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queernuck · 3 years

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The Cleveland Browns made the playoffs. The Islanders made the Eastern Conference Finals.

And that’s enough for me.

So long, so long I have been living like this, pretending that I want to keep on living, that life feels worthwhile, that I don’t want to kill myself. Suicide is for cowards but ive been chickening out for a whole decade, to the point where getting on the subway was itself something that involved convincing myself not to jump in front of it. I remember once while working in the city, I watched and waited as two trains came in and left, trying to get the energy to jump in front of them. I had decided, if I couldn’t do it by the time a second train came and went, I would go to work and save it for another day. I came very close, my legs tense like a linebacker on 4th & Goal, but I didn’t do it. Maybe it would be better if I had, I would have saved not only myself but a lot of other people a lot of pain and suffering. I’ve been dealing with feeling suicidal for a decade, an entire ten years, and made it through. And for what? I lost a retail job at minimum wage, I’ve seen the Giants go from two-time Super Bowl kingslayers to a team that relied on the Eagles for a playoff berth, I got to see Evangelion only for the final Rebuild film to be infinitely delayed, I have a useless non-degree that allows me to eloquently describe how the Democrats and Republicans alike are driving this stolen land to Fascism while sycophants tell me Vote Blue No Matter Who. I’m so tired, I’m not even the person people think me to be, since if I were, I wouldn’t be in this mess.

My paychecks, as hard-earned as they were, never seemed to be mine in any real sense, and it made me so frustrated that something in me broke at the beginning of this year. I made some mistakes, some very stupid ones, and got myself fired. I took money from and distorted the inventory of my store to get what amounted to pocket money, less than two paychecks. I was tempted because I feel so powerless, so much like nothing I could ever say or do matters, and so I decided to lash out against a place that mattered to me, against people I cared about deeply. Chain stores, corporations, all of those things are not really high on my list of things to care about. Barnes & Noble pushed out local booksellers years ago, an irony not lost on me whenever our own competition with Amazon was made apparent. We were reaping what we had sown. But what always interested on top of this irony was how symbolic these things could be to people, how much we figured into so may memories for so many. The Manga Aisle at Barnes & Noble is a staple of 2006 scene culture, a way that kids without the pocket money to afford the newest volume of Bleach it Naruto could keep up before scams became widely available. How the store was a place where people studying for standardized tests could use the test prep guides to try and get ready for the eugenic ritual of the standardized test. And just how much a chain bookstore became a substitute, socially, for the now-absent local bookstore. We bear the guilt for that, but at the same time we were still selling books, giving people a place to get coffee and sit and read and talk, in ways that libraries may not be able to. We certainly can never replace a library, given just what a library does for people. But we did do a lot of good all the same. Before it closed, some of my fondest memories came when I was the exact sort of annoying teenage customer I grew to hate, hanging out at the Columbus Circle Borders. Working at Barnes & Noble was tiring, dehumanizing, difficult, made me feel like I would never measure up to the authors we sold, the people books were written about, that I was a failure. And I am, as my death shows. But it also made me a part of something I was proud of. And that Above & Beyond pin I earned is in my jacket still, a reminder of something.

That something was shown in so many of the coworkers I had, who were incredible in so many ways. I feel awful for what I did, I genuinely do, because of how it may have hurt people who thought so kindly of me, people who deserve so much good. I wish I had the ability to address each of them individually but this decision was hastily made, and i have a feeling it will show in the things I miss in this note. Audra, your help in finding me a way to use the company policies to my advantage as a worker was something that gave me faith even after having seen the despicable firings and cuts the company went through. Linda, I can’t quite square the circle here given my actions, but I want to say your disappointment broke my heart and that while I will not be the one who shows it, your reassurance that everyone makes mistakes was welcome.

To my (former) fellow booksellers at Store 2216, all of my love and my sincerest apologies. You all have so much good in you, your willingness to listen to my ADHD-fueled rants and to discuss so many things with an incredible frankness was always impressive, in addition to part of what I loved about all of you. I want you all to be happy, and the kinship I felt with you was a vital part of what kept me going. It was tough, as you all know. But at times, it almost felt worth it.

The same is true of my CTY friends: it was a weird, magical place that frankly, a lot of us idealized for far too long and which sk many of us eventually outgrew without being able to let go of. And that was tough, that was something we had a great deal of difficulty understanding, that what helped us once was not always going to be helping us, was not always what we needed. But in eventually finding that, we found solace, we realized how life as a whole functions and just what it is that we can take from places like it.

To my other family, my Cleo family, I know I haven’t been terribly active lately, but I can never, ever thank you enough for the belonging you gave me. I have never felt anywhere as welcoming as Cleo. As warm as Cleo (even as we struggled to pay for the oil bill) was. As kind and understanding. As tolerant. As questioning and inquisitive into what that tolerance meant to us. I am thankful, eternally, for what you all did for me. The incredible experiences I had as a Cleo make me proud of what the organization can represent, and one of my dying wishes is that the organization continues to reach out to marginalized communities on Trinity’s campus. There is much work to be done in making sure abusers cannot hide in our family, but I trust you all to do that work. Tucker Carlson is a Trinity grad and we must embody the opposite of what he stands for, no matter how difficult it may be. I could go on about how this means opposing liberals and Liberalism/Neo—Liberalism due to the truth of tolerance resulting in a Popper-esque Paradox of Tolerance that implies Popper is a worthwhile philosopher, but that’s another issue.

To my friends on that Blue Hellsite, tumblr, you made a continual presence worth it, even with all of the bullshit this place brings. It’s the reason I read so much Foucault, Derrida, Deleuze & Guattari, read Žižek against himself, and so on and so on, and the value of that to me can never be overstated. I learned so much from the ways in which I learned to analyze the world, and that in turn became a huge inspiration for why I should try to do what I could to make the world closer to a place of revolution, one where we could perhaps eke out a living for one another. I loved how much I could be an unrepentant nerd and still love hockey on there, and while the

NHL fans on tumblr are incredibly annoying,

I can deal with that compared to the racism of most hockey fans.

Mom, Dad? I just couldn’t live with you any longer. I’m so sorry.

Grandma, I love you.

And the things I leave behind? Donate what can be donated. Hats, please auction, or at least offer to other HatHeads at a reasonable price. I had some nice ones. As for assorted albums, clothing, and other things, sell them and donate to a Harm Reduction organization, or organizations that advocate for PWUD in a radical fashion. WE DESERVE AUTONOMY!

I am a victim of the War on Drugs. Sobriety was always hellish to me, and I could never take it. I want people to be able to live how they want, to see sobriety and being on drugs as equally valuable states, to see the two as no different from one another.

Abolish all gun laws

End the War on Terror

Decriminalize and legalize all drugs, sobriety is what killed me.

I love all of you.

LET’S GO ISLANDERS!

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mrsjadecurtiss · 3 years

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Another ask, if you have the inclination: I've just been rereading Reek III with all that entails, and Theon thinks about 'the son is just the shadow of the father' re Roose and Ramsay. Do you believe that Roose can actually be as bad or worse than Ramsay at this point? He's got to be worse than average and his morals very lacking, but it's hard to imagine us being made to abhor him more than Ramsay in the remaining books. Is it just Theon's terrified paranoia, or do you think it can pay off somehow? 🤔 Or am I misinterpreting that line do you think?

Do you believe that Roose can actually be as bad or worse than Ramsay at this point? He's got to be worse than average and his morals very lacking [...].

This is a trap, he is playing with you, the son is just the shadow of the father. Lord Ramsay played with his hopes all the time. - Reek III, aDwD

This is no man to jape with. You had only to look at Bolton to know that he had more cruelty in his pinky toe than all the Freys combined. - Reek III, aDwD

I believe quotes like these refer to the effect of the cruelty they enact, rather than the specific crimes.

Ramsay is vile and cruel, enacting heinous violence upon people like a slasher movie villain. We do not have any evidence that Roose personally inflicts the same degree of crass violence upon people, as even in his presumably candid retelling of the miller's wife story, while a horrifying and inexcusable crime, he does not reach the extreme level of violence Ramsay inflicts upon smallfolk on the regular with his hunts and torturings.

"Roose Bolton's cold and cunning, aye, but a man can deal with Roose. We've all known worse. But this bastard son of his … they say he's mad and cruel, a monster." - Davos III, aDwD

The point, i believe, is not who produces the worst feats of violence, but rather another facette of grrms criticism of feudalism:

Would Ramsay even have a chance to do these heinous crimes if his father, who knows about everything, had an ounce of morality in him?

[Roose:] "All you have I gave you. You would do well to remember that, bastard." - Reek III, aDwD

Everything Ramsay has, his high position, the freedom to do all the crimes he wants, the protection from law that would have otherwise sent him to the wall in no time, he has because of his father's selfishness. Roose could have stopped these crimes from happening, he could have given Ramsay the appropriate punishment, instead he keeps Ramsay around because he feels like it...

Roose is at the top of his society, answering to barely anyone except his overlord and his king; so much power is at his fingertips, and yet he uses it for selfish reasons, commits crimes, allows crimes to happen in full knowledge, and everything is handled as it benefits him instead of abiding to morality or law. Every crime Ramsay does is Roose' responsibility as feudal lord and thus his crime.

"When soldiers lack discipline, the fault lies with their lord commander," his father said. - Tyrion VIII, aGoT

Roose is called the leech lord, and indeed he is a leech upon society, bleeding his people dry to his own benefit while not lifting a finger himself. While he is not a literal vampire, obviously parts of his character are a play on vampire myths, and the aristocratic bloodsucking vampire is frequently used as a metaphor for critique of the ruling class (i hear Fever Dream by grrm plays with this, though i have not read it). He might not commit a Texas Chainsaw Massacre in person, but that doesn't make him any less morally bankrupt and despicable, and he still has the same blood on his hands.

