#;;(verse) if we lay a strong enough foundation

[cagesings]

 @heygutlcss​​​  /  riff  sent:  ❛  get  the  fuck  away  from  me  !  ❜  

 they’ve  shared  a  bed  before.  albeit  not  in  the  same  way  most  people  think  of  when  the  idea  of  two  people  in  a  bed  is  brought  up.  a  rhythm  was  naturally  established.  once  laura  went  down  for  bed,  johanna  would  curl  up  in  bed  beside  him.  after  he  kissed  her  and  they  said  what  they  said,  their  tradition  continued.  holding  onto  the  nearest  warmth  that  happened  to  be  the  other  person  under  the  covers.  platonic  until  it  was  not.  unsexual  until  it  was  not.  

 last  night  there  had  been  some  new  craving  between  them.  the  desire  to  not  only  end  the  night  with  a  goodnight  kiss.  a  gentle  touch,  more  than  one  “can  i?”s,  a  button  popped,  a  hand  in  hair.  johanna  smiled.  she  was  happy  to  lay  her  head  on  his  chest  and  close  her  eyes.  happy  with  the  idea  that  in  the  morning,  riff  would  be  right  next  to  her.  they  were  careful  with  each  other,  as  if  handling  a  bird  with  a  broken  wing.  last  night,  it  felt  as  if  her  own  broken  wing  had  been  repaired  since  anthony’s  death.  

 yet  riff  was  not  there  in  the  morning.  the  lighthouse,  she  tried  to  assure  herself  when  she  realized  his  pillow  was  cold.  sometimes  he  goes  to  the  lighthouse  in  the  morning.  sometimes  she  brings  laura  to  have  her  breakfast  up  there.  that’s  what  they’ll  do,  she  decides  as  she  follows  her  daughter  down  the  stairs,  go  up  to  the  lighthouse  where  riff  will  be  tending  to  the  light  or  windows.  where  he’ll  be.  though,  as  laura  begins  on  her  food  and  johanna  looks  out  the  window  to  where  the  lighthouse  stands,  she  does  not  move.  

 he’ll  be  back.  laura  has  a  book  open  as  she  sits  on  her  lap.  she  swears  she  can  see  his  figure  coming  down  the  hill.  the  hours  stretch  by,  yet  he  isn’t  back  yet.  day  falls  into  night.  she’s  pulling  laura’s  blankets  up  to  her  chin  with  a  whispered  lullaby.  what  if  he  went  out  into  the  ocean  and  was  swallowed  by  a  wave?  what  if  he  fell  from  the  top  of  the  stairs?  what  if  he  got  himself  stuck  somewhere  again  like  he  had  before?  she  kisses  her  daughter’s  yellow  curls.  what  if  he’s  thinking  about  anthony?

 between  the  bed  creaking  and  gentle  kisses,  she  hadn’t  thought  of  him.  how  could  she?  anthony  was  her  husband.  he  saved  her.  even  still,  she  has  his  hair  kept  away  in  a  box.  she’s  yet  to  go  a  night  without  imagining  each  part  of  his  face  so  she  doesn’t  forget  a  single  freckle.  except  for  last  night.  the  world  melted  away  and  it  was  only  the  two  of  them.  but  she  isn’t  just  forgetting  him.  she’s  just  .  .  .  living  a  life  without  him.  

 ❝  riff?  ❞  johanna’s  voice  barely  carries  as  a  whisper  as  she  steps  up  into  the  lighthouse.  ❝  are  you  .  .  .  ❞  she  grimaces  as  what  his  words.  at  least  she  knows  he’s  here.  ❝  riff?  we  need  to  .  .  .  ❞  ignoring  the  sinking  guilt  in  her  stomach,  she  turns  to  where  his  voice  came  from.  ❝  last  night  --  ❞  her  voice  catches  ❝  --  we  .  .  .  ❞  she  doesn’t  need  to  explain  it.  he  was  there.  ❝  we  are  married.  ❞  the  only  reason  what  they  had  done  is  not  considered  adultery.  yet,  she  almost  feels  as  if  that  was  what  she  had  done.  is  it  adultery  if  her  husband  is  dead,  but  she  commits  such  a  sing  with  his  best  friend?  ❝  i’m  not  going  away.  we  need  to  talk.  about  what  we  did.  and  why  you  neglected  to  come  home  all  day.  ❞

[x-authorship-x]

I am SO loving this sudden influx of Shisui/Founders asks they're such interesting pairings

Also, any thought on how Shisui and Kagami would interact if Shisui was yeeted in the past? I just love the idea of Shisui sort-of adopting big-brother-style (or father-style depending on how far back Shisui ends up/how much age difference there is) his own grandfather who is now younger than him and just creating chaos together everywhere lmao

Hey, Anon!

It's a lot of fun, I'm glad you're enjoying the discourse ☺️ I'm not exactly well-versed in Founders Era Canon so everyone should please bear in mind that I'm just playing around and a lot of this will be based on Fanon too 🥹

Okay, so Kagami and Shisui are a truly excellent duo and there are a few reasons why

Let's have a look 👀

Shisui is a sweetheart and he loves his village, notable in a time when the Uchiha are increasingly disenchanted and disenfranchised. Where is this from? Kagami! If not his grandfather directly (who I have as dying young in defence of Uzushio etc) then stories of his exploits with Tobirama and the Team.

Kagami is amazing, he doesn't just tolerate the Senju but he walks right into the lion's den and is taught by Tobirama himself, who had been the Scourge of Uchiha for decades... What a king. Just from the flashes of his expression (😅) that we see, to me he looks emotionally sensitive and very empathetic, he possibly had a Mangekyou which means he was strong enough to survive whatever trauma unlocked that level of his Sharingan (as well as being a student of Tobirama, which says a lot about how good his education was). In my Headcanons, he was savvy enough to be the Ambassador to Uzushio, which is a place stuffed to the brim with creative genius, and he was an inspiration to Mikoto, who I have as his daughter.

If they meet, where they are both adults, then it's like... so much joy? Shisui is so hyped and emotional to meet the man himself and Kagami is breathtakingly delighted to meet! His! Grandson! Omg hi! It is the meeting of two golden retriever puppies, falling over each other and so euphoric to be there. Once the novelty is gone, Kagami is proven to be more politically savvy - "no, argh, take this mess to the other clan heads and form a coalition-" - whereas Shisui is physically quicker and a better fighter. Yeah, Kagami was taught by Tobirama but Shisui would out-fight Tobirama as well. Kagami might have (?) experienced the Warring Clan's, but Shisui was an actual prodigy who has lived through war as well and he's also got the benefit of the innovation of the future! Kagami is sharp and reassuring to Shisui, Shisui is proof that peace works but also that they need to lay better foundations, and they just put their heads together and get so much great stuff done 👍

If Kagami is a kid.... Shisui is gonna protect the SHIT out of him, NO ONE WILL HURT ONE HAIR ON HIS HEAD 😤 ...they will be slightly eerie together 😅 they look so much alike, especially when Kagami is young so you can't see much of his bone structure, and Kid!Kagami brings out Shisui's own joy and hopefulness, so you just get like a Big Me and Mini Me duo. Kagami is extremely excited

If Shisui is a kid and Kagami is older... It's very emotional. Shisui has been strong for so long, Kagami is gonna be like a security blanket and Shisui will trust him with everything, even news of Danzo's treachery, and Kagami will believe him because there is a bond there. Kagami might be Shisui's biological grandfather but from the moment they meet? Dad!Kagami activated. Shisui is gonna be very soft and a little weepy and Kagami's rage will be beautiful ❤️

This was so wholesome, what a great dynamic to ponder, Anon! Have a great weekend 😊

[my-chaos-radio]

Release: November 7, 1983

Lyrics:

Living on free food tickets

Water in the milk from a hole in the roof where the rain came through

What can you do, hmm?

Tears from your little sister

Crying because she doesn't have a dress without a patch for the party to go

But you know she'll get by

'Cause she's living in the love of the common people

Smiles from the heart of a family man (a-ah-e-ah)

Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to

Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can (It's so cold)

And she can

It's a good thing you don't have a bus fare (it's a good thing, ah-chh)

It would fall through the hole in your pocket and you'd lose it in the snow on the ground (a-ah-e-ah)

You got to walk into town to find a job (what's enough?)

