. ‘And he met Anya on an app. She was nice. Sort of.’

‘I’ve gone on a few dates,’ Tara said. ‘All very nice women. No serial killers in the lot.’

‘It’s perfectly safe, Buffy. Look, I just bypass all the men who have lots of gym pictures, hiking pictures, and golfing pictures. Oh, and if they quote Borat.’

‘That’s like a third of LA. Who’s even left?’

‘Nice guys, I swear. And sometimes,’ Dawn shifted in her seat, ‘it’s not about the dates.’

Tara coughed. ‘I have a book club you could join, Buffy. If you want to meet nice people.’

Objectively, I knew I shouldn’t have been surprised. Dawn was twenty-four years old, I didn’t think she was at home knitting tea cozies. But still. She was my baby sister.

‘I think I need to see your feed.’

‘No way. You have judgment face. You’re just going to say mean stuff about all of them.’

‘I will not,’ I lied. ‘If they’re as nice as you say.’

‘Not in a million years. You can make your own profile.’

‘Ugh. No thank you. I have to have a social media presence for work and it makes me want to burn down the internet.’

‘It’s okay as long as you don’t read the comments. Or check the grammar,’ Tara said helpfully. ‘People generally mean well.’

‘That hasn’t really been my experience. I’ll just have to live vicariously through you two.’

‘Here’s what I’m thinking – if this something doesn’t work out with Spike – you could try the app. Maybe find a nice Joe Normal.’ Dawn shrugged. ‘It’s really not a big deal.’

‘I’ll have to get back to you on that. Can you email me the lasagna recipe, Tara?’

‘Of course. Take some cookies home, there’s too much for me to eat by myself.’

She walked us to her hallway and hugged us both. ‘I’ll see you in the morning, Dawnie. And you,’ she punched my shoulder playfully. ‘You are always welcome to stop by. You’re family.’

I was overwhelmed. ‘Thanks, Tara. I’ll let you know about that article about the shelter. I could volunteer at the very least.’

‘I’d like that. Lily would like it too, I’m sure.’

  ‘Tara’s doing really well, isn’t she?’ 

Dawn nodded. ‘She is. I think she’s moved on.’

‘That’s good. I’m happy for her.’

‘But…’ Dawn said. ‘You have that look on your face.’

‘I thought she and Willow would have made it. After Xander and Anya broke up, they were supposed to be the rock solid couple. I guess that was selfish of me.’

‘Well, you know what I think about Willow. Tara might have forgiven her, but I haven’t. And I don’t like Kennedy.’

‘She’s an acquired taste. And it doesn’t matter what we think – Willow loves her. She sees something in her that is valuable.’

‘She calls you a gringa idiota behind your back, you know.’

‘What?’

‘Yeah. She doesn’t know that I know Spanish.’

‘I just have to remember that Willow loves her. That’s all that matters.’ I clenched my fist. ‘She’s a valuable, worthy person.’

‘If you say so,’ Dawn said doubtfully. ‘I think she’s a rebound and both of them deserve better.’

‘Yeah, but I can’t tell Will that. It’s her life.’

‘Maybe you could just hint at it? Are you still doing those weekend brunches?’

‘Yeah. We have to schedule one soon, she’s been really busy with wedding planning. Do you want to come?’

‘I’ll pass. I have plans for the weekend.’

‘Do they involve sketchy app guys?’

‘Maybe.’

‘You’re being safe right? Mom gave you the talk?’

Dawn grimaced. ‘Yes, and the book and the PowerPoint. Relax, Buffy. I know what I’m doing.’

‘Will you text me when you leave at least? And when you’re on your way home?’

‘Okay. Anything else, Mom?’

‘Mom would have given you Mace to put in your purse – she did, didn’t she?’

‘Yep. It’s millennial pink.’

‘Then we’re good.’

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#Buffy Summer’s Diary

#Buffy Summers's Diary #buffy fic #btvs #buffy summers #dawn summers #tara maclay #girl gang girl gang #my fic

[everythingisonfireandimangry]

CVS is buying Aetna, one of the largest health insurance companies in the country, for $69 billion. 

No company should have $69 billion in assets. No merger this large should be allowed to occur. No merger that violates every antitrust principle there is should be allowed to occur.

And Trump and the Republicans will get the blame for part of this, but really the Democrats are to blame as well. Bill Clinton continued the deregulation of financial markets begun by Reagan. Obama oversaw Comcast buying NBC. Democrats at every turn have been fine feeding this monster, their only concern has been that it works form. 

Democrats and liberals are STILL crying foul that Hillary lost, mourning what could have been as if she would’ve been some savior. This merger is EXACTLY the sort of thing she supports, and has supported. Pelosi, Schumer - they love this bullshit. Oh sure they might complain about it when they think the right people are listening, but they’ve been all too eager to pave the way for laissez fair capitalism to become the order of the day.

For decades leftists and progressives have said this is where we’ve been heading. All through the Bush years, all through the Obama years, there were plenty of loud, articulate voices explaining in measured tones that Republicans have no principles or values, that Republican voters will always vote along party lines, that there is no such thing as a bridge too far for a party that regularly advocates the most atrocious violence and policy without compunction. 

And at each turn, liberals and Democrats have made excuses for their friends, family members, and colleagues who vote Republican. At each turn the Democratic Party has prided itself on holding procedure and tradition to be sacred. “Ram through progressive legislation when we have the power to? No thank you! We believe in working together and reaching across the aisle. The American people won’t tolerate a ruling party who ignores basic decorum”.