There is a tendency where Roose tries to lighten his crimes in conversation - here are three examples showing different facettes:

"The arrogance of it! They do not expect the north to believe their lies, not truly, but they think we must pretend to believe or die. Roose Bolton lies about his part in the Red Wedding, and his bastard lies about the fall of Winterfell." - Davos IV, aDwD

[Roose:] "Tell me, my lord … if the kinslayer is accursed, what is a father to do when one son slays another?" - Reek III, aDwD

[Roose:] "The maesters will tell you that King Jaehaerys abolished the lord's right to the first night to appease his shrewish queen, but where the old gods rule, old customs linger. The Umbers keep the first night too, deny it as they may. Certain of the mountain clans as well, and on Skagos … well, only heart trees ever see half of what they do on Skagos." - Reek III, aDwD

1. Denial of involvement - Roose frequently either escapes blame completely (for example for Duskendale), puts blame on someone else (like blaming Ramsay's bastard blood for Winterfell), or lies about his crimes to evade blame.

2. Selectively invoking law - using the kinslaying law, he pretends his hands are tied when it comes to Ramsay, even though he could for example also send him to the wall as punishment. He frequently breaks laws as he pleases and also took part in breaking sacred contracts such as guest right (red wedding), so him invoking law in this instance is likely a tool to absolve himself of blame during the conversation.

3. Comparing himself to others to lessen his own acts, after failing to escape blame - by bringing the Umbers etc into the conversation, he tries to make himself look less bad; "look, everyone's doing it, and the skagosi are probably even worse than me!"

As opposed to Ramsay, he is aware of how the severity of the crimes he is doing would be received by others. He likes to present himself as a rational and civilized man, and thus has an interest to downplay his criminal actions, even if he does not see anything wrong with them as he did them for his own benefit.

"No tales were ever told of me. Do you think I would be sitting here if it were otherwise?" - Reek III, aDwD

"That annoyed me, so I gave her the mill and had the brother's tongue cut out, to make certain he did not go running to Winterfell with tales that might disturb Lord Rickard." - Reek III, aDwD

As the Mormonts were bannermen to the Starks, [Jorah's] crime had dishonored the north. Ned had made the long journey west to Bear Island, only to find when he arrived that Jorah had taken ship beyond the reach of Ice and the king's justice. - Eddard II, aGoT

The foolish Ramsay tries to pride himself in his crimes; Roose however knows of the importance of optics. He is aware that he frequently breaks the law, and tries his best to keep his reputation intact as to not attract unwanted attention; especially with an overlord like Ned Stark, who would not handwave any crime and would make sure justice is served.

From what we can observe, in my opinion the difference between Roose and Ramsay is that Roose doesn't see anything wrong with comitting violence as long as the result is of a benefit for him, while Ramsay additionally also commits violence because he merely finds enjoyment in inflicting it, violence for violence's sake. This is why Roose is able to control himself and always gives Ramsay the advice to be restrained, but Ramsay is unable and unwilling to do so and his acts are much more extreme. Roose is likely starting to realize this difference by aDwD.

Is it just Theon's terrified paranoia [...]?

I do also believe Theon's statement is fueled by paranoia, if you look at the entire context:

"I mean you no harm, you know. I owe you much and more." - "You do?" Some part of him was screaming, This is a trap, he is playing with you, the son is just the shadow of the father. Lord Ramsay played with his hopes all the time. "What … what do you owe me, m'lord?" - "The north. The Starks were done and doomed the night that you took Winterfell." He waved a pale hand, dismissive. "All this is only squabbling over spoils." - Reek III, aDwD

Roose is not necessarily tricking Theon here since it appears to be a correct statement; And he does have an interest to be on friendly terms with Theon (offering him fresh clothes for example) because he wants to make use of his position as heir to the iron islands, a goal he expressed as early as a Storm of Swords.

"Flaying Theon will not bring my brothers back," Robb said. "I want his head, not his skin." - "He is Balon Greyjoy's only living son," Lord Bolton said softly, as if they had forgotten, "and now rightful King of the Iron Islands. A captive king has great value as a hostage." - Catelyn VI, aCoK

"Serve us in this, and when Stannis is defeated we will discuss how best to restore you to your father's seat," his lordship had said in that soft voice of his, a voice made for lies and whispers. Theon never believed a word of it. - The Prince of Winterfell, aDwD

Note that here Theon does not believe him either, any trust he has shattered by Ramsay as well as Roose' unlikable personality. Still it seems likely Roose was really somewhat trying to be nice with Theon, because as he tries to teach Ramsay there's value in it:

"Power tastes best when sweetened by courtesy. You had best learn that if you ever hope to rule." - Reek III, aDwD

Do you think it can pay off somehow?

This is speculation, but i believe Roose' story is likely headed in the opposite direction - A Storm of Swords featured his greatest villainous feat, the Red Wedding, a showcase of cruelty and treacherousness. I do not think it will be followed up by an act of even greater cruelty; instead i think he will finally reap what he has sown.

Roose Bolton said nothing at all. But Theon Greyjoy saw a look in his pale eyes that he had never seen before — an uneasiness, even a hint of fear.

That night the new stable collapsed beneath the weight of the snow that had buried it. - a Ghost in Winterfell, aDwD

I believe the line about the stable is meant as a metaphor for his regime collapsing, as it is put directly after the line where he realizes the situation is growing dire for him.

It all seemed so familiar, like a mummer show that he had seen before. Only the mummers had changed. Roose Bolton was playing the part that Theon had played the last time round, and the dead men were playing the parts of Aggar, Gynir Rednose, and Gelmarr the Grim. - a Ghost in Winterfell, aDwD

Roose is likely going to continue the parallel with Theon as his arc goes steadily downwards. He is a foil to Ned; where Ned died but his legacy lives on, Roose will likely live to see his legacy crumble.

There is of course a possibility that he, when cornered, starts expressing more cruelty as a last-ditch effort. We saw the stable used as a metaphor for his rule in Winterfell; but there is another interesting detail about the reconstruction of the burned Winterfell:

Serve well, Lord Bolton told them, and he would be merciful. Stone and timber were plentiful with the wolfswood so close at hand. Stout new gates had gone up first, to replace those that had been burned. Then the collapsed roof of the Great Hall had been cleared away and a new one raised hurriedly in its stead. When the work was done, Lord Bolton hanged the workers. True to his word, he showed them mercy and did not flay a one. - the Prince of Winterfell, aDwD

Aegon the Conqueror had commanded [the Red Keep] built. His son Maegor the Cruel had seen it completed. Afterward he had taken the heads of every stonemason, woodworker, and builder who had labored on it. Only the blood of the dragon would ever know the secrets of the fortress the Dragonlords had built, he vowed. - Catelyn IV, aGoT

This is a crack theory, but perhaps Roose has something up his sleeve when it comes to the newly constructed roof of the Great Hall (a location that features extremely prominently through all of Theon's aDwD Winterfell chapters). Maybe he could make it crash intentionally to bury his treacherous allies or something like that...

I doubt however that he will do Ramsay-style extreme violence, i can't really see a reason and it doesn't appear to be his style. He seems more about cunning than flashy displays.

As always these are not PoV characters, so as long as we don't have a view inside their heads we can never say anything with 100% certainty.

#asoiaf #roose bolton #ramsay bolton #asoiaf meta #a song of ice and fire #asks #mzyraj #sorry if i went a little off topic ajsjdjfjxjd #im like roose i just love going on a tangent of someone gives me an opportunity to talk #also ive seen your other question its very interesting #ill see when i can get to it

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chatgptadventures · 4 years

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the basics of hexing - a step by step guide for writing hexcraft spellwork

part i - gather your items

Depending on the kind of hex and the reason for hexing, you’ll want different items. To hex a sexual harasser or abuser, you’ll probably want a condom. To hex someone who has stolen money or material gain, you’ll want a penny. If the person has wielded spiritual or religious authority that was not within their rights, you’ll want a piece of the religion they practice. For example, if a Christian pastor has turned your Christian family against you for being trans, a Bible would be a good object to incorporate into the hexing.

part ii - connect the hex to the victim

With this part of the hex, typically conducted early on in the ritual, you’ll need a photo of them, an item that represents them, their name written out on a piece of paper, or even a lock of their hair. This directs all the negative energy that is gathered during the hexing towards the victim.

part iii - find powerful hexing words

Words are vibrations and vibrations have power. For the actual cursing portion of the hex, you’ll want a few paragraph-length texts to read aloud, either that you’ve gathered from the Bible or sacred people. Then, at the end, you’ll want to say a short sentence that has a lot of weight. Something as simple as, “shame on you.”

part iv - remember to protect yourself

Whenever you gather negative energy, either that of the universe at large or the negative energy that has built up inside you, it’s important to put up shields against it coming back at you. If the person you are hexing has any kind of mental power, they will try to resist, and that resistance can push energy back towards you. Remember to incorporate prayers for your own safety and well-being into your hexcraft.

part v - set your hex out into nature, or sneak something into the victim’s surroundings

At the end of a regular hexcraft ritual, you’ll have imbued an object with a whole lot of “you reap what you sow, mfer” energy. But the hex is not complete until that item is out of your possession. To complete it, you have two options: release the item into nature, or find a way to put that item into the victim’s possessions. If you release it into nature, be mindful of where you are releasing it and if that item would be considered litter. If you are sneaking it into the victim’s surroundings, be careful it is not something they will immediately throw out, as this may negate the effects of the hex.

One classic way to hex someone is to make a dark-colored crystal the object of hexing associated with the victim, keep the crystal in a jar of water overnight, throw the crystal into a dumpster or a forest or a body of water, and then be sure the person comes in contact with the water somehow. For example, if one of your coworkers has been sexually harassing you and HR has done nothing, get to work just a little bit earlier than them and dab a paper towel in the cursed water, and just slightly dab their desk and work area with it.

one more tip - if your spell has many parts to it, the hex will be much more powerful. for example, if instead of being one object, there are three objects that are each released in different ways, this is exponentially powerful. It’s all about intention and effort. G-d listens to those who call loudly and knock often.

part vi - watch!

Here are some popular outcomes to hexcraft, depending on how much evil the victim has sown in the world and how much is coming back upon them, in order of severity: accidentally cut themselves while shaving or while cutting vegetables, slip and fall and hurt themselves, catch a cold, have something go wrong with their car, get into a car accident that doesn’t harm them but totals their car, lose their job, have a friend cut ties, get a divorce, get into a near-fatal car accident.