Tryin' to keep your hands warm (it's so cold)

When the hole in your shoe let the snow come through and chill you to the bone (brr-cha)

Somehow you'd better go home where it's warm

Where you can live in the love of the common people

Smile from the heart of a family man (a-ah-e-ah)

Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to

Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can (it's so cold)

And she can

Living on a dream ain't easy

But the closer the knit the tighter the fit (closer the knit)

And the chills stay away (a-ah-e-ah)

'Cause we take 'em in stride for family pride

You know that faith is in your foundation (ooh-na, ooh-na, ooh-na, ooh-na)

With a whole lot of love and a warm conversation

But don't forget to pray (forget to pray)

It's makin' it strong, where you belong

And we're living in the love of the common people

Smiles from the heart of a family man (good to know)

Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to

Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can (it's so cold)

And she can

Yes, we're living in the love of the common people

Smile's from the heart of a family man (a-ah-e-ah)

Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to

Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can (it's so cold)

Living in the love of the common people

Smiles from the heart of a family man (good to know)

Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to

Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can (it's so cold)

Songwriter:

Living in the love of the common people

Smile's really hard on a family man (a-ah-e-ah)

Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to

Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can

And she can

Ronnie Wilkins / John Hurley

SongFacts:

The song tells a bleak story of poverty and unemployment. The opening lines mention "free ration cards," a reference to government food stamp and welfare programs. The family described in the song wears clothes and shoes with holes in them. The final verse, however, is more optimistic as it calls for not losing faith and keeping hope for improvement.

However, it seems possible that the song as a whole is meant sarcastically, since the constant reference to the love of the family and the reference to the importance of religious faith are in stark contrast to the completely hopeless economic situation, which is subjectively more bearable through love and faith alone may appear, but is not actually improved in the least. A strong indication of this is also the obviously euphemistic claim that not having money for the bus would be a good thing because then you can't lose the money, which would be feared because of the hole in your clothes. This form of extreme social satire to point out obvious grievances and the euphemism of dealing with them has a long tradition in the Enlightenment in Anglo-Saxon-speaking countries.

In 1983, Paul Young recorded the song for his album 'No Parlez'. When his version was first released, the cover failed to chart. It was only after the hits 'Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)' and 'Come Back and Stay' that Young's version of the song achieved international chart success when it was re-released on November 7, 1983. The synth pop and soft rock number became a number one hit in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. The trombone solo was played by Rico Rodriguez.

[cannotflyarc]

tags; verses

*❈ ‣ you sigh before your window and gaze upon the town — ( v: canon. )  

*❈ ‣ had no way to guide you so i sang day in‚ day out. i thought i'd drop and still i sang. — ( v: foggs. ) 

*❈ ‣ and we’ll sail the world and see its wonders‚ from the pearls of spain to the rubies of tibet — ( v: post. ) 

*❈ ‣ isn’t that her dainty footstep on the stair? yes‚ isn’t that her shadow on the wall? — ( v: alternate. )  

*❈ ‣ how i would like to have wings – blue ones – how i would like to open them and raise — ( v: modern. )

*❈ ‣ if we lay a strong enough foundation‚ we’ll pass it on to you. we’ll give the world to you. — ( v: single mother. )

*❈ ‣ she's been living in her white-bread world as long as anyone with hot blood can — ( v. hawkins )  

*❈ ‣ don’t need a ring for my finger just need a steady hand to hold — ( v: main. feat. heygutlcss )    

*❈ ‣ chasing our heart’s desire but we go on pretending stories like ours have happy endings — ( v: affair. feat. heygutlcss ) 

*❈ ‣ i believed i had a choice til the music in her voice turned my whole world around — ( v: singer. feat. heygutlcss )    

*❈ ‣ i know you‚ you know me. one thing i can tell you is you got to be free — ( v: feat. honorhearted )

*❈ ‣ the world was my oyster but where was the pearl? who dreamed i could find it? — ( v: feat. iocaneimmune )  

*❈ ‣ if you love me tell me that you love me. if you don't just tell me that you do. — ( v: workhouse. feat. heygutlcss ) 

*❈ ‣ and even if the dream were not impossible‚ i know too well the ending would be sad — ( v: feat. gamblecity. )  

*❈ ‣ for somebody i thought was my savior‚ you sure make me do a whole lot of labor — ( v: feat. whenjet )  

*❈ ‣ i had this feeling as i was falling the sound across the bay was the sound of you calling — ( v: great gatsby. feat. playboths )

*❈ ‣ only we know what we’ve both been through‚ if i save you will you save me too? — ( v: main. feat. playboths ) 

*❈ ‣ this was an escape plan‚ carefully timed it‚ so let me go and dive into the waves below — ( v: panem. )

[yhwhrulz]

Today's Daily Encounter Friday, August 4, 2023

Taking Pleasure in Our Weakness

"Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."1

I once saw a Pastor use an illustration during his preaching, and it really stuck with me. He took a sheet of paper and folded it in half. He pressed tightly at the fold so that the crease was clearly visible. He then laid the paper flat once more and tried to rub the crease out of the paper, but no matter how much he tried, the crease was still there. There was no way of restoring it enough for it to lay flat on its own. However, when he placed it over the Bible, the sheet of paper laid perfectly flat without the crease being visible.

This is true with us as well. Like this folded sheet of paper, we all have weaknesses that "crease" our lives. These creases may have been caused by many different experiences throughout our past and present. Whether we were hurt or abused as children, suffered from broken relationships, endured illness, or one of many other possibilities, we will never be able to be completely restored on our own. However, through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, God has given us His grace which is greater than anything we may encounter. When God and His Word are our foundation, He will restore us and be our strength to endure the different troubles in life.

In today's passage, Paul had asked the Lord three times to take his "thorn in the flesh" away, but the verse above was the response he received. God may not always take away our hurts or troubles, but we can be confident that God is all we need. We, too, can take pleasure in our weaknesses or difficult circumstances because we know that God will be glorified through them and He will use all things for our good. No matter what comes our way, we can be sure that we will stand firm because God's power will work through us and sustain us.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, in times when I am weak, allow me to rest in your power and believe that you are all I need. Thank you for your endless grace and love. I know I can stand firm on your Word as my foundation because your Word and promises are true. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT). Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by ACTS International, a non-profit organization, and made possible through the donations of interested friends. Donations can be sent at: http://www.actscom.com

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When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2005-2023 ACTS International

[jdgo51]

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 1, 2023

Solid as a Rock

By Doug Wingert (Arizona, USA)

READ 1 PETER 2:4-10

Jesus said, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

MATTHEW 16:18 (NIV)

"As a child, I developed a fascination with rocks. I would wander the desert areas around my home picking up rocks of all shapes and sizes. My rock collections would line the window sills at home or pile up on the back porch. I could hold a rock in my hand and imagine that it may have been formed in the fire of a mighty volcano or through the pressure of an ancient sea. I also tried to imagine how God put all these things in motion, resulting in the rock I held in my hand.

In the quoted verse from Matthew, Jesus recognized the inner strength of his disciple and calls him Peter, which translates to “rock” in Greek. Even solid rock has its cracks, flaws, and imperfections. But despite his imperfections, Peter went on to spread the good news wherever he went.

What about me? I tend to have far more flaws and imperfections than I would like to admit. Still, I ask myself, Am I strong enough, like a solid rock, to be the foundation of love and forgiveness that Jesus has called me to be? Thankfully, through the grace of God, I don’t have to be perfect to fulfill God’s purposes for my life."

TODAY'S PRAYER

"God of grace, guide us on a path that leads us to an unshakable faith, as solid as a rock. In the name of Jesus, the living cornerstone." Amen.

1 Peter 2:4-10

New International Version

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

"'4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”[b]

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”[c]

8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”[d] They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."' God is the Living Stone and precious Cornerstone. Fulfill His message and make this stone your foundation. We praise Him for it all. He has the blessing that makes all the difference. Receive that blessing now.   Joe

[tqapkquranacademyus]

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[leaderofteamprime]

Lazy Day Off

Closed w/ @dockwcrker

The morning sun was streaming through the windows of the apartment, high enough to show it was closer to midday than dawn. However, thanks to the curtains hanging in the bedroom, the light was defused to a soft light that fell on the occupants of the berth.