Republicans and their base have consistently been this craven, this selfish, this petty, tribalistic, and fear-driven over the last twenty years. And yet we were all supposed to pretend that there “moderate Republicans”, that there were reasonable, intelligent, thoughtful people who just happened to ally with the death cult that Republican party has been since Reagan took office. That you can be a reasonable politically astute person who felt no cognitive dissonance supporting policies that openly destroyed the lives of millions for the gains for a select few, policies that demolished the basic functions of government in service of corporate interests, policies that sold off the planet wholesale so that CEOs could post higher quarterly earnings.

Again and again, radicals and leftists have said that this is utter nonsense. When Obama took office he had a ruling majority in the House and Senate and a definitive victory over McCain to justify radical action. Yet he pushed for NO progressive policy. He didn’t even put universal healthcare on the table. When the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf became the largest oil spill in history, Obama and the Democrats did nothing. Gun massacre after gun massacre - nothing. 

They could’ve. They could’ve ignored decorum and procedure and done what Republicans are doing now. They could’ve strong armed every piece of legislation they wanted and proudly championed themselves as fighting for the well being of the American people after 8 years of a venal, self-serving, warmonger. They could’ve called Republican’s bluff on the filibuster and made Republicans work for, and own, every single obstructionist action they took.

All the while, Democrats and liberals insisted this was necessary. They insisted that this was unfortunate situation that Republicans had forced. That Obama’s hands were tied. That the Democrats in Congress were powerless - they couldn’t push for too much too quickly and they’d look unreasonable if they fought back too hard.

And all the while, AT EVERY PIVOTAL MOMENT, the progressive left said this was untrue. Said that Democrats and Obama needed to fight harder because Republicans would come back with a vengeance as soon as given a chance. That a strong progressive vision was the only way to combat the nihilism and corruption of Republicans. That the Republican party could go lower, get meaner, and be far more cruel than anything they’d done before and that we couldn’t let them have a chance.

And still, Democrats insisted they were being pragmatic. They insisted choosing Hillary as their candidate was the right move. They insisted that her record unpopularity and unfavorables as a candidate were irrelevant because they were unjust. They insisted that centrism was how you beat extremism. And Democrats lost. And STILL they are beating that drum. They’re justifying the loss, explaining that Hillary was in fact the right candidate, that it was so close in the midwest.

All the most progressive demographics of the Democratic party - young people, people of color, the LGBTQ community - voted overwhelmingly for Hillary. They turned out in huge numbers. Even though these demographics all also far prefer progressive policies and candidates, they rallied around Hillary for the sake of avoiding Trump. But you know who didn’t? Middle class white people, women and men. The centrist block went for Trump, the stupidest, most incompetent candidate in modern history. 

As if to justify this, Democrats paint these wild pictures of Trump as a savvy media mogul who knows his audience. Trump, the idiot savant who may not be a political wonk, but who is a master media manipulator. Trump, the deft messaging whiz who was a difficult mercurial candidate to run against.

Trump was, and is, a moron, with no discernible skill of any kind. His success can entirely be attributed to luck and the incompetence of his opponents. He is in the right place at the right time for his idiocy to propel him forward. That his messages and personality resonate in his favor says nothing of his abilities and everything of the present zeitgeist his constituents inhabit. He is the bird who keeps returning to the pond each day because the human arrives to give him food - the bird isn’t orchestrating anything, it simply knows that if it repeats it’s behavior it gets rewarded.

But this notion that Trump is somehow better, more skilled, more competent than he is is necessary for Democrats to justify why Hillary lost. It’s necessary because the truth is any decent candidate should not only have beat Trump, they should have demolished him. He should have lost in record numbers. Any half-way competent campaign team and candidate could have picked out the threads in Trump’s campaign that were resonating and developed an effective counter narrative. 

But Hillary had no narrative. She had no vision. She had no invigorating slogan or exciting imagery or quotable speeches. She ran a technocratic campaign that hinged on demeaning Trump voters, slandering progressive Democrats, and painting herself as a blank canvass every woman who could represent the struggles of all women. This, despite the fact that she is one of the top 0.1% of wealthiest most powerful individuals on Earth, has thrown women of color under the bus at every turn, proactively helped her husband slander the names of the women he raped and sexually assaulted, underpaid the women that worked for her as a Senator, and actively supported anti-humanitarian causes and polices namely standing with Israel against Palestine, opposing universal healthcare, supporting mass deportations, supporting fracking and fossil fuel interests, and supporting continued US military engagement in the Middle East.

Republicans are actively waging a policy war against the survival of humanity - they are supporting a president who taunts nuclear war and are working tirelessly to accelerate global warming, the most tangible existential threat humanity has ever faced. And they’re doing all of this by building off the foundation Democrats helped build and continue to defend.

It is necessary to recognize the brazen callousness of the Republican Party and to face it clear-eyed as so entrenched as to be entirely synonymous with the party itself. We cannot expect to turn things around if we continue to be naive about the prospect of ever working with the Republican Party to build a better world. But equally, we cannot expect to turn things around by remaining naive that the Democrats have done their best on our behalf or that the party’s sacred idols know something we don’t and that that is why they have failed to fight for a progressive vision. 