P.S. Remember why we hex! 1) to turn tables and balance the scales of the universe, and 2) to hopefully, ultimately, somehow, change the person by bringing them down to rock bottom and making them confront their behavior.

#witchcraft #hexcraft #hex #christiancraft #christianwitch

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changedlives · 5 years

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BLESSINGS UPON BLESSINGS UPON BLESSING

The soil of HARVEST CHURCH and that of your BISHOP TRULY IS ABUNDANTLY RICH!!!! I’ve sown thousands of dollars over the years and I’VE NEVER REAPED A HARVEST ON SEED SOWN SO EXPEDITIOUSLY.

For example I sowed a seed on 10/9/19 and a UNEXPECTED CHECK was also issued to me that same day for twenty eight times more than I sowed!!! I believe it’s important that I share with you two important points

1. There was another ministry earlier that day that was requesting a seed to be sown. BUT I FELT LEAD NOT TO AND SOW THE SEED INTO HARVEST. 2. The Spirit of God was very specific regarding the AMOUNT TO GIVE and the TIME to give as Bishop Foreman was ministering. I BELIVE MY OBEDIENCE IN THOSE TWO AREAS WAS THE REASON WHY THAT UNEXPECTED CHECK CAME IN THE MAIL. *** GOD WANTED THAT SEED TO BE SOWN INTO THE FERTILE SOIL OF HARVEST CHURCH , at a very SPECIFIC time during the service.

Ive continued to sow whatever I can into both Harvest and Bishop Foreman. Im following the promptings of Holy Spirit to keep SEED in the SOIL there in Colorado.

TODAY TODAY TODAY SOMETHING A.M.A.Z.I.N.G HAPPENED COMPLETELY UNEXPECTEDLY!!!

I had FOUR DEBTS PAID OFF ON MY BEHALF!!! Yess Thats what I said🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 one of those Debts was one of my STUDENT LOANS.

If that were NOT ENOUGH🙌🏽🙌🏽 It was requested that I go look for a new WASHER AND DRYER SET at least for 2,300 and that WILL BE COMPLETELY PAID FOR. I HAVE A STRONG FEELING THAT GOD ISNT DONE.

MY HOUSE IS NEXT….. IS STILL IN FULL EFFECT!!

I Absolutely Love the post service testimonials!!!

#Harvest #Praise #Jesus #Testify #Testimony #Awesome #submission

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corkcitylibraries · 3 years

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Book Review: Jonathan Coe’s Middle England

by Catherine Creedon

Having been fairly divorced from, and uninterested in, the fiasco that was Brexit, I was not sure that I wanted to read a novel, however peripheral, or comic, on the subject. But it was by Jonathan Coe and, as What a Carve Up lingers in my memory as a long-time favourite, and The Rotters' Club (of which Middle England is the closer in that trilogy) runs a pretty close second, I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt. My BorrowBox copy had the soft pastel cover, more universally appealing than the Union Jack of some editions, but it did cause me to wonder, from the very outset, if Coe's Costa-award winner might not be skewed, representative only of a certain section of British society, and this turned out to be the case.

In retrospect, it would have been disingenuous, perhaps, of Coe to write from the point of view of sections of society of which he knew nothing - the extremely poor, depending on food banks; the immigrants from former colonies; the children suffering from a crumbling educational structure. However, even his depiction of upper middle-class social justice warrior, Coriander, is weak. His portrayal of her privileged upbringing is good, but the online world of today's teen definitely eludes the middle-aged male writer. It is the characters of his own milieu, the educated, white, reasonably well-off, that Coe paints well, although I'm not sure that the reader can retain much sympathy for any of them by the end.

This state-of-the nation novel carries its characters from the coalition election of 2010, to the Brexit referendum of 2016, and on to 2018 and the subsequent fall-out. It centres on Benjamin Trotter, who has emerged from the vicissitudes of the previous two novels as a content, semi-retired (at fifty), unpublished novelist. His niece, Sophie, is a lecturer in fine art, and his friend Doug has carved a successful career writing political columns. Secondary characters that represent much of the dissent include Sophie's driving instructor husband Ian and his hideously racist mother, Doug's daughter Coriander, and Benjamin's childhood friend, Charlie, now a poorly-paid children's entertainer.

There is less humour than in most of Coe's work: even the rivalry of Charlie with another clown, which escalates ludicrously, becomes, in the end, pathetic. Doug's frustrating double-speak clandestine meetings with Nigel Ives, spin doctor for the government, are one of the few light running gags, and it is clear that Coe found it difficult to be jocular in the face of his subject matter.

In many ways reaping the whirlwind that was sown in previous books, the austerity inflicted upon the working and middle classes that was begun a generation before, many of the characters look back to an England that existed, if at all, only for a brief post-war period, and this nostalgia fuels the rage and divisiveness that culminated in Brexit.

Whilst this is a well-written and engaging book, and a must for fans, there are some weak points (e.g. the brief appearances of the evil Culpepper, and Doug's eventual confrontation with him, needed far more exploitation), and the ending is very disappointing. All of the main characters (even, unrealistically, Charlie) seem to escape reasonably unscathed by the political, social and economic turmoil of their country; possibly the reader should not hold this against them, but their creator. However, it is a novel steeped in nostalgia and sentimentality for what is basically the end of an empire, and perhaps it is fitting that this is how it should end, in relinquishing aspirations of growth and fulfillment.

Available from Cork City Libraries and BorrowBox

#corkcitylibraries #LoveReading

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frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 3 years

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29th January >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Mark 4:26-34 for Friday, Third Week in Ordinary Time: ‘The seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know’.

Gospel (Except USA)

Mark 4:26-34

The kingdom of God is a mustard seed growing into the biggest shrub of all

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’ He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’ Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.

Gospel (USA)

Mark 4:26-34

A man scatters seed on the land and would sleep and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Reflections (6)

(i) Friday, Third Week in Ordinary Time

The first of the two parables in today’s gospel reading suggests that when a farmer has sown seed in the ground, he has to step back and allow nature to bring the seed to fruition. It is only when the seed is fully grown that the farmer swings into action again, harvesting the crop. Between sowing and harvesting, he has to leave the seed alone. If he were to start poking around in the soil to see how the seed is doing, he would greatly inhibit its growth. When Jesus says the kingdom of God is like that, what does he mean? He may be saying that the coming of God’s kingdom into our lives and into our world isn’t all down to us. We have our work to do, as the farmer has to sow and harvest. However, the real work of spiritual growth within ourselves and in our world is God’s doing. As Saint Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians, ‘I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth’. Having done what we can, we have to step back and allow God to work. Sometimes, God’s good work can be happening all around us, even when we are doing very little. God can be working powerfully in our through our lives in those times when we seem to have little to give, perhaps because of advancing years or illness. The good work we have done in the past can be bearing fruit in ways that we might never suspect. God’s good work continues, even when we seem to have little to show for our efforts. What the Lord asks of us is perseverance, not to lose heart. In the words of today’s first reading, we are to ‘keep faithful’, especially when times are lean and difficult.

And/Or

(ii) Friday, Third Week in Ordinary Time

The first of the two parables that Jesus speaks in this morning’s gospel reading seems to suggest that once the farmer has sown the seed he has to step back and allow nature to take over as it were. As he sleeps at night and goes about his business during the day the seed is quietly growing until the day comes when the crop is ready to be harvested. Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like that. In what sense is this true? Jesus seems to be saying that we have a part to play in the coming about of God’s kingdom among us; the seed has to be sown and only we can do it. Yet, the coming to pass of God’s kingdom in our midst is more God’s work than ours. Like the farmer, we cannot force the growth of God’s kingdom. We have to step back and allow God to do the work that only God can do. Saint Paul understood this truth very clearly and he expressed it very simply in his first letter to the Corinthians when referring to the coming to pass of the church of God in Corinth he said, ‘I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth’. The conclusion Paul draws from this reality is that people should not make too much of Paul or Apollos or any other labourer in the harvest, because it is always God who is the prime mover when any good is being done. Our contribution is very important, but it is God’s contribution that really brings the kingdom to earth. That is why we need to do all we can to further God’s work while at the same time leaving a great deal of space for God to work, and if something good comes out of it all, let the Lord be glorified and not ourselves.

And/Or

(iii) Friday, Third Week in Ordinary Time

The first parable that Jesus speaks in this morning’s gospel is often called ‘the parable of the seed growing secretly’. Jesus is saying that there is some correspondence between the coming of the kingdom of God and the way the farmer, having thrown seed on the land, then has nothing much to do, until the crop is ready for harvest. Yet, even though the farmer is doing very little in between sowing and harvesting, the seed is working away during that time, producing first a shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. Jesus appears to be saying that God can be powerfully at work in our lives even in those times when we ourselves appear to be doing very little. Sometimes we equate God’s work with our own exercise of energy. Yet, there are times in our lives when we can do very little, whether for reasons of health or for some other reason. Jesus suggests in that parable that even in those quiet times when we appear to have very little to show for ourselves, God can be working away in our lives for the good, working in us and through us. It was Paul who said that God’s power is made perfect in weakness.

And/Or

(iv) Friday, Third Week in Ordinary Time

The first of the two parables in this morning’s gospel reading, the parable of the seed growing secretly, is only to be found in the gospel of Mark. It is an intriguing parable. Parables are like that; they are meant to make us think. Rather than telling us the message straight, they tease us into reflection. In the parable, once the farmer sows the seed he has to wait until the harvest. There is very little he can do between sowing and harvesting. He has to stand back and let the seed grow of its own accord. There are times in life when we too will need to stand back; there is a time to act and there is a time to wait and to recognize that the real action is happening away from us and without us. In our relationship with the Lord there is also a time to act and a time to step back and allow the Lord to act without any direct involvement from us. There are times when we need the humility to recognize that the Lord can work better in some situations if we do nothing rather than if we do something. What we do need and what we can pray for is the wisdom to know when to act, when to sow and to reap, and when to refrain from acting so that the Lord can work more effectively.