Optimus Prime, leader of Cybertron, lay wrapped up with his mate and Consort, Elita One. His arms went around her waist while she rested atop his chassis, their legs twined together. One servo started running up and down her back, slowly, lazily, as he started drifting out of recharge.

[rosieshipper]

Dear Rosemary

Dear Rosemary, what to say to you?

(We start out with Tony singing as he admires a young Rose playing in the grass from afar as they both sit outside)

You have my eyes, you have my mother’s name

(You have my mother’s name alluding to Rose taking his mother’s name as her middle name when she officially became his daughter)

When you came into my life, you cried and it broke my heart

(There’s a flashback to when Rose first awoke in Avengers tower after being rescued, being scared and confused on where she is)

I’m dedicating everyday to you, domestic life was never quite my style

(We flash back to the present where Tony is still singing about how he’s promising Rose to always be there for her and to take care of her as her father)

When you smile, you knock me out I fall apart and I thought I was so smart

(As Tony is singing, Rose looks back at him and smiles to which Tony returns the smile)

You will come of age with our young nation

(Rose comes walking over to Tony, showing him a drawing that she drew of the both of them)

We’ll bleed and fight for you, we’ll make it right for you

(Tony’s smile only gets wider as he looks at the drawing before reaching out and pulling Rose into a tight hug to which she gladly returns, snuggling into his chest)

If we lay a strong enough foundation

(Tony hold Rose close as he sings to her, running his hand over her long amethyst hair, his smile never fading)

We’ll pass it on to you, we’ll give the world to you and you’ll blow us all away

(Rose looks up at Tony and smiles happily to him to which Tony returns)

Someday Someday. Yeah you’ll blow us all away. Someday Someday

(Tony sings this line before pressing a fatherly kiss to Rose’s forehead)

(As the next verse starts to play, the scene changes and Rose is now much older and she is holding her infant twin sons in her arms, a happy smile on her face)

Oh Tommy, when you smile I come undone. My sons

(Rose sings this as she smiles with pride down at her sons, the both of them swaddled in their own blankets. Tommy’s eyes open slightly and he smiles at her which makes her gaze go soft)

Look at my sons! Pride is not the word I’m looking for. There is so much more inside me now

(Rose holds her sons even closer to her chest as she sings this, tears of joy starting to form in her eyes)

Oh Billy, you outshine the morning sun. My sons. When you smile, I fall apart. And I thought I was so smart

(This time, Billy’s eyes open up and he smiles at his mom. Rose smiles even wider as a few tears fall down her cheeks)

My father wasn’t around

(Rose sings this line as she thinks back to her bio dad never being there for her)

My father wasn’t around

(Tony sings this as he thinks back to his own dad never being there for him either)

I swear that I’ll be around for you

(They both sing this to their children as they look down at their kids)

I’ll do whatever it takes

(Rose sings this before leaning down and kissing each of her son’s’ foreheads)

I’ll make a million mistakes

(Tony sings this as he looks up at the stars above the both of them)

I’ll make the world safe and sound for you

(Rose and Tony both sing this line, the both of them back to back as the look up, the camera panning upwards)

Will come of age for our young nation, we’ll bleed and fight for you, we’ll make it right for you

(During this chorus, there are flashes of different scenes of Rose and Tony bonding as Rose slowly grows up with each scene)

If we lay a strong enough foundation, we’ll pass it onto you, we’ll give the world to you

(During this portion of the chorus, there are flashes of different scenes of Rose bonding with her sons as they slowly grow up throughout each scene)

And you’ll blow us all away

(During this line, Tony and young Rose are back inside and Tony is tucking a sleeping Rose to bed$

Someday Someday

(After pressing a kiss to Rose’s temple, Tony looks to his left)

Yeah you’ll blow us all away

(Rose is settling the twins down in their cribs, pressing a kiss to each of their heads as she lays them down for bed for the night)

Someday Someday

(As Rose looks at her sleeping sons, she then looks to the right. The camera cuts to older Rose and Tony making eye contact and smiling at one another before it fades to black with the music)

Tags: @astralshipper @aricka-and-her-fictional-others @magicalpuppyprincess @recordplayershipping @wolfofthedead

[itzleon345]

Dianakko Week

@dianakko-week

Day 5: Hurt/Comfort

Yeah, You’ll Blow Us All Away

Read it in AO3 here!

Summary:

Bernadette is sure Diana is going to be a great witch

“...You will come of age with our young nation

We'll bleed and fight for you

We'll make it right for you

If we lay a strong enough foundation

We'll pass it on to you

We'll give the world to you

And you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday

Yeah, you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday”

“Can you sing it once more?”

A little girl with blue eyes asked to her mother

“Diana honey, it’s time for you to go to bed”

The woman answered

“But mother! I’m not sleepy”

The girl exclaimed with a cute pout on her face

“Let’s make a deal then, I’ll sing the song again if…”

The woman with equally beautiful blue eyes started saying to her daughter

“Yes?”

The little one said with anticipation

“If... this time you sing with me!”

The older one finally said

“Okey!”

Both of them were in the bedroom of the younger one, which was laying in her bed ready to sleep. The girl’s room was quite big for a 7 year old kid but, would you blame them? They were part of the Cavendish family, one of the wealthiest and ancient families in all Europe, also, they were a very well respected family in the magical world thanks to their history as powerful healers

These two women in specific were Bernadette Cavendish, the current head of the house, and Diana Cavendish, her predecessor and only daughter.

As every night Lady Bernadette went to her daughter’s room to tuck her in bed and to sing to her her favorite lullaby song, this moment of the day was a very valued moment for both of them, ‘cause even though they were mother and daughter, thanks to Bernadette’s responsibilities as the head of the house and Diana’s education to become a witch they weren’t together most of the time, and it was just in moments like this one that they could enjoy the company of each other.

It’s also worth to say that Lady Bernadette was sick, since she was young her body was fragile and weak, and when she gave birth to Diana her condition worsened, she knew she wasn’t going to be able to see her daughter grow, so she really treasured every moment she was by her daughter’s side because she knew one day she would have to go.

Diana wasn’t dumb, she may be young but that didn’t mean she was stupid, she also knew her mother was sick, she didn’t knew why or when was she going the get better but she understood why her mother was always working in her room, either ways she was happy they could share this moments together, she is quite sure they would have a lots more memories to made.

*one year later*

“Diana dearie, come here please”

It was a summer evening when Lady Bernadette requested the presence of her beloved daughter, even though the sun was shining majestically on the outside of the manor Bernadette’s bedroom was cold

“Yes, mother?”

Diana was slightly confused, she didn’t know the reason her mother wanted to see her at this hour, and even more strange she didn’t understand why when she was going to her mother’s room the doctor who was attending her mother looked at her with sadness in his eyes

“Come sit here, I would like to make you a request”

The older woman was sitting on her bed, her back was laying on the top of the bed and while Diana was coming closer she started to have a coughing attack

“Mother! Are you alright!”

The younger Cavendish ran to her mother’s side to check if she was okey

“Don’t worry Diana, I’m quite alright”

Bernadette said with a forced smile in her face, gesture that Diana notice but didn’t mentioned

“What is your request, mother?”

Diana was now sitting in a chair at the left side of her mother’s bed, she was holding one of her weak hands with caution

“First of all I want to tell you that I love you my little princess, I’m proud of you Diana, be sure to remember that”

The woman said to her daughter with a real smile this time

“What are you saying mother? I’m sure you’ll be here to tell me that in the future”

The heiress said with a notable confusion and innocence

“I’m sure I’ll be, don’t I?”

A small bittersweet chuckle escape from her lips

“Anyways, dearie, I’m a little sleepy, would you sing for me?”

Bernadette asked to her daughter

“Of course, can I lie next to you?”

She said as she got of the chair she was sitting on

“Sure thing sweetheart, come lie with me”

First of all Diana helped her mother to lie down properly and then she put herself at her mother’s side holding her hand

“Dear Theodosia, what to say to you?

You have my eyes

You have your mother's name”

The blue eyed girl started to sing with her cute voice

“When you came into the world

You cried and it broke my heart”

Out of nowhere she felt a couple of tears forming in her eyes

“I'm dedicating every day to you

Domestic life was never quite my style

When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart

And I thought I was so smart”

Her mother was looking at her with tired eyes and a shining smile

“You will come of age with our young nation

We'll bleed and fight for you

We'll make it right for you”

The older woman started humming at the rhythm of the song

“If we lay a strong enough foundation

We'll pass it on to you

We'll give the world to you

And you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday

Yeah, you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday”

Bernadette started crying as she squeezed Diana’s hand

“Are you okay mom?”