Neither of the major two US political parties wants to build a world that genuinely supports and serves the people - they each, in their own ways, want to preserve a world where those on top can remain on top, where wealth and power are guarded with the utmost sanctity, where the well being of humanity plays second fiddle to “growth” and “innovation”. 

CVS is buying Aetna because neither of the two major parties gives a shit if humanity survives another 200 years. We cannot count on them to save us and we cannot expect that to ever change. If we make it out of this it will be because we took back power for ourselves and held uncompromisingly to our own values and vision for a just world, not because we petitioned our current leaders to do better.

[comebeforegod]

Discernment vs. Judging: Christians Need to Know Their Huge Difference

By Xiaoran

Hello brothers and sisters of Spiritual Q&A,

I ran into a fellow church member yesterday. She talked with me about many mysteries in the Bible that I had not known before and I gained so much from listening to her fellowshiping. However, when she exposed the actions and conduct of the pastors and elders, and said that they were the Pharisees of the present age, I could not accept it.

 I thought she was judging the pastors and elders, an action which would be condemned by the Lord, because the Lord Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Mat 7:1). But she said doing that was not judging them but was being discerning with them. Drawing upon the words of the Lord Jesus, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mat 7:15), she told me that the Lord said, “Beware of false prophets,” because He wants us to learn to discern. Usually, we just look at others’ appearances and are unable to thoroughly understand their essence. After hearing what she said, I felt perplexed. I do not know what is being discerning with people and what is judging people. I would like you to communicate with me about these questions.

Xiaocao

Hello Sister Xiaocao,

I was glad to get your letter. As to what is being discerning with people and what is judging people, I will fellowship a bit of my personal understanding. Let’s learn from each other.

First, we should know that learning to discern is the Lord’s requirement of us. The Lord Jesus said, “Beware you of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luk 12:1). Think back to 2000 years ago: Because the Jews were unable to discern the Pharisees, they blindly believed what the Pharisees said and in the end they committed the greatest of sins in nailing the Lord Jesus to the cross. From the lessons of their failures, we can see that without discernment we will only follow and listen to people, and will unknowingly do things that resist God. It is evident that we must guard against the hypocrites on the path of believing in God, and this can provide much help to our life entry. In addition, there are many parables that the Lord Jesus spoke of in the Bible, such as the parables of separating the wheat and tares, and the good and evil servants, which are to help us learn to discern true and false believers, and true and false shepherds. This way, we will not be led astray, manipulated, exploited or controlled by any man or woman, and will truly obey God and heed His words. The Lord Jesus said, “They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Mat 15:14). It can be seen that if we do not know how to discern between people, it will be easy to follow the wrong road, and we will unknowingly become believers who follow and worship people while believing in God. In the end, we will be led into a ditch and our belief will come to nothing. So, in our faith, to be saved by God it is extremely important that we learn to discern! Just as God’s words say, “Believing in God and pursuing the knowledge of God is no simple matter. They cannot be achieved simply by gathering together and listening to preaching, and you cannot be perfected by passion alone. You must experience, and know, and be principled in your actions, and gain the work of the Holy Spirit. When you have undergone experiences, you will be able to differentiate many things—you will be able to distinguish between good and evil, between righteousness and wickedness, between what is of flesh and blood and what is of the truth. You should be able to distinguish between all these things, and in so doing, no matter the circumstances, you will never be lost. Only this is your real stature.”

Well, what does being discerning with people really mean? It means using the truth to dissect one’s state and conduct. And moreover, it means being in conformity with the truth, matching up with the facts, and not having any intention or purpose. This kind of fellowshiping is able to discern people, and can achieve the result of helping believers understand the truth and be unlikely to be fooled. This is completely in accordance with God’s intentions.

The Lord Jesus exposed the Pharisees and said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like to white washed sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Mat 23:27–28). The Pharisees exhibited some superficially good behaviors, such as giving to the poor and doing many good deeds. And in order to show their reverence for God, they even wrote scriptures on the tassels of their garments. Yet they did not at all seek or investigate the words and work of the Lord Jesus, and when they saw many believers following the Lord Jesus, they thought their positions and livelihoods were threatened. As a result, they turned the Lord Jesus over to the Roman government because His work went beyond the law, and strenuously demanded that they crucify Him. We can see from the actions carried out by the Pharisees that they were undoubtedly hypocritical. Could it be that the Lord Jesus’ exposing the Pharisees was an example of judging people? No, because everything that God reveals is fact, and does not belong to the category of judgment. Let’s look at the pastors and elders of today. They appear on the outside to be very humble. They give to the poor, teach believers to be tolerant and patient, and support weak believers. But when they heard the gospel of the Lord’s return, they did not bother to put the slightest effort into seeking and studying it. And when seeing believers go out to seek and examine the true way, in order to firmly control the believers in their own churches, and to protect their status, they used every means to spread lies to frighten, threaten and prevent believers from seeking and investigating the true way. They even jumped to conclusions about and condemned the brothers and sisters who spread the gospel of the Lord’s return, and some of them united with the CCP government to get the brothers and sisters spreading the gospel arrested, or handed them over to the CCP. Judging from the behaviors of the pastors and elders, how can they be good people in the eyes of God? Can God praise all that they have done? What difference is there between their actions and those of the Pharisees? Therefore, it totally conforms to the Lord Jesus’ words to call the pastors and elders of today the Pharisees, and it is right that we discern them according to God’s words lest we get confused. God’s words are practical, accurate, and appropriate, and there is no part of them that is judging people. So, it is most correct to discern the actions and deeds of people according to God’s words, because the truth is the standard of measurement of all people and things.