And/Or

(v) Friday, Third Week in Ordinary Time

That first parable of the seed growing secretly suggests the mystery of growth. The farmer works hard to sow the seed, but then he has to wait. In a way he does not fully understand, the seed grows of his own accord. It is only when the seed is fully grown and the crop is ripe that the farmer can get down to work again. The wise farmer knows when it is time to work, and when it is time to stand back and wait patiently, and allow nature to take its course. We are not all farmers, but like the farmer in the parable we all have to try and get that balance between working to make something happen and standing back to allow something to happen. The balance between engagement and disengagement is important when it comes to all growth, including human growth, our own growth and the growth of others. The process of growth is not something we can fully control. That is especially true of our growth in Christ. There are certain things we can do to bring that about, but there are some things only the Lord can do. There comes at time when we have the allow the Lord to work his growth in us; that will often mean for us, easing up a little, doing less, making room for the Lord to work.

And/Or

(vi) Friday, Third Week in Ordinary Time

There are times when less is better. We can want sometime to happen so much that we try to force it and in doing so we only manage to hold it back or even derail it. There is a time to be active and a time to be still and let be. In the first parable of today’s gospel reading, the farmer needed to be active in sowing the seed but then he needed to step back and allow the soil to interact with the seed in nature’s way. Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like that. Yes, God needs labourers for his harvest. Jesus once called on those he was sending out as his messengers to pray to God to send more labourers into his harvest. However, our labour is not the decisive factor in the coming of God’s kingdom into our world. It is ultimately God who will see to the coming of God’s kingdom. Like the farmer in the parable there will be times when, after our labour, all we can do is step back and allow God to do what only God can do. The farmer in the parable did not understand how the seed he had sown comes to maturity as full grain, ‘how, he does not know’. There is much about how the Lord works that we will not understand either. Saint Paul said of his ministry and that of his co-worker Apollo in his first letter to the Corinthians, ‘I planted, Apollo watered, but God gave the growth’. We do what we can and then we trust that the Lord will do what the Lord can, which is much more significant. The Lord is always at work beyond our human efforts. He will continue to work for the coming of his kingdom, even when our efforts seem insufficient to the task.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

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dalyunministry · 3 years

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Pastor. Johnraj Lamech

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Greetings in the matchless Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Topic: Faith Life : Part 03 “Consummation of Faith Life”

Rhema Word (1): Habakkuk 2:4(b) (NKJV) “The just shall live by his faith.”

Rhema Word (2): Hebrews 10:37-38 “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”.

Let’s pray. Our Gracious Loving Father, thank you for giving us an opportunity to meditate your Word today. Thank you Holy Spirit for helping us to understand your Words which are living and active. Please help us to live a life as per your Word Lord. Father, we give all the Glory and Honour to you. We pray in the mighty Name of your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Faith is the foundation of Christian life. The importance attached to this truth about faith is made obvious by its emphatic recurrence in three of the New Testament Epistles. There are three key verses, which enlighten the message this truth imparts.

(i) Romans 1:17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

(ii) Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

(iii) Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

The Epistle to Romans talks about the Commencement of the Christian Faith Life. The Letter to the Galatians deals with the problems we face in the course of the Christian Life, and that to the Hebrews pictures the successful Completion of the Christian Life/Race. Yes, The COMMENCEMENT, the CONTINUATION and the CONSUMMATION of faith life!

Last two weeks, we meditated on the “Commencement of Faith Life” and “Continuation of the Faith Life”. Today, let us meditate upon the ”Consummation of Faith Life” with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The greatest incentive to our faith is the Second Coming of Christ. That will be a day of felicitation for the faithful saints. We began our study of the Faith Life with Habakkuk 2:4. The previous verse says, Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.” The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:37 ”He who is coming will come and will not tarry.” The prophecy in Habakkuk and the expectation in Hebrews have a beautiful coincidence in their implication of the Return of our Lord. We all long to hear that “Well Done!” from our Master.

It is well said by Solomon in Ecc 7:8 ”The end of a thing is better than its beginning.” Yes, the end or the con-summation of our faith life is of greater importance than the beginning of it.

The purpose of the long list of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 is given in 12:1 ”Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” In a race there are participants as well as spectators. We are the participants today. “The cloud of witnesses” – they are the spectators of our performance. They have finished their course successfully and are anxiously looking at us. All the forerunners of faith have done their part superbly well and have trusted us with the finishing part! Shall we make it? The Church of Christ is living the last days of its history on earth. Oh that we realise our great responsibility!

We require the spiritual stamina to become triumphant winners of the faith race. As we mount higher up in the Christian life we encounter greater and great difficulties on the way. Sufferings, doubts and darkness, persecutions and oppositions become part of our everyday life.

Let us try to understand and how to handle the following challenges and be a victor, with the help of the Holy Spirit, today:

1] Sufferings

2] Doubts and Darkness

3] Persecutions and Oppositions

1] Sufferings

There is a great deal of suffering among God’s children. In the hour of soul’s deepest anguish even the strongest faith has wavered at times. Elijah sank down on the desert sand and asked that he might die!

i) Sufferings: Part of Christian Life:

Peter says in 1 Peter 4:12 ”Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you!” Is not our Saviour’s following statement clear enough? ”In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). Paul puts it this way: ”We must through many tribulations, enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Tribulations are but the pathway to our Heavenly Abode. That is why, Peter says in 1 Peter 5:7-9 ”Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

That suffering is the experience of every true Christian in the world must bring us spiritual encouragement and help us stand fast in faith. The Cross led Christ to glory and it is so with those who seek to follow the Lamb wherever He goes. There is no such thing as a saint without scars.

ii) Physical Afflictions:

Jesus took on Himself our infirmities and bore our pains on the Cross. But it does not mean a complete eradication of physical affliction from a believer’s life altogether. I can quote from the Bible some great saints to prove that even the loftiest saint is no exception from physical pains. Yes, the heroes of faith received God’s sufficient grace amidst severe afflictions and glorified Him bringing honour to His Holy Name!

What gave Paul the strength to overcome his physical affliction? He knew that ”If our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So, we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:1-8)

Oh! the Blessed Hope that our body will one day perish, along with it the afflictions and pains, and that we will be given a glorified body! Let not your temporary physical tortures deprive you of your spiritual joy.

iii) Suffering Wrongfully:

Sometimes doing the right brings you into unforeseen difficulty. You may have sown the seeds of love and good but will reap nothing but disappointment, hatred and suffering. Yes, you may be misunderstood, misinterpreted, accused falsely and punished wrongfully! David, the man after God’s own heart, had such similar experiences: “All who hate me whisper together against me; against me they devise my hurt; Even my own familiar friend whom I trusted, … has lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:7,9). Yes, we trust people who pretend to be faithful but when we are made to see their true identities we moan just as David did.

Do not become vengeful when you suffer wrongfully. Are we not called to unjust suffering? (1 Peter 2:19). We can endure physical tortures but cannot bear the shame when our reputation is damaged. Let us remember we are the followers of the One who suffered wrongfully in the hands of sinners. We make mistakes in trying to clear and vindicate ourselves. Defend not your cause but let it go. Why can’t we trust God with our reputation and let Him take care of it if we can trust Him with our eternal life? Of course, we can afford to stop defending and keep quiet, till the last Day, when the brick and the beam will take their turn to speak for us; when God will bring out our righteousness as the light and our judgement as the noonday; and when death and resurrection will prove to the whole world who is who.

That is why Peter says in 1 Peter 2:20-21 ”For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”

iv) Trust Not in man!

The Bible warns us against trusting in any person other than God. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to pout confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8). Because, “every man is a liar” (Romans 3:4). May be your latest experience is to learn what it means to be betrayed by false friends. Turn to the Man of Sorrows for comfort. It was His own experience too!

You cannot trust even in the members of your own family. The prophet Micah says in Micah 7:5-7 ” Do not trust in a friend; do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom. For son dishonours father, daughter rises against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own household. Therefore, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.”

Remember, men fail us. Even the best proves to be false. At the turn of events they change their colours and their promises fade away. Turn from the failure and forgetfulness of man to the constancy and faithfulness of God. He says, “You will not be forgotten by Me” (Isaiah 44:21).

v) Trust Not in yourself!

Friends are unreliable. Men are liars. My family cannot be trusted. Am I to stand on my own legs, then?

No, dear friend. Trust NOT IN YOURSELF also. It is not less than total foolishness to trust in one’s own self. Here, I tell you the secret of God: He will take from your heart anything you love most; He will have everything you trust to be removed from you; and finally He brings you to the point where He purges you of your self-trust too. Lend your ears to Apostle Paul’s account of his experience. He says in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us”

Believe not in your facilities. Disappointment is sure to sweep your face if you put your confidence in your strength and talents, in your possessions and positions. David says in Psalm 20:7 ”Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” He further says in Psalm 44:6-7 ” I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us.” Paul confidently says in 2 Timothy 2:13 ”If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”

vi) Trust in GOD!

We are too busy at times to God that He is forced to send us some difficulties in order to get our attention to Him. It is well worth to undergo some bitter experiences, to learn the new spiritual lesson that He does not want us to be ignorant of. If God has singled you out to be a special object of His grace you may expect Him to honour you with stricter discipline and greater suffering than many are called upon to ensure. Peter, whom God allowed to be “sifted as wheat” by Satan, explains it thus in 1 Peter 1:5-7 ”You are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Remember, faith needs to be tried by fiery trials. A faith that is not tested cannot be trusted. We pass through flooded rivers and burning furnaces. Neither the waters overflow us nor are we scorched by the fire, for the God of circumstances is in control (Isaiah 43:2). Though for a moment we are forsaken, with great mercies He gathers us to His bosom (Isaiah 54:7).

Sometimes we feel that God does not hear our cries of grief and the call for help. At such times we should simply trust Him and patiently wait for Him. Apostle James explains this in James 1:2-4 ”My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Suffering is inevitable in the perfecting work of our faith. So let it not make us bitter and cynical but increase our faith in God. Think of the perseverance and patience of Job and take him as an example. He testified, ”Though He may slay me, yet will I trust Him”(Job 13:15).