Diana stopped her chanting

“Yeah dearie, please continue”

The Cavendish head said

“My father wasn't around”

Diana continued

“My father wasn’t around”

Bernadette sang the second line

“I swear that I'll be around for you”

They sang in unison, at this moment Diana was smiling too

“I'll do whatever it takes”

Diana was happy she was with her mother, she was the only person that really cared about her because she was Diana, not Diana Cavendish

“I'll make a million mistakes”

Bernadette knew this was the last time she would sing besides her daughter

“I'll make the world safe and sound for you”

They sang together again

“Will come of age with our young nation

We'll bleed and fight for you,

We'll make it right for you”

The song was about to end and Diana wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen.

When Diana was about to sing the last verse Bernadette stopped her with a single glance as she started singing that last and beautiful verse

“If we lay a strong enough foundation

We'll pass it on to you

We'll give the world to you

And you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday”

As the song was ending Bernadette’s voice started fading

“Come closer dearie”

She said with a cough, Diana did as she was said, she came closer to her mother which all of her strength took Diana’s hand with both of hers

“Yeah, you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday”

The strength in Bernadette’s grip was vanishing

“Thank you Diana”

Was the last thing she said before closing her eyes

“Mother?”

Diana’s heart was beating in fear

“Mother are you alright?”

She tried to move Bernadette’s body with no avail

“Mommy?”

Tears started streaming out of her young eyes, she touch her mother’s hand once again but it was cold

“Who I’ll blow you away if you are not here?”

She asked to the air.

That beautiful summer evening was the day Bernadette Cavendish left this world.

*nine year later (present day)*

It has been nine years since you passed away, a lot of things happened in those years, I got into Luna Nova (as I’ve told you before), I saved the academy a couple of times from bankruptcy, I met a lot of people, I even met my idol! Shiny Chariot was my astrology teacher, can you believe it?!

I also met Atsuko Kagari, an hyperactive girl obsessed with Chariot, the first day we met she literally claim she would be the best witch of all times, she said she would make people smile with her magic, at first I thought she was extremely naive and dumb in some sort of way, she couldn’t fly a broom and she thought she could be the greatest witch, what a joke!

But you know, as the time passed I realized she wasn’t bad at all, yeah she was too optimistic and an extremist but either ways she accomplished what I could never do, she even went to our house to get me back, she didn’t let me give up my studies and friends!

Also, apparently, she was the “chosen one”, that means she was the wielder of the Claiomh Solais, when I first discovered that fact I was little jealous of her, I couldn’t understand why she, a girl from a non witch family, could be the one to restore magic, but at the end I figured it out, her power was so raw and at the same time so beautiful, she can make any sad person smile, her mere presence is like having a star by your side, and when I finally understand that, I knew that it was real “A believing heart is your magic” when I finally get to understand her I knew those words were more than a catchphrase, because even at my worst moments her heart believed in me, she believed that I could be better, that I could face everything, and in those moments when I saw her eyes full of passion and her smile shining for me I felt the magic running through my veins.

Anyways, I will like to tell you more about her but I need to go, I’m sure you would have loved her if you could have met her.

-With love, Diana Cavendish

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

“Let 's go Diana! We are going to be late!”

A girl with beautiful red eyes exclaimed to me while knocking my door with insistence

“I’m going Akko, let me take my hat”

I don’t know if I could blow everyone away by myself, but I know that this quirky girl sure blew my heart…

“Come on! The girls are waiting for us!”

Yeah, she doesn’t know yet but I’m sure she’ll be the next one to sing by my side...

————————

And here is the fifth day of the @dianakko-week ! For me this one was the most difficult one to write so I’ll be grateful of you gays (guys) give me your opinions.

Anyways, see y’all tomorrow!

This is the song used in this chapter: Here!

[cagesings]

@angelsweeps / riff sent: [ HAIR ] : as they kiss the receiver, sender tangles their fingers into receiver's hair.

she didn't think he would kiss her. they've been playing some sort of strange game for the past few months. touches linger longer than an employer and an employee should last. stomach fills with warmth, as if she consumed an entire mug of hot chocolate beforehand, when she catches him staring at her. the other day when one of the waitresses pointed out that she seemed friendlier with their boss than most people were, it's been different. she worries about him as much as she used to worry about anthony. she worries about him as much as she worries about her daughter. it isn't . . . she hates it.

meaning she's been avoiding him as much as possible. not in the way they avoided each other after the night she accidently got intoxicated. a different sort of ignorance. as if she catches his eye in the reflection of a glass, she might do something she isn't proud of. her only goal is to survive the night while avoiding contact with him at all. that's something neither of them want. unprofessional and unnecessary. they'll only break their own hearts.

yet here they are standing face to face. until they're closer than they've ever been and she lets him kiss her. hands freeze the moment his lips are on hers before placing her palms around his shoulders with the upmost hesitation. his fingers tangle into her hair, much too long to be considered fashionable, yet she refuses to cut it. oh, she likes the feeling of his fingers in her hair more than she should. she likes kissing him more than she should.

until they part and she's looking up into is eyes again. ❝ i-i'm - i'm married, ❞ johanna whispers more to herself than to him. she told herself that she couldn't move on from anthony, no matter how many times a well-intentioned neighbor or distant friend attempted to set her up with someone. anthony is her husband. dead or not. yet she kissed another man. gaze falls before she can watch his expression fall. he knows she's a widow. ❝ i should - i should go. ❞

[dailytomlinson]

When One Direction announced their hiatus at the end of 2015, the world took out their magnifying glasses and awaited how each of the members would progress past the mammoth presence the supergroup had bathed them in. Over time, a particular light fell onto the tender tenor of the group, Louis Tomlinson, as his voice always provided the edge that elevated the group beyond the generic boyband model. Just as other wildly successful boybands like *NSYNC and The Backstreet Boys had Chris Kirkpatrick and Brian Littrell, One Direction had Tomlinson whose voice differentiated the band from others in their field. So, when Tomlinson announced his long-awaited debut record, Walls, back last Fall, there was an air of intrigue that soon accumulated for where this voice would journey, solo.

Tomlinson experimented with a handful of singles over the years with “Just Hold On” and “Back to You” tapping into the EDM market while his highly underrated track “Miss You” dabbled in the foundations of pop-punk to solidify his sound as an independent artist. Yet, it’s when the British-bred singer began digging into his roots that he found a familiar fire that shaped the overarching soundscape that is found in the bulk of Walls. It’s obvious that Tomlinson found comfort in Britpop, and if anything, it is a strong starting point for a debut as his voice sits naturally atop the genre.

Opening the record is electric track “Kill My Mind” which feels as though one has shaken up a fresh soda can and popped the lid. It’s a rowdy fizz full of a hodgepodge of 90’s alternative influences, and the longer one sips on Tomlinson’s biting vocals and rambunctious, guitar-led production, the better it tastes. Following the tune is “Don’t Let it Break Your Heart,” an instant crowd-pleaser detailing the strength of healing through adversity, relying on it’s endearing chant-like structure to push the track to new heights. It’s easy to imagine this song rumbling a venue as the fans scream out its words. Bleeding into the piano-entrancing “Two of Us,” we see Tomlinson at his most vulnerable, lyrically and vocally, as the song details the passing of his mother at the end of 2016. Almost as if he is cracking his ribcage open to allow others to find collective healing through the process of grief, the track is more uplifting than sorrowful—it being Tomlinson’s words and personable voice to thank for that. The title track, “Walls,” being a nod to Oasis, was well-received by critics and fans alike as Tomlinson breaks down the walls that his trials and tribulations have built up around him over the years. It’s rare to find a title track that can firmly stand on its own, yet this one does just that.