Then, what does it mean to judge people? It means that someone speaks with the intention of achieving his or her own contemptible objectives. What they say does not conform to God’s words or the facts. They speak exaggeratedly, criticize others as a matter of principle, use their notions and imaginings to draw conclusions, and even distort the facts and fabricate evidence to frame others, with the result that their attacks bring others pain and harm. For example, when Job was enduring trials, his three friends passed judgment at will before searching for God’s will, as recorded in Job 4:6–9, “Is not this your fear, your confidence, your hope, and the uprightness of your ways? Remember, I pray you, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.” The implication of this statement is that the reason why Job suffered was surely because he sinned and resisted God, and that he needed to hurry and come before God to repent and confess. Because of not understanding God’s will to test and refine mankind, they, using their notions and imaginings to measure God’s work, freely judged and attacked Job so they were detested and rejected by God. In the end, Job came before God and prayed for them, and only then were they forgiven by God. The Bible records, “And it was so, that after Jehovah had spoken these words to Job, Jehovah said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends: for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has. Therefore take to you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that you have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job” (Job 42:7–8).

From this we can see that when we do not understand God’s will we cannot figure out God’s intentions, nor should we arbitrarily condemn others, make blind judgments, or impose our own ideas onto God otherwise we will be detested by God. We should follow the example of Job, who did not sin in anything he said but learned to seek and wait for God’s will to be revealed to him. Since Job had a heart that revered God, he finally stood witness during his trials and received the praise of God.

Now in the last days, we are living in an environment filled with judgment and slander. In order to not offend or resist God, when something befalls us, we must not follow the crowd but instead we must first inspect the facts, understand the matter clearly, and then draw conclusions. Only people like this have reverence for God in their hearts.

Sister Xiaocao, I hope my fellowshiping can help you. If there is anything else you’d like to know, please contact us.

Spiritual Q&A

#Spiritual Life #Spiritual Growth #Spiritual Q&A #Interpersonal Relationships

[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings February 18, 2020 at 11:00PM

Psalm 101

Psalm 101

A Sovereign’s Pledge of Integrity and Justice

Of David. A Psalm.

1 I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing. 2 I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it?

I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; 3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. 4 Perverseness of heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.

5 One who secretly slanders a neighbor I will destroy. A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not tolerate.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, so that they may live with me; whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit shall remain in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue in my presence.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all evildoers from the city of the Lord.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Psalm 109:1-30

Psalm 109

Prayer for Vindication and Vengeance

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

1 Do not be silent, O God of my praise. 2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. 3 They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. 4 In return for my love they accuse me, even while I make prayer for them.[a] 5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6 They say,[b] “Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand on his right. 7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin. 8 May his days be few; may another seize his position. 9 May his children be orphans, and his wife a widow. 10 May his children wander about and beg; may they be driven out of[c] the ruins they inhabit. 11 May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil. 12 May there be no one to do him a kindness, nor anyone to pity his orphaned children. 13 May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation. 14 May the iniquity of his father[d] be remembered before the Lord, and do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out. 15 Let them be before the Lord continually, and may his[e] memory be cut off from the earth. 16 For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted to their death. 17 He loved to curse; let curses come on him. He did not like blessing; may it be far from him. 18 He clothed himself with cursing as his coat, may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones. 19 May it be like a garment that he wraps around himself, like a belt that he wears every day.”

20 May that be the reward of my accusers from the Lord, of those who speak evil against my life. 21 But you, O Lord my Lord, act on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me. 22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is pierced within me. 23 I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt. 25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

26 Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love. 27 Let them know that this is your hand; you, O Lord, have done it. 28 Let them curse, but you will bless. Let my assailants be put to shame;[f] may your servant be glad. 29 May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a mantle. 30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

Footnotes:

Psalm 109:4 Syr: Heb I prayer

Psalm 109:6 Heb lacks They say

Psalm 109:10 Gk: Heb and seek

Psalm 109:14 Cn: Heb fathers

Psalm 109:15 Gk: Heb their

Psalm 109:28 Gk: Heb They have risen up and have been put to shame

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Psalm 119:121-144

121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being; do not let the godless oppress me. 123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation, and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. 125 I am your servant; give me understanding, so that I may know your decrees. 126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. 127 Truly I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold. 128 Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts;[a] I hate every false way.

129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. 131 With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name. 133 Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. 136 My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.

137 You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are right. 138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness and in all faithfulness. 139 My zeal consumes me because my foes forget your words. 140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight. 144 Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

Footnotes:

Psalm 119:128 Gk Jerome: Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

Genesis 31:25-50

25 Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsfolk camped in the hill country of Gilead. 26 Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me, and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword. 27 Why did you flee secretly and deceive me and not tell me? I would have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre. 28 And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? What you have done is foolish. 29 It is in my power to do you harm; but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Take heed that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’ 30 Even though you had to go because you longed greatly for your father’s house, why did you steal my gods?” 31 Jacob answered Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force. 32 But anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the presence of our kinsfolk, point out what I have that is yours, and take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.[a]

33 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. And he went out of Leah’s tent, and entered Rachel’s. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt all about in the tent, but did not find them. 35 And she said to her father, “Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women is upon me.” So he searched, but did not find the household gods.