The fear of death should be out of a believer’s vocabulary. Our time is in God’s hands and not in Satan’s. We shall not die before God’s appointed time. The ship in which Paul once sailed was caught up in a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon. Disaster and loss dismayed everyone and all gave up hope. But Paul trusted in the Lord to whom he belonged and declared: ”I believe God, that it will be just as it was told me” (Acts 27:25). He was the one who passed through perils of waters, perils of Gentiles, perils in the city and perils in the wilderness. But he was sure that nothing could kill him before God’s time.

Apostle Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ”Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Let not our suffering weaken our conviction, tame our fervent spirit and quench our first love. Take courage from the Scripture: ”If we endure, we shall also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12).

Do not flinch from suffering. Bear it patiently. Be assured that it is God’s way of infusing iron into your spiritual make up, for He needs steel saints and not chocolate soldiers. Faith rejoices, for it sees afar the “triumph of Christ” and is willing to endure any hardship to share in it. The Captain of our Salvation was made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 5:9), and it cannot be otherwise with us.

2] Doubts and Darkness:

Your life of faith had a buoyant beginning. But presently disappointment, sorrow, disaster and dismay overcloud the sky and blot out the sunny prospect. These will be times of inexplainable depression due to doubts and darkness upon the soul.

i) Discipline of Darkness:

The Bible says in Isaiah 50:10 ”Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God.”

Darkness creeps into the lives of even the obedient children of God. Is your life woven with dark shadows of sorrow? Are the best years of your life slipping away in silent tears? Do not sit down in solitude to deplore and moan your unhappy lot. Let not the experiences which have befallen you in earth’s darker cells drain on your spiritual resources. When your urgent prayers bring no response, when His mercies seem to be withdrawn and His face hidden, when the waves toss you up and down and things go from bad to worse, you throw your face into your empty palms and cry, ”God, don’t you want me anymore?”

Not so, dear friend. God your Father has turned down the lights of your life because He wants to show you how great His mercies are. The night is the time to see the stars! Remember, there never yet has been a night which was not sure to end in the dawning light of a glorious morning. Lay hold on God’s promises and rest your weary head on them.

ii) Walking by Faith:

To overcome the spiritual depression the truth that the just shall live by faith must be well understood. Every other effort made and help sought to scheme out your deliverance will only prove to be a failure and can never give you permanent relief.

The prolonged period of darkness may make your faith life dry and tasteless and to some degree you may become a burden to yourself. To maintain faith at such times is a real struggle. No wonder Paul called it a fight in 1 Timothy 6:12 ”Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Yes, the “joy of unspeakable” ceases to be your experience and you find none of the inward sweetness you had enjoyed before. It is at this time you will know better the definition of faith! ”Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Now, you will learn how to walk by faith and not by sight, and it is this that God has intended to teach you.

There is no light but faith gives evidence! There is no support but faith gives substance! At moments of discouragement, when you are exposed and most vulnerable Satan is on the attack. He haunts you with his doubts: “Does God really exist?” Yes, “Questions” become your frequent visitors! “What have I gained by my integrity?”

Do not leave any loophole for Satan. ”Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9).

iii) Remember God’s Fatherhood!

Some of our characters need to be taken to the dark dungeon where Joseph was once put so we can be emptied of our spiritual pride and other undesirable qualities. David relates this in Psalm 119:67,71 ”Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. …It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”

Yes, the Son of God, ”learned obedience by the things He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). And if you are God’s child you are sure to be taught obedience the same way. Remember His Fatherhood when you suffer. He chastens you for He so loves you that He cannot allow you go astray. The Bible records this in Hebrews 12:5-7 ”“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?”

Remember, when God punishes us, He loves us as much as ever because there is not a shadow of change in His affection for us.

iv) Purposeful delay:

God’s delay in answering our prayers is always purposeful. Where faith is, there is no impatience. Patience is the mark of great faith. Remember, delay develops perseverance and patience in us. When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick He stayed two more days in the place where He was. He delayed because He looked for a better opportunity to vitalise His disciples’ faith.

Had He gone atonce to Lazarus when he was sick it would have been only a matter of divine healing. But when He went four days after Lazarus’ burial He could demonstrate the power of resurrection. ”Jesus said to the plainly…I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there, that you may believe” (John 11:14,15). Delay is not denial, but God’s means of developing our faith. Do not be feverish and in a hurry. ”Whoever believes will not act hastily” (Isaiah 28:16)

Remember, impatience stems from unbelief, and faith is not afraid to wait. Palmist David experienced this in his life and says in Psalm 27:14 ”Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Yes, there is no other way out. He says in verse 13 ”I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”. The delayed blessings will really be great!

v) Be not perplexed!

Sometimes the ministers of God to whom you go for counselling may add their share of confusions to your perplexities. Be watchful. Do not allow yourself to be made a puppet. No man is the master of your faith. Paul tells the believers in 2 Corinthians 1:24 ”Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.”

Remember, prophets or preachers are given the authority for edification and not for breaking the bruised reed and quenching the smoking flax. That is why the Bible says in 2 Chronicles 20:20(b) ”Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” If you believe in the prophets only, you may temporarily prosper, will never be established. God first, and then the prophets.

Remember, Satan often makes use of your past failures to discourage you and dis-illuminate your path. Let not your past falls make you feel frustrated. Only when we stumble we learn to walk better. Look up to your Redeemer! He will surely remove the stains from your life and the sting from your memory. Turn a deaf ear to Satan and answer him in these words: ”Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness.” As Paul puts it in Philippians 3:13(b) ”forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”

Be not surprised when dark passages come in your way. God allows it, because unbroken sunshine would madden our brains. We must be sometimes deprived of feelings so we may acquire the art of walking by faith. Wait for the Lord for He is working out everything for your supreme good. Yes, the time is coming when you will bless the Lord for your times of sorrow and misfortune, because then you will understand that many of your disappointments were God’s own appointments, and that He sent failures in some sensitive areas only to save you from missing the best that He has in store for you.

It is very sweet, as life passes by, to be able to look back on dark and mysterious events and to trace the hand of God where we once saw only the malice and hypocrisy of man. And no doubt you will be able to speak gratefully of all the dark passages of your life.

3] Persecutions and Oppositions

FAITHFULLY to proclaim Jesus as the Saviour and Lord is bound to evoke antagonism and enmity. You are sure to face two kinds of people:

i) Opposers of the Gospel

ii) Twisters of the Gospel

i) Opposers of the Gospel:

The Epistle to the Hebrews was written at a time of great tribulation for the believers in Christ: ”You endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in Heaven” (Hebrews 10:32-34)”

In the work of God oppositions are not something unusual. Do not shake and shudder when oppositions and persecutions show their faces. Paul encouraged the believers of the Church at Philippi thus in Philippians 1:27-29 ”Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”

Yes, it has been granted to us the privilege to suffer for Christ’s gospel. Is there anyone who suffered so much for his faith in and love for the Lord Jesus as did the Apostle Paul? He was a man who hazarded his very life for the name of the Lord Jesus. He passed through trials and tortures. Nevertheless amidst these all he bore testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Paul was a man who knew the worth of his high calling and the immense responsibility involved in it. He says in 2 Timothy 1:11-12 ”To which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason, I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

As a faithful servant of God, Paul was most unreasonably persecuted by the wicked men. He needed the prayer support of other believers to be saved from the opposers of the gospel: ”Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith” (2 Thess 3:1-2).

Once Paul was stoned almost to death and immediately moved on to preaching in Debre making many disciples there and then returning to Iconium and Antioch strengthening the souls of the disciples. What a tireless running for Christ!! The Bible recorded this incident in Acts 14:19-22 ”But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Remember, when you are oppressed by the opposers of Christian faith nothing should you do except to pray. Avenge not yourself, for revenge is God’s. When you suffer for the sake of your Saviour, you are carrying His cross. There is only forgiveness in Christ’s cross and not revenge. Pray for the opposers that they too may be saved. Do not draw your sword to settle matters as Peter did!

Oppositions and persecutions are part of God’s ministry. Meet these with a spirit of submission and praise! As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, ”We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”

Persecutions feed faith! In the midst of persecutions, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:13 “Since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak!” Yes, the undaunted spirit of faith can never afford to keep quiet even amidst oppositions. It will obey Jesus’ command and keep on preaching the gospel, than to obey the persecutors who will not let it be done. No matter how great the opposition, no matter how difficult the time or how fierce the persecution, the good soldier of Christ Jesus can stand in the strength of the Holy Spirit and remain a victor on the battlefield.

ii) Twisters of the Gospel:

Apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:1-2 ”Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” There is a definite prediction that in the last days people will depart from the pure faith of the gospel. Departure from faith can be seen in our Christian circles today with different names:

a) Legalism:

The principle of legalism advocates the adherence to the Law, even while living under the Spirit of grace. The Galatians were misled to believe such doctrines and so were flogged by the apostle Paul. He says in Galatians 4:30 “What does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” Yes, Ishmael and Isaac cannot dwell in one place. The bondwoman and her son are not to be given even a portion in the backyard. They are to be turned out and cast away completely.

What a glorious privilege to be under grace! The followers of the Law have fallen from grace. The Bible gives us a clear picture of the distinction between Law and Grace. That is why Paul says in Galatians 5:1,4,5 ”Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage…You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” Jesus also said in Luke 5:37-38(a) ”No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins’” I pray that our Lord may help us to discern this truth lest our faith be polluted by these poisonous winds.

There is yet another last day doctrine which the Bible warns us against in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 ”Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” This is the doctrine of the supposedly “holier” people. God saw it good to give Eve as a wife to Adam (Adam never asked for one!). But, these holiest people consider married men and women as second-class citizens of Heaven! Regarding food the New Testament teaching is: ”For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4-5).

b) Rationalism, Liberalism, etc.:

Apostle Paul cautions us in 1 Timothy 6:20-21 ”Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.” Apostle John also cautions in 2 John 7,10,11 ”For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist…If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”

These are the agents of the antichrist who are sent to deceive even the “chosen” people of God. Much more is there to tell you about the twisters of the Gospel of Christ. The twisters indeed attract big crowds to themselves and have a lot of followers too. Paul cautions in Acts 20:29-30 ”For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” I plead the pastors to guard their sheep against these wolves.