It’s when we fade into the meat of Walls, past the singles, do we start to see Tomlinson’s artistic identity flourish. “Too Young” acts like a melancholic lullaby that is sang too tenderly to cross. A simple acoustic that highlights the delicate vocals he was famous for in One Direction. “Habit” easily presses rewind on the era and takes a trip back to the alt 90’s, providing what could be the blossoming of a softer Everclear influence. Tomlinson showcases his impeccable ability to flow words overtop a sonic landscape here, which follows into a couple other tracks, providing a storytelling technique that has been challenging for his fellow bandmates to crack as he confesses to his love interest that they’re a habit he can’t break. It’s difficult not to hear this breezy, guitar-driven tune and not think of how seamlessly the chorus could blend into a 90’s, coming of age film that stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

“Always You” gives way to lighter moods in musicality as Tomlinson’s voice bounces over lively guitar plucking, providing the same word flow as “Habit” just more staccato. The building climax compliments his tone, being a hidden talent in his repertoire, landing with a big melodic chorus so gravitating that one will be humming it to themselves long after the record’s over. Then, there’s “Fearless,” a surprising power-ballad that is hard to forget. Structured around the age-old phrase, “let’s stay young forever” it would’ve been easy for this theme to fall corny rather quickly, but instead, the track is a haunting recount of forgotten youth and being lost in nostalgia. Tomlinson’s vocals are at their peak here, following the foundations of simple verses and light instrumentals, allowing his isolated vocals to take center stage to deliver an iron-clad performance.

The two most personal tracks on the record, though, are saved for last. Being the most reflective of his growth going forward as an artist, “Defenceless” and “Only the Brave” display his duality in the sonic landscape. The former is a powerhouse earworm that represents everything good about a pop song. Bringing one of the catchiest bridges to the mainstream in recent years, “Defenceless” soars with poppy chords and heavy drums that’ll have one itching to listen to it on the open road. Tomlinson teamed up with Andrew Jackson and Duck Blackwell for the latter, “Only the Brave.” An interlude track that came to Tomlinson as a demo, it resonated with him enough to mark it the star of the show as the album’s closer. It taps into an indie market that suits his voice well as the song’s corners feel burnt and tinged. The stunning religious subtext that could be metaphors for both his relationship with another and with fame is only a little over two minutes long, but it acts as one powerful ending.

Walls works because it’s a culmination of Louis Tomlinson’s best assets—the distinct edge of his vocals and his commanding lyrical prowess. Tomlinson’s voice has a knack of making a listener feel as though he’s sitting across the kitchen table, speaking directly to them. It’s personable, tender, comforting, and it’s endearing. His peaks as a vocalist breathe through his debut, nailing airy falsettos and parading his raspy edge. Lyrically, whether it be him tackling adversity in the title track with, “These high walls never broke my soul,” shedding the tightly constructed public image tied to his boyband past in “Habit” with, “I took some time ‘cause I’ve ran out of energy of playing someone I’ve heard I’m supposed to be,” directly asking a friend the heavy question, “[are you] strong enough to get it wrong in front of all these people” in nostalgia-chasing’s “Fearless,” or sticking true to his clever symbolism found in “Always You” that details, “We’re sleeping on our problems like we’ll solve them in our dreams / we wake up early morning, and it’s still under the sheets,” it’s obvious that Tomlinson is a true songwriter. All in all, it’s in the conjoined efforts of these two aspects of his artistry that lays a solid foundation for Tomlinson moving forward. Walls has proven that he has what it takes to stand on his own, and looking towards the future just like the record’s closing lines, Tomlinson has shown that “it’s [his] solo song, and it’s only for the brave.”

Thanks for the amazing review @aliensyndrome !

[elaineluo]

saying goodbye

Dearest Anastasia,

You are so loved. From the very first moment we found out about your existence, we rejoiced and delighted in you. You were the answer to more than a year of longing and prayer, and we couldn’t wait to meet you face to face.

You are so loved, by so many: the countless uncles and aunties who prayed without ceasing for you over the past five months; your paternal grandparents who packaged their thoughts and love in boxes to be shipped across the ocean; your maternal grandparents who tirelessly cooked and delivered elaborate feasts every week so you would be well-fed; your big sister Elsie who delighted in saying hello to you, and who showed understanding and sacrifice beyond her years as every day she uncomplainingly declared, “Mummy can’t carry Elsie, because she has baby in her tummy”; your dad who gave up all of his free time and took over as much housework as he could, to give me the rest I needed to provide you with a good home; and I, please know I did everything I could within my power to be the home you needed until you could safely enter this world… I’m so, so sorry it wasn’t enough. 

You are so loved, and will always be known as our little fighter. In your short life, you endured and survived through so much. You fought to live through the constant bleeding, and hung on after two major haemorrhages. Each time we thought we had lost you, we were reassured with the image of you and your heart steadily, determinedly beating away. You were so strong, that we stopped wondering and worrying if you would make it. And then we found out that things had suddenly deteriorated—the blood vessels from the placenta that provided you with food and nourishment were slowly starting to break down. Even then, for weeks you tried to manage by no longer growing and using all the energy you could get to sustain essential functions. To the very end, you fought and defied all expectations. When the waters broke around you sealing your fate, still you fought, and lived for days longer than all the doctors expected. Know that you didn’t fight in vain, dearest Anastasia, for each day you fought was another precious day that we were blessed with your presence. 

You are so loved, we would lay down our lives for you. I will never forget the image of your dad kneeling before you as we both met and said goodbye to you, his voice hoarse and broken as he told you that if he could, he would gladly exchange his life for yours. Our dearest baby, I would too. In a heartbeat, I would too. 

You are so loved, and that is why leaving the hospital without you to go home was the hardest journey I have ever taken. It was leaving behind a life without you; a life where I wouldn’t deeply breathe in your scent as I hugged you tight each day, where I wouldn’t hear your dad serenade you as he lovingly attended to your every need, where I wouldn’t see you with your big sister Elsie as together you played and laughed... a life of walking alongside you as you blossom and flourish, forever gone and left behind. 

You are so loved, most of all by God. He is the One who foreknew and chose you in Christ before the foundation of the world, who created your inmost being, and lovingly knit you together in my womb. Dearest Anastasia, in the Bible, there are these verses from Isaiah 26 that thus declares,

“As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain,     so were we in your presence, Lord.  We were with child, we writhed in labour,     but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth,     and the people of the world have not come to life.

But your dead will live, Lord;     their bodies will rise— let those who dwell in the dust     wake up and shout for joy— your dew is like the dew of the morning;     the earth will give birth to her dead.”

It teaches us that although the world is broken by sin and human efforts ultimately futile, there is certain hope, for in His great love God has sent His one and only Son to lay down His life for us. This is why we have named you Anastasia, which means “resurrection”. As we remember you each day, we also remember and hold fast to the sure and certain hope that in future, glorious resurrection, we shall once again hold you in our arms. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. We have gladly received the gift you have been in your time with us, and now we return you to His loving arms, where there is no longer any pain or suffering. Rest in peace, dearest Anastasia, in the truth and knowledge that you are so loved.

“There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world.”

[dailyaudiobible]

04/23/2021 DAB Transcript

Judges 1:1-2:9, Luke 21:29-22:13, Psalms 90:1-91:16, Proverbs 13:24-25

Today is the 23rd day of April welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian, and it is a pleasure and a joy to come around the Global Campfire together and just find our place, do what we do, exhale, settle in to the safe oasis that we create for ourselves as God's word comes washing into our lives. So, it is a pleasure and joy to be here with you today. And we’re turning the page. We’re actually moving into some new territory in the Old Testament. We conclude the book of Joshua yesterday which leads us to the…well….to the first chapter of the book of Judges.