36 Then Jacob became angry, and upbraided Laban. Jacob said to Laban, “What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? 37 Although you have felt about through all my goods, what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsfolk and your kinsfolk, so that they may decide between us two. 38 These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks. 39 That which was torn by wild beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it myself; of my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. 40 It was like this with me: by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes. 41 These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear[b] of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”

Laban and Jacob Make a Covenant

43 Then Laban answered and said to Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about their children whom they have borne? 44 Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I; and let it be a witness between you and me.” 45 So Jacob took a stone, and set it up as a pillar. 46 And Jacob said to his kinsfolk, “Gather stones,” and they took stones, and made a heap; and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha:[c] but Jacob called it Galeed.[d] 48 Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me today.” Therefore he called it Galeed, 49 and the pillar[e] Mizpah,[f] for he said, “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are absent one from the other. 50 If you ill-treat my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, though no one else is with us, remember that God is witness between you and me.”

Footnotes:

Genesis 31:32 Heb them

Genesis 31:42 Meaning of Heb uncertain

Genesis 31:47 In Aramaic The heap of witness

Genesis 31:47 In Hebrew The heap of witness

Genesis 31:49 Compare Sam: MT lacks the pillar

Genesis 31:49 That is Watchpost

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

1 John 2:12-17

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one. 14 I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire[a] are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

Footnotes:

1 John 2:17 Or the desire for it

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

John 10:1-18

Jesus the Good Shepherd

10 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes[a] it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Footnotes:

John 10:18 Other ancient authorities read has taken

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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

#February 18 #2020 at 11:00PM

[focusontheeasternlightning-blog]

Discernment vs. Judging: Christians Need to Know Their Huge Difference

By Xiaoran

Hello brothers and sisters of Spiritual Q&A,

I ran into a fellow church member yesterday. She talked with me about many mysteries in the Bible that I had not known before and I gained so much from listening to her fellowshiping.

 However, when she exposed the actions and conduct of the pastors and elders, and said that they were the Pharisees of the present age, I could not accept it. I thought she was judging the pastors and elders, an action which would be condemned by the Lord, because the Lord Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Mat 7:1). But she said doing that was not judging them but was being discerning with them. Drawing upon the words of the Lord Jesus, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mat 7:15), she told me that the Lord said, “Beware of false prophets,” because He wants us to learn to discern. Usually, we just look at others’ appearances and are unable to thoroughly understand their essence. After hearing what she said, I felt perplexed. I do not know what is being discerning with people and what is judging people. I would like you to communicate with me about these questions.

Xiaocao

Hello Sister Xiaocao,

I was glad to get your letter. As to what is being discerning with people and what is judging people, I will fellowship a bit of my personal understanding. Let’s learn from each other.

First, we should know that learning to discern is the Lord’s requirement of us. The Lord Jesus said, “Beware you of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luk 12:1). Think back to 2000 years ago: Because the Jews were unable to discern the Pharisees, they blindly believed what the Pharisees said and in the end they committed the greatest of sins in nailing the Lord Jesus to the cross. From the lessons of their failures, we can see that without discernment we will only follow and listen to people, and will unknowingly do things that resist God. It is evident that we must guard against the hypocrites on the path of believing in God, and this can provide much help to our life entry. In addition, there are many parables that the Lord Jesus spoke of in the Bible, such as the parables of separating the wheat and tares, and the good and evil servants, which are to help us learn to discern true and false believers, and true and false shepherds. This way, we will not be led astray, manipulated, exploited or controlled by any man or woman, and will truly obey God and heed His words. The Lord Jesus said, “They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Mat 15:14). It can be seen that if we do not know how to discern between people, it will be easy to follow the wrong road, and we will unknowingly become believers who follow and worship people while believing in God. In the end, we will be led into a ditch and our belief will come to nothing. So, in our faith, to be saved by God it is extremely important that we learn to discern! Just as God’s words say, “Believing in God and pursuing the knowledge of God is no simple matter. They cannot be achieved simply by gathering together and listening to preaching, and you cannot be perfected by passion alone. You must experience, and know, and be principled in your actions, and gain the work of the Holy Spirit. When you have undergone experiences, you will be able to differentiate many things—you will be able to distinguish between good and evil, between righteousness and wickedness, between what is of flesh and blood and what is of the truth. You should be able to distinguish between all these things, and in so doing, no matter the circumstances, you will never be lost. Only this is your real stature.”

Well, what does being discerning with people really mean? It means using the truth to dissect one’s state and conduct. And moreover, it means being in conformity with the truth, matching up with the facts, and not having any intention or purpose. This kind of fellowshiping is able to discern people, and can achieve the result of helping believers understand the truth and be unlikely to be fooled. This is completely in accordance with God’s intentions.