Apostle Jude said in Jude 3 ”Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”. Remember, faith is “once for all” delivered into your hands. It means that the written Word of God alone is sufficient and there no necessity to look for any kind of new revelation. Because, there lies the danger of being deceived by the prophets of the antichrist. All that a sinner needs to be cleansed, purged, made perfect and fit for the Kingdom of God is revealed in the Bible. New Revelations ended with the Book of Revelation. Amen!

”When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” asked Jesus in Luke 18:8. Let us answer Him, ”Yes Lord, we are LIVING BY FAITH and You will see FAITH IN US!”

Let us introspect ourselves..

Shall we lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith?

Shall we endure all the sufferings so that we shall reign with our Lord Jesus Christ?

Shall we live by faith trusting God fully during the fiery trials as He is in control of every situation in our lives?

Shall we trust in God fully by removing all the doubts and darkness when we encounter disappointment, sorrow, disaster in our faith life?

Shall we stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel?

Shall we meet oppositions and persecutions with a spirit of submission and praise?

Shall we have the undaunted spirit of faith and stand in the strength of the Holy Spirit and remain a victor on the battlefield?

Shall we identify the agents of the antichrist, who are twisting the gospel and be more cautious while dealing with them in our faith life?

Shall we live by faith till the end of our faith life?

Let us Pray: Our Heavenly Gracious Father, we thank you for helping us to understand about the “Consummation of our Faith Life” while living in this world by having faith on you and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God wholeheartedly, run with endurance the race that is set before us by looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, enduring all the sufferings so that we shall reign with our Lord Jesus Christ. Father, please help us in trusting You fully during the fiery trials as we believe that You are in control of every situation in our lives, helping us in removing all the doubts and darkness when we encounter disappointment, sorrow, disaster besides standing fast in one spirit with one mind for the faith of the gospel. Father, please help us in meeting the oppositions and persecutions with a spirit of submission and praise, having an undaunted spirit of faith, stand in the strength of the Holy Spirit so as to remain a victor on the battlefield besides identifying the agents of the antichrist and be more cautious and living by FAITH till the end of our FAITH LIFE. Father, please help us to LIVE BY FAITH as without faith it is impossible to please You Master. We give all praise, glory and honour to Your Holy Name. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God bless you all..

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=278106220312759&id=113832216740161

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christian-witchy-business · 6 years

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Hello Natalie! May I have a reading about my love life of the readings are still open? I’m KH and there’s MJ, thank you!

Hello love!!!I’ve done a three card love reading for you.

The first card represents you. Here Ive drawn the nine of pentacles. This card is all about knowing who you are and knowing what you want. You are ready to reap what you’ve sown.

The second card represents them. This time i’ve drawn the Father (King) of Swords. This card speaks of truth and knowledge. This may represent that they are a pillar of strength in their mind. They may be ready for a challenge.

The last card represents the two of you together. Here Ive drawn a 6 of pentacles reversed. This card represents selfishness, a desire to keep what is yours.

This may not necessarily mean that your relationship is a bad idea, but may mean that you need to be careful. Jealousy, obsession, or arguments may be on the horizon. Being prepared to be open and willing to compromise may be a huge part of keeping the relationship stable.

As a reminder, tarot is not a definitive future. We may not always like what the cards read, but we are capable of changing our lives and our outcomes. Tarot, in the way that I practice, only seeks to give advice and help for understanding and navigating situations.

Good luck darling.

Disclaimer: As with all tarot readings, my readings are for advice purposes. I cannot tell you when, where, or how. I can only tell you what the cards say may happen or how your goals may be achieved. Your path is your own, you may choose to follow or ignore my reading. A negative reading does not always signal bad things or a negative outcome, it may simply mean there are obstacles or challenges in the way of your desired outcome.

Im doing free tarot readings!

#tarot reading #tarot cards #tarot #free tarot reading

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steveezekiel · 1 year

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A MAN AFTER GOD'S HEART 2

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, AND THEY WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."

1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV)

READ: 2 Samuel 7:1-17; 22:21-31

• We have been able to share some of the good attributes found in the life of David, in the first article, whilst the remainders are shared in this piece.

III. He has the Fear of God and respects the anointing, oil of God, on others (1 Samuel 26:8-11).

- He had the opportunity of killing Saul the King, who sought for his life, twice, but he did not do it (1 Samuel 24:3-7; 26:8-11).

- He did respect the oil of God on Saul, calling him the Lord's anointed: "THE LORD FORBID THAT I SHOULD STRETCH OUT MY HAND AGAINST THE LORD'S ANOINTED (1 Samuel 26:11).

- He did understand the spiritual Principle that says: "... DO NOT TOUCH MY MY ANOINTED ONES AND DO MY PROPHETS NO HARM" (Psalm 105:15).

IF David had killed Saul to expedite his enthronement, Absalom could have succeeded on him when he conspired with others against him. Absalom plotted a coup but God foiled their plans and turned the counsel of Ahithophel which was a good one to nought (2 Samuel 15:31; 17:14).

"So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel. "FOR THE LORD HAD PURPOSED TO DEFEAT THE GOOD ADVICE OF AHITHOPHEL, TO THE INTENT THAT THE LORD MIGHT BRING DISASTER ON ABSALOM."

2 Samuel 17:14 (NKJV)

- Whatever a person sows, that he or she will also reap (Galatians 6:7).

"Therefore, WHATEVER YOU WANT MEN TO DO TO YOU, DO ALSO TO THEM, for this is the Law and the Prophets"

Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)

LESSONS

- What you would not want others to do to you, do not think of doing it to others.

IF you do not want to be killed By the sword, you also should not think of killing others with the sword. IF you do not want to be bad-mouthed, you also should not badmouth others.

- Learn to honour and respect the ANOINTED ONES of God to avoid a curse being placed on your Life.

- Touching the Anointed Servants of God, through your words, By backstabbing them, could lead to your woes and calamities.

IF you pull down an Anointed Servant of God, through negative comments and badmouthing, know that you have sown a seed that would cause a problem for you.

REPENT now If you have done it!

IV. David acknowledges God in all his doings or ways (1 Samuel 30:6-8; 2 Samuel 5:19).

- David would not take a step without asking God.

- He always carry God along in all his battles, he never went to a battle without asking God.

- He won virtually in every Battle he fought because he learned how to carry God along in whatever he wanted to do.

LESSONS

- Do not Lean or depend on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7).

- In whatever you want to do, Get God's direction, acknowledge Him, and carry Him along.

LET God lead you in all you wanted to do in life. This is the secret of winning the battles of life and living a FULFILLED LIFE.

- Do not trust in your own understanding, not in your physical ability or sufficiency: money, Fame, position, academic attainments, and whatever.

SELF sufficiency is tantamount to pride in the sight of God (2 Corinthians 3:5).

V. David was a man of love and compassion (1 Samuel 30:21-24).

- David does consider other people's feelings. He has a heart for others, to help them and defend those who are being oppressed.

HE would not want others to be cheated or maltreated. Greediness and selfishness were not in him. He loves to think of helping others.

READ: 2 Samuel 4:5-12; 9:1-13; 1 Samuel 30:21-25).

LESSONS:

- Learn to help other people and be a blessing to them.

DO not be selfish, be willing to share whatever you have with others (1 Samuel 30:23,24; 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

- The people whom you help and bless today may later be used by God for your blessings (1 Samuel 30:11,12,15,16).

THROUGH the help you render to others, God is being thanks and praised, and then His name is being glorified: "For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, BUT ALSO IS ABOUNDING THROUGH MANY THANKSGIVINGS TO GOD, (2 Corinthians 9:12).

VI. David was focus and consistent in his works (1 Samuel 30:6b).

SOMEONE who will not give in to discouragement.

- He learns to rise and encourage himself, EVEN at the time of discouragement.

LESSONS:

- To win the battles of life, you have to be focus and consistent in God.

- You have to know your God and trust in His power ( Daniel 11:32). THE One on the inside of you is GREATER than the one in the world (1 John 4:4).

- Learn to handle and overcome discouragement.

VII. He was a passionate GIVER (1 Chronicles 21:23-26; 29:2-5).

HE gives sacrificially.

He said he would not offer burnt offerings with that which costs him nothing (1 Chronicles 21:24).

- He has a heart for the things of God and His Kingdom (2 Samuel 6:15,17).

- He also thought it was not ideal for him to be living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God, the place of the presence of God, was under a tent (2 Samuel 7:2).

LESSONS:

- Learn and cultivate the habit of giving sacrificially to God, His Kingdom, His Servants, and others who may be in need, especially those who are of the household of faith: "Therefore, AS WE HAVE opportunity, LET US DO GOOD TO ALL, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO ARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH" (Galatians 6:10).

READ: 1 Chronicles 29:2-5; 2 Chronicles 1:6

- Think on how to build for God, how to beautify His House, and how to expand His Kingdom on earth.

- Think about what you can do to expand the kingdom of God on the earth.

YOU provoke God's Blessings on your Life through your thoughts, the heart or passion you have for God, things of God, and His Kingdom at large.

- Your attitude towards God, His works, and His servants, determines the kind of blessings God releases on you and your descendants.

- God established an everlasting Covenant with David because he had a mind to build for Him (2 Samuel 7:4-16).

READ: 2 Samuel 22:21-31

• We read the Bible to learn from those who walked with God, those who succeed among them, what made them succeed, and those who failed, what made them fail.

16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, for reproof, for correction, FOR INSTRUCTION [training, discipline] IN RIGHTEOUSNESS,

17. That the man [woman] of God may be complete, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK."

2 Timothy 3:16,17 (NKJV)

• God will make you an eternal excellence, a Joy of many generations (Isaiah 60:15) in Jesus' name.

Peace!