Introduction to the book of Judges:

And judges is what comes next. We can think from the title of Judges that it's a big book of judgment, right? Like, this is one of those books in the Bible where you don’t want to read it because it’s nothing but judgment. That's…that's what's going on here. Let's, since we’re moving into new territory, let’s just really briefly look back at where we've been. We met Abram. We saw him become Abraham. Abraham's story is essentially the origin story of the Hebrew people. So, Abraham and then the generation of Isaac and the generation of Jacob. Jacob being Abraham's grandson. Jacob has a couple of wives and a couple of concubines thrown into the mix and there's 12 children born. And we remember all that between Rachel and Leah, the battle of the sisters over the children. And these children, they're going to grow up and become tribes. I mean they will…like they will start tribes. Jacob's name is changed to Israel. And, so, his children are the children of Israel. One of those kids was named Joseph and we followed a long path with Joseph being trafficked into slavery and ending up in Egypt. And over the course of time ending up second-in-command in Egypt when a famine comes that reunites the family. They thought Joseph was dead. Jacob thought his son was long dead, but they are reunited in life, which is how the children of Israel made it to Egypt. And then after Joseph dies, they flourish in the land of Egypt and become a very populous mighty people, but they are enslaved by the Egyptians. So, four centuries later, so they’re in slavery for 400 years. That's quite a long time to establish the status quo, this is when we meet the man, Moses. Moses, we met in a basket in the river and Pharaoh's daughter raises him then he has to flee because he kills an Egyptian. He gets married in the wilderness then he sees a burning Bush that is not consumed, and he meets with God and God sends him back to set the people free. Moses wants nothing to do with it but in the end, he obeys, and Moses and his brother Aaron lead the people. And that's when we go through all of the plagues and the Exodus from Egypt. And then they began their wilderness journey. And it was supposed to be a lot shorter than it ended up being. But they got to the very very precipice of entering into the promised land and the spies came back and said, “we can’t do it. There's giants in the land. It's…it's a great land but we can't win”, which doomed an entire generation to continue to learn the message of the wilderness. And we spoke a lot about our own…our own wilderness journeys as we wandered in the wilderness with the children of Israel. Then they made it to the banks of the Jordan River. There's all kinds of stuff that happened in between there, we remember, but then Moses got all the people together and he gave them three discourses, three speeches, that comprise the book of Deuteronomy, the things that Moses's needs the people to know and that he needs to know that he said out loud before he dies. And, so, they listened to that and then Moses died, became a part of history. Joshua takes the leadership over Israel, leads the people across the Jordan River. The first city of conquest is Jericho. We remember all of this and then they are at war basically. All of the different tribes and kings of the land, they attack Israel, and Israel keeps winning and they begin to settle the land. Then Joshua brings everybody back together at Shechem and that's where these famous words, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” come from. And the people say they will serve the Lord. They…they renew the covenant and Joshua tells them, “you are a witness…your lives are…are a witness against you if you don't obey this. That's what brings us to judges. So, we will begin the book of Judges and realize that judges were what came next in the leadership of Israel. They had had a profit in Moses lead them. They had a profit and Joshua lead them. Once they're gone and all of the generation that knew them died off, then there's an emerging generation that doesn't know exactly what to do. They are all tribes doing whatever seems right in their own eyes. And we will begin to see that some of the things that they're doing that they think is right in their own eyes isn't and will see a slide beginning to happen. And, as the people become oppressed, they cry out to God and a judge rises up to lead the people. And some of these judges are our pious and committed to God and some of these judges have some strange ways of doing things but God uses them in this time. So, as we read the book of Judges, we will be passing through several centuries of time. The book of Judges sort of covers an in between period. So, Moses and Joshua are gone, and then there's the period of the judges, which will lead us to the period of the monarchy. Like, when the period of the judges reaches its end, the people are going to want a king. They don’t want a judge anymore, they don’t want a prophet, they want a king. So, it won’t be too long after we conclude the book of Judges that we will be entering into that, that time of the monarchy of ancient Israel. So, that's kind of the lay of the land. That's where we've come from, that's how we got here to page 1 of the book of Judges. So, let's dive in. We’re reading from the New Living Translation this week. Judges chapter 1 verse 1 through 2 verse 9.

Prayer:

Father we thank You for Your word. We thank You bringing us into this new territory in the book of Judges. Holy Spirit come. Plant the words of the Scriptures into our lives. Allow them to till the soil and plant good fruit, that the harvest may be bountiful, the fruit of the spirit in our lives may be bountiful. Help us to see ourselves in these stories. Help them to be mirrors into our own souls into the motives and the brokenness in our own lives. And even as we begin to turn into the passion narrative in the gospel of Luke, even as we've read of the preparations for this last meal before suffering and the plot to betray You, our Lord, we enter the story once again, the story of a love so profound that it has no equal, a love that is drawn us to it like a moth to a flame. And, so, as we watch this story unfold again Holy Spirit come and help us to enter into it with a profound amount of gratitude. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, it is home, its home base for us. Of course, everything that's at the website can be accessed using the Daily Audio Bible app as well by using the Drawer icon in the upper left-hand corner. So, yeah, stay tuned stay connected in any way that you can. This journey that we are on…I mean I say that every day almost because it's important to remember it every day. This is a year-long journey that we’re on step-by-step day by day. And a year in our lives brings all kinds of triumphs and challenges. And, so, what we’re connected to, what we’re tethered to, what is our anchor is the thing that moors us, or if gives us foundation when winds are blowing pretty strong. And, so, staying connected to the journey day by day step-by-step in the Scriptures brings foundation. And knowing that were not in this alone, that it's not this solitary endeavor, that thousands, tens of thousands of us, all over the world are on the same page moving through this together it makes the difference. And, so, stay connected in any way that you can.

Check out the Community section either in the app or on the web.

Check out the Daily Audio Bible Shop either place. There are resources for this journey there.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, I can't possibly thank you enough. I can't possibly like…I’ve tried so many times, the vocabulary fails, the gratefulness, the awe that all of these years all of these days, day by day, step-by-step we’ve been not just doing this for a year, but this is the 16th year every single day, seven days a week without missing a single day. So, I'm in awe that…that we’re in this together because we wouldn't be here if we weren’t. So, if that is life-giving to you than thank you for your partnership. There’s a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you're using the Daily Audio Bible app you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner, or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app, the little red button at the top or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that's it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

My name is Darla from Pennsylvania this is my first time calling. I just wanted to reach out to the man. I was listening on April 16th and the man said that he felt like he wasn't even worthy or able to be helpful or something along those lines and my heart just kind of sank because I know…I know how that feels and I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you in Jesus’ name.

Hi Daily Audio Bible this is Alobia from New Mexico this is my first time ever reading with you guys and so far, it has been a fantastic time. I'm really happy that I'm here. I'm happy that I found you guys. But this is my first time ever doing this kind of thing, but I do want to ask for some prayers if it's not too much. I am struggling with my relationship. He's not equally yoked with me and I recently got back into my religion and I stopped doing the things that I wasn't supposed to be doing and our relationship changed a lot and we got through it a little bit but now he proposed, and I'm just confused. I don't know where to go. I don't know what to do anymore. I…I wanna be with this person but I know I shouldn't be with him when we're not equally yoked. But at the same time, I can't bring myself to like break-up with him. This might seem like something that's not really important, but I've been dating this person for three years and I'm confused and I'm not sure what to do. I've been praying about it, but I would like to hear from other people too. But I also want to give thanks for this community. I'm not sure if a lot of people will hear it. Well, we'll see, but I hope that you guys can pray for me and pray for my situation. But thank you. I'm sending my love out to all of you and have a good rest of your day.

Good afternoon DAB family God bless you all. I don't know your name I think you said Ramona or Mona from South Cali. You're 32 years old single mom of an 8-year-old boy with stage four kidney failure. You are on dialysis three times a week; 31 surgeries now has cancer. You called in praying for an encouraging because of James from Fort Worth TX who lost his daughter last year January 27th of 2020 and you're asking for prayer so that you may have God's peace, God's joy, God's healing because your 8-year-old son told you it's OK for you to go to heaven so that you don't suffer anymore. My dear sister I cannot imagine that and I'm standing alongside you in your tears. I'm praying for you and I'm believing that there’s nothing that God cannot do. There is nothing that God cannot do. God can turn this around in the name of Jesus. I am declaring healing over your body inside out I am declaring totally healing in your body. I am declaring functioning kidneys in the name of Jesus. I am binding those cancer cells to be done to be eradicated from your body in its entirety in the name of Jesus. I am declaring you healed by the blood of Christ. I'm loosening the healing powers of Jesus over you from the crown of your head to the soul of your feet in Jesus’ name. Amen. Esther from Orlando.

Hi, I'm calling in to pray for Lacey, Lacey, I believe and the Lilies. Lacey I just listened to the broadcast on the 17th, and I heard your prayer. I too suffer from a disease that won't let me fully extend some of my body and I also took hope in that same reading that you did. Keep reaching sister. God will straighten you up. I know that it doesn't seem possible right now but just keep reaching for heaven and you will reach it. We love you.