The Lord Jesus exposed the Pharisees and said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like to white washed sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Mat 23:27–28). The Pharisees exhibited some superficially good behaviors, such as giving to the poor and doing many good deeds. And in order to show their reverence for God, they even wrote scriptures on the tassels of their garments. Yet they did not at all seek or investigate the words and work of the Lord Jesus, and when they saw many believers following the Lord Jesus, they thought their positions and livelihoods were threatened. As a result, they turned the Lord Jesus over to the Roman government because His work went beyond the law, and strenuously demanded that they crucify Him. We can see from the actions carried out by the Pharisees that they were undoubtedly hypocritical. Could it be that the Lord Jesus’ exposing the Pharisees was an example of judging people? No, because everything that God reveals is fact, and does not belong to the category of judgment. Let’s look at the pastors and elders of today. They appear on the outside to be very humble. They give to the poor, teach believers to be tolerant and patient, and support weak believers. But when they heard the gospel of the Lord’s return, they did not bother to put the slightest effort into seeking and studying it. And when seeing believers go out to seek and examine the true way, in order to firmly control the believers in their own churches, and to protect their status, they used every means to spread lies to frighten, threaten and prevent believers from seeking and investigating the true way. They even jumped to conclusions about and condemned the brothers and sisters who spread the gospel of the Lord’s return, and some of them united with the CCP government to get the brothers and sisters spreading the gospel arrested, or handed them over to the CCP. Judging from the behaviors of the pastors and elders, how can they be good people in the eyes of God? Can God praise all that they have done? What difference is there between their actions and those of the Pharisees? Therefore, it totally conforms to the Lord Jesus’ words to call the pastors and elders of today the Pharisees, and it is right that we discern them according to God’s words lest we get confused. God’s words are practical, accurate, and appropriate, and there is no part of them that is judging people. So, it is most correct to discern the actions and deeds of people according to God’s words, because the truth is the standard of measurement of all people and things.

Then, what does it mean to judge people? It means that someone speaks with the intention of achieving his or her own contemptible objectives. What they say does not conform to God’s words or the facts. They speak exaggeratedly, criticize others as a matter of principle, use their notions and imaginings to draw conclusions, and even distort the facts and fabricate evidence to frame others, with the result that their attacks bring others pain and harm. For example, when Job was enduring trials, his three friends passed judgment at will before searching for God’s will, as recorded in Job 4:6–9, “Is not this your fear, your confidence, your hope, and the uprightness of your ways? Remember, I pray you, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.” The implication of this statement is that the reason why Job suffered was surely because he sinned and resisted God, and that he needed to hurry and come before God to repent and confess. Because of not understanding God’s will to test and refine mankind, they, using their notions and imaginings to measure God’s work, freely judged and attacked Job so they were detested and rejected by God. In the end, Job came before God and prayed for them, and only then were they forgiven by God. The Bible records, “And it was so, that after Jehovah had spoken these words to Job, Jehovah said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends: for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has. Therefore take to you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that you have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job” (Job 42:7–8).

From this we can see that when we do not understand God’s will we cannot figure out God’s intentions, nor should we arbitrarily condemn others, make blind judgments, or impose our own ideas onto God otherwise we will be detested by God. We should follow the example of Job, who did not sin in anything he said but learned to seek and wait for God’s will to be revealed to him. Since Job had a heart that revered God, he finally stood witness during his trials and received the praise of God.

Now in the last days, we are living in an environment filled with judgment and slander. In order to not offend or resist God, when something befalls us, we must not follow the crowd but instead we must first inspect the facts, understand the matter clearly, and then draw conclusions. Only people like this have reverence for God in their hearts.

Sister Xiaocao, I hope my fellowshiping can help you. If there is anything else you’d like to know, please contact us.

Spiritual Q&A

#Spiritual Life #Spiritual Growth #Spiritual Q&A #Interpersonal Relationships

[foulengineerzombie]

Now that the Supreme Court has set up another Joint Investigation Team headed by the Federal Investigation Agency Director-General, Bashir Memon, to probe into the recent allegations leveled by a television anchorperson, Dr Shahid Masood, it seems that the budding culture of misinformation, rumours, deceit, lies, malicious falsehood and hoaxes in Pakistan could be reduced substantially in foreseeable future, if not put to rest completely.

During Sunday's hearing, Mian Saqib Nisar, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, clearly told Dr Shahid Masood that he needed to prove his allegations regarding 37 bank accounts being owned by innocent Zainab's killer and that the culprit was a member of an international pornographic ring operating on Kasur city; and not a lone operator.

While warning Shahid Masood, the Chief Justice was quoted as saying: "If your report is proven true, you will be given a certificate of honesty. If it's proven false, you have no idea what will happen next. You should stick to your allegations. The accounts you mentioned do not exist. You have failed to prove your allegations so far."

During the course of the hearing, the Supreme Court of Pakistan also asked senior journalists to suggest punishments for airing, printing or broadcasting fake news. Research conducted by the "Jang Group and Geo Television Network" shows that the fake news problem is compounded by the firm causal link that has developed between social media and the genuine news outlets. What happens on social media then becomes news somehow.

And on many occasions, throughout the world, social media information has turned out to be fake, because unknown people---having no other platform to do their catharsis--take on to the networking websites like Face book, Twitter and YouTube etc to air their frustration, vent their anger, promote or defame political entities/state institutions, eminent personalities and craftily present their wishful thinking as a hard news--deceiving even the best of journalists and news organizations in the business.

While many countries of the world are looking to stop the spread of fake news by passing laws that carry stiff penalties – including prison time – free speech activists seem worried. There was a time when the media itself used to hold people responsible for misdeeds, but now, the tables have turned and media is being held accountable for printing/airing untrue information that is spun to serve certain vested interests!