#gospel #christianity #christian blog #jesus #christian living #devotion #the bible #faith #my writing #prayer

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calmdownad · 7 years

Text

0.2 - love

girl i know but stay in this bed for a little time longer

if we dont let it hurt it wont conquer

discreet and sharp as a knife

just push it down and we won't realize

the despondence and demise

wrap me in your arms and let the warm feel

oversaturated and surreal/unreal

let these demons dance and roll on my tongue

stab me with a pitchfork and ill sing you the songs they sung

fill me with hate till it paints past the canvas

till the colours replicate heaving breathing and thus

ill prostrate to my weakness

girl ill let you feast in/on this

debauchery and a beautiful sunset

cold starbucks and a red bedrest

lose our ambitions and fall behind the moonset

ill paint a portrait of a sickness

itll wrap around you and suffocate

a confusion of contradictions

as ugly as my hearts misdirection

innocent and ignorant

it makes me cringe to confess and try to be transparent

dont let it manifest into something apparent

a seizure of feigned affections

i convulse from perfection

i hit my head on the floor

my parents call you my misguided misdirection

as much as i might not it want to be

two broken halves make a broken whole [codependency]

we so easily auction pain from our souls

otherwise

and pain carves its mold

loves attention is a must

its woven and arranged

it inspires my growing pains

who gives a fuck anyway

this is garbage anyway

im so bad anyway

i dont like poetry anyway

ill kill someone and/fucking shoot up a school/i can at least explain that someday

girl i wanna be with you forever

we dont have to say a word

lie in this bed till the end of never

you're a stranger otherwise

it hurts to be reaping what ive sown

id rather not be a stranger to myself and to what i know *wow*

Yeah I’m shallow fuck that fuck you

There’s nothing ever greater than me minus you

#new hindi songs 2015 #2015

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mlynar-nearl · 7 years

Text

Brothers

"The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children." -William Shakespeare

Or: There's a universe where the Adams 'bots escaped. Of course, the other shoe sometimes drops, when that happens.

Lifeline week day 7: FREEBIE! @vitadams , I DO THIS.

For my freebie, I definitely wanted to write something about the sibs. This is what ensued. And normally I tag quotes on before starting but I just have SO MANY to go with this piece the more I think on it.

CW for mental health issues- from most if not all of the Adams family.

What the child of Orion Has sown, his cubs will reap

[on ao3!]

The federal officers aren’t really sure what to do with the five robots recovered from ALT Yukon facility Alpha.

They separate them. Put them in individual rooms and run them through their paces on emotional tests, mental tests. They test as a human would.

The one who identifies himself as V. Adams seems more antsy than anything. ALT records show he was barely activated, young, and all he has is a dog who refuses to leave his side. They try to remove the dog once. It upsets him.

The one who identifies himself as I. Adams seems afraid of them. Afraid even more of ALT, but afraid of them as well. He doesn’t talk, and not just because of his lack of teeth. He’s not going to be a useful source

The one who identifies himself as II. Adams paces the floors, alternating between confidence in the situation and fear over periods of hours. When asked, he talks about his own problems that their creator identified, but seems to know very little about his brothers.

The one listed as III. Adams displays unchecked aggression towards anyone who tries to question him, and asks that he see the others before he decides to kill everyone there.

The last one, IV. Adams, is unnaturally calm, and asks that he be taken to their father. He is the only one to refer to Dr. Sibellius as their father, and the only one to have anything to say about ALT.

IV. Adams doesn’t seem to think of ALT as bad, despite the certainly illegal actions of his creator. This is a point which, when pressed, seems to be a subject of disagreement. II. Adams looks nervous. III. Adams snarls angrily. V. shifts in place. I. remains silent.

It’s hard, but how can they expect a series of barely a month in age to come to terms with their new reality?

It’s hard when they’re finally reunited. IV. Adams seems to take the role of an older brother despite being the second youngest in form, straightening out the appearances of the others and questioning them on their behavior. V. Adams and II. Adams seem to appreciate the affection, while I. Adams begrudgingly accepts it and III. Adams struggles like a child.

They talk softly for a while- the others seem to be trying to convince IV of something- before III stands up and paces angrily as V tries to diffuse the tension. V’s dog licks his hand.

Whatever the problem is, they seem to settle on something then.

When they’re sent away to a government safe house, V. Adams asks that they go together.

The first thing Adams hears when he wakes up is the sound of someone being loud in the kitchen.

He rolls out of his twin bed, causing Blue to jump down and follow him downstairs, to where IV. Adams is sitting on the counter, hands gripping the edge of granite countertop, white.

There’s a plate on the floor. Shattered.

“Sit, Blue,” Adams says at the entrance to the kitchen, making an accompanying hand gesture. Blue sits.

Adams starts to pick up the pieces of the plate.

“What’s wrong, Four?”

IV. Adams pauses, breathing quietly.

“He loved us.”

Adams pauses, holding pieces of porcelain in his hands.

“Did he.”

“I don’t understand, Five.”

“I know.”

“He would talk to me. When I was stored in the mainframe.”

“He...did?”

“He played chess with me.”

“Did you win?"

“Once or twice.”

“Did he talk?”

“Occasionally.”

“About what?”

“I- I don’t know, Five, mundane stuff. He asked me sometimes if he should fire certain workers. Give me the context for their transgression and ask my analysis.”

“Four,” Adams says gently, putting some pieces in the trash can. “That’s attention. Not love.”

“He said he did.”

“What do his words mean? He was willing to kill us-”

“He didn’t want to-”

“Four,” Adams says softly, with a deep sigh, before approaching his brother. “He never cared. He just wanted you to think that he did. Think about what he was planning. He was about to, uh...what was it called?”

“Activate the Tersus Protocol. I could have talked him down, he regretted it, I could have-”

“You’re speculating,” Adams interrupts. “Bad argument.”

Four sighs, rubbing his eyes. “Five…”

“He was going to activate that Tersus thingy and kill us. And even before, he just built us to keep him alive.”

“He’s our father, Five. He must have wanted something good for us.”

“Four,” Adams says gently. “Even for humans, that’s not true.”

He cleans up the last of the plate.

“Okay, Blue, come on in.”

Adams sits down on the floor, and Blue lays his head on Adams’ lap.

“There was something good inside of him, Five. You just...never got to see it.”

“And you think you could have brought it out?”

“I wanted to. He was brilliant.”

“Four, you understand we can’t go back to him.”

“Yes, yes. The agents would stop us. And he’s on his deathbed, anyway. But what are we, brother, if not echoes of him. Of his genius. We’re his children.”

Adams shifts. “I would rather just be me.”

“I will never understand you, Five.”

“Give it time. Give it space. Do you want breakfast?”

“Not right now,” IV. Adams replies quietly. Adams nods, standing up.

“Okay. You can stay.”

“I would like to.”

“Go ahead. You should teach me how to play chess.”

“You should already know. He did.”

“Yeah, because I should know doesn’t mean I do. Besides, you’re supposed to be my brother. Make good on that and teach me some tricks. One is already teaching me sign language, Two’s into writing, Three’s learning krav maga and I like to cook. You could use a hobby.”

“Maybe something less personal,” Four muses.

“Scrapbooking?”

“Comedic as always, Five. Maybe art. I don’t think he knew how to draw. He certainly didn’t know how to cook. Not like you.”

“Flattered. Art sounds like a good idea, you know? Watercolors are supposed to be therapeutic, I’m told.”

“Five.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“No problem. Like we told you when we got out. In this together. That’s what brothers are for, right?”

“Yes, Five. That’s what family is for.”

#ash writes #lifeline game #lifeline whiteout #lifeline week

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romancatholicreflections · 6 years

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22nd November >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflection on Luke 19:11-28 for Wednesday, Thirty Third Week in Ordinary Time: ‘I was afraid of you’. Wednesday, Thirty Third Week in Ordinary Time Gospel (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada) Luke 19:11-28 While the people were listening, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they imagined that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there. Accordingly he said, ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and afterwards return. He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. “Do business with these” he told them “until I get back.” But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, “We do not want this man to be our king.” ‘Now on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made. The first came in and said, “Sir, your one pound has brought in ten.” “Well done, my good servant!” he replied “Since you have proved yourself faithful in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities.” Then came the second and said, “Sir, your one pound has made five.” To this one also he said, “And you shall be in charge of five cities.” Next came the other and said, “Sir, here is your pound. I put it away safely in a piece of linen because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you pick up what you have not put down and reap what you have not sown.” “You wicked servant!” he said “Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew I was an exacting man, picking up what I have not put down and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest.” And he said to those standing by, “Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds.” And they said to him, “But, sir, he has ten pounds…”. “I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ‘“But as for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence.”’ When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. Gospel (USA) Luke 19:11-28 Why did you not put my money in a bank? While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’” Reflections (4) (i) Wednesday, Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time The stories Jesus told often draw upon familiar aspects of daily life, without condoning them or even challenging them. This is true of the parable in today’s gospel reading. It is the kind of think that happened in Jesus’ time. A rich man goes abroad and entrusts his servants with responsibility in his absence. He expects them to use the resources he has given them creatively. It wouldn’t be a good interpretation of the parable to simply identify the rich man with God. According to the gospel reading, Jesus spoke this parable to those who thought that because Jesus was approaching Jerusalem, the kingdom of God was going to show itself there and then. To correct that impression, Jesus speaks a parable which suggests there will be an interval of time before the full coming of the kingdom of God. In that interval the Lord wants us to make creative use of the resources and gifts that he has given us. He doesn’t want us to do nothing, out of fear, which was the case with the third servant in the parable. Fear can be very immobilizing, the fear of failure, the fear of getting it wrong, the fear of being misunderstood. Pope Francis comes across as someone who is not held back by fear. He is prepared to take a risk in the service of the Lord and his gospel, to do something that has not been done before. We need something of that fearless, adventurous, spirit today. We learn more by trying something and failing than by doing nothing. The Lord wants to work through us, but we need to give him scope to do so. We need to recognize the resources the Lord has given us and then place them at his disposal by being creative and courageous in our use of them. And/Or (ii) Wednesday, Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Immediately after speaking this parable, Luke has Jesus enter the city of Jerusalem on a colt, to the cries of ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord’. Jesus’ immanent entry into the city of Jerusalem led some of his followers to believe that the kingdom of God, whose presence Jesus had announced, would soon come in all its fullness. Jesus speaks this parable to counter the expectation that the full arrival of God’s kingdom was imminent. The parable suggests, rather, that there would be a long interval between Jesus’ enthronement as king at his resurrection and his return at the end of time in power and glory. This long interval is a time of opportunity for creative service of others, a time to use the gifts and resources we have been given in doing the Lord’s work. One of the servants to whom the master in the parable entrusted resources did nothing with what he had been given, because of fear. Fear left him paralyzed, held him back. It is striking the number of times Jesus says in the gospels ‘Do not be afraid’. Jesus was very aware how fear can prevent people from responding to his call. The opposite of faith in the gospels is not so much unbelief but fear. When we rise above our fears in response to the Lord’s call, we make it easier for others to do the same. We encourage each other - we give each other courage - by being courageous ourselves. And/Or (iii) Wednesday, Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Jesus spoke the parable we have just heard to counteract the expectation of some people that the full coming of God’s kingdom was imminent. They were preoccupied about the future. The parable Jesus speaks direct their attention to the present. The parable speaks of a man of noble birth who went to a far country and who would eventually return as king. However, the preoccupation for his servants was not to be the day of his return but how they could use the resources he had given them in the here and now. Too great a concern about the future can distract us from the present. What matters is the generous and courageous use of the gifts and resources that the Lord has given us for the service of others here and now. This is the approach to life the Lord is encouraging. The servant who put his pound away safely out of fear is the antithesis of this approach to life. In our use of our gifts and resources we may fail and make mistakes, but the parable suggests that failure is preferable to fearful inactivity. And/Or (iv) Wednesday, Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time There is a pattern of three in many the parables that Jesus told, with a focus on the third character. The parable of the Good Samaritan presents the response of the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan to the presence of a broken traveller, and the focus in that parable was on the Samaritan. In this morning’s parable there is a focus on three of the ten servants to whom a man of noble birth entrusted one pound each, and the focus is again on the third character, the servant who did nothing with what his master had given him. Whereas in the parable of the Good Samaritan, the third character is the hero, in this parable the third character is the villain. The Samaritan models what we are to do; the third servant in this morning’s gospel reading exemplifies what we are not to do. He did nothing with what was given to him out of fear. The parable suggests that fear should never govern our relationship with the Lord; that relationship is to be governed by love, and as the first letter of John says, ‘Perfect love drives out all fear’. It is because we have been loved by the Lord that we love him in return, and we express our love by placing the gifts the Lord has given us at the service of the Lord and his people, without being held back by fear of failure. Every day is an opportunity for that creative and courageous service of the Lord which springs from love. Fr. Martin Hogan, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin, D03 AO62, Ireland. Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Parish Website: www.stjohnsclontarf.ie Please join us via our webcam. Twitter: @SJtBClontarfRC. Facebook: St John the Baptist RC Parish, Clontarf. Tumblr: Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin.