Good morning DAB family this is Doctor John from Illinois listening this morning at 4:18. Just wanna pray this morning for Chad who's suffering depression, anxiety, and fear but he knows enough to call, he knows enough to ask for help. And I listened to this brother pray for his nephew Jeff, the firefighter who’s sick with covid still experiencing troubles with it. And I guess my one encouragement the one…makes my heart just overwhelmed with I believe it's Ramona from Southern California she's a 32-year-old woman 8-year-old son, she's experiencing kidney failure, having some other diagnostic problems. And I'm just overwhelmed at her heart toward other people though. And she said something really sparked my heart. And she said even in the midst of this affliction God is still God. He’s still righteous and He’s still holy and He’s still just. And she's in desperate straits and yet she cries for help for other people and lifting up other people encouraging other people, that's her faith. Her joy is in the Lord. So, let's take a note from this. Family let's pray for others. Let's put others above ourselves. God hears every single prayer, and he knows our hearts before we even ask. So, thank you Brian and Jill again for this wonderful place that we can come together, this wonderful family that we share each other’s hearts and needs. This is the love of God acted out.

Good morning Daily Audio Bible family this is Stan from Maryland. My heart was impressed to pray for Trent. I believe he was on the August 18th prayer request. Dear father lift up Trent. He…he said is in a dark abyss of depression and despair and fear. Father God I pray that You would put a hedge of thorns all around Trent so that the influences of the evil one causing him to despair and to be fearful and to be depressed would lose interest and leave him. And Father, You know Trent’s heart. He's trying to draw near to You. So, I pray Father that You were drawing near to him. When You're in that dark place it's hard to see any light. So, I pray Father that You would illuminate Your presence in Trent’s deep soul s0peaking to him as he needs to hear so that he knows that You love him deeply, that You will lift him up and that You…that he can rely on You. As a matter of fact, Father relying on You is the only way because we are all confused Father God about what our future is and about what our perception of reality is. So, I pray these things for Trent in the name of Jesus. Amen.

[religioused]

Words Never Die

by Gary Simpson

1 Samuel 3:1-20 (King James Version) And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; and ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7  Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

11 And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.

19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.



Reflection:

There is an old public domain hymn titled “Kind Words Never Die.” Sadly, angry words take on a life of their own too. In no realm does that seem more accurate than political and religious discussions.

Three general principles you might want to look for in this sermon. (1) Ridicule and insults can cause religious and political divisions and political tension. (2) We can reflect on how our theological beliefs and political news consumption may cause us to hate others. (3) Look for ways to build people up.

There are times when a dose of Biblical trivia feels right. And this is one of those times. In the Septuagint, 1st and 2nd Samuel were called 1st and 2nd Kingdoms, and 1st and 2nd Kings were called 3rd and 4th Kingdoms.(1) A few people think 1st and 2nd Samuel would be better named Saul and David, or 1st and 2nd David.(2)

First and Second Samuel were probably written about 900 BCE(3), and the events described in 1st Samuel might date back to somewhere between 1200 and 1000 BCE.(4) The book was written after the division of the nation into two kingdoms, the northern and the southern kingdoms.(5) The events in the book of 1st Samuel take place during a time of political change. The children of Israel were transitioning into a monarchical form of government.(6) We see a shift from the leadership of priests, prophets and judges to kings.(7)

As we look to contemporary issues dividing Canada and the United States, we may find parts of 1st Samuel, a book written for a people divided into two kingdoms, valuable. A major theme in 1st Samuel is that the main characters, Samuel, Saul, and David, all “make mistakes that cost them dearly.”(8) This last point, which seems quite trivial, could be important. Religious institutions and religious leaders, combined with political institutions and political leaders, made mistakes that could be challenging for North Americans for many years. Decisions relating to the creation and operation of residential schools made by the Canadian Government and church denominations hurt generations of Indigenous people. Contributors to the NIV Foundation Study Bible observe that Samuel’s ministry is built on a foundation of an “attitude of listening.”(9) And listening could be critical to the future for people of faith.

There is some literary foreshadowing in the passage. Samuel means “requested of God.”(10) We can get the sense that there is something special about Samuel, and that sense increases as we read the narratives in 1st and 2nd Samuel.

In the ancient Near Eastern world, prophets gave messages from God. Should a god not give messages through prophets, it was considered a sign that the gods were unhappy.(11) Contributors to the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible indicate that some people speculate that Samuel was in the temple area at night in hopes of receiving a “divine vision,” but there is nothing in the Biblical passage that supports that conclusion.(12)

Verses 15 to 17 are worth exploring for a moment. Warren Wiersbe draws attention to the fact that Samuel got up and went about his daily duties. He gives Samuel credit for being mature enough not to run around telling everyone that God gave him a special message.(13) I am not sure if it was maturity or dread of telling Eli the message God gave Samuel. Because Eli was almost like a foster father, Samuel might have loved Eli. His love for Eli might have been why Samuel was reluctant to tell Eli God’s message. Samuel did not want to hurt Eli.(14) Eli had a long vocational calling as a judge, having judged Israel for 40 years. Knowing Eli's vocation might have made it even more difficult for Samuel to deliver God’s stern message.(15)

Eli appears to threaten Samuel. He says Samuel must tell the whole truth and not to hide anything from him or God will deal severely with Samuel. Eli may have spoken strongly because he realized that God did something “rare” when God bypassed him and gave Samuel a message.(16) Eli, who recognizes physical maturity does not always go hand-in-hand with spiritual maturity, takes the rebuke God gives him through the mouth of young Samuel.(17) I think Eli shows significant maturity in his willingness to seek out and to accept the message Samuel gave.

Moses understood the children of Israel wanted to have a king.(18) There could be many reasons why the children of Israel wanted a king, a person of power, leading their country. They might have been seeking power, prestige, and a feeling of safety. Chapters 8-12 of 1 Samuel describe the establishment of a king for the children of Israel.(19) Was a desire to have a powerful leader, a person who could protect people of faith, a factor in some Christians being involved in the Capitol protest, a protest that claimed the lives of people? Did some people of faith believe they needed a strong president, a virtual king figure to protect their faith? We may never know.

When protesters took over the Capitol Building in Washington, DC., a few Americans carried crosses and Christian banners. Photos show somebody put up a noose. There was a massive juxtaposition between the images. As Canadians we cannot look down our noses at our American neighbors and congratulate ourselves that this could never happen in Canada. Increasingly strong and polarizing rhetoric is not just an American thing. We have the same problem here. Polarizing language between conservative and progressive Christians is both a Canadian and an American problem.

There are a few things that we may want to consider when reviewing how you live out your religious and political convictions.

• Is our shared theology and understanding of the Bible helping us feel more compassion for others, or are we finding ourselves progressively feeling more angry with those who do not share our values or our doctrine?

• When we hear a politician or a minister speak, do we find ourselves feeling increasingly angry because we believe that we are being cheated?

• Have we studied, to understand, and not to prove other people wrong, the beliefs of other Christian denominations and other world religions?

• Do we find ourselves engaging in calling members of other religious or political groups names? Do we find ourselves calling either progressive or conservative Christians names?

• Do we decide to vote based only on one political issue?

• Are there times when we seriously want to punch people who disagree with us on core issues?

• Do we spend hours each week listening to all news, all talk shows? Are we feeling anxious and angry after we watch hours of news and opinion shows?

If some of the things I mentioned seem to describe you, this might be a sign that you need to focus less on news and theology. You may want to limit your consumption of news to the morning news and the evening news. That might help you feel less like your core values are being assaulted.

Anglican theologian John Stott states, “No theology is genuinely Christian which does not arise from and focus on the cross.”(20) Historically Christians have seen love and grace as being symbolized in the cross. This means Christian theology is only genuine Christian theology when it shows love and grace. A prime test of love is respect. When we express theology in a loving manner, we attempt to show respect for those who disagree. The use of sarcastic language, ridicule, and insults might win the argument, but it generally loses the war, since the tactics offend and alienate.

I am going to conclude with a story.

Lawrence Welk is a big band leader who had a highly successful career. There is a website that estimates the net worth of celebrities. According to the website, when Lawrence Welk died in 1992, he might have been the richest person in show business, possibly being even more wealthy than the legendary Bob Hope.(21)

I hope that I recall the story correctly because it has been years since I read Lawrence Welk’s autobiography. As I recall the story, Lawrence Welk was reminiscing about his early days in show business. Welk and his boss, the leader of the band he was in, were eating in a café. Evidently, the food was pretty awful. Lawrence Welk complained about the food. The leader of the band complimented the waitress on the coffee. Later, Lawrence Welk asked the leader of the band why he didn’t complain about the bad food. The bandleader replied to the effect that whenever the waitress heard his name, she would think about how he complimented her for the coffee and whenever the waitress heard Lawrence Welk's name, she would remember how he criticized the food.