To counter this menace of fake news, various media organizations around the globe are setting up fact-checking desks now. For example, some 37 publishers hailing from countries like France and Britain have established a fact-checking consortium called "CrossCheck."

This consortium began work in February 2017 for the French elections. These media houses have come together, across professional rivalries, to debunk false stories, and flag some reports as a ‘caution’ for being misleading, even if not out rightly false.

Participants of this consortium include the BBC, Channel 4 News, Le Monde, Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Buzzfeed etc. This particular organization had fact-checked a rumour that tombstones in a Jewish cemetery in Paris had been desecrated.

The rumour had taken on political colour with many seeing it as an act of anti-Semitism. The reality was very different – a truck had in fact rammed into the cemetery while trying to avoid a collision with an oncoming car. In Argentina, a similar organization called "Chequeado" had shot to prominence for fact-checking the Argentinean election campaign in 2011.

In Germany, an investigative journalism venture called "Correctiv" is cracking down on fake news on the social networking sites. This German organization has a four-member team dedicated to busting fake news; and even Facebook fields suspicious news articles to them.

The world is extremely worried about the havoc being played by fake news and is deeply disturbed.

For example, as the "Jerusalem Post," Canada's "Ottawa Sun" and an American news agency "Associated Press" had reported quite recently in January 2018, Israel’s Minister of Communications has apologized over what he says were misinterpreted comments warning that broadcasting "fake news" warrants capital punishment!

Ayoob Kara, of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, had said "all those bringing fake news are bringing upon themselves a death sentence." He later apologized on Twitter, saying he was speaking figuratively and meant that false reports result in fewer consumers for media outlets.

Netanyahu has also lashed out at media over the past year dismissing some coverage of investigations into corruption allegations surrounding him as "fake news." The long-ruling Israeli leader has denied any wrongdoing and calls the accusations a witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media.

Many countries and their courts are taking people to task over spread of fake news and innumerable media houses have often been punished for false reporting, defamation, libel and slander etc.

The relatively "lenient" and "media-friendly" Pakistani courts should thus take cognizance of the fact that our judicial system generally takes ages to determine facts, review the available evidence on table and punish the media houses or newsmen responsible for the journalistic misdeeds mentioned in the introductory paragraph.

And if there is any expediency, Pakistani courts and judges can still take a lot heart from the examples cited below in the story bed and harness an unfettered sphere widely acknowledged as the "fourth pillar of the state."

While the quite recent vilification campaigns initiated by a few vested interests among the Pakistani media outlets have gone a long way in denting the reputation of their competitors, individuals, businesses of some esteemed national corporate houses and even the ruling government, such misdemeanors are not tolerated by courts and regulators in most countries.

In the past, various guilty Pakistani journalists and the media barons they worked for; have been getting off scot-free against the spirit of jurisprudence.

This is totally contrary to what actually happens in most countries of the world, where such ugly faces are not treated as sacred cows and the long arm of law somehow clutches them in case of any felony, despite the traditional hue and cry raised by the media organizations and civil societies.

Here follow some examples in this context:

We can all recall that on December 2, 2016, in a London court, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, the Editor-in-Chief of Jang/Geo group had won millions of pounds libel damages over a "campaign" of abuse launched by the ARY Television.

The UK Network of ARY had branded Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman as a "traitor, Indian and American agent, an "enemy of Islam", besides accusing him of involvement in financial corruption.

Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman had brought proceedings in the High Court of Justice Queen's Bench Division, London, against "ARY Television" and had successfully contested the case, arguing that ARY had defamed him and his businesses over a 12-month period from October 2013.

Through his solicitors Messrs Matthew Nicklin and Riehard Munden (instructed by Carter-Ruck), claimant Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman had claimed that his image and name were damaged in jurisdiction of the London High Court and hence be granted relief for United Kingdom.

After hearing both sides, the British Judge, Sir David Eady, had ruled in his 24-page judgment that all ARY shows against Geo Television were blatant lies, bogus and defamatory.

As the learned arbiter awarded one of the highest compensatory awards in recent years, he had observed in his December 2, 2016 decision in Case Number HQ14D04351 that the ARY broadcasts were "unrelenting and calculated to arouse hatred towards the Jang Group among members of the Pakistani community in this jurisdiction."

Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman had also moved courts Pakistan on this issue which remains pending for four years.

The British Judge had also held in his 122-point verdict that ARY’s conduct was "plainly oppressive, unreasonable and unacceptable.

In November 2011, "Times Now," a leading Indian news channel, was held liable to pay Rs 100 crore damages after being sued by a former judge, P.B. Sawant, making it the country's highest defamation suit ever!

The media house had erroneously run Justice (retired) P.B. Sawant's picture instead of another judge in connection with the Provident Fund scam. The image was on air for fifteen seconds. The Bombay High Court had ordered the channel to deposit Rs. 20 crore in cash and give a bank guarantee of Rs. 80 crore to it as damages that the judge had sought.

(Reference: November 15, 2011 report of the "NDTV")

It goes without saying, as research shows, such cases against the Indian media had been filed mainly by politicians, namely the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who had filed 125 defamation cases against "The Hindu" and other publications during her earlier tenure as chief minister between 2001 and 2004.

She had later withdrawn the cases, saying that she hoped that the media would ensure unbiased reporting on her in the future.

In May 2014, eminent British comedian Russell Brand had accepted substantial libel damages over a "Sun on Sunday" story, which claimed he had cheated on his girlfriend Jemima Khan.