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larksinging · 7 years

Text

James Cd Case Packet: Mix Notes

alright here’s another long post about my song choices for this mix

THE HARDEST THING

i wanted another sh2 mix that was less industrial/hard rock than those tend to be so i made this. i have less to say about some of these songs because i feel some of it is a little bit more... self-evident?

i. the view - modest mouse

“If life's not beautiful without the pain / well I'd just rather never ever even see beauty again / Well as life gets longer, awful feels softer / And it feels pretty soft to me [...] For every good deed done there is a crime committed”

i feel this one is just a good mood setter for how like... overall fucked up james’ situation is. his situation does stem from getting hit with something awful and tragic and struggling to deal with that. what really sold it for me was the “for every good deed done there is a crime committed” with the radio static-y distortions

“You loved her, right?”

ii. satin in a coffin - modest mouse

“Are you here right now / or are there probably fossils under your meat? [...] Are you dead or are you sleepin'? / God I sure hope you are dead. / Well now the blow's been softened / since the ocean is our coffin / Often times you know our laughter / is your coffin ever after.”

“ Or maybe... you hated her."

i wanted to do some more messing with duality via song choices, so here we have two songs by the same artist back to back. besides the fixation on death in this song, i chose it as the flip side of the love/hate issue with james and mary. after all, there are times james wished she was dead, weren’t there?

iii. my secret friend (remix) - IAMX

“Oh take me to the river / My secret friend / So we can swim forever”

setting up another duality, but this one is mostly mood. think of it as james entering silent hill - the eerie and vaguely foreboding mood of the song sort of captures the fogworld. also, water themes.

iv. vices - brand new

“Those days are dead / (forgive me) / We need vices to wave to the good old days / She said goodbye to the ground / She said goodbye to the ground”

wow it would be SURE NICE if this song could ACTUALLY PLAY ON THE MIX. anyways. this song starts out soft and gentle, like some old style song, and then shifts very suddenly into a much harder rock. that felt very appropriate. anyway the concepts of something lost and a need for vices, or sin/something carnal seems... very appropriate for james

v. kettering - the antlers

“I wish that I had known in that first minute we met, the unpayable debt that I owed you”

it’s the first in a series! honestly you could probably just put on the antler’s hospice album and practically call that a sh2 mix, but, you know. a lot of the themes are similar - the struggle of losing someone, dealing with the slow death of a loved one, the strained relationship that follows and abuse. while james and mary are nowhere near as unhealthy as the couple in hospice, at they end things definitely got bad. it still works very well

vi. get out (acoustic) - circa survive

“I can't get started from the part where I left off yesterday / Should've spent my time a little wiser / I sat alone guilty as sin waiting for words to come / From out of my head still making sense to anyone [...] Lock myself up in a room without a window just to see / If it was any easier to breathe / I was wrong”

i like this song for the sense of confusion from the weight of the burden. there’s a kind of self-destructive desperation in the pursuit of understand that honestly characterizes james’ pursuit of “mary”. also, suffocation themes. while the original version is more energetic and jarring, i felt the slightly subdued acoustic version was more appropriate here

vii. daisy - brand new

“I'm a river that is all dried up / I'm an ocean nothing floats on [...] Well if we take all these things / and we bury them fast [...] Or if the sky opened up and started pouring rain / Like he knew it was time / to start things over again / It'd be all right, it's all right / it'd be easier that way”

james is a... conflicted person, and i like the chaotic mood of this song to represent this. there’s a sense of self-loathing and uselessness that really speaks to the heart of james’ character. the mix of wanting to move forward and also being stuck on the past and the easy route. also, water themes. also, another duality, since there are two songs by brand new

viii. my secret friend - IAMX (feat. Imogen Heap)

“My secret friend/ I'll take you to the river / My secret friend / So we can swim forever / In your skin / To die a little death / This time there's no code word / When everyday frays in hollow ends / Dream sweet love submissive”

the original version of the remix from earlier. this one feels a bit darker, more subdued, which i feel reflects how one’s perception of the town as you go along. i also like that this is a duet, which seems... appropriate. also, water themes.

ix. against the tide - celldweller

“Under the waves we're sinking like a stone / I'm sorry son, you're reaping what you've sown [...] This sorrow weighs down on my shoulders / This fear is getting harder to hide / You'll leave me alone in this darkness /Left to hold out /Against the tide”

james is crushed by the weight of his own actions. “you’re reaping what you sow” - this is, ultimately, james’ doing. maybe a song for pyramid head? anyway i feel the theme of this is pretty clear in its relationship to james. also, to beat a dead horse, water themes! this may also be the closest to the sh vocal track sound as this mix gets

x. holocaust - jordaan mason (original by big star)

“Your mother's dead / You're on your own / She's in her bed”

replace “mother” with “wife” and... well. the mood and feeling of this song is the most mary-ish of them all, and i chose it to capture the quiet misery and hopelessness of that whole situation. listening to this song doesn’t feel good in a really purposeful way.

xi. epilogue - the antlers

“I think you buried me awake (my one and only parting gift) / But you return to me at night / Just when I think I may have fallen asleep / Your face is up against mine / And I'm too terrified to speak / You're screaming / And cursing / And angry / And hurting me / And then smiling / And crying / Apologizing”

another song off of hospice. the scenario of seeing a dead loved one in a dream as a nightmare is... basically james’ silent hill experience? anyway i feel this captures more than anything the complexity of emotions going on between them during mary’s last day. as if the lines i quoted above aren’t basically the hallway conversation

xii. kings of medicine - placebo

“Don't leave me here to pass through time / Without a map or road sign / Don't leave me here, my guiding light / 'Cause I, I wouldn't know where to begin / I ask the kings of medicine / But it seems they've lost their power / Now all I'm left with is the hour”

this mix needed a song that was completely and purely just james’ grief. kings of medicine is an expression of - a healthier kind of grief, maybe? it comes at the end of the mix as james’ grief through the lens of the truth. or maybe in the past? but the explicitness of being lost without mary. i like just the pure power of this song

xiii. vindicated - dashboard confessional

“I am Vindicated / I am selfish / I am wrong / I am right, I swear I'm right / I swear I knew it all along / And I am flawed / But I am cleaning up so well / I am seeing in me now the things you swore you saw yourself [...] Just one touch and I'd be in / Too deep now to ever swim against the current / So let me slip away [...] Slight hope / It dangles on a string / Like slow spinning redemption...”

the thing about silent hill - about james’ story - is, at the end of it, there is a sliver of hope. i mean, more or less depending on the ending, but there is always the possibility of growth. of... healing? james reaches a point where he has the opportunity to move forward. mary forgives him, mary asks him to do what’s best for him/live for himself. that’s what this song is - the flicker of hope, the ability for james to become a better person. also: water themes!

xiv. wake - the antlers

“It was easier to lock the doors and kill the phones than to show my skin / because the hardest thing is never to repent for someone else / it's letting people in [...] Some patients can't be saved, but that burden's not on you.”

how could i not end with another song from hospice? wake is the song that likewise has that glimmer of hope, but in this case it represents a move towards self-forgiveness. after all, mary is dead, her last will and testament is just the letter. it’s ultimately james who has to forgive himself. while uh there is a bit more legitimate blame in mary’s death, her illness was something that was never his fault. if the last song is the final boss battle and mary cutscene, this is mary’s letter

i could have included something to indicate at all of the endings (none of these, for example, really gesture towards in water or maria). there might be a slight lean towards leave, but i like to think it matches just the games’ mood in general. i have a few songs that were cut - most notably fever dreams by circa survive (replaced with get out), but most of my ideas made it on.

#long post cw #silent hill #james sunderland #ask to tag

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