I encourage people to change the topic from political concerns and religion to other topics and to look for a reason to praise. Your kind words will be remembered and will build a bridge.

Kind words can never die,

Cherished and blest,

God knows how deep they lie,

Stored in the breast:

Like childhood’s simple rhymes,

Said o’er a thousand times,

Aye, in all years and climes,

Distant and near.

Kind words can never die(22)

End Notes

(1) Joel Rosenberg. “1 and 2 Samuel.” The Literary Guide to the Bible. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard Univ. Press, 1987), 122.

(2) Rosenberg. (1987), 122.

(3) Marshall Shelley, et al., eds. The Quest Study Bible. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zandervan Pub., 1994), 358.

(4) John H. Walton and Craig S. Keener, eds. New King James Version Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zandervan Pub., 2017), 480.

(5) Shelley, et al. (1994), 358.

(6) Walton and Keener, eds. (2017), 480.

(7) Rosenberg. (1987), 122.

(8) NIV Foundation Study Bible. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zandervan, 2015), 283.

(9) NIV Foundation Study Bible. (2015), 286.

(10) Merrill F. Unger. Unger's Bible Handbook: An Essential Guide to Understanding the Bible. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1967), 187.

(11) Walton and Keener. (2017), 486.

(12) Walton and Keener. (2017), 486.

(13) Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary: History. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Victor, 2003), 216.

(14) Walter J. Harrelson, et al., eds. The New Interpreter's Study Bible. (Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2003), 399.

(15) Bruce Barton, et al., eds. Life Explanation Study Bible. 2nd ed. (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Pub., 2004), 413.

(16) Shelley, et al. (1994), 363.

(17) Christian Community Bible. 2nd ed. (Madrid, Spain: San Pablo, 1988), 277.

(18) Kenneth Barker, et al., eds. The NIV Study Bible. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zandervan Pub., 1985), 372.

(19) Barker, et al. (1985), 372.

(20) John Stott. The Cross of Christ. (Doners Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1986), 216.

(21) “Lawrence Welk Net Worth.” Celebrity Net Worth. 2020, 16 January 2021.

<https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/rock-stars/lawrence-welk-net-worth/>.

(22) Abbey Hutchinson Patton. “Kind Words Can Never Die.” Public Domain Hymns. <https://www.pdhymns.com/SheetMusic/B_Normal/I-Q_Normal/K_Normal/Kind%20Words%20Can%20Never%20Die_N.pdf>.

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

4th November >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Luke 14:25-33 for Wednesday, Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time: ‘Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple’.

Wednesday, Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA)

Luke 14:25-33

Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple

Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, “Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish.” Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand? If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace. So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’

Gospel (USA)

Luke 14:25-33

Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

Reflections (5)

(i) Wednesday, Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus’ message in today’s gospel reading is very demanding. He declares that becoming his disciple will cost us something. It will require being more devoted to him than to those we are bound to by the strongest ties of natural affection. It means a readiness to hold our possessions lightly, least them become an obstacle to our walking in the Lord’s way. Becoming the Lord’s disciple is not something we do lightly. It requires us to think through what is involved, as someone who sets out to build a tower or a king who sets out to go to war has to think everything through clearly and thoroughly in advance. Jesus’ strong demands here have to be placed in the context of his desire, evident elsewhere in the gospels, to empower us to rise to these demands and to find deep happiness in so doing. The Lord who demands much also generously graces and gifts us. The Lord’s message is both reassuring and demanding. In today’s first reading, Saint Paul shows a great awareness of this two sided nature of the Christian calling and life. On the one hand, he says to the church in Philippi, ‘work out your salvation in fear and trembling’. There are demanding steps which only we can take. Then, Paul immediately says, ‘it is God who puts both the will and the action into you’. It is God who gives us the desire to take the often difficult path of following his Son and also it is God who empowers us to take that path, ‘the will and the action’. As Paul says in another of his other letters, ‘The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this’.

And/Or

(ii) Wednesday, Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time

The opening verses of the gospel reading this morning seem strange to our ears. Clearly, Jesus’ call to the crowds to hate father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters, is not to be taken literally. Earlier in Luke’s gospel, Jesus had called upon his followers to love their enemies, to bless those who curse them, to pray for those who treat them badly. Jesus embodies that teaching in his own life. He healed the ear of the enemy who had come out to arrest him; he prayed asking God’s forgiveness for those who were crucified him. In this morning’s gospel, Jesus is using deliberately exaggerated language to get across his teaching more pointedly. He is really saying that those who want to follow him will have to love him even more than they love those for whom they have the deepest natural affection.  As God’s representative, as God’s Son, Jesus alone is to be loved in the way that God is to be loved, with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. Nothing less will do for God or for God’s Son. Jesus seems to be saying that if we want to be his disciples, we can’t be half-hearted about it. Our following of the Lord is not a casual affair; it needs to be carefully considered, just as someone who decides to build a tower or to go to war needs to think it through thoroughly beforehand.

 And/Or

(iii) Wednesday, Thirty first Week in Ordinary Time

The opening words of the gospel this morning seem very harsh and strange to our ears. Yet, we are dealing here with a Semitic idiom, expressing preference. If you prefer one thing, or even one person, over another, you are said to love the one and hate the other. Jesus is not calling on his disciples to hate their families, but to love him more than they love even their families. He is to be the primary love or the primary loyalty in our lives. Elsewhere in the gospel Jesus quotes what he terms the first commandment to love God with all one’s soul, strength and mind. However, because Jesus is God-with-us, to love God in this total way is to love Jesus in this total way. As followers of Jesus we are called to give him our primary allegiance; our relationship with him is to influence all our other relationships. Jesus calls for great loyalty and devotion. That is why he calls on potential disciples to think it through,  just as a builder has to think through whether he will be able to finish building the tower if he starts on it. We ask the Lord this morning to keep us whole-hearted rather than half-hearted in our following of him.

 And/Or

(iv) Wednesday, Thirty first Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel reading today, Jesus tells two parables, the parable of the builder and the parable of the king marching to war. In both parables two men rush into some important enterprise without reflecting sufficiently on what they were about to undertake. Their action was not matched by a corresponding reflection and, so, they failed to complete what they began. Jesus seems to be suggesting that following him, becoming his disciple, requires us to be reflective as well as active, prayerfully reflective. We need to keep stepping back before setting out, or, in the language of the parables, we need to keep sitting down to prayerfully consider before launching forth. Following the Lord is not a casual affair, no more than building a tower should be for the builder or going to war should be for a king. We don’t remain the Lord’s disciple, we don’t persevere on that road, without prayerful consideration. Such prayerful consideration can take many forms; it might mean asking the Lord for the wisdom and courage we need to take the right path, his path. It might mean prayerfully entrusting ourselves to the Lord with all our heart, in the conviction that we cannot follow him perseveringly without the resources he alone can provide.

 And/Or

(v) Wednesday, Thirty First Week in Ordinary Time

The language at the beginning of today’s gospel reading about the need to hate family members to become a follower of Jesus seems very strange to our ears. It is a Semitic idiom of expressing preference, whereby if someone prefers one thing or one person over another, they are said to love the one and hate the other. The Jesus who said, ‘love your enemies’, is not asking us to hate our own flesh and blood. Yet, he is calling for a level of allegiance that takes priority over even the most cherished of human allegiances. He is to be the primary love in our lives. That doesn’t mean that we will love others less, including the members of our family. Rather, if the Lord is the first love in our lives, then our natural loves will be enhanced; we will be empowered to love others in the way the Lord loves them. When we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we will be caught up into the Lord’s love for others. The more we give ourselves to the Lord, the freer we are to give ourselves to others in the way the Lord gives himself to them. Jesus is aware that he is asking a lot of us, which is why the parable he speaks calls on us to think seriously about our response to his call, just as a builder has to think things through before he starts to build and a king has to think carefully before he goes to war. Yet, elsewhere in the gospels Jesus assures us that if we respond to his call, all embracing as it is, we will receive from the Lord far more than we give him.

Fr. Martin Hogan.