(Reference: May 8, 2014 report of the "BBC News")

In 2016, an esteemed British media house "Mail Online" was forced to pay out £150,000 to a British Muslim family over column which falsely accused them of extremism.

(Reference: December 19, 2016 report of "The Guardian")

In December 2016, one of Russia’s leading business publications "RBC" was ordered to pay 390, 000 Rubles in damages to Messrs Rosneft after a Moscow court ruled in the state-run oil group’s favour in a dispute over details of its recent part privatization.

(Reference: December 13, 2016 edition of the "Financial Times")

On May 12, 2009, the BBC was sued by Gianfranco Zola, the manager of the West Ham Football Club and his assistant Steve Clarke. The duo had accepted undisclosed libel damages from the BBC on May 12, 2009 over a false report they were planning to move to another team, Chelsea.

In November 2012, famous BBC programme "The News night" had alleged Lord McAlpine, a leading politician of the Thatcher era, of being involved in sexual abuse in children’s homes in North Wales in the 1970s and 1980s.

Although he was not mentioned by name, this individual being referred to was Lord McAlpine. He was identified before transmission on Twitter and was foreseeably identified afterwards by large numbers of people. The report was wrong – as the BBC had reportedly admitted on November 10, 2012. It had consequently issued an unreserved apology.

According to the "Irish Times," The BBC apologized and agreed to pay Lord McAlpine, a former Conservative Party treasurer, £185,000 (€215,000) over the story. Before the broadcaster retracted the story, Lord McAlpine was the subject of thousands of tweets linking him to the scandal."

In December 2009, the BBC had lost a libel battle with an oil trading company Messrs Trafigura and had agreed to apologize for a "News night" programme, pay £25,000 to charity, and withdraw any allegation that Trafigura's toxic waste dumped in Africa had caused deaths.

In 2017, an Indian court had convicted senior journalist, Gauri Lankesh, of defamation in two cases and sentenced her to six months in jail and imposed Rs. 10,000 penalty.

(Reference: The Hindu)

A Dutch journalist, Okke Ornstein, was arrested in Panama relation to a 2012 criminal defamation conviction and sentenced to 20 months in jail after a Canadian businessman had filed a complaint over a report alleging him of being dubious business practices.

(Reference: The Committee to Protect Journalists)

In 2010, the New York Times had apologized to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and paid S$160,000 ($114,000) in damages for an article about Asian political dynasties.

(Reference: The Reuters)

In 2017, "The Daily Mail" of England had apologized to Melania Trump and agreed to pay damages to settle a lawsuit filed by the first lady after the publisher made false claims about her work as a professional model.

The CNN had reported: "Trump will be paid about $2.9 million in damages and costs, according to a source familiar with the settlement."

According to a January 26, 2018 report of the "BBC News," Michel Gbagbo, the son of Ivory Coast’s former President, Laurent Gbagbo, had been sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay a fine of US $950 for complicity in disclosing false news.

In 2014, the Spanish Supreme Court had ordered French daily newspaper Le Monde to pay damages of €300,000 to Real Madrid Football Club and €15,000 to FC Barcelona Club for linking the Spanish football clubs to a doping plot.

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona had filed a lawsuit against "Le Monde."

In 2017, according to CNN, the ABC News Network had made an historically large payout to settle a defamation lawsuit.

Its parent company Walt Disney said it paid $177 million that was "incurred in connection with the settlement of litigation with a South Dakota-based meat processor Beef Products Inc.

ABC was sued for more than $1 billion over 2012 news reports on the company's use of lean, finely textured beef product and had termed it unsafe when it was actually safe to eat

In 2012, search engine Google was ordered to pay Aus$200,000 (US$208,000) in damages to an Australian after a jury found the Internet giant defamed him by publishing material linking him to mobsters.

In 2014, a critical restaurant review published in the "Sydney Morning Herald" had cost it more than $600,000 in damages alone. Three restaurateurs had won this case after 11 years of an intense legal battle.

According to "The Guardian," a judgment in the Supreme Court of New South Wales had ordered Fairfax Media, which owns Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Australian Financial Review etc, to pay 11 years worth of interest on top of the original damages of $160,000 awarded to each of the three restaurateurs for the defamatory 2003 article.

In 2017, the CNN had to apologize to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, after it had described Assange as a "pedophile who lived in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

The apology came after Wikileaks had tweeted a threat to sue CNN for defamation if it did not air an apology within 48 hours.

In 2004, known British politician, George Galloway, had won his libel action against the "Daily Telegraph" and was awarded £150,000 in damages, the "Guardian" had reported.

High Court judge said the allegations that Galloway was on pay-roll of Saddam Hussein were "seriously defamatory."

In 2013, according to the "Gulf News," two Asians were ordered by the Abu Dhabi Civil Court of Appeals to pay 3,000 Dirhams in punitive damages for publishing a picture belonging to a fellow countrywoman on several social networking websites without her permission.

In 2009, a British property developer was awarded more than £1million in damages and costs against the "Gulf News," after it wrongly said that he had deceived Middle East investors.

Mark Emlick, chairman and founder of Dunedin Independent, one of Scotland’s largest privately-owned independent financial advice businesses, had won his case against the Gulf News in the London High Court.

from The News International - Islamabad http://ift.tt/2BJyayJ

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